The dark side of green marketing: how greenwashing affects circular consumption?

Date

2023-07-28

Embargo

Advisor

Coadvisor

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI
Language
English

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Alternative Title

Abstract

Nowadays, we are witnessing the growth of the production and consumption of circular products. However, greenwashing is a marketing practice of presenting products as environmentally responsible without actually being so. This practice can influence consumer perceptions and attitudes toward the consumption of circular products. This study aims to explore the influence of companies’ greenwashing behaviors on the intention of circular consumption when mediated by environmental concerns and pro-circular information seeking by consumers. To this end, a sample of 826 valid responses from Portuguese consumers was collected. A quantitative methodology was used and the Partial Least Square method was applied. Our study found that greenwashing positively affects consumers’ environmental concerns and their propensity to seek sustainable information. These fac- tors, in turn, positively impact their intentions toward circular consumption. The findings challenge the traditionally negative perception of greenwashing, suggesting its paradoxical contribution to promoting sustainability. The study provides valuable insights into consumer behavior related to sustainability and has practical implications for companies and policymakers in shaping effective circular economy strategies.

Keywords

Greenwashing, Circular consumption, Circular economy, Sustainable information collecting, Environmental concerns

Document Type

Journal article

Publisher Version

10.3390/su151511649

Dataset

Citation

Lopes, J. M., Gomes, S. & Trancoso, T. (2023). The dark side of green marketing: how greenwashing affects circular consumption? Sustainability, 15(11649), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511649. Repositório Institucional UPT. http://hdl.handle.net/11328/5028

TID

Designation

Access Type

Open Access

Sponsorship

Description