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1
Dr.M.K.Durgamani , 2*K.Abirami ,3 Dr.M.Ganesan
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, SASTRA Deemed University, SRC, Kumbakonam,
Tamil Nadu,India
2
*Assistant Professor, Department of English, SASTRA Deemed University, SRC, Kumbakonam,
Tamil Nadu,India
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, SASTRA Deemed University, SRC, Kumbakonam, Tamil
Nadu,India
Abstract
The paper focuses on the recent trends in Keywords: Green Products, Consumer Behavior,
marketing eco friendly products. The researchers Consumer Satisfaction
have analyzed the reasons for consumers opting to
I INTRODUCTION
buy eco friendly green products. Raising awareness
on the safety of the earth and the responsibility in Indian literate and urban consumer is getting
every individual to handover a safe environment to more aware about the merits of Green products. But it is
the future progenies has acted as a stimulus for this still a new concept for the masses. The consumer needs
study. The researchers made a deep study into the to be educated and made aware of the environmental
various eco friendly green products that are used by threats. The new green movements need to reach the
consumers and have identified the potential gaps for masses and that will take a lot of time and effort. By
the marketers to tap their sale. The paper suggests India„s Ayurveda heritage, Indian consumers do
possible suggestions to attract consumers and reasons appreciate the importance of using natural and herbal
for the lack in sale. The paper focuses also on the beauty products. Indian consumer is exposed to healthy
consumer’s buying value and their attitude towards living lifestyles such as yoga and natural food
the recent products in the market. consumption. In those aspects the consumer is already
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aware and will be inclined to accept the green products. businesses are establishments with no other objectives
India is already one of the largest economies in the but to profit leaves its place rapidly to a new perception
world, and will continue its rapid urbanization and which defines companies as establishments that are
economic development over the next few decades. This sensible to social problems. Apart from producing
is a cause for celebration, but one tempered by the environmental friendly products and selecting
recognition of challenges this growth presents: rising environment – friendly markets, essentially
consumption and demand for energy, increasing understanding of „Environmentally Friendly‟ is required
greenhouse emissions, and constraints on critical natural to be integrated into the corporate culture.
resources such as land, water and oil. Like all other
II IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY:-
countries, India needs to find a way to ensure energy and
environment sustainability without compromising its Green marketing has become an important
economic and social development. Despite India„s strong strategy in business since the international rise of
policy framework and some successes, environmental environmental awareness among countries. With greater
degradation has not been arrested on a large scale. awareness rising among the public, especially with
reference to the global warming and climate change
While globalization process continues in the full
phenomenon, people have become cautions with regards
speed across the worlds, this process has also brought
to their purchases, specifically towards the nature of
some problems with it. Leading one of these problems is
purchased products. As environmental awareness is able
environmental problems that affect all living beings
to serve a clear purpose for green consumerism,
negatively. These aforementioned environmental
consumer behaviors are able to show the applicative
problems have started to come to the agenda more and
potential of green consumerism. This would underline
more on the recent years and people have started worries
the consumer buying behavior for green products.
about the future of the world and as result of this mostly
prefer environmental friendly products. In returns to III REVIEW OF LITERATURES
these attitudes of the consumers, companies have started
to from of their marketing strategies so as to appeal Furlow, N.E. (2009) in her article has presented the
increasing awareness of this environment-friendliness. status of the American market now flooded with “green
These marketing strategies, named as green marketing, products” that are actually misleading in the name of
have caused companies to adopt green policies in their environment protection. In the wake of attracting a green
pricing, promotion, product features and distribution audience, companies often use claims that sound
activities. environment friendly, but are actually vague, and at
times may be false. As a result, “Green washing” has
Taking into consideration that companies are become commonplace in the marketplace. The concern
socio-economic entities, it can‟t be expected that they over green washing is not only that it misleads
remain unresponsive to the „Environmental Awareness‟ consumers, but also that if unscrupulous marketers
that may direct consumer behaviors. Particularly continue to claim to be environmentally friendly, then
marketing managers encounters with consumers sensible companies true to their environmental mission lose their
to environmental issues. The old perception on how competitiveness. In addition, overuse and misuse of the
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International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Special Issue
“green” claims can saturate the market to the point that environmental issues better and are more sensitive to
the greenness of the product may become meaningless to them. The respondents who are inclined to contribute to
the consumer. In the end, inaccurate environmental environmental conservation and who are sensitive to
marketing will not only hurt consumers and firms, but it ecological problems tend to pay more for eco-friendly
will also harm our environment. Environmental claims products.
must, therefore, be honest, sincere and a reflection of the
organisation‟s mission.
Ali, A., Khan, A.A., Ahmed, I. & Shahzad, W. (2011) in
Banyte, J., Brazioneine, L. & Gadeikiene, A. (2010) in
their research article have examined the Pakistani
their article have presented the interpretation of the
consumers‟ intention to buy environmentally friendly
conception of a green consumer based on the
products. The prime focus of this research paper was to
investigations of both foreign and Lithunian scientific
examine and investigate the hypothesized relationship
works. When describing a green consumer, its profile is
between predictor and criterion variable i.e. green
generalized in the article. It encompasses both
purchase attitude (GPA) and green purchase intention
demographic and psychographic behavioral
(GPI). The second was to determine the relationship of
characteristics of a consumer. The article has introduced
criterion variable and outcome variable i.e. green
the findings of empirical research into the demographic
purchase (GPI) intention and green purchase behavior
and psychographic behavioral profiles of female
(GPB). The third objective was to ascertain the
consumers of eco-friendly food products in Lithuania. In
moderating effect of perceived product price and quality
order to choose effective solutions of green marketing, it
(PPP&Q). The tests revealed that there is not only a
is necessary to investigate their various characteristics
positive correlation between GPA and GPI but also a
(demographic and psychographic) as only knowing
person‟s GPA had a significant impact on his GPI.
green consumer attributes, their personality and lifestyle,
Similarly GPI is positively correlated with GPB. The
the motives to buy ecological product, usefulness and
results have shown that consumers with intentions to buy
attitude. The survey was conducted with 105 women, all
green products exhibit higher actual buying rates than
buying eco-friendly food products with the help of a
those who demonstrate no intention of buying. The
questionnaire. It was noticed that 40% of the respondents
higher the offerings of green products with competitive
are to be attributed to less devoted green consumers
price and quality as compared to traditional products, the
according to their disposition to contribute to
stronger the relationship between purchase intention and
environmental conservation. Though they were
purchase behaviour.
concerned about the environmental issues, they were too
busy to change their lifestyle. Majority of respondents Tiwari (2016) in her study entitled, "Green marketing in
said they always read the labels of eco-friendly food India: An Overview", Increasing awareness on the
products and study their marking in search of various environmental problems has led a shift in the
information. Such consumers were found to be having an way consumers go about their life. There has been a
expressed need to change. Half of the respondents change in consumer attitudes towards a green lifestyle.
attributed themselves to the type of health fanatics in People are actively trying to reduce their impact on the
terms of motives. More educated consumers perceive environment. However, this is not widespread and is still
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International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Special Issue
evolving. Organizations and business however have seen and emotional value do not influence green product
this change in consumer attitudes and are trying to gain consumer choice behavior. As a moderator, emotional
an edge in the competitive market by exploiting the value has a significant effect on the role of functional
potential in the green market industry. In the modern era value, social value, conditional value, epistemic value
of globalization, it has become a challenge to keep the and environmental value. This confirms and significantly
consumers in fold and even keep our natural adds to the literature of green product consumer choice
environment safe and that is the biggest need of the time. behavior in a developing market.
Green marketing is a phenomenon which has developed
IV STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:-
particular importance in the modern market and has
emerged as an important concept in India as in other Green marketing generally aims to promote
parts of the developing and developed world, and is seen environmentally friendly products and a safe
as an important strategy of facilitating sustainable environment where people could say. Businesses in
development. In this research paper, main emphasis has almost every industry now-a-days are flaunting the
been made of concept, need and importance of green “green” features of their products and services in every
marketing. Data has collected from multiple sources of chance they get. This study has been undertaken to know
evidence, in addition to books, journals, websites and the factors which influence the buyer in making the
news papers. It explores the main issues in adoption of decision regarding purchase of green products in
green marketing practices. The paper describes the kumbakonam.
current Scenario of Indian market and explores the
challenges have with green marketing V SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
Khan and Mohsin (2017) , in their paper entitled, "The The present study is an in-depth study confined to
power of emotional value: Exploring the effects of green products. The green products defined paper made
values on green product consumer choice behavior", products, jute products, solar products, CFL bulbs, paper
Using the theory of consumption values, this research plates/leafs and coir products.
proposes to explore the consumer choice behavior for
Thus the present study would focus on consumers
green products in Pakistan. Functional value (price and
buying behavior towards selected green products in
quality), social value, conditional value, epistemic value,
kumbakonam,
and emotional value and environmental value were used
to study the consumer choice behavior for green VI OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:
products. It also gauges the extent to which emotional
To study the nature and states of green
value moderates the impact of other consumption values
products in kumbakonam.
on green product consumer choice behavior. Based on a
sample of 260 respondents, the results indicate that To study the factors that influences
functional value (price), social value and environmental the consumers‟ buying decision towards green
value have a positive impact on green product consumer products.
choice behavior, while conditional value and epistemic
value have a negative effect. Functional value (quality)
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No. of
Table – I Responden
Percent ts
Demographic profile
Age less than 15 years 12 10.9
15-30 35 31.8
30-45 33 30.0
Source: Primary Data
45-60 20 18.2
The age of respondents are studied. Out of above 61 10 9.1
the 110 respondents have been studied, it is observed Total 110 100.0
that majority of the buyers are the under the age group Sex Male 64 58.2
30-45 years. 64(58.2 percent) respondents are the male Female 46 41.8
and 46(41.8 percent) respondents are female. It is Total 110 100.0
understood from the majority of the buyers of green Educational Upto Hsc 15 13.6
products are male. Majority of the respondents 40(36.4 Status Diploma 12 10.9
percent) are having degree qualification and 30(27.3
Degree 40 36.4
percent) of the respondents are post graduate
Post graduate 30 27.3
qualification. It is understood that green products stores
Professional
are mostly popular among the educated people. 13 11.8
degree
75.5 percent of the respondents are married and only
Total 110 100.0
24.5 percent of the respondents are unmarried. Above
Marital Married 83 75.5
analysis leads to conclude that green products stores
status Unmarried 27 24.5
are mostly preferred by married. 30 percent are
Total 110 100.0
business peoples and 24(21.8 percent) of the
Occupation Professional 24 21.8
respondents are professionals. It is understand that
al Status Business 33 30.0
green products stores are mostly popular among the
Agriculturalist 18 16.4
educated people. The income of the respondents are
home maker 13 11.8
studied. Majority of the income level of the buyers‟ are
Student 22 20.0
20000-30000 i.e., 23.6% (26 respondents)
Total 110 100.0
Monthly less than 10000 2 1.8
Income 10000-20000 13 11.8
20000-30000 26 23.6
30000-40000 25 22.7
above 40000 10 9.1
no income 34 30.9
Total 110 100.0
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Table - III
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The result of Friedman‟s chi-square test showed that there is a To know the level of satisfaction with consumers‟
significant difference in the level of satisfaction of green expectation about green products in various parameters
products with factors which influence non-parametric Friedman‟s test has been employed.
purchase.(=362.342,P<0.05). The Mean Rank revealed the fact
that the green products are more satisfied with the protect health TABLE – V1
(Mean Rank=7.61), reversely the green products are highly EXPECTATION
dissatisfied with the advertisements (Mean Rank=3.15) Source: Primary Data
LEVEL OF SATISFACTION WITH CONSUMERS’ The result of Friedman‟s chi-square test explored
EXPECTATIONS TOWARDS PURCHASE THE that there is a significant difference found among the
GREEN PRODUCTS various expectation of level of satisfaction of green
products. (=132.561, P<0.05). The Mean Rank revealed
Variables Mea Chi Df Sig the fact that the expectation of green products are more
n -
Clusters
Ran Squ
Age High Medium Low
Mean S.D k are
Protect health 4.61 4.62 4.45
Reduce .762
4.3636 3.2 Environmental
price 99 4.22 4.75 4.47
changes
Tax .878
3.6091 2.0 Hygienic life 4.47 4.88 4.09
concession 86 132 4 .000
Protect from side
Increase .56 4.45 4.88 4.38
.727 effects
advertiseme 4.6273 3.8 1
68 Necessarily needs 4.02 4.62 2.96
nts
Easy availability 3.69 2.75 3.21
Create .726
4.4818 3.5 Quality of the
awareness 08 4.53 4.12 3.64
product
Give
.879 Advertisements 3.80 2.00 2.43
sample 3.8182 2.4
76 Shop keepers
pack 3.76 1.75 3.28
service
Suitability 3.98 3.00 3.42
satisfied with the increase advertisements (Mean
Rank=3.80), reversely the expectation of green products
are highly dissatisfied with the tax concession to green
products (Mean Rank=3.15)
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CLUSTERS TABLES cluster is called moderate cluster with the moderate level
of satisfaction with factors which influence to purchase
Classification based on level of satisfaction with green products. The third cluster is called poor cluster in
factors which influence to purchase green products. which green products have low level of satisfaction with
factors which influence to purchase green products.
In this section the classification of different type of
clusters based on level of satisfaction with factors which Relationship among clusters of level of satisfaction
influence to purchase green products. K-means cluster with factors that influence to purchase green
analysis is used to identify heterogeneous groups of products.
consumers‟ level of satisfaction. This analysis is helpful The Cross-Tab analysis is performed between
in identifying different groups of consumers‟ level of the clusters of level of satisfaction with factors which
satisfaction with homogeneous qualities. influence to purchase green products to find out varied
TABLE- VII opinion on consumers‟ satisfaction to purchase green
Final Cluster Centers products. Further, Chi-square test is applied to test the
Source: Primary Data proximity of the same.
TABLE- VIII
TABLE- XI
Number of Cases in each Cluster
Ho: There is no significant association between age of
Clusters Number of Percent
the respondents and
Respondents
Level of satisfaction with factors which influence
High 49 45
to purchase green
Medium 8 7
products.
Low 53 48
Total 110 100
Age of the Respondents and Level of Satisfaction
Source: Primary Data
With Factors which influence To Purchase Green
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Age High Medium Low Total Ho: There is no significant association between
(12.7%) (10%) (9.1%) (31.8%) factors Which influence to Purchase Green Products.
30-45 17 8 8 33 Clusters
(15.5%) (7.2%) (7.2%) (30%) Sex High Medium Low Total
45-60 11 7 2 20 Male 30 23 11 64
(10%) (6.4%) (1.8%) (18.2%) (27%) (21%) (10%) (58%)
above 5 3 2 10 Female 24 9 13 46
61 years (4.5%) (2.7%) (1.8%) (9.1%) (22%) (8%) (12%) (42%)
Total 24 Total 54 32 24 110
54 32 110
(21.8% (49%) (29%) (22%) (100%)
(49.1%) (29.1%) (100%)
) Chi-Square Df
Chi-Square value Df Sig 4.123 2
Sig .127
3.888 8 .867
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status of respondents and Level of satisfaction with Ho: There is no significant relation between the levels of
factors which influence to purchase green Products. satisfaction with green Products and level of expectation.
TABLE- XIV
TABLE XIII
Ho: There is no significant association between of Relationship between Level of Expectation and
Monthly Income Respondents and Level of Satisfaction with Green Products
satisfaction with factors which influence to Purchase
green Products.
` Q1 Total
High Mediu Low
Monthly Income of Respondents and Level of
m
Satisfaction with Factors Which Influence to
less
Purchase Green Products
than 1 1 0 2
10000
10000-
Products Satisfaction with Green 8 3 2 13
20000
Level of -0.012
20000-
Expectation 13 7 6 26
30000
30000-
Source: Primary Data 14 7 4 25
40000
The chi-square test indicated that the Pearson chi-square Total 54 32 24 110
value is equal to 6.817.The probabilistic values are not Chi-Square Df
Sig
significant at 5 percent level. Hence, the null hypothesis value 10
.743
is accepted. Therefore, it is concluded that there is no 6.817
significant association between occupational status of
respondents and Level of satisfaction with factors which
influence to purchase green Products. Source: Primary Data
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these who have satisfaction high on green products groups of level of satisfaction with factors which
having low level of expectation and vice versa. influence to purchase the green products. The first
cluster of level of satisfaction of 45 percent were in the
high to purchase green products, 7 percent of
XIII Findings of the study: respondents‟ level of satisfaction are in the moderate
level, and 48 percent of them in the low level of
The analysis inferred that majority of the satisfaction to purchase green products. The maximum
respondents were male. Maximum numbers of frequencies of 17(15.5 percent) up to 30 years age group
respondents falls under the age of group of above 30-45 of respondents are in the high level of satisfaction
years.. The maximum numbers of respondents have towards green products. There is no relationship between
studied up to degree qualification. Most of the age of the respondents and level of satisfaction with
respondents (75.5 percent) were married. The majority factors which influence to purchase green Products. The
of the respondents (30 percent) were business peoples. maximum frequencies of 30 (27 percent) male
The majority of the respondents‟ income level is 20,000- respondents are in the high level of satisfaction towards
30,000. The maximum of (39.1 percent) the respondents green products. There is no relationship between gender
become aware of green products through friends. The of the respondents and level of satisfaction with factors
most of the respondents (67.3 percent) are using green which influence to purchase green Products. The
products in their daily life. Around (49 percent) of the maximum frequencies of 22 (20 percent) respondents
respondents are satisfied with green products. Majority with degree qualification are in the high level of
of the respondents have opinion that purchasing green satisfaction towards green products. There is no
products (86.3percent) paper made products. The relationship between educational qualification of
Majority of (65.5 percent) the respondents are using respondents and level of satisfaction with factors which
green products for less than 3 years. The study inferred influence to purchase green Products. The maximum
that the respondents are given more significant to protect frequencies of 18 (16.3percent) business peoples are in
health that means 56.4% of the respondents are strongly the high level of satisfaction towards green products.
agree for purchase green products. Around (20.7 There is no relationship between occupational status of
percent) of respondents are disagree and strongly the respondents and level of satisfaction with factors
disagree that advertisement do not influence for purchase which influence to purchase green Products. The
of green products. The study inferred that 73.6 percent of maximum frequencies of 14 (12.7 percent) respondents
the respondents mostly expect increase in with income 30,000-40,000 and no income are in the
advertisements. More than 47 percent of the respondents high level of satisfaction towards green products. There
are expecting to reduce the price of green products. is no relationship between monthly income of the
There is a significant difference in the level of respondents and level of satisfaction with factors which
satisfaction of green products with factors which influence to purchase green Products. It was found that
influence to purchase. There is a significant difference the relationship between level of satisfaction and
found among the various expectations of level of expectation gap with green products are negatively
satisfaction of green products. The final cluster Centre correlated and its value is -0.012.
table revealed that there exist three heterogeneous
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International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Special Issue
media for advertising for purchase of Management, Vol. 15, 374 -383.
green products since it plays important 3. Ali, A., Khan, A.A., Ahmed, I. & Shahzad, W.
It is suggested that the promoters may Green Purchase Behaviour : Some Insights
creating strong customer base. Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 2,
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