Developing responsible consumption behaviours through social media platforms: sustainable brand practices as message cues
Information Technology & People
ISSN: 0959-3845
Article publication date: 25 February 2022
Issue publication date: 21 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the underlying antecedents and psychological mechanisms through which brand's communication of sustainable business practices in social media influences consumers' responsible consumption behaviour and brand relationship outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using two surveys, from a sample of WhatsApp users (N = 632), and a sample of Facebook users (N = 471), and were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling.
Findings
The results suggest that systematic and heuristic processing of message cues about sustainable business practices communicated by the brand through online social networks influence consumers' perceptions of brand warmth and competence. These perceptions, in turn, direct consumers' responsible consumption behaviours and strengthen brand relationships. The impact of these cues is moderated by consumers' perception of the brand's motives for engaging in sustainable business practices.
Originality/value
The study insights can help brand managers to enhance consumers' brand-related perceptions, responsible consumption and consumer-brand relationships.
Keywords
Citation
Sarkar, J.G., Sarkar, A. and Sreejesh, S. (2023), "Developing responsible consumption behaviours through social media platforms: sustainable brand practices as message cues", Information Technology & People, Vol. 36 No. 2, pp. 532-563. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-01-2021-0044
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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