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1 – 10 of over 6000Charles Jebarajakirthy, Achchuthan Sivapalan, Manish Das, Haroon Iqbal Maseeh, Md Ashaduzzaman, Carolyn Strong and Deepak Sangroya
This study aims to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory into a meta-analytic framework to synthesize green consumption literature.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory into a meta-analytic framework to synthesize green consumption literature.
Design/methodology/approach
By integrating the findings from 173 studies, a meta-analysis was performed adopting several analytical methods: bivariate analysis, moderation analysis and path analysis.
Findings
VBN- and TPB-based psychological factors (adverse consequences, ascribed responsibility, personal norms, subjective norms, attitude and perceived behavioral control) mediate the effects of altruistic, biospheric and egoistic values on green purchase intention. Further, inconsistencies in the proposed relationships are due to cultural factors (i.e. individualism-collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity–femininity, short- vs long-term orientation and indulgence-restraint) and countries’ human development status.
Research limitations/implications
The authors selected papers published in English; hence, other relevant papers in this domain published in other languages might have been missed.
Practical implications
The findings are useful to marketers of green offerings in designing strategies, i.e. specific messages, targeting different customers based on countries’ cultural score and human development index, to harvest positive customer responses.
Originality/value
This study is the pioneering attempt to synthesize the TPB- and VBN-based quantitative literature on green consumer behavior to resolve the reported inconsistent findings.
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The gift-giving literature has documented several cases in which givers and recipients do not see eye-to-eye in gift-giving decisions. To help integrate this considerable segment…
Abstract
Purpose
The gift-giving literature has documented several cases in which givers and recipients do not see eye-to-eye in gift-giving decisions. To help integrate this considerable segment of the gifting literature, this paper aims to develop a social norms-based framework for understanding and predicting giver-recipient asymmetries in gift selection.
Design/methodology/approach
Five experimental studies test the hypotheses. Participants in these studies evaluate gifts used in previous research, choose between gifts as either gift-givers or gift-recipients, and/or indicate their level of discomfort with choosing different kinds of gifts. The gifts vary in ways that allow the authors to test the social norms-based framework.
Findings
Gift-giving asymmetries tend to occur when one of the gifts under consideration is less descriptively, but not less injunctively, normative than the other. This theme holds for both asymmetries recorded in the gift-giving literature and novel ones. Indeed, the authors document new asymmetries in cases where the framework would expect asymmetries to occur and, providing critical support for the framework, the absence of asymmetries in cases where the framework would not expect asymmetries to emerge. Moreover, the authors explain these asymmetries, and lack thereof, using a mechanism that is novel to the literature on gift-giving mismatches: feelings of discomfort.
Research limitations/implications
This research has multiple theoretical implications for the literatures studying gift-giving and social norms. A limitation of this work is that it left some (secondary) predictions of its model untested. Future research could test some of these predictions.
Practical implications
Billions of dollars are spent on gifts each year, making gift-giving a research topic of great practical importance. In addition, the research offers suggestions to consumers giving gifts, consumers receiving gifts, as well as marketers.
Originality/value
The research is original in that it creates a novel framework that predicts both the presence and absence of gift-giving asymmetries, introduces a psychological mechanism to the literature on giver-recipient gift choice asymmetries, and unifies many of the mismatches previously documented in this literature.
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Jacquie McGraw, Rebekah Russell-Bennett and Katherine M. White
Preventative health services are keen to identify how to engage men and increase their participation, thus improving health, well-being and life expectancy over time. Prior…
Abstract
Purpose
Preventative health services are keen to identify how to engage men and increase their participation, thus improving health, well-being and life expectancy over time. Prior research has shown general gender norms are a key reason for men’s avoidance of these services, yet there is little investigation of specific gender norms. Furthermore, masculinity has not been examined as a factor associated with customer vulnerability. This paper aims to identify the relationship between gender norm segments for men, likely customer vulnerability over time and subjective health and well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
Adult males (n = 13,891) from an Australian longitudinal men’s health study were classified using latent class analysis. Conditional growth mixture modelling was conducted at three timepoints.
Findings
Three masculinity segments were identified based on masculine norm conformity: traditional self-reliant, traditional bravado and modern status. All segments had likely customer experience of vulnerability. Over time, the likely experience was temporary for the modern status segment but prolonged for the traditional self-reliant and traditional bravado segments. The traditional self-reliant segment had low subjective health and low overall well-being over time.
Practical implications
Practitioners can tailor services to gender norm segments, enabling self-reliant men to provide expertise and use the “Status” norm to reach all masculinity segments.
Originality/value
The study of customer vulnerability in a group usually considered privileged identifies differential temporal experiences based on gender norms. The study confirms customer vulnerability is temporal in nature; customer vulnerability changes over time from likely to actual for self-reliant men.
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Nirmal Kaur, Sarbjit Singh Bedi and Jagwinder Singh
This study aims to examine the antecedents of purchase intention toward energy efficient air conditioners by incorporating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) with two additional…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the antecedents of purchase intention toward energy efficient air conditioners by incorporating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) with two additional constructs, i.e. environmental concern and personal norms. TPB is one of the most widely used theoretical framework to study consumer behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applied a quantitative technique using a survey method by distributing self-administered questionnaires among the Indian households who have purchased energy efficient air conditioners in the past six months or had enquired to do so. The study collected data from three select regions: Delhi and NCR, Punjab and Tri-city. The collected data of 424 respondents have been analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.
Findings
The study posits that normative factors such as subjective norms and personal norms have a relatively higher influence on purchase intention. Despite the significant existence of environmental concern, the study did not find environmental concern directly influencing purchase intention.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size of the study is too small and pertains to specific regions. Thus, it could hinder the generalizability of the results. Advertisement appeals should be related with enhancement of self-esteem in terms of making responsible and valuable contribution to environment protection through the purchase of energy efficient air conditioner.
Originality/value
There are a few studies in the Indian context studying consumer’s purchase intention toward energy efficient air conditioners to which this study adds. The study provides an important contribution to marketers in developing strategies for increasing purchase intention toward energy efficient air conditioners in view of their stage in the product life cycle, diffusion of product and influence of normative factors.
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Mansik Yun, Nga Do and Terry Beehr
The purpose of the current research is to examine the crucial role of employees' perception of an incivility norm in predicting supervisors' incivility behaviors, which in turn…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the current research is to examine the crucial role of employees' perception of an incivility norm in predicting supervisors' incivility behaviors, which in turn, results in employees enacting incivility toward their coworkers and employees' emotional exhaustion.
Design/methodology/approach
In Study 1, an experience sampling method (a daily-diary approach) in which 143 male participants from several construction sites completed a total of 1,144 questionnaires was used . In Study 2, cross-sectional data from 156 male employees working in a manufacturing organization was collected. In Study 3, a quasi-experiment was conducted in which 33 and 36 employees were assigned to the intervention and control groups, respectively.
Findings
In Studies 1 and 2, it was revealed that employees are likely to experience their supervisor’s incivility behaviors when perceiving such incivility behaviors are more acceptable within the organization (incivility norm). Further, once employees experience incivility from their supervisor, they are more likely to enact incivility toward their coworkers and experience emotional exhaustion. In Study 3, changing organizational policies via implementing grievance procedures was effective in improving the study’s outcome variables.
Originality/value
Incivility norms predict some negative work outcomes such as incivility behaviors as both a victim and instigator, and emotional exhaustion. Further, reducing an adverse organizational norm (i.e. incivility norm) via instituting grievance procedures was effective in reducing incivility behaviors and emotional exhaustion.
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Leonore Lewisch and Petra Riefler
Individuals perceive multiple barriers to consuming cultured meat. This study empirically investigates whether different types of social norms enhance behavioural intentions…
Abstract
Purpose
Individuals perceive multiple barriers to consuming cultured meat. This study empirically investigates whether different types of social norms enhance behavioural intentions towards this novel food technology. Specifically, it examines the impact of general norms, in-group norms and out-group norms (based on meat-eaters or non-meat eaters, respectively) on consumers' willingness to try cultured meat.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-factorial between-subject online experiment was conducted using a sample of 431 Austrian consumers. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling in AMOS.
Findings
This study finds empirical support that both general norms and dietary in-group norms enhance consumers' behavioural intentions towards cultured meat, whereas dietary out-group norms do not affect the latter. The effect of in-group norms on behavioural intentions is mediated by identification with the respective dietary in-group. In addition, in-group identification and out-group disidentification as well as dietary identity also directly affect willingness to try cultured meat. Overall, meat-eaters report greater behavioural intentions than non-meat-eaters.
Practical implications
The findings indicate that using normative dietary cues in marketing campaigns might assist in efforts to increase consumer acceptance of cultured meat. Such efforts might be particularly relevant when introducing cultured meat to European markets.
Originality/value
This study is the first to experimentally examine the principles of the focus theory of normative conduct and social identity theory in the context of consumer-oriented cultured meat research. It contributes to the current literature by empirically demonstrating the relevance of social (group) norms in this domain.
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Hasnan Baber, Mina Fanea-Ivanovici and Paul Sarango-Lalangui
This study aims to examine the influence of sustainability education in 15 Indian universities and the mediating role of the theory of planned behavior in predicting students’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the influence of sustainability education in 15 Indian universities and the mediating role of the theory of planned behavior in predicting students’ intentions to start an enterprise supporting sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The data, which consists of 422 samples, was collected from 15 universities in India. It was analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling, which is frequently used for prediction models. The model was further checked for goodness-of-fit using Amos.
Findings
The results suggested that personal and subjective norms play a mediating role in shaping the intentions of students to choose entrepreneurship in the sustainability field. Education on sustainability has a significant influence on personal and subjective norms, and these norms further help to develop entrepreneurial intentions.
Practical implications
The study will be helpful for researchers and universities in understanding the importance and stake of including courses on sustainability.
Social implications
As the results suggest, social norms play a significant role in determining entrepreneurial intentions; therefore, the study will develop a societal culture of start-up education and ethos.
Originality/value
The research is original and one of the first to examine the mediating role of the theory of planned behavior on the relationship between education and intentions to start a sustainable enterprise.
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The purpose of this study is to exploring the factors influencing renewable energy consumption intentions and behaviors among eco-tourism visitors in Bangladesh, developing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to exploring the factors influencing renewable energy consumption intentions and behaviors among eco-tourism visitors in Bangladesh, developing theory of sustainable consumption behaviors (TSCB).
Design/methodology/approach
Based on review of previous empirical studies and other literatures, and collection of 399 usable responses, the study is conducted through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) by using Smart PLS3.3.3.
Findings
The study results divulge that renewable energy consumption intentions significantly influence renewable energy consumption behavior; and the carbon mitigation norms and energy saving norms significantly impact on renewable energy consumption intentions among eco-tourists in Bangladesh.
Practical implications
The findings imply that availability of renewable energy consumption options may attract tourists towards eco-tourism in Bangladesh.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first attempts to developing the theory of sustainable consumption, exploring the integrated impacts of carbon mitigation norms, energy saving norms and renewable energy consumption intentions on eco-tourists’ renewable energy consumption behaviors in Bangladesh.
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Enabling and encouraging entrepreneurial activity has long been of interest to scholars and practitioners. Previous research is partly based on the theory of planned behavior…
Abstract
Purpose
Enabling and encouraging entrepreneurial activity has long been of interest to scholars and practitioners. Previous research is partly based on the theory of planned behavior. This research has consistently shown that personal attitudes and perceived behavioral control are correlated with entrepreneurial intentions. However, previous findings have found the relationship between subjective norms and entrepreneurial intentions to be inconsistent. This paper proposes a resolution to these discrepancies and tests these hypotheses in a university setting.
Design/methodology/approach
Using nearly 1,000 student survey responses, this paper uses an inter subject linear regression model to test elements of the theory of planned behavior that have been inconsistent in the literature.
Findings
This paper finds that personal attitudes and perceived behavioral control mediate or partially mediate the relationships between subjective norms and entrepreneurial intentions. Extension for theory development and practice are discussed.
Research limitations/implications
While very insightful, this paper is limited by the use of a within-subjects survey research design and the inherent limitations with such research. Additionally, using college students as respondents limits the ability to generalize the results to any population outside similar college-age populations.
Originality/value
This paper provides a unique test of a set of controversial findings in research on the theory of planned behavior. Identifying unique mediators between social norms and entrepreneurial intentions expands this theory and provides fertile opportunities for future research.
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Van Thi Hong Do and Long Thanh Do
Given the seriousness of environmental issues, academic research has proposed social norms as an effective policy tool to encourage a wide range of pro-environmental behaviors…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the seriousness of environmental issues, academic research has proposed social norms as an effective policy tool to encourage a wide range of pro-environmental behaviors, including green consumption. However, tangible evidence of the effectiveness of the social norm approach for green consumption behaviors is unreconciled, raising controversy about such a strategy. Considering that social norm interventions are only effective when targeted at the right consumers, this study aims to focus on exploring the role of individual difference factors, namely, social power value-, social face value- and independence orientations, in clarifying the effects of social norms on green consumption behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses hierarchical ordinary least squares regression to test the hypotheses with survey data from 269 consumers in Southeast Asia.
Findings
The study reveals that perceived social norms positively predict green consumption behaviors, providing additional evidence for the effectiveness of the social norms. It also finds that the perceived social norms have a stronger impact on the green consumption behaviors of consumers who value social power and social face. However, the effect becomes weaker for consumers with a strong tendency toward independence.
Originality/value
This study highlights the importance of individual difference factors in explaining the effectiveness of social norms. The current findings also offer insightful implications for designing more effective social influence approaches for constructing green consumption culture.
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