The Nature of the Intention to Act Sustainably: Design and Validation of a Measurement Scale

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study aims to develop and evaluate a measurement scale that establishes the influence of individual environmental attitudes, sustainability awareness, and personal values on the intention to act sustainably among Mexican university students. Theoretical framework This study was developed through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Design/methodology/approach Content, expert, and statistical validations were carried out on a sample of 192 young university students to conform and validate the instrument. Previous data analysis provided the suggested normality parameters, followed by an exploratory factor analysis that established the relevance of the items per construct for unidimensionality. Finally, a confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to confirm the unique conformation of the variables (convergent and discriminant validity). Findings An instrument composed of 19 items was obtained to evaluate the different variables, confirming the validity and reliability of the scale. Practical & social implications of research The study contributes to identifying the factors that generate sustainable behavior. It clarifies which elements are catalysts for generating such behaviors and guides the development of strategies to help future decision-makers maintain a balance in their actions toward general well-being. Originality/value The originality lies in the depth of the scale's validation analysis, the generated model, the topic addressed, and the possibility of replication by subsequent studies.