Motivation but Inaction: Analysis of the Intention–Behaviour Gap among Poor Households regarding Participation in the Photovoltaic Poverty Alleviation Project

Abstract: Developing the theory of planned behaviour, this article constructs a binary logistic regression model that includes both the intentions of poor households and government actions to explain the intention–behaviour gap of poor households with regard to the photovoltaic (PV) poverty alleviation project. Focusing on poor households in county G, Jiangxi province, China, this article shows that many individuals who express willingness do not however participate in the project. The higher the degree of willingness a poor household has, the higher is the possibility of an intention–behaviour gap. Additionally, policy publicity and implementation significantly impact the intention–behaviour gap of poor households. These findings provide feasible policy implications for enhancing the PV poverty alleviation project and other poverty alleviation programmes requiring a high degree of cooperation from poor households.