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1 – 10 of over 6000Ayşen Coşkun, Michael Polonsky and Andrea Vocino
To achieve the UN’s 2030 agenda, consumers will need to behave more responsibly and make less environmentally harmful purchases. This study aims to investigate the antecedents of…
Abstract
Purpose
To achieve the UN’s 2030 agenda, consumers will need to behave more responsibly and make less environmentally harmful purchases. This study aims to investigate the antecedents of consumers’ pro-environmental purchase intentions based on a range of motivating (i.e. attitudes, locus of control) and inhibiting factors (i.e. apathy and myopia) for a low-involvement product. It also tests the moderating effect of the greenness of a low-involvement product (green vs nongreen) on the consumer’s pro-environmental purchase intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
An online panel survey of 679 Turkish consumers was used. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
The results suggest that while inhibiting factors (i.e. apathy and myopia) may not directly impede such purchase intentions, they could prevent consumers from considering the environmental characteristics of low-involvement products.
Practical implications
The insights are expected to assist marketers and policymakers to understand consumer psychological mechanisms when encouraging and promoting pro-environmental behavior in the context of low-involvement purchases, enhancing consumers contributing to the 2030 objectives.
Originality/value
This study examines the role of inhibiting factors behind the purchase of low-involvement goods. It also tests the moderating effect of the greenness of a low-involvement product on pro-environmental purchase intentions.
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Green consumer behavior has recently attracted the attention of academic researchers. To address a lack of relevant research, the effects that consumer characteristics (i.e…
Abstract
Purpose
Green consumer behavior has recently attracted the attention of academic researchers. To address a lack of relevant research, the effects that consumer characteristics (i.e. external locus of control and collectivism) and social influence factors (i.e. environmental visibility and subjective norms) exert on green purchasing intentions are investigated in this study. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a quantitative online survey of 1,866 participants in Taiwan, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data.
Findings
The results show that although an external locus of control exerted a negative effect on consumers’ green consumption intentions, collectivism values exerted a positive influence. In addition, both environmental visibility and subjective norms exerted a significant effect on green purchasing intentions.
Originality/value
Consumer characteristics and social influence factors were integrated into green consumer research in this study. The findings can improve green market managers’ understanding of the role that consumer characteristics and social influence factors play in consumer decisions.
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Mark Cleveland, Maria Kalamas and Michel Laroche
The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of various attitudes and personality characteristics on environmentally‐friendly behaviors, from a locus of control (LOC…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of various attitudes and personality characteristics on environmentally‐friendly behaviors, from a locus of control (LOC) perspective. Specifically, we developed and tested a model linking a related construct, environmental locus of control (ELOC), to a series of pro‐environmental behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The context related to various personal and household behaviors vis‐à‐vis the environment, and the subject pool consisted of a diverse group of urban consumers. A survey was employed to measure various attitudinal and personality variables corresponding to internal/external locus of control, as well as a battery of pro‐environmental behaviors. The research propositions were tested using a structural equation modeling approach.
Findings
We found four distinct dimensions of ELOC, two of which relate to an external LOC (“biospheric‐altruism” and “corporate skepticism”) and the other two relate to an internal LOC (“economic motivation” and “individual recycling efforts”). We then linked these four dimensions to a variety of pro‐environmental behaviors. Highly variable patterns were obtained, with different dimensions assuming a greater or lesser impact, or no role at all, depending on the specific behavior under analysis.
Research limitations/implications
Generalizability of the findings is limited due to the sample (urban consumers from one major city), and the method employed (validity of self‐report measures and the non‐experimental nature of the field study).
Practical implications
Our findings highlight the importance of considering the specificity of pro‐environmental behaviors, when assessing the antecedent roles of pro‐environmental attitudes/dispositions, which are in‐and‐of‐themselves, complex and multidimensional.
Originality/value
In this era of environmental degradation, researchers, managers, and public policy makers alike need to consider that pro‐environmental attitudes are composed of multiple dispositional facets, and that the role of these facets is highly context‐specific.
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Barbara Borusiak, Bartlomiej Pieranski, Aleksandra Gaweł, David B López Lluch, Krisztián Kis, Sándor Nagy, Jozsef Gal, Anna Mravcová, Jana Gálová, Blazenka Knezevic, Pavel Kotyza, Lubos Smutka and Karel Malec
Increasing the need for education for sustainable development in universities requires an understanding of the predictors of students’ environmental concern (EC). In this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Increasing the need for education for sustainable development in universities requires an understanding of the predictors of students’ environmental concern (EC). In this paper, the authors focus on the EC of business students because of their future responsibility for business operations regarding the exploitation of natural resources. The aim of the study is to examine the predictors of business students’ environmental concern.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the Norm Activation Model as the theoretical framework, this study hypothesizes the model of EC with two main predictors: ascription of responsibility for the environment (AOR), driven by locus of control and self-efficacy (LC/SE), and awareness of positive consequences of consumption reduction on the environment (AOC), driven by perceived environmental knowledge. Structural equation modelling was applied to confirm the conceptual model based on the responses of business students from six countries (Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Spain) collected through an online survey.
Findings
The environmental concern of business students is predicted both by the ascription of responsibility and by awareness of consequences; however, the ascription of responsibility is a stronger predictor of EC. A strong impact was found for internal locus of control and self-efficacy on AOR, as well as a weaker influence of perceived environmental knowledge on AOC.
Originality/value
Sustainability education dedicated to business students should provide environmental knowledge and strengthen their internal locus of control and self-efficacy in an environmental context.
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Despite the growing scientific evidence regarding risks caused by global warming and climate change, virtually no studies have been conducted to investigate general public’s…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing scientific evidence regarding risks caused by global warming and climate change, virtually no studies have been conducted to investigate general public’s attitudes toward this phenomenon in a non-Western context. The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors influencing concern for global warming in a representative sample of 2,551 respondents in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses logistic and Bayesian logistic regression modeling techniques to test the influence of post-materialistic tendencies, religiosity, political orientation and locus of control on concern for global warming in Egypt.
Findings
Results contradict the post-materialist hypothesis and show that concern for global warming is driven by religiosity, political orientation and internal locus of control.
Originality/value
The findings highlight the importance of investigating the specificity of global warming and environmental concern in a non-Western context.
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Ayşen Coşkun and Raife Meltem Yetkin Özbük
The purpose of this study is to segment young millennials in an emerging economy based on their environmental attitudes and purchase intentions. The study also attempts to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to segment young millennials in an emerging economy based on their environmental attitudes and purchase intentions. The study also attempts to describe the segments and highlight their differences in terms of happiness, frugality, environmental locus of control, and environmental knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consisted of 227 Turkish undergraduate students. A two-step cluster analysis was performed on environmental attitudes and purchase intentions scores. The differences among the clusters were then examined according to happiness, frugality, environmental locus of control, and environmental knowledge variables.
Findings
A two-step cluster analysis identified three clusters, namely, “non-greens”, “reluctant greens” and “true greens”, all of whom differed in terms of environmental attitudes and purchase intentions. Non-greens (n = 16) and true greens (n = 121) yielded the lowest and the highest scores for environmental attitudes and purchase intentions, respectively. Three clusters also differed significantly in terms of frugality. Environmental knowledge levels of non-greens differed from those of reluctant greens and true greens. There is no significant difference regarding happiness and environmental locus of control among clusters.
Practical implications
Local and international companies interested in marketing green products to young millennials in emerging economies may enhance their understanding of non-green and green young millennials in the target markets and differentiate their marketing strategies for each segment.
Originality/value
Given the need for a better understanding of young millennials’ environmental behavior in an emerging economy, the current study contributes to the literature by segmenting young Turkish millennials based on their environmental attitudes and purchase intentions, further describing the consumer segments with different variables such as happiness, frugality, environmental locus of control and environmental knowledge.
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Rohit H Trivedi, Jayesh D Patel and Jignasa R Savalia
Marketers have realized the importance of assessing consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) before introducing green products across different target audience. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Marketers have realized the importance of assessing consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) before introducing green products across different target audience. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative influence of consumers’ pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) and environmental locus of control (ELOC) on their WTP for green products.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consisted of 256 Indian consumers which were recruited with the help of convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered with scales that were well established and that have been used in previous research. Data were analysed with the help of CFA and structural equation modelling to test the relationship of ELOC and PEB anon WTP. Second, clustering respondents according to their PEB and ELOC has been done to find its differential effect on WTP with the help of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
Findings
Findings of the study highlight that WTP for green products is significantly predicted by two variables which are in following order: PEB and ELOC. Results of cluster analysis and MANOVA revealed that WTP differ significantly with the level of intensity of ELOC and PEB among Indian consumers.
Research limitations/implications
It advances the body of knowledge centred on the interplay of the PEB and ELOC to WTP for green products. Additional work is clearly required to consider the wide range of potentially relevant variables like brand image, prices, advertisements and product quality that ensures the generalizability of findings.
Practical implications
The hypothesis framed, tested and inferences made can form a basis of extremely valued toolkit for those green marketers who take caution when planning their marketing and communications strategies to stimulate the WTP by conveying a reason and motivation to act environmentally.
Originality/value
In this study, an understanding of WTP for green products is developed. The much required knowledge gap in terms of interplay of ELOC and PEB on WTP has been filled with the help of the present study. It has been identified that those consumer groups who displays higher PEB and ELOC forms the primary target audience for green product marketer.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine simultaneously all types of ecologically conscious consumer behaviour (ECCB) during the current economic crisis in Greece and investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine simultaneously all types of ecologically conscious consumer behaviour (ECCB) during the current economic crisis in Greece and investigate some of the factors able to affect it; to reveal the distances between the results of this study and those of previous studies in the same geographical area; and to present a detailed profile of the ecologically conscious consumers’ (ECCs) market segment.
Design/methodology/approach
An effort was made to examine simultaneously all types of ECCB, namely pro‐environmental purchasing behaviour, recycling behaviour, pro‐environmental post‐purchasing behaviour and pro‐environmental (non‐purchasing) activities. A set of demographic, attitudinal and personality variables was added in the investigation. The relevant research objectives were set and they were accomplished by a quantitative survey of a large enough ‐‐ for the urban area of Thessaloniki ‐‐ probability sample.
Findings
All ECCB types were found to be positively related to consumers’ education, attitudes towards recycling and locus of control over politics; and to be related negatively to environmental unconcern. Strong inter‐relationships among all the ECCB types were revealed. Cluster analysis indicated that the ECCs segment counts for 16 per cent, a size considerably smaller than a decade ago.
Research limitations/implications
A remaining social desirability effect despite the effort to eliminate it. Limited understanding of the economic crisis's consequences. Incomplete profile of ECCs.
Practical implications
Managers of ecological products, managers in charge of recycling programmes and executives working with the ecological organizations should all be aware that they share the same target group, that of ECCs. They should study carefully the characteristics of ECCs and choose the most appropriate communication strategies.
Social implications
Environmental protection undoubtedly affects quality of life. Understanding better ecologically related consumer behaviour provides the necessary basis for corporate socially responsible strategies. Public policy makers in charge of environmental protection programmes need to increase people's locus of control and recycling attitudes while eliminating their unconcern towards environmental issues.
Originality/value
The paper is an effort to overcome the usual fragmentary examination of ecological behaviours. All types of ECCB were examined under an integrated theoretical framework and they were found to be inter‐related. This is the first study to examine the impact of the economic crisis in Greece on pro‐environmental behaviours.
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Katharina Raab, Ralf Wagner and Mohammed Salem
This paper aims to quantify the impact of antecedents (frustration, locus of control, spirituality, and religion and attention to social-comparison information) on the intensity of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to quantify the impact of antecedents (frustration, locus of control, spirituality, and religion and attention to social-comparison information) on the intensity of emotional outcomes of consumers’ disposal behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural equation model fitted with PLS was used to evaluate data obtained from 323 self-administered questionnaires filled out in a stratified random sample of respondents living in Gaza Strip camps.
Findings
Spirituality and religion, and attention to social-comparison information have the highest impacts on emotional outcomes related to consumer disposal behaviour.
Research limitations/implications
Spirituality and religion are seldom considered in previous consumer research, but they turn out to have high relevance for disposal-related emotions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study investigating disposal-related emotions. Moreover, it is also the first study combining the impact of frustration, locus of control, perceived self-efficacy, spirituality and religion and attention to social-comparison information on emotional outcomes related to consumers’ disposal behaviour.
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Waqas Khan, Qasim Ali Nisar, Nadia Nasir, Sobia Nasir and Yousaf Siddiqui
This study aims to examine the key entrepreneurial roles (financial literacy, risk tolerance and competency) in the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the key entrepreneurial roles (financial literacy, risk tolerance and competency) in the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan and the mediating effects of locus of control and spiritual and emotional quotients.
Design/methodology/approach
The study data was collected from 541 SMEs in Pakistan (the target population) through a survey and analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling.
Findings
The findings revealed that the key entrepreneurial characteristics were positively related to locus of control and spiritual quotient and elevated the financial performance in entrepreneurship. It was also reported that locus of control and spiritual quotient mediated between key entrepreneurial characteristics and financial performance. In this regard, emotional quotient strengthened the existing relationships between key characteristics, locus of control and spiritual quotient.
Practical implications
This study highlighted sustainable implications for SMEs to develop an effective mechanism and improve financial performance through guidelines that emphasized entrepreneurial characteristics and behaviours towards positive entrepreneurial ventures. This study also enabled policymakers to design policies that catalysed SME performance in Pakistan.
Originality/value
This study contributed a novel concept of key entrepreneurial characteristics by introducing a characteristics tool kit. Consequently, information on a unique framework (by integrating entrepreneurial characteristics and financial performance) and literature on spiritual quotient and locus of control in entrepreneurship were enriched. Contributions to the regulatory focus theory and four-phase Rubicon model in the study context were also made.
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