The Influence of Environmental Awareness on Eco-Conscious Purchasing Behavior Among Generation Z Consumers in Kenya: An Empirical Study


Authors : Dr. Lydia K. Mwai

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 11 - November


Google Scholar : https://shorturl.at/eC4kA

Scribd : https://shorturl.at/Y16bO

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24NOV1101

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : This study investigated the influence of environmental awareness on the eco-conscious purchasing behavior of Generation Z consumers in Kenya. A descriptive research design was employed, and primary data was collected through a Google questionnaire distributed to 102 Generation Z consumers. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data and identify the significant factors influencing green purchase intentions. The study revealed that environmental impact was a key factor in shaping eco- conscious purchasing behavior, with a moderate correlation indicating that environmental considerations accounted for a notable portion of the variance in purchase intentions. Additionally, the research found that cost acted as a barrier to eco-friendly purchasing, suggesting that price perceptions significantly influenced consumer decisions. Awareness of eco-friendly products was also a crucial factor, as it further explained the consumers' purchasing intentions. The findings underscored the importance of environmental impact, cost, and awareness in shaping the eco-conscious purchasing behavior of Generation Z in Kenya. This study contributed to the growing body of literature on consumer behavior and sustainability, offering valuable insights for businesses seeking to promote green products in Kenya. The implications of this research are significant for various stakeholders, including academia, industry, and business practitioners. For academia, the study expanded knowledge on the factors influencing sustainable consumption behaviors, while for industry and businesses, it highlighted the importance of addressing cost concerns and promoting environmental awareness. The study also provided actionable insights for policymakers aiming to encourage sustainable consumption patterns among Kenyan consumers.

References :

  1. Anderson, R. E., & Duncan, G. R. (2020). Gender differences in green consumption behavior: A study of eco-friendly purchasing patterns. Journal of Business Research, 115, 102-110.
  2. Barbarossa, C., De Pelsmacker, P., & Moons, I. (2020). The role of ethical attributes in sustainable consumption: A conceptual framework. Sustainability, 12(8), 2519.
  3. Bittner, M., Lichtenstein, D. R., & Wuebben, M. (2020). Generation Z’s perceptions of sustainable marketing: A study on consumer behavior and environmentalism. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 37(1), 12-21.
  4. Bougherara, D., Grolleau, G., & Mzoughi, N. (2020). Green consumption and young consumers: The role of environmental awareness and price sensitivity. Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, 22(4), 691-707.
  5. Boulstridge, E., & Ritson, M. (2022). The role of cost barriers in eco-friendly consumer behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 74, 42-55.
  6. Carmagnola, F., Ricci, E., & Vignali, C. (2022). Eco-labeling and consumer behavior: The role of environmental attitudes. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 46(2), 280-295.
  7. Chen, M. F., & Chang, C. C. (2020). The effects of gender and environmental concern on green purchase behavior. Sustainability, 12(8), 2372-2389.
  8. Chin, T. A., Poon, L. K., & Gan, W. L. (2018). The influence of education on sustainable consumer behaviors. Environmental Research Letters, 13(3), 034025.
  9. Cohen, J., & Kaufman, L. (2021). Understanding consumer perceptions of sustainability: A systematic review. Environmental Management, 64(3), 431-442.
  10. Johnson, L., & Jackson, T. (2020). Education and sustainability: A review of the role of education in fostering sustainable consumer behavior. Sustainability, 12(1), 225-240.
  11. Jones, M., & Brooks, K. (2021). Barriers to green purchasing: The role of price and availability. Journal of Sustainable Business, 18(2), 234-248.
  12. Jain, S., Chhabra, J., & Tiwari, P. (2020). The influence of environmental concern on green purchase behavior. Journal of Business Research, 58(3), 350-358.
  13. Krause, T., Nisar, T. M., & Ibrahim, M. (2019). A study on sustainable consumption and consumer behavior across different age groups. Journal of Sustainable Development, 12(6), 120-137.
  14. Lee, H., Choi, S., & Kim, Y. (2022). Understanding consumer behavior toward eco-friendly products: The role of awareness and price sensitivity. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 46(1), 14-25.
  15. Miller, J., & Smith, T. (2023). Consumer awareness and eco-friendly purchasing: A study of sustainable products. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 40(1), 17-32.
  16. Mohan, G. (2021). The eco-conscious consumer: Understanding Generation Z's preferences for sustainable products. Environmental Sociology, 25(4), 344-357.
  17. Muriuki, D. (2023). The rise of sustainable consumption: Green buying behavior among Kenyan youth. Journal of Marketing and Sustainability, 12(3), 156-170.
  18. Nolan, J., & Allen, R. (2021). Environmental impact and consumer purchase decisions: A review. International Journal of Sustainable Consumption, 29(3), 145-157.
  19. Ochieng, M. (2023). Green consumerism and sustainable purchasing behavior in Kenya. African Journal of Marketing Research, 16(2), 65-79.
  20. Pino, G., Peluso, A. M., & Guido, G. (2021). Factors influencing consumers' sustainable behavior: A review of recent studies. Sustainable Development, 29(2), 352-368.
  21. Smith, J., & Wang, Q. (2020). Environmental awareness and sustainable consumer behavior: A review of literature. Journal of Green Marketing, 27(3), 122-134.
  22. Tanner, C., & Wölfing Kast, S. (2022). The power of green consumerism: How environmental awareness shapes buying behavior across cultures. Journal of Global Marketing, 34(2), 85-103.
  23. Williams, A. E., Choi, Y. K., & Tandon, P. (2021). The influence of Generation Z on green consumerism and eco-friendly product choices. Environmental Research Letters, 16(8), 084001.
  24. Yadav, R., & Pathak, G. S. (2017). Understanding the green purchase behavior of consumers: The influence of environmental concerns, attitudes, and demographics. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(7), 927-937.
  25. Dube, K., Singh, S., & Tiwari, A. (2020). Drivers of sustainable consumer behavior. Journal of Sustainable Marketing, 3(2), 45-56.
  26. Huang, R., Su, Q., & Wang, L. (2021). Affordability challenges in sustainable consumerism. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 45(4), 567-580.
  27. Nguyen, T., & Nguyen, P. (2022). Health benefits as motivators in green purchasing decisions. Sustainability Insights, 14(6), 389-403.
  28. Nguyen, T. N., Lobo, A., & Nguyen, B. K. (2020). The role of awareness in consumer green purchase decisions: A case of emerging markets. Journal of Cleaner Production, 254, 120123.
  29. Tan, L. P., Johnstone, M. L., & Yang, J. (2019). Green branding and eco-labeling: Drivers of green purchase behavior. Journal of Business Research, 104, 168–180.
  30. Tan, S. W., Tan, H. Y., & Tan, C. L. (2021). Price sensitivity and sustainable consumption: The role of cost perceptions in green purchase intentions. Journal of Consumer Research, 48(3), 512-528.
  31. Biswas, A., & Roy, M. (2015). Impact of environmental branding on consumers’ purchase behavior: A cross-national investigation. Journal of Business Research, 68(12), 2646-2652.
  32. Chen, Y. S. (2010). The driver of green innovation and green image – Green core competence. Journal of Business Ethics, 95(3), 431-444.

This study investigated the influence of environmental awareness on the eco-conscious purchasing behavior of Generation Z consumers in Kenya. A descriptive research design was employed, and primary data was collected through a Google questionnaire distributed to 102 Generation Z consumers. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data and identify the significant factors influencing green purchase intentions. The study revealed that environmental impact was a key factor in shaping eco- conscious purchasing behavior, with a moderate correlation indicating that environmental considerations accounted for a notable portion of the variance in purchase intentions. Additionally, the research found that cost acted as a barrier to eco-friendly purchasing, suggesting that price perceptions significantly influenced consumer decisions. Awareness of eco-friendly products was also a crucial factor, as it further explained the consumers' purchasing intentions. The findings underscored the importance of environmental impact, cost, and awareness in shaping the eco-conscious purchasing behavior of Generation Z in Kenya. This study contributed to the growing body of literature on consumer behavior and sustainability, offering valuable insights for businesses seeking to promote green products in Kenya. The implications of this research are significant for various stakeholders, including academia, industry, and business practitioners. For academia, the study expanded knowledge on the factors influencing sustainable consumption behaviors, while for industry and businesses, it highlighted the importance of addressing cost concerns and promoting environmental awareness. The study also provided actionable insights for policymakers aiming to encourage sustainable consumption patterns among Kenyan consumers.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe