Relationship model between psychological factors and ecological footprint of research university students towards sustainable campus in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysian research universities aspire to become sustainable campuses but face challenges in managing and reducing environmental impact. While technology and policy reforms contribute to this effort, few studies have been conducted on how the psychological factors influence university students in practising pro-environmental behaviour that impacts their ecological footprint and achievement of a sustainable campus. This study aimed to investigate the link between the psychological aspect of university students and the level of the ecological footprint for the university campus. The first objective of this study was to identify psychological factors that influence the ecological footprint of research university students in Malaysia. The second objective was to determine the level of the ecological footprint of research university students in Malaysia. The third objective was to investigate the relationship between the identified psychological factors and the ecological footprint of research university students in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey that involved 2,000 students from five research universities in Malaysia has been conducted. Data obtained were analysed using ecological footprint online calculator, frequency analysis, descriptive analysis, normality test, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance and partial least squares structural equation modeling. The ecological footprint results revealed that research university students have a lower ecological footprint level than Malaysians. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia recorded the highest ecological footprint, followed by Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia. This study also investigated the relationship between the psychological factors and level of ecological footprint for research university students in Malaysia through a validated structural equation model. The findings suggested that seven psychological factors including altruistic values, biospheric values, egoistic values, the new ecological paradigm scale, awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility and personal norms have significant effects on ecological footprint. The findings of this study can be used to assist the university management team in developing strategic action plans to foster better environmental practices to reduce environmental impacts among students.