Flying in the face of environmental concern: why green consumers continue to fly

Seonaidh McDonald, Caroline J. Oates, Maree Thyne, Andrew J. Timmis, Claire Carlile

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

118 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abstract: Some unsustainable consumer behaviours have proved extremely hard to change or even challenge. Despite the fact that flying can be more damaging than any other activity that an individual can undertake, many otherwise green consumers still choose to fly, offering an opportunity to elicit narratives about the differences between their attitudes and behaviours. Qualitative interview data were gathered from self-selected green consumers and set within a cognitive dissonance analytical framework. Four strategies were uncovered: not changing travel behaviour (but offering justifications related to travel product, travel context or personal identity); reducing or restricting flights; changing other behaviours to compensate for flying; and stopping flying. This analysis furthers research on green consumer rationales for (un)sustainable behaviours and suggests several avenues for sustainable marketing management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1503-1528
Number of pages26
JournalJournal of Marketing Management
Volume31
Issue number13-14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Sept 2015

Keywords

  • attitude-behaviour gap
  • cognitive dissonance
  • rationales
  • sustainability marketing
  • sustainable consumption
  • travel decisions

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