Harnessing green purchase intention of generation Z consumers through green marketing strategies

Abstract

Drawing on value-belief-norm theory and the theory of planned behavior, this study examines the gap between the application of green marketing strategies and their effectiveness in harnessing green purchase intentions through green attitudes and the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by Generation Z consumers. This study explores a mediated moderating model using partial least squares structural equation modeling with data collected from 357 randomly selected Generation Z consumers. The results reveal that among three green marketing strategies—green advertising, green labeling, and green packaging—only green packaging has a direct and positive influence on purchase intention, while the others do not. Moreover, green attitude has been found to be a positive and significant mediator in the relationship between green marketing strategies and purchase intention. This suggests that green marketing strategies cannot directly spark green purchase intentions; instead, the effectiveness of these depends on intervening variables like green attitude. Furthermore, the study also shows that the use of generative AI by young consumers enhances the positive role of green attitude toward purchase intention. Based on the findings, implications for theory and practice are provided, followed by arguments on research limitations and directions for future studies.