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Energizing Ethical Recycling Intention Through Information Publicity: Insights from an Emerging Market Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Khalid Mehmood

    (Hubei Engineering University)

  • Yaser Iftikhar

    (AFPGMI, National University of Medical Sciences)

  • Fauzia Jabeen

    (Abu Dhabi University)

  • Ali Nawaz Khan

    (Hubei Engineering University)

  • Hina Rehman

    (National University of Modern Languages (NUML))

Abstract

Plastic consumption is an important aspect of contemporary living, and studies that systematically examine consumers’ plastic waste recycling intentions from an ethical perspective are scarce. Considering the severity of plastic waste recycling problems globally based on the stimulus-organism-response paradigm, this study analyses how the information publicity influences consumers’ plastic waste recycling intentions from an ethical perspective in an emerging market economy. We investigate this link by focusing on the indirect effect of perceived social pressure and the moderating role of media disposition (i.e., media richness and content trustworthiness). Data from a three-wave field survey of 469 household consumers from China showed that social pressure mediated the positive relationship between information publicity and ethical recycling intentions. Additionally, media richness and content trustworthiness moderate the link between information publicity and consumers’ perceptions of social pressure. These findings provide encouraging evidence for applying the SOR paradigm to explain the ethical recycling intention of consumers. The findings may assist policymakers in motivating consumers to think ethically about plastic waste recycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Khalid Mehmood & Yaser Iftikhar & Fauzia Jabeen & Ali Nawaz Khan & Hina Rehman, 2024. "Energizing Ethical Recycling Intention Through Information Publicity: Insights from an Emerging Market Economy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(4), pages 837-863, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:191:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05671-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05671-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Smirti Kutaula & Alvina Gillani & Diana Gregory-Smith & Boris Bartikowski, 2024. "Ethical Consumerism in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(4), pages 651-673, May.

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