Understanding residents’ environmental responsible behaviour: a cognition – affection – attitude – behaviour model perspective

Current research examined the interplay between cognition (environmental knowledge), affection (environmental sensitivity), attitude (place attachment and sustainable attitude) and behaviour (environmental responsible behaviour and support for sustainable tourism development). Three hundred and eighty-eight residents were surveyed. Structural equation modelling was employed to test direct and indirect relationships among study constructs. Structural model results found environmental knowledge as significant predictor of sustainable attitude than environmental sensitivity. Whereas, effect of environmental knowledge on environmental sensitivity was found significant. Further, empirical findings discovered sustainable attitude as more important predictor of place attachment than environmental sensitivity. Subsequently, the effect of place attachment on environmental responsible behaviour was found positive and significant. Finally, study model confirmed residents’ environmental responsible behaviour as more important predictor of support for sustainable tourism development than place attachment. It is suggested that sustainable tourism be promoted and implemented, and its managerial implications are discussed.