The Role of Self-efficacy in Sustainable Engagements: A Maasai Case Study

International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2023)

Hello Everyone!

Did you know the International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2023) is taking place now in Kigali, Rwanda? https://conbio.org/mini-sites/iccb-2023/ It's a fantastic opportunity to listen to renowned researchers talking about their most current conservation-related work. This is also a great conference for young researchers to submit their initial research work to share and get feedback from experts in the field!

An extension of our previous work on the Maasai and their beekeeping engagement intentions was presented today at the conference. If interested, here is our ICCB abstract: The Role of Self-efficacy in Sustainable Engagements: A Maasai Case Study Z. Munshi, Dr. N. Lesio, A. Kihwelo, E. Laizer Maasai, an ethnic group in eastern Africa known for their love for cattle have faced challenges to their pastoral livelihood due to climate change. Specifically, the Tanzanian Maasai have seen a diversification of livelihood strategies like sustainable beekeeping activities in their area, some more so than others. The key research question is how the Maasai are faring with the introduction of beekeeping in their neighboring regions, specifically when they are yet to be directly engaged in such sustainable activities. It is to be believed that self-efficacious individuals have greater confidence in their ability to successfully manage a situation. Hence, such individuals will be more willing to face this novel livelihood and engage in beekeeping initiatives. A study comprising two-hundred and thirty-eight Maasai in the Arusha region in Tanzania was run. Maasai adults were made aware of what beekeeping is and then they were asked whether they were involved in bee-related activities. Individual self-efficacy, feelings of inferiority and regret, and beekeeping intentions were measured. Amongst the participants, only three have been involved in any bee-related activity. Forty-five percent were females, fifty percent completed primary education, and participant ages ranged from 17 to 88 years old. Results demonstrate how increasing levels of self-efficacy are associated with increased intentions to engage in sustainable beekeeping initiatives. Further, this effect of self-efficacy is mediated by individual feelings of inferiority and regret for not yet engaging in beekeeping initiatives, for all ages and gender types.