Factors influencing pro-environmental behaviour : a focus on the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags

Abstract : The use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags has been identified as a global imperative aimed at promoting sustainable consumption and environmental sustainability. Despite this, until now, little was known about factors that influence the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags among South African consumers. This study contributes to efforts to close this research gap. To achieve this, an integrated model that draws variables from the theory of planned behaviour, value-belief-norm theory and theory of interpersonal behaviour was utilised. Specifically, the study investigated factors that influence the use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags, whether intention mediates the relationship between attitude, descriptive norm, personal norm and actual behaviour of using non-plastic reusable shopping bags and the moderating effect of habit strength and perceived behavioural control on the relationship between intention and actual behaviour of using non-plastic reusable shopping bags. The study also investigated the influence of demographic factors such as age, gender, income and education level on new ecological paradigm, ascription of responsibility, intention and actual behaviour of using non-plastic reusable shopping bags. A structured, self-administerd questionnaire was used to collect data from a conveniently selected sample of consumers drawn from South African’s Gauteng province. A total of 487 questionnaires representing 271 female and 216 male respondents were valid for analysis. Data was analysed with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) versions 25. The integrated model managed to explain 60 percent variance in intention and 42 percent variance in the actual behaviour of using non-plastic reusable shopping bags. Structural equation modelling results confirmed the role played by biospheric and altruistic values in shaping new ecological paradigm (NEP). The study also supported the value-belief-norm theory’s theorisation that NEP predicts awareness of consequences. Awareness of consequences, in turn, positively influenced ascription of responsibility, which then activated pro-environmental behaviour personal norms. Intention to use non-plastic reusable shopping bags was positively predicted by attitude and personal norm. Descriptive norm showed a negative significant influence on intention. Consistent with the TPB’s proposition, intention had a positive significant influence on the actual behaviour of using non-plastic reusable shopping bags...D.Phil. (Marketing Management

A Qualitative Inquiry Of Generation Y Consumers’ Selection Attributes In The Case Of Organic Products

The primary objective of the study was to explore which attributes of organic products inform Generation Y consumers’ purchase decisions. The study, which was grounded in qualitative research design, utilised data generated from sixteen in-depth interviews carried out in 2014 with Generation Y consumers in Southern Gauteng, South Africa. Thematic content analysis was employed to analyse the collected data. The study identified price, quality, convenience, availability, trust and performance as the main selection attributes that influence Generation Y consumers’ choice of organic products. The findings of the study are important for marketing managers intending to formulate effective green marketing mix strategies and future initiatives focused on stimulating sustainable consumption.

A content analysis of e-cigarettes selling propositions on South African retail websites

Electronic cigarettes remain unregulated in South Africa, yet their marketing and sale is proliferating on online platforms such as websites. Until now, little was known regarding the nature of selling propositions used on such platforms. Against this background, this study provides the findings of a content analysis of 17 websites dedicated to the marketing and selling of electronic cigarettes in South Africa. With the aid of a website search research methodology, a detailed search and analysis of websites marketing electronic cigarettes in South Africa was performed from July to October 2017. The study identified smoking cessation, environmental friendliness, healthiness, cost-effectiveness, hedonic value, convenience and safety as the main selling propositions used to market electronic cigarettes in South Africa. The study provides important insights to consumers who intend to use electronic cigarettes and policymakers who intend to monitor and regulate the consumption of electronic cigarettes in South Africa

The influence of employee Share Ownership Schemes on Firm Performance: The case of Zimbabwean firms.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of employee share ownership schemes on firm performance in the case of Zimbabwean companies. The study sought to provide valuable insights on the influence of this initiative on employee productivity and organisational performance in Zimbabwe. A cross sectional design was employed to collect data from Confederation of Zimbabwe Industry listed companies using simple random sampling. The study revealed that financial benefits from EOSs, employee participation, ECOS communication and percentage of shareholding have a significant positive relationship with firm performance. The study has important implications for the implementation and management of ESOs in the context of a development country such as Zimbabwe

Influencing Hotel Guests’ Food Waste Reduction Intentions Through Social Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility Stimuli

Food waste is a growing concern in South Africa’s hospitality sector yet little is known about hotel guests’ response to food waste reduction stimuli. This study examines how hotel guests in South Africa respond to food waste reduction stimuli using the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model and prospect theory. Quantitative data was collected from 302 hotel guests using a structured questionnaire. The posited hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling. Social norms and food insecurity concern emerged as key factors that favourably influence hotel guests’ attitude towards food waste reduction. Environmental sustainability concern and perceived corporate social responsibility were found to have a negative effect on attitude towards food waste reduction. The results showed that the promising strategy to promote food waste reduction is by invoking social norms and food insecurity concerns as they are more instrumental in stimulating favourable attitudes towards food waste reduction. This study contributes to efforts aimed at reducing food waste in the hospitality sector. Attitude change strategies are recommended to address the negative perceptions attributed to corporate social responsibility initiatives related to food waste reduction

Emotions' influence on customers’ e-banking satisfaction evaluation in e-service failure and e-service recovery circumstances

Purpose: The growth in electronic banking platforms resulted in the unintended effect of minimising the customer-service provider physical interactions that were instrumental in managing negative emotions emanating from service failure. This study investigates the influence of emotions related to e-service failure and e-service recovery strategies on customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach: Cross sectional data was collected from 433 e-banking customers using a struc�tured, respondent administered questionnaire. Respondents were randomly intercepted as they moved out of personal service platforms of four selected banks. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling. Findings: Emotions were found to have a direct positive influence on customers’ e-banking satisfaction evaluation during e-service failure and e-service recovery. Research limitations/implications: Research was conducted in Marondera, an agro-based emerging town geographically located in Mashonaland East province of Zimbabwe. The generalisation of the study findings in Zimbabwe may be enhanced by extending the study to other cities. Practical implications: During the formulation of e-service marketing strategies, bank managers are encouraged to consider the influence of emotions on customers’ e-banking satisfaction in order to enhance the effectiveness of e�service recovery initiatives. Originality/value: The findings of this study contribute to efforts towards effective management of emotions related to e-service failure and evaluation of e-service recovery strategies, a study area which remains under researched in Zimbabwe’s banking sector

ANTECEDENTS OF NORM-VIOLATING BEHAVIOUR INSUSTAINABLE WATER CONSUMPTION: A GROUNDED THEORYAPPROACH

This studyattemptsto understandthe antecedents of norm-violating behaviour insustainable water consumption. The study was conductedina water stressedmunicipality inSouth Africa.Thestudy adoptsa two staged approachthatcommenceswithgrounded theory tounderstand why the norm of saving water isfailingto embedamong households.Datafor the firststagewasgeneratedusingobservations andin-depth interviews. The sample was drawn fromhouseholdswhowereobserved violatingwater conservationby-laws.The firststageidentifiedawareness of consequences,ascription of responsibility,concernforself-image, low self-efficacyperceptionsand expectationof others’cooperationasthemain antecedents of norm-violating behaviour.Thesecondstagegeneratedcross sectional quantitative data to test thehypothesesthat emanatedfromthe firststage. Ascription of responsibility, expectation of others’cooperation, low self-efficacy perceptions andconcern for self-image werefound to be the drivers ofnorm-violating behaviour in water use.The study offers valuable insights topolicy makers who intend to promote sustainable water consumptio

The impact of green supply chain management in small to medium enterprises: Cross-sectional evidence

Background: South Africa has a high rate of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) failure, especially in the manufacturing sector. The operational challenges confronting manufacturing SMEs are acknowledged by the Global Competitiveness Index that ranked South African SMEs as one of the lowest in emerging economies. Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the association between green supply chain management (GSCM) practices, environmental collaboration and financial performance in SMEs. Method: The study is quantitative in nature and involves a convenient sample of 312 SMEs based in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data analyses follow a two-step process involving a confirmatory factor analysis to test the psychometric properties of the measurement scale and Structural Equation Modelling to test the proposed hypotheses. Results: The study shows that three GSCM practices, namely, green procurement, green logistics and green manufacturing in SMEs exert a positive effect on environmental collaboration, with green manufacturing exerting a higher effect than the other two constructs. In turn, higher levels of environmental collaboration inspired higher levels of SME financial performance. Conclusion: The study advances that SMEs can succeed financially through the influence of enhanced environmental collaboration, which emanates, in part, from the adoption and implementation of GSCM practices

To blend or not to blend? Consumer attitudes towards mandatory use of ethanol-blended fuel in Zimbabwe

Worldwide, the use of bioethanol is proliferating as an alternative to fossil fuels. Consistent with this trend, the Zimbabwean government mandated the blending of unleaded petrol with 10% ethanol. As the use of ethanol-blended fuel is still at the infancy stage in Zimbabwe, the objective of this study was to explore consumer attitudes towards mandatory use of ethanolblended petrol. The study employed a qualitative research design, and data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews from motorists who regularly use blended fuel. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts. The study showed that the market acceptance of blended fuel remains low in Zimbabwe. The main themes that characterised consumer attitudes towards blended fuel were cynicism, misinformation, unavailability and risk perception. Overall, the study found that the use of ethanol-blended fuel remains a contested terrain in Zimbabwe and there is a need for consumer education to correct misconceptions prevailing in the marketplace

Factors influencing use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags : a cognitive-normative-habitual approach

Abstract: The widespread use and irresponsible disposal of single-use plastic shopping bags are posing a significant threat to environmental sustainability. The use of non-plastic reusable shopping bags (NPRSBs) is being promoted in several jurisdictions to avert this challenge. However, this form of pro-environmental behaviour is failing to embed among consumers in emerging markets. This study therefore examines the factors influencing the behaviour of using NPRSBs among consumers, using a modified theory of planned behaviour. Data were collected from 487 South African consumers using a structured questionnaire and were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results identified ‘attitudes’ and ‘personal norms’ as the building blocks for the formation of pro-reusable shopping bags use intentions, which, in turn, influence actual behaviour. The findings also pointed to the need to foster the development of descriptive norms related to the use of NPRSBs in order to enhance mainstream use. Accordingly, this study recommends the use of rational and norm-based strategies to stimulate the behaviour of using NPRSBs