Eighteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Energy management studies regarding energy efficiency investments in Malaysia has yet to address the lack of empirical research that examines pro- sustainability behavior of managers in the industrial sector and how it influences energy efficiency investments decision-making. This study adopts the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the relationship between personal attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control (PBC), the intention of energy efficiency investments and how does perceptions of Non-Energy Benefits (NEB) influence these intentions among managers in the industrial sector in Malaysia. Managerial level personnel from various sub-sectors companies in the industrial sector were selected from a sample of companies that are participants of the Government-led program named the Energy Audit Conditional Grant (EACG) that aimed to promote energy efficiency. Data collection was conducted surveyed an online semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire and then later interviewed. The results of this explorative sequential qualitative study shows that perceived behavioral control is a significant predictor of energy efficiency investment intentions as compared to factors such as attitude and subjective norms. The level of awareness and perceptions towards NEB further plays a significant factor in influencing energy efficiency investment decision making as well. Various measures and policy recommendations are provided together with insights on factors that influence decision-makers’ intention to invest in energy efficiency whilst new knowledge on NEB perceptions will be useful to enhance the attractiveness of energy efficient investments.