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Leveling up on labels? Consumer preferences for firm‐level eco‐labels as substitutes for or complements to product‐level eco‐labels

Author

Listed:
  • Siri Boe‐Lillegraven
  • Joris Demmers

Abstract

Eco‐labels can inform consumers about the environmental impact of their purchase decisions, but preferences for different types and combinations of labels—especially the under‐researched concept of firm‐level eco‐labels—are poorly understood. Furthermore, the effectiveness of displaying one versus more labels on products remains unclear, as does the impact of consumers' specific shopping goals and the availability of information about the labels' meaning. Relying on discrete choice experiments and with theory on consumers' attributions and goal pursuit as its starting point, this paper tackles the questions, “How do consumers respond to different types and combinations of eco‐labels, and how does information about the labels' meaning and specific shopping goals impact revealed label preferences?”. The results establish firm‐level eco‐labels as important supplements to or replacements for (some) product‐level eco‐labels and have implications for firms' decisions on which labels to feature on products as well as legislators' efforts to stimulate responsible consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Siri Boe‐Lillegraven & Joris Demmers, 2025. "Leveling up on labels? Consumer preferences for firm‐level eco‐labels as substitutes for or complements to product‐level eco‐labels," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(2), pages 1920-1944, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:32:y:2025:i:2:p:1920-1944
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.3051
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    1. Gao, Jingzhe & Wei, Haixiao, 2025. "Impact of differentiated green incentive policies on traditional and certified green product markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).

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