Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Academia: Investigating the Drivers and Barriers of Green Technology Adoption among Students

Abstract

In today’s world, including Green Technology (GT) in education is crucial for tackling environmental issues. This study explores how university students adopt GT, examining how technology and sustainability are connected in higher education. We aimed to understand how different factors influence students’ views on GT. This study employed a comprehensive theoretical framework, incorporating constructions such as Perceived Benefits, Perceived Barriers, Social Influence, Institutional Support, Artistic Engagement, Creative Arts Sustainability, and the ultimate adoption of green technologies. We surveyed university students using a specific questionnaire and used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze the data carefully. The findings reveal that factors such as Social Influence, Institutional Support, and Artistic Engagement significantly influence students’ attitudes and actions towards adopting green technology. However, the hypotheses related to Perceived Benefits (PBE) and Perceived Barriers (PBA) in connection to Artistic Engagement (AE) and Creative Arts Sustainability (CAS) were not statistically supported. These findings provide a distinct perspective on the factors influencing green technology adoption among university students in Saudi Arabia, resulting in a wider debate on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) technology integration in educational settings. This study extends theoretical models, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, by emphasizing the role of subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control. Additionally, the inclusion of creative arts sustainability adds a novel dimension to the understanding of technology adoption in the context of environmental sustainability. The identified drivers encompass economic, regulatory, market opportunities, social, cultural, and ethical factors, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of individual motivations.