Influencing factors and mechanisms of local government green development behaviour: evidence from China

Green development has become an important strategy for local governments to achieve greater sustainability, and adopting green development behaviours has significant implications for local governments in addressing the relationship between the environment and the economy. Previous research demonstrated that the unique characteristics of green development practices have received considerable attention from scholars. Most studies have highlighted green development practices in the private sector, although the adoption of green development practices in the public sector remains understudied. Current research on green development behaviour in the public sector primarily reflects, at the individual level, the green behaviour of employees and, at the organisational level, the green purchasing behaviour of a particular government department. The discussion of local government green development behaviour is not predominant. Therefore, this thesis proposes that a detailed understanding of the processes and specific practices of local government green development behaviours may be essential for local governments to improve the effectiveness of implementing sustainable practices. Although existing studies have addressed the influencing factors that lead to the adoption of sustainable development by local governments, there needs to be a more systematic theoretical analysis of the underlying mechanisms adopted by local governments to achieve green development behaviours. Accordingly, this thesis aims to explore the factors that influence the implementation of green development behaviours by local governments and the mechanisms of influence between the factors. This study draws on mixed methods to develop two studies. The first is a qualitative study that explores local government green development behaviour and its influencing factors. It applies various data collection methods, including semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Fifty-three officials from local government departments related to green development in China’s Jiangsu province were interviewed, and the data were analysed using a grounded theory method. The second is a quantitative study. Seven hundred twenty-two valid questionnaires were collected, and the model proposed in the first study with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The findings illustrate how the interactions between various factors shape the green development behaviour of local governments. The main findings show that: (1) local government green development behaviour is a kind of behavioural change, which can be divided into local government green development policy formulation and implementation. (2) The three main influences on local governments’ green development behaviours include internal driving factors, external environmental pressures, and the basis of regional green development. (3) Internal driving factors and external environmental pressure can influence local governments’ green development behaviours. (4) Internal driving factors mediate the relationship between external environmental pressure and green development behaviour. The basis of regional green development has a moderating effect on the relationship between internal driving factors and green development behaviours, as well as the relationship between external environmental pressures and green development behaviours. This thesis provides a framework that supports local government behaviour's decision-making process on the managerial implications. Paper I analyses the specific processes and practices of local government green development behaviour, Paper II constructs a theoretical model of local government green development behaviour, and Paper III examines the mechanisms by which various factors influence local green development behaviour. At a broader level, this thesis enriches and expands the research content of sustainable practices in the public sector. It also provides novel insights for local governments to formulate effective green development policies, which will help them develop green development directions and implement green development behaviours to promote more remarkable sustainable development in the region.