Global sustainability market will expand despite COVID

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Differences ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Global Supply Chains ◽  
Market Opportunity ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Public Scrutiny

Significance There are major regional differences in how governments and companies from developed and developing countries perform on sustainability. Even so, policy efforts by some large developing economies and changing consumer behaviour point to an expanding market opportunity. Impacts The market for sustainably produced food is likely to grow particularly strongly in coming years. Sustainable food demand will focus public scrutiny on the global supply chains of firms in the agricultural sector. Relatively affluent, urban middle-class households will drive demand for sustainable products in developing economies. Growing pressure from institutional investors on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues will improve corporate practices.

Price strategies for sustainable food products

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 915-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul T.M. Ingenbleek
Keyword(s):  
Food Products ◽  
Price Fairness ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Competitive Disadvantage ◽  
Desk Research ◽  
Price Strategies

Purpose – Sustainable products often suffer a competitive disadvantage compared with mainstream products because they must cover ecological and social costs that their competitors leave to future generations. The purpose of this paper is to identify price strategies for sustainable products that minimize this efficiency disadvantage. Design/methodology/approach – The strategies and their determinants from the pricing environment are derived from an inductive sequential case study of certified food products, such as organic and fair trade products. Data are collected through desk research and interviews. Findings – The results reveal six different strategies that build on three basic mechanisms: cost-based pricing in combination with price fairness, increasing willingness to pay through perceptions of quality and/or price, and price stability in which costs are compensated for by scale and/or learning effects. Research limitations/implications – The framework can help companies that offer sustainable products strengthen their market positions and it can help policy makers that partly rely on markets to achieve sustainability objectives. Originality/value – The existing pricing literature on sustainability predominantly takes a consumer approach. This study breaks new ground by extending this work with a strategic marketing approach offering a choice set of strategies for managers.

The industrial recovery will be uneven and China-led

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Global Supply Chains ◽  
Dislocated Workers ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Employment ◽  
Manufacturing Performance ◽  
The Impact

Significance While manufacturing is recovering after its sharp contraction during the first wave of shutdowns, the recovery is uneven by sector and region, reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on the structure of market demand, manufacturing capacity and global supply chains. Impacts The major industrial economies bar China have become more dependent on manufactured imports during 2020; this will ease gradually. Production is recovering but manufacturing employment is not, and this will continue; policies to support dislocated workers will be key. Geographic variations in the incidence of COVID-19 will accentuate the sectoral and regional differences in manufacturing performance.

Regional differences and driving factors of construction and demolition waste generation in China

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenshuang Wang ◽  
Wanchen Xie ◽  
Jingkuang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Driving Factors ◽  
Construction And Demolition Waste ◽  
Annual Growth Rate ◽  
Demolition Waste ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Context

PurposeThe growth of the Chinese economy has resulted in a significant increase in construction and demolition waste (CDW), and regional differences in CDW generation are gradually increasing. The purpose of this study is to investigate the regional differences in CDW generation and the driving factors that influence CDW generation in different areas of China. To provide a systematic advisement for local governments to select the appropriate policy, reduce CDW generation.Design/methodology/approachThe generation of CDW was calculated by region, based on the area estimation method, from 2005 to 2018. The relationship between CDW generation and economic development, and the driving factors of CDW generation in different regions of China, was investigated using the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) model and the STIRPAT theoretical model.FindingsCDW generation of China increased at the average annual growth rate of 10.86% from 2005 to 2018. The main areas of CDW generation were concentrated in the eastern and central regions, while the proportion of CDW generation in the northeast region decreased gradually, and the changes varied significantly across different regions. The EKC between CDW generation and economic development was established for the whole country, North China, Northeast China, East China, Central South China, Southwest China and Northwest China. Three main factors based on the STIRPAT theoretical model were identified and explained into a framework to reduce CDW generation. The results provided a useful theoretical basis and data support guide for devising effective policies and regulations for the Chinese context.Practical implicationsThe findings from this study can ultimately support policymakers and waste managers in formulating effective policies for waste management strategies and CDW-specific legislation. Additionally, it can help the coordinated reduction of CDW generation across regions in China and can support construction enterprises (in their development strategies), similar developing economies and foreign firms planning to operate in China.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the field through the STIRPAT model on driving factors of CDW generation in the Chinese context, in different regions.

scholarly journals Impact of Infrastructure and Agroclimate on the Location of Rural Bank Branches in Pakistan: A Preliminary Assessment

1996 ◽  
Vol 35 (4II) ◽  
pp. 899-909
Author(s):  
Kalbe Abbas ◽  
Musleh-Ud Din ◽  
Ejaz Ghani ◽  
Sarfraz Khan Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Commercial Bank ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
Bank Branches

Rural financial institutions play an important role in development and growth of the agricultural sector. In developing economies some rural areas are adequately served by financial institutions, while others have little or no access to these institutions. This uneven pattern of geographic location of rural bank branches has been attributed largely to regional differences in agroclimatic conditions and infrastructural endowments. We have estimated several alternative specifications which can be helpful in understanding the spatial distribution of commercial bank branches across the rural areas. Our results indicate that the location of rural bank branches is significantly influenced by infrastructural endowments and agroclimatic environment.

Economic nationalism and cosmopolitanism

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 1133-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung Tae Lee ◽  
You-Il Lee ◽  
Richard Lee
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Foreign Firms ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Economic Nationalism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domestic Firms ◽  
Domestic Products ◽  
Relative Salience

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the differential influences of economic nationalism (EN) and cosmopolitanism (COS) on consumer behaviour, and how the two concepts are underpinned by different (normative versus informational) interpersonal influences. Design/methodology/approach – Surveys took place in two countries, South Korea (n = 257) and Taiwan (n = 258). Both are rapidly developing economies with a cosmopolitan consumer base. Two products, one representing conspicuous and one representing non-conspicuous categories, were used in each country’s survey. The data were subjected to exploratory and confirmation factor analyses and fitted using structural equation modelling. Findings – Contrary to past studies, EN and COS were unrelated. Economic nationalism was strong and biased towards domestic products. The results also suggest that COS may be related to bias against domestic products. EN related strongly to normative influence, whereas COS rested on informational influence. The results were similar across the countries and the product types. Research limitations/implications – Economic nationalism and COS may coexist as consumer dispositions and their relative salience may vary across individuals. Foreign firms should not overlook consumers’ nationalistic sentiment, just as domestic firms may capitalise on it. Both foreign and domestic firms can capitalise on consumer nationalism by highlighting benefits such as domestic employment and wealth creation. Practical implications – EN and COS may coexist as consumer dispositions, and their relative salience may vary across individuals. When managing their brand portfolio, foreign firms would benefit from considering consumers’ nationalistic sentiment, just as domestic firms may capitalise on it. Both foreign and domestic firms can capitalise on consumer nationalism by highlighting social benefits such as domestic employment and wealth creation. Originality/value – This study brings research on EN and COS from a macro/country level to a micro/individual level. It provides theoretical and empirical insights on the differential influences of EN and COS on consumer behaviour and sheds light on their psychological underpinnings.

Sustainable plastic clothing and brand luxury: a discussion of contradictory consumer behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Kumagai
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Brand Attitude ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Association ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Price Levels ◽  
Sustainability Research ◽  
Apparel Companies

PurposeThis study examines consumer behaviour based on product sustainability and brand luxury. The purpose is to provide strategic suggestions to apparel companies attempting to invest in sustainable development of plastic clothing, as well as implications for marketing and sustainability research.Design/methodology/approachConsumer brand attitude and purchase intention towards sustainable plastic clothing are examined across material types, brand luxury levels and price levels from 315 valid samples collected in Japan.FindingsThe results reveal that sustainable plastic clothing raises brand attitude, indirectly influencing purchase intention. However, the direct effect of sustainable clothing on purchase intention is contradictorily negative. These contradictory effects are especially significant when brand luxury is high. Both brand attitude and purchase intention hardly vary across price levels or material types of sustainable plastic, such as post-consumer bottles versus apparel.Practical implicationsThe results imply that sustainable products are not instantly profitable but contribute to a desirable brand association, especially for luxury brands. An investment in costly closed-loop technology for apparel recycling is found to be commercially disadvantageous. Managers are suggested to discuss this aspect carefully, since it seems partially unprofitable, while sustainable management seems to comprehensively contribute to overall enterprise performance.Originality/valueThe study specifically reveals the luxury effect enhancing, yet contradictory, consumer behaviour towards sustainable plastic clothing. To the best of the author’s knowledge, few studies have examined the relationships between these elements. Furthermore, the study sheds new light on consumer behaviour across recycled plastic types from a marketing perspective.

Consumer Behaviour of Organic Food: A Developing Country Perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehree Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Market Opportunity ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Organic Foods ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Synthetic Chemicals

The demand of organic food is increasing despite its premium pricing and lack of availability particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh. This paper aims to provide the insights about organic foods and the intention consumers have to purchase or not to purchase organic food. The pesticide-residue problem has opened a market opportunity for organic food as it is produced without any form of synthetic chemicals. As there was insufficient literature, a survey was conducted on 900 respondents on six major supermarkets selling organic food in the capital city of Bangladesh. It is found that, consumers expect the organic foods to be healthier, tastier, and environment friendly. The organic food buyers tend to be older with child, have higher education level and family income than those of non-buyers. The barrier of organic food is that majority consumers have less knowledge and do not know the main differentiation between organic foods and traditional foods.

Assessing sustainability marketing from macromarketing perspective: a multistakeholder approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soha Abutaleb ◽  
Noha El-Bassiouny
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Government Role ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe paper examines three main stakeholders in the market and their roles toward achieving sustainability marketing. Those stakeholders are consumers, companies and policymakers. The current study is examining consumers’ attitudes toward sustainability marketing and their purchase intentions of sustainable products through the use of theory of planned behavior. The paper is also examining the role of companies and policymakers in encouraging consumers to consider sustainability in their purchasing decisions.Design/methodology/approachConcurrent research study is applied, where qualitative and quantitative research methods are conducted at the same time for different purposes with equal weights. Qualitative interviews were applied with fast-moving consumer goods companies and policymakers, while quantitative surveys were applied with Egyptian consumers.FindingsThe results showed that companies are taking serious and effective steps in transforming their marketing strategies into sustainable marketing ones. The government role is still limited as there are no strict laws and regulations that force companies and factories in Egypt to develop sustainability marketing strategies. Consumers’ attitudes were highly affected by firms' sustainable practices as well as subjective norms that led to influencing their intentions toward purchasing sustainable products.Originality/valueAlthough the topic of sustainability marketing is considered by a plenty of researchers in the academic discipline, there are no studies that have combined the main three stakeholders' roles in achieving sustainability marketing in one study. The study highlights the impact of government role and firms' role on consumers' attitudes and purchase intentions toward sustainable products, especially convenient products. This was done through the adoption of the theory of planned behavior.

Relation between Chinese consumers’ ethical perceptions and purchase intentions

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 670-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Kashif Javed ◽  
Ma Degong ◽  
Talat Qadeer
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Ethical Perceptions ◽  
Chinese Consumers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Mediating Role

Purpose Most business-related studies on ethics focus on consumers in developed western economies but ignore developing economies. Therefore, to fill this void in the literature and address the concerns of prior studies, the purpose of this paper is to examine the ethical perceptions of Chinese consumers as an example of effective and efficient management of company/brand strategies in an economy experiencing rapid socioeconomic growth. Design/methodology/approach This study examines 328 Chinese consumers’ purchase intentions based on their ethical perceptions toward Apple and P&G through mediating (i.e. consumer–corporate identification (CCI) and brand trust) and moderating (i.e. consumer gender, age, education and residence) effects. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the constructs and overall model. Findings The ethical perceptions of consumers translate into purchase intentions, both at the corporate and product brand levels. Similarly, a significant direct relationship between CCI and brand trust reveals that corporate-level ethical identification is a trivial matter to customers, although these perceptions do apply to product brands under a corporate umbrella. Furthermore, to identify target groups of Chinese consumers who are receptive to ethical appeals, moderating variables were found to be useful. Originality/value The results confirm that the mediating role of CCI is more influential in the context of Chinese consumers’ ethical perceptions, followed by brand trust. In relation to demographics, ethical perceptions affect CCI and brand trust more positively in females and highly educated consumers in China. Similarly, the relationship between consumers’ ethical perception and their trust in brand is revealed more influential in urban residents than they do in rural. This broadens the applications and contexts of this research model. The results provide managerial guidance on enhancing potential ethical perceptions.

The problems facing agricultural sector in Zanzibar and the prospects of Waqf-Muzar’ah-supply chain model

Humanomics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Issa Salim Moh’d ◽  
Mustafa Omar Mohammed ◽  
Buerhan Saiti
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Financial Models ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Chain Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Interest ◽  
Supply Chain Model ◽  
The Government ◽  
Clove Industry

Purpose This paper aims to identify the appropriate model to address the financial challenges in agricultural sector in Zanzibar. Since the middle of 1960, clove production has continually and significantly decreased because of some problems and challenges that include financial ones. The financial intermediaries such as banks, cooperatives and micro-enterprises provide micro-financing to the farmers with high interest rates along with collateral requirements. The numerous programmes, measures and policies adopted by the relevant parties to find out the solutions to the dwindling clove production have failed. Design/methodology/approach The authors will review and examine several existing financial models, identify the issues and challenges of the current financial models and propose an appropriate Islamic financing model. Findings The numerous programmes, measures and policies adopted by the relevant parties to find out the solutions to the dwindling clove production have failed. This study, therefore, proposed a Waqf-Muzara’ah-supply chain model to address the financial challenge. Partnership arrangement is also suggested in the model to mitigate the issues of high interest rates and collateral that constrains the financial ability of the farmers and their agricultural output. Originality/value The contribution of the agricultural sector to the economic development of Zanzibar Islands is considerable. As one of the important agricultural sectors, the clove industry was the economic backbone of the government of Zanzibar. This study is believed to be a pioneering work; hence, it is the first study that investigates empirically the challenges facing the clove industry in Zanzibar.

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