Understanding behavioral intentions in E-waste management: A combined PLS-SEM, NCA, and IPMA approach

E-waste has become one of the fastest-growing waste streams, yet consumer actions remain limited. This study applies an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine how awareness, environmental concern, and government policy shape young Indian consumers’ attitudes and intentions toward e-waste management. Data were collected from 461 respondents and analyzed with an integrated approach using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), and Importance–Performance Map Analysis (IPMA). PLS-SEM identified awareness and environmental concern as significant predictors of attitudes, which in turn influenced behavioral intentions alongside subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. NCA confirmed these as “must-have” conditions, while IPMA revealed performance gaps—particularly in perceived behavioral control. Government policy moderated relationships inconsistently, enhancing the link between awareness and attitude but weakening the link between environmental concern and attitude. The study contributes by clarifying behavioral drivers at the consumer level and demonstrating the value of combining sufficiency, necessity, and performance analyses. For policymakers and practitioners, the results highlight the need to strengthen consumer confidence, streamline policy communication, and align awareness campaigns with supportive regulatory measures. These actions can help bridge the gap between high-level e-waste policies and everyday consumer practice.