Understanding the ethical consumer : employing a frame of bounded rationality
This thesis is about ethical consumers. In some business circles ethical consumers are treated simply as one kind of consumer in a market society where a niche can be created to satisfy every preference. Conversely some advocates of more radical change propose consumer activism as part of a movement which will force ethical considerations into the decision-making of capitalist businesses and governments alike. Questions about ethics are central to consumer society. Unlike most recent research into the 'green' or 'socially conscious' consumer that has been based on either extensive quantitative surveys or focus groups, the research presented here analyses consumer decisions in a social context. Sixteen case studies of ethical consumers in differing circumstances are developed in considerable detail. Starting from the theoretical observation that being an ethical consumer presents apparently daunting difficulties, especially with respect to decision making, the research uses bounded rationality theory to explain how these cases maintain their self-image as ethical. From these data I suggest thinking of ethical consumers as adopting coping strategies. Those contributing to the study were seen to be 'distancing'
Newholm, Terry
Consumerism
Understanding the ethical consumer : employing a frame of bounded rationality. This thesis is about ethical consumers. In some business circles ethical consumers are treated simply as one kind of consumer in a market society where a niche can be created to satisfy every preference. Conversely some advocates of more radical change propose consumer activism as part of a movement which will force ethical considerations into the decision-making of capitalist businesses and governments alike. Questions about ethics are central to consumer society. Unlike most recent research into the 'green' or 'socially conscious' consumer that has been based on either extensive quantitative surveys or focus groups, the research presented here analyses consumer decisions in a social context. Sixteen case studies of ethical consumers in differing circumstances are developed in considerable detail. Starting from the theoretical observation that being an ethical consumer presents apparently daunting difficulties, especially with respect to decision making, the research uses bounded rationality theory to explain how these cases maintain their self-image as ethical. From these data I suggest thinking of ethical consumers as adopting coping strategies. Those contributing to the study were seen to be 'distancing'
ethical consumer employing frame bound rationality ethical consumer business circle ethical consumer treat simply kind consumer market society niche create satisfy every preference conversely advocate radical_change propose consumer activism part movement force ethical consideration decision_making capitalist business government alike questions ethic central consumer society unlike recent green socially conscious consumer base either extensive quantitative survey focus group present_analysis consumer decision social_context sixteen case_study ethical consumer differ circumstance develop considerable detail starting theoretical observation ethical consumer present apparently difficulty especially respect decision_making use bound rationality theory explain case maintain self_image ethical data suggest think ethical consumer adopt cop strategy contribute study see