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The gap between concern for the environmental degradation and green purchase intention has been pointed previously in the literature. This gap is concerning and must be addressed to boost green product sales. This study adapts the behavioral reasoning theory (BRT) to address the attitude-intention gap. This study develops a framework to examine the impact of green consumption value, reasons for purchasing green products and reasons against purchasing green products on consumer attitude toward green product and green purchase intention. A cross-sectional survey was filled by 322 respondents from India. The findings indicate that green consumption value positively associate with reasons for purchasing green products, and attitude toward green products, which, in turn, has a positive effect on green purchase intention. Reasons for purchasing green product has a positive impact on attitude toward green products and green purchase intention. Reasons against purchasing green products do not mediate the relationship between green consumption value and green purchase intention, and also do not have direct influence on attitude toward green products and green purchase intention. The findings of the study provide theoretical and managerial implications that can benefit academicians and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, Kappaphycus alvarezii is the only alga being cultivated commercially for kappa carrageenan production and also being utilized for the socioeconomic upliftment of coastal rural population in India in the form of their cultivation and marketing. The production has been substantially increased from 21 dry tonnes to 1490 dry tonnes with increasing market purchase value from US$ 0.061 to 0.469 kg dry wt−1 during 2001–2013. In India, annual import for carrageenan is 1800–2000 M tons year−1 and its demand is reported to be increased by 5–6% every year (Mantri et al. 2017). To date, Aquagri Pvt Ltd is the only company in India producing kappa carrageenan from cultivated Kappaphycus alvarezii (Mantri et al. 2017). However, few other marine phycocolloid processing factories are producing kappa carrageenan from Hypnea musciformis and Hypnea valentiae at cottage level. The total annual production of carrageenan in India ranges between 100 and 132 tons. There is tremendous demand for other carrageenan such as iota and lambda carrageenan in food, beverage, and consumer product manufacturing industries. In order to ascertain suitability of unexplored other indigenous carrageenophytes for commercial cultivation in India, several red algal species such as Agardhiella subulata, Ahnfeltiopsis pygmaea, Laurencia caraibica, and Solieria robusta were collected from wild habitats in Kanyakumari (N 08°08′10.36″; E 077°34′28.06″) Tamil Nadu, India, and were evaluated for their mariculture potential and the presence of carrageenan. Preliminary cultivation experiments were carried out by raft culture method (1 × 1 m) for 45 days at two harvest cycles at Thonithurai (N 09°16′53.45″; E 079°11′19.22″), Tamil Nadu, South eastern coast of India. Except Ahnfeltiopsis pygmaea, all other seaweeds investigated showed daily growth rate (DGR) in the range of 1.59 to 3.822% and confirmed its mariculture potential. Phycocolloid was extracted with yield 4.5 to 29.37% from dry seaweed residues obtained after extraction of lipids using both water and aqueous alkali [5% Ca (OH)2 solution]. Water was found the better solvent in terms of higher yield of the Phycocolloid (29.37%) from Solieria robusta. FT-IR of the extracted phycocolloid indicated presence of characteristic bands for carrageenan in all the samples. However, from the band positions, the presence of iota carrageenan was ascertained in the Agardhiella subulata and Solieria robusta and hybrid iota/kappa carrageenan is expected to be present in Laurencia caraibica and Ahnfeltiopsis pygmaea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One strand of business cycle research focuses on the analysis of the comovement of business cycle variables at the aggregate and sectoral levels. Following this line of research, this article examines the volatility and inter‐industry comovement of output in the context of India for the post‐liberalisation period, that is, April 1992–December 2019. The study employs the dynamic conditional correlation‐multivariate generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity framework and thereby estimates the conditional variance and the time‐varying correlations. The results indicate that the volatilities of the capital goods sector and consumer durables sector relative to that of the aggregate industrial sector are higher, suggesting a higher amplitude of growth rates in these sectors. The conditional correlation estimates reveal that the use‐based sectors are positively correlated with the aggregate industry, and the capital goods sector has the highest correlation with the aggregate sector. Given that the capital goods sector is crucial for the development of the economy, it is essential to bring more stability and sustain growth in this sector. The results further point towards positive but relatively weak correlations between the pair of sectors. The finding of positive correlation underscores the comovement of different groups of industries. The relatively weak correlations between the pairs of use‐based sectors might be because of a lower degree of transmission of shocks from one use‐based sector to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermediate rubber goods are either used for production of finished rubber goods or used as a final consumer good. The intermediate rubber goods import of India are growing at a higher rate than the import of other major rubber products under the WTO regime. Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) of India have further liberalised the import into the country. The present study is an attempt to understand whether the tariff liberalisation of India under the RTAs causes growth in import of intermediate rubber products. The study analysed all the major intermediate rubber products listed in Chapter 40 of the Harmonised System Nomenclature of the World Customs Organisation using the methodologies, such as gravity modelling and break point analysis. The study found that more than the tariff policy, the growth in the domestic economy of India is the prime reason for higher import growth of items under the intermediate rubber products into the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appliance labels allow consumers to choose products based on their energy use. In most countries, the widely adopted comparative categorical labels give information on energy use in physical units such as kilowatt-hour. Studies on the impact of monetary cost information on labels have reported different results across appliances within studies, and for the same appliances across studies. Recent studies on refrigerators show that monetary information increases the probability of cost-effectiveness analysis and fosters choice of energy-efficient refrigerators but do not estimate the consumer willingness to pay for higher efficiency category. In a discrete choice experiment, we observe choices of a sample of households divided into groups based on whether they get operating cost information on hypothetical choices. We estimate a mixed logit model with correlated random parameters and estimate the magnitude and distribution of consumer willingness to pay for higher energy efficiency category. We find that energy cost information on labels facilitate comparison of refrigerators based on energy-efficiency and leads to a positive willingness to pay for higher levels of energy efficiency. It also increases the share of respondents having a positive willingness to pay for higher efficiency. We conclude that annual energy cost information on refrigerator labels can improve the effectiveness of labelling policy in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dairy-based probiotic drinks are widely available for consumers. However, these drinks are often attributed to lactose and casein intolerance, and associated cholesterol risks. This calls for the development of non-dairy based probiotic drinks. Fruit based products can be a potential alternative option. In the present work, Sohiong (Prunus nepalensis) juice has been used for the development of a possible probiotic product. The fruit is widely available in North-eastern part of India. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and anthocyanin. However, due to lack of proper value addition techniques, the fruit remains unutilized. Sohiong juice was extracted using ultrasound assisted enzymatic extraction and then fermented with different initial loads of 4, 6 and 8 log colony-forming unit (CFU)/ml of Lactobacillus plantarum MCC 2974 at 37 °C for 72 h. During fermentation, the number of viable probiotic cells increased up to 10 log CFU/ml. The concentration of fructose and glucose decreased significantly, whereas total phenolic content, anthocyanin, and DPPH radical scavenging capacity increased. The probiotic microbe population was higher than 6 log CFU/ml even after four weeks of storage at 4 ± 1 °C. The results affirm the suitability and feasibility of developing a non-dairy based probiotic drink from Sohiong juice. Highlights • Probiotic fermentation of Sohiong juice with Lactobacillus plantarum ssp. plantarum. • Sohiong juice was found to be suitable media for the production of probiotic juice. • Total polyphenols and anthocyanins were increased after probiotification of Sohiong juice. • Probiotic Sohiong juice has shown good consumer acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this age of rising consumerism, it is evident that we need to move toward a more environmentally sustainable and socially just form of consumption patterns by surpassing the impasse currently faced by various sustainable consumption policies. Without any further delay, we need to embrace an apt methodological orientation to gain a better socioculturally situated conceptual understanding of consumers and a means to obtain empirical insights into drivers of socioenvironmentally impactful consumption patterns to be able to proceed toward efficacious sustainable consumption policies. This article proposes a phenomenological research methodology–based conceptual framing and a step-by-step methodological approach based on that framing to gain an in-depth understanding of how consumers being socioculturally situated identity projects–driven subjects embed consumer goods as integral parts of their life narratives and how that in turn acts as the drivers of their consumption. The elaborated steps of interpreting collected consumer narratives are presented with examples from an empirical research conducted in a few Indian cities. Critical reflections on diverse issues that may arise while employing this methodology in similar contexts like India are then discussed. The conclusion highlights how this understanding of consumer could make a novel contribution to sustainable consumption literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green consumption behavior is an essential requirement for long-term sustainable development of the Earth's civilization. Several authors have found education to be one of the key factors influencing green consumption behavior. This study identifies the factors influencing the willingness of university teachers to purchase green products and the predictor variables that distinguish teachers who are willing or unwilling to purchase green products. The findings show that product recycling has a positive influence and comfort, eco-labeling, and lack of information have a negative influence on the willingness of university teachers to purchase green products. Switching products for ecological reasons, preference for ecological quality, and a consideration that plastic carry bags are more convenient and should not be banned are good discriminators between the groups willing to buy and not willing to buy green products. The teachers are aware of environmental activism, even though their concerns do not always translate into green consumer behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recently, concerns have been expressed by manufacturers and customers about the environmental impact of products. Consumers and manufacturers have directed their attention toward environment friendly products that are presumed to be "green" or environment friendly like low power consuming (energy-efficient) electrical appliances, organic foods, lead free paints, recyclable paper, and phosphate free detergents. Indian marketers are also realizing the importance of the green marketing concept. Although a variety of research on green marketing has been conducted across the globe; little academic research on consumer perception and preferences has been carried out in India. This research provides a brief review of environmental issues and identifies the green values of the consumers, their level of awareness about environmental issues, green products and practices. This paper highlights the consumers' perception and preferences towards green marketing practices and products with the help of a structured questionnaire. A study was conducted on 106 respondents. High level of awareness about green marketing practices and products was found among the consumers. Green values were also found to be high among the respondents. Research has given good insights for marketers of the green products and suggests the need of designing the marketing communication campaigns promoting green products due to high green value among the consumers. Results of regression analysis reveals the view that overall green values, awareness about green products and practices and the perception regarding seriousness of marketing companies towards green marketing had positive significant impact on consumer persuasion to buy and prefer green products over conventional products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the market reform and quality of economic growth in India during the 1980s and after liberation in early 1990s. It examines the quantitative aspect of gross domestic product (GDP) growth based on the quality and occurrence of defects and faults of consumer goods, such as televisions, telephone and wristwatches. It also suggests that the quality of consumer goods were higher during liberalization than policy governments of import substitution.

When government policy makers, particularly in a developing country, impose a tariff on imports, they generally select an arbitrary tariff rate or a rate proposed by domestic interest groups such as producers. Such a tariff rate generally does not maximize welfare gain or minimize welfare loss, that is, it is not an optimal tariff. In this study we investigate whether India's ad valorem tariff of 50% on apple imports is optimal, and estimate the optimal tariff and welfare impacts. Our findings show that the Indian government policy is not only welfare reducing but is harmful if the excess supply is elastic. Time findings underscore time importance of conducting economic studies and determining the optimal policy parameters as opposed to selecting them arbitrarily to meet the needs of a particular group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at the relatively new practice of in-film advertizing in popular Hindi films. Acknowledging the impact of popular films and iconic stars since the 1940s and 50s on styles, trends and ideology, the paper explores how this powerful medium is now being used for product placement and brand endorsement in India. Appealing to the rising affluence of Indian audiences, branded goods are most likely to appear in films such as high-end luxury consumer goods like mobile phones, cars and motorcycles. Realizing the potential of celebrity endorsements and the advantages of in-film placements, the advertizing industry views movies as the optimum medium for building brands. Equally, the film industry is happy to accommodate in-film advertizing as it serves to defray production costs, as well as the costs of marketing and promoting films. This trend, which is likely to grow, encourages consumerism through consumption in a growing market economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines transformations in long-distance trade in a highland community in northeast India over a period of 35 years. It links changes in demand for trade goods to shifts in the political subjectivities of the Wancho as they are incorporated into the Indian state and to the consumer choices made by chiefs and commoners, women and men as they utilize opportunities to alter patterns of labor inhering in the local conceptions of gender and social rank. The movement of mass-produced consumer goods into rural communities around the world has given rise to a volume of anthropological work on the social meanings of consumption.

We report concentrations of mercury in skin-care products in India and the associated health risks. Mercury concentrations were 0.11 μg/kg (median; 5th percentile–95th percentile = 0.04–0.58 μg/kg; n = 24) in body lotions, 0.22 μg/kg (0.04–0.38 μg/kg, n = 10) in moisturizing lotions, 0.67 μg/kg (0.30–1.33 μg/kg, n = 8) in blemish balms, 0.16 μg/kg (0.06–7.43 μg/kg, n = 11) in bleaches, 0.13 μg/kg (0.04–0.98 μg/kg, n = 34) in skin lightning (fairness) creams manufactured within the country, and 9.24 × 106 μg/kg (2.92 × 106–3.17 × 107 μg/kg, n = 14) in imported skin lightning (fairness) creams, much higher than the 1 ppm (1 ppm = 103 μg/kg) regulatory limit. Probabilistic human health risk assessment for adult women (age > 21 y) revealed that computed hazard quotients from dermal exposure to the high-mercury fairness creams were >100 in all cases. The mass of mercury entering into the society via skin-care products is highly sensitive to the mass of high-mercury fairness creams that is imported to India; ten tonnes of import can introduce 29–317 kg of mercury every year. As such, analysis and labeling of mercury contents in skin-care products by manufacturers, and raising awareness among regulatory authorities to restrict the import of high-mercury fairness creams, is required. • Skin-care products, body lotions, bleaches, fairness creams analyzed for mercury (Hg) concentrations; most were <7.4 μg/kg. • Analyzed imported fairness creams had Hg concentrations > 2.9 × 106 μg/kg, higher than the regulatory limit of 103 μg/kg. • Computed hazard quotients from dermal exposure to the high-Hg fairness creams were >100. • Mass of Hg entering the Indian society via skin-care products is sensitive to the amount of high-Hg creams being sold. • Reporting of Hg contents in skin-care products by sellers and regulatory control of high-Hg creams is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the range of a central good in Punjab, India. Walther Christaller is particularly explicit in distinguishing between the population of a center and that center's importance. He observes that the ranges of non-essential goods, with elastic demands, will be most affected by a widespread change in price. He demonstrates that price-induced changes in the range of a good may alter the rank of a good from high to lower orders with price reductions, and from lower to higher orders with price rises. The commodity utilized in the study, milled white cotton cloth, was selected as an item commonly and frequently purchased in districts of Punjab.

Reducing fossil fuel consumption is a top priority option for climate change mitigation, which requires collaborations of partners along the supply chain, such as energy suppliers, energy consumers and final consumers of goods and services. A comprehensive analysis of fossil fuel consumption is useful for policymakers to reduce demand but still absent. This study explores the national contribution to global energy consumption from different perspectives in the global supply chain and is designed to complement current energy reduction policies. For the developed countries, energy consumptions are stable from 2000 to 2014, while that of emerging countries almost doubled (e.g., China and India). Most of the developing countries are producers whose production-based and final production-based energy consumptions are higher than their consumption-based ones, except India after the global financial crisis. In contrast, the developed countries are consumers, whose consumption-based energy consumptions are higher. At the sectoral level, the service sector is the largest contributor to consumption- and income-based energy consumption. The analysis in this study can create opportunities for all the parties alongside the supply chain in reducing fossil fuel consumption. • Different frameworks of energy consumption are proposed and discussed. • National energy consumptions at different production stages are identified. • Sectoral contributions to energy consumption are identified. • China accounts for the majority of global energy consumption. • Energy consumptions of emerging countries increased faster than the developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this age of rising consumerism, it is evident that we need to move toward a more environmentally sustainable and socially just form of consumption patterns by surpassing the impasse currently faced by various sustainable consumption policies. Without any further delay, we need to embrace an apt methodological orientation to gain a better socioculturally situated conceptual understanding of consumers and a means to obtain empirical insights into drivers of socioenvironmentally impactful consumption patterns to be able to proceed toward efficacious sustainable consumption policies. This article proposes a phenomenological research methodology–based conceptual framing and a step-by-step methodological approach based on that framing to gain an in-depth understanding of how consumers being socioculturally situated identity projects–driven subjects embed consumer goods as integral parts of their life narratives and how that in turn acts as the drivers of their consumption. The elaborated steps of interpreting collected consumer narratives are presented with examples from an empirical research conducted in a few Indian cities. Critical reflections on diverse issues that may arise while employing this methodology in similar contexts like India are then discussed. The conclusion highlights how this understanding of consumer could make a novel contribution to sustainable consumption literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]