Joy M. Kozar

Socially and environmentally responsible apparel consumption: knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between social and environmental responsibility knowledge, attitudes, and purchasing behavior.Design/methodology/approach – An online questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge of, and attitudes towards, issues of social responsibility, including social and environmental aspects related to the production and distribution of apparel and textile goods. Information regarding engagement in socially and environmentally responsible apparel‐purchasing behavior was also collected. Participants included students enrolled at a four‐year institution located in the Midwestern USA.Findings – Participants indicated being more knowledgeable about apparel environmental issues as compared to apparel social issues. Overall, participants exhibited low involvement in socially and environmentally responsible apparel‐purchasing behavior. However, both knowledge and attitudes of social and environmental issues were significant predictors of socially and en...

Comparison of the Ideal and Real Body as Women Age: Relationships to Age Identity, Body Satisfaction and Importance, and Attention to Models in Advertising

This study examines the relationship between age, body image, and womens proclivity to compare themselves with fashion models. A sample of 281 women between the ages of 30 and 80 participated in this study. Significant positive relationships between social comparison behavior and (a) appearance self-discrepancy and (b) the importance placed on achieving ideal appearance were found. A significant inverse relationship between social comparison behavior and body satisfaction was also observed. Participants older in age were found to be less likely to compare themselves with fashion models. However, the younger that participants felt they were, the more inclined they were to compare themselves with models. Participants who reported a larger difference between their ideal and actual age perceived more discrepancy between their ideal and actual appearance, were generally more dissatisfied with their body and appearance, and were more likely to compare themselves with fashion models.

Social Normative Influence: An Exploratory Study Investigating its Effectiveness in Increasing Engagement in Sustainable Apparel-Purchasing Behaviors

Abstract Even when consumers are knowledgeable and concerned about sustainability issues related to apparel production and consumption, their level of engagement in sustainable apparel purchasing behaviors is low. Through a four-group pretest posttest, quasi-experimental design, this exploratory research examined the persuasive appeal of door hangers employing social normative influence and petitioning consumers to engage in sustainable apparel-purchasing behaviors. Data were collected from students living on campus at a university in the Midwestern United States. At the start of the experiment, the participants completed a survey that assessed engagement in sustainable apparel purchasing. Door hangers were then distributed to the participants’ rooms. After 10 weeks, the students’ engagement in sustainable apparel purchasing was reassessed by having the participants complete an identical survey. Results indicate that engagement in sustainable apparel-purchasing behaviors among the participants was low. Furthermore, normative social influence was not an adequate motivator to increase consumption of sustainable apparel.

Environmentally Sustainable Clothing Consumption: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior

The purpose of this chapter is to overview the current body of knowledge related to environmentally sustainable clothing consumption. The chapter discusses consumers’ knowledge of and attitudes towards environmental issues related to the production, consumption, and distribution of clothing. Additionally, the chapter examines current consumer engagement levels in environmentally sustainable clothing consumption and analyzes the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and clothing consumer behavior. Finally, the chapter concludes with a consideration of consumers’ perceived barriers to environmentally sustainable clothing consumption.

The exploitation of pregnant workers in apparel production

Purpose – The purpose of this commentary is to examine the prevalence in which pregnant women are exploited in the production of apparel goods.Design/methodology/approach – The labor laws of four countries, including China, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Philippines, are assessed and discussed in relation to cases of documented abuse occurring against pregnant women working in the garment industry in these four countries.Findings – An analysis and consensus of the literature reveals that although all four countries have established labor laws to protect workers, pregnant women continually face abuse and discrimination in the garment industry. Many forms of exploitation occur, including forced abortions, unpaid and/or required overtime, lack of adequate benefits, unfair hiring and promotion practices, and forced job assignments requiring intense physical labor which proves detrimental to the health and well‐being of the worker and unborn child.Originality/value – Labor abuses in the production of apparel goods ...

Purchase Intention of Socially Responsible Apparel Goods: Investigating Consumers Cross-Culturally

In the 21st marketplace, companies are under increasing pressure from multiple stakeholders to be socially responsible (SR). However, as part of the apparel and textiles (AT) business literature, very few studies exist examining the relationship between CSR and apparel purchasing behavior (e.g., Dickson 2000; Madrigal and Boush 2008; Norum and Ha-Brookshire 2011). As such, it is our intention to contribute to a better understanding of consumers’ decision making process to engage in SR apparel purchasing behavior, noting cross-cultural differences among consumers. According to Hofstede (1991), consumer behavior and business practices are culturally bound. Thus, CSR and consumer behavior toward CSR should be cross-culturally investigated to deepen the interpretation of the relationship between CSR and consumer behavior. To date, most CSR studies related to consumer behavior have been examined within a single country and very few studies have compared CSR activities cross-culturally.

Measuring and communicating apparel sustainability

The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the various tools for measuring apparel sustainability, including those used by firms in the apparel industry and those used by researchers in assessing consumers’ knowledge and attitudes toward sustainability issues and their engagement in sustainable shopping behaviors. Included in this chapter is an overview of popular measurements highlighted in current sustainability research, such as the Higg Index, the Knowledge of and Concern with Apparel Social Issues Scale, the Environmental Apparel Knowledge Scale, the New Environmental Paradigm, and the Sustainable Apparel Purchasing Behavior Scale. Topics of future research related to communicating apparel sustainability are noted at the end of the chapter.

The Millennial graduate student: implications for educators in the fashion discipline

The purpose of this study was to expand upon an overall understanding of todays Millennial graduate student. Information related to the motivations of Millennial generation students in pursuing masters degrees in fashion programmes were collected, in addition to analysing the expectations of Millennial students while in graduate programmes. Participants included both masters-level graduate students enrolled in fashion programmes and graduate faculty at the students’ home institutions. The similarities and expectations among students and faculty were identified. A major finding was that Millennial graduate students are primarily motivated by industry-related career goals and do not perceive conducting empirical research as central to their education. The educational implications for graduate faculty based on the findings of this study are addressed, noting areas of educational reform and additional research.

Chinese Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes of Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Apparel and Sustainable Apparel Purchase Intentions: An Abstract

With apparel production finding itself a leading cause of harm to the environment and rife with issues of labor exploitation, the call to action to influence purchase intentions of consumers is of increasing significance. Supplying a base of knowledge to consumers is crucial to enable them to understand the consequences that the apparel and textile (AT) industry has on the environment and workers. Literature is conflicting regarding the relationship between consumer knowledge and attitudes of AT sustainable issues and purchase intentions (Antil 1984; Henion 1972; Roubanis 2008; Schahn and Holzer 1990; Tanner and Kast 2003; Kozar and Hiller Connell 2013). However, although many studies have focused on the relationship among these variables, few have focused on consumers outside the USA and the UK. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to better understand the knowledge and purchasing intentions of Chinese consumers, a topic of importance given the growing wealth and economy of the marketplace in China.

Barriers to Socially Responsible Apparel Purchasing Behavior: Are Consumers Right?

This study lends insight into consumers’ commitment to socially responsible apparel purchasing. As part of this study, the validity of perceived barriers among consumers in engaging in socially responsible apparel purchasing behavior were explored. It was discovered that consumers may be correct in their perceptions that apparel sold by socially responsible retailers is more expensive than that sold by mainstream brands. However, consumers may be somewhat misguided in their perceptions that socially responsible retailers offer fewer product choices as compared to mainstream brands or that acquiring goods from socially responsible retailers requires additional time and effort.