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1 – 10 of 712Focuses on the relationship between managerialattitudes towardsexporting and exporting behaviour. A basic premiss is that the widelyheld assumption of a positive relationship…
Abstract
Focuses on the relationship between managerialattitudes towards exporting and exporting behaviour. A basic premiss is that the widely held assumption of a positive relationship between managerial attitudes and behaviour in exporting does not hold true in all circumstances, implying that in some cases a negative or no relationship between attitude and behaviour in exporting can be expected. Survey responses from a sample of manufacturing firms in Illinois support the basic premiss herein. Furthermore, the magnitude of attitude‐behaviour discrepancy among industrial firms was estimated to be sizeable among non‐exporting firms. Concludes with research, managerial, and policy implications of these findings.
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Shalini Reddy Naini and M. Ravinder Reddy
This study aims to determine the solutions to address the Indian attitude-behaviour inconsistency in the green purchasing context and provide the possible combinations of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the solutions to address the Indian attitude-behaviour inconsistency in the green purchasing context and provide the possible combinations of antecedents that aid Indian marketers in designing promotional and advertising strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
A non-probability criterion-based sampling technique was used in collecting the data across Hyderabad city of Telangana region through online survey technique. The respondents were the customers who were attracted towards green and eco-friendly products. A total of 129 responses were received. SPSS v26 software was used to conduct the descriptive analysis, and the two-step analysis approach of the measurement and structural model was conducted in SmartPLS.
Findings
Results indicate that interpersonal influence has a greater direct influence on green purchase behaviour (GPB); altruism’s influence on green purchase intention (GPI) and GPB is through environmental attitude (EA) and green awareness (GA). EA has a significant influence on GA and green behaviour (GB). The GA and GB individually act as potential mediators between EA and green consumption behaviour (GCB) variables. Perceived environmental knowledge (PEK) does not influence GPB directly or indirectly. Altruism still ranks at the fifth position among the six antecedents, indicating reciprocal determinism and not an altruistic purchase approach in the Telangana region.
Social implications
The results of this study may be used by government agencies and policymakers to launch awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public and encouraging green buying practices among broader societal segments. These kinds of programmes could lessen the harm that inconsiderate consumption habits do to the environment and to society, increase the green behaviour practices like planting trees, and recycling, and also increase the consumer’s PEK.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first to apply reciprocal deterministic theory along with theory of planned behaviour to predict Indian GCB and address the attitude-behaviour gap. Moreover, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate together the direct and indirect influence of altruism, interpersonal influence and perceived environmental knowledge on green purchase behaviour. Given the growing trend of consumers adopting an eco-friendly mind-set, a novel approach to empirically discuss the behavioural and personal factors will give research the much-needed boost it needs.
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Micael-Lee Johnstone and Lay Peng Tan
– The purpose of this paper is to understand how and why environmentally conscious consumers rationalise their non-green purchase behaviour.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how and why environmentally conscious consumers rationalise their non-green purchase behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
Seven focus groups were conducted. A total of 51 people, aged 19-70 years, participated in the study. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to organise the data as various themes emerged.
Findings
Through application of neutralisation theory, this study identified additional barriers to green consumption. Two new neutralisation techniques emerged, namely protecting (maintaining) one’s sense of self and consumer attachment to the brand. These techniques recognise the impact consumer culture has had on consumers.
Research limitations/implications
The study took place in an urban centre hence the views of the participants may be different from those who live in rural centres; low-income consumers were under-represented; and more male participants would have been desirable.
Social implications
Despite its limitations, this study reveals that consumers will rationalise their decisions in order to protect their self-esteem and self-identity. Until green becomes a social norm, consumers will continue to place individual goals over collective goals. Understanding this rationalisation process is important if marketers and policy makers want to encourage behavioural change.
Originality/value
This study makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of the green attitude-behaviour gap. It provides fresh insights into how environmentally conscious consumers vindicate their non-green consumption behaviours and how marketers and policy makers can overcome these challenges. It also identifies two new neutralisation techniques and extends the theory to a consumer culture context.
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Maria K. Magnusson, Anne Arvola, Ulla‐Kaisa Koivisto Hursti, Lars Åberg and Per‐Olow Sjödén
The present study reports demographic differences with respect to Swedish consumers’ attitudes towards organic foods (milk, meat, potatoes, bread), purchase frequency, purchase…
Abstract
The present study reports demographic differences with respect to Swedish consumers’ attitudes towards organic foods (milk, meat, potatoes, bread), purchase frequency, purchase criteria, perceived availability, and beliefs about organic foods. A random nation‐wide sample of 2,000 respondents, aged 18‐65 years, were mailed a questionnaire and 1,154 (58 per cent) responded. The majority of consumers, and particularly women and young respondents (18‐25 years) reported positive attitudes, but purchase frequency was low. A total of 13 per cent stated that they regularly bought organic milk. Corresponding figures for organic meat, potatoes, and bread were 13, 16, and 8 per cent respectively. The most important purchase criterion was good taste, and the least important was “organically produced”. Approximately half of the respondents were satisfied with the availability of the organic foods. The organic foods were perceived to be more expensive and healthier than conventionally produced alternatives. A major obstacle to the purchase of organic foods was reported to be premium prices. The results suggest that the consumption will not increase as long as important purchase criteria and perceived beliefs about organic foods do not match.
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Ralitsa Antimova, Jeroen Nawijn and Paul Peeters
This paper aims to explore the widely recognized awareness/attitude‐gap in sustainable tourism and discuss a series of theoretical approaches on three levels: individual…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the widely recognized awareness/attitude‐gap in sustainable tourism and discuss a series of theoretical approaches on three levels: individual, interpersonal and community level theories.
Design/methodology/approach
These theories are linked to existing studies on tourists' awareness/attitude and behavior in relation to climate change in order to assess which type of theory explains the gap best and which may be the most useful in bridging the gap.
Findings
The paper argues that, although individual level theories offer the best explanation of the awareness/attitude‐gap, community level theories may offer the best solution.
Originality/value
The paper has important relevance for academic researchers who intend to study the awareness/attitude gap in a tourist setting.
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Weisha Wang, Cheng-Hao Steve Chen, Bang Nguyen and Paurav Shukla
With rising globalization, Western and Eastern brands are increasingly collaborating and co-branding. Drawing on the theory of dialectical self that captures the degree of…
Abstract
Purpose
With rising globalization, Western and Eastern brands are increasingly collaborating and co-branding. Drawing on the theory of dialectical self that captures the degree of cognitive tendency to tolerate conflicts, inconsistencies and ambiguities in self-concept, this paper investigates the effect of consumer dialectical self on co-branding that encompasses Western and East Asian cultural brand personality traits.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies were conducted using Chinese participants to examine the effects of the dialectical self on co-brand evaluation under single-and dual-personality conditions and to explore the mediating role of ideal social self-congruence and the moderating role of product type (high vs low conspicuous).
Findings
The findings suggest that counterintuitive to the received wisdom, the dialectical self negatively influences one's attitude towards a co-brand in the dual-personality condition only. Further, ideal social self-congruence mediates the relationship between the dialectical self and dual-personality co-brand evaluation in the high conspicuous product condition only.
Practical implications
Important implications are offered to international marketing managers for managing the dialectical self that lead to positive co-brand evaluations. Moreover, managers should highlight ideal social self-congruence for co-branding success for particular product types.
Originality/value
This paper examines co-branding from a novel perspective of consumer dialectical self and shows the pivotal role it plays when brands carry varying cultural traits engage in co-branding. By identifying the role of the dialectical self and the important mediator and moderator, the paper fulfils an important gap in co-branding literature and offers key implications.
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Tanusree Chakraborty, Anup Kumar, Parijat Upadhyay and Yogesh K. Dwivedi
Social distancing is an important strategy to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is imperative to understand the behavioral impact of social distancing on…
Abstract
Purpose
Social distancing is an important strategy to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is imperative to understand the behavioral impact of social distancing on individuals. This research studied social distancing from a cognitive appraisal of voluntary social distancing compliance (CAVSD) point of view and a non-medical perspective, specifically the psychological impact (PI) of social distancing on the usage intensity of social networking sites (SNS) during the COVID-19 outbreak in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted on 477 SNS users as a full sample and groups based on age, sex and work status. The model was empirically investigated using structural equation modeling.
Findings
CAVSD was negatively associated with PI although it was not a significant predictor, while CAVSD and PI were significant predictors of SNS usage intensity; moreover, SNS usage intensity differed between groups of people.
Practical implications
These findings are significant for organizations, corporations and educational institutions in both the public and private sectors. There is a need to identify subsections of individuals in need of social support and relief from isolation and loneliness. Individuals are relying on social media to handle social distancing and the pandemic, and this shows up in an increase in social networking activity.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by positing social networking as a basic virtual need for socialization, and social media platform assists in that. Cognitive appraisal is an important determinant of individual response.
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Katrin Zander, Susanne Padel and Raffaele Zanoli
With the introduction of the mandatory European Union (EU) organic logo for all organic food products in 2010, the European Commission aimed at fostering the internal organic food…
Abstract
Purpose
With the introduction of the mandatory European Union (EU) organic logo for all organic food products in 2010, the European Commission aimed at fostering the internal organic food market. This needs consumers’ knowledge of the logo. According to earlier research consumers’ knowledge of the EU organic logo is low. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to elicit consumers’ attitudes towards organic certification and labelling and to develop recommendations on how to improve consumers’ knowledge of the EU organic logo.
Design/methodology/approach
By means of an online survey with 3,000 participants in six European countries, knowledge of the logo and attitudes towards organic farming and European labelling, as well as organic food purchase behaviour and socio-demographic indicators were elicited. Factor and cluster analysis based on several statements on the test persons’ attitudes towards organic farming and corresponding EU legislation were conducted in order to segment consumers.
Findings
The results indicate that knowledge of the logo is low. Only about 15 per cent of all respondents knew its meaning. Four clusters of consumers could be identified: “Committed organics”, “Pragmatic organics”, “Organic sceptics” and Organic disinterested’. With reference to the EU organic legislation’s aim of promoting the organic market, particularly “Organic sceptics” should be addressed by emphasising the trustworthiness of the organic certification and labelling system.
Originality/value
Segmenting consumers according to their attitude towards organic farming, its labelling and certification allows for targeted and efficient communication and organic market development.
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Ruizhi Yuan, Martin J Liu, Alain Yee-Loong Chong and Kim Hua Tan
Despite the growing interest in reverse exchange, studies on the subject from the perspective of consumer participation and motivation remain sparse. Consumers’ participation in…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing interest in reverse exchange, studies on the subject from the perspective of consumer participation and motivation remain sparse. Consumers’ participation in reverse exchange is a key component of supply-chain reverse logistics. To address the gap in existing studies, this paper aims to empirically identify the intention and causes of consumer electronic product exchange (EPE). The proposed research model incorporates value-belief-norm and neutralization theories, linking consumers’ values to their intentions to participate in EPE.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data collected from 250 consumers were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
This discussion shows that people are more likely to present positive attitudes when they are ethically concerned. However, this tendency is not without exceptions and behavior influenced by ethics was not always observed. Upon examination, the findings highlight moderating forces of psychological tension that arise when people behave in ways that are in apparent contradiction to their expressed positive attitudes.
Research limitations/implications
It is important to modify the model by analyzing consumers’ actual EPE behaviors. Future research should also reconsider the results from a longitudinal perspective.
Practical implications
The reverse logistics management practices proposed offer valuable insight into other various activities as well, including an integrated supply chain model and improving customer service.
Social implications
The proposed action of EPE encourages consumers as well as managers to reduce, recycle or effectively dispose of waste.
Originality/value
Current reverse exchange models are insufficient for measuring consumer motivations perspective, which is a key but inadequately researched perspective of determining the effectiveness of reverse logistics management. This research endeavors to fill this gap and augment previous studies in EPE by advancing the discussion on how the concept of reverse logistics management is evaluated and justified in relation to consumption values and psychological motivations.
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Maria Papadopoulou, Ioanna Papasolomou and Alkis Thrassou
Adding to competitive dynamics and sustainability literature, this paper aims to examine the implementation of environmental protection and sustainability initiatives within the…
Abstract
Purpose
Adding to competitive dynamics and sustainability literature, this paper aims to examine the implementation of environmental protection and sustainability initiatives within the European fast-fashion clothing industry from the perspectives of Generation X and Y consumers. The study primarily investigates whether consumers’ level of environmental consciousness impacts their purchase decisions and consumption behaviour and the consequent strategic competitiveness effects on businesses.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodological approach relied on multiple data collection methods. In the first stage of the study, the researchers analysed the content of the official websites of two of Europe’s leading fashion firms. In the second stage, a quantitative research approach was aimed at revealing the perceptions, attitudes and purchase behaviour of Generation X and Y consumers towards the two fashion houses and their brands.
Findings
Although European fashion manufacturers invest in sustainability and engage in environmental protection, their marketing efforts need to be more effectively managed and targeted towards their target consumer markets. The level of engagement and sensitivity of each generational group towards sustainability issues varies. Each group’s environmental consciousness, motivation and response is shaped by distinct characteristics, which, in turn, create implications for the effectiveness of sustainability efforts towards differentiation and competitiveness. Overall, consumers engage in environmental initiatives but ignore the corporate initiatives pursued by the two fashion firms and did not view them as sustainable brands.
Originality/value
The study explores the effectiveness of sustainability and environmental protection orientation as business competitive strategies in the light of environmental turbulence and social changes impacting the fast-fashion clothing industry and its relationships with its consumer markets.
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