How and when does information publicity affect public acceptance of nuclear energy?. (1st May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Shanyong; Wang, Jing; Lin, Shoufu; Li, Jun
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 198(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-01
• Subjects: Information publicity -- Information credibility -- Perceived risk -- Perceived benefit -- Public acceptance; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117290
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Publicizing information about nuclear energy is essential to the nuclear energy development. This research examined the impact of information publicity on public acceptance of nuclear energy (PA), and uncovered the underlying mechanism that links information publicity to PA and the boundary condition to this relationship. Data from 751 respondents in China revealed that information publicity positively and directly impacts PA but the effect is relatively small. Furthermore, information publicity also indirectly impacts PA via perceived benefit and perceived risk. Additionally, the relation among information publicity and PA is contingent on the level of information credibility. Information credibility strengthens the effect of information publicity on PA. This study enriched our understanding of how and when information publicity affects PA and highlighted the mediating roles of perceived risk and perceived benefit and the regulating role of information credibility. Based on the results, policy insights to promote nuclear energy development were discussed. Highlights: Information publicity is directly and positively related to PA. Information publicity can indirectly and positively affect PA. Perceived risk and perceived benefit are the determinants of PA. Information credibility strengthens the effect of information publicity on PA.