Keywords
remote work
sustainable consumption
sustainable development
How to Cite
Abstract
Behaviours toward sustainable consumption periodic activities that improve the quality of life and improve relations with the environment. The aim of the study is to identify similarities and differences in employees’ behaviours according to the form of fully remote and hybrid work. The final data was collected through a survey of 360 respondents working remotely or hybrid. Hypotheses were tested using factor analysis. Four different behavioural areas were identified and analysed: eating and shopping habits, media and product consumption. Results indicate that remote workers more often than hybrids avoid shopping centres, refrain from purchasing ICT equipment and make a shopping list. Hybrid workers purchase food from local producers. The similarities between the worker groups are in the selection and consumption of food, with some exceptions. The control variable gender showed the greater involvement of women in sustainable consumption compared to men. The study suggests that managers and decision-makers should adopt strategies for strengthening employee attitudes toward implementing sustainable consumption in the workplace to enhance awareness and change worker’s habits.
References
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Alcock, I., White, M. P., Pahl, S., Duarte-Davidson, R., & Fleming, L. E. (2020). Associations between pro-environmental behaviour and neighbourhood nature, nature visit frequency and nature appreciation: Evidence from a nationally representative survey in England. Environment International, 136, 105441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105441
Allport, G. W. (1965). Letters from Jenny. New York: Harcourt, Brace.
Babikova, K., & Bucek, J. (2019). A Model Replication with an Extension of Students’ Perception of Prospective Employer Attractiveness. Journal of Competitiveness, 11, 5-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.7441/joc.2019.02.01
Banyte, J., Šalčiuviene, L., Dovaliene, A., Piligrimiene, Ž., & Sroka, W. (2020). Sustainable consumption behavior at home and in the workplace: Avenues for innovative solutions. Sustainability, 12(16), 6564. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166564
Belgacem, W., Mattas, K., Arampatzis, G., & Baourakis, G. (2021). Changing dietary behavior for better biodiversity preservation: A preliminary study. Nutrients, 13, 2076. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13062076
Bennett, G., Young, E., Butler, I., & Coe, S. (2021). The Impact of Lockdown During the COVID-19 Outbreak on Dietary Habits in Various Population Groups: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 626432. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.626432
Bigora, P. (2023). Online grocery shopping habits vary by where people work, report finds. https://www.grocerydive.com/news/online-grocery-shopping-habits-vary-by-where-people-work-report-finds/647810/
Blok, V., Wesselink, R., Studynka, O., & Kemp, R. (2015). Encouraging Sustainability in the Workplace: A Survey on the Pro-Environmental Behaviour of University Employees. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 55-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.07.063
Bohner, G., & Wanke, M, (2002). Attitudes and Attitude Change. London: Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315784786
Bylok, F. (2016). Alternatywne formy konsumpcji wobec konsumpcjonizmu. Handel Wewnętrzny, 2(361), 63-77. http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-3bf0bb73-480a-4063-af25-dcbd93ffc06e (in Polish).
Bywalec, C. (2007). Konsumpcja w teorii i praktyce gospodarowania. Warszawa: PWN. (in Polish).
Čiarnienė, R., Vienažindienė, M., & Adamonienė, R. (2023). Teleworking and sustainable behaviour in the context of COVID-19: the case of Lithuania. Engineering Management in Production and Services, 15(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.2478/emj-2023-0001
Cleveland, D. A., & Gee, Q. (2017). Plant-based diets for mitigating climate change. In F. Mariott (Ed.), Vegetarian and plant-based diets in health and disease prevention (pp. 135-156). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803968-7.00009-5
Cohen, M., & Murphy, J. (2001). Exploring Sustainable Consumption: Environmental Policy and the Social Sciences. Pergamon: Amsterdam. https://www.academia.edu/20958719/2001_Consumption_Environment_and_Public_Policy_with_J_Murphy_in_M_Cohen_and_J_Murphy_Exploring_Sustainable_Consumption_Environmental_Policy_and_the_Social_Sciences
Compass Group. (2023, August 23). Is working from home bad for our health? https://www.compass-group.com/en/media/news/2023/is-wfh-bad-for-our-health.html
Dąbrowska, A., & Shulhina, L. (2024). Sustainable consumption and production versus consumer behaviour. Studies and Work of the Collegium of Management and Finance, (196), 93-105. https://doi.org/10.33119/SIP.2024.196.7
Danielak, W., & Wysocki, R. (2023). Advantages and disadvantages of remote work in six areas of project management depending on the frequency of remote work. Kwartalnik Nauk o Przedsiębiorstwie, 68(2), 69-86. https://doi.org/10.33119/KNOP.2023.68.2.5
Davidescu, A. A., Apostu, S. A., Paul, A., & Casuneanu, I. (2020). Work Flexibility, Job Satisfaction, and Job Performance among Romanian Employees—Implications for Sustainable Human Resource Management. Sustainability, 12(15), 6086. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156086
de Oliveira da Silva Scaranni, P., Griep, R. H., Pitanga, F. J. G., Barreto, M. S., Matos, S. M. A., & Fonseca, M. M. (2023). Work from home and the association with sedentary behaviors, leisure-time and domestic physical activity in the ELSA-Brasil study. BMC Public Health, 23, 305. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15167-z
Dibb, S., Simkin, L., Pride, W., & Ferrell, D. S. (1991). Marketing Concepts and Strategies. Houghton Mifflin.
Eurostat. (n.d.). Sustainable development in the European Union. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Sustainable_development_in_the_European_Union
Fabiani, C., Longo, S., Pisello, A. L., & Cellura, M. (2021). Sustainable production and consumption in remote working conditions due to COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: An environmental and user acceptance investigation. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 28, 1757-1771. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SPC.2021.09.013
Ferris, R. (2021). How COVID-19 has changed our attitudes to environmental sustainability? https://focus.flokk.com/how-covid-19-has-changed-our-attitudes-to-environmental-sustainability
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention and behaviour: An introduction to theory and research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
FM Magazine. (2023). Working from Home Taking its Toll on Hybrid Workers. https://fmindustry.com/2023/08/29/working-from-home-taking-toll-on-hybrid-workers/
Gadeikiene, A., Dovaliene, A., Grase, A., & Banyte, J. (2019). Sustainable Consumption Behaviour Spill-Over from Workplace to Private Life: Conceptual Framework. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 19(2), 142-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2019.19.2.12
Górka, K. (2023). Ewolucja koncepcji rozwoju zrównoważonego i trwałego oraz jej wdrażanie. In M. Proniewski, D. Kiełczewski & R.K. Turner (Eds.), Mechanizmy zrównoważonego rozwoju (pp. 9-30). Białystok: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku. (in Polish).
Gross-Gołacka, E., Szkudlarek, E., Brzegowy, A., & Ligaj, M. (2023). Remote Work and the Well-Being of Employees - the Perspective of the IT Industry in Poland. Nowoczesne Systemy Zarządzania, 18(1), 13-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.37055/nsz/174980 (in Polish).
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., & Vaishya, R. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 pandemic in daily life. Current Medicine Research and Practice, 10(2), 78-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmrp.2020.03.011
Hawkins, D. I., Best, R. J., & Coney, K. A. (2004). Customer Behaviour: Building Marketing Strategy. McGraw-Hill.
Hosta, M., & Zabkar, V. (2020). Antecedents of Environmentally and Socially Responsible Sustainable Consumer Behaviour. Journal of Business Ethics, 171, 273-293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04416-0
Hunter, L. M., Hatch, A., & Johnson, A. (2004). Cross-national gender variation in environmental behaviours. Social Science Quarterly, 85(3), 677-694. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0038-4941.2004.00239.x
Hynes, M. (2013). What’s “smart” about working from home: telework and the sustainable consumption of distance in Ireland? In C. Fowley, C. English & S. Thouësny (Eds.), Internet Research, Theory, and Practice: Perspectives from Ireland (pp. 225-243). Dublin: Research-Publishing. https://doi.org/10.14705/rpnet.2013.000090
Jaros, B. (2016a). Koncepcja zrównoważonej konsumpcji – problemy implementacji w Polsce [Doctoral dissertation]. Wroclaw University of Economics and Business. https://doi.org/10.48812/uew.wir-7sm6-tc79
Jaros, B. (2016b). Zrównoważona konsumpcja w praktyce. Raport z badań. Optimum. Studia Ekonomiczne, 81(3), 148-161. https://doi.org/10.15290/ose.2016.03.81.10 (in Polish).
Jaros, B. (2016c). Obstacles and positive trends in the development of sustainable consumption in Poland. Economics and Environment, 57(2), 24-35. https://www.ekonomiaisrodowisko.pl/journal/article/view/282/272
Jastrzębska, E. (2017). The responsible consumer as an answer to new sustainable development challenges. Economics and Environment, 60(1), 9. https://www.ekonomiaisrodowisko.pl/journal/article/view/249
Johnson, S. L., Dahl, J., Swim, J. K., & Vescio, T. K. (2013). The gender-stereotypic nature of climate change positions. Proceedings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Austin, TX.
Johnsson-Latham, G. (2007). A study on gender equality as a prerequisite for sustainable development. Report to the Environment Advisory Council. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a5ff/9b476c4437e5c0df6a854e240f20f65730ad.pdf
Joshi, Y., & Rahman, Z. (2017). Investigating the determinants of consumers’ sustainable purchase behaviour. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 10, 110-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2017.02.002
Kacapyr, S. (2023). Lifestyle impacts green benefits of remote work. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/09/lifestyle-impacts-green-benefits-remote-work
Kadic-Maglajlic, S., Arslanagic-Kalajdzik, M., Micevski, M., Dlacic, J., & Zabkar, V. (2019). Being Engaged is a Good Thing: Understanding Sustainable Consumption Behaviour among Young Adults. Journal of Business Research, 104, 644-654. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.02.040
Klimczak, I., & Gliszczyńska-Świgło, A. (2024). Sustainable healthy diets. In K. Pawlak-Lemańska, B. Borusiak & E. Sikorska (Eds.), Sustainable food: Production and consumption perspectives (pp. 103-117). Poznań: Poznań University of Economics and Business Press. https://doi.org/Joshi10.18559/978-83-8211-209-2/7
Kłos, L. (2022). The sharing economy in the opinion of polish consumers. Economics and Environment, 77(2), 112-115. https://www.ekonomiaisrodowisko.pl/journal/article/view/355
Kozera-Kowalska, M. (2024). Human capital for the green economy. Economics and Environment, 88(1), 1-11. https://ekonomiaisrodowisko.pl/journal/article/view/674/655
Ladraa, S. & El Idrissi, J. B. (2022). Green consumers in the COVID-19 era: What impacts on their consumption? An exploratory study of Moroccan consumers. Economic & Political Thought, 2(73), 9. https://doi.org/10.26399/meip.2(73).2022.08/s.ladraa/j.bouanani-el-idrissi
Maciejewski, G. (2023). Zrównoważone zachowania konsumentów w czasie pandemii COVID-19. Studia Prace Kolegium Zarządzania i Finansów, (188), 43-61. https://doi.org/10.33119/SIP.2023.188.3
Muresan, I. C., Harun, R., Brata, A. M., Brata, V. D., Chiciudean, D. I., Tirpe, O. P., Porutiu, A., & Dumitras, D. E. (2022). Factors Affecting Food Consumers’ Behavior during COVID-19 in Romania. Foods, 11(15), 2275. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11152275
Muster, V., & Schrader, U. (2011). Green Work-Life Balance: A New Perspective for Green HRM. German Journal of Research in Human Resource Management, 25(2), 140-156. https://doi.org/10.1177/239700221102500205
Nguyen, H., Nguyen, N., Nguyen, B., Lobo, A., & Vu, P. (2019). Organic food purchases in an emerging market: The influence of consumers’ personal factors and green marketing practices of food stores. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(6), 1037. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16061037
Nori, R., Zucchelli, M.M., Piccardi, L., Palmiero, M., Bocchi, A. & Guariglia, P. (2022). The Contribution of Cognitive Factors to Compulsive Buying Behaviour: Insights from Shopping Habit Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Behavioral Sciences, 12(8), 260. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12080260
Okręglicka, M. (2022). Digitization of business activities and human resources orientation on sustainable consumption and production. Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology. Organization and Management, 159, 317-326. https://doi.org/10.29119/1641-3466.2022.159.25
Pabian, A. (2013). Zarządzanie w koncepcji sustainability - ujęcie funkcjonalne. Przegląd Organizacji, 10, 3-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.33141/po.2013.10.01 (in Polish).
Paço, A. M. F. D., & Raposo, M. L. B. (2008). Determining the characteristics to profile the “green” consumer: An exploratory approach. International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, 5, 129-140.
PARP. (2021). Aspekty pracy zdalnej z perspektywy pracownika, pracodawcy i gospodarki, Instytut Analiz Rynku Pracy Sp. z o.o. https://iarp.edu.pl (in Polish).
Piotrowicz, K. (2023). Praca zdalna i hybrydowa po pandemii COVID-19. Wyniki badania oczekiwań pracowników i menedżerów wobec nowego modelu pracy na przykładzie wybranego przedsiębiorstwa. Education of Economists and Managers, 67(1). https://doi.org/10.33119/EEIM.2023.67.5 (in Polish).
Piwowar-Sulej, K. (2020). Pro-Environmental Organizational Culture: Its Essence and a Concept for Its Operationalization. Sustainability, 12(10), 4197. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12104197
Pokutycka, P. (2022). Praca zdalna jako nowa instytucja prawa pracy. Z Problematyki Prawa Pracy i Polityki Socjalnej, 21(4), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.31261/zpppips.2023.21.01 (in Polish).
Prasad, K. D. V., Mangipudi, M. R., Vaidya, R. W., & Muralidhar, B. (2020). Organizational climate, opportunities, challenges and psychological wellbeing of the remote working employees during covid-19 pandemic: A general linear model approach with reference to information technology industry in Hyderabad. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology, 11(4), 372-389. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3599799
Rada Ministrów. (2023). Realizacja Celów Zrównoważonego Rozwoju w Polsce. Raport. https://www.gov.pl/web/rozwoj-technologia/monitoring-realizacji-agendy-2030 (in Polish).
Restrepo, B. J., & Zeballos, E. (2020). The effect of working from home on major time allocations with a focus on food-related activities. Review of Economics of the Household, 18(4), 1165-1187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11150-020-09497-9
Rogers, S., Waelter, A., & Pieters, L. (2022). How remote work is influencing what we buy. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/consumer-behavior-trends-state-of-the-consumer-tracker/how-remote-work-influences-spending.html
Roh, T., Seok, J., & Kim, Y. (2022). Unveiling ways to reach organic purchase: Green perceived value, perceived knowledge, attitude, subjective norm, and trust. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 67, 102988. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.102988
Roślin nie jemy. (2019). Podsumowanie badań opinii publicznej odnośnie postaw konsumenckich Polaków wobec produktów i dań roślinnych. https://roslinniejemy.org/publikacje/postawy-polakow-wobec-produktow-roslinnych-raport-z-badan-opinii-publicznej (in Polish).
Rybicka, I., Bohdan, K., & Kowalczewski, P. Ł. (2024). Meat alternatives—market and consumption. In K. Pawlak-Lemańska, B. Borusiak & E. Sikorska (Eds.), Sustainable food: Production and consumption perspectives (pp. 118-131). Poznań: Poznań University of Economics and Business Press. https://doi.org/10.18559/978-83-8211-209-2/8
Sachs, J. D., Lafortune, G., Kroll, Ch., Fuller, G., & Woelm, F. (2022). Sustainable Development Report 2022. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009210058
Semana. (2023). Remote Work and The Environment – The Search for Hybrid Sustainability. https://www.semana.io/en/blog/remote-work-and-the-environment/
Shaw, D., & Moraes, C. (2009). Voluntary simplicity: an exploration of market interactions. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 33(2), 215-223. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2009.00760.x
Shaw, D., & Newholm, T. (2002). Voluntary simplicity and the ethics of consumption. Psychology and Marketing, 19, 167-185. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mar.10008
Simeli, I., Tsekouropoulos, G., Vasileiou, A., & Hoxha, G. (2023). Benefits and Challenges of Teleworking for a Sustainable Future: Knowledge Gained through Experience in the Era of COVID-19. Sustainability, 15(15), 11794. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511794
Skórska, A. (2022). Praca a jakość życia Polaków zmiany w okresie pandemii COVID-19. Katowice: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Katowicach. (in Polish).
Stockwell, S., Trott, M., Tully, M., Shin, J., Barnett, Y., Butler, L., McDermott, D., Schuch, F., & Smith, L. (2021). Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A systematic review. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 7, e000960. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000960
Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor. (2013). Basic facts about non-governmental organisations. Warsaw.
Teneta-Skwiercz, D. (2017). The implementation of the sustainable consumption concept in practice on the example of the ‘"Needle you Need” project. Research Papers of Wrocław University of Economics, 499, 321-328. http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-dc023142-1f2f-4a40-a273-df5e559a132f
Theodori, G. L., & Luloff, A. E. (2002). Position on Environmental Issues and Engagement in Proenvironmental Behaviors. Society & Natural Resources, 15(6), 471-482. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920290069128
Thongplew, N., Spaargaren, G., & van Koppen, C. S. A. (2017). Companies in search of the green consumer: Sustainable consumption and production strategies of companies and intermediary organizations in Thailand. NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 83, 12-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2017.10.004
Utzig, M. (2019). Zrównoważona konsumpcja żywności na obszarach wiejskich i miejskich w Polsce. Annals PAAAE, XXI(4), 542-550. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.5380
Verfuerth, C., Jones, Ch. R., Gregory-Smith, D., & Oates, C. (2019). Understanding Contextual Spillover: Using Identity Process Theory as a Lens for Analyzing Behavioral Responses to a Workplace Dietary Choice Intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00345
Whitburn, J., Linklater, W., & Abrahamse, W. (2019). Meta-analysis of Human Connection to Nature and Proenvironmental Behavior. Journal of Cleaner Production, 34, 180-193. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13381
Wilczak, A. (2016). Dekonsumpcja jako przejaw odpowiedzialnej postawy i styl życia konsumenta w świetle analizy jakościowej. Handel Wewnętrzny, 3(362), 388-402. http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-f07342d1-c0dd-40d9-a291-5503a0ae9159 (in Polish).
Wojciszke, B. (2002). Człowiek wśród ludzi. Zarys psychologii społecznej. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar. (in Polish).
Wojciszke, B., & Grzyb, T. (2024). Psychologia społeczna. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar. (in Polish).
Zalega, T. (2019). Sustainable consumption in consumer. Behaviour of young polish consumers. Studia Ekonomiczne. Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Katowicach, 383. https://www.ue.katowice.pl/fileadmin/user_upload/wydawnictwo/SE_Artyku%C5%82y_381_400/SE_383/07.pdf
Zelezny, L. C., Chua, P. P., & Aldrich, C. (2000). New ways of thinking about environmentalism: Elaborating on gender differences in environmentalism. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 443-457. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00177
Zimbardo, P. G., & Leippe, M. R. (1991). The psychology of attitude change and social influence. Mcgraw-Hill Book Company.
Zrałek, J. (2018). Konsument wobec wyzwań zrównoważonej konsumpcji. Zrównoważone zachowania konsumenckie i ich determinanty. Katowice: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego w Katowicach. (in Polish).
Zucchelli, M. M., Piccardi, L., Palmiero, M., Bocchi, A., & Guariglia, P. (2022). The Contribution of Cognitive Factors to Compulsive Buying Behaviour: Insights from Shopping Habit Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Behavioral Sciences, 12(8), 260. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12080260
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2024 Economics and Environment