Tag Archives: DEAR

270–279 H. Roubik and J. Mazancova
Do young consumers care about ethics? Influence of DEAR and GDI on buying preferences – A pilot study
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Do young consumers care about ethics? Influence of DEAR and GDI on buying preferences – A pilot study

H. Roubik and J. Mazancova*

Department of Sustainable Technologies, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ16500 Praha 6 – Suchdol, Czech Republic
*Correspondence: mazan@ftz.czu.cz

Abstract:

These days’ consumers can express their concern about ethical behaviour of companies by means of ethical buying and consumer behaviour. The purpose of this study was to investigate how DEAR (Development Education Awareness Rising) and GDI (Global Development Issues) knowledge affects consumers preferences among higher education students in the Czech Republic. The pilot survey covered 136 students out of total 488 from Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (CULS Prague) and was conducted from February to March 2014. Data collection was done through online survey. Collected data were categorized, coded and analysed in a statistical programme Statistica 10. In the study we examined DEAR impacts on buying preferences and therefore revealed current preferences, intentions connected with knowledge background and practices among selected university students regarding ethical and local consumption. Our results show a positive correlation (ρ = 0.664, α = 0.005) between examined factors – knowledge of specific terms (effects of GDI and DEAR) with socially responsible consumers’ behaviour. If consumers are well informed, positively influenced and have access to ethical products, they act as socially responsible consumers. Therefore, there is proven importance of education and access to information as a key component for conscious behaviour. These days Global Development Education and Development Education Awareness Rising should be considered not only alternatively in education, but become more common parts of educational process. This paper is a pilot study to be followed by in-depth research covering representative samples of students at Czech HEIs which have incorporated DEAR in their study curricula.

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