PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN 2454-5899

Gungaphul & Heeroo, 2022

Volume 7 Issue 3, pp. 189-207
Received: 28th June 2021
Revised: 25th October 2021, 11th January 2022, 21st January 2022
Accepted: 25th January 2022
Date of Publication: 28th January 2022
DOI- https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2022.73.189207
This paper can be cited as Gungaphul, M., & Heeroo, D. S., (2022). Green Buying Behavior Among
Mauritian Consumers: Extending the TPB Model. PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences, 7(3),
189-207.
This work is licensed under the CreativeCommons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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GREEN BUYING BEHAVIOR AMONG MAURITIAN

CONSUMERS: EXTENDING THE TPB MODEL
Mridula Gungaphul
Department of Management, Faculty of Law and Management, University of Mauritius, Reduit,
Mauritius
[email protected]

Soheenee Devi Heeroo

Department of Management, Faculty of Law and Management, University of Mauritius, Reduit,
Mauritius
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Abstract
This study aims to explore the major predictors of green purchase behavior in Mauritius, using an
extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model by incorporating advertising and sales
promotion as two new factors. A self-administered questionnaire using quota and judgmental
sampling survey was conducted to collect data. Hundred and fifty respondents judged to be
knowledgeable about environmentally friendly products were approached to participate in the
survey. The findings reveal that Mauritians have a strong positive attitude towards the
environment. Sales promotion, subjective norms, and attitude towards the environment are found
to be significant determinants of green purchase intention. Perceived behavioral control and

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advertising were identified as not very significant variables. Results further show that there is not
enough advertising done concerning green products in Mauritius. A positive relationship between
green purchase intention and green purchase behavior was also identified. The results of this study
can assist marketers and policymakers in developing more effective strategies when marketing
green products in Mauritius to create better awareness and more acceptability of this emerging
phenomenon that is a good part of sustainability development.
Keywords
Green Buying Behavior, TPB, Theory of Planned Behavior, Mauritius, Green Products,
Advertising, Sales Promotion
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Introduction
Increasing environmental awareness has led to a rise in demand for eco-friendly products
globally (Kumar and Ghodeswar, 2015; Dahlquist, 2021). A rise in community awareness of the
environment has occasioned changing behaviors of consumers and has given rise to green
purchasing decisions, which do not only benefit the environment but also lead to new business
opportunities (Moser, 2015). As Cai, Xie & Aguilar (2017, p.200) pointed out, “increasing
consumer consciousness of the effects on the environment and the society, related with product
utilization enables green products to penetrate the market and have a rising market share.” Green
products may also be considered as part of disruptive innovation that is now causing a drastic
change in the business model. Green products can be recognized through different terms such as
ecological, toxic-free, renewable, biodegradables (Durif, Boivin, & Julien, 2010) amongst others.
Going green is also being used as a business strategy whereby businesses are being able to
distinguish themselves from competitors.
In Mauritius, consumers, as well as the government, are becoming increasingly reactive to
the problems that the environment is facing (Khare, 2015). During the last few years, the Mauritian
government has been promoting sustainable development through several programmers and
legislation. For instance, the “Maurice Ile Durable” program launched in 2008 aims at supporting
sustainable development in Mauritius. Policymakers have also imposed a ban on plastic carrier
bags from January 2016, to protect the environment including the ocean (Government Information
Service, 2016). Plastic containers for take-away food and beverages have been completely banned
and entrepreneurs have to use alternatives (although more expensive at times) that are

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biodegradables. Fortunately for main stakeholders, the policy has been applied stagewise and
enough time spared for the introduction of various eco-friendlier products on the Mauritian market,
examples being organic food, recyclable paper, eco-friendly detergents, electric/hybrid vehicles
amongst others to support the sustainable development of the country as well as to meet the
demands of consumers. A new Ministry, Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and
Climate Change, has been created in 2020 (Government of Mauritius, 2020) to address current,
new and emerging environmental challenges posed by climate change and promote a clean
environment alongside the protection of the fauna and flora, and management of hazardous wastes
amongst others (Government of Mauritius, 2021).
Despite the variety of green products being available on the market and the government’s
effort to promote a green lifestyle among Mauritian citizens, some people still stick to products,
which are not eco-friendly as there is still a lot of pollution in Mauritius. Past studies have revealed
that environmental attitudes do not translate into buying behavior (Paço and Raposo, 2010; Gupta
and Ogden 2009). The authors further added that research failed to answer the complex question
of why consumers do not engage in green purchase despite showing concern about the
environment. Juwaheer, Pudaruth and Noyaux (2012) reported that Mauritian consumers show
considerable concern and interest for environmental problems conservation of the environment.
From the foregoing, this study seeks to explore the major predictors of green purchase behavior
in Mauritius through the application of an extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
model by including advertising and sales promotion as two new factors.
The main research questions are:
• To what extent does advertising influence the purchase of green products?
• What impact does sales promotion have on buying behavior of green products?

2. Literature review
Studies have revealed that health consciousness and environmental concerns are major
factors influencing buying behavior of green products such as organic food, (Khare; 2015; Chen,
2009). Furthermore, environmental consciousness is a key motivator for positively responding to
cause-related promotions and eco brands (Phau & Ong, 2007).
2.1. Green Products

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Durif, Boivin & Julien (2010) define a green product within three different perspectives
namely academic, industrial and consumers. According to the academic perspective, a green
product possesses a design and attributes that make use of recycling resources, and reduce the
effect on the environment or minimize the toxic impact on the environment during its whole life
cycle (Kumar & Ghodeswar, 2015). The industrial perspective, views a green product as respecting
the “3 Rs” namely "reduce", "reuse" and "recycle"; meaning that it must obtain a certification from
an official entity and must not engage in animal testing. For consumers, a green product non-toxic
for the environment, health beneficial, socially responsible, and benefits the planet. According to
Sun, Wang, Gao & Li (2018) green products are the products themselves as well as their production
processes that are resource-saving, low polluting, low toxic, and recyclable.
2.2. Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
Significant research has been conducted in various countries on the factors affecting green
buying behavior in which multiple factors have been tested. While some studies have adapted
dimensions from past studies and have examined their impact on green purchase behavior, others
have used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to determine the factors having a positive
influence on green buying behavior. Since the TPB has been successfully applied in several studies
to explore the environmental-friendly behavior of consumers (Moser, 2015; Hsu, Chang &
Yansritakul., 2017), this study also adapts this model. As stated by Khare (2015), the Theory of
Planned Behavior is an attitude model which is highly utilized to analyze relationships between
personal, social norms, and beliefs of individuals with their green purchase.
The Theory of Planned behavior is an extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen
& Fishbein, 1980; Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). The reason behind this extension is the limitation of
the original model to consider behaviors over which individuals do not have complete volitional
control (Ajzen, 1991). Perceived Behavioral Control is the aspect that differs the Theory of
Planned Behavior from the Theory of Reasoned Action. The elements of the TPB are Attitudes,
Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control.
By making some changes to these three predictors, it becomes possible to increase the
chance that the individual will develop an intention to perform a certain action and therefore
increase the chance of the individual actually performing the action (Francis, 2004). The model of
TPB is illustrated in Figure 1 and shows the three variables which predict intention to perform
behavior.

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Attitude toward
the behavior

Behavior
Intention
Subjective
norms

Perceived
behavioral
control Figure 1: Theory of planned behavior
(Source: Ajzen, 1991)

Moser (2015) applied the TBP model to identify the factors which have a major influence
on green purchasing behavior and their respective importance. It was found that ‘willingness to
pay’ and personal norms were the two factors that were relevant in predicting green purchasing
while attitude was found as being insignificant in influencing green purchasing behavior.
Furthermore, in the study of Hsu, Chang & Yansritakul (2017), the TPB has been utilized to
explain the purchasing intentions of green skincare products among consumers in Taiwan. The
findings suggest that attitude, perceived behavioral control, environmental consciousness of
consumers, and the environmental ethics and beliefs of consumers are factors that significantly
influence consumers’ intention to use green products. Subjective norms and the social impression
were found as having a positive but not significant correlation with consumers’ intentions towards
the usage of green products.
2.2.1. Attitude
Attitude is the level of the favorable or unfavorable judgment of a person towards certain
behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Several studies have reported that people’s positive attitude towards the
environment does not translate into behavior (Paço & Raposo, 2010; Gupta & Ogden, 2009). Other
studies found that attitude has a positive impact on behavior such as in the food context (Tanner
& Wölfing Kast, 2003) which can be justified by low-cost and facilitating conditions (Moser,
2015). Hence H1 is proposed as follows:

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H1: Consumers’ attitude towards the environment significantly affects green buying intention.

2.2.2. Subjective Norms

Subjective norm refers to the perceived social pressure to perform or not to perform a
certain behavior (Ajzen, 1991). In a study conducted by Kalafatis et al. (1999), TPB has been used
to interpret the effect of outcome beliefs, social and personal norms, referent beliefs, and perceived
behavioral control on green purchasing intentions. The findings indicated that social influence and
norms were relevant factors in predicting the willingness and intention of Greek and British
consumers to buy eco-friendly products. According to Jansson (2011), social norms have a positive
impact on consumers’ willingness to buy green products. Therefore, H2 is proposed as follows:
H2: Subjective norms significantly affect green buying intention.
2.2.3. Perceived Behavioral Control
Perceived behavioral control can be defined as a person’s perception of how easy or
difficult it is to perform a behavior (Ajzen, 2002). Moser (2015) applied the TBP model to identify
the factors which have a major influence on green purchasing behavior and their respective
importance. It was found that ‘willingness to pay (which replaced PBC) and personal norms were
the two factors which were relevant in predicting green purchasing while attitude was found as
being insignificant in influencing green purchasing behavior. Therefore H3 is proposed as follows:
H3: Perceived behavioral control significantly affects green buying intention.
2.3. Advertising
Advertising is used by numerous enterprises to increase sales which will in turn increase
revenue. The aim of advertising can be to inform, persuade or remind customers about a product.
Agarwal (2019) opined that marketers ought to select their advertising instrument wisely since it
has a lasting impression on customers’ minds and helps to create brand awareness and emotional
touch at the time of making a purchase. In line with enhancing green movements across the world
and with raising awareness of the public about environmental problems, most enterprises have
adopted advertisements through media for introducing their green products to green consumers
(Rahbar & Wahid, 2011). Environmental advertisements assist in forming consumers’ values and
translate these values into the purchase of green products. Therefore, H4 is proposed as follows:
H4: Advertising has a significant impact on green buying intention.
2.4. Sales Promotions

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Sales promotion is another marketing technique, which is used to incite people to buy a
particular product. Sales promotion can be defined as incentives to consumers, designed to
stimulate purchase (Jobber, 1995). Sales promotions come in various forms such as discount,
gifting, coupons, sampling, bundling, “buy-one-get-one-free”, contests amongst others
(Bhasin,2017). Blattberg & Neslin (1990) d,efine a sales promotion as an action-focused
marketing event, the purpose of which is to have a direct influence on customers. Till now there
are no studies that have focused on the effect of sales promotion on green buying behavior. Hence
H5 is proposed as follows:
H5: Sales promotion has a significant effect on green purchase intention.
2.5. Intention and Behavior
Ajzen (1991) stated that intentions to execute some different kinds of behaviors can be
anticipated with high precision from attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms, and
perceived behavioral control; and these intentions, together with perceptions of behavioral control,
explain away substantial variance in actual behavior. It is assumed that intentions capture the
motivational factors that affect a behavior; they denote how far one is inclined to try and the
amount of effort one is willing to give to execute the behavior.
In this study, “intention” refers to green buying intention and “behavior” refers to the action
of purchasing green products. Therefore, this study will test the link between green buying
intention and green purchase action and find out whether these two are consistent. Thus, H6 is
proposed as follows:
H6: There is a significant relationship between green purchase intention and green purchase action.
Therefore an extension of the TBP model will be used for this study as two elements are
added to the model, namely advertising and sales promotion. Figure 2 shows the conceptual
framework that will be used for this study. The conceptual framework was developed based on
and adapted from previous research by Juwaheer et al., (2012); Kumar and Ghodeswar, (2015);
Khare, (2015).

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H2
Subjective Norms Attitude

H1
Perceived H3
Behavioral Control
H6
Green Green
Purchase Purchase
H4 Intention Action
Advertising

H5
Sales Promotion

Figure 2: Conceptual framework

(Source: Self)

3. Research Methodology
A face to face survey was carried out for data collection. The target population for this
study consisted of consumers in Mauritius who could be contacted and were eligible to participate
in the survey. It consisted of both male and female Mauritian consumers above the age of 18. The
chosen sample size was 150. Non-probability sampling was used and respondents were selected
based on subjective judgment rather than at random. This sampling method was preferred since
one important criterion for eligibility to participate in the survey was knowledge of
environmentally friendly products. Participants were informed of the nature of the study and their
consent was obtained before administering the questionnaire. A pilot test was initially carried out
to test the consistency and accuracy of responses using a small sample displaying similar
characteristics to the target population (Hair, Money, Samouel, & Page, 2007).

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The constructs used included: awareness of consumers about green products; attitude of
consumers towards the environment; subjective norms; perceived behavioral control; the effect of
advertising, consumers’ views on sales promotion; green purchase intention; green purchase
action. The Cronbach Alpha test (Table 1) was run to test the reliability and internal consistency
of all the multiple-item measures in the Likert-scale questions using coefficient alpha greater than
0.7 (Nunnally, 1978).
Table 1: Reliability Test
Construct Cronbach No. of
Alpha Items
Attitude .752 5
Subjective Norms .833 4
Perceived Behavioral Control .862 4
Advertising .708 4
Sales Promotion .738 5
Green Purchase Intention .882 5
Green Purchase Action .889 5
(Source: Authors’ SPSS Analysis)

4. Analysis and Findings

The data collected from a sample of 150 respondents were analyzed using Microsoft Excel
and IBM SPSS software. The profile of the respondents was analyzed and reported. Inferential
statistics were used for hypotheses testing. The results and findings are presented below.
4.1. Demographic Profile
49% of the respondents were male and 51% were female. 20.7% of the respondents were
in the age group of 18-25, 20% were in the age group of 26-35, 20% were in the age group of 36-
45, 20% were in the age group of 46-55 and 19.3% were above 55. The majority of respondents
have attained tertiary-level education (36%). This is followed by respondents with secondary
education which represents 33.3% of the total number of respondents. This means that the majority
of respondents have a considerable level of education. 4.7% of the respondents had no formal
education and concerned mainly those above 55 which may be due to the absence of opportunities
(mainly financial issues) to attend school. A great majority (68%) of respondents are employed
while 20% are students. 10.7 % of the respondents are retired with 1.3% being unemployed. 46.7%
of respondents earn a monthly household income of Rs 20, 001 – Rs 30, 000. 20.7% earn a

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monthly household income of Rs 30, 001 – Rs 40, 000. 14% earn less than Rs 10, 000, and 2.7%
earn above Rs 50, 000. Only 1.3% of the respondents earn Rs 40 0001 – Rs 50, 000. This implies
that the majority of the respondents are middle-income earners, that is, Rs 20, 001 – Rs 30, 000.
4.2. Hypotheses Testing
The hypotheses formulated in this study were tested and the results are presented in Tables
2 to 7.
Table 2: Model Summary
Model R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the
Estimate
1 0.443 0.196 0.168 0.40678
(Source: Authors’ SPSS Analysis)

Table 3: ANOVA
Model Sum of Df Mean Square F Sig.
Squares
Regression 5.822 5 1.164 7.037 .000
1 Residual 23.827 144 .165
Total 29.649 149
(Source: Authors’ SPSS Analysis)

Table 4: Regression Coefficients for the Predictors

Model Unstandardized Standardized t Sig.
Coefficients Coefficients
B Std. Error Beta
(Constant) 1.072 .487 2.204 .029
Attitude towards the
.201 .081 .212 2.480 .014
environment
Subjective Norms .178 .061 .318 2.916 .004
1
Perceived Behavioral
.048 .063 .076 .762 .447
Control
Advertising .002 .055 .003 .038 .970
Sales Promotion .294 .076 .380 3.857 .000
(Source: Authors’ SPSS Analysis)
A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to predict green purchase intention
based on attitude towards the environment, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control,
adverting, and sales promotion. A significant regression equation was found (F(5, 144) = 7.04, p

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= 0.000 < 0.05) (Table 3) with an R2 of 0.196 (Table 2). The regression model, therefore, explains
19.6% of variance in green purchase intention.
According to the result (Table 4), green purchase intention is increased by 0.201 units for
each unit increase in attitude towards the environment, by 0.178 units for each unit increase in
subjective norms, and by 0.294 units for each unit increase in sales promotion. Based on the
analysis, attitude towards the environment (p = 0.014 < 0.05), subjective norms (p = 0.004 < 0.05),
and sales promotion (p = 0.000 < 0.05) have been found to be significant determinants of green
purchase intention. Thus, there is enough confidence that the statistics calculated based on the
sample are not due to sampling error and can be intended for the study population. However,
perceived behavioral control (p = 0.447 > 0.05) and advertising (p = 0.970 > 0.05) are insignificant
variables. Moreover, sales promotion has been found to have the greatest influence of green
purchase intention with a β value of 0.380, followed by subjective norms (β = 0.318) while attitude
towards the environment has the lowest influence on green purchase intention (β = 0.212).
This implies that the hypotheses H1, H2, and H5 are accepted while H3 and H4 are rejected.
Hence, Green Purchase Intention = 1.072 + 0.201 (Attitude) + 0.178 (Subjective norms) + 0.294
(Sales promotion) + ε
For the sixth hypothesis, a simple linear regression analysis was calculated to predict green
purchase action based on green purchase intention. The results demonstrate a significant regression
equation (F (1, 148) = 8.34, p = 0.004 < 0.05), with an R2 of 0.153. 15.3% of variance in green
purchase action is therefore explained by the regression model (Table 5). The dependent variable
was Green Purchase Action and the Predictor was Green Purchase Intention.
Table 5: Model Summary
Model R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate
1 .231 0.153 .047 .79860
(Source: Authors’ SPSS Analysis)

Table 6: ANOVA
Model Sum of df Mean Square F Sig.
Squares
Regression 5.318 1 5.318 8.339 .004
1 Residual 94.389 148 .638
Total 99.707 149
(Source: Authors’ SPSS Analysis’)

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Table 7: Regression Coefficients for the Predictor

Model Unstandardized Standardized t Sig.

Coefficients Coefficients
B Std. Error Beta
(Constant) .599 .561 1.067 .288
1 Green Purchase
.424 .147 .231 2.888 .004
Intention
(Source: Authors’ SPSS Analysis)

Green purchase action is increased by 0.424 unit for each unit increase in purchase
intention. Based on the analysis green purchase intention (p = 0.004 < 0.05) has been found to be
a significant determinant of green purchase action (Table 6). Therefore, we can be confident
enough that the result obtained is not due to chance.
Thus, H6 is accepted
Green Purchase Action = 0.599 + 0.424 (Green purchase intention) + ε (Table 7)

5. Discussion
According to the survey, it was found that the majority of people in Mauritius have a strong
positive attitude towards the environment. This tallies with the findings of Juwaheer, Pudaruth &
Noyaux (2012) who found that Mauritian consumers show considerable concern for environmental
problems and also display interest in the conservation of the environment. The positive attitude of
consumers towards the environment has also been found to affect green purchase intention. This
supports the findings of Phau and Ong, (2007); Khare (2015); Chen (2009); who also found that
environmental consciousness has a positive impact on green purchase behavior. Focusing on the
level of environmental knowledge of customers, it comes to the surface that customers in
developing countries have lesser knowledge in comparison to the customers in developed
countries. This causes concern for the marketing departments in organizations since different
customer niches demand different marketing solutions to influence their buying decision.
Subjective norms were identified as the second factor having the most influence on green
purchasing intention. This is in accordance with the study of Khare (2015) which observed that
social conformance is an important factor in determining the green purchasing behavior of

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consumers. The findings also align with those of Jansson (2011) who identified social norms as
having a positive impact on consumers’ willingness to buy green products.
Perceived behavioral control does not affect green buying intention. However, this
contradicts the findings of Moser (2015) who applied the TBP model to identify the factors having
major influences on green purchasing behavior. His study found that ‘willingness to pay’ (which
replaced PBC) is a relevant factor in predicting green purchasing. The present findings show that
there is no relationship between advertising and green buying intention. This contradicts the
findings of Baldwin (1993) who stated that environmental advertisements assist in forming
consumers’ values and translate these values into the buying of eco-friendly products. It is found
that most people disagree with the fact that there is enough advertising on green products in
Mauritius. This might have prevented a genuine evaluation of the effect of advertising on green
purchase behavior as they are not exposed to enough adverts on green products. This is an
implication for marketers, who should consider developing more green adverts and more so in line
with the findings of Ali (2021) who observed that customers in developing countries have lesser
knowledge in comparison to the customers in developed countries regarding green products and
hence encouraged marketing departments in organizations to put more emphasis on green products
in their marketing communication.
According to the survey findings, sales promotion has been identified as the factor having
the greatest influence on green purchase intention among all the other factors that were tested.
Sales promotion encourages customers to try new brands and also provides customers with more
value for money, therefore having an impact on green purchase intention. As no such study has
concentrated on sales promotion in relation to green purchase intention, this is a new factor that
can be further studied in detail in the future.
In this study, green purchase intention has been identified as having an impact of green
purchase action. This means that green purchase intention eventually translates into green purchase
action.

6. Recommendations
The analysis and findings have shed light on the factors that have an impact on the green
buying intention of Mauritian consumers and clarifications have also been made on some issues
related with green purchase.

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Marketers should pay special attention to the packaging of green products to make the eco-
label clear and more visible to customers. Educating customers on eco-labels could be an effective
strategy to increase knowledge on this issue. Customers can be educated on the different eco-labels
that exist in Mauritius and what do these labels mean. When customers familiarize themselves
with eco-labels, it will be easier for them to distinguish between a green product and a non-green
product. According to the study conducted by Juwaheer, Pudaruth and Noyaux (2012) in
Mauritius, eco-label was found to be an important factor affecting green purchasing behavior.
Therefore, working on the above-mentioned strategies can be fruitful for marketers.
The findings show that most people do not have control over their behavior and think that
it is difficult to execute the behavior, that is, green purchase. This means that some people will not
buy green products even if they want to because some factors are making it difficult for them to
make the purchase. Furthermore, the survey has also revealed that price is the first factor on which
most people disagree as they do not find the price of green products affordable. This implies that
due to the high price of green products, some people do not make green purchases. Since a strong
positive attitude towards the environment was found among Mauritian consumers, some of them
might be willing to buy green products to contribute to the protection of the environment but are
not doing so due to the high price of green products. Therefore, marketers should try to lower the
price of green products to make them affordable to everyone and also encourage more people to
buy green products. Alternatively, as per the study of Changjoon, Lim and Byoungchun (2021),
high prices may increase purchase intentions when customers are provided with genuine and
credible information about green products.
The survey revealed that sales promotion positively affects green purchase intention.
Consumers already have a positive attitude towards the environment and have an interest in its
protection. Some stimulation from marketers, for example, samples of green products can be
offered to consumers so that they can try the product. By so doing, consumers get the opportunity
to try and evaluate the product without any risk involved and after having experienced its benefits,
they might continue buying it in the future.
Another factor that has been found as a barrier to green purchase is the inability to identify
green products in retail stores as most people disagree with the fact that it is easy to identify green
products. Dahlquist (2021) also suggests how knowledge redundancy among other factors acts as
a barrier towards the choice and purchase of green products. To address this issue, retail stores

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such as supermarkets can have a special section where all green products can be displayed. In this
section, only eco-friendly products will be displayed. This will facilitate the task of people who
want to purchase green products as they will not have to move around the store to find green
products. People who want to buy green products can go directly to this section which can be
named the “green section”. Moreover, this will enable green products to gain more visibility in
stores as they will not be mixed with other products on the shelves and help customers make more
informed decisions through such green marketing strategies (Ali, 2021).
Marketers should also focus on developing more advertisements on eco-friendly products.
This will help to increase awareness of green products and when people will be more exposed to
these adverts, this will help them to retain green brands in their minds. As proposed by (Luo, Chen
& Chea 2020) positive EWOM (electronic word of the mouth) on social media, such as Facebook,
must be encouraged to build up a positive reputation and craft appropriate marketing strategies for
green products business growth.
From the point of view of policymakers, (Dike, Toby & Amaramiro (2021) recommend
the enactment of appropriate laws that will promote sustainable peace and enduring development.
This will ensure that green products and processes for making them will continue to be on the
government agenda and thus create further business opportunities that are properly communicated
to stakeholders for appropriate action, in line with what is being currently promoted such as lower
road tax for electric/hybrid vehicles as well as low-interest loans for the purchase of the same.
Along the same vein, Gule (2021) recommends countries to invest in clean energy
processes to contain the CO2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions and adopt policies that promote the use
of environmentally friendly technologies to pursue sustainable development goals. It is very
interesting to note that Mauritius has already embarked on such paths to a fair amount of success
and promoting the island for various businesses incorporates these themes in the advertising and
sales promotion messages.
It can be said that in Mauritius there are both users and non-users of green products. There
are some have adopted green products while others have not due to some barriers that have been
discussed in this study. Some strategies have also been recommended that can help in converting
non-users of green products into users and also to encourage people to use more green products.

7. Conclusion, Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research

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It is found that sales promotion, attitude towards the environment and subjective norms
were identified as factors that have a significant influence on green purchasing intention.
Mauritians have a positive attitude towards the environment which is consistent with their buying
intention. Sales promotion was found to have a positive influence on green purchase intention
while advertising does not affect green purchase intention. Therefore, by implementing the
suggested strategies, marketers can better promote eco-friendly products and increase the number
of green products consumers in Mauritius. From a Mauritian citizen’s point of view, this can
decrease the level of pollution in Mauritius, making it a better place to live for all the citizens
and making them proud of their country.
Concerning the limitations of this research, the study is based on the TPB model and two
additional factors namely sales promotion and advertising. Other factors were not tested such as
environmental awareness, personal values and norms, green product experience, green self-
identity, and socio-demographic factors. There is limited in-depth insight gathered from the
respondents since the data collection method was mainly quantitative.
Further research can analyze the effect of other factors such as environmental awareness,
personal values and norms, green product experience, green self-identity, and socio-demographic
factors on green purchase intention among Mauritian consumers. As the study is only quantitative,
further research can be of qualitative nature which will enable further exploration of green buying
behavior and other factors affecting green purchasing intention can be discovered. Moreover,
larger sample size can be taken as it will enable a more precise representation of the study
population.

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