Scientific journal paper
Consumer perceptions of sustainability: an exploratory study
Keith E. Ferguson (Ferguson, K. E.); Joseph F. Hair Jr. (Hair, J. F.); Rui Vinhas da Silva (Vinhas da Silva, R.); Ana Brochado (Oliveira-Brochado, A.); Muhammad Musharuf Hossain Mollah (Mollah, M. M. H.);
Journal Title
International Journal of Business, Marketing, and Decision Sciences
Year (definitive publication)
2017
Language
English
Country
United States of America
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Times Cited: 16

(Last checked: 2024-11-18 01:13)

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Abstract
This study looks at consumer intentions to purchase sustainable products and services, and how that is related to their experience, met expectations, reference groups norms, and information provided by eco-labels. A mixed method approach was used to develop hypotheses by conducting qualitative research to devise a theoretical consumer perceptions model based on the theory of planned behavior. The results reveal that U.S. consumers use eco-labels to guide their purchase behavior, have positive perceptions of sustainable products, exhibit a strong desire to purchase sustainable products, and want to be good stewards of the environment and society. Moreover, reference group influence is a strong predictor of sustainable product purchase behavior.
Acknowledgements
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Keywords
Sustainability,Consumer experience and perceptions,Reference group influences,Eco-labels,Likelihood to purchase sustainable products
Funding Records
Funding Reference Funding Entity
UID/GES/00315/2013 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia