Sustainable Consumption Practices Research Articles

Impact of green trade on green growth in Malaysia: A dynamic ARDL simulation

Green economic growth emphasizes developing an economy that safeguards natural resources, enhances resource capabilities, and promotes sustainable resource utilization. This approach is vital for balancing economic development with environmental preservation, highlighting the efficient and sustainable use of renewable and non-renewable resources to maintain a clean environment and societal well-being. It also stresses the long-term preservation of natural resources for green growth and prosperity. Environmental sustainability is key for economic growth, as poor sustainability can lead to economic decline due to inefficient resource use. The Eleventh Malaysia Plan highlights the importance of green economic growth, focusing on areas such as creating a supportive environment for green growth, adopting sustainable consumption and production practices, conserving natural resources, and strengthening resilience against climate change and natural disasters. This study examines the impact of natural resource use on the green economic growth in Malaysia from 1990 to 2021, with a focus on green trade as a key component. To achieve this objective, this study utlizies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method and also its extension, the Dynamic ARDL (DYNARDL). Estimation results for both model indicate that green trade has a significant long run positive impact on green economic growth. While for short run, only DYNARDL method found evidence for positive impact of green trade. These findings suggest that policymakers should further promote green trade as a means to enhance sustainable and equitable resource use, thereby supporting the growth of the green economy in Malaysia.

The Butterfly effect in the consumption of electric and hybrid cars: between utilitarianism and environmental awareness

In this study, we conducted an investigation aimed at understanding the consumption of hybrid or electric vehicles from utilitarian or substantive aspects. Employing a qualitative and exploratory approach grounded in culture and consumption studies, we adopted netnography as the method for data collection and analysis (Kozinets, 2006; 2019). Our focus was directed towards participation in an online community of electric car consumers, as well as the analysis of interactive chats and comments on online videos about hybrid cars. Surprisingly, our findings revealed that many consumers embark on their journey motivated by the financial benefits of electric cars, drawn by the promise of savings. However, over time, we identified an intriguing phenomenon that we termed the "butterfly effect": as consumers engage more deeply in the consumption experience and interact within the online community, there is a significant increase in environmental awareness. This finding suggests that sustainable automobile consumption transcends purely utilitarian considerations, incorporating values and environmental concerns. Interaction within the online community emerges as a crucial factor in this process, serving as a catalyst for a shift in perspective towards vehicle consumption. The exchange of information, experiences, and perspectives within this virtual environment appears to stimulate deeper reflection on the environmental ramifications of their consumption choices. Thus, this study offers significant insights into the dynamics of consumer behavior regarding sustainable vehicles, highlighting the importance of online interactions in promoting environmental awareness and the adoption of more sustainable consumption practices. Furthermore, it underscores the need for a more holistic approach to understanding consumer motivations and decision-making processes in this evolving landscape.

Understanding the Intention Behind Muslim Consumers’ Decision to Purchase Green Products

The increasing global emphasis on sustainability has significantly influenced consumer behaviour towards green products. However, the specific factors driving green purchase intention (GPI) remain insufficiently explored in the literature. This study examines the determinants of GPI among Muslim consumers in Banjarmasin, focusing on three critical variables: green product knowledge (GPK), plastic ban policy (PBP), and religiosity. A quantitative research approach was utilized, involving data collection through a structured questionnaire administered to 465 respondents aged 18 and older with prior experience purchasing green products. The study employed PLS-SEM with SmartPLS version 3 for the analysis. The results is insignificantly influence GPK on GPI statistically. In a different way, PBP shows a significant effect on GPI, highlighting the effectiveness of regulatory measures to encourage sustainable behaviour. Additionally, religiosity shows a significant positive influence on GPI, indicating that moral and ethical considerations rooted in religious beliefs are crucial in shaping consumer attitudes towards green purchasing. This research enriches the literature by merging regulatory, cognitive, and cultural viewpoints to deepen understanding of green consumer behaviour. It also provides actionable insights for policymakers and marketers to encourage sustainable consumption practices.

Impact of climate change on Chinese college students’ consumption behavior: A case study of Jilin University

This study investigates the impact of climate change on the consumption behavior of Chinese college students, especially their daily expenses. Using a survey method, data were collected and analyzed to understand the correlation between climate change awareness and consumption choices among students at Jilin University. The findings indicate that over 70% of respondents believe climate change significantly affects their daily lives and consumption habits. Particularly, changes in transportation choices were most prominent, with 68% of students opting for greener travel options. However, less willingness was observed in reducing online shopping or paying carbon taxes. These insights highlight the need for tailored educational interventions to enhance climate change awareness and promote sustainable consumption practices among college students.

Briefing for Circularity. Translating EU policies into operational guidelines for the building project

Abstract The current EU interest in Circular Economy offers novel opportunities to move towards more sustainable production and consumption practices. Literature confirms that building stakeholders are expressing a growing demand of common references and tools to support the integration of circular principles in building processes. The paper introduces a methodological approach meant as an information support tool to translate EU circularity policies into guidelines for building design and management. Indeed, the challenge is to translate circularity objectives and targets into specific requirements expressed from one stakeholder to another, up to the last operator involved in the supply chain. The requests along the different levels of the supply chain must be consistent with each other and with the initial circularity objectives expressed at the origin by the client. Hence, starting by outlining the complexity of the fragmented building supply-chain, the paper identifies the proper level of detail for expressing circularity requirements and, therefore, for communicating mutually consistent circularity objectives at the different levels of the supply chain. Supporting the integration of circularity requirements within Project Briefs (design phase) and Invitations to Tender (management phase), the proposed tool lays the foundations for the experimentation of circular building practices and for the systemic evaluation of compliance with EU circularity objectives.

Plant the pot! Understanding consumer willingness to pay for sustainability in garden shop products

This study explores consumer preferences for various sustainability attributes in gardening pots using a discrete choice experiment. Data were collected from 499 respondents in garden shops across Milan and Monza, Italy. The study examines different aspects of sustainability, focusing on attributes that influence consumer purchasing decisions, such as the use of renewable energy, recycled material usage, ethical certification, and end-of-life options (recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable pots). The primary objectives are to determine consumers' preferences and the relative importance of these sustainability attributes in gardening pots and assess the impact of educational information on these preferences and willingness to pay. A mixed logit model is employed to capture the variations in preferences across the entire sample, providing a detailed analysis of the average willingness to pay for each sustainability attribute. A latent class model aimed to identify distinct segments within the sample, revealing specific groups of consumers with unique preference patterns and varying monetary evaluations for sustainable features. The results indicate strong preferences for reusable and recyclable pots, followed by biodegradable options and products made with recycled materials. Additionally, providing consumers with educational information about the environmental impacts of plastic pots significantly influenced their preferences and willingness to pay. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by offering detailed insights into consumer behaviour towards sustainable gardening products and their relative importance and providing actionable recommendations for policymakers and marketers to foster sustainable consumption practices.

An Assessment of Promoting Culinary Tourism in Ghana

Purpose: Ghana's tourism and hospitality industry has been extensively researched over the past five decades, primarily focusing on culture and heritage tourism, nature and economic tourism, marketing, and service quality. The aim is to assess the potential of culinary tourism as a powerful tool for creating sustainable livelihood empowerment channels, offering a beacon of hope for the future. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted with a rigorous qualitative research design and desk review approach, ensuring a comprehensive topic exploration. Published data and literature on the food tourism prospects of eight regions in Ghana were analysed. The gathered data was then subjected to content analysis, a common technique in qualitative research. Research Limitation: The findings derived from the desk review may not be generalisable to other contexts, populations, or geographic areas due to the reliance on specific literature that may not capture all perspectives. This acknowledgement ensures that the audience is fully informed about the scope of the study. Findings: The study exposes the stark reality that the culinary tourism market in Ghana, despite its significant potential, remains underdeveloped. This underscores the crucial need for strategic interventions and the active participation of all stakeholders in the industry's development. Practical Implication: From a practical point of view, the Ghana Tourism Authority must show greater interest in developing the sector by organising regional and national food festivals annually. This effort must be publicised internationally to attract tourists interested in exploring Ghana's culinary diversity. Social Implication: Culinary tourism promotes sustainable food production and consumption practices by emphasising local, seasonal, and environmentally friendly ingredients. This reduces tourism's carbon footprint and supports responsible consumption patterns. Originality/Value: This study has revealed a significant research gap with practical implications. Thus, narratives on the potential of culinary tourism across eight regions in Ghana have known to have been provided practical actions towards enhancing culinary tourism in Ghana.

Proposing the Model to Accelerate SMEs to Apply Green Economy Practices Through the Utilization of Social Crowdfunding

Following Indonesia's commitment to promoting the achievement sustainable consumption and production practices (RCP- SDGs Number 12), a plan must be put in place to motivate important players (SMEs) to support the green economy. The limitations of SMEs in terms of funding to be able to implement green economic practices are accommodated through access to financial technology, namely social crowdfunding. To gain insight into how SMEs implement green economic practices by utilizing social crowdfunding, a survey was conducted on 75 SMEs use descriptive research design. The results of the descriptive analysis found that some SMEs have not been able to take advantage of social crowdfunding due to several reasons: not being able to access the right website, having requirements that are difficult to fulfill and their technology skills are not yet good. An interesting insight that was extracted from the results of this survey is the high level of confidence among SMEs that implementing green economic practices using social crowdfunding can improve business performance and are confident that they can overcome all difficulties. The proposed conceptual model can apparently be supported by research results which produce the proposition namely:" willingness to participate in implementing green economic practices using social crowdfunding needs to be driven by creating strong awareness and interest by triggering 3 important determinants, namely stakeholder management, community engagement and entrepreneurship strategy”. In the future, this conceptual modeling can be used to conduct quantitative research so that it can explore the facts in the field in a comprehensive manner.

Influence of moral reasoning and environmental concern on sustainable food consumption behaviors: A gender comparison among university students

Currently, South American countries face social and environmental challenges that can be addressed through the transformation of food purchasing and preparation patterns. This study aims to enhance comprehension regarding personal factors influencing sustainable food consumption, by examining the impact of moral reasoning and environmental concern on this behavior. The responses of 233 Chilean university students to an online self-report survey were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The results have shown that moral reasoning and environmental concern positively impact sustainable food consumption behaviors, such as opting for food with minimal packaging, conserving energy during cooking, and repurposing food waste. Additionally, significant gender differences in these effects were observed. These novel findings provide further evidence supporting the necessity of bolstering moral education and environmental consciousness to foster the adoption of sustainable food consumption practices among university students in developing South American nations. Furthermore, the results underscore the importance of considering gender distinctions in education, particularly in light of entrenched family and societal roles.

Energy literacy among young adults in the European countries

Energy literacy is an essential prerequisite for informed and sustainable energy consumption habits. Our paper focuses on factors influencing young adults’ attitudes and behaviours and their knowledge of sustainable energy consumption practices. The research was conducted in five European countries, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia and Poland, and data were collected from 219 young adults between the ages of twenty-nine and thirty-nine. The methods used are statistical analyses, including principal component analysis, a technique for analysing large data sets and identifying influencing factors. We used a statistical software package (SPSS) for the analyses. Our analysis revealed five significant factors influencing the energy literacy of young adults. The key factors were education and awareness, investment in energy efficiency, age and gender, climate change and environmental protection, sustainable lifestyle and social environment. Policymakers, educators and other stakeholders can work towards creating a more energy-literate and sustainable society by understanding the key factors that influence energy literacy.

Consumo responsable y cadena de valor hacia un modelo sostenible en el desarrollo local del cantón Quevedo

The objective of this study was to analyze responsible consumption and the value chain as foundations for the development of a sustainable model in the Quevedo Canton. The sample size was calculated with Decision Analyst STATSTM 2.0 software. The information was obtained by applying a questionnaire to 123 consumers. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS program (Version 22.0). Consumption, availability of environmentally friendly products and the value chain were addressed. The results revealed a high degree of reliability for the 12 items, according to Cronbach's Alpha method, with a value of 0.80. Responsible consumption mainly allows the reduction of waste, conservation of resources and the choice of sustainable products and services, an educational model used is awareness and environmental education programs through digital means to provide effective solutions in the transition towards eco-friendly products. More sustainable consumption practices were adopted, cooperation between actors in the value chain allows them to promote educational awareness programs and community commitment, implementing environmental regulations in each of the links and executing permits to guarantee the quality in each of the products that are demanded.

GREEN IMPACT: EXPLORING THE MOTIVATIONS BEHIND SUSTAINABLE FASHION SHOPPING AND CONSUMPTION TOWARD GREEN APPAREL IN INDONESIA

This research adopts shopping motivation theory (utilitarian and hedonic) as a framework. The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of shopping motivation on consumers’ purchase intentions in the context of environmentally friendly clothing. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 185 respondents in Indonesia and analyzed using the SmartPLS v.4.0.0 tool with the SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis. This research shows that utilitarian and hedonic motivations have a positive and significant effect on green purchase intention. Availability of information and special offers also have a positive and significant effect on utilitarian motivation, trends, adventure, and authority, and status. These findings will help managers and practitioners to promote sustainable consumption through environmentally friendly clothing. This can encourage cleaner production and sustainable consumption practices that benefit both the planet and people.

Green Purchsing Behaviour among Generation Z Consumers in Kathmandu Valley

Purpose: The study attempts to examine the general perception regarding green products and determinants of green purchasing behavior. Subsequently, the purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence green purchasing and general perception among Generation Z in Kathmandu valley. Design/Methodology/Approach: The causal comparative research design was employed in the study to investigate the causal link between determinants of green purchasing behavior. Data, gathered from 221 respondents through structured questionnaires distributed via KOBO toolbox, utilized convenience sampling. Quantitative analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, employing the PLS-SEM method. Findings: The study finds environmental knowledge, government influence, and social influence have significant impact on green purchase behavior. However, environmental attitude, and environmental responsibility did not influence the green purchasing behavior of Gen Z in Kathmandu valley. Research Limitations/Implications: This study is limited to Generation Z in Kathmandu valley, utilizing cross-sectional data, which may restrict generalizability. Future research should explore the determinants of green purchasing behaviors. Nevertheless, the outcome of the study will assist all stakeholders, including policymakers and marketers in Kathmandu Valley. Practical Implication: The application of this study is extensive. The study's findings will assist businesses, marketers, policymakers, and environmental advocates. Understanding these factors can help businesses tailor their products, marketing strategies, and communication efforts to better appeal to this demographic, thereby increasing their market share in the growing green product market. Similarly, the study's findings can contribute to the promotion of sustainable consumption practices in Kathmandu Valley, aligning with global efforts to address environmental challenges. Originality/Value: To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is one of the earliest studies to examine the relationship between green purchasing behavior among gen Z in Kathmandu valley by using PLS-SEM.

Momentum for organic food purchase intention and actual adoption- moderating effects of social media influencer and celebrity endorser

Despite extensive research into the factors influencing organic food consumption intention, a notable gap exists in understanding how this intention translates into actual consumption behavior. Addressing this gap, this study employs the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to investigate consumer individual and business-related factors that shape the intention to purchase organic food and subsequently influence its actual acquisition. We collected primary data from organic food consumers in major departmental stores in Bangladesh through a questionnaire survey. We analyzed the data using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS v-24 and PROCESS MACRO v-4.20 software. The findings reveal significant direct, mediating, and moderating effects within the pathways delineated by the model. By uncovering these effects, the study offers valuable insights into the interplay of consumer individual and business-related factors in shaping both intention and actual behavior toward organic food consumption. Our research contributes to validating and extending the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework and provides practical implications for scholars and policymakers managing organic food consumption. By exploring these factors, we are equipping them with fresh perspectives and insights that can be directly applied in their work. This study, by elucidating the dynamics between intention and behavior, aids in developing more effective strategies to promote sustainable consumption practices in the realm of organic food, thereby empowering and motivating them to make a real difference in this field.

Effects of perceived benefit on online rental service customer behavior

Due to increasing competition among rental service providers, creating and enhancing perceived value is a critical element for sustainable growth. Given the growing interest in sustainable consumption practices, this paper examines the role of perceived benefit in the online rental industry, particularly the relative impacts of economic, social, and environmental benefits on customer patronage behaviors toward service providers. The proposed model is tested using data from 404 online rental platform customers in the United States. The results of partial least squares structural equation modeling show a positive impact of perceived benefits on both consumer attitude and personal norms. In addition, the impacts of attitude and norms on behavioral intention are confirmed. Finally, differences in customer behaviors between low- and high-frequency rental platform users are identified. The economic benefit on subjective norm is only significant among high-frequency customers.

Sustainable consumption practices among Chinese youth

A global crisis caused by unsustainable practices and their detrimental effects on civilization has compelled us to rethink the adoption of green consumption practices. This study aims to determine the determinants of green consumption behavior among Chinese youth. Based on the integrated frameworks of two renowned theories, the knowledge-attitude-practice model and the theory of planned behavior, this study proposes 11 hypotheses for empirical investigation. An online survey was used for a quantitative cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of young Chinese consumers. A dataset comprising 876 observations was examined by applying partial least squares structural equation modeling using Smart-PLS 4.0. The results show that green consumption intention and perceived behavioral control significantly affect green consumption behavior. Attitudes towards eco-social benefits, attitudes towards green consumption, and subjective norms positively affect green consumption intentions. In addition, environmental concern and knowledge positively affected all three attitude dimensions. The study further identified that green self-identity moderates the connection between green consumption intention and green consumption behavior, whereas ecolabelling is not a significant moderator of the same relationship. The theoretical contribution of this study is that it employs multigroup analysis to investigate gender- and income-based variations in the relationships, offering a comprehensive framework integrating theories along with dimensions of attitude, which offers nuanced insights into green consumption behavior. Regarding its policy implications, this study highlights the necessity of promoting environmental concern and knowledge through education and awareness campaigns while supporting eco-social benefits and green consumption practices, which can be a potent way to promote positive attitudes, intentions, and sustainable behaviors among the general population.

Food choice, activity level, and carbon footprint: exploring potential for sustainable food consumption practices in young adults.

This study aims to explore climate consciousness in relation to food consumption in young adults, examining its relationship with physical activity level and gender. A mixed-method approach is utilized, integrating seven-day food records and semi-structured interviews, employing social practice theory in our analytical framework. Our cohort of 47 participants (25 women, 22 men) displays varied diets, from omnivores to vegans. Moderately-active women show the lowest carbon footprint, favoring climate-conscious choices related to lower energy needs and plant-based preferences. Highly-active individuals consume more energy, resulting in a higher carbon footprint. Gender differences are evident, women were inclined to climate-conscious food practices motivated by animal ethics and health concerns. Conversely, men demonstrated a tendency for meat consumption. Participants share an understanding of carbon footprint, reflecting a solid awareness of food-related climate impact but differ in priorities; performance for highly-active, and economy for moderately-active. This highlights a mix of commonalities and distinctions, informing flexible, sustainable food practices. Higher activity levels are linked to greater energy needs and a higher carbon footprint. Moderately-active women show the most climate-conscious food choices, leading to the lowest carbon footprint. Our findings indicate that highly-active individuals and men have significant potential to improve climate-adapted food consumption.

Media literacy and its role in promoting sustainable food consumption practices

Household food consumption is a major driver of environmental impacts globally. Promoting sustainable consumption practices is crucial for addressing the challenges of resource depletion, food waste, and climate change. This study investigates the role of media literacy in fostering sustainable consumption awareness and behavior. A total of 432 Iranian consumers participated in the study by completing an online structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), revealing that the different aspects of media literacy, including usage, accessibility, content generation, and critical understanding, accounted for 93% of the variance in sustainable consumption awareness. Additionally, these factors explained 51% of the variance in sustainable consumption intention. The combined influences of sustainable consumption awareness and intention accounted for 87% of the variance in sustainable consumption behavior. To promote sustainable consumption, it is recommended to establish dedicated networks and channels that focus on delivering sustainable and healthy consumption content. Furthermore, organizing programs featuring environmental experts and interactive platforms, such as question-and-answer panels, can enhance critical understanding among media-literate audiences and contribute to the adoption of more sustainable consumption practices.

Strengthening sustainable consumption behavior in high school students: Evaluation of an experiential training intervention targeting psychological determinants

Designing effective educational measures constitutes a key area of action for achieving global sustainability goals. Therefore, the present study examined a training addressing sustainable consumption practices in plastic reduction, fashion and food. An interactive training was held in a German comprehensive high school with grade 11 students, addressing psychological drivers of sustainable consumption behavior, namely, awareness and knowledge, emotional, rational and value-based factors. The training was evaluated in a pretest(t1)/posttest(t2)/follow-up(t3) design. Final self-report data was obtained from 77 pupils in t1 and t2 and 56 pupils for all three points of measurement. Results of a repeated measures MANOVA indicate significantly higher levels of all outcome variables directly after the training. Significant long-term effects emerge on the knowledge of sustainable consumption alternatives, anticipated feelings of guilt, perceived norms in the individual’s social environment, perceived control over one’s own behavior, as well as sustainable consumption behavior in everyday life. Taken together, results suggest the training to be an effective instrument for furthering actual sustainable consumption practices of young pupils. Its implementation during school hours with regular-sized classes offers a low expenditure educational approach for sustainable consumption.

Mapping sustainable options in the fashion industry: A systematic literature review and a future research agenda

AbstractThe fashion industry accounts for large impacts on the environment and social welfare, both on the consumers' and companies' sides. This study systematically reviews the literature on sustainable consumption in the fashion industry, clarifying sustainable fashion's meaning. Existing sustainable fashion solutions are investigated from consumers' behavior perspective and classified into three consumption phases, that is, (pre‐)purchase, use, and post‐use. 187 articles are included, and twenty‐six sustainable solutions are identified across the consumption phases. These include techniques, features, services, and behaviors able to increase garment sustainability by mitigating negative impacts and ensuring product circularity by recycling and/or reusing at the product's end of life, representing promising strategies for fostering a transition toward sustainable fashion consumption practices. An innovative and comprehensive framework of sustainable fashion solutions is developed. Future research agenda and a sustainable offering inventory for marketers are provided.