Predicting farmers' water conservation goals and behavior in Iran: A test of social cognitive theory

Yazdanpanah, M., Feyzabad, F.R., Forouzani, M., Mohammadzadeh, S., & Burton, R.J.F. (2015). Predicting farmers' water conservation goals and behavior in Iran: A test of social cognitive theory. Land Use Policy 47 401-407. 10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.04.022.

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Lack of water constrains the economic development of all countries in arid and semi-arid areas and is forecast to become an even greater problem in the near future. Given the complexity of the water scarcity problem, an emerging drought in Iran (the worst in 30 year) has become an increasingly important issue, making more sustainable water management a necessity. Government bodies involved in water resource management mainly concentrate on increasing water supply, while approaches to decreasing water demand receive less attention. Iranian water users have been slow to implement voluntary water conservation. Encouraging voluntary action requires an understanding of existing behaviors, and of how behavioral changes can be made. In this context, a study was carried out to identify the most prominent drivers of, and impediments to, water conservation, using social cognitive theory. A sample of 360 farmers living in western parts of Iran was selected through a multi-stage, stratified, random sampling method. Findings revealed that farmers' intention to conserve water was predicted mainly by outcome expectancy and self-efficacy. Moreover, self-efficacy was the most important determinant to farmers' actual behavior in conserving water.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Water scarcity; water conservation behavior; social cognitive theory; farmers; Iran
Research Programs:	Risk, Policy and Vulnerability (RPV) Risk & Resilience (RISK)
Bibliographic Reference:	Land Use Policy; 47:401-407 (September 2015) (Published online 22 May 2015)
Depositing User:	IIASA Import
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2016 08:53
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2021 17:39
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/11462

Actions (login required)

View Item