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The Impact of Ecological Knowledge on Young Consumers’ Attitudes and Behaviours towards the Food Market

Author

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  • Wiesława Kuźniar

    (Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszow, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Tomasz Surmacz

    (Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszow, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Bogdan Wierzbiński

    (Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszow, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

Abstract

The subject literature around the world puts a strong emphasis on the discrepancy between the positive attitude towards the idea of sustainability and consumer behaviour. These issues are the subject matter of this paper, which aims at both the identification and evaluation of selected aspects of knowledge, attitudes and eco-friendly behaviour of consumers connected with their choice of foods. The authors made an attempt of answering the question, to what extent do the level of knowledge and the declared eco-friendly attitudes have an impact on specific purchasing decisions. In the empirical observations, the conceptual model of the effects of the environment (knowledge, attitude, behaviour) on the customers’ ecological awareness was used. The analysis conducted on the basis of this model indicated that stimulating the demand for ecological products is implemented mainly by the processes of raising awareness, which leads to expanding the consumers’ knowledge concerning ecological farming and eco-friendly foods. In such a way the consumer awareness is built, especially by educational campaigns and promoting/endorsing the ecological foods targeted at young consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Wiesława Kuźniar & Tomasz Surmacz & Bogdan Wierzbiński, 2021. "The Impact of Ecological Knowledge on Young Consumers’ Attitudes and Behaviours towards the Food Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1984-:d:498118
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bogdan Wierzbiński & Tomasz Surmacz & Wiesława Kuźniar & Lucyna Witek, 2021. "The Role of the Ecological Awareness and the Influence on Food Preferences in Shaping Pro-Ecological Behavior of Young Consumers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Maria Francesca Renzi & Veronica Ungaro & Laura Di Pietro & Roberta Guglielmetti Mugion & Maria Giovina Pasca, 2022. "Agenda 2030 and COVID-19: A Young Consumer’s Perception of Sustainable Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Giacomo Staffolani & Deborah Bentivoglio & Adele Finco, 2022. "Consumers’ Purchasing Determinants Towards Mountain Food Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Camila Kolling & José Luis Duarte Ribeiro & Donato Morea & Gianpaolo Iazzolino, 2023. "Corporate social responsibility and circular economy from the perspective of consumers: A cross‐cultural analysis in the cosmetic industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(3), pages 1226-1243, May.

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