The study investigates the determinants of green purchase behaviour amongst the millennial cohort in an emerging market of South Africa. The research was theoretically grounded on the diffusion of innovation and the theory of planned behaviour models. A descriptive quantitative research design was followed and primary data was gathered using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 355 complete responses were suitable for analysis. A partial least squares structural equation modelling technique was used to determine the significance of the interrelationships between the items measuring the study’s constructs. Furthermore, the measurement and structural models were assessed. The findings concluded that all the significant independent variables (relative advantage, compatibility and observability) explained 84.0% of the variance in attitude towards green purchase behaviour. Attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control explained 83.4% of the variance in behavioural intention towards green purchase behaviour and behavioural intention explained 24.2% of the variance in adoption behaviour. It is therefore important for the green industry of South Africa to cultivate the adoption behaviours of green products towards their customer base, thereby securing the further growth of this niche market segment and enhancing purchase behaviours in the long run.

Some 80% of the South African (SA) middle class consumers use washing machines, electric cookers, fridges, freezers and other appliances. Considering the growing water and electricity shortages in SA, the government advocates the use of green appliances. However, the factors helping or hindering the positive attitudes, purchase and use of green appliances need examination. This study focuses on the first and second steps of the community-based social marketing (CBSM) framework, whereby for behavioral change, behaviors, their drivers and barriers are to be examined before strategy formulation. Thus, this study first assessed SA black middle class consumers’ green appliances attitude, behavioral intention and actual behavior. It then integrated the Theory of Consumption Values (TCV), Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DOI), and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the consumer-related and product-related factors helping or hindering the green appliances attitudes, behavioral intentions and actual behavior. From the integration of the TCV, DOI and TPB, a conceptual model was developed that proposed that consumer-related factors (functional, conditional, epistemic, emotional and social values) and product-related factors (relative advantage, complexity, compatibility and observability) will influence green appliances attitude, which with perceived behavioral control will impact behavioral intention, proposed as a driver of actual behavior. Considering that the black middle-class are a fast growing and large (about 4.2 million South Africans) community of consumers, cross-sectional quantitative data was collected from 500 black middle class consumers through self-administered questionnaires. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used to test 14 hypotheses. The respondents expressed positive attitudes toward green appliances (M = 5.80 on a 7-point Likert scale and positive intention to buy green appliances (M = 5.78). Most of the study participants have purchased one or more green appliances (M = 6.09). The integrated model explained 84.5% of attitude toward green appliances. The significant drivers of attitude were functional, conditional, and epistemic values (consumer-related factors), and relative advantage, compatibility, and observability (product-related factors). The attitude, social value and perceived behavioral control explained 83.1% of behavioral intention, which with PBC explained 24.2% of actual behavior. Considering that the third step of the CBSM framework is to develop strategies for behavioral change, the South-African government, environmental agencies and social marketers should seek ways to reward the large segment of black middle class consumers, so that their positive green appliances attitudes and behavioral intentions can further be converted to actual purchase. The consumer-related and product-related drivers of attitudes and purchase behaviors identified in this study should be used to position and promote green appliances using the middle class consumers as opinion leaders or endorsers. The main limitation is the use of a survey which limits provision of deeper insights into drivers and barriers of green appliances attitudes and behaviors.

This article explores the factors that have an impact on consumers' satisfaction and behavioural loyalty in relation to ordering and delivery applications, focusing on the emerging trend of online grocery shopping. Considering the digital revolution in retail, it is critical to comprehend consumer behaviour in this space. This study offers insights from a sample of 445 respondents in South Africa. A quantitative descriptive research methodology and a non-probability convenience sampling method were employed for the study. Structural equation modelling was utilised to validate the research measurement model and to test the study’s hypotheses. The results highlight the critical roles of design aesthetics, usefulness and confirmation and show robust positive correlations that support the linkages that the study's model postulates. Notably, design aesthetics, satisfaction and usefulness are all positively influenced by confirmation, and these factors, in turn, improve consumer satisfaction and behavioural loyalty. This study stands out because it provides a fresh viewpoint on the factors that influence customer satisfaction and behavioural loyalty, particularly when it comes to grocery shopping Apps. The distinctiveness of this study resides in its thorough analysis of important concepts and how they interact with one another, all against the backdrop of an African consumer base. The results obtained have numerous applications in the real world. Prioritising the factors that influence customer satisfaction and behavioural loyalty will help marketers and companies to improve app design and marketing tactics, which will increase user satisfaction and behavioural loyalty. Such a strategy could help close the gap between the rather different literatures on consumer behaviour and digital retailing, while also increasing sales through grocery shopping applications. Through this approach, stakeholders can obtain practical insights aimed at augmenting user engagement and loyalty within the fiercely competitive online grocery sector. All things considered, this study not only clarifies the essential elements that influence consumer satisfaction and behavioural loyalty in the online grocery industry but also lays out a roadmap for future research in this quickly developing field.

Water scarcity is a pressing challenge for countries such as South Africa, requiring the widespread adoption of conservation behaviors. This study examines how self-identity, social influence, and attitudes shape individuals’ intentions to engage in water conservation by emphasizing the psychological and social drivers of pro-environmental behavior. This study investigates whether exposure to useful campaign information enhances attitudes and social reinforcement, leading to stronger conservation intentions. A cross-sectional, quantitative research design was employed, using a positivist paradigm and a deductive theoretical approach. Data were collected through an online survey with 390 respondents, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using SPSS version 28 and SmartPLS. The findings confirm a significant relationship between social influences, attitudes, and conservation intentions, highlighting the importance of normative pressures in shaping behavior. Self-identity emerged as a key predictor of conservation attitudes and intentions, demonstrating that individuals who strongly identify with pro-environmental values are more likely to commit to water-saving behaviors. This study offers theoretical contributions by demonstrating the role of self-identity and social influence in shaping conservation intentions. In practice, this research can assist policymakers and marketing campaign designers in creating targeted messages that reinforce social norms and encourage individuals to adopt a pro-environmental self-identity, promoting sustainable water conservation.

1. Water is the planet’s most valuable yet overlooked natural resource (World Bank Group, 2026). It is essential for preserving the environment, sustaining life and ensuring society’s sustainable d...