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Article
Publication date: 27 September 2023

Helene Yildiz, Sara Tahali and Eleni Trichina

In the era of new technological revolution, seeking to survive and guarantee business sustainability in their digital internationalization, enterprises choose to become…

Abstract

Purpose

In the era of new technological revolution, seeking to survive and guarantee business sustainability in their digital internationalization, enterprises choose to become environmentally oriented. The need for new green business models has become evident in recent years, and enterprises offer green services in creative and eco-friendly ways. However, does the display of a green label on hotels' websites really promote the eco-conscious tourists' online booking intention? This study aims to examine the impact of the perceived label on the online sustainable hotel booking intention of the eco-conscious tourists, using the foundations of signal theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a structural equation model to integrate several constructs with a sample of 349 validated responses.

Findings

The empirical results highlight, the importance of the green label perception on the eco-conscious tourists' booking intention of online sustainable hotel and the role that green trust and green perceived risk play as a mediating variable between the perception of the exposed label and the booking intention. Indeed, when booking a sustainable hotel online, the tourists may be sensitive to the exposure of a green label. Therefore, this signal decreases the perceived risk of unsustainability and ultimately increases the trust in hotel's sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation is related to the sample employed in this study. Given that most of the participants were residents of France, the results of this study may not be generalized to the entire population. Secondly, a range of other factors can affect the eco-conscious tourists' intentions to book online a hotel with green label, such as their attitude, social media influence, tourists' satisfaction, etc. Indeed, other variables and/or signals could be adopted to study online booking intention in the pandemic era.

Practical implications

In light of these results, theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. The findings make an important contribution to SMEs sustainability and internationalization by exploring new ties. This study considers how SMEs and specifically hotels start following green practices (e.g. adoption of an eco-label) relevant to their international environment where they operate and in response to global pressures. SMEs can survive better in the highly competitive global environment where they need to employ more green practices, however, managers should consider how green trust and green perceived risk can affect customer behavior. It also adds to the existing literature by dealing with customer perceptions about the green label of sustainable hotels and its subsequent effect on booking intention.

Originality/value

This study had shown the importance of the display of green label on the eco-conscious tourist's online booking intention.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 May 2015

Valéry Bezençon and Reza Etemad-Sajadi

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of distributing sustainable labels on the retailer’s corporate brand. More specifically, the objectives are to investigate how…

2253

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of distributing sustainable labels on the retailer’s corporate brand. More specifically, the objectives are to investigate how the scope of a portfolio of sustainable labels affects the consumer perceived ethicality (CPE) of the retailer that distributes them and to understand how the perceived ethicality affects retail patronage.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 230 individuals participated in a street intercept survey. Data were analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

Both the perceived scope of the portfolios of collective sustainable labels and retailer-owned sustainable labels improve the CPE of the retailer. In addition, the CPE of the retailer increases patronage. The portfolio of collective sustainable labels has more impact on the CPE of the retailer than the portfolio of retailer-owned labels, but the latter has more impact on retail patronage.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to limitations inherent to the methodology (e.g. survey based on stated behaviours), the model developed is simple and exploratory and does not include potential boundary conditions of the highlighted effects.

Practical implications

Sustainable labels may not only contribute to product sales and product positioning, but also to position the retailer brand by improving the consumer perception of ethicality and indirectly increase retail patronage.

Originality/value

Anchored in the branding literature, this research is the first to conceptualize sustainable labels as a portfolio and measure their collective impact on the retailer’s corporate brand and indirectly on patronage.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 43 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2015

Giovanni Sogari, Chiara Corbo, Martina Macconi, Davide Menozzi and Cristina Mora

This paper aims to investigate, using an exploratory approach, how environmental values and beliefs about sustainable labelling shape consumer attitude towards sustainable wine…

3022

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate, using an exploratory approach, how environmental values and beliefs about sustainable labelling shape consumer attitude towards sustainable wine.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected with an online survey from 495 Italian wine drinkers in 2013. The survey was advertised through websites, blogs, social networks and emails. Based on background research and literature review, ten hypotheses were tested. Then a structural equation model was constructed using latent variables to test the causal links specified in the model.

Findings

The results show that attitude towards sustainable-labelled wine is shaped by both environmental and quality beliefs about sustainable wine, while it is not affected by the economic dimension of sustainability. In addition, age appears to have a slight effect on attitude because young consumers seem to be more interested in sustainability aspects of food products than older people are.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that company communication strategies should focus on sustainable issues to meet the requirements of environmentally conscious consumers. At the same time, sustainable certification on wine labels may help wineries to become more competitive using verifiable sustainable claims to differentiate their products.

Originality/value

The work adds to the literature on wine marketing by evaluating which variables influence consumer attitude towards sustainable-labelled wine and, at the same time, to what extent sustainable aspects are important during wine purchase.

Details

International Journal of Wine Business Research, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1062

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 October 2020

Kerri Byrd and Jin Su

The purpose of this study is to investigate consumers' perceptions of and consumer behaviour towards apparel labels and environmental, sustainable and social apparel.

2008

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate consumers' perceptions of and consumer behaviour towards apparel labels and environmental, sustainable and social apparel.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research was conducted, and empirical data were collected from 399 US consumers.

Findings

Findings indicate that consumers expressed positive sentiments towards apparel sustainability, yet they lacked knowledge about socially and environmental practices within the apparel industry. Overall, it is apparent that the respondents have an interest in environmental and social labelling; but they are not aware of brands that sell these types of garments nor their validity. It was also found that consumers may not have much knowledge regarding environmental, sustainable and social apparel or their meanings.

Originality/value

By surveying the consumers about their perspectives on apparel labels and environmental, sustainable and social apparel, valuable market information was obtained. Sustainably and ethically produced garments are of demand as transparency in the apparel industry grows. Brands looking to become more transparent about their production methods will need to find new ways to reach their target market by accurately labelling products and educating their consumers about these label claims.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Paola Mancini, Andrea Marchini and Mariarosaria Simeone

This is an exploratory study on consumer information and behaviour towards green, health, local, social and environmental credentials on labels. It focusses on many dimensions of…

5205

Abstract

Purpose

This is an exploratory study on consumer information and behaviour towards green, health, local, social and environmental credentials on labels. It focusses on many dimensions of sustainability in the food products that affect consumer choices with a dual purpose: to identify and define “sustainable consumption” behaviour in broad sense and to investigate empirically the factors affecting the real consumption behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on consumers’ understanding, motivation and use of sustainable labelling in order to understand the role sustainability information plays in the food products market.

Design/methodology/approach

Two focus groups in order to investigate consumer motivation and behaviour in-depth and to prepare the questionnaire. Identification of the outcomes that could summarize sustainable consumption combining: purchase of local products, consume only seasonal fruit, prefer products with recyclable packaging, attention to the fat content in foods, give importance to traceability and purchase products only in the place of origin. Identification of the “at risk” virtuous consumer, using a binary logistic regression approach, taking into account demographic characteristics, the food and nutrition value system, experience, knowledge, institutional factors and marketing.

Findings

Results from the focus groups are mainly in line with the empirical analysis, highlighting the key role of education in influencing consumer attitude and behaviour. Consumers give little attention to information provided on the label for sustainable food consumption and environmental protection and have little knowledge of environmental problems. The virtuous consumer appears to give importance to a better food nutrition value system, to pay more attention to ingredients and instructions on the label, to be more attentive to environmental and sustainable attributes, to be concerned about product quality and to be slightly influenced by brands and special offers.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from the empirical analysis confirm the results from focus groups even if it was not possible from the empirical analysis to investigate in-depth the marketing aspects concerning the food choice. This limit probably comes from the low number of observations. Further research will focus on these marketing aspects.

Practical implications

Products with sustainable attributes can become a strategic variable and allow companies to gain a competitive advantage, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises. This may encourage the development of new marketing channels based on the direct relationship between producer and the new consumer demand, increasingly sensitive to the food security issues.

Social implications

There is a potential interest and sensitiveness to having sustainable behaviour in a broad sense, but there is a lack of knowledge about how to behave to be sustainable. In the absence of binding rules, it is necessary that government promote information and campaigns to generate greater awareness on sustainability, aiming at increasing knowledge to drive the consumer’s choices. This may lead to virtuous results in terms of reducing social costs related to an unhealthy diet, food waste and unsustainable consumption.

Originality/value

The results show that despite the appearance of attention to the environment and to healthy food which is associated with this emerging critical consumer in the literature, there remains the problem of the consumer giving little attention to information provided on the label for sustainable food consumption and environmental protection. This is the problem of “rules of thumb” in purchasing decisions that prevail in the following situations: when consumers have an overload of information that exceeds their processing limits; when they tend to base their decision making on heuristics, focussing their choices on brands as a proxy for high-quality, product-related characteristics.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 119 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 November 2022

Rojan Baniya, Yuting An and Brijesh Thapa

Sustainable consumption is a crucial route to sustainable tourism. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the individual and combined effect of social learning and…

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainable consumption is a crucial route to sustainable tourism. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the individual and combined effect of social learning and eco-labels on the green hotel selection.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a between-subject online experimental method with 199 respondents, which is used only in around 15% of published tourism articles. Additionally, this method provided reliability and control features.

Findings

Social learning and eco-labels individually could not influence tourists to select green hotels. However, the interaction of positive performance social learning with eco-labels could potentially influence tourists' green hotel selection. Therefore, internalizing green hotel performance from trusted sources and external validation bring behavioral changes among tourists to select green hotels. This study offers a new social learning-based model for understanding sustainable consumption.

Research limitations/implications

This study can use various other types of social influences and can be expanded to other green settings.

Practical implications

This study provides policy and promotion formulation insights to hotel managers and sustainable tourism promoters to market green hotels.

Originality/value

Away from the traditional theory, this study bridges the gap between social learning of performance from relatable sources, assurance from governing entities and sustainable consumption. The interaction effect of social influence and eco-label on green hotel selection is a novel finding. Also, this study introduces various levels of social learning to the discussion of sustainable consumption.

设计/方法/途径(限 100 字)

该研究对 199 名受访者使用了主题间在线实验方法, 仅在大约 15% 的已发表旅游文章中使用。此外, 这种方法提供了可靠性和控制功能。

目的(限100字)

可持续消费是可持续旅游的重要途径。因此, 本研究调查了社会学习和生态标签对绿色酒店选择的个体和综合影响。

调查结果(限 100 字)

单独的社会学习和生态标签不能影响游客选择绿色酒店。然而, 积极绩效社会学习与生态标签的相互作用可能会影响游客对绿色酒店的选择。因此, 从可信赖的来源和外部验证中内化绿色酒店绩效, 会带来游客选择绿色酒店的行为变化。该研究为理解可持续消费提供了一种新的基于社会学习的模型。

研究限制/影响(限制 100 字)

该研究可以使用各种其他类型的社会影响, 并可以扩展到其他绿色环境。

实际意义(限 100 字)

它为酒店经理和可持续旅游推广者提供了政策和促销制定的见解, 以推销绿色酒店。

原创性/价值(限100字)

与传统理论不同, 本文填补了相关来源的绩效社会学习、管理实体的保证和可持续消费之间的研究空白。社会影响和生态标签对绿色酒店选择的交互作用是一个新的发现。此外, 它还将不同层次的社会学习引入到可持续消费的讨论中。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque (límite 100 palabras)

El estudio utilizó un método experimental online entre sujetos con 199 encuestados, utilizado sólo en alrededor del 15% de los artículos de turismo publicados. Además, este método ofrecía características de fiabilidad y control.

Objetivo (límite 100 palabras)

El consumo sostenible es una vía crucial para el turismo sostenible. Por ello, este estudio investiga el efecto individual y combinado del aprendizaje social y las etiquetas ecológicas en la selección de hoteles ecológicos.

Conclusiones (límite 100 palabras)

El aprendizaje social y las ecoetiquetas por separado no pudieron influir en los turistas para que seleccionaran hoteles ecológicos. Sin embargo, la interacción del aprendizaje social del rendimiento positivo con las ecoetiquetas podría influir potencialmente en la selección de hoteles ecológicos por parte de los turistas. Por lo tanto, la interiorización del rendimiento de los hoteles ecológicos a partir de fuentes de confianza y la validación externa provocan cambios de comportamiento entre los turistas para seleccionar hoteles ecológicos. El estudio ofrece un nuevo modelo basado en el aprendizaje social para entender el consumo sostenible.

Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación (límite 100 palabras)

El estudio puede utilizar otros tipos de influencias sociales y puede ampliarse a otros entornos ecológicos.

Implicaciones prácticas (límite 100 palabras)

Proporciona ideas para la formulación de políticas y promociones a los directores de hoteles y a los promotores del turismo sostenible para comercializar hoteles ecológicos.

Originalidad/valor (límite 100 palabras)

Se aleja de la teoría tradicional y tiende un puente entre el aprendizaje social de los resultados a partir de fuentes relacionadas, la garantía de las entidades gobernantes y el consumo sostenible. El efecto de la interacción entre la influencia social y la etiqueta ecológica en la selección de hoteles ecológicos es un hallazgo novedoso. Además, introduce varios niveles de aprendizaje social en el debate sobre el consumo sostenible.

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2021

Antonino Galati, Lluís Miret-Pastor, Dario Siggia, Maria Crescimanno and Mariantonietta Fiore

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of consumer altruism and other socio-cultural factors in predicting how much attention consumers pay to seafood eco-labels.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of consumer altruism and other socio-cultural factors in predicting how much attention consumers pay to seafood eco-labels.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical investigation was carried out by administering an online questionnaire to a sample of Italian and Spanish people from December 2019 to April 2020. After carrying out the principal component analysis procedure, the work made use of an ordinal logistic regression.

Findings

Both Italian and Spanish consumers with an altruistic attitude, who feel that food produced in a sustainable way can protect the environment and workers, appear more likely to take an eco-label into account. In addition, in both countries, consumers with a higher level of education and in the older age range are more likely to read eco-labels before buying fish products.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation is mainly related to the sampling procedure, which is not probabilistic and does not allow for generalisation of the results. Furthermore, some indicators related to COVID-19 were not included as the planning stage of the research methodology occurred before the pandemic.

Practical implications

A better understanding of the main determinants predicting consumers' attention to seafood eco-labels could be crucial to promote effective marketing strategies aimed at increasing consumer interest and awareness in sustainable seafood and eco-labels.

Originality/value

Exploring the role of consumers' altruism in how much attention is paid to seafood eco-labels appears to be a new approach that emphasises the role of altruism as a variable capable of bridging the “value-action gap”.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Giovanni Sogari, Cristina Mora and Davide Menozzi

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to explore the concept of consumers’ perception of sustainable wine and second, to investigate different clusters based on three…

1961

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to explore the concept of consumers’ perception of sustainable wine and second, to investigate different clusters based on three factors identified (belief about environmental protection, beliefs about sustainable wine certification and attitude towards sustainable-labelled wine) and willingness to pay (WTP). Then, socio-demographic characteristics have been considered to assess whether group’s composition differ considerably.

Design/methodology/approach

After preliminary literature review and qualitative analysis through focus groups, data were collected with a web-based questionnaire from 495 Italian wine drinkers. Factor analysis and cluster analysis were carried out using SPSS (21.0) statistical software packages.

Findings

The cluster analysis based on the three factors identified confirms the presence of different segments of consumers. Four groups were identified and named: Well-disposed; Not interested; Skeptical; Adverse. Cluster analysis confirms that consumers with positive attitude towards sustainable wine and higher beliefs of environmental protection (Cluster 1 and 3) have higher WTP for sustainable wine.

Research limitations/implications

One important limitation in the authors study occurred, considering that consumer’s answers in a hypothetical environment might not actually reflect the purchase behaviour of consumers in a real situation.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that companies, which are implementing sustainability programmes, should understand what type of consumers value positively the presence of a sustainable claim on the label of a bottle.

Originality/value

The work adds to the literature on wine marketing by evaluating how belief about environmental protection and sustainable wine certification, and attitude towards sustainable wine segment consumers in different groups. Eliciting WTP via hypothetical situation give us a better understanding of these clusters.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 118 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2022

Islam Elbayoumi Salem, Ahmed Mohamed Elbaz, Alamir Al-alawi, Nasser Alhamar Alkathiri and Zakaria Elkhwesky

This study aims to examine the role of eco-label hotel engagement as a pathway to sustainable practices via scouting entrepreneurial resilience and orientation at highly ranked…

1570

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of eco-label hotel engagement as a pathway to sustainable practices via scouting entrepreneurial resilience and orientation at highly ranked hotels in Oman. The authors developed and tested a novel model built on resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the theory of reasoned action (TRA).

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 167 human resources directors, hotel managers and other employees were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).

Findings

Results indicate a strong positive relationship between entrepreneurial resilience and entrepreneurial orientation. Entrepreneurial orientation significantly increased all eco-label strategies, but not all strategies enhanced sustainable tourism practices. High adoption of sustainability practices depended on core strategies related to awareness, benefits, reputation and necessity, but the cost was also an issue. Managers adopted sustainability practices if they were not perceived as costly, or when perceived as costly if they believed they would help them reduce operating costs.

Practical implications

Policymakers should assist hotel managers when the sector is hit by political events, natural disasters or health crises such as the current pandemic can bounce back and develop their resilience. Likewise, training and workshops can be organized to improve managers’ entrepreneurial mindset, which was found to be a precursor to favorable attitudes toward sustainability.

Originality/value

This study tests a novel model built on three theories: resilience theory, the theory of entrepreneurial orientation and the TRA by using PLS-SEM and fsQCA.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 January 2023

Abdul Ghaffar, Syed Shahid Zaheer Zaidi and Tahir Islam

Unsustainable spending patterns of consumers directly contribute to 30–40% of environmental degradation, mainly in waste. Packaging is a vital part of responding to the main…

1063

Abstract

Purpose

Unsustainable spending patterns of consumers directly contribute to 30–40% of environmental degradation, mainly in waste. Packaging is a vital part of responding to the main challenges of sustainable food consumption on the global stage. This study aims to investigate how environmental concern and trust in sustainable producers impact the sustainable consumption behaviors of consumers via the mediation of consumer xenocentrism and the moderation of eco-label and country of origin (COO) of buying sustainable packaged foreign food brands.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a quantitative method. The authors used Smart PLS 3.0 structural equation modeling (SEM) technique for data analysis. Data from the participants were collected through the convenience sampling technique. A total of 343 valid responses were received.

Findings

The results indicate that xenocentrism is an emerging behavior among Pakistani consumers. The authors found that a high degree of environmental concern and trust in sustainable producers are the antecedents of consumer xenocentrism, which leads to sustainable consumption behavior.

Research limitations/implications

This research highlights the importance of customers’ xenocentric attitudes that lead to sustainable consumption behavior. The research findings provide vital information for researchers, policymakers, academics, practitioners, industry professionals, brand managers and top management, especially in designing the environmental sustainability framework. Although the findings support theory of planned behavior (TPB), future studies can contrast different theories’ contributions to sustainable consumption behavior improvement. Also future researchers may analyze the impact of culture on the association between sustainable consumption and consumer attitudes toward environmental concerns and trust in sustainable producers.

Originality/value

This research contributes to practice and theory, as consumer xenocentrism is a relatively unexplored area of research in developing countries. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to examine consumers’ xenocentric attitudes to sustainable consumption empirically.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

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