IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i4p1444-d1587829.html

The Impact of Environmental Indicators on Consumer Decision-Making in the Purchasing of Lifestyle Essentials: A Quantitative Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Beata Paliwoda

    (Management Institute, Poznan University of Economics and Business, 61-875 Poznan, Poland)

  • Alina Matuszak-Flejszman

    (Management Institute, Poznan University of Economics and Business, 61-875 Poznan, Poland)

  • Magdalena Ankiel

    (Marketing Institute, Poznan University of Business and Economics, 61-875 Poznan, Poland)

  • Małgorzata Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek

    (Institute of Safety and Quality Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 61-875 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

This research paper explores consumer perceptions and expectations regarding environmental criteria for a range of essential lifestyle products. The term “Lifestyle Essentials” includes various items integral to daily life, covering food, cosmetics, household chemicals, consumer electronics, household appliances, IT equipment, clothing, footwear, and cars. The research aims to assess the significance of environmental factors in consumer purchase behavior and provides insights that can guide businesses and policymakers in developing targeted sustainability initiatives. The study, conducted in Poland with a representative sample (1221 respondents), gathered data on how consumers prioritize environmental indicators across five product categories. Results indicate that 80.5% of respondents expect businesses to be responsible for their environmental impact, and 56.9% of respondents consider environmental indicators as important in their purchasing decisions, with the highest importance assigned to chemical use (mean score: 3.94), waste management (3.90), and packaging (3.90). Additionally, the exploratory factor analysis highlighted that particular attention is given to the groups such as material and wastes, sustainable management, and risk and compliance, reflecting the main areas of consumer interest.

Suggested Citation

  • Beata Paliwoda & Alina Matuszak-Flejszman & Magdalena Ankiel & Małgorzata Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek, 2025. "The Impact of Environmental Indicators on Consumer Decision-Making in the Purchasing of Lifestyle Essentials: A Quantitative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1444-:d:1587829
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1444/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1444/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Isabel Blanco-Penedo & Javier García-Gudiño & Elena Angón & José Manuel Perea & Alfredo J. Escribano & Maria Font-i-Furnols, 2021. "Exploring Sustainable Food Choices Factors and Purchasing Behavior in the Sustainable Development Goals Era in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Stefania Testa & Ciro Troise & Silvano Cincotti & Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2024. "The role of electronic waste management solutions and message framing in influencing consumer behaviours: Exploring the crowdfunding context," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 917-929, February.
    3. Eduardo Borges & Susana Campos & Mário Sérgio Teixeira & Maria Raquel Lucas & Ana Teresa Ferreira-Oliveira & Ana Sofia Rodrigues & Manuela Vaz-Velho, 2023. "How Do Companies Communicate Sustainability? A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-25, May.
    4. Peggy M. L. Ng & Cherry T. Y. Cheung & Kam Kong Lit & Calvin Wan & Ellesmere T. K. Choy, 2024. "Green consumption and sustainable development: The effects of perceived values and motivation types on green purchase intention," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1024-1039, February.
    5. Xinhua Zhao & Hui An, 2023. "Research on the Mechanism of Heterogeneous Corporate Environmental Responsibility in Z-Generation Consumers’ Sustainable Purchase Intention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Subhasis Ray & Lipsa Nayak, 2023. "Marketing Sustainable Fashion: Trends and Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-28, April.
    7. Stefan Bojnec & Dacinia Crina Petrescu & Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag & Carmen Valentina Radulescu, 2019. "Locally Produced Organic Food: Consumer Preferences," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(50), pages 209-209, February.
    8. Mirella Soyer & Koen Dittrich, 2021. "Sustainable Consumer Behavior in Purchasing, Using and Disposing of Clothes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
    9. Ching-Hui (Joan) Su & Chin-Hsun (Ken) Tsai & Ming-Hsiang Chen & Wan Qing Lv, 2019. "U.S. Sustainable Food Market Generation Z Consumer Segments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-14, June.
    10. repec:aud:audfin:v:21:y:2019:i:50:p:209 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Beata Paliwoda & Alina Matuszak-Flejszman & Magdalena Ankiel, 2024. "The Impact of Environmental Indicators on Consumer Purchase Decisions for Food Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Anna Lewandowska & Katarzyna Joachimiak-Lechman & Jolanta Baran & Joanna Kulczycka, 2025. "Electricity-Related Emissions Factors in Carbon Footprinting—The Case of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-29, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rimena Canuto Oliveira & Solimar Garcia & Irenilza de Alencar Naas, 2026. "Circular Economy Challenges in Fashion: Insights from Brazilian Consumer Trends (2012–2022)," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 6(2), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Vivian Welch & Christine M. Mathew & Panteha Babelmorad & Yanfei Li & Elizabeth T. Ghogomu & Johan Borg & Monserrat Conde & Elizabeth Kristjansson & Anne Lyddiatt & Sue Marcus & Jason W. Nickerson & K, 2021. "Health, social care and technological interventions to improve functional ability of older adults living at home: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(3), September.
    3. Ahmed Ashraf Zaidi & Rahul Chandra, 2025. "A Study on Indian Consumers’ Willingness to Participate in Circular Fashion Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) Approach of Multi-criteria Decision Making and Binomial Logistics Regression," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 3401-3429, August.
    4. Ao Yang & Mao Yang & Fuyong Zhang & Aza Azlina Md Kassim & Peixu Wang, 2024. "Has Digital Financial Inclusion Curbed Carbon Emissions Intensity? Considering Technological Innovation and Green Consumption in China," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 19127-19156, December.
    5. Zdenka Gyurák Babeľová & Augustín Stareček & Kristína Koltnerová & Dagmar Cagáňová, 2020. "Perceived Organizational Performance in Recruiting and Retaining Employees with Respect to Different Generational Groups of Employees and Sustainable Human Resource Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-23, January.
    6. Chaojun Li & Xinjia Huang, 2022. "How Does COVID-19 Risk Perception Affect Wellness Tourist Intention: Findings on Chinese Generation Z," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    7. Andy Felix Jităreanu & Mioara Mihăilă & Alexandru-Dragoș Robu & Florin-Daniel Lipșa & Carmen Luiza Costuleanu, 2022. "Dynamic of Ecological Agriculture Certification in Romania Facing the EU Organic Action Plan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, September.
    8. José Alberto Martínez-González & Carmen D. Álvarez-Albelo, 2021. "Influence of Site Personalization and First Impression on Young Consumers’ Loyalty to Tourism Websites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    9. Otterbring, Tobias & Folwarczny, Michał, 2024. "Social validation, reciprocation, and sustainable orientation: Cultivating “clean†codes of conduct through social influence," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    10. José Alberto Martínez-González & Eduardo Parra-López & Almudena Barrientos-Báez, 2021. "Young Consumers’ Intention to Participate in the Sharing Economy: An Integrated Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, January.
    11. Dacinia Crina Petrescu & Iris Vermeir & Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag, 2019. "Consumer Understanding of Food Quality, Healthiness, and Environmental Impact: A Cross-National Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-20, December.
    12. Patrick Klein & Bastian Popp, 2022. "Last-Mile Delivery Methods in E-Commerce: Does Perceived Sustainability Matter for Consumer Acceptance and Usage?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-27, December.
    13. Nancy Ahmed Mobarak & Nada Ali Amin & Ahmed Abdel-Mohssen & Ahmed Sharif & Yasser Tawfik Halim & Karen Brickman, 2025. "Second glance: exploring consumer shifts to thrift shopping and perception of second-hand fashion," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
    14. Natapol Thongplew & Jariyaporn Onwong & Kasin Ransikarbum & Ratchawut Kotlakome, 2025. "Mainstreaming local organic foods: organic food provision in a fresh market to promote organic production–consumption system in emerging economy," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(12), pages 28847-28871, December.
    15. Sneha Singh & Deepak Kaushal & Vinay Kandpal & ShivamKrishn Agarwal, 2025. "An Examination of the Literature on the Correlation between Sustainable Products and Purchase Intention," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(5), pages 4197-4219, October.
    16. António Cardoso & Amândio Silva & Manuel Sousa Pereira & Jorge Figueiredo & Isabel Oliveira, 2025. "Sustainable Consumption Intentions Among Portuguese University Students: A Multidimensional Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-25, August.
    17. Byoungsoo Kim & Daekil Kim, 2025. "Understanding the Drivers of Sustainable Consumption in China: Role of Green Self-Identity, Subjective Norm, and Demographics," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(4), pages 21582440251, November.
    18. Michał Gazdecki & Elżbieta Goryńska-Goldmann & Marietta Kiss & Zoltán Szakály, 2021. "Segmentation of Food Consumers Based on Their Sustainable Attitude," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-28, May.
    19. Alena Kusá & Marianna Urmínová, 2020. "Communication as a Part of Identity of Sustainable Subjects in Fashion," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, December.
    20. Gheith, Mohamed Hani & Troise, Ciro & Battisti, Enrico & Christofi, Michael, 2025. "Determinants of entrepreneurs' intention to use crowdfunding in an emerging market," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1444-:d:1587829. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.