•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been widely applied in environmental science as it closely linked to human behavior. This study aims to analyze research trends, identify potential future research, and propose the development of an integrative TPB model to address gaps in previous research. A total of 120 articles were selected from the Scopus database using rigorous screening criteria, including title-based selection, English-language articles, and a manual abstract review, covering publications up to April 4, 2025. Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and MindMup were used to support keyword visualization and content interpretation. The results show that China and the United States lead in research contributions, while Africa, despite facing significant sustainability challenges, remains underrepresented. Recent research topics include energy efficiency, climate change, and air quality, which are different from the topics of interest before the COVID-19 pandemic, such as green hotels and tourism. Keyword such as “corporate norm” appear less integrated with other research themes. Further researches are expected to focus more on Africa and incorporate additional behavioral frameworks. In particular, integrating with behavioral models based on altruistic interests (Value-Belief-Norm/VBN), especially for studies in the Asian regions, which have a more dominant collectivist culture than individualism. The weakness of TPB, which only considers cognitive factors, can be addressed by adding affective factors through the Model of Goal-Directed Behavior (MGB). The proposed integration of MGB-VBN-Knowledge holds potential to enhance explanations of public environmental behaviour and formulate more effective policies. The role of corporate norms in shaping environmental behavior also warrants further exploration.

References

Abd-Mutalib, H., Muhammad Jamil, C. Z., Mohamed, R., & Ismail, S. N. A. (2023), The determinants of environmental knowledge sharing behaviour among accounting educators: a modified theory of planned behaviour. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 24(5), 1105-1135. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-02-2022-0053

Alfarizi, M., & Noer, L. R. (2024). Sustainable practices and green marketing in healthcare sector: visual trends and future insight. Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, 7, 786-818. https://doi.org/10.7454/jessd.v7i2.1283

AlRyalat, S. A. S., Malkawi, L. W., & Momani, S. M. (2019). Comparing bibliometric analysis using pubmed, scopus, and web of science databases. Journal of Visualized Experiments, (152), e58494. https://doi.org/10.3791/58494

Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. T. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behavior : a meta-analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 417-499. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466601164939

Beiser-McGrath, L. F., Bernauer, T., & Prakash, A. (2022). Command and control or market-based instruments? Public support for policies to address vehicular pollution in Beijing and New Delhi. Environmental Politics, 32(4), 586–618. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2022.2113608

Bergek, A., & Mignon, I. (2017). Motives to adopt renewable electricity technologies: evidence from Sweden. Energy Policy, 106, 547–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.04.016

Chan, K. H., Chong, L. L., & Ng, T. H. (2019). Are malaysian companies ready for environmental practices? an extension of theory of planned behavior. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 10(1), 495–507. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.8899

Chen, G., Zou, M., Ran, N., Yan B., & Li, S. (2023). The effects of environmental empathy and sustainable intelligence on wetland tourists’ revisit intention using an extended model of goal-directed behavior. Journal of Cleaner Production, 419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138288

Chen, H., Yang, Y., Jiang, W., & Zhou, J. (2014). A bibliometric investigation of life cycle assessment research in the web of science databases. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 19(10), 1674–1685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-014-0777-3

Cheng, Y., Ao, C., Mao, B., & Xu, L. (2022). Influential factors of environmental behavior to reduce air pollution: integrating theories of planned behavior and psychological distance. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 65(13), 2490–2510. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1973972

Correia, E., Sousa, S., Viseu, C., & Leite, J. (2020). Using the theory of planned behavior to understand the students’ pro-environmental behavior: a case-study in a Portuguese HEI. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 23(5), 1070-1089. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2021-0201

Durdu, B., Gurbuz, F., Koçyiğit, H., & Gurbuz, M. (2023). Urbanization-driven soil degradation; ecological risks and human health implications. Environmental Monitoring Assessment, 195, 1002 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11595-x

Duong, C. D., Nguyen, B. N., Doan, X. H., Nguyen, V. H., & Vu, A. T. (2024), “I do believe in karma”: understanding consumers' pro-environmental consumption with an integrated framework of theory of planned behavior, norm activation model and self-determination theory. Management of Environmental Quality, 35(2), 270-298. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-05-2023-0158

Fan, J., Wang, S., Wu, Y., Li, J., & Zhao, D. (2015). Buffer effect and price effect of a personal carbon trading scheme. Energy, 82, 601–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.01.069

Fielding, K. S., McDonald, R. I., & Louis, W. (2008). Theory of planned behaviour, identity and intentions to engage in environmental activism. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28, 318-326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.03.003

Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: an introduction to theory and research. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.

Fu, B., Kurisu K., Hanaki, K., & Che, Y. (2019). Influential factors of public intention to improve the air quality in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 209, 595–607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.10.192

Gao, L., Wang, S., Li, J., & Li, H. (2017). Application of the extended theory of planned behavior to understand individual’s energy saving behavior in workplaces. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 127, 107–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.030

García-Salirrosas, E.E., Niño-de-Guzmán, J.C., Gómez-Bayona , L., & Escobar-Farfán, M. (2023). Environmentally responsible purchase intention in pacific alliance countries: geographic and gender evidence in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Behavioral Sciences, 13, 221. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13030221

Gelaidan, H. M., Al-Swidi, A., & Hafeez, M. H. (2023). Studying the joint effects of perceived service quality, perceived benefits, and environmental concerns in sustainable travel behavior: extending the TPB. Sustainability, 15, 11266. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411266

Gifford, R. & Nilsson A. (2014). Personal and social factors that influence pro-environmental concern and behaviour: a review. International Journal of Phychology, 49(3), 141–157. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12034

Gkargkavouzi, A., Halkos, G., & Matsiori, S. (2019). Environmental behavior in a private-sphere context: Integrating theories of planned behavior and value belief norm, self-identity and habit. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 148, 145-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.01.039

Han, H., Li-Tzang, H., & Chwen, S. (2010). Application of the theory of planned behavior to green hotel choice: testing the effect of environmental friendly activities. Tourism Management, 31(3), 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.03.013

Han, H. (2015). Travelers' pro-environmental behavior in a green lodging context: Converging value-belief-norm theory and the theory of planned behavior. Tourism Management, 47, 164-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.09.014

Harun, S. A., Fauzi, M. A., & Sulaiman, N. S. (2022). Examining consumer’s purchasing behavior of energy-efficient appliance through the lenses of theory of planned behavior and environmental factors. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 33(5), 1207-1225. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-12-2021-0271

Ho, V. C., Berman, A. H., Andrade, J., Kavanagh, D. J., Branche, S. L., May, J., Philson, C. S., & Blumstein D. T. (2024). Assessing immediate emotions in the theory of planned behavior can substantially contribute to increases in pro-environmental behavior. Frontiers in Climate, 6, 1344899. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2024.1344899

Hsiu-Fang, H., & Shannon, S.E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687

Hwang, S., Lee, J., & Jang, D. (2024). Climate change awareness and pro-environmental intentions in sports fans: applying the extended theory of planned behavior model for sustainable spectating. Sustainability, 16, 3246. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083246

Karimi, S., Liobikienė, G., & Alitavakoli, F. (2022). The effect of religiosity on pro-environmental behavior based on the theory of planned behavior: A cross-sectional study among Iranian rural female facilitators. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 745019. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.745019

Khan, S., & Thomas, G. (2023). Examining the impact of pro-environmental factors on sustainable consumption behavior and pollution control. Behavioral. Sciences, 13, 163. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13020163

Kim, M. J., Lee, C. K., Petrick, J. F., & Kim, Y. S. 2020. The influence of perceived risk and intervention on international tourists’ behavior during the Hong Kong Protest: Application of an extended Model of Goal-Directed behavior. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 45, 622–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.11.003

Klöckner, C. A. & Blöbaum, A. (2010). A comprehensive action determination model: toward a broader understanding of ecological behaviour using the example of travel mode choice. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(4), 574–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.03.001

Laheri, V. K., Lim, W. M., Arya, P. K., & Kumar, S. (2024). A multidimensional lens of environmental consciousness: towards an environmentally conscious theory of planned behavior. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 41(3), 281–297. http://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-03-2023-5875

Lam, S.-P., & Cheng, S.-I. (2002). Cross-informant agreement in reports of environmental behavior and the effect of cross-questioning on report accuracy. Environment and Behavior, 34(4), 508–520. https://doi.org/10.1177/00116502034004006

Lee, S. O., Hyun, S. S., & Wu, Q. (2024), "The effects of motivation and prior knowledge on wine consumers’ decision-making process: using an extended model of goal-directed behavior", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 36(8), 2887-2908. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-08-2023-1283

Leeuw, A. D., Valois, P., Ajzen, I., & Schmidt, P. (2022). Using the theory of planned behavior to identify key beliefs underlying pro-environmental behavior in high-school students: Implications for educational interventions. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 42, 128-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.03.005

Lestari, P., Arrohman, K. M., Damayanti, S., & Klimont, Z. (2022). Emissions and spatial distribution of air pollutants from anthropogenic sources in Jakarta. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 13, 101521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2022.101521

Li, X., Wu, P., Shen, G. Q., Wang, X & Teng, Y. (2017). Mapping the knowledge domains of Building Information Modeling (BIM): A bibliometric approach. Automomation in Construction, 84, 195–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.09.011

Lim, W. M. & Weissmann, M. A. (2023). Toward a theory of behavioral control, Journal of Strategic Marketing, 31(1), 185-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2021.1890190

Lin, C. C., & Dong, C. M. (2023). Exploring consumers’ purchase intention on energy-efficient home appliances: Integrating the theory of planned behavior, perceived value theory, and environmental awareness. Energies, 16, 2669. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16062669

Linnenluecke, M. K., Marrone, M., & Singh, A. K. (2019). Conducting systematic literature reviews and bibliometric analyses. Australian Journal of Management, 45(2),175–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/0312896219877678

Moral‐Munoz, J. A., López‐Herrera, A. G., Herrera‐Viedma, E., & Cobo, M. J. (2019). Science mapping analysis software tools: a review. Springer Handbook of Science and Technology Indicators, 159‐185. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02511-3_7

Otto, S., Evans, G. W., Moon, M. J., & Kaiser, F. G. (2019). The development of children’s environmental attitude and behavior. Global Environmental Change, 58, 101947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.101947

Parveen, R., & Ahmad, A. (2020). Public behavior in reducing urban air pollution: an application of the theory of planned behavior in Lahore. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 17815–17830. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08235-z

Peng, M., Cai, Z., Chen, K., Yin, C., Ao, C., & Ren, H. (2025). How risk perception of air pollution influences consumers’ pro-environmental behaviors: An empirical study based on the extended theory of planned behavior. Sustainability, 17, 2414. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062414

Perugini, M., & Bagozzi, R.P. (2001). The role of desires and anticipated emotions in goal directed behaviours: Broedening and deepening the Theory of Planned Behaviour. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 79–98. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466601164704

Perugini, Marco, and Richard P. Bagozzi. (2004). The distinction between desires and intentions. European Journal of Social Psychology, 34(1), 69–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.186

R., S. D., Perumandla, S., & Bhattacharyya, S. S. (2024). Unveiling the drivers of sustainable housing choices among millennials in emerging markets. International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHMA-07-2024-0093

Ramkissoon, H., Smith, L. D. G., & Weiler, B. (2013). Testing the dimensionality of place attachment and its relationships with place satisfaction and pro- environmental behaviours: a structural equation modelling approach. Tourism Management, 36, 552–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2012.09.003

Schwartz, S. H. (1977). Normative Influence on Altruism. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 10, pp. 221-279). Academic Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2601(08)60358-5

Sharpe, E. J., Perlaviciute, G., & Steg, L. (2021). Pro-environmental behaviour and support for environmental policy as expressions of pro-environmental motivation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 76, 101650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101650

Shi, H., Fan, J., & Zhao, D. (2017). Predicting household PM2.5-reduction behavior in Chinese urban areas: an integrative model of theory of planned behavior and norm activation theory. Journal of Cleaner Production, 145, 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.169

Si, H., Shi, J., Wu, G., Chen, J., & Zhao, X. (2019a). Mapping the bike sharing research published from 2010 to 2018: A scientometric review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 213, 415–427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.157

Si, H., Shi, J.-G., Tang, D., Wen, S., Miao, W & Duan, K. (2019b). Application of the theory of planned behavior in environmental science: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(15), 2788 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152788

Steg, L., Bolderdijk, J. W., Keizer, K., & Perlaviciute, G. (2014). An integrated framework for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: the role of values, situational factors and goals. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 38, 104–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.01.002

Steg, L., & Vlek, C. (2009). Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: An integrative review and research agenda. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(3), 309-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.10.004

Stern, P.C., Dietz, T., Abel, T., Guagnano, G.A., & Kalof, L. (1999). A value-belief-norm theory of support for social movements: the case of environmentalism. Human Ecology Review, 6(2), 81–97. https://cedar.wwu.edu/hcop_facpubs/1

Sulphey, M. M., AlKahtani, N. S., Senan, N. A. M., & Adow, A. H. E. (2024). A bibliometric study on organization citizenship behavior for the environment. Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management 10(2), 891-906. https://doi.org/10.22034/gjesm.2024.02.29

Tapsall, S., Soutar, G. N., Elliott, W. A., Mazzarol, T., & Holland, J. (2022). COVID-19’s impact on the perceived risk of ocean cruising: A best-worst scaling study of Australian consumers. Tourism Economics, 28, 248–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548166211054

UNESCO. 2020. Global Investment in R&D. https://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/fs59-global-investments-rd-2020-en.pdf

UNWTO. (2024). Tourism statistic-database. https://www.unwto.org/tourism-statistics/tourism-statistics-database

Urban, J., Bahník, S., & Kohlová, M.B. (2023). Pro‐Environmental behavior triggers moral inference, not licensing by observers. Environment and Behavior, 55(1‐2), 74‐98. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165231163547

Van de Wetering, J., Leijten, P., Spitzer, J., & Thomaes, S. (2022). Does environmental education benefit environmental outcomes in children and adolescents? A meta- analysis. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 101782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101782

Wang, M., Yu, T., & Ho, Y. (2009). A bibliometric analysis of the performance of water research. Scientometrics, 84(3), 813‐ 820. htpps://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0112-0

World Health Organization. (2022). Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health

World Population Review (2025). Doctorates Awarded by Country 2025. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/doctorates-awarded-by-country

Wu, L., Zhu, Y., & Zhai, J. (2022). Understanding waste management behavior among university students in china: environmental knowledge, personal norms, and the theory of planned behavior. Frontiers Psychology, 12,771723. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771723

Xiao, C. Y., Hong, D. Y. (2010). Gender differences in environmental behaviors in China. Population and Environment, 32, 88–104. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s11111-010-0115-z

Xu, Z., Shan, J., Li, J., & Zhang, W. (2020). Extending the theory of planned behavior to predict public participation behavior in air pollution control: Beijing, China. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 63(4), 669–688. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2019.1603821

Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. (2024). Environmental Performance Index. https://epi.yale.edu/measure/2024/EPI

Yang, Li., Fang, Xi., & Zhu, J. (2022). Citizen environmental behavior from the perspective of psychological distance based on a visual analysis of bibliometrics and scientific knowledge mapping. Fronties in Psychology, 12, 766907. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.766907

Yu, J., Nguyen, H.N., Lee, S., Choi, H., & Han, H. (2025). The pro-environmental underpinnings of vegan hotel products’ intention: an integrative framework of theory of planned behavior and value-belief-norm. Journal of Ecotourism, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2025.2466435

Yusliza, M. Y., Amirudin, A., Rahadi, R. A., Athirah, N. A. N. S., Ramayah, T., Muhammad, Z., Dal Mas, F., Massaro, M., Saputra, J., & Mokhlis, S. (2020). An investigation of pro-environmental behaviour and sustainable development in Malaysia. Sustainability(Switzerland), 12(17), 7083. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177083

Zahedi, S., Batista-Foguet, J. M., & Wunnik L. V. (2019). Exploring the public’s willingness to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from private road transport in Catalonia. The Science of the Total Environment, 646, 850–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv. 2018.07.361

Zareia, I., Ehsanib, M., Moghimeh, F., & Aroufzadd, S. (2021). Predicting mountain hikers' pro-environmental behavioral intention: An extension to the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 39(3), 70–90. https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2020-10347

Zhan, C., Xie, M., Lu, H., Liu, B., Wu, Z., Wang, T., Zhuang, B., Li, M., & Li, S. (2023). Impacts of urbanization on air quality and the related health risks in a city with complex terrain. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 23, 771–788. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-771-2023

Zyoud, S. H., Alalalmeh, S. O., Hegazi, O. E., Shakhshir, M., Abushamma, F., &Al-Jabi, S. W. (2024). An examination of global research trends for exploring the associations between the gut microbiota and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through bibliometric and visualization analysis. Gut Pathogens, 16, 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-024-00624-w

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.