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Non-differentiated green product positioning: Roles of uncertainty and rationality

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  • Chen, Yenming J.
  • Sheu, Jiuh-Biing

Abstract

This study examines the effect of market uncertainty and consumer rationality on product strategy when a company evaluates its entry into the green market. The risk in launching a green product is high because consumers may not be as environmentally conscious as they claim to be. This study develops a composite condition consisting of preference uncertainty, loss aversion, investment cost, and competition intensity to guide companies to react either conservatively or aggressively. An upgraded non-differentiation strategy is suggested for heterogeneous markets, loss-averse consumers, or high-quality reference when the indicator falls within the greenness range. Unlike conventional competitive analysis for non-green products, differentiation may not always be the best option to benefit the entire society and non-differentiation to green is favorable in the context of our analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Yenming J. & Sheu, Jiuh-Biing, 2017. "Non-differentiated green product positioning: Roles of uncertainty and rationality," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 248-260.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:103:y:2017:i:c:p:248-260
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2017.05.005
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    3. Wang, Min & Huang, Hongfu & Liu, Feng, 2023. "To adapt or to standardize? Cross-market green product design under parallel importation impact," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
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    5. Ciwei Dong & Qingying Li & Bin Shen & Xun Tong, 2019. "Sustainability in Supply Chains with Behavioral Concerns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-7, July.
    6. Zhou, Yan & Chan, Chi Kin & Wong, Kar Hung, 2018. "A multi-period supply chain network equilibrium model considering retailers’ uncertain demands and dynamic loss-averse behaviors," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 51-76.
    7. Wei, Ying & Xiong, Sijia & Li, Feng, 2019. "Ordering bias with two reference profits: Exogenous benchmark and minimum requirement," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 229-250.
    8. Ihwan Ghazali & Salwa Hanim Abdul-Rashid & Siti Zawiah Md Dawal & Nurul Huda & Amir Husni Mohd Shariff & Safarudin Gazali Herawan & Fu Haw Ho & Novita Sakundarini, 2021. "Guidelines for Designing Green Products Considering Customers’ Cultural Preferences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-27, January.
    9. Liu, Chao & Chen, Weidong, 2019. "Decision making in green supply chains under the impact of the stochastic and multiple-variable dependent reference point," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 443-469.
    10. Junbin Wang & Xuan Gao & Zhiguo Wang, 2021. "Sustainable Supply Chain Decisions under E-Commerce Platform Marketplace with Competition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-23, April.
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