Ethical Consumption Behavior Research Articles

Ethical consumption and consumers’ decision making: the role of moral intuition

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the understudied antecedents of moral reasoning and cognitive processes that ultimately shape the ethical consumption. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the socio-intuitionist model are integrated. Holistic, inferential, and affective dimensions of intuition are identified as critical antecedents of environmental concerns that then influence the ethical consumption.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling is used to analyze intuitive judgments and ethical concerns in 256 US undergraduates. The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) is used to measure ethical concerns and the ecologically conscious consumer behavior (ECCB) instrument is used to measure ethical consumption.FindingsThe results indicate that inferential intuition, but not affective intuition, significantly predicts the ethical concerns (NEP), which in turn significantly influence all five dimensions of ethical consumption behavior (ECCB).Practical implicationsManagers and marketing strategists should focus on non-rational influences such as moral intuition to effectively promote ethical and responsible consumption.Originality/valueThe TPB and the intuitionist theory are integrated to reveal empirically how intuitive judgments may affect consumer attitudes and to provide new insights regarding the ethical consumption.

Me, my family or the public good? Do inter‐role conflicts of consumer–citizens reduce their ethical consumption behaviour?

AbstractThis article examines role stress, especially inter‐role conflicts (IRC), against the background of the consumer–citizen duality. It tests whether consumer–citizen conflicts impair the purchase of ethical food in terms of the ethical intention–behaviour gap. Furthermore, this study examines the potential of eustress arising from citizen–consumer conflicts to enhance actual ethical purchases. Additionally, determinants and moderating conditions of both IRC are tested. A combination of observations of actual purchase behaviour and survey data in a field setting is used to gain insights into role conflict formation and manifestation, arising from the desire to fulfil the demands of two opposing roles: consumer and citizen. The quantitative data are analysed with structural equation modelling to test the hypothesized coherencies simultaneously. Results indicate that stress arises similarly from both IRC. While a positive impact of eustress on purchase behaviour was absent, consumer–citizen role conflicts impede the actual purchase of ethical groceries. The data show that this role conflict derives, for example, from economic demands sent by the consumer role set when a person has ethical buying intentions. Additionally, the identification with the consumer role further amplifies this conflict. The data indicate that consumers instead of citizens should be empowered by marketing practitioners and policy makers, for example by reducing the perception of stress by communicating positive outcomes referring to relevant consumer role set members (e.g., added value for children from purchasing ethically) to stimulate problem–focused coping.

The Ethics and Politics of Food Purchasing Choices in Italian Consumers’ Collective Action

Currently, many consumers have expressed strong opinions about food production process, its distribution, and guaranteeing models. Consumers’ concerns about ecological and social sustainability issues can have significant impacts on both food demand and food policies. The choice of approach to an asset or service could determine the orientation of the markets; therefore, it is particularly important to pay attention to novel, collective, social movements which are practicing alternatives to the mainstream models of production, distribution, and consumption. Farmers markets, solidarity-based purchasing groups, box scheme, shopping groups, ‘pick your own’, social shopping, are all examples of sustainable consumption patterns involving thousands of people seeking quality and ethical products and services at the best price. While a variety of definitions of the concept of ethical consumption have been suggested, throughout this paper it will refer to the participation of consumers in, and their orientation toward, political discourses on sustainable and fair agro-food production. Ethical consumption attitude has been analysed in the framework of political consumerism theory by administering six focus groups among Italian participants of a specific form of collective action, namely the solidarity-based purchasing group. Findings provide insights that represent a fruitful starting point for deepening the analysis of ethical consumers’ behaviour at a broader level in order to sustain and spread eco-socially production practices and ethical consumption behaviour.

When critical purchase behaviour promotes socio-economic wellbeing: the case of Italian EPGs

The paper focuses on ethical purchase group (EPG) phenomenon as an alternative model of consumption (i.e., critical consumption), driven by care of community, wellbeing and social responsibility, where consumption itself is a language through which producers and consumers intertwine and exchange each other meanings, beliefs and values. Specifically, having underlined the social role of EPGs in orienting consumers choices, we aim to describe and give evidence of their capability to share knowledge and experiences among members in a virtuous process of mutual learning. Approaching the analysis from a historical perspective, thus, we frame ethical consumer behaviour as a coherent system of decisions inspired by sobriety, social equity and solidarity to offer a real, concrete alternative to consumerism and mass capitalism.

A Study on Influencing Factors on Consumer Boycott intention by Applying Extended Model of Goal-Directed Behavior

This study is to apply a goal-directed model for ethical consumption behavior and to see which factors influence consumers’ boycott intention. We identify factors related to a goal-directed model for consumers, level of ethical consumption tendency, and boycott desire; in addition, factors that affect boycott intentions were also analyzed. The results of this study are as follows. First, consumers’ boycott intentions are not high and public intention motivation is relatively low. Second, negative anticipated emotion shows an indirect effect with boycott desire as a mediator. Third, ethical consumption tendency has a significant effect on boycott desire and boycott intention. Therefore, we have to let consumers know that boycott actually shows a consumer’s right and that it is also necessary to conduct various ethical consumption education.

The Ethical Consumption Consciousness and Clothing Consumption Behavior of Adolescents

The Ethical Consumption Consciousness and Clothing Consumption Behavior of Adolescents

Well-Being and Everyday Ethical Consumption

Consumption is central to many people’s lives and their well-being. Well-being and Quality of Life Indicators are increasingly included in consumption studies, either as outcomes of consumption or as influential factors influencing consumption choices. Marketing and consumption research is frequently interested in understanding consumer choices and has traditionally focused on the evaluative dimension of wellbeing, measuring satisfaction with (aspects of) life. Well-being is multidimensional and exploring additional dimensions broadens understanding of the concept. Using are broad sample of Austrian consumers, this research applies the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Personal Well-being Index, Flourishing Scale and Pleasure Orientation and correlates well-being levels with a newly constructed hierarchy of everyday Ethical Consumption Behavior (eECB). The psychometric soundness of the well-being measures employed, collected in German, and the conceptualization of eECB in Austria is supported. Perceived eudaimonic well-being and eECB are positively related, while the correlation between hedonic well-being and eECB is negative. There is no significant relationship between evaluative well-being scales and eECB. While Universalism as a guiding principle in peoples’ lives positively correlates with eECB, demographic characteristics, except for age, are not important. The study provides support for including multiple well-being measures to increase depth and breadth of understanding in consumption research.

Examining The Ajzen’s Predictors of Intention Formation towards Purchase of Ethical Products in Rwanda

ABSTRACTWith the focus being shifted towards ethical consumption, understanding ethical consumer behaviour is getting more fundamental for business houses. On the basis of the variables proposed in the Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour, the present paper attempts to explain the predictors of intension formation towards purchase of ethical products in Rwanda. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 400 generation Y consumers of Rwanda which were further divided into college students, government/public sector employed people, private sector employed people and self-employed people. Through descriptive analysis and multiple regression analysis, it was observed that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control are significant factors which influence the consumer’s intention formation towards purchase of ethical products. Based on the regression results, suitable models were also developed. They will assist business houses and government agencies to develop an appropriate strategy and...

The Influence of Hotels' Green Activities on Customers' Ethical Behavior: The Case of Five-star Hotels in Alexandria

Due to the rising ecological consciousness in the hospitality industry , green hotel seems to be growing niche in the competitive lodging industry and the number of consumers who are interested to stay at green hotel has also increased. In addition, the impact of the hotel industry on the environment is quite large because it is an economic sector undergoing rapid growth. The hotels consume lots of water, energy, and unrecyclable products that in the end endanger the environment. A typical hotel can emit daily or yearly between 160 and 200 kg/m2 per room per floor of carbon dioxide (co2). It is conceivable that ecological awareness can influence on consumer behavior. Lately, consumers have become more possible to express their environmental consciousness by purchasing environmentally friendly products and services. Therefore, This study examine to what extent the hotels apply green activities, particularly in Alexandria-Egypt; to identify the relationship between ethics conducts for consumers and hotel green activities; to explore the most effect demographics factors on customers'ethical behavior; to discover the degree up to which potential consumers intend to stay at green hotel, boycott or act discursively against un ethical hotels; and finally to look into the relation between customers’ attitude and their actual behaviors towards green hotel. In order to achieve these objectives, (10100) web-based, on-site questionnaires and manually forms were randomly distributed to five-star hotels’ consumers in Alexandria governorate –Egypt. The returned and valid questionnaires were (1080) questionnaires (98,2%). The checklist was another method applied to reveal the least applied green activities among hotels and to support the result of the questionnaire. Data were described using mean, standard deviation, Pearson coefficient correlation, Spearman coefficient linear regression. The study highlighted that there is a positive significant relationship between hotel green activities and ethical consumer behavior. In addition, hoteliers did not take the advantage of the ethical consumer behavior of growing opportunities. Although, hoteliers applied certain activities, they ignored the role of engaging customers in green activities and announcing the environmental efforts for the community, which appeared stagnation of ethical consumer behavior.

Study of Female Consumers in 30s and 40s' Ethical Consumption Behavior

Study of Female Consumers in 30s and 40s' Ethical Consumption Behavior

Study of Female Consumers in 30s and 40s' Ethical Consumption Behavior

Study of Female Consumers in 30s and 40s' Ethical Consumption Behavior

Understanding Ethical Consumers Through Person/Thing Orientation Approach

Research reflects the importance of understanding the motivational variables of ethical consumer behavior. However, existing research has been limited to more narrowly construed factors that show an obvious link with ethics. Currently, empirical work on motivational factors relevant to orientations working across context is scarce. To address this gap, this project investigated ethical consumption from the perspective of person orientation (PO) and thing orientation (TO), both of which presumably motivate individual differences. For this purpose, three main studies were conducted by using correlational and experimental approaches to assess the relationships among PO, TO, and ethical consumer behavior. Across the three studies, the current research provides strong evidence for PO as a key driver of ethical consumption behavior. In contrast, the role of TO was inconsistent. Moderating effects of gender were also somewhat apparent. The findings suggest that individual orientations are important motivational variables for better understanding ethical consumers and that future researchers should further investigate PO/TO in this context.

Consumer Food Ethics: Considerations of Vulnerability, Suffering, and Harm

Over the past years, various accounts of ethical consumption have been produced which identify certain concepts as central to mediating the ethical relationship between the consumer and the consumed. Scholars across disciplinary fields have explored how individuals construe their ethical consumption responsibilities and commitments through the notions of identity, taking care and doing good, proximity and distance, suggesting the centrality of these themes to consumer engagement in ethical practices. This paper contributes to the body of research concerned with unravelling consumers’ conceptually mediated relationship to moral and ethical issues in the sphere of consumption by revealing a new set of ideas through which people interpret and relate to consumption ethics. Drawing upon findings from an empirical study on self-perceived ethical food consumers, I demonstrate that people’s perceptions and views of ethical problems around consumption are bound up with notions of vulnerability, suffering, and harm, and that these notions permeate and impact all aspects of ethical consumer behaviour. The paper concludes by arguing that we need to further explore the conceptual underpinnings of ethical consumer commitments and practices, and expand the conceptual toolkit of research on ethical consumption to account for a wider range of ideas and notions that shape individual as well as collective motivations, intentions, and actions throughout the process of becoming and being an ethical consumer. Finally, the paper suggests a specific analytical framework to facilitate such research.

Ethical sensitivity: Conceptualization and new scale development

This article proposes a new and original measurement scale for consumers’ ethical sensitivity (CES). Usually measured using scenarios, ethical sensitivity appears as a fundamental variable in understanding consumers’ ethical behaviour. In this study, we propose an alternative definition and a new scale for ethical sensitivity. We use a series of qualitative and quantitative studies and analyse construct validity, that is, content, convergent and discriminant validities. The results indicate that ethical sensitivity is a better predictor of ethical consumption behaviour when measured by our new scale than by a scenario. Implications are outlined for academics and professionals looking to better understand the relationship between consumer ethics and consumption behaviour.

Model of Consumer Behaviour - Feminine Hygiene

Summary This article starts with a review of different recent theoretical views and positions on culture, menstruation taboos, and ethical consumer behaviour. We performed a quantitative research in England, Germany, Slovenia and Sweden on 1,081 responding female students about the effect of cultural and sociological factors on female consumer behaviour when buying feminine hygiene products. Countries were selected depending on different cultures, religions and consumer behaviour. Based on the acquired results, we established a structural model of female consumer behaviour in the selected countries. This model showed a spiral transfer of cultural limitations and prejudices to the respondent students through the environment.

A Study on Ethical Consumption Behavior According to College Students’ Personality Traits and Perception of Consumption Society

In our society, consumers and enterprises work in cooperation for the continuous development and growth of society as well as construct effective and ethical measures. One of the representative examples are customer-centered management activities in corporations, social responsibility activities, and sustainable ethical consumption that show consideration for the consumer’s environment. The ethical consumption behavior of consumers becomes a virtuous circle that influences other consumer’s ethical decision making by creating an ethical consumption culture. Furthermore, the cost and effort to solve non-ethical consumption problems can be solved. This research aims at aspiring the perception of consumer’s ethical consumption and finding measures to increase ethical behavior. This paper further investigated the consumer’s ethical consumption behavior, personality traits, perception of consumption society, and ethical judgements. For the research, a structured survey was conducted on 300 university students in Seoul. SPSS ver. 21.0 and AMOS ver. 18.0 programs were used for statistical data analysis. The results indicated differences in variables that influence consumer’s ethical consumption behavior (fair trade, boycotts, and environmentally friendly products). In particular, it was evident that ethical judgements (such as the agent, personality traits, and perception consumption society) have different direct and non-direct influences on ethical consumption behavior. Strengthening the management of factors that influence measures that increase university student’s ethical consumption behavior in direct and non-direct ways, providing education and improving information are believed effective in increasing ethical consumption behavior. Keywords: personality traits, perception of consumption society, ethical judgments, ethical behavior

Ethical behaviour on holiday and at home: combining behaviour in two contexts

ABSTRACTEthical consumption behaviour, on holiday and at home, is required to minimize future environmental and social damage. Ethical consumption is a prominent issue in the media and in academic research, but ethical behaviours remain limited among the general population. This research explores whether an underlying propensity to act ethically can be extended to behaviour across two life contexts, Ethical Tourist Behaviour (ETB) and Everyday Ethical Consumption Behaviour (ECB). We also examine whether ethical behaviour decreases on holiday as suggested by previous research. Using the Rasch Model, ethical behaviour on holiday and at home is combined into one ETB/ECB continuum and ethical behaviours in both life contexts are directly compared. In line with other research, our subjects undertake only a limited number of ethical behaviours, on holiday and at home. We find that tourists engage in ethical behaviours, but spill-over of ethical behaviour across the two contexts only occurs between situationally/environmentally similar behaviours, ethical behaviours whose underlying barriers are of similar difficulty in both life contexts. These results and this methodology can be used by tourism managers and policy-makers to explore current ethical behaviour and offer the next ethical steps to citizens.

How to measure ethical consumption behaviors ?

Il a été démontré que les consommateurs expriment leur éthique dans leurs choix de consommation. Cependant, la définition de cette consommation éthique reste assez floue en marketing du comportement du consommateur et sa mesure n’est pas toujours adaptée. Nous proposons dans cet article de clarifier le concept de comportement de consommation éthique (CCE) en construisant un cadre théorique approprié et en développant un instrument de mesure valide et fiable. Une étude qualitative exploratoire (14 interviews), suivie d’une collecte de données quantitatives (559 participants), permettent d’établir les qualités psychométriques de cette échelle de mesure. Les résultats offrent des perspectives intéressantes quant à la prise en compte de l’éthique des consommateurs, tant au niveau académique que managérial.

Investigating the key determinants of Muslim ethical consumption behaviour amongst affluent Qataris

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper was the study of an affluent Islamic market, going through a rapid economic and social transformation, from an ethical consumption perspective. More specifically, impact of environmentalism, consumption ethics, fair trade attitude and materialism was investigated on the ethical consumption behaviour of Muslim consumers.Design/methodology/approachA research framework was put together after consulting relevant literature, Islamic scholars and Islamic marketers. The developed research framework was tested in the Islamic State of Qatar. As an outcome of an online questionnaire-based survey targeting Muslim (Qatari) consumers in a public university, 243 usable questionnaires were collected. After reliability and validity checks, AMOS SPSS 20 was used to conduct structural equation modelling analysis on the collected data.FindingsThe results showed consumption ethics, environmentalism and fair trade attitude as significant determinants of ethical consumption behaviour. There was an insignificant association between materialism and ethical consumption behaviour. The findings suggested that most Muslim consumers within this affluent market showed an interest in ethical consumption. However, an insignificant association between materialism and ethical consumption behaviour implied that even though Muslim consumers demonstrated ethical consumption behaviour, they were not anti-materialism. The outcome suggests that due to the high levels of affluence among Muslim consumers, it is possible that they may be practising ethical and materialistic consumption simultaneously.Practical implicationsThis research should assist marketers in understanding the ethical consumption behaviour of Muslim consumers who are faced with ethical and materialistic consumption options within an affluent Islamic market.Originality/valueThe research should add to the body of consumer behaviour knowledge, as it provides an insight into the consumption behaviour of Muslims who are facing social and religious ideology conflicts which makes their ethical consumption behaviours more sophisticated.

Consumer motivations for mainstream “ethical” consumption

Purpose This paper aims to explore why consumers absorb ethical habits into their daily consumption, despite having little interest or understanding of the ethics they are buying into, by looking at the motivation behind mainstream ethical consumption. Design/methodology/approach Fifty in-depth field interviews at point of purchase capture actual ethical consumption behavior, tied with a progressive-laddering interview technique yields over 400 consumption units of analysis. Findings Ethical attitudes, values and rational information processing have limited veracity for mainstream ethical consumption. Habit and constrained choice, as well as self-gratification, peer influence and an interpretivist understanding of what ethics are being purchased provide the primary drivers for consumption. Research limitations/implications Use of qualitative sampling and analysis limits the generalizability of this paper. However, the quantitative representation of data demonstrates the strength with which motivations were perceived to influence consumption choice. Practical implications Ethical brands which focus on explicit altruistic ethical messaging at the expense of hedonistic messaging, or ambiguous pseudo ethics-as-quality messaging, limit their appeal to mainstream consumers. Retailers, however, benefit from the halo effect of ethical brands in store. Social implications The paper highlights the importance of retailer engagement with ethical products as a precursor to normalizing ethical consumption, and the importance of normative messaging in changing habits. Originality/value The paper provides original robust critique of the current field of ethical consumption and an insight into new theoretical themes of urgent general interest to the field.