A bibliometric analysis on factors influencing green consumer behaviour – research issues and future directions

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to present a summary of the green consumer behaviour (GCB) research conducted during the 2001–2021 period using the bibliometric analysis and to carry out a thematic and content analysis on the three clusters which comprise 57 articles resulting from the co-citation analysis and identify the significant green purchasing factors.Design/methodology/approachThe three-pronged methodology applied to this research analysis includes performance analysis of the literature using biblioshiny and R Studio; network mapping analysis using VOSviewer and Gephi; thematic analysis using word clouds generated with R Software and content analysis of each paper with the aid of within and between-study analyses.FindingsCluster one acted as a base for the theoretical foundations of GCB which aids in understanding the basic concepts of green marketing, its evolution and the methodologies, whereas cluster two determined the predictors of everyday green behaviour, which helps in gaining knowledge about the everyday sustainable activities the consumers indulge and the factors motivating to do so. Cluster three mainly focused on the psycho-socio demographic determinants of GCB, which assists in segmentation and predicting the purchase behaviour of the various consumer segments.Originality/valueThe significant variables and major gaps in each of the clusters were identified and authors have drawn the implications for future researchers and marketing managers.