How perceived corporate social responsibility and public knowledge affect public participation intention: Evidence from Chinese waste incineration power projects

Wan, X; Zhang, Y; Mao, P; Li, H; Wang, R; Yi, X and Zhao, X (2022) How perceived corporate social responsibility and public knowledge affect public participation intention: Evidence from Chinese waste incineration power projects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(10), pp. 4107-4131. ISSN 0969-9988

Abstract

Purpose: Public participation is essential for mitigating local resistance faced by the environmentally stigmatized facilities. The purpose of this study is to investigate public participation intention in the decision-making of waste incineration power (WIP) projects by examining the role of perceived corporate social responsibility (PCSR) and public knowledge (PK) based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach: A theoretical model correlating PCSR with public participation intention was developed by using the constructs of TPB as the mediators and PK as the moderator. Drawing on structural equation modeling (SEM), the data collected from 485 local residents of the WIP projects in Jiangsu, China were analyzed to test the model. Findings: Companies' CSR practice went through public attitude, subjective norm and personal norm as mediating steps towards promoting participation intention. PK positively moderated the indirect relationships between PCSR and participation intention. Moreover, attitude, subjective norm and personal norm were found to have a positive effect on participation intention. Originality/value: This study advances the understanding of public participation intention and enriches the literature relating to CSR and TPB involved in infrastructure development. In order to improve public participation intention, companies should take strategic social responsibility actions and present the benefits and moral values of the activities to the public, and as well make effort to diffuse WIP-related knowledge through interactive activities with the public. Authorities should establish social and personal value systems that praise public participation and improve their expectations of participation outcomes.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: perceived corporate social responsibility; public knowledge; public participation; theory of planned behavior; waste incineration power
Index terms: corporate social responsibility, subjective norm, planned behaviour, mediator, methodology, decision-making, evidence, social responsibility, public participation, China, personal value, structural equation modelling, drawing, infrastructure development
Subjects: behavioral psychology, statistical analysis, decision analysis, social justice, infrastructure engineering, Geography, health safety and environment, research methods, participation process, technical documentation, dispute resolution, evaluation and assessment methods
Topics: Geographical Context, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Ethics, Design Practice, Legal Issues
Descriptive scope: 4 PCTA

N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here