The Effects of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions on Pro-Environmental Behaviour: How Culture Influences Environmentally Conscious Behaviour

TL;DR

This study investigates how Hofstede's cultural dimensions influence environmentally conscious behavior, finding minimal impact except for weak negative effects of individualism and power distance, suggesting culture alone doesn't significantly drive pro-environmental actions.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence that Hofstede's cultural dimensions have limited influence on pro-environmental behavior, highlighting the need for other factors to promote sustainability.

Findings

Individualism has a weak negative impact on pro-environmental behavior.

Power distance also negatively affects environmentally conscious actions.

Culture alone is insufficient to significantly change environmental behavior.

Abstract

The need for a more sustainable lifestyle is a key focus for several countries. Using a questionnaire survey conducted in Hungary, this paper examines how culture influences environmentally conscious behaviour. Having investigated the direct impact of Hofstedes cultural dimensions on pro-environmental behaviour, we found that the culture of a country hardly affects actual environmentally conscious behaviour. The findings indicate that only individualism and power distance have a significant but weak negative impact on pro-environmental behaviour. Based on the findings, we can state that a positive change in culture is a necessary but not sufficient condition for making a country greener.