No abstract

No abstract

Drawing on the means–end chain method, this exploratory study attempts to provide a better understanding of consumers’ perceived risks towards eco-design packaging and its effects on consumers’ purchasing decisions. This study makes divers contributions in terms of theory, methodology, and policy making. Firstly, this study provides better comprehension for the concept of “eco-design packaging” by combining an industrial perspective (i.e., a life-cycle assessment: LCA) with a consumer perspective (i.e., consumer perceptions). The findings reveal the gap between consumers’ perceptions and the LCA results towards eco-design packaging. Secondly, this study offers an alternative perspective on consumers’ reactions towards eco-design packaging through exploring the “risks” instead of “benefits” examined to inspire package innovation. This study identified five perceived risks (functional, physical, financial, life-standard, and socio-environmental risks). Thirdly, this study illustrates the benefit of using the means–end chain analysis (MEC) framework to explore consumers’ reactions and purchasing behaviors towards sustainable products. Lastly, this study offers several actionable suggestions to managers, packaging designers, and policy makers.

Relying on the cognitivist cost–benefit approach, this research investigates the antecedents of consumer boycotts. It examines the effects of poor performance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) dimensions (i.e., respect for the environment, ethics statements, philanthropic activities, respect for consumers, and respect for employees) on consumer intentions to boycott a retailer. A total of 602 consumers were surveyed in the province of Quebec, Canada. The findings of a logistical regression show that consumers are more likely to boycott retailers for abstract ideological motives (respect for the environment, philanthropic activities) than for more concrete purposes (respect for consumers, ethics statements, respect for employees), thereby confirming that consumers do not react in a similar fashion to the different CSR dimensions. This article is of interest to retailers as it provides actionable insights to improve CSR practices (social and environmental policy) to reduce the likelihood of consumer boycotts.

No abstract