Effects of education for sustainable development on personal norms regarding the scarcity of drinking water

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5902/1983465969079

Keywords:

Education for sustainable development, Drinking water scarcity, Value-belief-norm theory, Sustainability

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate effects of education for sustainable development (ESD) on university students' personal norms regarding the scarcity of drinking water in light of the value-belief-norm theory (VBN).

Design/methodology/approach: The empirical research was developed at the Federal University of Bahia. The final sample was composed of 1,096 university students. The questionnaire was validated qualitatively and quantitatively. For hypothesis testing, Structural Equation Modeling was employed.

Findings: Results indicated that the level of education for sustainable development positively impacted only biospheric values. The findings demonstrate that the impact of education for sustainable development depends on its quality, quantity, distribution, and diffusion in curricula.

Research implications: This research is based on VBN theory and contributes to the body of literature of EDS. It suggests that individuals' values are in fact guiding principles of their beliefs.

Practical implications: Biospheric values were found to have a positive effect on ecological beliefs. Nevertheless, it was found that in order to feel a moral obligation to act, students need to believe that, in fact, drinking water scarcity is a serious problem for society.

Social implications: This research adds insights to the matter of educating the younger generation of students in view of the recent (2021-2022) water crisis in Brazil.

Originality/value: The analysis of effects of "level of education for sustainable development” on individuals' values, impacting the VBN chain to explain student coping with drinking water scarcity is an original contribution of this study.

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Author Biographies

Thayse Santos da Cruz, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Caruaru, PE

Doctor in Administration, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA)

Department of Management, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS)

Professor in the Management Department

Avenue Marechal Rondon Jardim s/n - Rosa Elze, São Cristóvão – Sergipe - Brasil, 49100-000

E-mail: thayse.cruz@hotmail.com
Phone: + 55 (71) 98716-5613
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3873-7131

Sônia Maria da Silva Gomes, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA

Doctor in Production Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC)

School of Accounting Sciences, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA)

Tenured professor in the School of Accounting Sciences

Avenue Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n Vale do - Canela, Salvador – Bahia- Brasil, 40110-903

E-mail: soniagomes3@gmail.com
Phone: +55 (71) 98893-3428

Orcid: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2024-4419

 

Paulo Soares Figueiredo, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA

Doctor in Business Administration, Boston University Questrom School of Business

School of Management, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA)

Tenured professor in the Operations Management Department

Avenue Reitor Miguel Calmon s/n Vale do - Canela, Salvador – Bahia- Brasil, 40110-903

E-mail: paulo_s_figueiredo@hotmail.com

Phone: +55 (71) 3283-7672

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4112-9682

Daniel Kouloukoui, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA

Doutor in Industrial Engineering, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA)

Foundation Visconde de Cairu (FVC)

Professor at Graduation: Graduation in Accounting and Administration 

Street of Salete, 50 - Barris, Salvador – Bahia- Brasil, 40070-200

E-mail: danielkoulou@hotmail.com

Phone: +55 (71) 99222-5587

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3375-6325

 

Erisson Souza Barreto da Cruz, Universidade Estadual da Bahia, Salvador, BA

Student of Financial Management, Salvador University (UNIFACS)

Salvador University (UNIFACS)

Avenue Tancredo Neves, 2131, Caminho das Árvores, Salvador – Bahia- Brasil, 41820-021

E-mail: cruz.erisson@gmail.com

Phone: +55 (71) 99233-1240

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5749-8546

 

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Published

2022-12-20

How to Cite

Cruz, T. S. da, Gomes, S. M. da S., Figueiredo, P. S., Kouloukoui, D., & Cruz, E. S. B. da. (2022). Effects of education for sustainable development on personal norms regarding the scarcity of drinking water. Revista De Administração Da UFSM, 15, 721–742. https://doi.org/10.5902/1983465969079

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Vol. 15 (2022): Special Issue - XXIII ENGEMA and 10º Fórum Internacional Ecoinovar

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