Short answer

Designers and businesses should adopt a holistic approach, integrating political, economic, social, and technological considerations to effectively promote and drive the adoption of green products.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Indian Journal of Marketing (2025)
Method: Quantitative research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
Sample: 446 participants
Evidence: Strong effect

Government policies, economic incentives, social influences, and technological advancements collectively shape consumer intent to purchase sustainable products. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Indian Journal of Marketing. Using Quantitative research using structural equation modeling (sem). with 446 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and businesses should adopt a holistic approach, integrating political, economic, social, and technological considerations to effectively promote and drive the adoption of green products.

Study

SustainabilityNew This WeekStrong effect

PEST Factors Significantly Drive Green Product Purchase Intentions in Emerging Economies

Government policies, economic incentives, social influences, and technological advancements collectively shape consumer intent to purchase sustainable products.

Indian Journal of Marketing · 2025

Key Findings

01Political factors (e.g., government regulations, incentives) are pivotal drivers of green purchase intention.
02Social norms, mediated by social comparison theory, significantly influence green buying behavior.
03Economic factors (e.g., income, price sensitivity, financial incentives) play a substantial role in purchasing decisions.
04Technological advancements (e.g., eco-friendly product innovation, digital platforms) enhance consumer engagement with sustainability.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers and businesses should adopt a holistic approach, integrating political, economic, social, and technological considerations to effectively promote and drive the adoption of green products.

How to apply

When designing products or campaigns aimed at promoting sustainability, analyze how political support, economic viability, social acceptance, and technological feasibility can be optimized.

Project actions

01When researching a sustainable product, consider how external factors like laws, cost, and trends affect people's choices.
02Use frameworks like PEST to analyze the broader context of your design problem.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the influence of Political, Economic, Social, and Technological (PEST) factors on consumers' intention to purchase green products within an emerging economy context.

MethodQuantitative research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

ProcedureData was collected from consumers via online and offline surveys. A structural model was developed and analyzed using SmartPLS software to assess the relationships between PEST factors and green purchase intention, with social comparison theory acting as a mediator.

Sample446 participants

ContextConsumer behavior in an emerging economy (India), focusing on green product purchasing.

Variables

IV["Political Factors","Economic Factors","Social Factors","Technological Factors"]

DVGreen Product Purchase Intention

CV["Social Comparison Theory (as a mediator)","Demographics of participants"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilizes a robust quantitative methodology (SEM) for analyzing complex relationships.
+Applies a comprehensive framework (PEST) to understand multifaceted influences.

Limitations

The study's focus on a single country means the findings might not apply everywhere.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability and validity would be assessed through SEM fit indices and the internal consistency of the scales used to measure PEST factors and purchase intention.

Think critically

How might the relative importance of PEST factors differ between developed and developing economies when it comes to green product adoption?

Design Principles

"Sustainable product adoption is a multi-faceted outcome influenced by macro-environmental factors and individual perceptions."

Understanding the interplay of political, economic, social, and technological factors is crucial for designing effective strategies to promote sustainable consumption. This insight helps designers and businesses identify key leverage points to encourage greener choices.

What This Means for Your Design

Buying green stuff is easier when the government helps, it's socially cool, it doesn't cost too much, and the technology makes it simple.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the external factors that influence the success of sustainable design solutions in your design project.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights that the intention to purchase green products is significantly influenced by a combination of political, economic, social, and technological factors (Dahiya et al., 2025). Understanding these macro-environmental elements is crucial for developing effective strategies that encourage sustainable consumption.

Source

Indian Journal of Marketing

Factors Influencing Green Product Purchase Intention : A Structural Equation Modeling Approach Utilizing PEST Framework

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about pest factors significantly drive green product purchase intentions in emerging economies?: Designers and businesses should adopt a holistic approach, integrating political, economic, social, and technological considerations to effectively promote and drive the adoption of green products. Evidence: Indian Journal of Marketing (2025).
Why does "PEST Factors Significantly Drive Green Product Purchase Intentions in Emerging Economies" matter for design?: Understanding the interplay of political, economic, social, and technological factors is crucial for designing effective strategies to promote sustainable consumption. This insight helps designers and businesses identify key leverage points to encourage greener choices.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers and businesses should adopt a holistic approach, integrating political, economic, social, and technological considerations to effectively promote and drive the adoption of green products.
What were the main findings?: Political factors (e.g., government regulations, incentives) are pivotal drivers of green purchase intention.. Social norms, mediated by social comparison theory, significantly influence green buying behavior.. Economic factors (e.g., income, price sensitivity, financial incentives) play a substantial role in purchasing decisions.. Technological advancements (e.g., eco-friendly product innovation, digital platforms) enhance consumer engagement with sustainability.
What research method was used?: Quantitative research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). with 446 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Indian Journal of Marketing.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing products or campaigns aimed at promoting sustainability, analyze how political support, economic viability, social acceptance, and technological feasibility can be optimized.
What are the limitations?: Findings are specific to the cultural and economic context of India and may not be directly generalizable to all emerging or developed economies.