การรับรู้และการเข้าถึงข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับคาร์บอนฟุตพรินต์ที่มีผลต่อพฤติกรรมการใช้ชีวิตของนักศึกษาคณะวิทยาการจัดการ มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร

Siriporn Thitalampoon; Nattawat Thanaphansin; Thanthong Sutibunjong

Authors

Siriporn Thitalampoon Silpakorn University
Nattawat Thanaphansin Silpakorn University
Thanthong Sutibunjong Somjainuek 2559 Company Limited

Keywords:

Perception, Lifestyle Behaviors, University Students, Information Access, Carbon Footprint

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) examine students’ levels of perception and understanding of the carbon footprint concept; 2) assess their access to carbon footprint-related information and the barriers associated with such access; 3) investigate the relationships among perception, information accessibility, awareness, and environmentally friendly lifestyle behaviors; and 4) propose policy recommendations and practical strategies to promote carbon footprint reduction within the university. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. The quantitative phase involved 400 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, second-order confirmatory factor analysis (2nd-Order CFA), latent profile analysis (LPA), Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The qualitative phase consisted of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 35 key informants, and the data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicated that students demonstrated a moderate level of overall perception and understanding of the carbon footprint concept (𝑥̅ = 3.24,
SD = 0.86), whereas their environmental awareness was at a high level (𝑥̅ = 3.89, SD = 0.78). Social media was the primary source of carbon footprint information, reported by 68.00 percent of the respondents, while the complexity of the information was identified as the most significant barrier to information access by 72.00 percent. The latent profile analysis classified students into three distinct groups according to their environmental behavior patterns: the high-awareness group (28.00 percent), the moderate-awareness group (45.00 percent), and the low-awareness group (27.00 percent). Furthermore, the results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that perception, understanding, and awareness had significant positive effects on environmentally friendly lifestyle behaviors (p < 0.001). Information accessibility, however, influenced these behaviors indirectly through students’ understanding and environmental awareness. Based on these findings, the study recommends that universities and academic faculties develop more accessible and learner-centered communication systems by transforming complex scientific information into user-friendly formats, such as infographics and short educational videos. In addition, carbon footprint education should be systematically integrated into university curricula, while institutional environments should be designed to encourage and facilitate the practical adoption of sustainable behaviors. These initiatives are expected to strengthen students’ environmental responsibility and foster sustainable practices across higher education institutions.

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