The new ecological paradigm and consideration of future consequences; an integrated approach

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to narrow the research gap by examining the relationship between new ecological paradigm (NEP), consideration of future consequences (CFC), the intention to buy and the intention to pay a premium in the context of electric car (EC) purchase in India.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a structured questionnaire to measure the variables of the research. The study successfully obtained useable data from a sample of 491 consumers residing in India. The analysis of the variables and their relationships was done using structural equation modelling using SMARTPLS4 software.FindingsThe relationship between the values of NEP and CFC was observed in the context of electric cars that has a significant impact on the intention to buy and pay a premium. It also highlights the role of CFC future and CFC immediate on the intention to buy and between NEP and the intention to pay a premium.Research limitations/implicationsThe study only covers electric cars, and therefore further testing of these relationships is required in the context of other forms of environmentally friendly transportation. The results are generalizable across the potential consumers of EC but are even more pertinent to higher-income millennial consumers.Practical implicationsPotential buyers of electric cars, having a positive orientation towards the environment and also consideration for future consequence, were observed to have a stronger intention to buy EC. The study finds a way in increasing the intention to buy an EC by catalyzing environmental concern of consumers through CFC future.Originality/valueThis is the first study that has examined the NEP-CFC relationship, and provides evidence that the intention to buy an electric car is not only NEP (environmental concern)-dependent but also considers CFC's future orientation. This study adds the CFC aspect as another important variable regarding the purchase of EC, and proves that environmental concern is not the only moderating factor to buy an EC.