TY - JOUR
T1 - Age and environmental sustainability
T2 - A meta-analysis
AU - Wiernik, Brenton M.
AU - Ones, Deniz S.
AU - Dilchert, Stephan
PY - 2013/12/9
Y1 - 2013/12/9
N2 - Purpose: Research has shown that individuals of different ages hold different environmental attitudes and perform environmental behaviors of different kinds and to varying degrees. The strength and direction of age-effects observed across studies has been inconsistent, however. This study aims to examine the relationship between age and a variety of environmental sustainability-related psychological variables using meta-analytic techniques. Design/methodology/approach: Relationships between age and environmental concern, environmental values, attitudes toward environmental behaviors, environmental awareness, environmental knowledge, environmental motives, environmental intentions, and pro-environmental behaviors were examined. Data from relevant studies between 1970 and 2010 were meta-analyzed to determine the magnitudes of relationships between age and environmental variables, and to investigate whether effects generalize across studies. Findings: Most relationships were negligibly small. Small but generalizable relationships indicated that older individuals appear to be more likely to engage with nature, avoid environmental harm, and conserve raw materials and natural resources. Originality/value: Stereotypes about age-differences in environmental sustainability are commonly held in organizations. If work and organizational psychologists are to encourage and help individuals to be more environmentally responsible at work, understanding how age affects these efforts is imperative. By meta-analytically estimating age-differences in environmental sustainability variables, the present study helps to dispel erroneous stereotypes and guide organizations to implement effective environmental interventions.
AB - Purpose: Research has shown that individuals of different ages hold different environmental attitudes and perform environmental behaviors of different kinds and to varying degrees. The strength and direction of age-effects observed across studies has been inconsistent, however. This study aims to examine the relationship between age and a variety of environmental sustainability-related psychological variables using meta-analytic techniques. Design/methodology/approach: Relationships between age and environmental concern, environmental values, attitudes toward environmental behaviors, environmental awareness, environmental knowledge, environmental motives, environmental intentions, and pro-environmental behaviors were examined. Data from relevant studies between 1970 and 2010 were meta-analyzed to determine the magnitudes of relationships between age and environmental variables, and to investigate whether effects generalize across studies. Findings: Most relationships were negligibly small. Small but generalizable relationships indicated that older individuals appear to be more likely to engage with nature, avoid environmental harm, and conserve raw materials and natural resources. Originality/value: Stereotypes about age-differences in environmental sustainability are commonly held in organizations. If work and organizational psychologists are to encourage and help individuals to be more environmentally responsible at work, understanding how age affects these efforts is imperative. By meta-analytically estimating age-differences in environmental sustainability variables, the present study helps to dispel erroneous stereotypes and guide organizations to implement effective environmental interventions.
KW - Age differences
KW - Environmental concern
KW - Environmental performance
KW - Environmental sustainability
KW - Green behavior
KW - Pro-environmental behaviors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84889031639&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84889031639&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/JMP-07-2013-0221
DO - 10.1108/JMP-07-2013-0221
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84889031639
SN - 0268-3946
VL - 28
SP - 826
EP - 856
JO - Journal of Managerial Psychology
JF - Journal of Managerial Psychology
IS - 7
ER -