A study on greenish pattern of Indian consumers with special reference to their plastic bag usage behavior
Abstract
The Population explosion has led to excessive consumption and exploitation of natural resources resulting in degradation of the biophysical environment. Many agitations have gained momentum in various parts of the world to protect it from environmental degradation. Many governments have banned the usage of plastics in their endeavor to protect the environment. This descriptive research has attempted to study the greenish pattern of 320 Indian consumers with special reference to their plastic bag usage behavior while carrying their purchases back home. The Results of the study have revealed that customers accord importance to the environmental impact of goods and services before purchasing such goods and they prefer to visit shops that are eco-friendly while they do not attach much importance to the environmental reputation of companies dealing with such goods and services. They prefer green products due to their good quality and reliability and are willing to pay a premium price for such products.
Keyword : green consciousness, plastic bags, consumers, environment protection
How to Cite
Madan Mohan, G., Prabhu, M., & Abdullah, N. N. (2021). A study on greenish pattern of Indian consumers with special reference to their plastic bag usage behavior. Business: Theory and Practice, 22(2), 444-452. https://doi.org/10.3846/btp.2021.10522
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Devinney, T., Auger, P., & Eckhardt, G. M. (2011). Values vs. value. Strategy business. Booz and Company Inc.
Donaldson, R. H. (2005). Green brands. NZ Marketing Magazine, 24(8), 14–17.
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Laroche, M., Bergeron, J., & Barbaro-Forleo, G. (2001). Targeting consumers who are willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly products. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 18(6), 503–520. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006155
Laroche, M., Bergeron, J., Tomiuk, M., & Barbaro-Forleo, G. (2002). Cultural differences in environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of canadian consumers. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 19(3), 267–283. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-4490.2002.tb00272.x
Menon, A., & Menon, A. (1997). Enviropreneurial marketing strategy: the emergence of corporate environmentalism as market strategy. Journal of Marketing, 61(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299706100105
Mitchell, R. B. (2003). International environmental agreements: a survey of their features, formation, and effects. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 28, 429–461. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.28.050302.105603
Mishal, A., Dubey, R., Gupta, O. K., & Luo, Z. (2017). Dynamics of environmental consciousness and green purchase behaviour: An empirical study. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-11-2016-0168
Nambirajan, T., & Prabhu, M. (2011). Competitiveness of manufacturing industries in union territory of Puducherry (India): A critical analysis. International Journal of Business Economics & Management Research, 2(5), 54–65.
National Geographic News. (2003). Are plastic grocery bags sacking the environment? http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0902_030902_plasticbags. html
Naz, F. (2019). Indian consumer’s purchasing behavior towards eco-friendly products. Journal of Management, 2, 35.
Nielsen, T. D., Holmberg, K., & Stripple, J. (2019). Need a bag? A review of public policies on plastic carrier bags – Where, how and to what effect? Waste Management, 87, 428–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.02.025
Nunnally, J. C. (1987). Psychometric methods. McGraw-Hill.
Nurse, G., Yuko, O., & Dawn, T. M. F. (2010). Understanding the connections between consumer motivations and buying behavior: The case of the local food system movement [Conference presentation]. Conference at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting. Orlando.
O’Brien, J., & Thondhlana, G. (2019). Plastic bag use in South Africa: Perceptions, practices and potential intervention strategies. Waste Management, 84, 320–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.11.051
Ohtomo, S., & Ohnuma, S. (2014). Psychological interventional approach for reduce resource consumption: Reducing plastic bag usage at supermarkets. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 84, 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.12.014
Ohtomo, S., & Hirose, Y. (2007). The dual-process of reactive and intentional decision-making involved in eco-friendly behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 27(2), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.01.005
Omar, B. S., Quoquab, F., & Mohammad, J. (2019). No plastic bag. Campaign of Malaysia’. In F. Quoquab & J. Mohammad (Ed.), Green behavior and corporate social responsibility in Asia (pp. 113–119). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78756-683-520191013
Oyewole, P. (2001). Social costs of environmental justice associated with the practice of green marketing. Journal of Business Ethics, 29(3), 239–252. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026592805470
Pooley, J. A., & O’Connor, M. (2000). Environmental education and attitudes: Emotions and beliefs are what is needed. Environment and Behavior, 32(5), 711–723. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916500325007
Resetar-Deac, A. M., Deak, G. Y., Marinescu, P., & Daescu, V. (2015). The plastic materials impact of environment and health. Population awareness in Romania. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 16(1), 183–193.
Rokka, J., & Uusitalo, L. (2008). Preference for green packaging in consumer product choices-do consumers’ care? International Journal of Consumer Studies, 32(5), 516–525. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2008.00710.x
Sanjay, K. J., & Gurmeetkaur, K. (2004). Green marketing: An attitudinal and behavioural analysis of Indian consumers. Global Business Review, 5(2), 187–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/097215090400500203
Siddique, R., Khatip, J., & Kaur, I. (2008). Use of recycled plastic in concrete: A review. Waste Management, 28, 1835–1852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2007.09.011
Singh, J., & Cooper, T. (2017). Towards a sustainable business model for plastic shopping bag management in Sweden. Procedia CIRP, 61, 679–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2016.11.268
Sjaifuddin, S. (2018). Environmental management prospects of industrial area: A case study on Mcie, Indonesia. Business: Theory and Practice, 19, 208–216. https://doi.org/10.3846/btp.2018.21
Straughan, R. D., & Roberts, J. A. (1999). Environmental segmentation alternatives: a look at green consumer behavior in the new millennium. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 16, 558–575. https://doi.org/10.1108/07363769910297506
Thøgersen, J., Haugaard, P., & Olesen, A. (2010). Consumer responses to eco-labels. European Journal of Marketing, 44, 1787–1810. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090561011079882
Unruh, G., & Ettenson, R. (2010). Growing green; three smart paths to developing sustainable products. Harvard Business Review, 88(6).
Vanapalli, K. R., Sharma, H. B., Ranjan, V. P., Samal, B., Bhattacharya, J., Dubey, B. K., & Goel, S. (2020). Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Science of The Total Environment, 750, 141514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141514
Verschuuren, J. M. (1995). The constitutional right to environmental protection. Current Legal Theory, 6(2), 23–36. https://research.tilburguniversity.edu/en/publications/25b0934d-9786-4928-9d07-1fc959cef1ad
Wessells, C. R., Johnston, R. J., & Donath, H. (1999). Assessing consumer preferences for ecolabeled seafood: The influence of species, certifier and household attributes. American Journal of Agriculture Economics, 81(5), 1084–1089. https://doi.org/10.2307/1244088
Zambrano-Monserrate, M. A., & Ruano, M. A. (2020). Do you need a bag? Analyzing the consumption behavior of plastic bags of households in Ecuador. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 152, 104489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104489
Zen, I. S., Ahamad, R., & Omar, W. (2013). No plastic bag campaign day in Malaysia and the policy implication. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 15, 1259–1269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-013-9437-1
Arı, E., & Yılmaz, V. (2017). Consumer attitudes on the use of plastic and cloth bags. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 19(4), 1219–1234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-016-9791-x
BBC NEWS. (2008). Plastic bag bans around the world. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7268960.stm
Blackman, A. (2008). Can voluntary environmental regulation work in developing countries? Lessons from case studies. Policy Studies Journal, 36(1), 119–141. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-0072.2007.00256.x
Braun, Y. A., & Traore, A. S. (2015). Plastic bags, pollution, and identity: Women and the gendering of globalization and environmental responsibility in Mali. Gender & Society, 29(6), 863–887. https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243215602101
Convery, F., McDonnell, S., & Ferreira, S. (2007). The most popular tax in Europe? Lessons from the Irish plastic bag levy. Environmental & Resource Economics, 38, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-006-9059-2
Dangelico, R. M., & Vocalelli, D. (2017). Green marketing: an analysis of definitions, strategy steps, and tools through a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Cleaner Production, 165, 1263–1279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.184
Devinney, T., Auger, P., & Eckhardt, G. M. (2011). Values vs. value. Strategy business. Booz and Company Inc.
Donaldson, R. H. (2005). Green brands. NZ Marketing Magazine, 24(8), 14–17.
D’Souza, C., Taghian, M., & Lamb, P. (2006). An empirical study on the influence of environmental labels on consumers. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 11(2), 162–173. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563280610661697
D’Souza, C., Taghian, M., Lamb, P., & Peretiatko, R. (2007). Green decisions: demographics and consumer understanding of environmental labels. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 31(4), 371–376. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2006.00567.x
Fransson, N., & Gärling, T. (1999). Environmental concern: Conceptual definitions, measurement methods and research findings. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 19(4), 369–382. https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.1999.0141
Gan, C., Wee, H. Y., Ozanne, L., & Kao, T. (2008). Consumers’ purchasing behavior towards green products in New Zealand. Innovative Marketing, 4(1), 93–102.
Global Warming White Paper. (2013). Plastic bags. http://www.glwwp.com/main/bag.html
Kabir, I., Wando, S. W., Abdulsamad, A., Saddiq, L. S., & Adamu, A. (2019). Knowledge regarding adverse effects of plastic bags usage and its associated factors among consumers in Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 6(3), 179–186. https://doi.org/10.32827/ijphcs.6.3.179
Karamanos, P. (2001). Voluntary environmental agreements: evolution and definition of a new environmental policy approach. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 44(1), 67–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640560124364
Karna, J., Hansen, E., & Juslin, H. (2003). Social responsibility in environmental marketing planning. European Journal of Marketing, 37(5/6), 848–873. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560310465170
Khan, M. S., Saengon, P., Alganad, A. M. N., Chongcharoen, D., & Farrukh, M. (2020). Consumer green behaviour: An approach towards environmental sustainability. Sustainable Development, 28(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2066
Kilbourne, W. E. (1998). Green marketing: a theoretical perspective. Journal of Marketing Management, 14(6), 641–656. https://doi.org/10.1362/026725798784867743
Knussen, C., & Yule, F. (2008). “I’m not in the habit of recycling” the role of habitual behavior in the disposal of household waste. Environment and Behavior, 40(5), 683–702. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916507307527
Kollmuss, A., & Agyeman, J. (2002). Mind the gap: why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro environmental behavior? Environmental Education Research, 8(3), 239–260. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620220145401
Laroche, M., Bergeron, J., & Barbaro-Forleo, G. (2001). Targeting consumers who are willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly products. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 18(6), 503–520. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006155
Laroche, M., Bergeron, J., Tomiuk, M., & Barbaro-Forleo, G. (2002). Cultural differences in environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of canadian consumers. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 19(3), 267–283. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-4490.2002.tb00272.x
Menon, A., & Menon, A. (1997). Enviropreneurial marketing strategy: the emergence of corporate environmentalism as market strategy. Journal of Marketing, 61(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299706100105
Mitchell, R. B. (2003). International environmental agreements: a survey of their features, formation, and effects. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 28, 429–461. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.28.050302.105603
Mishal, A., Dubey, R., Gupta, O. K., & Luo, Z. (2017). Dynamics of environmental consciousness and green purchase behaviour: An empirical study. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-11-2016-0168
Nambirajan, T., & Prabhu, M. (2011). Competitiveness of manufacturing industries in union territory of Puducherry (India): A critical analysis. International Journal of Business Economics & Management Research, 2(5), 54–65.
National Geographic News. (2003). Are plastic grocery bags sacking the environment? http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0902_030902_plasticbags. html
Naz, F. (2019). Indian consumer’s purchasing behavior towards eco-friendly products. Journal of Management, 2, 35.
Nielsen, T. D., Holmberg, K., & Stripple, J. (2019). Need a bag? A review of public policies on plastic carrier bags – Where, how and to what effect? Waste Management, 87, 428–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.02.025
Nunnally, J. C. (1987). Psychometric methods. McGraw-Hill.
Nurse, G., Yuko, O., & Dawn, T. M. F. (2010). Understanding the connections between consumer motivations and buying behavior: The case of the local food system movement [Conference presentation]. Conference at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting. Orlando.
O’Brien, J., & Thondhlana, G. (2019). Plastic bag use in South Africa: Perceptions, practices and potential intervention strategies. Waste Management, 84, 320–328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.11.051
Ohtomo, S., & Ohnuma, S. (2014). Psychological interventional approach for reduce resource consumption: Reducing plastic bag usage at supermarkets. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 84, 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.12.014
Ohtomo, S., & Hirose, Y. (2007). The dual-process of reactive and intentional decision-making involved in eco-friendly behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 27(2), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.01.005
Omar, B. S., Quoquab, F., & Mohammad, J. (2019). No plastic bag. Campaign of Malaysia’. In F. Quoquab & J. Mohammad (Ed.), Green behavior and corporate social responsibility in Asia (pp. 113–119). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-78756-683-520191013
Oyewole, P. (2001). Social costs of environmental justice associated with the practice of green marketing. Journal of Business Ethics, 29(3), 239–252. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026592805470
Pooley, J. A., & O’Connor, M. (2000). Environmental education and attitudes: Emotions and beliefs are what is needed. Environment and Behavior, 32(5), 711–723. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916500325007
Resetar-Deac, A. M., Deak, G. Y., Marinescu, P., & Daescu, V. (2015). The plastic materials impact of environment and health. Population awareness in Romania. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 16(1), 183–193.
Rokka, J., & Uusitalo, L. (2008). Preference for green packaging in consumer product choices-do consumers’ care? International Journal of Consumer Studies, 32(5), 516–525. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2008.00710.x
Sanjay, K. J., & Gurmeetkaur, K. (2004). Green marketing: An attitudinal and behavioural analysis of Indian consumers. Global Business Review, 5(2), 187–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/097215090400500203
Siddique, R., Khatip, J., & Kaur, I. (2008). Use of recycled plastic in concrete: A review. Waste Management, 28, 1835–1852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2007.09.011
Singh, J., & Cooper, T. (2017). Towards a sustainable business model for plastic shopping bag management in Sweden. Procedia CIRP, 61, 679–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2016.11.268
Sjaifuddin, S. (2018). Environmental management prospects of industrial area: A case study on Mcie, Indonesia. Business: Theory and Practice, 19, 208–216. https://doi.org/10.3846/btp.2018.21
Straughan, R. D., & Roberts, J. A. (1999). Environmental segmentation alternatives: a look at green consumer behavior in the new millennium. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 16, 558–575. https://doi.org/10.1108/07363769910297506
Thøgersen, J., Haugaard, P., & Olesen, A. (2010). Consumer responses to eco-labels. European Journal of Marketing, 44, 1787–1810. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090561011079882
Unruh, G., & Ettenson, R. (2010). Growing green; three smart paths to developing sustainable products. Harvard Business Review, 88(6).
Vanapalli, K. R., Sharma, H. B., Ranjan, V. P., Samal, B., Bhattacharya, J., Dubey, B. K., & Goel, S. (2020). Challenges and strategies for effective plastic waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Science of The Total Environment, 750, 141514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141514
Verschuuren, J. M. (1995). The constitutional right to environmental protection. Current Legal Theory, 6(2), 23–36. https://research.tilburguniversity.edu/en/publications/25b0934d-9786-4928-9d07-1fc959cef1ad
Wessells, C. R., Johnston, R. J., & Donath, H. (1999). Assessing consumer preferences for ecolabeled seafood: The influence of species, certifier and household attributes. American Journal of Agriculture Economics, 81(5), 1084–1089. https://doi.org/10.2307/1244088
Zambrano-Monserrate, M. A., & Ruano, M. A. (2020). Do you need a bag? Analyzing the consumption behavior of plastic bags of households in Ecuador. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 152, 104489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104489
Zen, I. S., Ahamad, R., & Omar, W. (2013). No plastic bag campaign day in Malaysia and the policy implication. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 15, 1259–1269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-013-9437-1