What were the main findings?

Trust in legal and scientific institutions significantly influences boycotting behaviour.. Individual factors such as gender, age, education, political interest, generalized trust, personal well-being, and ICT use/perception are also important drivers of boycotts.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Preprints.org.

What are the limitations?

The study relies on self-reported data and perceptions, which may be subject to bias. The specific mechanisms through which ICT use influences boycotts require further exploration.

Short answer

Designers and businesses should prioritize transparency and ethical considerations in product development and marketing, as a lack of trust in institutions can directly translate into market rejection.

Field: Innovation & Markets
Source: Preprints.org (2023)
Method: Quantitative analysis using binary logistic regression.
Sample: Data from 25 European countries (specific participant number not detailed in abstract).
Evidence: Moderate effect

Consumers are more likely to boycott products when they have low trust in legal and scientific institutions, and their perceptions of information access and use of communication technologies play a significant role. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Preprints.org. Using Quantitative analysis using binary logistic regression. with Data from 25 European countries (specific participant number not detailed in abstract)., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and businesses should prioritize transparency and ethical considerations in product development and marketing, as a lack of trust in institutions can directly translate into market rejection.

Study

Innovation & MarketsRecentModerate effect

Consumer Boycotts Driven by Trust in Institutions and Information Access

Preprints.org · 2023

Key Findings

01Trust in legal and scientific institutions significantly influences boycotting behaviour.
02Individual factors such as gender, age, education, political interest, generalized trust, personal well-being, and ICT use/perception are also important drivers of boycotts.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Conduct market research to gauge consumer trust in relevant institutions and their perception of your brand's transparency. Develop communication strategies that directly address these concerns.

Project actions

01When researching consumer behaviour, consider how trust in external authorities might influence purchasing decisions.
02Explore how different communication channels can impact consumer perceptions of a product or brand.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate how institutional trust (in legal and scientific systems) and individual factors influence consumer product boycotts in Europe.

MethodQuantitative analysis using binary logistic regression.

ProcedureThe study analyzed data from the European Social Survey, examining the relationship between various individual and institutional factors and the likelihood of consumers engaging in product boycotts.

SampleData from 25 European countries (specific participant number not detailed in abstract).

ContextConsumer behaviour and market dynamics within Europe, focusing on sustainable consumption and political consumerism.

Variables

IV["Trust in legal system","Trust in scientists","Gender","Age","Education level","Interest in politics","Satisfaction with political system","Generalized trust","Personal well-being","Use and perception of ICTs"]

DVConsumer product boycott behaviour

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilizes a large-scale European dataset.
+Examines a broad range of influencing factors.

Limitations

Surveys might not capture the full complexity of real-world boycotting decisions, and cross-cultural differences within Europe could be more nuanced.

Reliability & validity

The use of established survey data and robust statistical methods (logistic regression) suggests good reliability and validity for the identified relationships.

Think critically

How might a company proactively build trust in scientific claims about its products, especially in an era of widespread misinformation?

Design Principles

"Foster transparency and build institutional trust to mitigate consumer boycott risks."

Understanding the drivers behind consumer boycotts is crucial for businesses to anticipate market shifts and manage brand reputation. This insight highlights the importance of transparent communication and building trust with consumers regarding product sustainability and ethical practices.

What This Means for Your Design

People are more likely to stop buying a product if they don't trust the law or scientists, and if they don't feel well-informed or satisfied with how things are run.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing consumer motivations for choosing or rejecting products, especially in relation to ethical or sustainable design.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that consumer boycotts are significantly influenced by a lack of trust in established institutions, such as legal and scientific bodies, and are further shaped by individual factors like age, education, and engagement with information technologies. This suggests that for a product to succeed, designers and marketers must not only focus on product quality but also on building and maintaining consumer confidence through transparent practices and effective communication.

Source

Preprints.org

Sustainable Consumption and the Drivers of Product Boycott in Europe

journal · 2023

View source

Related studies

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about consumer boycotts driven by trust in institutions and information access?: Designers and businesses should prioritize transparency and ethical considerations in product development and marketing, as a lack of trust in institutions can directly translate into market rejection. Evidence: Preprints.org (2023).
Why does "Consumer Boycotts Driven by Trust in Institutions and Information Access" matter for design?: Understanding the drivers behind consumer boycotts is crucial for businesses to anticipate market shifts and manage brand reputation. This insight highlights the importance of transparent communication and building trust with consumers regarding product sustainability and ethical practices.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers and businesses should prioritize transparency and ethical considerations in product development and marketing, as a lack of trust in institutions can directly translate into market rejection.
What were the main findings?: Trust in legal and scientific institutions significantly influences boycotting behaviour.. Individual factors such as gender, age, education, political interest, generalized trust, personal well-being, and ICT use/perception are also important drivers of boycotts.
What research method was used?: Quantitative analysis using binary logistic regression. with Data from 25 European countries (specific participant number not detailed in abstract)..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Preprints.org.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Conduct market research to gauge consumer trust in relevant institutions and their perception of your brand's transparency. Develop communication strategies that directly address these concerns.
What are the limitations?: The study relies on self-reported data and perceptions, which may be subject to bias. The specific mechanisms through which ICT use influences boycotts require further exploration.