Eco-citizens of academia: unraveling students’ behavior toward biodiversity management in higher education institutions

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess students' behaviors toward biodiversity management in higher education institutions. This study expands upon the value belief norm (VBN) theory by examining how environmental values, beliefs and norms impact students' engagement in biodiversity management. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was undertaken using a Google questionnaire. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were adopted to reach the targeted students. The proposed associations were examined through the application of SEM with the use of AMOS software. Findings The findings provide valuable insights into students' behaviors regarding biodiversity management and demonstrate that extending VBN theory to the context of biodiversity, with the incorporation of environmental knowledge and environmental-friendly activities, resulted in a robust model for understanding students' behaviors toward biodiversity management in higher education institutions. Research limitations/implications The findings can guide targeted interventions to boost student engagement in biodiversity management. Understanding the factors influencing their behaviors can aid in designing effective educational programs that promote biodiversity conservation and management. Originality/value This uniqueness of this study rests in its extension of the VBN theory to the context of biodiversity management, the exploration of environmental knowledge and environmental-friendly activities, and its focus on higher education institutions. Its value lies in guiding targeted interventions and campus sustainability strategies, aligning with UN SDGs to support global biodiversity and sustainable practices.