Rooting for the green: consumers and brand love

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the nature of relationships between consumers and green brands and notably their role in shaping green brand evangelism. More particularly, the study first focuses on the influence of green relational benefits (confidence, self-expression, socialisation and altruistism) on green brand loyalty and subsequently the direct effect of green brand loyalty on green brand evangelism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using an online survey administered to a sample of 101 graduated female consumers of green personal care and beauty brands. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesized relationships of the proposed conceptual model.

Findings

The study results demonstrate the existence of a positive and direct impact of confidence, socialization and self-expression benefits on green brand loyalty, with a stronger influence of confidence compared to the other benefits. Green brand loyalty generates a positive green brand evangelism from consumers.

Practical implications

To promote green brand evangelism, managers should invest in actions that enhance consumer loyalty towards green brands through a combination of confidence, socialization and self-expression benefits.

Originality/value

Although previous studies have discussed how relational benefits contribute to the development of brand loyalty, the issue has not been examined from a green brand perspective. In addition, this paper explores the antecedents of green brand evangelism, which have not been sufficiently addressed in the existing literature.

Citation

Hamouda, M. and Aissaoui, A. (2023), "Rooting for the green: consumers and brand love", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBS-02-2023-0028