Residents' Perceptions of Environmental Impacts of the 2008 Beijing Green Olympic Games

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore level of awareness, perceived environmental impact, attitude, behavioral intentions, and actual behavior regarding the support of the Green Olympic initiatives and future hosting of mega sport events among residents in Beijing as the host city of the Olympic Games during the post-game management period. A questionnaire was formulated with six sections: awareness, perception, attitude, behavioral intention, actual behavior, and demographic background. Respondents (N=298) were recruited from 16 districts of Beijing, who had primarily lived in Beijing from 2001 to June 2009 and were at least 26-years-old at the time of survey administration. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that behavioral intention, attitude, and perception factors had direct and mediating effects on actual behaviors of supporting the Green Olympics initiatives and future hosting of mega sport events. However, awareness was not predictive of actual behaviors of supporting the Green Olympics initiatives.

Keywords:

• Perceived environmental impact
• Beijing green Olympics
• theory of reasoned action