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Consumers in the Circular Economy: A Path Analysis of the Underlying Factors of Purchasing Behaviour

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  • Andrea Szilagyi

    (Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Product Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Lucian-Ionel Cioca

    (Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Faculty of Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Laura Bacali

    (Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Product Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Elena-Simina Lakatos

    (Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Product Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Andreea-Loredana Birgovan

    (Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Product Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Institute for Research in Circular Economy and Environment Ernest Lupan, 400609 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

One of the major obstacles to the adoption of the circular economy is the lack of consumer interest and awareness. Despite this, the unique role of consumers in the circular economy is an understudied topic, as the literature tends to focus rather on the application of circular practices in the organizational and industrial sectors. This paper aims to examine the individual-level factors that have an influence over circular purchasing behavior. Specifically, this paper elaborates an explicative path model of purchasing circular products that takes into account environmental concern, climate skepticism, and the attitudinal factor towards circular products. The final sample consisted of 566 respondents from Romania. Our findings showed that environmental concern has a positive significant impact on circular purchase behaviour and this relationship is mediated by the attitude towards circular products. Moreover, those with high levels of climate skepticism showed an increased level of perceived greenwashing among organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Szilagyi & Lucian-Ionel Cioca & Laura Bacali & Elena-Simina Lakatos & Andreea-Loredana Birgovan, 2022. "Consumers in the Circular Economy: A Path Analysis of the Underlying Factors of Purchasing Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11333-:d:910629
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Márcia N. Alves & Carlos Seixas & Alberto Castro & Alexandra Leitão, 2023. "Promoting the Transition to a Circular Economy: A Study about Behaviour, Attitudes, and Knowledge by University Students in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Muhammad Salman Pathan & Edana Richardson & Edgar Galvan & Peter Mooney, 2023. "The Role of Artificial Intelligence within Circular Economy Activities—A View from Ireland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, June.
    4. João M. Lopes & Sofia Gomes & Tiago Trancoso, 2023. "The Dark Side of Green Marketing: How Greenwashing Affects Circular Consumption?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.

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