An empirical examination of the effects of demographic groups on socially responsible consumption behaviour

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azamussan Syed ◽  
Munuswamy Shanmugam
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
Chennai City

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of demographic groups (i.e. gender groups, marital status groups, age groups, income groups, experience groups, education groups and occupation groups) on socially responsible consumption (hereafter SRC) behaviour. Design/methodology/approach The study was carried out in Chennai city, the capital of Tamil Nadu state of India. A total of 214 responses were collected during the survey. The respondents were the university staff composed of lecturer/professor, lab instructor, admin staff and support staff. A socially responsible purchase and disposal scale has been used to measure SRC behaviour amongst consumers. The convenience sampling technique was used for data collection. Independent-samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques were used for hypotheses testing. Findings Factor analyses confirmed the multidimensional structure of the SRC construct with the following axes: firms’ internal corporate social responsibility (hereafter CSR) performance, firms’ external CSR performance, firms’ environmental CSR performance and consumers’ personal social responsibility. In addition, this study found that demographic groups have no effects on SRC behaviour. Research limitations/implications The current research will be a step forward to a richer and more inclusive understanding of the effects of demographic groups on SRC behaviour. Practical implications This study would help managers to understand consumer markets, formulate strategy and develop sustainable products. Originality/value This study is amongst the few attempted to examine the effects of demographic groups on SRC behaviour amongst consumers. This research endeavoured to validate the multidimensional nature of the SRC construct.

Today's wastage is tomorrow's shortage: a systematic literature review on food waste from social responsibility perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yee-Shan Chang ◽  
Xin-Jean Lim ◽  
Jun-Hwa Cheah
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Global Issue ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption

PurposeRecognizing food waste as a global issue, it has attracted scholars to conduct numerous relevant studies in the area. Growing concerns about the social and environmental impacts have intensified food waste attention to the practice of socially responsible consumption. The purpose of this study is to undertake a review of existing knowledge to edify and provide a platform for future research.Design/methodology/approachThe present study retrieved and reviewed a total of 76 articles from Web of Science (WoS) database, which were published from 2011 to 2020 in food and nutrition related journals from social responsibility perspective.FindingsIn accordance with the proposed research questions, the findings demonstrate the publication trend, distribution of article sources, research regions, thematic classification, theoretical and methodology framework. The findings also reveal research gaps in the literature and facilitate scholars with extensive gap-specific research directions to explore.Research limitations/implicationsThis review is limited in its consideration of articles from the (WoS) database and focused in food or nutrition related journals.Originality/valueBy mapping what is known in the current state of food waste research, this study identifies existing gaps and opportunities for future research in this area.

CSR-consumption paradox: examination of UK apparel companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yu ◽  
Dongmei Cao ◽  
Juh Yan Tan
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
Apparel Companies ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Despite extensive study into various aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR), the effect on consumer behaviour is less explored. A growing amount of research is concerned with the phenomenon that CSR has a minor effect on actual purchases although CSR practices enhance consumers’ purchase intentions. This is documented as the CSR-consumption paradox and is yet to be resolved. The purpose of this paper is to further understand this paradox. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were administered face-to-face to consumers in Birmingham. These questionnaires concern consumer behaviour in relation to CSR practices of 21 popular apparel companies in the UK. Findings Results suggest that consumers’ pro-social priority is significantly related to pro-social consumption and that consumers’ awareness of CSR practices is insignificantly associated with their purchase behaviour. The pro-social consumption does not differ significantly among different demographic groups. Research limitations/implications To explore the external motivational factors in consumers’ decision making will be a potential research direction in future. Practical implications The empirical results provide implications for UK apparel marketers and policy makers to engage and motivate socially responsible consumers so as to reap strategic rewards for their CSR efforts. Originality/value This paper contributes to the knowledge of socially responsible consumption and how it is affected by CSR.

Signaling socially responsible consumption among millennials: an identity-based perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Johnson ◽  
Veena Chattaraman
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Personal Identity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Using identity theory, this paper aims to explore differences in socially responsible signaling behavior based on the salience of a personal or social identity. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling was used to study the relationship among identity commitment, salience, and signaling behavior. Findings Findings revealed personal identity salience mediated the relationship between socially responsible commitment and socially responsible social-signaling consumption behavior. Practical implications The results of the study suggest that Millennials engage in socially responsible activities as a result of a salient personal identity. Millennials use socially responsible behavior to signal their benevolence to themselves and others. Originality/value This is the first research that has examined the relationship between Millennials’ socially responsible consumption behavior and a salient personal or social identity.

Consumer segments in organic foods market

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Aslihan Nasir ◽  
Fahri Karakaya
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Market Segments ◽  
Organic Foods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
Organic Food Consumption ◽  
And Behavior

Purpose – The aim of this study is to examine profiles of consumers in organic foods market segments and determine their attitudes toward organic food consumption. Consequently, we explore whether there are differences among these consumer segments in terms of their health orientation, socially responsible consumption, environmental responsibility and values and lifestyles. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 316 consumers were surveyed at supermarkets and malls in one of the largest metropolitan areas of a European city. Findings – The cluster analysis performed indicates that there are three segments based on consumer attitudes toward organic foods: favorable, neutral and unfavorable. The results show that the consumer segment with more favorable attitudes toward organic foods exhibits higher levels of health orientation and socially responsible consumption behavior when compared to other segments. Practical implications – It important for marketers to understand organic foods market segments so that they can target them with the appropriate marketing mix. For this reason, we attempt to identify consumer segments based on their attitudes and behavior concerning organic foods. In doing so, we examine the profiles of consumers in each organic food market segment and their attitudes toward organic food consumption. Originality/value – Organic food consumption is growing at a fast pace despite economic problems around the world. This study has identified three market segments (consumer profiles) with different attitudes and behavior towards organic foods.

Does “sharing” mean “socially responsible consuming”? Exploration of the relationship between collaborative consumption and socially responsible consumption

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Ertz ◽  
Fabien Durif ◽  
Agnès Lecompte ◽  
Caroline Boivin
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Sustainable Transportation ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Collaborative Consumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Animal Protection ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
Other Consumers

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which collaborative consumption (CC) enthusiasts are significantly more likely to engage into specific forms of socially responsible consumption (SRC), in contrast to regular consumers. Design/methodology/approach The authors administered an online questionnaire survey to a panel of 1,006 consumers. A cluster analysis combined with analyses of variance then determined the extent to which CC enthusiasts were more likely to engage in the focal SRC behaviors as opposed to others. Findings CC enthusiasts differ positively from other consumers concerning sustainable transportation, citizen consumption and composting but negatively from other consumers concerning recycling; they do not differ significantly with regard to environmental, animal protection and local consumption. Originality/value Conflating CC and SRC remains debatable. This study provides some preliminary evidence about the complex associations that exists between the two constructs.

Measuring socially responsible consumption: a study of Colombia–Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lida Esperanza Villa Castaño ◽  
Jesús Perdomo-Ortiz ◽  
William Fernando Durán León ◽  
Sebastián Dueñas Ocampo ◽  
Florina Guadalupe Arredondo Trapero
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
First Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find evidence of construct validity in a Mexican population for a socially responsible consumption (SRC) measurement scale originally proposed for Colombia. Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative approach and a correlational scope, factorial invariance and differential item functioning analyses were performed on the SRC measurement scale based on data from 323 Colombian graduate students and 456 Mexican students. Findings The empirical evidence confirms that the factor structure of the SRC measurement scale applied in Colombia remains valid in the Mexican context. Research limitations/implications Limitations pertain to the attitudinal measurement scale and the non-representativeness of the chosen samples. Practical implications When identifying a structure for SRC, particularly considering the formulation of marketing strategies and business reputation, companies should consider the new criteria of buying consumption. Originality/value For the first time in Latin America, an SRC measurement scale is constructed, and its construct validity is evaluated for two countries: Mexico and Colombia. The authors thus provide empirical evidence for the hypothesis that SRC measurement is contingent on the expression of measurement considering the socioeconomic and cultural context in which the study is conducted.

Explaining socially responsible consumption

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard Paul Prendergast ◽  
Alex S.L. Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
Quota Sampling ◽  
And Behavior

PurposeConsumers are becoming increasingly socially conscious when making their purchasing decisions, which in turn is providing an incentive for firms to integrate social responsibility considerations into their product offerings. Explaining the various categories of socially responsible consumption (SRC) is therefore important. The purpose of this paper is to explain the various categories of socially responsible consumption.Design/methodology/approachGrounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this paper surveyed a sample of 1,202 Hong Kong consumers.FindingsThe findings indicate that attitude towards the behavior, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are all significant predictors of three categories of SRC (i.e. intention to purchase from firms based on their CSR performance, intention to practice recycling and intention to try to avoid or minimize their use of products based on their environmental impact). Intention to engage in SRC was then shown to be a significant predictor of SRC behavior.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper relied on only the single-factor test as a measure of socially desirable responding. Furthermore, while the quota sampling was designed for broad representativeness, it is difficult to verify if the well-controlled quota controls entirely removed the possibility of a biased selection of respondents within each cell.Practical implicationsRecommendations are made for public policy-makers and marketers to devise ways to shape consumer behavior to facilitate more responsible consumption.Originality/valuePrevious research relating to SRC has not explained the various categories of SRC and often failed to test the relationship between intention and behavior, representing a considerable gap in the literature. This paper applied the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain intention and behavior with regards to the various categories of SRC.

Socially responsive consumption behaviour – an Indian perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meenakshi Gandhi ◽  
Neeraj Kaushik
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Economic Development ◽  
Consumption Behaviour ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
Personal Contribution ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumption ◽  
The Government

Purpose – There is a need to promote socially responsible consumption which would accelerate the efforts of economic upliftment and sustainable development initiated by the government and corporates through corporate social responsibility initiatives. This study aims to explore the factors that contribute to socially responsible consumption across demographic factors. Design/methodology/approach – The socially responsible consumption behaviour (SRCB) scale developed by Antil and Bennet was used to gather responses on a five-point Likert scale along with information on demographic profile from the residents of Delhi National Capital Region. Findings – The factor analysis revealed a striking finding that personal contribution is the most important factor that governs socially responsible consumption, and this factor also emerges across demographic variables to have significant contribution for the consumption. Gender wise, there is no significant difference, while education bears an inverse relationship with SRCB. People in the middle-income group with lower incomes and younger in age are more likely to exhibit SRCB. Research limitations/implications – The implications for marketers is to use the results of this study in their promotion for targeting consumers by focusing on the joy/pride of personal contribution in being socially responsible while they fulfil their product purchase needs that could create a loyal segment of consumers who would buy such products and further spread a positive word of mouth to convert non-consumers into buyers, leading to sustainable economic development. Policymakers and the Government need to promote SRCB by subsidizing goods that are generated from such sources to enhance their usage. Younger Indians, in the early years of their career and people in middle-income groups, are promising customers with higher inclination to be socially responsible in their purchase behaviour. This paper presents a practical dimension of personal contribution that could be used to develop promotion strategies to motivate consumers towards socially responsible consumption. Practical implications – These incorporate usage of the results of this study to promote cause-related marketing, wherein a company donates a portion of each purchase made by its customers during a specific period to a socially responsible cause. Marketers can enhance the purchase of socially responsible products by creating awareness among their target consumers about the consequences of their purchase and their personal contribution in community development. Creating confidence among customers and goodwill by providing awareness of the contribution made by firms in the social development of the country will encourage customers to patronize products of such firms, as they would feel a sense of personal contribution in nation development by supporting buying from such firms. Social implications – The adoption of socially responsible consumption by the vast majority of population shall uplift the economically backward sections of society, thereby creating employment opportunities and incomes at the bottom of the pyramid, ultimately, leading to sustainable economic development and attainment of millennium development goals. Originality/value – This is a maiden attempt to gain an insight into the Indian SCRB. This can be a base for further studies in the area of socially responsible consumption which is relatively unexplored in the Indian context.

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