...Published online 10 March 2009 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI: 10.1002/sd.394 Sustainable Consumption: Green Consumer Behaviour when Purchasing Products William Young1*, Kumju Hwang2, Seonaidh McDonald3 and Caroline J. Oates4 1 Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK 2 Department of Business Administration, College of Business Administration, Chonnam National University, South Korea 3 Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University, UK 4 Management School, University of Sheffield, UK ABSTRACT The ‘attitude–behaviour gap’ or ‘values–action gap’ is where 30% of consumers report that they are very concerned about environmental issues but they are struggling to translate this into purchases. For example, the market share for ethical foods remains at 5 per cent of sales. This paper investigates the purchasing process for green consumers in relation to consumer technology products in the UK. Data were collected from 81 self-declared green consumers through in depth interviews on recent purchases of technology products. A green consumer purchasing model and success criteria for closing the gap between green consumers’ values and their behaviour are developed. The paper concludes that incentives and single issue labels (like the current energy rating label) would help consumers concentrate their limited efforts. More fundamentally, ‘being green’ needs time and space in people’s lives that is not available...
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...The Role of Health Consciousness, Food Safety Concern and Ethical Identity on Attitudes and Intentions towards Organic Food Dr Nina Michaelidou University of Birmingham Birmingham Business School University House Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Phone +441214148318 n.michaelidou@bham.ac.uk Dr. Louise M. Hassan University of Stirling and the Open University Institute for Social Marketing University of Stirling Stirling, FK9 4LA Scotland UK Phone +44 1786 466457 Fax +44 1786 466449 louise.hassan@stir.ac.uk 1 Abstract The paper examines the roles of health consciousness, food safety concern and ethical self identity in predicting attitudes and purchase intention within the context of organic produce. A conceptual model is derived and tested via structural equation modelling. Findings indicate food safety as the most important predictor of attitude while health consciousness appears to be the least important motive in contrast to findings from some previous research. In addition, ethical self identity is found to predict both attitudes and intention to purchase organic produce emphasizing that respondents’ identification with ethical issues affects their attitudes and subsequent consumption choices. Key words: organic foods, health consciousness, food safety, ethical self-identity, structural equation modeling, attitudes and intentions, rural consumers. Background The organic food market has grown substantially over recent years across the globe (Giffort & Bernard 2006;...
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...and maintain consumer trust by conducting ethical transactions must be of paramount importance. THE SCOPE OF MARKETING ETHICS Business ethics refers to the moral or ethical dilemmas that might arise in a business setting. Marketing ethics, in contrast, examines those ethical problems that are specific to the domain of marketing. Firm’s attempts to apply sound ethical principles must be a continuous and dynamic process. Anyone involved in marketing must recognize the ethical implications of their actions. ETCHICAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH MARKETING DECISIONS People in marketing interact directly with the public. Creating an ethical climate that establishes the health and well-being of consumers as the firm’s number one priority just makes good business sense. Creating an Ethical Climate in the Workplace The process of creating a strong ethical climate within a marketing firm includes having a set of values that guides decision making and behaviour. Once the values are understood, the firm must develop explicit rules and implicit understandings that govern all the firm’s transactions. Top management must commit to establishing an ethical climate, and employees throughout the firm must be dedicated to that climate, because the roots of ethical conflict often are the competing values of individuals. Each subarea within marketing, such as marketing research, advertising, pricing, and so forth, has its own code of ethics that deals with the specific issues that arise when...
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...Business Decision or Problem Businesses currently face a change in the consumer landscape as generation Y consumers (persons born between the years 1982 and 1994) have the capacity to dominate the economy. It is important for companies to recognise generation Y’s behaviours, attitudes, characteristics and influences in order to “create and develop new business opportunities to remain competitive and generate profits.” Sullivan, D. P. (2004). However, this is proving difficult for businesses as the incentives behind generation Y consumption practices and preferences remain obscure. The following proposal intends on focusing on this division by examining the consumption behaviour of generation Y individuals. The findings concluded that generation Y consumerism was driven by issues in conjunction with but not limited to social trends, personal preferences and digital media and technology. Key Concepts: Throughout the investigation various research articles presented themes that influenced Generation Y consumer decision-making styles including: • Freedom • Finding yourself • Blend in/stand out • Brand personality/my personality • Fashion knowledge • Value-seeking • Comfort of brands The following questions will be applied to these concepts and employed as a framework for researching the issues mentioned above. -What determines people as part of generation Y? -What are considered the dominant behaviours, characteristics, attitudes and influences of generation Y? -Are their...
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...apply to every aspect of business behaviour. Whereas it could be argued that most laws have there origins in ethics, ethical behaviour, by individuals and business go beyond legal requirement and are discretionary, that is to say we can choose to follow them or not. Businesses have not always behaved ethically and many still do not. This unit examines what pressures there are on businesses to behave in an ethical manner. Learning outcomes On completion of this unit you should: 1 Understand the meaning and importance of ethics in the business world 2 Understand the implications of businesses operating ethically 3 Know the social implications of business ethics 4 Understand ethical concerns facing different communities. Context: You have been asked to research and draw up a report explaining business ethics for an organisation that is about to be floated on the stock exchange. The report will demonstrate an understanding of ethical business behaviour; the implications of it and why it is increasingly seen as such a serious issue for more and more businesses. P1 explain the ethical issues a business needs to consider in its operational activities. • Begin by explaining your own understanding of the term “ethical issues” explaining some of the examples given below. • You must explain how these influence an increasing range of business activities. Operational activities: definitions of business ethics; ethical activities; values of businesses;...
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...CHOCOLATE CONSUMERS FEELING GUILTY FOR THE WRONG REASONS Steven J. Greenland and Christopher Galloway Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. INTRODUCTION New Zealanders are no strangers to taking on multinational companies when they view their actions as unethical. It was two New Zealand school girls who unearthed the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Ribena vitamin C (or lack of it) fiasco that resulted in fines and GSK having to pull misleading advertisements, not to mention a global wave of criticism washing over the pharmaceutical giant (e.g., New Zealand Herald 27th March 2007, Vasagar 2007). In 2009 the New Zealand public learned that Cadbury was substituting palm oil for cocoa butter in its chocolate (e.g., New Zealand Herald 4th May 2009). At the time many multinationals used palm oil in their products and while its use received considerable attention from conservationists, Cadbury was using only certified sustainable palm oil; a move that was part of a cost cutting exercise to help maintain pricing levels for its consumers. However, there was considerable public outcry, as well as protest by international environmental groups such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and local organisations such as the Auckland Zoo (over the potential loss of Orang-utan forest habitat to palm oil plantations). The negative publicity from the palm oil debate created damaging ‘noise’ for Cadbury’s ongoing worldwide ethical brand building efforts and its high profile announcements that...
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...apply to every aspect of business behaviour. Whereas it could be argued that most laws have there origins in ethics, ethical behaviour, by individuals and business go beyond legal requirement and are discretionary, that is to say we can choose to follow them or not. Businesses have not always behaved ethically and many still do not. This unit examines what pressures there are on businesses to behave in an ethical manner. Learning outcomes On completion of this unit you should: 1 Understand the meaning and importance of ethics in the business world 2 Understand the implications of businesses operating ethically 3 Know the social implications of business ethics 4 Understand ethical concerns facing different communities. Context: You have been asked to research and draw up a report explaining business ethics for an organisation that is about to be floated on the stock exchange. The report will demonstrate an understanding of ethical business behaviour; the implications of it and why it is increasingly seen as such a serious issue for more and more businesses. P1 explain the ethical issues a business needs to consider in its operational activities. • Begin by explaining your own understanding of the term “ethical issues” explaining some of the examples given below. • You must explain how these influence an increasing range of business activities. Operational activities: definitions of business ethics; ethical activities; values of businesses;...
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...‘Lawyer says Virgin Blue displayed ‘unhealthy work culture’ in city office’ by Anthony Marx was published in The Courier-Mail on 14 March 2011. The article details how Virgin Blue allegedly discriminated against two female employees by forcing them to take redundancies after confirming they were pregnant or returning from maternity leave (Marx 2011, p. 1). Subsequently, both employees have initiated legal action against Virgin Blue who ‘has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the claims’ (Marx 2011, p. 2). The article raises three ethical issues. Firstly, it addresses the expectation that businesses should not discriminate against employees on the basis of gender (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell 2009, p. 70). Secondly, it highlights that abusive or intimidating behaviour is not acceptable in the workplace (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell 2009, p. 64). Thirdly, it identifies the role that an effective ethics program can play in avoiding ethical and legal problems (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell 2009, p. 212). Businesses should not discriminate against employees on the basis of gender. Discrimination refers to ‘the making of a difference in particular cases, as in favour of or against a person or thing, especially when arising from prejudice based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age etc’ (Discrimination 2011). Virgin Blue allegedly discriminated against Leonie Vandeven by forcing her to take a redundancy package after she confirmed that she was pregnant (Marx 2011, p. 2). Vandeven...
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...** Explain the ethical issues a business needs to consider in its operational activities. BUSINESS ETHICS: - is the application of ethical values (the standards that are set by a business or individuals that control their behaviour) to business behaviour. - apply to: all aspects of business conduct, all levels of the organization, all activities that affects stakeholders and the organization as a whole. P1 ETHICAL ISSUES: 1. Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility Corporate governance – the people and procedures for taking the major decisions within a business. It is "the system by which companies are directed and controlled". Corporate social responsibility (CSR) – refers to the extent that a business considers what it does in relation to a wider world. It is the policy of the business towards all stakeholders that takes their interests into account. It is when a firm establishes its own policies regarding its standards of behaviour and its relationship with stakeholders. 2. Environmental ethical issues and sustainability Environmental ethical issues – are problems with the planet's systems (air, water, soil, etc.) that have developed as a result of human interference or mistreatment of the planet. Sustainability - is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of responsibility, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of the responsible management of resource...
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...Introduction This essay will explore ethical behaviour concerning businesses and its significance to these businesses. It will then discuss in detail, the four alternative views of ethical behaviour relating to business organisations and further discuss, proving examples, how this links to Corporate Social Responsibility. “Right” and “wrong” behaviour in business context Business ethics can be defined in many ways but generally it is about right and wrong. The way organisations behave and make decisions is very important as it has an impact on their sales/services. This is because there is so much competition nowadays, that if organisations do not behave ethically the customers are likely to go somewhere else to get the similar products. For that reason companies are forced to behave ethically and not only because of competition but also because the law requires them to. Furthermore they are other reasons why businesses need to act ethical such as; litigation avoidance, regulatory freedom, public acceptance, investor confidence, supplier trust, customer loyalty, employee performance and finally personal pride. All these reasons can help organisations to make profit and expand as they will be appealing to consumers. For example gaining customers’ loyalty will increase their sales as they will have repeat customers that will spread good word of mouth, which will attract new consumers. Moreover they will also be able to attract investors and employees to want to work...
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...Chapter 2 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Chapter Outline Introduction Business Ethics and Social Responsibility The Role of Ethics in Business Recognizing Ethical Issues in Business Improving Ethical Behaviour in Business The Nature of Social Responsibility Social Responsibility Issues Objectives After reading this chapter, you will be able to: • Define business ethics and examine its importance. • Detect some of the ethical issues that may arise in business. • Specify how businesses can promote ethical behaviour. • Define social responsibility and explain its relevance to business. • Debate an organization’s social responsibilities to owners, employees, consumers, the environment, and the community. • Evaluate the ethics of a business’s decision. Enter the World of Business The Leopard Did Change His Spots—They Grew The son of a wealthy brewery executive, Conrad Moffat Black was born August 25, 1944, in Montreal. After leaving home at age 18, he earned a history degree at Carleton University, a law degree at Laval, and an MA from McGill. An avid student of history, he has written several books (including an autobiography) about political figures such as Maurice Duplessis, Napoleon, and most recently, Franklin Roosevelt. Mr. Black purchased his first newspaper, the Sherbrooke Record, when he was 25 years old. Two years later, he added about 20 Canadian newspapers to his belt with the acquisition of the Sterling Company chain. Five years later, at age 33...
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...Table of Contents Case 1 Petrobras 3 Case 2 Mattel Toxic Toys – Dangerous Play 3 Case 3 Discrimination in sports – «Williams Brothers» 5 References 5 Introduction In this essay I want to analyse three cases, connected with unethical behaviour in Business. First two cases cover company-wide wrongdoings in big and well-known companies, as Petrobras and Mattel. And the third one is individual-wide case about gender discrimination in sport. Thus, according to these three cases, importance of ethics consideration in any actions will be revealed. Case 1 Petrobras Short summary: Ethical considerations/issues: Dilemmas of the decision-maker: Goals of the decision-maker: Values and interests of stakeholders involved: Stakeholders Values Interests...
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...Legal and Ethical Issues In Business Several issues keep emerging in the current business world. Some of these issues are legal while others are ethical. The management of modern organizations must ensure that their human resources have desirable ethical behaviour. This will ensure that their organizations maintain their clientele and in turn increase their profit margins. How would you effectively present the issue of potentially defective products to the CEO, other directors, and managers? A potential defective product can cause injuries if taken lightly regardless of whether the company’s ethical guidelines have been communicated. Such situations can cause significant legal repercussions and destroy the reputation of a company, which can cost the company if proper steps are not followed in correcting it. Normally, the senior management in current organizations fails to know what is happening at the ground level and it is the duty of the employee in charge to give out a report (Edwards, 2008). During such a presentation to the top management, it is important for one to give out sampled evidence to support the allegation in an honest manner. This should be made in comparison to the actual products to bring out the difference. Physical evidence brings out product defects and it will challenge the top management to act fast to avoid legal battles with the consumers (Brooks, 2012). How would you specifically notify customers of such an occurrence? It is an ethical obligation...
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...2014 8/1/2014 Impact of Ethical Consumerism on Businesses; Sainsbury’s as case study Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 2 Ethical Consumerism Types or Categories 2 Sainsbury’s as a case Study 4 Opinion Survey on Consumerism 4 Conclusion and Recommendations 5 Bibliography 6 Executive Summary In a ethnicity of plenty, where organisation are selling very similar products at almost the same price, and of the same quality to even the similar consumers, These consumers are free of charge to make use of other, ethical criteria in making their choice between opposite options. There are definitely different levels of ethical consumption - with some people being highly morals determined, while some are just getting on a generally satisfactory bandwagon. The reality still that there is a rising crowd of ethical consumers which need to be taking seriously. Because now it is very easy to be an ethical consumer The Internet, press, and magazines are all spreading company’s information about where and how their products and services are being generated. Blogs and customer help desk are also help customers who by one way or the other had terrible experience or who have important inside information to obtain immediate international exposure. Exposing unethical conduct and practices is a definite title for journalists, so business organisation is under more enquiry than before. Businesses like Sainsbury’s are carefully but continuously examining how well they are...
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...chapter 9 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility ETHICS * Ethics concerns principles of right or wrong conduct * The moral principles and values that govern the behaviour of people, firms or Govt. regarding what is right and what is wrong * Being truthful * Demonstrating integrity of character * Not cheating customers * Not harming people and trading with decency BUSINESS ETHICS * Involves the application of general ethical principles to the actions and decisions of businesses and the conduct of their personnel * Are not materially different from ethical principles in general because business actions have to be judged in the context of society’s standards of right and wrong * Ethic behaviour in business requires adhering to generally accepted norms Why study ethics in business? * Ethical behaviour is simply the right thing to do. It is often prescribed within law and regulations * Ethical behaviour is demanded by customers, govt. and the news media. Unethical firms risk attracting unwanted attention * Ethical behaviour is good business, leading to enhanced corporate image and selling prospect. Firms with strong reputations have an advantage when hiring and motivating employees, partnering and dealing with foreign governments. * Related issues * Bribery (over US$1 trillion in bribes is paid around the world) * Kickbacks; illicit payment made to someone in return for facilitating a transaction or appointment...
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