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Title Adoption of alternative fuel vehicles: Influence from neighbors, family and coworkers
ID_Doc 32621
Authors Jansson, J; Pettersson, T; Mannberg, A; Brännlund, R; Lindgren, U
Title Adoption of alternative fuel vehicles: Influence from neighbors, family and coworkers
Year 2017
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.trd.2017.04.012
Abstract During the last years, many governments have set targets for increasing the share of bio-fuels in the transportation sector. Understanding consumer behavior is essential in designing policies that efficiently increase the uptake of cleaner technologies. In this paper we analyze adopters and non-adopters of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). We use diffusion of innovation theory and the established notion that the social system and interpersonal influence play important roles in adoption. Based on a nationwide database of car owners we analyze interpersonal influence on adoption from three social domains: neighbors, family and coworkers. The results point primarily at a neighbor effect in that AFV adoption is more likely if neighbors also have adopted. The results also point at significant effects of interpersonal influence from coworkers and family members but these effects weaken or disappear when income, education level, marriage, age, gender and green party votes are controlled for. The results extend the diffusion of innovation and AFV literature with empirical support for interpersonal influence based on objective data where response bias is not a factor. Implications for further research, environmental and transport policy, and practitioners are discussed. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Author Keywords Adoption; Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs); Interpersonal influence; Neighbor effect; Diffusion of innovation theory
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000405976700005
WoS Category Environmental Studies; Transportation; Transportation Science & Technology
Research Area Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Transportation
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.04.012
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