N. Vighnesh, Balachandra Patil, Deepak Chandrashekar
{"title":"Evolving a conceptual framework for sustainable e-waste management: a consumer typology based on environmental behavior","authors":"N. Vighnesh, Balachandra Patil, Deepak Chandrashekar","doi":"10.1108/jibr-03-2023-0073","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"\nPurpose\nThere is widespread consensus that unchecked growth of e-waste is a major challenge to global sustainability transition. Current research has failed to connect e-waste with principles of circularity and sustainability from the consumption perspective. This paper aims to answer the following questions: What kind of environmental behaviors (EBs) exist among consumers in relation to e-waste?; In what ways are these consumers different from and similar to each other based on their EBs in relation to e-waste?; How do consumers and their EBs contribute to sustainable waste management?\n\n\nDesign/methodology/approach\nBased on primary data from an Indian sample of information and communication technology consumers, EBs relevant to e-waste management are identified. In the next stage, a behavior-based segmentation and profiling of consumers is performed.\n\n\nFindings\nThe first phase of analysis produced eight distinct EBs which were then used in the next phase to obtain a consumer typology of three segments. The three consumer segments differed significantly with each other on general environmental behavior and awareness about e-waste.\n\n\nResearch limitations/implications\nThe paper develops a comprehensive conceptual framework for studying the demand-side circularity transition for sustainable e-waste management.\n\n\nPractical implications\nFor business stakeholders, findings of the study and the proposed framework can inform behavior change interventions to customize offerings for different right consumer segments.\n\n\nOriginality/value\nThe paper adds new knowledge to the intersectional area of e-waste, consumer behavior and sustainability through the development of consumer typology and a conceptual framework.\n","PeriodicalId":45364,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Indian Business Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Indian Business Research","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jibr-03-2023-0073","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"BUSINESS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
There is widespread consensus that unchecked growth of e-waste is a major challenge to global sustainability transition. Current research has failed to connect e-waste with principles of circularity and sustainability from the consumption perspective. This paper aims to answer the following questions: What kind of environmental behaviors (EBs) exist among consumers in relation to e-waste?; In what ways are these consumers different from and similar to each other based on their EBs in relation to e-waste?; How do consumers and their EBs contribute to sustainable waste management?
Design/methodology/approach
Based on primary data from an Indian sample of information and communication technology consumers, EBs relevant to e-waste management are identified. In the next stage, a behavior-based segmentation and profiling of consumers is performed.
Findings
The first phase of analysis produced eight distinct EBs which were then used in the next phase to obtain a consumer typology of three segments. The three consumer segments differed significantly with each other on general environmental behavior and awareness about e-waste.
Research limitations/implications
The paper develops a comprehensive conceptual framework for studying the demand-side circularity transition for sustainable e-waste management.
Practical implications
For business stakeholders, findings of the study and the proposed framework can inform behavior change interventions to customize offerings for different right consumer segments.
Originality/value
The paper adds new knowledge to the intersectional area of e-waste, consumer behavior and sustainability through the development of consumer typology and a conceptual framework.