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PurposeWith growing consumerism in the country, Indians need to behave in a socially responsible manner for its sustainable development. This study sets out to explore the extent of the relationship between the demography and socially responsible behaviour of Indian consumers.Design/methodology/approachA slightly modified SRCB scale developed by Antil and Bennet with 34 Likert‐type items along with a few demographic questions is introduced among two equal groups representing urban and rural consumers, because they almost equally contribute to the country's GDP.FindingsUrban respondents scored high in all demographic categories in comparison with rural consumers. Gender‐wise, the behaviour was quite symmetrical in both the groups. Education‐wise, inverse relationship is noticeable between the SRCB‐mean values and educational‐level; it may be due to the respondents' continuing education. The inference is reinforced while analyzing the SRCB‐values across the age groups. Interestingly, younger ones particularly, the females are demonstrating high scoring on the SRCB‐scale. Analyzing according to income‐level revealed significant difference only for urban consumers. The lower‐income category score high because they are non‐earning (students) or have just begun earning.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications for green marketers are to focus on young consumers and more particularly the female population for creating loyal segment and gaining competitive edge. The policy makers need to promote urbanization for sustainable living and creating awareness of clean‐green living. Young Indians are identified as being more promising and socially responsible than their elders.Originality/valueThe paper makes an attempt to identify an insight into Indian consumers in terms of their socially responsible consumption behaviour. It presents a base for future studies on consumer social responsibility.

Purpose -To create a sustainable environment, the aim of this study is to explore and identify the components of environmental attitude that can drive the specific ecological behaviour of Indian consumers. Further, it defines environmental attitude components as moderators and investigates them as predictor of ecological behaviour.Design/methodology/approach -The constructs of environmental attitude (EA) and ecological behaviour (EB) are measured using standardized scales with modifications that represent demography of Indian consumers, then, introduced among 300 respondents. Factor analysis, correlations of the factors, and regression analysis are used to draw the results.Findings -Constructs of EA and EB are found to be multidimensional and support the literature. Many of their components are found to be significantly correlated inferring that consumers behave ecologically in specific manners depending on the formed attitude. Also, findings suggest that EA components work as predictors of EB. Further, developing a positive environmental attitude is a step to achieve sustainable environment.Research limitations/implications -An attempt is made to improve scales to best suit Indian conditions but development of a reliable and valid measure never ends. This may partly limit the generality of the results. To study fresh issues on Indian conditions, a new scale index can be tested. Researcher, producers, media, policy planners and executives will get a cue to generate relevant value of their work.Originality/value -The paper is a maiden attempt on Indian consumers and has enough potential to change the behaviour for achieving sustainable living. It will strengthen the literature in extrapolating the consumer classes besides identifying two new components of EB: costly exercise and uncaring behaviour.

R efurbishing of used products is increasingly being recognized as a value recovery strategy in sustainable operations.Hence, manufacturers, retailers, as well as third-party firms, engage in refurbishing. Manufacturers, to some extent, can deter other players from refurbishing through various means such as product design, intellectual property, and restricting access to spare parts and diagnostic tools. While previous research has extensively examined the question of whether a manufacturer should allow an independent third-party player to refurbish used products, the question of whether a manufacturer should allow his retailer to refurbish them, to our knowledge, remains unanswered. In this study, we examine whether a manufacturer should refurbish used products himself or allow his retailer to refurbish them. We compare two closed-loop supply chain structures: Model-M, where the manufacturer refurbishes used products; and Model-R, where the retailer refurbishes. In a two-period setting, new products are sold in both periods and some of the first-period products are refurbishable in the second period. We show that when either (i) the refurbishability of used products is low and the attractiveness of refurbishing (value of the refurbished product as compared to the refurbishing cost) is either moderate or sufficiently high, or (ii) the refurbishability is high and the attractiveness of refurbishing is moderate, the manufacturer, despite forgoing profits and facing competition from refurbished products, is better off with letting the retailer refurbish used products (Model-R) than with refurbishing them himself (Model-M). Identifying a novel mechanism through which the manufacturer benefits in Model-R is our key theoretical contribution to the closed-loop supply chain literature. Moreover, we provide some useful and interesting insights to policymakers related to customer welfare and the environment. We also analyze the performances of these models (Model-M and Model-R) in terms of supply chain efficiency. In addition, we discuss how some of our key results change if a third-party refurbisher coexists with the manufacturer and the retailer. Our results not only support some of the current policies and practices but also shed some light on their limitations and suggest some avenues for improvement.

This article elucidates the relationship between HR systems and ethical climate at workplace with primary focus on the procedure adopted for development of ethical climate, using case study of an Indian power distribution company (Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited [TPDDL]). The study categorizes TPDDL’s endeavours undertaken into two categories, explicit and implicit initiatives. Explicit ways of promoting ethics include ethics trainings, seminars on ethics, rewards and punishment policy, and mechanism of reporting ethical concerns/issues (ethics portal, whistle blower policy, IVRS, etc.). Implicit ways of creating ethical climate include HR practices, namely selective selection, training for developing interpersonal and technical skills, fair performance appraisal system and various engagement initiatives. The support and guidance of the senior management and line managers ensured successful execution of both initiatives. Results from the study suggest, over the period of time, the untiring efforts of various actors that saw the development of an ethical climate.