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The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework of consumers’ purchase intention of energy efficient home appliances.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework of consumers’ purchase intention of energy efficient home appliances.
Design/methodology/approach
Non-probability quota based on age and education and purposive sampling technique have been used to assess data collected by a questionnaire survey.
Findings
The findings of the study reveal that consumers’ knowledge of eco-labels, environmental concern and perceived consumer effectiveness are the important predictors of purchase intention. However, the positive relationship between green trust and products’ functional value was found insignificant. It is believed that consumers’ are skeptical about products’ functional benefits.
Research limitations/implications
Although this study has presented a holistic approach to assess consumer purchase intention for energy-efficient home appliances, there are some limitations of the current study. First, this study has focused on consumer intention to purchase energy-efficient home appliances rather than actual purchase of appliances. Ajzen (1991) argued that intention is the accurate and immediate measure of actual, but gaps exist between intention and the actual behavior of the consumers (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980). Consumers’ intentions may not always result in actual behavior. Thus, to expand research applicability, researchers should include actual behavior of consumers by conducting interviews or collecting data from the same consumers after an interval of three to six months. Second, the study has focused on consumers’ psychographic variables, there may be many other factors such as technological variables, government and pressure group influence and media impact on consumer intention to purchase energy-efficient home appliances. Future studies can integrate the impact of these potential variables on consumer purchase intention of energy-efficient home appliances with the same model. The third limitation is related to the methodology of this study, the quantitative method has been used in this study. Future studies may use qualitative and mixed methods to better understand consumers’ inclination of purchase intention of energy-efficient home appliances in Pakistan. Besides, a qualitative study will be helpful to explore new variables that are essential in the decision-making of consumers for the purchase of energy-efficient home appliances in Pakistan. Pakistan is a developing country where the majority of the people are belonging to the middle-class; there may be many other important factors that affect consumers’ purchase intention of energy-efficient home appliances. Therefore, an in-depth qualitative study would be helpful to explore those variables in the context of a developing country.
Practical implications
Energy consumption has posed serious threats to the sustainability of the environment and endangered the lives of many species across the globe. Environmental degradation due to unsustainable consumptions has provided ample opportunities to the marketers that led to the development of sustainable products such as energy-efficient home appliances. In this study, the antecedent of purchase intention of energy-efficient appliances includes attitude, functional values, perceived consumer effectiveness, consumers’ knowledge of eco-labels, environmental concern and green trust. Although researchers have extended TBP to predict consumers’ purchase intention of energy-efficient appliances, studies lack to provide a holistic view from consumers’ perspective. Consumers’ concern for the safety of the environment depicts consumers tendency to purchase environmentally friendly products and promote less hazardous products. Marketers should incorporate environmentally friendly benefits to the product that serve to attract maximum consumers and maintain harmony with the environment. Consumers’ knowledge of eco-labels, green trust and functional values are a vital construct that needs focus in term of the energy-efficient appliances purchase decision. Eco-labels are one of the emerging marketing tools that serve to guide consumers related to products environmentally friendly attributes and contribute to the acceptability of products. Marketers can use eco-labels to differentiate green products from conventional and establishes consumers’ trust in product performance.
Originality/value
This study is relevant to energy-efficient home appliances. Systematic literature of previous studies suggested the need to conduct and examine the antecedents of energy-efficient home appliances in developing markets. This research highlights that perceived consumer effectiveness is the most influencing factor affecting intention. The implications of this study would be helpful in understanding consumers’ behavior toward the purchase of green products in developing markets.
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Gauri Yogesh Joshi, Pratima Amol Sheorey and Aradhana Vikas Gandhi
The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to consumers’ intention to purchase energy efficient appliances. It uses multiple regression analysis to predict the factors…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to consumers’ intention to purchase energy efficient appliances. It uses multiple regression analysis to predict the factors that deter consumers’ purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Five barriers to consumers’ intention to purchase energy efficient appliances were identified through an exhaustive literature survey. Data were gathered from 300 respondents from Pune city from the state of Maharashtra in India through a survey. The items were measured on a five-point Likert scale. Validity and reliability of the scale were established. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to predict consumers’ intention to purchase energy efficient appliances based on factors identified.
Findings
Findings revealed that some degree of uncertainty was associated with energy efficient appliance purchase. In addition to possessing lower degrees of awareness on energy efficient appliances, consumers tend to disbelieve claims made on labels of energy efficient appliances. Consumers also feel inconvenience in identifying these appliances, spending time to know about them and paying the price to purchase them. Hence, the factors – scepticism towards label claims and perceived personal inconvenience – were found to have negative impact on consumers’ purchase intention. Societal norm was found to have a positive impact on consumers’ purchase intention. Interestingly, price sensitivity and perceived product risk (which were expected to have a negative relationship with consumers’ purchase intention) displayed a positive relationship.
Research limitations/implications
The model proposed here is based on the researcher’s identification of the barriers. There might have been unidentified barriers that were not considered. The research does not account for manufacturing or policy-based issues that might also pose as barriers. The study encourages marketers to re-examine marketing and communication policies associated with the sale of energy efficient appliances.
Originality/value
The paper provides insights into the external barriers faced by consumers while purchasing an energy efficient appliance. This research enables managers to understand consumer’s preference for conventional products over energy efficient ones. It attempts to check the presence of barriers to energy efficient appliances, identified from literature in a tier 1 city of India. Tier 1 city is the city with population greater than 1,00,000 as per 2001 census of India.
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Hong‐Youl Ha and Swinder Janda
This research aims to examine behavioral intentions toward purchase of energy‐efficient products utilizing the theory of reasoned action framework.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to examine behavioral intentions toward purchase of energy‐efficient products utilizing the theory of reasoned action framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data from a sample of 202 shoppers of electrical appliances and small electronic products was utilized to estimate the proposed model.
Findings
The main finding is that attitude toward energy‐efficient product has a stronger effect on intentions compared to the subjective norm component.
Research limitations/implications
In order to maximize use of their financial resources, companies marketing energy‐efficient products need to focus more on enhancing consumer attitudes toward their brands and spend relatively less on efforts to educate consumers about using energy – efficient appliances in general.
Practical implications
Since attitudes are formed from beliefs and knowledge, use of informational ads that clearly illustrate energy‐saving consequences of their specific brands of products will be an effective marketing approach.
Originality/value
This study is timely considering the recent steady increase in energy prices accompanied by growing environmental concerns among businesses, governments, and consumers.
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Prajita Chowdhury and Mercy S Samuel
The purpose of this paper is to study the usefulness of neural network to explain the gap between behavior intention and actual behavior in the consumption of green products. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the usefulness of neural network to explain the gap between behavior intention and actual behavior in the consumption of green products. The paper draws the base from theory of planned behavior (TPB) and social dilemma theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Artificial neural networks were used to analyze the data. A survey instrument was developed to understand the behavior pattern of customers while purchasing energy-efficient products. The outputs and input variables were identified and the input variables were divided into binary and discreet inputs.
Findings
The research attempts to identify the factors that drive as well as avoid green consumerism. It also details the measures that can be adapted to address the social dilemma of green consumerism. In general the paper identifies with the literature in eliciting that environmental consciousness does not drive green consumerism.
Research limitations/implications
The results of the study have important implications for practitioners as well as researchers. It is observed that neural network also provides inconclusive evidence for the intention behavior gap. This can be further explored by identifying different elements of environment consciousness and further testing.
Practical implications
Marketers need to have strategies interwoven with traditional influencers to promote their green offerings. The consumers expect a clear and measurable benefit to the green offerings that the marketers are marketing.
Originality/value
The research has its conceptual base in the TPB and social dilemma theory to understand the drivers of purchase behavior while evaluating an electronic product available in both energy efficient non-energy efficient rating scenario.
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The Ninh Nguyen, Antonio Lobo and Steven Greenland
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how consumers’ altruistic values influence their personal norms, environmental attitudes, subjective norms and perceived barriers, all…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how consumers’ altruistic values influence their personal norms, environmental attitudes, subjective norms and perceived barriers, all of which in turn influence their pro-environmental behaviour (i.e. the purchase of energy efficient household appliances).
Design/methodology/approach
This research follows a hypothetic-deductive approach. A unique conceptual model examines the role of consumers’ altruistic values in relation to their environmentally responsible purchase behaviour. Structured questionnaires were administered to randomly selected Vietnamese consumers who visited busy electronics and appliance specialist stores, which yielded 682 usable responses.
Findings
Structural equation modelling revealed that consumers’ altruistic values tend to positively influence their personal norms, environmental attitudes, subjective norms and mitigate their perceived barriers in relation to the purchase of energy efficient appliances.
Practical implications
Marketers, policymakers and sustainability campaigners should develop relevant communication and education programmes that emphasise the importance of purchasing energy efficient appliances for the environment and society, arousing consumers’ sense of moral obligation and societal responsibility to purchase such products. They should also provide a convenient and easily accessible shopping environment for consumers.
Originality/value
This research makes an important contribution by presenting and testing a new altruistic-values-based model that seeks to understand consumers’ environmentally responsible purchase behaviour. This model could serve as a blueprint for future studies in the domain of pro-environmental behaviour, especially those in emerging markets.
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Sujit Kumar Ray and Sangeeta Sahney
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the various perceived risk facets such as financial risk, performance risk, psychological risk, social risk, and physical risk…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the various perceived risk facets such as financial risk, performance risk, psychological risk, social risk, and physical risk influence the Indian consumers’ perceived overall risk during the purchase of green products such as energy-efficient LED light bulbs.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-administered questionnaire comprising a total of 29 items was employed over a sample of 272 respondents. The structural equation modeling using partial least squares was used for data analysis.
Findings
Psychological risk emerged as the most influential of the various risk facets in affecting perceived overall risk. Financial, physical, and performance risks emerged as the second, third, and fourth most influential risk facets, respectively, which affect the perceived overall risk. Surprisingly, social risk did not emerge as an influential facet when it comes to affecting perceived overall risk. Further, psychological and financial risks appeared to have a positive medium-level influence on the perceived overall risk, whereas physical and performance risks appeared to have a positive weak influence on the perceived overall risks. The influence of financial risk on the perceived overall risk was found to be partially mediated by performance risk.
Originality/value
The study is unique in the sense that it reflects the risk perception of potential consumers in one of the largest emerging markets of the world, when it comes to purchase of green products.
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The Ninh Nguyen, Antonio Lobo and Steven Greenland
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of consumers’ collectivism and long-term orientation (LTO) cultural values on their purchase intention in relation to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of consumers’ collectivism and long-term orientation (LTO) cultural values on their purchase intention in relation to environment-friendly products.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts a hypo-deductive research design. A unique conceptual model was developed by linking cultural values to key determinants of green purchase behaviour. This model was then tested using a quantitative survey of 682 shoppers in popular Vietnamese electrical appliance stores.
Findings
Analysis using structural equation modelling reveals that consumers with greater adherence to collectivism and LTO tend to engage in green purchase behaviour owing to their positive environmental attitudes, strong subjective norms and tolerance of inconvenience associated with eco-friendly product purchase. Gender is found to moderate the relationship between the determinants and purchase intention.
Practical implications
Marketers including manufacturers and policymakers must endeavour (change globally) to reduce or eliminate perceived inconvenience associated with green purchases. They should also effectively communicate messages stressing that eco-friendly product purchases are crucial for environmental protection and benefit consumer groups including family, peers and society in the long-run.
Originality/value
This research is the first of its kind which links consumers’ cultural values at a personal level to all the elements of the theory of planned behaviour. This research also extends current knowledge about green purchase behaviour in emerging markets by focussing on Vietnam.
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Idrees Waris, Malik Dad and Irfan Hameed
The purpose of this study is to extend the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and understand consumers' purchase intention of energy-efficient appliances (EEA) from the perspective…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to extend the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and understand consumers' purchase intention of energy-efficient appliances (EEA) from the perspective of pro-environmental behavior. This study focuses on knowledge of eco-labels (KEL) and altruism for the consumers' purchase intention of EEA.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a quantitative method. Data of the participants were collected through the purposive sampling technique. A total of 373 valid responses were received with a response rate of 82.88%. Partial least square (SEM) has been used for the analysis of data.
Findings
The findings of the study reveal that altruism and KEL in the extended model of TPB promote the purchase of EEA in Pakistan. Further, the results indicate that altruism was the key predictor that leads to the consumption of environmentally friendly appliances.
Practical implications
Eco-labels are important sources that provide specific products related information to consumers. Further, eco-labeling serves to guide consumers' regarding the processes of products' consumption and disposals. Secondly, the positive influence of altruism implies the fact that people have the willingness to contribute to the betterment of the environment and human well-being. Therefore, marketers and policymakers should initiate campaigns that primarily target altruistic consumers and emphasize the importance of the purchase of EEAs that can reduce environmental pollution.
Originality/value
This study would help to understand consumer purchase intention for EEA and contribute to the literature of environmental management. The results of this study would serve to provide guidelines to policymakers and marketers regarding the consumption of environmentally friendly products (EFP).
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Jerrell D. Coggburn and Dianne Rahm
In recent years, concerns over environmental degradation and environmental sustainability have pushed governments to search for new ways to combat environmental problems. One such…
Abstract
In recent years, concerns over environmental degradation and environmental sustainability have pushed governments to search for new ways to combat environmental problems. One such approach, which is gaining in popularity, is environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP). EPP attempts to address environmental challenges by taking advantage of government's vast purchasing power to create strong markets for environmentally friendly products and services. This article reviews governments’ experience with EPP in the United States. Specifically, the article describes the development of EPP in the federal government and reviews EPP activities at both the national and subnational levels. Next, the article presents several broad strategies that governments and procurement professionals can pursue in implementing EPP. The article concludes by identifying several challenges facing EPP.
Maria Proto, Ornella Malandrino and Stefania Supino
The aim of this paper is to map and analyse the state of the art of eco‐energy labelling and its potential as a fundamental component in the transition process towards…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to map and analyse the state of the art of eco‐energy labelling and its potential as a fundamental component in the transition process towards eco‐sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A detailed scenario of trends in eco‐energy labelling systems, both on an international and European Union scale are outlined, followed by identification and analysis of the key representative experiences. Subsequently, the main constraints that limit their full potential as a benchmark and tool of improved customer communication for environmental sustainability have been highlighted and critically analysed.
Findings
The full implementation of eco‐energy labelling, as a authentic driving force in sustainability building processes, requires the elimination of the critical factors identified. Therefore, standardisation of benchmarking methodologies, based on improved customer information mechanisms regarding qualitative and quantitative indicators, need to implemented. A strong commitment on the part of all participants involved, to define a multi‐level framework, capable of promoting a recognised international rating scheme in needed.
Practical implications
The most significant implications regard the attempt to classify and coordinate all the information concerning instruments, initiatives, policies and strategies related to eco‐sustainability.
Originality/value
The paper is a contribution towards pinpointing the current fragmented scenario of eco‐energy labelling tools with the aim of re‐conducting them into a coherent and more functional whole.
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