TY - JOUR
T1 - Environmental literacy of business students in Ghana
AU - Owusu, Godfred Matthew Yaw
AU - Ossei Kwakye, Teddy
AU - Welbeck, Edem Emerald
AU - Ofori, Charles Gyamfi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, © Emerald Publishing Limited.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Purpose: This study examines the multidimensionality of the environmental literacy concept among university business students in Ghana. The study also investigates the relationship between students’ interests in environmental issues and knowledge levels of environment and assesses how these two constructs influence students overall environmental behaviour and actions. Design/methodology/approach: Using a total of 591 business students from the University of Ghana Business School, the study uses exploratory factor analysis to examine the multidimensionality of environmental literacy concept. A structural equation modelling-based approach was used to examine the relationship among the study constructs. Findings: Based on the factor analysis results, the study documents that environmental literacy concept can be grouped under four distinct factors (general environmental factors; industry-related factors; environmental assessment factors; and accounting-related factors). The regression results indicate a direct and positive relationship between students’ interest in environmental issues and their environmental literacy level. Also, students’ interest and their knowledge levels of environmental issues were found to be good predictors of actual students’ involvement in activities that promote sustainable environment. Research limitations/implications: The conclusions of the study are based on only data from one public university, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Originality/value: The study is unique as it is the first empirical study to investigate environmental literacy levels in higher education in the Ghanaian setting.
AB - Purpose: This study examines the multidimensionality of the environmental literacy concept among university business students in Ghana. The study also investigates the relationship between students’ interests in environmental issues and knowledge levels of environment and assesses how these two constructs influence students overall environmental behaviour and actions. Design/methodology/approach: Using a total of 591 business students from the University of Ghana Business School, the study uses exploratory factor analysis to examine the multidimensionality of environmental literacy concept. A structural equation modelling-based approach was used to examine the relationship among the study constructs. Findings: Based on the factor analysis results, the study documents that environmental literacy concept can be grouped under four distinct factors (general environmental factors; industry-related factors; environmental assessment factors; and accounting-related factors). The regression results indicate a direct and positive relationship between students’ interest in environmental issues and their environmental literacy level. Also, students’ interest and their knowledge levels of environmental issues were found to be good predictors of actual students’ involvement in activities that promote sustainable environment. Research limitations/implications: The conclusions of the study are based on only data from one public university, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Originality/value: The study is unique as it is the first empirical study to investigate environmental literacy levels in higher education in the Ghanaian setting.
KW - Business students
KW - Environmental literacy
KW - Ghana
KW - Higher education
KW - Sustainability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85011961563&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/IJSHE-02-2016-0025
DO - 10.1108/IJSHE-02-2016-0025
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85011961563
SN - 1467-6370
VL - 18
SP - 415
EP - 435
JO - International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
JF - International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
IS - 3
ER -