Title: Recycling socialisation: a qualitative study on the role of socialisation agents

Authors: Ebru Tumer; Inci Dursun; Cansu Gokmen Koksal; Hediye Yuruyen Kilic

Addresses: Business Administration Department, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Türkiye ' Business Administration Department, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Türkiye ' Business Administration Department, Istanbul Topkapi University, Istanbul, Türkiye ' Business Administration Department, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Türkiye

Abstract: Understanding the dynamics of recycling behaviour is crucial to increase recycling rates. This research uses a socialisation perspective to discover how consumers grow into recyclers despite the well-accepted barriers to the behaviour. In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 recyclers in Türkiye to explore socialisation agents' role in promoting behaviour. Findings revealed that media and family are prominent agents in recycling socialisation for Turkish recyclers. Media appeared as the primary source of information, while parents were found to build a fertile ground for recycling by transferring their environmental values and norms. The study also discussed the roles of schools, peers, society, government, and NGOs in the recycling socialisation process.

Keywords: recycling; socialisation; agents; family; media; school; peers.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2025.148765

Middle East Journal of Management, 2025 Vol.12 No.5, pp.503 - 532

Received: 05 Apr 2024
Accepted: 08 Jul 2024
Published online: 23 Sep 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article