Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Reducing Household Water Consumption: A Social Marketing Approach

Lowe, Ben, Lynch, David, Lowe, Julian (2015) Reducing Household Water Consumption: A Social Marketing Approach. Journal of Marketing Management, 31 (3-4). pp. 378-408. ISSN 0267-257X. E-ISSN 1472-1376. (doi:10.1080/0267257X.2014.971044) (KAR id:46638)

Abstract

There is increasing pressure for society to move towards more sustainable use of its resources, and calls in the literature have been made to reassess marketing’s role in achieving such goals. This research examines how key behavioural factors influence household water use, in the context of a social marketing programme to reduce household water consumption. A model of the key drivers of household water consumption is developed and tested using a sample of 909 households in a regional city in Australia. The findings from this study support the model developed and show that in the absence of price as a rationing mechanism, the social marketing programme significantly reduces household water consumption.

Statement of contribution: This is the first study to develop a comprehensive and empirically tested model of the non-price drivers of household water consumption, within the context of a social marketing intervention. The findings make a contribution to the field of consumer behaviour and social marketing by illustrating key behavioural drivers of water consumption. Consequently the study also shows how marketers can assist in preserving essential goods and services such as water.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/0267257X.2014.971044
Uncontrolled keywords: Theory of Planned Behaviour, social marketing, sustainable consumption/marketing, water consumption, behavioural change
Subjects: H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5415 Marketing
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business
Depositing User: Benjamin Lowe
Date Deposited: 12 Jan 2015 21:32 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2022 21:17 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/46638 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.