This study examines the relationship between perception of external norms and policy acceptance in the fisheries industry, focusing on forced labor norms. As international norms on forced labor continue to strengthen, the need for policy responses in ...
This study examines the relationship between perception of external norms and policy acceptance in the fisheries industry, focusing on forced labor norms. As international norms on forced labor continue to strengthen, the need for policy responses in the fisheries sector has increased. Building on theoretical discussions, this study conceptualizes perception of external norms as a staged cognitive structure consisting of external norm awareness and policy need, and examines its relationship with policy acceptance. Using survey data from fisheries businesses, the study analyzes the relationships among these variables and the mediating role of policy need. The results show that external norm awareness has a significant positive effect on policy acceptance, and that policy need partially mediates this relationship. Notably, recognizing policy need serves as an important mechanism linking awareness to policy acceptance. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing awareness of external norms and strengthening recognition of policy need, with a view to improving policy acceptance. The study further provides policy implications for fostering fisheries literacy regarding external norms, enhancing policy acceptance in the implementation of fisheries labor policies, and developing an integrated information and management framework for fisheries labor policies.