Work

From social norms to pro-environmental behavior: The role of destination social responsibility for families traveling with children

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Sustainable business practices are vital for tourist destinations because they help tackle social and environmental challenges while addressing profit-oriented concerns. The purpose of this study was to explore pro-environmental behaviors in families. The values-identity-personal norm model was combined with the concept of destination social responsibility via normative influences. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) were applied in a mixed-methods approach. The findings confirm the values-identity-personal norm model's normative path to family pro-environmental behavior. The research contributes to theory and practice by introducing two new destination social responsibility perspectives: descriptive and injunctive. Based on social media normative influences on family endorsement of destination social responsibility messages, the analysis showed a significant direct effect of descriptive destination social responsibility and injunctive destination social responsibility on family personal norms. However, the mediating effect of family personal norms on family pro-environmental behavior was significant only for descriptive destination social responsibility. Perceived destination social responsibility activities during family vacations had a nonsignificant effect on family personal norms and family pro-environmental behavior. The fsQCA highlights multiple scenarios leading to family pro-environmental behavior. The findings are valuable for helping destination management organizations (DMOs) develop social marketing strategies for family ecotourism.

Source: Technological Forecasting and Social Change

DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123830

Authors: Iulian Adrian Sorcaru, Mihaela-Carmen Muntean, Ludmila-Daniela Manea, Rozalia Nistor

Institution: "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati

Language: English

Topic: Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,860

Funder: Universitatea 'Dunărea de Jos' Galați