Ecolabel persuasion effect across cultures: a comprehensive meta-analysis
International Marketing Review
ISSN: 0265-1335
Article publication date: 30 July 2024
Issue publication date: 29 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Companies around the world have included ecolabels as a marketing strategy to convince consumers to choose products with lower environmental impact. However, the literature lacks a consensus on the effectiveness of ecolabels in persuading consumers to choose green products. The present meta-analysis addresses this gap by first evaluating the net persuasion effect of using ecolabels and second by investigating the role of cultural orientations, operationalized at the country level, in this effect.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-cultural meta-analysis analyzed data from 26,116 consumers across 18 countries, encompassing 75 papers published between 1995 and 2023. Univariate and meta-regression analyses were utilized.
Findings
The results demonstrate that the presence (vs absence) of ecolabels has a medium positive persuasion effect. Findings show cultural orientations moderate the persuasion effect of ecolabels in that the effect is stronger in countries with high power distance, individualism, masculinity (motivation towards achievement and success) and uncertainty avoidance orientation, which create contingent conditions to ecolabels’ persuasion. In addition, results show other methodological factors that affect ecolabel persuasion. Contributions and implications of the findings are discussed.
Originality/value
This meta-analysis is distinctive for its global scope, including diverse countries and cultures. It addresses a crucial gap in ecolabel persuasion research, providing insights that reconcile discrepancies in existing studies. It offers practical implications for businesses and policymakers while laying the groundwork for future cross-cultural research in this field.
Keywords
Citation
Velasco, F., Itani, O.S. and Cajina, P. (2024), "Ecolabel persuasion effect across cultures: a comprehensive meta-analysis", International Marketing Review, Vol. 41 No. 6, pp. 1190-1217. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMR-10-2023-0293
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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