Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry

This study investigates the interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement and pricing strategies in shaping consumer purchase intentions in the fast fashion industry. Using a scenario-based experimental design with 267 participants, this research explores how different levels of...

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Main Authors: Piotr Zaborek, Dominika Nowakowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Administrative Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/14/11/283
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author Piotr Zaborek
Dominika Nowakowska
author_facet Piotr Zaborek
Dominika Nowakowska
author_sort Piotr Zaborek
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement and pricing strategies in shaping consumer purchase intentions in the fast fashion industry. Using a scenario-based experimental design with 267 participants, this research explores how different levels of CSR and two distinct price points influence purchasing behavior. Additionally, the moderating effects of individual differences, such as consumer wealth, motivations for sustainable behavior, and income, are examined. The findings indicate that higher levels of CSR engagement significantly enhance purchase intentions, particularly when combined with higher price points, perhaps due to consumer perceptions of CSR programs associated with more expensive brands as more authentic. However, price remains a critical factor for lower-income consumers, revealing an “ethical consumption gap” where affordability outweighs ethical concerns. Extrinsic motivations, such as social pressure, strongly influence wealthier consumers’ decisions, while intrinsic motivations show a more complex relationship with purchasing behavior. The findings provide practical insights for fast fashion brands, suggesting that aligning CSR with competitive pricing and authentic messaging is crucial for appealing to both price-sensitive and ethically conscious consumers.
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spelling doaj-art-bb73847be58047c58c8a864c56ee32862025-08-20T01:53:42ZengMDPI AGAdministrative Sciences2076-33872024-11-01141128310.3390/admsci14110283Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion IndustryPiotr Zaborek0Dominika Nowakowska1SGH Warsaw School of Economics, al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, PolandSGH Warsaw School of Economics, al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw, PolandThis study investigates the interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement and pricing strategies in shaping consumer purchase intentions in the fast fashion industry. Using a scenario-based experimental design with 267 participants, this research explores how different levels of CSR and two distinct price points influence purchasing behavior. Additionally, the moderating effects of individual differences, such as consumer wealth, motivations for sustainable behavior, and income, are examined. The findings indicate that higher levels of CSR engagement significantly enhance purchase intentions, particularly when combined with higher price points, perhaps due to consumer perceptions of CSR programs associated with more expensive brands as more authentic. However, price remains a critical factor for lower-income consumers, revealing an “ethical consumption gap” where affordability outweighs ethical concerns. Extrinsic motivations, such as social pressure, strongly influence wealthier consumers’ decisions, while intrinsic motivations show a more complex relationship with purchasing behavior. The findings provide practical insights for fast fashion brands, suggesting that aligning CSR with competitive pricing and authentic messaging is crucial for appealing to both price-sensitive and ethically conscious consumers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/14/11/283fast fashionpurchase intentionsustainable consumptionCSRextrinsic motivationsintrinsic motivations
spellingShingle Piotr Zaborek
Dominika Nowakowska
Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry
Administrative Sciences
fast fashion
purchase intention
sustainable consumption
CSR
extrinsic motivations
intrinsic motivations
title Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry
title_full Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry
title_fullStr Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry
title_full_unstemmed Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry
title_short Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry
title_sort can corporate social responsibility shift consumer behavior insights from scenario based experiment in the fast fashion industry
topic fast fashion
purchase intention
sustainable consumption
CSR
extrinsic motivations
intrinsic motivations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/14/11/283
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AT dominikanowakowska cancorporatesocialresponsibilityshiftconsumerbehaviorinsightsfromscenariobasedexperimentinthefastfashionindustry