Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee

Purpose – The objective of this study was to review existing research on environmentally friendly marketing and to gain a more profound understanding of green branding as one possible marketing tool to positively influence consumers’ attitudes. In this respect, different types of green brand message...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Haefke, Juliane
Format: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2012
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/25551/
_version_ 1848793003464851456
author Haefke, Juliane
author_facet Haefke, Juliane
author_sort Haefke, Juliane
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Purpose – The objective of this study was to review existing research on environmentally friendly marketing and to gain a more profound understanding of green branding as one possible marketing tool to positively influence consumers’ attitudes. In this respect, different types of green brand messages were assessed against each other and their effects on consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions were tested. Design and Methodology – A conceptual framework was developed based on the dual mediation model and applied to green branding. Four advertisements for the hypothetical sustainable coffee brand “coffeeVERDE” were designed, each stressing different brand benefits (no specific appeal, functional appeal, emotional appeal and functional-emotional appeal). 100 people participated in the study, consisting of four sub-samples with 25 people respectively. Each sub-sample was exposed to one of the four advertisements and filled in an online questionnaire afterwards. Responses were analysed with the SPSS software, using Analysis of Variance and Hierarchical Regression Analysis. Findings – All 100 study participants demonstrated high concern for the environment. The findings suggest that the advertisements with a specific brand message were generally perceived and evaluated more favourably than the ad without a clear appeal. Furthermore, a brand message with combined functional-emotional appeal seems the most promising approach to influence consumers’ attitudes positively and to increase purchase intention. Research limitations/implications – In spite of interesting findings, the validity of this study is limited by the research design and the sample used. The results suggest that a clear and compelling branding strategy can reach consumers and can be used to build a sustainable competitive advantage, stressing emotional benefits to the individual whilst simultaneously providing relevant information about environmentally friendly aspects. Further research in this area is therefore strongly encouraged. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the existing body of research in the field of green marketing and looks at it from a branding angle, providing evidence for the effectiveness of green branding and varying message appeals. Given that environmental problems and attempts to ensure a more sustainable future are important contemporary issues, the findings of the study are valuable for academics and practitioners.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T18:53:23Z
format Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
id nottingham-25551
institution University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
institution_category Local University
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-14T18:53:23Z
publishDate 2012
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling nottingham-255512018-01-26T02:01:50Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/25551/ Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee Haefke, Juliane Purpose – The objective of this study was to review existing research on environmentally friendly marketing and to gain a more profound understanding of green branding as one possible marketing tool to positively influence consumers’ attitudes. In this respect, different types of green brand messages were assessed against each other and their effects on consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions were tested. Design and Methodology – A conceptual framework was developed based on the dual mediation model and applied to green branding. Four advertisements for the hypothetical sustainable coffee brand “coffeeVERDE” were designed, each stressing different brand benefits (no specific appeal, functional appeal, emotional appeal and functional-emotional appeal). 100 people participated in the study, consisting of four sub-samples with 25 people respectively. Each sub-sample was exposed to one of the four advertisements and filled in an online questionnaire afterwards. Responses were analysed with the SPSS software, using Analysis of Variance and Hierarchical Regression Analysis. Findings – All 100 study participants demonstrated high concern for the environment. The findings suggest that the advertisements with a specific brand message were generally perceived and evaluated more favourably than the ad without a clear appeal. Furthermore, a brand message with combined functional-emotional appeal seems the most promising approach to influence consumers’ attitudes positively and to increase purchase intention. Research limitations/implications – In spite of interesting findings, the validity of this study is limited by the research design and the sample used. The results suggest that a clear and compelling branding strategy can reach consumers and can be used to build a sustainable competitive advantage, stressing emotional benefits to the individual whilst simultaneously providing relevant information about environmentally friendly aspects. Further research in this area is therefore strongly encouraged. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the existing body of research in the field of green marketing and looks at it from a branding angle, providing evidence for the effectiveness of green branding and varying message appeals. Given that environmental problems and attempts to ensure a more sustainable future are important contemporary issues, the findings of the study are valuable for academics and practitioners. 2012 Dissertation (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/25551/1/Dissertation_Juliane_Haefke.pdf Haefke, Juliane (2012) Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)
spellingShingle Haefke, Juliane
Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee
title Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee
title_full Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee
title_fullStr Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee
title_full_unstemmed Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee
title_short Green Branding and its Effects on Consumer Attitudes An Empirical Study using the Example of Sustainable Coffee
title_sort green branding and its effects on consumer attitudes an empirical study using the example of sustainable coffee
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/25551/