Research from a cross-disciplinary team of Appalachian State University professors and the University of Hawaii examines how personal traits -- namely location -- predict one's attitudes and preferences around sustainability.
Management Professor Jim Westerman, Psychology Assistant Professor Yalçın Açıkgöz, Marketing Assistant Professor Lubna Nafees and Sustainable Development Associate Professor Jennifer Westerman and the Dean of Hilo's College of Business, Emmeline de Pillis, comprised the research team.
They found that, while people are generally in favor of “sustainability,” traits such as individualism-collectivism, authoritarianism, religiosity, and location held clues to their interests and potential activism.
According to the post at hilo.hawaii.edu,
While individualism-collectivism, authoritarianism, and religiosity had some predictive value, whether a participant was located in Hilo, Hawaii or Boone, North Carolina was the most significant predictor by far. As the researchers had hypothesized, North Carolina participants found people and prosperity goals more important while Hawaii participants placed more importance on planet-related goals. Location explained 83% of the variance in importance given to people and prosperity goals and 74% of the variance in importance given to planet-oriented goals. Location also explained 97% of the variance in peace and partnership-related goals, with Hawaii participants valuing them more highly.
About Sustainable Business at Appalachian
Appalachian’s Walker College of Business is committed to advancing sustainable business practices that promote responsible management of economic, social and natural resources. The theory and practice of sustainable business recognizes that the economy, environment and society (the triple bottom line) are interconnected and interdependent, and strives to enhance the business model so that it can flourish and thrive to benefit future generations. The college offers a sustainable business minor available to business and non-business majors, a bachelor’s degree in environmental economics and policy, and an MBA concentration in sustainable business. The programs focus on student engagement, research and community involvement. For more information, visit business.appstate.edu/sustain.
Location offers clues to attitudes about sustainability
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