From Governance to Green Behavior: How Anticipatory Environmental Systems Shape Individual Sustainability Actions in Emerging Markets

Abstract

This study examines the institutional-behavioral mechanisms through which anticipatory environmental governance influences pro-environmental behaviors in emerging markets. Analysis of data from 1,539 Vietnamese university students reveals dual pathways of influence: attitudinal mechanisms (β = .29) and commitment-based processes (β = .50), with institutional drivers collectively explaining 59% of environmental concern variance. The research identifies optimal governance implementation thresholds (3.6–4.2) that maximize behavioral outcomes whilst minimizing resource allocation in transitional economic contexts. These findings advance theoretical understanding of governance-behavior relationships by integrating institutional and psychological perspectives, demonstrating how commitment-based pathways exert significantly stronger influence than attitudinal mechanisms in collectivist settings. The study contributes to anticipatory governance literature by validating a multidimensional scale tailored to emerging markets and provides evidence-based implementation frameworks for policymakers navigating complex sustainability transitions in resource-constrained institutional environments.