Towards Building Sustainable Consumption: A Study of Second-Hand Buying Intentions

Barbara Borusiak, Andrzej Szymkowiak, Elena Horska, Natalia Raszka and Elżbieta Żelichowska
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Barbara Borusiak: Department of Commerce and Marketing, Poznan University of Economics and Business, al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland
Andrzej Szymkowiak: Department of Commerce and Marketing, Poznan University of Economics and Business, al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland
Elena Horska: Department of Marketing and Trade, Slovak University of Agriculture; Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Natalia Raszka: Department of Commerce and Marketing, Poznan University of Economics and Business, al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland
Elżbieta Żelichowska: Department of Commerce and Marketing, Poznan University of Economics and Business, al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: As the natural resources of the Earth are rapidly depleting, there is an urgent need to encourage people to adopt self-restrictive behaviors, one of which is giving products a second life. The aim of this study is to examine the consumers’ intention to buy used products and to visit a second-hand shop using the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Additional variables were adopted to give a better insight into the nature of the personal norm. Two variables derived from the Norm Activation Model (NAM) were included in the research model: the awareness of consequences and the ascription of responsibility. In order to collect the data, an online survey was conducted in Poland on 333 participants. SEM was applied for data analysis. The research revealed that the following constructs are positively related to second-hand buying (SHB) intention: the attitude towards the positive impact of SHB on sustainable consumption, and the perceived behavioral control over SHB and the personal norm regarding SHB. Subjective norms regarding SHB are negatively related to SHB intention. An awareness of the consequences of SHB and the ascription of responsibility for the environmental issues are positively related to the personal norm regarding SHB. The intention to buy second-hand products (SHP) is positively related to the intention to visit a second-hand shop.

Keywords: sustainable consumption; second-hand buying; consumers’ intentions; theory of planned behavior; norm activation model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:875-:d:312688

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