An Assessment of Electronic Waste Knowledge, Attitude, Intentions, and Risk Perception of Sustainable Electronic Waste Management from a Developing Country Perspective

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing E-waste knowledge, E-waste intentions, E-waste attitude, and E-waste riskperceptions regarding sustainable E-waste management practices among key government decisionmakers using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Questionnaires were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) multivariate statistical technique. Findings indicate that the sustainable E-waste management practice model, based on E-waste knowledge, E-waste intentions, E-waste attitude, and E-waste risk perceptions, explains 56.2% of the sustainable E-waste management practice variance. Additionally, E-waste attitude, knowledge, and intention significantly influence sustainable E-waste management practices. E-waste attitude demonstrates the most robust prediction of sustainable E-waste management practices from a government employee ' s perspective. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) context, the study found E-waste attitude as the most crucial predictor of sustainability of E-waste management practices, followed by E-waste knowledge. Secondly, by applying the PLS-SEM approach, the study adds E-waste risk perception and E-waste knowledge as an extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Practically, valuable insights, and understandings encouraging environmental awareness and sustainable E-waste management among citizens plusrecommendations are provided.