Consumer Environmental Awareness Research Articles

Green electricity product menu design for retailers without knowing consumer environmental awareness

Adverse selection problem due to asymmetry of consumer environmental awareness (CEA) could reduce electricity retailer's profit and obstructs renewable energy (RE) consumption. This study analyzes mechanism design problem of retailer constricted by RE consumption quota to incentive consumers display true CEA in competitive retail market. Based on principal-agent theory, we develop an extended principal-agent model with the addition of an RE consumption quota constraint to design a green electricity product menu which includes the green level, the price and electric quantity. Influence of information symmetry and quota setting on product attributes, retailer's profit, consumer utility, RE consumption is analyzed, and results show that: (1) Compare to symmetric information, under asymmetric information, green level of product provided to consumers with CEA (denoted as C1) distorts upward, information rent is greater than zero when quota is large, while green level of product provided to consumers without CEA (denoted as C2) distorts downward, with no information rent. (2) Under asymmetric information, unit environmental premium (UEP) of green electricity positively relates to proportion of C1, CEA level, and incremental WTP, and reaches the maximum value at a certain quota. (3) Under asymmetric information, retailer's profit and RE consumption positively relates to proportion of C1, and CEA level. (4) Under asymmetric information, quota difference could contribute to improve retail service quality under competitive retail market, and RE consumption elevation.

Research on the driving factors and impact mechanisms of green new quality productive forces in high-tech retail enterprises under China's Dual Carbon Goals

In recent years, the issue of global climate change has become increasingly severe, prompting countries worldwide to intensify their control over carbon emissions to achieve sustainable development goals. As a crucial component of the modern economy, high-tech retail enterprises significantly influence the entire industry's sustainable development through technological innovations and business models. This study focuses on Chinese high-tech retail enterprises, employing a theoretical framework grounded in Resource Dependency Theory and the dialectics of productive forces and relations from a Marxist political economy perspective, supported by Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study identifies the degree of green technology application, corporate environmental policy response strategies, and consumer environmental awareness and demand as mediating variables. The aim is to deeply explore the impact mechanisms driving green and new-quality productivity in Chinese high-tech retail enterprises and to provide an in-depth understanding of the sustainable development of their green and new-quality productivity. The findings indicate that external resources such as policy support, technological innovation, and market demand significantly impact the green productivity of high-tech retail enterprises. Government environmental policies and subsidy measures provide institutional safeguards and resource support for enterprises; technological innovation drives the application and efficiency improvement of green technologies; and market demand for environmentally friendly products promotes the green transformation of enterprises. The study explores how enterprises can integrate different external resources to maximize the benefits of green productivity, including formulating policy response strategies, strengthening technological innovation and R&D investment, seizing market opportunities, and establishing cooperative relationships. These findings offer necessary theoretical support and practical insights into the resource dependency strategies and the mechanisms impacting the development of green productivity in high-tech retail enterprises. This study provides valuable theoretical and practical references for high-tech retail enterprises in promoting the development of green and new-quality productivity. It offers valuable suggestions and guidance for enterprise decision-making and policy formulation. By revealing the dialectical interaction between external resources and internal production relations, this study provides a systematic path analysis and strategic recommendations for achieving the Dual Carbon goals.

Green technology based agricultural product quality and market prices in China

Agriculture is a substantial contribution to world economies, and its environmental influence cannot be overstated. As a result, agricultural production has changed over time to incorporate more environmentally friendly practices, such as the usage of green technologies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of agri and green technology adoption on agricultural product market prices, with an emphasis on product quality and environmental consciousness. Surveys were used to collect data from 750 agricultural producers and consumers, and statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship between technology adoption, product quality, environmental consciousness, and market prices. The data show that there is a considerable positive association between green technology adoption and product quality, which has a favorable impact on market prices. Likewise, the impact of agricultural technology adoption on product quality and market pricing was statistically significant. The study also discovered that consumer environmental knowledge has a considerable positive effect on market prices. These findings show that more investment in green technology adoption is required to improve product quality and meet the growing demand for ecologically friendly agricultural products. Likewise, efforts to raise consumer environmental awareness may help drive market prices higher and incentivize producers to adopt more sustainable farming practices. This study emphasizes the necessity of sustainable agriculture practices and the need to promote the adoption of green technologies in order to ensure the agricultural industry’s long-term sustainability.

Optimal Financing Strategy in a Dual-Channel Supply Chain with Agricultural Product

This study models a two-stage agricultural supply chain consisting of a financially constrained manufacturer of agricultural products and a financially stable retailer. We examine two supply chain structures: traditional and dual channel. Our analysis centers on the effects of consumer green preferences, consumer sensitivity to the freshness of agricultural products, and substitution rate between green and non-green agricultural products on the profitability of supply chain members. The purpose of this work is to study the optimal financing strategy for companies producing both regular and organic products simultaneously. We analyze optimal financing strategies for the manufacturer using three models: bank financing, internal debt financing, and internal equity financing. Our results indicate that in both traditional and dual-channel supply chains, increased consumer green preferences or greater sensitivity to the freshness of agricultural products improve supply chain profitability, while a higher substitution rate between green and non-green products reduces profits. Additionally, the manufacturer prefers internal debt financing when consumer environmental awareness is low. Conversely, as consumer environmental awareness increases, internal equity financing becomes more profitable. These findings offer valuable insights for agricultural product manufacturers facing financial constraints, assisting them in selecting the most appropriate financing model.

Research on retailer’s pricing and stocking strategy in two-stage green supply chain considering bounded rationality and non-green product

Due to the bounded rationality of decision-makers and the substitution effect of non-green products, retailers are not always profitable when selling green products. To assist retailers who may be disadvantaged in the game, this study constructs a two-stage green supply chain game model, considering the bounded rationality of decision-makers and the substitution effect of non-green products, and analyzes the impacts of two operational strategies that retailers can adopt—price-cutting strategy and early replenishment strategy. The research reveals that retailers tend to lower prices in the second stage when price reductions stimulate consumer purchases, enhancing their profitability. However, strategic retailers may raise prices in the first stage to create room for discounts later, potentially harming consumer interests. Contrary to expectations, anticipating future demand does not always improve supply chain profitability in the early replenishment strategy, which mainly depends on the market environment. Early replenishment deprives retailers of negotiation leverage in the second stage, and bulk orders may lead manufacturers to over-invest in green innovation. Therefore, this strategy is effective only when green innovation costs are low, consumer environmental awareness is high, or price sensitivity is low.

Optimizing carbon emission reduction strategies in power batteries: Ensuring compliance with the EU battery regulation's carbon labeling initiatives

Reducing carbon emissions from power batteries is essential for the low-carbon development of electric vehicles (EVs). In response to the carbon labeling requirements of the EU battery regulation, this study developed a three-tiered supply chain model incorporating the battery material supplier, the power battery manufacturer, and the EV company. Using Stackelberg game theory, the research evaluated four carbon emission reduction strategies and analyzed the impact of consumer environmental awareness on carbon emissions. The results reveal that for batteries with lower initial carbon footprints, increased consumer environmental awareness is associated with a reduction in carbon emissions. For batteries with higher initial carbon footprints, the relationship between consumer environmental awareness and carbon emissions is more complex. Below a certain threshold, higher environmental awareness leads to carbon emission reduction; however, beyond this threshold, increased environmental awareness can elevate carbon emissions. Moreover, under low consumer environmental awareness, a strategy of comprehensive collaboration among all supply chain tiers yields the highest economic benefits, albeit with higher emissions. As environmental awareness rises, the strategy where the material supplier independently reduces emissions and the battery manufacturer and EV company collaborate on emission reductions emerges as the most effective, striking an optimal balance between economic and environmental interests.

The Optimal Financing Decisions of Capital-Constrained Manufacturers under Different Power Structures

This paper investigates the optimal financing decisions of capital-constrained manufacturers under different power structures. Using a Stackelberg game model, it analyzes the optimal equilibrium operational decisions of capital-constrained manufacturers at varying levels of internal capital. The study finds that, compared to a power structure dominated by eco-innovative enterprises, a power structure led by ordinary enterprises enhances the level of eco-innovation of innovative products and the overall profitability of the supply chain. When eco-innovative enterprises are well-capitalized, internal financing has lower costs but may lead to idle funds, while bank financing and mixed financing have higher costs but make full use of available capital. When eco-innovative enterprises are undercapitalized, mixed financing is the optimal choice. The research employs numerical simulations to analyze the impacts of consumer environmental awareness, innovation investment costs, and production costs on the level of eco-innovation in products, manufacturers’ profits, and the overall profitability of the supply chain, providing decision-making references for governments and enterprises.

Consumer environmental awareness and green R&D subsidy policy under Cournot–Bertrand comparisons

ABSTRACT This study examines the impacts of consumer environmental awareness on green R&D subsidy policies under different market competition modes when firms adopt green strategies for emissions-reduction activities. We demonstrate that governments grant fewer subsidies to Cournot firms than Bertrand firms. Thus, Cournot firms produce lower outputs and invest less in green R&D. However, firms’ profits and social welfare are higher (lower) in Cournot than in Bertrand firms if the product substitutability is high (low). We also investigate an endogenous competition mode game and find that a Cournot (Bertrand) competition is a socially desirable equilibrium when products substitutability is relatively high (low) while consumer environmental awareness is not sufficiently high (low). These findings suggest that through appropriate green subsidies, antitrust authorities should monitor not only consumer environmental awareness but also firms’ competition mode coordination.

Building consumer trust in secondhand fashion: A signaling theory perspective on how consumer orientation and environmental awareness shape engagement

The secondhand fashion market suffers from information asymmetry, creating consumer distrust and limited engagement in secondhand fashion (ESHF). The existing research on how sellers and product signals can mitigate this distrust is limited and produces conflicting results. This is particularly true in terms of understanding how signaling interacts with consumer-specific factors such as orientation and environmental awareness. Thus, this study contributes to understanding the factors driving consumer trust (CT) and ESHF through signaling theory and the nuanced role of consumer orientation and environmental awareness. Structural equation modeling, including multigroup analysis, is employed to test the proposed hypotheses with a sample of 203 Indonesian consumers from a secondhand market platform. The findings indicate that signals such as seller reputation, product history, and refurbishment details significantly enhance CT, with seller reputation being the most influential of the factors. The effectiveness of these signals varies by consumer orientation: functionality-oriented consumers respond more to remarketing information, whereas newness-conscious consumers are influenced more by refurbishment details. Additionally, consumer environmental awareness significantly strengthens the positive relationship between CT and ESHF, highlighting the importance of aligning environmental values with trust-building measures to enhance consumer ESHF. These insights enrich the theoretical understanding of signaling in secondhand markets and offer practical guidance for addressing the challenges associated with CT and ESHF.

Greenness transformation, environmental awareness, and green product policy in spatial markets

AbstractThis paper examines the transformation towards greenness, focusing on consumer environmental awareness within a circular city model characterized by elastic demand. Our findings reveal that the equilibrium investment in environmentally friendly initiatives falls short of the socially optimal level for a given market structure. The degree of excess or insufficient market entry is influenced by the level of environmental awareness. Further, we delve into the role of environmental delegation, demonstrating that heightened environmental awareness can mitigate underinvestment in the environment and reduce inefficiency in market entry. From a policy perspective, we expand our analysis to include the “Green Product Policy.” This extension aims to explore the impact of such a policy on environmental awareness and assess the applicability of the “excess entry theorem” in this context.

Green Marketing and Consumer Environmental Awareness: A Bibliometric Review of Social Education and Campaigns

This study employs bibliometric analysis to explore the expansive landscape of green marketing and consumer environmental awareness research. Utilizing data from VOSviewer, we analyzed thematic clusters, research trends, emerging topics, and author collaboration networks from a comprehensive dataset spanning several decades. Our findings reveal distinct thematic areas, including core marketing strategies, consumer behavior, corporate responsibility, and the critical evaluation of greenwashing practices. A temporal analysis indicates a shift in focus from traditional marketing tactics to nuanced understandings of consumer attitudes and the authenticity of environmental claims. Additionally, we identified potential research opportunities in underexplored areas such as green hotels and green markets, which could provide new insights into sector-specific sustainability practices. The author collaboration network analysis highlights a somewhat segmented academic community with opportunities for more interdisciplinary and integrative research efforts. This study not only charts the evolution and current state of green marketing research but also points to future directions that could bridge existing gaps and foster broader collaborative networks.

Contract adoption of motivating green technological innovation in a supply chain

AbstractGreen technological innovation has been widely recognized around the world; however, consumer environmental awareness may result in uncertain market demand growth and lead to manufacturers’ risk‐averse attitude towards green technological innovation. This paper focuses on the contract adoption problem of a risk‐averse manufacturer who is responsible for green technological innovation, through a resell contract (RC) or agency contract (AC) with a retail platform. Stackelberg models are built, and the conditional value at risk method is used to measure the manufacturer's risk‐averse behavior. The differences between two contracts are compared. We find that when the commission rate is less than some threshold, the green technological level under AC is greater than that under RC regardless of the fixed cost coefficient, otherwise the green technological level under RC is higher. Further, there is the dual excellent region for AC and RC where the manufacturer can not only obtain a higher level of green technology but also achieve better utility. Finally, consumer surplus and social welfare under two contracts are performed through numerical experiments.

Does consumer knowledge about sustainable-fashion impact intention-to-buy?

PurposeThis study proposes and empirically tests the hypothesis that most consumers differ significantly in how accurately they express knowledge about what experts define as indicators of fashion sustainability behavior.Design/methodology/approachSustainability discipline scholars (i.e., experts) provide the following two examples of accurate sustainability knowledge: (1) Sustainable-fashion manufacturers ensure safe working conditions for their employees; (2) fibers such as wool can be commercially recycled. In the current study, 85% of participants in separate samples of Chinese (n = 244) and Korean (n = 214) adults provide incorrect answers to the two statements, contradicting experts' beliefs. The study here develops and tests a general, asymmetric predictive, case-based theory of simple and complex antecedent conditions and outcomes for consumers with correct or incorrect knowledge of fashion sustainability behavior for fashion products.FindingsAccording to the study consumers who have a high level of knowledge about sustainable fashion consistently have high purchase intentions for these products. On the contrary, consumers with insuffient knowledge of sustainable-fashion have low purchase intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis emphasizes the importance of government policy in encouraging important-term consumer behavior. Government policy has a direct and indirect impact on sustainable consumer behavior.Practical implicationsThis study's practical contribution is that it amphasizes the important role of government policy in encouraging sustainable consumer behavior (Perez-Castillo and Vera-Martinez, 2021). Government policy both directly and indirectly influences sustainable consumer behavior. Understanding consumers' consumption behavior as influenced by knowledge of sustainable development allows policymakers to develop more targeted policy measures, thereby promoting the achievement of sustainable development goals. For example, incorporating sustainable issues into the school curriculum can encourage students to practice sustainable behavior when purchasing, using, or disposing of products. People may require encouragement to understand why sustainable development is necessary, how to facilitate it, what the expected effects are and how it will affect their lives.Social implicationsKnowledge of sustainable development, as well as consumer behavior research, can help improve consumer environmental awareness and understanding of sustainable development, guiding them towards greener and more environmentally friendly consumption habits. Understanding consumers' reactions to knowledge of sustainable development and subsequent changes in their consumption behavior guides businesses to engage in green product design, green production and green marketing, thus improving their competitiveness and market share (Rynarzewska et al., 2023). Some countries around the world are working hard to meet their sustainable development goals. By comparing consumer consumption behavior in different countries under the influence of knowledge on sustainable development consumer can share experiences and practices, strengthen international cooperation and communication and promote the global sustainable development process collaboratively.Originality/valueThe current study contributes by looking into the validity of the claim that consumers who have accurate sustainable fashion knowledge are more likely to purchase brands with high sustainability characteristics.

Effects of manufacturer fairness concerns and carbon emission reduction investment on pricing decisions under countervailing power

Government policies have focused on carbon emissions from the green supply chain (GSC). To discuss how price decision-making in GSC is affected by the manufacturer's fairness concerns, retailer's countervailing power, and carbon emissions reduction, the Stackelberg model assumes that consumers are environmentally sensitive. To explore this problem considering the type of manufacturer's behavior preferences, we built four models that pertain to the following two situations: the retailer has countervailing power, and the retailer has no countervailing power. The results show that (1) the manufacturer's disadvantageous fairness concerns reduce the overall supply chain profits and utility; influenced by countervailing power, the members witness a win-win situation; (2) moderate advantageous fairness concerns benefit GSC members; furthermore, under advantageous fairness concerns, the manufacturer can “give profits” to the retailer; (3) affected by the retailer's countervailing power, no bargaining agreement is made in the GSC under advantageous fairness concerns. Finally, the interplay between member decisions and consumer sensitivity is explored. This study can help manufacturers achieve emission reduction targets in response to consumer environmental awareness and government regulation.

Economic and environmental evaluation of different collection models for spent power batteries

The efficient collection of spent batteries is important for the recycling of power batteries and the sustainable advancement of electric vehicles (EVs). This study introduces and evaluates 14 power battery collection models, encompassing single-channel, dual-channel, and triple-channel scenarios, which encapsulate the dynamics of competition, cooperation, and co-opetition among key stakeholders. Employing Stackelberg game theory and simulation analysis, this study assesses the economic and environmental benefits of these models, with particular attention to the impact of consumer environmental awareness and competition intensity. Findings indicate that the collaborative collection model involving battery manufacturers, EV companies, and third-party recyclers (Model MVTP) delivers superior economic outcomes, with benefits ranging from 20.3 to 20.31 billion RMB. Meanwhile, the competitive three-party collection model (Model M-V-TP) stands out for its environmental benefits, achieving collection rates between 14.95 % and 25.65 %. Intriguingly, while competition intensity does not influence the outcomes of single-channel models, it diminishes both economic and environmental benefits in dual- and triple-channel scenarios. Moreover, enhanced consumer environmental awareness consistently elevates the economic benefits of all models, though its effect on environmental benefits varies—enhancing collection rates in single- and dual-channel models but detrimentally impacting the triple-channel model.

Responding to consumer environmental awareness: A variational inequality approach to green manufacturing optimization

In response to increasing consumer environmental awareness, our study introduces a sustainable supply chain optimization model that stimulates competition among multiple green manufacturers within an uncertain market context. Each manufacturer crafts a selection of products showcasing various degrees of greenness, purposefully designed to meet the expanding demand of environmentally conscious consumers. This strategic model emphasizes profit maximization for green manufacturers, necessitating the definition of ideal greenness levels and production quantities for an array of product types. By employing variational inequality theory, we transmute the preliminary optimization model into an interconnected variational inequality problem. We propose an improved Euler algorithm, a proficient tool for attaining equilibrium solutions. Empirical scenarios inspired by the electric vehicle industry lend credibility to our model, indicating that the surge in consumer environmental awareness compels manufacturers to diversify their offerings and accentuate their products’ greenness levels. Intriguingly, the research suggests that escalating competition can incentivize manufacturers to elevate their products’ greenness levels, strategically countering potential profit erosion. In addition, the study reveals that intensifying consumers’ green utility sensitivity doesn’t invariably augment demand for manufacturers, even with significant improvements in product greenness. This paradox highlights the necessity for manufacturers to strategically adjust their production approaches in light of varying consumer preferences. Moreover, when the level of consumer environmental awareness achieves a certain level, the fierce competition might not always be harmful to some manufacturers and the industry if they can adopt effective strategies to improve green utility sensitivity.

EFFECT OF GREEN MARKETING MIX ON PURCHASE INTENTION: MODERATING ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE

This study investigates the moderating effect of environmental knowledge on the relationship between green marketing mix and purchase intentions. As consumer environmental awareness rises, so does the trend towards green consumption. However, a purchase intention, or willingness to buy green products, must precede actual green purchasing behavior. This research employs a quantitative survey design. Participants are randomly selected from a database of Instagram visitors and followers. A sample of 100 respondents is gathered using incidental sampling methods. Data is collected through a survey link. SEM analysis is used to analyze the data. The green marketing mix significantly impacts purchase intention, with environmental knowledge acting as a moderator. A T-test reveals a significant difference between the original sample's -0.112 and 0.000 significance values of 1.963 and 1.963, respectively. This suggests that the green marketing mix has a stronger influence on purchase intention than environmental knowledge. Keywords: Environmental Knowledge; Green Marketing Mix; Purchase Intention.

Pricing Models under Three-Echelon Prefabricated Construction Supply Chains with Consumer Preferences

With the growing ecological crisis and consumer environmental awareness, there is a general recognition of the urgent need for the reform of the energy-intensive construction industry. Prefabricated construction has emerged as an effective approach to achieve energy conservation and environmental sustainability. The prefabricated rate is a critical indicator that comprehensively reflects the level of technology, which affects orders, costs, pricing, and partnerships. Moreover, given the highly decentralized nature of the construction industry, it is imperative to consider building materials’ supply in the Prefabricated Construction Supply Chain (PCSC). Therefore, this paper investigates how the prefabricated rate affects consumer preferences and order allocation while designing a three-echelon PCSC under a single-supplier structure, two-supplier structure, and dual-channel structure. Two different channels, prefabricated component and non-prefabricated component, are distinguished by the prefabricated rate. This research not only provides pricing-oriented decision advice but also offers suggestions for channel selection among participants. The results show that the increase in consumers’ preference for the prefabricated rate raises prices. Moreover, a moderate prefabricated rate is most beneficial. Comparing the three models, the supply chain performance of a two-supplier structure is better than that of a single-supplier structure if the prefabricated rate exceeds a certain threshold, while the dual-channel structure is the worst.

How to raise consumer awareness of the environmental impact of vehicle attributes? A big data analysis

The introduction of the Euro 7 emission standard is expected to significantly change the typology of the European passenger car. This study analyzes the environmental impact resulting from future trends in fleet composition and proposes an innovative vehicle classification system focused on raising consumer awareness of the importance of their choices with regard to key attributes such as body type, engine power and vehicle weight. A sensitivity analysis of the fleet's greenhouse gas emissions to deviations in their composition is carried out, considering the preferences expressed by the consumers in 2022 and the vehicle's specifications reported by the automotive industry on European digital platforms embodying Industry 4.0 principles. The findings show that internal combustion fleet emissions are expected to rise 0.30% per 1% increase in engine power and 0.44% to 0.69% per 1% increase in weight, according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). The plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) segment is the fastest growing in terms of market share. This trend will continue in the future, as this is the segment best suited to comply with the emissions targets imposed on manufacturers. Another relevant conclusion is that the environmental impact of PHEV vehicles is potentially very negative if the drivers' charging habits do not reflect the manufacturer's design intention. Thus, the development of consumer environmental awareness tools is urgent. This is the study's main motivation: to develop a tool in the scope of the Industry 4.0 while promoting the emergent concept of Industry 5.0, sustainability based and human-centered.

Circular Economy Resources - Operationalization of restraints and optimization of choices

Purpose of the study: The article presents a preliminary analysis of the available and collected statistical data as part of the Research Project: SUPB. RN.23.108, ID: 108, which is intended to serve as a starting point for further research on circular economy. The aim of the analysis will be to diagnose the “hotspots” so that a proper analysis in the next year of research will allow the author to find targeted solutions and formulate recommendations.
 Methodology: This article reviews the available literature. Items compatible with the author's research topics have been selected, supplemented with other sources, the most important of which are listed in the bibliography. Therefore, a preliminary analysis of existing data (secondary studies) was used as a method.
 Main Findings: A preliminary analysis of the indicators allowed us to draw general conclusions. First, it is necessary to further tighten the legal provisions in the field of environmental protection, while at the same time defining the precise timeframe for each of the stages. Secondly, it is necessary to develop the sources of financing for the activities undertaken. Thirdly, there is no chance for change without an increase in consumer environmental awareness. Fourth, you can't make changes and make the right choices in the short term. 
 Applications of the study: The content of the article may be useful to a wide audience interested in the subject matter being studied. It is also extremely important for the author of the article, as it is a starting point for further scientific research. In addition, the subject matter and information provided will be used at the Jan Kochanowski University during practical meetings/classes with students.
 Novelty/Originality of the study: In the article, the author emphasized several important elements of an extremely difficult puzzle, which is a well-functioning circular economy system. It focused on several key areas: better use of scarce resources, minimization of waste, reduction of overexploitation of the natural environment. Without such actions, she believes, civilization will move towards self-destruction at an alarmingly fast pace. Faced with a choice: costly exploitation of new resources or recovery and recycling, as a way to reduce the devastation of the natural environment and minimize the costs associated with obtaining new sources and areas for exploitation, the author presented the scale of the problem and legal constraints (imposing the need to make a specific choice), in force in selected EU countries.