Students’ Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior Towards Circular Economy Among Asian Countries

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAB) concerning the Circular Economy (CE) among university students within Malaysia, Indonesia, and China. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, this study scrutinizes the extent to which students' comprehension of CE knowledge affects their attitude and behavior. The study read the nexus between knowledge and attitude, as well as knowledge and behavior, among students from ASEAN higher education institutions concerning CE. Employing a set of questionnaires, the research solicited responses to gauge the depth of students' CE understanding and their corresponding engagement with sustainable attitude and behavior. A culturally and academically diverse cohort of 500 students, ranging from undergraduates to doctoral researchers across the three countries, provided the data set, which was subsequently analyzed via the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 26. The analysis revealed a significant acquisition of CE knowledge among participants, as evidenced by a high mean knowledge percentage, indicating a strong understanding of CE principles. The study found a strong positive relationship between CE knowledge and the implementation of sustainable behavior, implying that increased awareness of CE principles can catalyze eco-friendly practices and behavior regardless of prior attitudinal reservations. The findings contribute substantially to the scholar on CE, offering empirical support for the development of education strategies and policy makers to prioritize knowledge dissemination to foster environmental sustainability, thereby advancing the transition towards CE within the Asian region.