Spatial and relational peer effects on environmental behavioral imitation

Abstract

From a behavioral perspective, this study investigates the impacts of spatial and relational peer effects on shaping individual environmental behaviors. Utilizing microdata from 53,590 residents in the Netherlands, this study explores the spatial heterogeneity of environmental behaviors at the municipal level. Regression results reveal the existence of peer effects on environmental behavioral imitation among both spatially and relationally proximate peers. The roles of social interactions and observations in reinforcing peer effects are highlighted. A key contribution of this study is its inclusion of spatial dimension in understanding environmental behavioral imitation, taking into account both spatial and relational proximity.