Sustainable Consumption: Comparison
Please note this is a comparison between Version 1 by Carmen Balan and Version 4 by Karina Chen.

The emergence of the term sustainable consumption occurred during the Earth Summit of 1992. The research into sustainable consumption topics developed within the wider context of sustainability transitions (large-scale and long-term transformations of production and consumption systems), a research field that has evolved in the last 20–25 years. The research on sustainable consumption behaviour has evolved significantly, addressing a range of inter-related topics such as: influencing factors, consumer perceptions, motivational drivers, attitudes towards sustainable consumption, willingness to pay and its predictors, sustainable and pro-environmental purchasing behaviours.

  • sustainable consumption
  • retail marketing
  • consumer engagement
  • consumer behaviour
  • food retailing
  • retail stores
  • marketing communication
  • systematic literature review

1. Introduction

Researchers have discussed the “discursive struggles” to clarify the meaning of sustainable consumption, which have generated confusion among consumers and produced a “knowledge-to-action gap” in consumer behaviour

[1]

. Researchers have also identified and studied the “attitude–behaviour gap” that is reflected by the difference between attitudes towards sustainable consumption and actual purchase behaviours at retail stores

[2]

[3]

[4]

.

A wide field of research has emerged in relation to sustainable consumption behaviour, addressing topics such as the influencing factors of sustainable consumption and purchasing

[5]

[6]

[7]

, consumer perceptions

[8]

[9], motivational drivers 

, motivational drivers

[10]

, attitudes towards sustainable consumption

[11]

[12]

[13]

, willingness to pay and its predictors

[14]

[15]

[16]

, and sustainable and pro-environmental purchasing behaviours

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

.

Consumer engagement is considered an important concept for research in marketing and service management

[21].  Two distinct streams have developed in this field

. Two distinct streams have developed in this field

[22]

. The first considers the behavioural nature of customer engagement

[23]

[24]

and the second considers the psychological nature of customer engagement

[25]

[26]

. Researchers have focused primarily on consumer engagement in a virtual environment

[27]

[28]

[29] and recently added an omnichannel perspective. Nevertheless, specialists have identified a “lack of research” on the theoretical meaning of consumer engagement in sustainable consumption and its empirical relationship with other relevant constructs

and recently added an omnichannel perspective [30]. Nevertheless, specialists have identified a “lack of research” on the theoretical meaning of consumer engagement in sustainable consumption and its empirical relationship with other relevant constructs

[24]

.

A distinct field of research encompasses the role of retail in influencing consumers towards sustainable purchases and consumption. The research in this field is evolving, with the number of published articles experiencing an ascending trend. Despite this evolution, the academic literature lacks systematic reviews on this specific subject, a fact that underlines the need for such a review.

2. Consumer engagement in sustainable consumption

Recently, a new area emerged within the research literature about sustainable consumption. The new area encompasses studies on how retailers fulfil their role in engaging consumers in sustainable consumption. In this context, a research question must be answered: “In what context and by means of what marketing strategies, techniques, tools and channels does retail engage consumers in sustainable consumption?”.

The definition of the research question stems from the fact that consumer engagement is essential to support sustainable consumption and that retailers need to fulfil their role in engaging consumers in this direction. The buying and consumption decisions made by shoppers and consumers determine the content, intensity, directions, and costs of the flows of goods within the supply chains for consumer goods. Orientation towards sustainable consumption is not possible in the absence of rational and emotional support from the consumers’ side. The expected change towards sustainable consumption patterns will become a reality only if the behaviours of consumers, not only their attitudes and stated intentions, consistently indicate such an orientation.

A systematic literature review focused on this research question identified seven distinct types of retail marketing interventions (involvement of retailers in marketing actions with the aim to engage consumers in sustainable consumption), 30 types of retail marketing mechanisms (consisting in marketing strategies, techniques, tools, and channels used by retailers), and 14 distinct types of consumer engagement in sustainable consumption patterns

[3031]

.

3. Discussion

The findings of the systematic literature review mentioned above led to several discussion points, which are presented below.

The first point refers to the existence of similar ascending trends in research and business with regard to the engagement of consumers in sustainable consumption. Both the academic and business communities show increasing interest in this topic. The scientific literature reveals that scholars are devoting ever-greater attention to studying how retailers engage consumers in sustainable consumption. Thus, the academic research is in line with the emerging business practice focused on enhancing sustainable consumption. The different types of marketing interventions and marketing mechanisms applied by retailers to engage consumers in sustainable consumption are an integral part of a new trend in the practices of companies involving business-led sustainable consumption initiatives

[3132]

.

The second discussion point focuses on the growing interest shown by scholars and practitioners in the role of retailers as a new paradigm for thinking about the responsibilities to ensure sustainable consumption within the wider framework of the debate on sustainability topics. The role of developing sustainable consumption cannot be assigned to consumers only, making them responsible for putting pressure on producers and retailers to orient them towards sustainable production and offering

[3233]

. Retailers must also play a major role due to their position in the supply chain at the interface with shoppers and consumers.

The third discussion point underlines the current development stage of the academic literature. The number of articles that were the object of this systematic literature review demonstrates that research literature on this topic is only at the beginning of its growth stage. The research on how retailers fulfil their role in engaging consumers in sustainable consumption has real development potential in the near future, in parallel with the increasing interest of researchers and practitioners in the wider domain of sustainable consumption.

The fourth discussion point relates to the available knowledge on the potential types of retail marketing interventions and mechanisms for consumer engagement. The findings of this review demonstrate that retailers can select from a relatively wide range of different types of marketing interventions and marketing mechanisms to fulfil their role in engaging consumers in sustainable consumption. The intermediary position held by retailers in the supply chains between producers/manufacturers and consumers will help retailers to drive sustainable consumption.

Ultimately, another discussion point underlines the consumer engagement stages explored by the relevant research. The definition of the sustainable consumption process encompasses three distinct stages—the acquisition, usage, and disposal of goods and services

[3334]

. According to this systematic review, the different types of consumer engagement practices determined by the retail intervention and mechanism relate predominantly to the purchasing (acquisition) stage. The reviewed articles did not focus, as their main research topics, on the stages involved in the usage and disposal of goods for the marketing interventions of retailers.

4. Questions for further research

The findings of the systematic literature review, which were discussed in the section presented above, revealed that academic literature on how retailers engage consumers in sustainable consumption is only at the beginning of its growth stage. Based on the review findings, in-depth studies are necessary to answer ten crucial research questions:

  • What is the most accurate definition of a retailer’s role in engaging consumers in sustainable consumption?
  • How can systems thinking contribute to the identification of effective ways to engage consumers in sustainable consumption?
  • What stages of the consumer engagement process are most critical to successful involvement in sustainable consumption?
  • What would be the most reliable retail marketing mechanisms that are able to engage consumers in the sustainable consumption of specific product categories?
  • How could retailers design a seamless omnichannel experience that is able to successfully engage consumers in sustainable consumption over the long-term?
  • What marketing drivers can generate the highest level of retail involvement in engaging consumers with sustainable consumption?
  • What factors influence the level of consumer engagement?
  • What factors determine the duration of consumer engagement in sustainable consumption as a result of the retail marketing mechanism?
  • What factors moderate the relationship between the marketing mechanism chosen by the retailer and the level of consumer engagement?
  • What, and how, should retail marketers measure to evaluate the level of consumer engagement in sustainable consumption and the effectiveness of the retail approach?

These research questions underline the need for reliable and valid answers, as well as the numerous opportunities for further studies.

References

  1. Annu Markkula; Johanna Moisander; Discursive Confusion over Sustainable Consumption: A Discursive Perspective on the Perplexity of Marketplace Knowledge. Journal of Consumer Policy 2011, 35, 105-125, 10.1007/s10603-011-9184-3.
  2. Anna Perry; Telin Chung; Understand attitude-behavior gaps and benefit-behavior connections in Eco-Apparel. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management 2016, 20, 105-119, 10.1108/jfmm-12-2014-0095.
  3. Kathleen Jacobs; Lars Petersen; Jacob Hörisch; Dirk Battenfeld; Green thinking but thoughtless buying? An empirical extension of the value-attitude-behaviour hierarchy in sustainable clothing. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 203, 1155-1169, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.320.
  4. Hyun Jung Park; Li Min Lin; Exploring attitude–behavior gap in sustainable consumption: comparison of recycled and upcycled fashion products. Journal of Business Research 2020, 117, 623-628, 10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.08.025.
  5. Liliana L. Bove; Anish Nagpal; Adlai David S. Dorsett; Exploring the determinants of the frugal shopper. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services 2009, 16, 291-297, 10.1016/j.jretconser.2009.02.004.2, 3, 4
  6. Marie‐Cécile Cervellon; Lindsey Carey; Trine Harms; Something old, something used. International Liliana L. Bove; Anish Nagpal; Adlai David S. Dorsett; Exploring the determinants of the frugal shopper. Journal of Retailing & Distribution Management and Consumer Services 20012, 40, 956-974, 10.1108/09590551211274946.9, 16, 291-297, 10.1016/j.jretconser.2009.02.004.
  7. Hyo Jung Chang; Kittichai (Tu) Watchravesringkan; Who are sustainably minded apparel shoppers? An investigation to the influencing factors of sustainable apparel consumption. Marie‐Cécile Cervellon; Lindsey Carey; Trine Harms; Something old, something used. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management 2018, 2, 46, 148-162, 10.1108/ijrdm-10-2016-0176.0, 956-974, 10.1108/09590551211274946.
  8. Menno Binnekamp; Paul Ingenbleek; Do “good” food products make others look “bad”?. BHyo Jung Chang; Kittichai (Tu) Watchravesringkan; Who are sustainably minded apparel shoppers? An investigation to the influencing factors of sustainable apparel consumption. Interinatish Foodonal Journal of Retail & Distribution Management 20018, 110, 843-864, 10.1108/00070700810900576., 46, 148-162, 10.1108/ijrdm-10-2016-0176.
  9. Anne Normann; Magnus Röding; Karin Wendin; Sustainable Fruit Consumption: The Influence of Color, Shape and Damage on Consumer Sensory Perception and Liking of Different Apples. SusMenno Binnekamp; Paul Ingenbleek; Do “good” food products make others look “bad”?. Britainabish Food Journality 20019, 8, 11, 4626, 10.3390/su11174626.0, 843-864, 10.1108/00070700810900576.
  10. Brahim Chekima; Syed Azizi Wafa Syed Khalid Wafa; Oswald Aisat Igau; Sohaib Chekima; Stephen Laison Sondoh; Examining green consumerism motivational drivers: does premium price and demographics matter to green purchasing?. JoAnne Normann; Magnus Röding; Karin Wendin; Sustainable Fruit Consumption: The Influence of Color, Shape and Damage on Consumer Sensory Perception and Liking of Different Apples. Surstainal of Cleaner Production bility 2016, 9, 112, 3436-3450, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.102., 4626, 10.3390/su11174626.
  11. Emma Gullstrand Edbring; Matthias Lehner; Oksana Mont; Exploring consumer attitudes to alternative models of consumption: motivations and barriers. Brahim Chekima; Syed Azizi Wafa Syed Khalid Wafa; Oswald Aisat Igau; Sohaib Chekima; Stephen Laison Sondoh; Examining green consumerism motivational drivers: does premium price and demographics matter to green purchasing?. Journal of Cleaner Production 2016, , 1123, 5-15, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.10.107., 3436-3450, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.102.
  12. Luca Panzone; Denis Hilton; Laura Sale; Doron Cohen; Socio-demographics, implicit attitudes, explicit attitudes, and sustainable consumption in supermarket shopping. Emma Gullstrand Edbring; Matthias Lehner; Oksana Mont; Exploring consumer attitudes to alternative models of consumption: motivations and barriers. Journal of EcoCleanomic Psychology er Production 2016, 55, 77-95, 10.1016/j.joep.2016.02.004., 123, 5-15, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.10.107.
  13. Maria Teresa Cuomo; Pantea Foroudi; Debora Tortora; Shahzeb Hussain; T.C. Melewar; Celebrity Endorsement and the Attitude Towards Luxury Brands for Sustainable Consumption. SLuca Panzone; Denis Hilton; Laura Sale; Doron Cohen; Socio-demographics, implicit attitudes, explicit attitudes, and sustainable consumption in supermarket shopping. Joustrnainabilitl of Economic Psychology 2019, 11, 6791, 10.3390/su11236791.6, 55, 77-95, 10.1016/j.joep.2016.02.004.
  14. Pei Xu; Yinchu Zeng; Quentin Fong; Todd Lone; Yuanyuan Liu; Chinese consumers’ willingness to pay for green- and eco-labeled seafood. Food CoMaria Teresa Cuomo; Pantea Foroudi; Debora Tortora; Shahzeb Hussain; T.C. Melewar; Celebrity Endorsement and the Attitude Towards Luxury Brands for Sustainable Consumption. Sustainabilitrol y 2012, 28, 74-82, 10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.04.008.9, 11, 6791, 10.3390/su11236791.
  15. Céline Michaud; Iragaël Joly; Daniel Llerena; Valeriia Lobasenko; Consumers' willingness to pay for sustainable and innovative products: a choice experiment with upgradeable products. InternatiPei Xu; Yinchu Zeng; Quentin Fong; Todd Lone; Yuanyuan Liu; Chinese consumers’ willingness to pay for green- and eco-labeled seafood. Foonald Journal of SustainabControle Development 2017, 2, 20, 8, 10.1504/IJSD.2017.083493.8, 74-82, 10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.04.008.
  16. Philip A. Powell; Christopher R. Jones; Nathan S. Consedine; It’s not queasy being green: The role of disgust in willingness-to-pay for more sustainable product alternatives. FCéline Michaud; Iragaël Joly; Daniel Llerena; Valeriia Lobasenko; Consumers' willingness to pay for sustainable and innovative products: a choice experiment with upgradeable products. International Jod Quality and Preference urnal of Sustainable Development 2019, 78, 103737, 10.1016/j.foodqual.2019.103737.7, 20, 8, 10.1504/IJSD.2017.083493.
  17. Joohyung Park; Sejin Ha; Understanding pro‐environmental behavior. InternatiPhilip A. Powell; Christopher R. Jones; Nathan S. Consedine; It’s not queasy being green: The role of disgust in willingness-to-pay for more sustainable product alternatives. Foonald Journal of Retail & Distribution Management Quality and Preference 2012, 40, 388-403, 10.1108/09590551211222367.9, 78, 103737, 10.1016/j.foodqual.2019.103737.
  18. See Kwong Goh; M.S. Balaji; Linking green skepticism to green purchase behavior. Joohyung Park; Sejin Ha; Understanding pro‐environmental behavior. International Journal of ClReaner Productiotail & Distribution Man agement 2016, 131, 629-638, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.04.122.2, 40, 388-403, 10.1108/09590551211222367.
  19. Andrea K. Moser; Consumers' purchasing decisions regarding environmentally friendly products: An empirical analysis of German consumers. See Kwong Goh; M.S. Balaji; Linking green skepticism to green purchase behavior. Journal of RCletailing and Consumer Services aner Production 2016, , 131, 389-397, 10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.05.006., 629-638, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.04.122.
  20. Morteza Maleki Minbashrazgah; Fatemeh Maleki; Maedeh Torabi; Green chicken purchase behavior: the moderating role of price transparency. MaAndrea K. Moser; Consumers' purchasing decisions regarding environmentally friendly products: An empirical analysis of German consumers. Journagementl of Environmental Quality: An International Journal Retailing and Consumer Services 2017, 28, 902-916, 10.1108/meq-12-2016-0093.6, 31, 389-397, 10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.05.006.
  21. Roderick J. Brodie; Linda D. Hollebeek; Biljana Jurić; Ana Ilić; Customer Engagement. JourMorteza Maleki Minbashrazgah; Fatemeh Maleki; Maedeh Torabi; Green chicken purchase behavior: the moderating role of price transparency. Manalgement of Service Research Environmental Quality: An International Journal 2011, 14, 252-271, 10.1177/1094670511411703.7, 28, 902-916, 10.1108/meq-12-2016-0093.
  22. Selma Kadic-Maglajlic; Maja Arslanagic-Kalajdzic; Milena Micevski; Jasmina Dlačić; Vesna Zabkar; Being engaged is a good thing: Understanding sustainable consumption behavior among young adults. Roderick J. Brodie; Linda D. Hollebeek; Biljana Jurić; Ana Ilić; Customer Engagement. Journal of BusServinessce Research 20119, , 104, 644-654, 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.02.040., 252-271, 10.1177/1094670511411703.
  23. Jenny Van Doorn; Katherine N. Lemon; Vikas Mittal; Stephan Nass; Doreén Pick; Peter Pirner; Peter C. Verhoef; Customer Engagement Behavior: Theoretical Foundations and Research Directions. Selma Kadic-Maglajlic; Maja Arslanagic-Kalajdzic; Milena Micevski; Jasmina Dlačić; Vesna Zabkar; Being engaged is a good thing: Understanding sustainable consumption behavior among young adults. Journal of ServBusiceness Research 2010, 9, 13, 253-266, 10.1177/1094670510375599.04, 644-654, 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.02.040.
  24. Žaneta Piligrimienė; Andželika Žukauskaitė; Hubert Korzilius; Jūratė Banytė; Aistė Dovalienė; Internal and External Determinants of Consumer Engagement in Sustainable Consumption. SJenny Van Doorn; Katherine N. Lemon; Vikas Mittal; Stephan Nass; Doreén Pick; Peter Pirner; Peter C. Verhoef; Customer Engagement Behavior: Theoretical Foundations and Research Directions. Joustairnability l of Service Research 20210, 12, 1349, 10.3390/su12041349.3, 253-266, 10.1177/1094670510375599.
  25. Bernd Schmitt; The consumer psychology of brands. JoŽaneta Piligrimienė; Andželika Žukauskaitė; Hubert Korzilius; Jūratė Banytė; Aistė Dovalienė; Internal and External Determinants of Consumer Engagement in Sustainable Consumption. Surstainal of Consumer Psbilitychology 2012, 0, 122, 7-17, 10.1016/j.jcps.2011.09.005., 1349, 10.3390/su12041349.
  26. Linlin Liu; Renjing Liu; Matthew Lee; Jiawen Chen; When will consumers be ready? A psychological perspective on consumer engagement in social media brand communities. InteBernd Schmitt; The consumer psychology of brands. Journetal of ResearConsumer Psych ology 2019, 2, 229, 704-724, 10.1108/intr-05-2017-0177., 7-17, 10.1016/j.jcps.2011.09.005.
  27. Linda D. Hollebeek; Mark S. Glynn; Roderick J. Brodie; Consumer Brand Engagement in Social Media: Conceptualization, Scale Development and Validation. Journal of Linlin Liu; Renjing Liu; Matthew Lee; Jiawen Chen; When will consumers be ready? A psychological perspective on consumer engagement in social media brand communities. Interacnetive Marketing Research 2014, 9, 28, 149-165, 10.1016/j.intmar.2013.12.002.9, 704-724, 10.1108/intr-05-2017-0177.
  28. Christy Ashley; Tracy L Tuten; Creative Strategies in Social Media Marketing: An Exploratory Study of Branded Social Content and Consumer Engagement. PsychLinda D. Hollebeek; Mark S. Glynn; Roderick J. Brodie; Consumer Brand Engagement in Social Media: Conceptualization, Scale Development and Validation. Journalogy & of Interactive Marketing 2014, 3, 2, 15-27, 10.1002/mar.20761.8, 149-165, 10.1016/j.intmar.2013.12.002.
  29. Fernando De Oliveira Santini; Wagner Junior Ladeira; Diego Costa Pinto; Márcia Maurer Herter; Cláudio Hoffmann Sampaio; Barry J. Babin; Customer engagement in social media: a framework and meta-analysis. JChristy Ashley; Tracy L Tuten; Creative Strategies in Social Media Marketing: An Exploratory Study of Branded Social Content and Consumer Engagement. Psychournal of the Academy ofogy & Marketing Science 2020, 48, 1211-1228, 10.1007/s11747-020-00731-5.14, 32, 15-27, 10.1002/mar.20761.
  30. Carmen Bălan; How Does Retail Engage Consumers in Sustainable Consumption? A Systematic Literature Review. SFernando De Oliveira Santini; Wagner Junior Ladeira; Diego Costa Pinto; Márcia Maurer Herter; Cláudio Hoffmann Sampaio; Barry J. Babin; Customer engagement in social media: a framework and meta-analysis. Jousrnal of tainability he Academy of Marketing Science 2020, 13, 96, 10.3390/su13010096., 48, 1211-1228, 10.1007/s11747-020-00731-5.
  31. Nancy Bocken; Business-led sustainable consumption initiatives: impacts and lessons learned. Elizabeth Manser Payne; James W. Peltier; Victor Barger; Omni-channel marketing, integrated marketing communications and consumer engagement. Journal of MReseanagement Development rch in Interactive Marketing 2017, 36, 81-96, 10.1108/jmd-10-2014-0136., 11, 185-197, 10.1108/jrim-08-2016-0091.
  32. Lewis Akenji; Consumer scapegoatism and limits to green consumerism. JoCarmen Bălan; How Does Retail Engage Consumers in Sustainable Consumption? A Systematic Literature Review. Surstainal of Cleaner Production bility 202014, 6, 13, 13-23, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.05.022., 96, 10.3390/su13010096.
  33. Sonja M. Geiger; Daniel Fischer; Ulf Schrader; Measuring What Matters in Sustainable Consumption: An Integrative Framework for the Selection of Relevant Behaviors. SNancy Bocken; Business-led sustainable consumption initiatives: impacts and lessons learned. Joustrnal of Mainablenagement Development 2017, 2, 36, 18-33, 10.1002/sd.1688., 81-96, 10.1108/jmd-10-2014-0136.
  34. Lewis Akenji; Consumer scapegoatism and limits to green consumerism. Journal of Cleaner Production 2014, 63, 13-23, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.05.022.
  35. Sonja M. Geiger; Daniel Fischer; Ulf Schrader; Measuring What Matters in Sustainable Consumption: An Integrative Framework for the Selection of Relevant Behaviors. Sustainable Development 2017, 26, 18-33, 10.1002/sd.1688.
More