Search Results (7)

Many manufacturing industries today are adopting sustainable production methods in response to environmental regulations and efforts. One of the typical criteria they consider is the United Nations has set global objectives (Sustainable Development Goals: SDGs) designed to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges. “Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns” (Goal 12) is one of these goals. As a result, not only are manufacturers interested in sustainable products, but consumers are also showing increased interest. Consequently, the market size for sustainable products is also on the rise. This study aims to examine the mechanisms of how to improve customer loyalty of South Korean consumers who have experience purchasing sustainable apparel to vitalize the sustainable product market in Korea. Specifically, this study reveals the impact of perceived value (PV) on loyalty (LY), focusing on the mediating effects of satisfaction (SAT) and trust (TR). The analysis finds that functional value (FV), emotional value (EMV), and green value (GV) have significant direct effects on LY. Additionally, SAT and TR have significant mediating effects between PV and LY, and there is no difference in the strength of the indirect effects of SAT and TR in the relationship between FV, EMV, GV, and LY. This study extends the theoretical background of the mechanisms enhancing loyalty to sustainable apparel through the verification of parallel mediating effects. Furthermore, it is expected that these insights will serve as a direction for the operational strategies of sustainable apparel manufacturing companies. Full article

The sustainable consumption trend is gaining popularity among Gen Z. Guided by the environmental awareness construct, Norm Activation Model, corporate social responsibility paradigm, and shopping value perspective, this study aims to assess how environmental awareness is connected to consumer evaluations of their personal consumption behavior and corporate social responsibility to help explain their sustainable apparel purchase intention, in conjunction with consumer shopping motivation. An online survey was conducted with a group of Gen Z consumers (N = 192). The results from testing the conceptual model indicated that environmental awareness was positively linked to personal norms and CSR expectations, both of which were similarly related to green purchase intentions. While hedonic and utilitarian shopping value was positively associated with CSR expectations, they were both negative predictors of green purchase intentions. This study is the first to integrate environmental ethics, personal ethics, expectations of corporate ethics, and hedonic vs. utilitarian consumption value to better understand the attitude–behavior gap in sustainable apparel purchase decision-making. Full article

Social and environmental responsibility of apparel sector has been drawing rising attention of policymakers and researchers in recent years. One possible solution to curb the detrimental effects caused by the clothing industry is to invoke more responsible demand of its heavy users, such as young clothing customers. This study aims to examine a model of the determinants of environmentally and socially responsible clothing consumption of young adult customers in a developing economy. The study has been performed on a convenience sample of 439 respondents in Serbia, by means of structured online survey. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by two-step structural equation modeling procedure (SEM)—implying an examination of a measurement model, followed by testing of structural relationships—has been performed within data analysis. Results of the study indicate green consumption values as the most influential determinant of responsible apparel consumption, followed by conscious consumption and receptivity to green communication. Findings of the study contribute to the body of knowledge on responsible consumption and provide directions for practitioners and policymakers. Study limitations are noted and future research directions are provided. Full article

Despite the urgency of protecting the environment, unsustainable apparel consumption continues to damage it. We identified some of the most important consumer concerns (i.e., affordability, social desirability, environment protection) from the literature that influence consumers’ sustainable apparel purchase intentions and proposed a conceptual model grounded in the Elaboration Likelihood Model to test the efficacy of user-centric advertisements in encouraging purchase intentions for sustainable apparel. We conducted a between-subject experiment with female millennials in the U.S. (n = 344). Analyzing the data through ANCOVA, MANCOVA, and structural equation modeling, we evinced that (i) irrespective of involvement with environmental issues, user-centric advertisements could be centrally (thoughtfully) processed when they incorporate consumers’ concerns for affordability, social desirability, and environment protection; (ii) the central processing of user-centric advertisements mediates the relationship between advertisement modalities (textual and textual with visual) and affective response toward sustainable apparel; (iii) the processing of user-centric advertisements evokes favorable affective responses (e.g., desire) and minimizes unfavorable affective responses (e.g., boredom) toward sustainable apparel; and (iv) favorable and unfavorable affective responses positively and negatively influence purchase intentions for sustainable apparel, respectively. Based on our findings, we recommend that marketers should communicate how sustainable apparel meets consumers’ concerns of affordability, social desirability, and environment protection in a holistic manner instead of using pro-environmental cues only. Full article

The fashion industry has expanded at the expense of the environment. Consumption and environmental pollution both serve as a wake-up call to the global endeavour to adopt more socially and environmentally responsible behaviours. It implies, in particular, a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour away from conventional to green products. Understanding the factors that influence consumer purchasing decisions is critical in developing the demand for and commitment to sustainable apparel consumption. In support of the United Nation’s efforts to promote sustainable consumption in Malaysia, a study was conducted to determine the motivating factors that influence consumers’ purchase intentions for sustainable apparel. The moderating effect of fashion consciousness on the outcome was also examined. An extended model of the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability (MOA) Theory and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) was developed and tested using 324 responses collected from the Malaysian millennial generation in six major urban locations. The results of the structural equation modelling analysis indicated that the elements of motivation, opportunity, and ability were all positively linked with the sustainable apparel purchase intention. Fashion consciousness had a moderating effect on the relationships between the three drivers (motivation, opportunity, and ability) and purchase intention. The research findings provide valuable insights for businesses to formulate a sustainable and unified business model that incorporates environmental, social, and consumer considerations into core business practices. These insights would also help designers to advance the development of sustainable products as an area of innovation and support policymakers in achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

Sustainability in business and personal life has increased over the past few years and is continuing to develop. Consumption in the clothing and textiles industry causes a significant impact on the environment and utilizes unsustainable practices, from clothing production to use and disposal. With shifts toward a more sustainable future within the government, businesses, and society, the apparel industry and consumers must prepare for a sustainable future. This study examines the determinants of sustainable apparel consumption behavior in China and South Korea. Theoretical and practical evidence from the literature on sustainable consumption is applied to develop a model for investigating the consumers’ behavioral intentions to buy, use, and recommend sustainable leather apparel products. Environmental knowledge, perceived consumer effectiveness, sustainable consumption beliefs, and self-enhancement are proposed as key determinants of behavioral intention to buy, use, and recommend eco-friendly faux leather apparel (E-FLA). The hypothesized antecedents of these concepts are part of the model, as modified by the theory of planned behavior, and the model is examined using structural equation modeling on data from a sample of 450 respondents collected in China and South Korea. An analysis of data is carried out to identify the underlying dimensions of sustainable consumption beliefs and behaviors including pro-environmentalism, social responsibility, and animal conservation. The results show that the key determinants of behavioral intentions to buy, use, and recommend E-FLA are pro-environmentalism and social responsibility, which are related to sustainable consumption belief dimensions and consumers’ self-enhancement. The positive determinants of sustainable consumption beliefs are found to be both environmental knowledge and perceived consumer effectiveness. These results suggest the need for greater environmental knowledge and perceived consumer efficiency in the effort to achieve more sustainable clothing consumption. The implications of the findings for public policy and recommendations for further studies are outlined and discussed. Full article

Production, marketing, and consumption of fashion products result in negative environmental impacts due to the massive production volume of fashion items. However, there is limited literature on how the fashion industry integrates sustainability-related practices into business models, how sustainability is measured within the business models, or what drives the sustainability-emphasis of the fashion industry. Therefore, it is consequential to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature concerning how the fashion industry integrates sustainability into business models, if and how sustainability-related practices are measured to ensure transparency and lead to improvements, and to recognize what drives sustainability in fashion business models. The key aspects regarding sustainability integration into business models include organization values, entrepreneurship, innovation, and internationalization processes. With regards to measurement of impacts and reporting, it is evident that Corporate Social Responsibility, the Global Reporting Initiative, and the Apparel and Footwear Sector Supplement are of relevance for the industry, mainly with regards to the supply chain. The drivers influencing sustainability practices are government and regulatory pressure, market pressure, closed-loop pressure, value creation, innovation, equity, authenticity, functionality, localism, and exclusivity. The findings are of relevance both for academia and the fashion industry, as the paper provides evidence on what has already been studied by academia, but also highlights a need for further studies on the fashion industry with regards to sustainability practices. This paper; therefore, opens a path for academics to consider empirical studies on how to investigate the sustainability strategies of fashion businesses, elements of fashion business models, driving forces influencing actions, measurements, key performance indicators, transparency, and disclosure, just to name a few examples. Full article