Using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior and a Structural Equation Model with Partial Least Squares to Investigate Construction and Demolition Waste Reduction Behavior

Due to rapid urbanization and urban renewal, the amount of construction and demolition waste has increased rapidly. The behavior of construction workers plays an important role in the management of construction and demolition waste. However, the determinants of practitioners' construction and demolition waste management behaviors, such as those related to public opinion and departmental supervision, require further investigation. Those factors that are likely to have an indirect effect on construction and demolition waste behavior should be identified through a detailed model. Therefore, this study used the decomposed theory of planned behavior to construct a structural equation model based on partial least squares. The aim of this study was to provide a deeper understanding of the relationships between attitude/behavior and the three antecedents of intention, including attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control. Fourteen hypotheses were therefore generated. A total of 750 construction professionals were invited to complete the questionnaire, and 321 valid participants were identified. The model results indicated that eight hypotheses were supported, one hypothesis was partially supported, and five hypotheses were not supported. Specifically, the significant direct influences of supervision departments and public opinion on subjective norms and their indirect influences on behavior intentions for construction and demolition waste through subjective norms were identified. In addition, perceived usefulness was identified as a decomposed construct for attitude that directly affects behavior intention. Technology facilitating conditions and self-efficacy were developed as decomposed constructs for perceived behavior control, which directly affects behavior. This study employed the decomposed theory of planned behavior to add five more critical constructs, namely, perceived usefulness, supervision department, public opinion, technology facilitating conditions, and self-efficacy, to provide an in-depth understanding of construction and demolition waste behavior.