This study's aim was to investigate the strength of contextual aspects' influences
on environmentally ethical behaviour (EEB). A survey method with a selfadministered
questionnaire was used and a cross-section of the Muslim male
population of New Zealand was taken. The qualitative interviews and email
questionnaires were also utilised to further explain the survey results. The linear
regression analyses show correlations between contextual aspects (i.e., social,
religious, economic, political, and demographic) and EEB (pre-cycling, re-use and
recycling). Results indicate that the contextual aspects are influential on EEB in
many ways and degrees. A model describing the relationship was developed. The
economic aspect statistically significantly related to EEB the strongest. The
qualitative interview and email questionnaire data support the findings of the
survey. The relationship was positive, meaning that the more the consumers were
influenced by the economic aspect to behave in an environmentally ethical way,
the more they were likely to perform EEB. Compared to the economic aspect,
white collar workers, number of household occupant, work involvement with the
environment, type of house, and age had a weaker statistically significant
relationship with EEB. The relationships were positive, meaning that the better the
consumers' occupation (i.e., white collar workers), the more household member
they had (i.e., 4 and above), the higher their level of work involvement with the
environment, and the better their dwelling (i.e., bungalow or semi-detached
houses), the more they were likely to perform EEB. However, the relationship
between age and EEB was negative, meaning that the younger the consumers the
more they were likely to perform EEB. However, the results of this study, from
both the survey and the interview methods, indicate that demographic
characteristics were not as important as the contextual aspects, particularly the
economic aspect, in understanding consumers' EEB. This study shows that the
economic aspect was very important in understanding consumers' EEB compared
to the other contextual aspects even the political aspect was statistically
significantly related to EEB via the economic aspect. Thus, the economic aspect
should be used optimally by public and private sector managers to promote EEB.
