International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 12, No. 2 (2016)

Promoting pro-environmental printing behavior: The role of ICT barriers and sustainable values

Javed Suleri, Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Elena Cavagnaro, Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

Abstract
This study aims to explore how to reduce printing at elementary schools through strengthening both the effective use of ICT and pro-environmental values. Literature review is presented in themes – ICT barriers (fears, knowledge, skills and time), demographic, printing behavior and sustainable values (egoistic, hedonic, prosocial & biospheric). A quantitative method is applied in this study, 108 questionnaires were sent and 82 were answered and returned from seven elementary schools at three different regions in Northwest Friesland, The Netherlands. The value scale by De Groot and Steg (2008) is applied for sustainable values while for ICT barriers and printing behavior, questions are developed by the author and validated by Cronbach. The main findings illustrate that lower ICT fears and higher biospheric values have a positive effect on the pro-environmental printing behavior. To minimize teachers’ ICT fears and printing, directors of the schools should train teachers in the use of ICT and enhance their biospheric values. This study is one of the first to explore ICT barriers with the combination of pro-environmental values orientation contributing pragmatic evidence to reducing financial and environmental costs.

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