240 research outputs found

    An empirical investigation of the determinants influencing consumers' planned choices of eco-innovative materials

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    Wood-polymer composites (WPCs) are eco-innovative materials combining wood and plastics. Due to the novelty, little is known about consumer acceptance. Investigating the drivers of consumers’ WPC choices reveals consumers’ perception of the materials’ advantages over competing ones. The predictors of WPC acceptance were examined within a theory of planned behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) framework. An online survey (N = 357), varying material x appearance within and product category between subjects, was conducted in Germany. Structural equation modelling revealed that the attitudes towards environmental and innovative product aspects and the subjective norm explain the intention to buy WPC products (R² = 0.56). Consumers’ choice behaviour was assessed with a choice-based conjoint analysis (CBCA) and predicted by the behavioural intention and perceived behavioural control (PBC) (R² = 0.39). Hence, the present study identifies important drivers of WPC acceptance that could be useful for deriving certain marketing implications, potentially fostering more eco-friendly consumption

    Sustainability marketing: a global perspektive : a book review

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    Book review: Sustainability Marketing - A Global Perspective, Frank-Martin Belz, Ken Peattie, 2nd ed. Wiley, Chichester, West Sussex (2012). p. 336, ISBN 978-1-119-96619-7 (paperback) Frank-Martin Belz is Professor at the Technische Universität München (TUM School of Management). His research focuses on sustainability innovation and sustainability marketing. Ken Peattie is Professor at Cardiff Business School and his research interests include social marketing, corporate social responsibility, business ethics and education for sustainable development. Frank-Martin Belz and Ken Peattie are two experts with long-term research and teaching experience in sustainability marketing

    Consumer acceptance of Wood-Polymer Composites: a conjoint analytical approach with a focus on innovative and environmentally concerned consumers

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    Wood-Polymer Composites (WPCs) can contribute towards resource efficiency as they mainly consist of wood by-products and/or waste materials. The eco-innovative materials represent a hybrid solution on the ‘two-evils’ continuum’ constituted by the competing materials of wood and plastics; the former being too expensive and resource consuming in mass consumption, the latter cheap but environmentally hazardous. However, consumer acceptance of WPCs is questioned due to the merger of components consumers perceive as being contradictory (wood and plastics). Additionally, it is discussed whether consumers' innovativeness enhances WPC acceptance, while eco-friendly consumers may reject WPCs because of environmental concerns related with the synthetic components. To determine the potential market for products made of eco-innovative materials, two German-language online studies (n = 198, n = 357) were created to examine consumer acceptance of WPCs in relation to the competing materials. Study 1 introduced a 3 (material: wood, WPC, plastics) × 2 (appearance: wooden or synthetic) within-subject design. Consistent with the expectations, study 1 showed a clear preference for wood over plastics based on a convenient sample. WPCs remained in the centre position, even for environmentally concerned consumers. Study 2 was conducted to replicate the findings with a representative sample. It additionally considered consumer innovativeness and included further product categories. WPCs only slightly deviated from the centre position in study 2. Mostly important, study 2 proved that the higher the environmental concern and the innovativeness of consumers, the more WPCs were accepted. When taken together, the results point to a greater WPC market than previous research had indicated. In general, premature concerns about innovative materials can be prevented by consumer acceptance studies examining the new materials' position in a surrounding ‘multi evils’ continuum’

    Traceability system for capturing, processing and providing consumer-relevant information about wood products: System solution and its economic feasibility

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    Current research and practice reports indicate the existence of purchase barriers concerning eco-friendly products, e.g. wood products. These can be ascribed to consumers' mistrust regarding the non-observable environmental impact of wood products. To counter the mistrust, wood products are commonly endowed with eco-labels, which may be perceived mostly as a marketing tool, therefore not fulfilling their intended purpose. Current studies have shown that providing consumers with wood product information based on traceability systems increases product trust and purchase intentions, with those information items most valued by consumers being identified as well. Based on this, the paper proposes a traceability information system for the capturing, processing, and provision of product information using examples of wood furniture. Furthermore, a cost-benefit model for the proposed solution is developed. The calculations indicate the possibility of implementing traceability at the item level based on a four-layer system architecture enabling the capture and delivery of all information valued by consumers at acceptable costs. The proposed system helps to overcome purchase barriers of eco-friendly products, increasing consumers' product trust and purchase intentions

    Effect of Technology Professional Development on Students’ e-Skills and Motivation

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    Empirically-based and theoretical approaches to the question how to prepare young people to succeed in the conditions of global knowledge economy argue for a more pronounced role of formal education in developing students’ e-skills. Programs for developing teachers’ competencies to integrate digital media in their subject teaching can be seen as a key measure toward developing students’ e-skills through formal education. Findings from the evaluation of a large-scale program for professional development in Germany - Intel ® Teach - Advanced Online reveal that using technology in class in learner-centered contexts by teachers had a positive effect on students’ motivation and skills for using digital media and collaboration. Teachers reported less effect on students’ active participation in class

    An empirical investigation of wood product information valued by young consumers

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    Recent media reports regarding wood products question the trustworthiness of wood origin declaration, the sustainability of production methods and the product quality. In light of this question, it becomes important to ensure consumer trust in wood and wood-based products. Current research indicates that providing product information enhances product trust and purchase intentions, while young consumers in particular seek detailed product information. However, it is necessary to determine which wood product information young consumers strongly value because providing a high amount leads to information overload. As information needs may vary between different consumer segments, the present work aims at identifying segments of young consumers and their preferred wood-product information. The importance of different wood product information items concerning the purchase decision was investigated with a German-language online survey (N = 185, age range 18–30). A cluster analysis revealed four consumer segments. Thereof, three segments (an environmentally oriented, an environmentally and quality oriented, and a quality oriented segment) valued the provision of wood product information. The preferred information types differed among the three segments. Overall, this paper provides insights into young consumers' preferences for wood product information and the consumer segments on which marketing should focus

    Wood polymer composites and their contribution to cascading utilisation

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    Due to a shortage of resources and a growing competition of land use, sustainable and efficient resource utilisation becomes increasingly important. The application and multiple, cascading utilisation of renewable resources is aimed at to ensure an allocation and future availability of resources. Wood polymer composites (WPCs) are a group of innovative materials consisting of mainly renewable resources. By means of summarizing recent research, it is shown how WPC can potentially contribute to an enhanced cascading utilisation. For the production of WPC, waste materials and by-products from wood and agricultural industry, e.g. offcuts, sawdust, residues from board manufacturing, pulping sludge, can serve as a raw material. Furthermore, the cited literature presents the use of recycled polymers and biopolymers as a potential alternative for the polymer component of WPC. By using biodegradable polymers, a fully biodegradable composite can be formed. In addition to using recycled materials and potentially being biodegradable, it is pointed out that WPC furthermore offers the possibility of being recycled itself, therefore being considered as a “green composite”. Although the influence of contaminated waste streams and mixed filler and polymer types on the properties of WPC made with such recyclates is yet not fully understood and no collection systems exist for post-consumer WPC, in-house recycling on the production sites is identified as a promising option as it reduces production costs and enhances resource efficiency and cascading utilisation. On the basis of cited life cycle assessments, the eco friendliness of WPC is assessed resulting in the conclusion that WPC cannot compete with solid wood with respect to environmental impact but is an environmentally friendly alternative to neat plastics in several applications

    El lujo y sus malestares en la China contemporánea

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    Basado en el trabajo de campo en curso con un grupo de empresarios acaudalados que antes eran ávidos consumidores de marcas de lujo, este trabajo examina las críticas emergentes al consumo de lujo en China urbana. Comienzo con una visión general de las principales funciones que las marcas de lujo han jugado durante las últimas dos décadas como signos de pertenencia a redes sociales exclusivas en China y mediadoras en las economías del don asociadas a estas redes. Luego presto atención a los cambios más recientes provocados por varios factores: las campañas de lucha contra la corrupción, la aversión nacionalista al lujo "extranjero", la creciente "vulgaridad" de las marcas de lujo en círculos sociales de elite, y el aumento de la "inflación" en la economía del regalo. Estos factores han comenzado a socavar los significados y las funciones previas del lujo, y para muchos chinos ricos, las marcas de lujo ofrecen ahora algo muy diferente del "reconocimiento mundial" que una vez prometieron. Las contradicciones inherentes en el consumo de lujo, argumento, están presionando a los nuevos ricos chinos hacia formas más austeras de distinción, incluyendo la devoción religiosa y otras formas tradicionales de auto-cultivación espiritual y corporal.Based on ongoing fieldwork with a group of wealthy entrepreneurs who were formerly avid consumers of luxury brands, this paper examines emerging critiques of luxury consumption in urban China. I begin with an overview of the key roles luxury brands have played during the past two decades in signifying membership in exclusive social networks in China and mediating their associated gift economies. I then look at more recent changes brought on by several factors: anti-corruption campaigns, nationalist aversion to “foreign” luxury, the growing “commonness” of luxury brands in elite social circles, and increasing “inflation” in the gift economy. These factors have begun to undermine the previous meanings and functions of luxury, and to many wealthy Chinese, luxury brands now deliver something very different from the “global recognition” they once promised. The contradictions inherent in luxury consumption, I argue, are pushing members of China’s new rich towards more austere forms of status distinction including religious devotion and other traditional forms of spiritual and bodily self-cultivation.Basado en el trabajo de campo en curso con un grupo de empresarios acaudalados que antes eran ávidos consumidores de marcas de lujo, este trabajo examina las críticas emergentes al consumo de lujo en China urbana. Comienzo con una visión general de las principales funciones que las marcas de lujo han jugado durante las últimas dos décadas como signos de pertenencia a redes sociales exclusivas en China y mediadoras en las economías del don asociadas a estas redes. Luego presto atención a los cambios más recientes provocados por varios factores: las campañas de lucha contra la corrupción, la aversión nacionalista al lujo "extranjero", la creciente "vulgaridad" de las marcas de lujo en círculos sociales de elite, y el aumento de la "inflación" en la economía del regalo. Estos factores han comenzado a socavar los significados y las funciones previas del lujo, y para muchos chinos ricos, las marcas de lujo ofrecen ahora algo muy diferente del "reconocimiento mundial" que una vez prometieron. Las contradicciones inherentes en el consumo de lujo, argumento, están presionando a los nuevos ricos chinos hacia formas más austeras de distinción, incluyendo la devoción religiosa y otras formas tradicionales de auto-cultivación espiritual y corporal
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