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The Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire: The theoretical development and empirical validation of an evaluation instrument for stakeholders working with sustainable development
Author(s) -
Gericke Niklas,
Boevede Pauw Jelle,
Berglund Teresa,
Olsson Daniel
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
sustainable development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1099-1719
pISSN - 0968-0802
DOI - 10.1002/sd.1859
Subject(s) - sustainability , consciousness , sustainable development , construct (python library) , stakeholder engagement , context (archaeology) , psychology , scale (ratio) , social sustainability , stakeholder , construct validity , quality (philosophy) , knowledge management , psychometrics , public relations , political science , computer science , developmental psychology , geography , ecology , cartography , archaeology , neuroscience , law , biology , programming language , philosophy , epistemology
In this paper, the concept of sustainability consciousness, an individual's experience and awareness of sustainable development, is introduced. Based on UNESCO's definition of sustainable development, a sustainability consciousness questionnaire (SCQ) is theoretically and empirically developed. Using the data of 638 respondents from Sweden aged 18–19 years old, the scale is developed in two versions. The long version (SCQ‐L) can be used to measure individuals' environmental, social and economic knowingness, attitudes and behaviour (nine valid and reliable subscales), in addition to the second order constructs of sustainability knowingness, sustainability attitudes and sustainability behaviour, as well as the third order construct, sustainability consciousness. For the short version (SCQ‐S) 27 items were identified that can be used to measure the second and third order constructs. Both versions of the scale present excellent psychometric quality. Possible applications of the questionnaire instruments in the context of evaluation of sustainability policies, practices and stakeholder engagement are discussed.