Marketing mix strategies for closing the gap between green consumers' pro-environmental beliefs and behaviors

Abstract

A substantial gap – or disconnect – exists between the stated pro-environmental beliefs and actual consumption behaviors of purportedly green consumers. Given this complicating factor, the construction and execution of successful green marketing strategies generally require more than broad-brush development and applications of short-term marketing plans. This study was initiated to evaluate the influence of managed green marketing mix elements on the dimensions of consumer-based brand equity in a green marketing context, in an effort to develop insights that will allow green marketers to close this gap. The potential moderating influence of consumers' environmental concerns and their consideration of the future consequences of current behaviors are also investigated. A model is developed and tested using a snowballing sample of consumer and five global brands selected from Interbrand. Seven discrete green marketing implications – each related either to the strategic management of green products, promotions, channels, or messages – are revealed.