Consumer Perceptions, Understanding and Use of Product Related Environmental Information


Book Description

Product-related environmental information is an important policy instrument for a shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns, and such information helps consumers choose environmentally improved products. While ecolabeling has had a particularly strong breakthrough in Nordic markets, a number of other communication modes, such as environmental product declarations and producers' self-declared claims have been applied in both the consumer and business-to-business markets. This report comprises a summary of recent research on how Nordic consumers perceive, understand, and use product-related environmental information. A comprehensive literature review supplemented with expert interviews forms the foundation for this work. The report highlights well-researched areas and proposes areas where deeper knowledge and understanding is required. The research was conducted cooperatively between the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University in Sweden; the National Consumer Research Centre in Finland; and Environice in Iceland with the purpose to obtain and present a comprehensive picture of the situation in the Nordic countries.




Consumer Perceptions, Understanding and Use of Product Related Environmental Information


Book Description

Abstract: Product related environmental information is considered to be an important policy instrument for the support of a shift towards more sustainable consumption patterns. Such information aims to guide consumers to choose environmentally improved products in purchase situations. While eco-labelling has had a particularly strong breakthrough in Nordic markets, a number of other communication modes, such as environmental product declarations and producers' self-declared claims have been applied, in both the consumer and business-to-business markets. Furthermore, product related environmental information is meant to promote consumer awareness about products' environment performance. However, to stimulate the desired market transition, consumers need to actually take producers information into account. This report comprises a summary of recent research on how Nordic consumers perceive, understand and use product related environmental information. A comprehensive literature review supplemented with expert interviews forms the foundation for this work. The report highlights well-researched areas and proposes areas where deeper knowledge and understanding is required. The research was conducted cooperatively between IIIEE at Lund University in Sweden, the National Consumer Research Centre in Finland, and Environice in Iceland with the purpose to obtain and present a comprehensive picture of the situation in the Nordic countries




Environment, Information and Consumer Behaviour


Book Description

Over the past decade there has been growing interest in the role of information in the promotion of environmentally friendly behaviour. This book examines how and why the provision of such information can affect individual decisions concerning buying or consuming a product or valuing a policy. The information can take the form of a product label or a statement in a survey questionnaire, and the decision can be what product to buy, what food to eat or how to answer a contingent valuation question. The chapters in this volume carefully explore the explanations for consumer behaviour in different scenarios where information is provided about the 'public' implications of individual decisions. The first set of chapters examines the prospects for eco-labelling as a tool of environmental policy from a variety of different perspectives. They also look at how this form of information provision compares with more familiar policy instruments in achieving efficiency goals. In the second and third sections the focus is on environmental and food labelling, in which a combination of private and public motives for purchase decisions is found. Finally, the role of information in contingent valuation surveys is considered, in particular the impact of information and time in altering stated value responses.




TemaNord


Book Description




Green Advertising and the Reluctant Consumer


Book Description

This edited collection presents cutting edge research into the topic of green messages and subsequent consumer responses. The research studies draw on a rich tradition of communication, psychological and sociological theories that examine consumer responses in a nuanced way. At the same time, the studies present important implications for advertising practitioners and academics alike. Written by communications scholars from North America, Europe and Asia, the studies encompass a range of research techniques including experiments, surveys, content analyses and depth interviews. The book provides important insights into current practice as well as directions for future research. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Advertising.




Environmental Information in Instructions for Use of Consumer Products


Book Description

The European Union has highlighted the issue of environmentally sound use of products in the context of Integrated Product Policy, IPP. Accordingly, consumers should have easy access to understandable, relevant and credible environmental information. Information about product characteristics is available in different forms and sources, but in many cases, relevant environmental information is not available on the product itself. The study described in this report was initiated in order to produce information on the state of user instructions regarding environmental information. User manuals of passenger cars and refrigerators were focused on, examining the advice which could diminish the harmful environmental effects of the use of these products. Other studied products included such durable products as textiles and furniture as well as such consumables as cleaning chemicals and recyclable paper products. The study raised many ideas about actions that could promote the status and 'eco-development' of instructions for use.




TemaNord


Book Description




Context


Book Description

Context: The Effects of Environment on Product Design and Evaluation addresses the environment, or context, in which we consume products and the impact of context on choice and acceptability. The book explores what context is, how it influences design by specialists, and acceptance by consumers. Chapters discuss the basics of context, food and drink in context, testing a range of other products, and other contextual variables. Historically, research on context has been done in the laboratory and various natural locations, but rapid growth in other methods to study context, including evoked contexts, immersive contexts, virtual reality contexts, and more have widened research possibilities. Appealing to the professional, academic and commercial markets, this book will be of interest to those who conduct research in product development and product testing, to those who study what controls product usage, including eating from the health perspective, and to those who make decisions about product and space development. Explores information on how context works and how to assess its influence on product decisions Discusses the basics of context, food and drink in context, and testing other products in context, including personal care products and home and workspace design Identifies variables that contribute to the contextual experience




Greener Products


Book Description

As the global demand for natural and organic products continues to grow, making and marketing greener products is becoming an imperative. The old stereotype of green products’ sub-par performance has been shattered as large multinational corporations prove that you can develop and win in the marketplace with a naturals-based product platform. And the pull for sustainably minded products is not limited to consumer marketing—business-to-business marketing of greener products has also increased due to customer demand from all business sectors. The Case for Greener Products Making a compelling business case for why companies must provide greener, more sustainable products, Greener Products: The Making and Marketing of Sustainable Brands shares best practices for the design and marketing of greener products. The book examines ecosystem and regulatory pressures as well as market pressures from customers—consumers, business customers, and government purchasers—who have created a demand on manufacturers to bring more sustainable brands to market. How Are Greener Products Made? Through case studies of green design from companies such as GE (EcomaginationTM), Timberland (Green Index®), Philips, Apple Inc., Seventh Generation, Procter & Gamble, BASF, and others, the author explores initiatives in areas ranging from product design, sustainable sourcing, and packaging to energy efficiency, recycling, and end-of-life management. A contribution from guest author James A. Fava, one of the leading thinkers and practitioners in developing greener products, presents a toolbox of environmental management systems, programs, and tools for the development of greener products. Three Keys to Successful Green Marketing Campaigns Providing the backbone for the author’s analysis of green marketing, a contribution from guest authors Lee Ann Head, Karen Barnes, and Suzanne Shelton of the Shelton Group analyzes market trend data and helps marketers understand their customers and what moves them. The author then looks more closely at drivers for green marketing, outlining three keys for successful green marketing campaigns and using them to evaluate the approaches of several leading companies. He also offers advice on how to avoid "greenwashing," create successful cause-marketing partnerships, and use eco-labels wisely. Throughout the book, the author shares best practices and lessons learned from leaders in the field across various industry sectors. Written by the senior director of product stewardship for Johnson & Johnson, this timely book offers real-world experience, valuable insights, and practical tools for the effective design and marketing of greener products. The Best Days of Green Marketing Are Still Ahead See what Al Iannuzzi has to say about making and marketing greener products in an interview at Greenbiz.com.




Green Consumerism: Perspectives, Sustainability, and Behavior


Book Description

This new volume, Green Consumerism: The Behavior of New Age Consumer, provides a holistic understanding the importance of promoting green products and discusses consumers’ buying intentions and decisions. The chapters consider consumer behavior theory in the context of green or ecologically friendly products from both the academic and business perspectives. The chapters present the latest empirical and analytical research in the field of green marketing and provide an abundance of information about profitable and sustainable ways and strategies to deal with environmental problems. The volume considers how consumers are taking responsibility and becoming more aware, driving change in the marketplace. In response, companies are integrating appropriate green strategies into their operational activities, product development processes, and marketing activities to achieve a competitive advantage in saturated markets. This helps companies gain market share and minimize their production costs. Topics discussed in the volume include green pricing, green consumer behavior, various dimensions of consumer purchase intention, sustainable marketing, innovation techniques used to go green, eco-awareness, and other ongoing developments in this rapidly expanding area. Key features: • Discusses research on the latest trends in the field of green marketing, green practices, green products, eco-literacy, environment awareness, protection, management etc. • Provides insight about current consumer behavior, consumers’ eco-literacy levels, and their desires to go green • Covers a multitude of topics, including green pricing, green consumer behavior, sustainable marketing, innovation techniques used to go green, eco-awareness, and more