Sustainable consumption: green consumer behaviour when purchasing products

Abstract

AcknowledgementThe authors are grateful to the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Sustainable Technologies Programme for funding the project: "Trade-offs in decisionmaking for sustainable technologies" (award RES-388-25-0001), of which this paper is an output. The authors also thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments that helped shape this paper.Keywords: ethical, green, environmental, sustainable, consumer, purchase, consumption, behaviour AbstractThe "attitude/behaviour gap" or 'values/action gap' is where 30% of consumers report that they are very concerned about environmental issues but they are struggling to translate this into purchases. For example, the market share for ethical foods remains at 5 per cent of sales. This paper investigates the purchasing process for green consumers in relation to consumer technology products in the UK. Data was collected from 81 self declared green consumers through in depth interviews on recent purchases of technology products. A green consumer purchasing model is developed and success criteria for closing the gap between green consumer's values and their behaviour. The paper concludes that incentives and single issue labels (like the current energy rating label) would help consumers concentrate their limited efforts. More fundamentally, "being green" needs time and space in peoples' lives that is not available in increasingly busy lifestyles. Implications for policy and business are proposed.

Antecedents of Attitude towards Advertising of Controversial Products in Digital Media

“…The study's results do not support this hypothesis. The result is inconsistent with previous empirical research (Young et al, 2009;Zhu, 2012;Mandliya et al, 2020). However, it is surprising, as well.…”

Antecedents of Attitude towards Advertising of Controversial Products in Digital Media

“…The study's results do not support this hypothesis. The result is inconsistent with previous empirical research (Young et al, 2009;Zhu, 2012;Mandliya et al, 2020). However, it is surprising, as well.…”

Estimation of Different Factors Considered by the Consumers during Purchase of Green Products

“…In half of the selected shops general green products are available, followed by energy efficient appliances (40%) and clothes (20%). Results are similar with Young et al [13].…”

Exploring the profile of green consumers: Role of demographics and factors influencing green purchase behavior

“…Additionally, this group is highly concerned about PAGP as compared to other groups. Results corroborate with Young et al (2010) who advocate that the “availability of green products” enhances GPB. Concerning the demographic characteristics, the group resembled pro‐environmental in its demographic configuration.…”

Antecedents of Attitude towards Advertising of Controversial Products in Digital Media

“…The study's results do not support this hypothesis. The result is inconsistent with previous empirical research (Young et al, 2009;Zhu, 2012;Mandliya et al, 2020). However, it is surprising, as well.…”

Estimation of Different Factors Considered by the Consumers during Purchase of Green Products

“…In half of the selected shops general green products are available, followed by energy efficient appliances (40%) and clothes (20%). Results are similar with Young et al [13].…”

Exploring the profile of green consumers: Role of demographics and factors influencing green purchase behavior

“…Additionally, this group is highly concerned about PAGP as compared to other groups. Results corroborate with Young et al (2010) who advocate that the “availability of green products” enhances GPB. Concerning the demographic characteristics, the group resembled pro‐environmental in its demographic configuration.…”

Antecedents of Attitude towards Advertising of Controversial Products in Digital Media

“…The study's results do not support this hypothesis. The result is inconsistent with previous empirical research (Young et al, 2009;Zhu, 2012;Mandliya et al, 2020). However, it is surprising, as well.…”

Estimation of Different Factors Considered by the Consumers during Purchase of Green Products

“…In half of the selected shops general green products are available, followed by energy efficient appliances (40%) and clothes (20%). Results are similar with Young et al [13].…”

Exploring the profile of green consumers: Role of demographics and factors influencing green purchase behavior

“…Additionally, this group is highly concerned about PAGP as compared to other groups. Results corroborate with Young et al (2010) who advocate that the “availability of green products” enhances GPB. Concerning the demographic characteristics, the group resembled pro‐environmental in its demographic configuration.…”