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Introduction The pollution of landscapes and coastal environments with plastic shopping bag litter is an escalating global problem. The introduction of plastic bag tax aimed at addressing this challenge achieved limited success in South Africa. This study explores South African shoppers' perceptions towards social marketing anchored retailer voluntary initiatives, which is an emerging plastic bag policy option. Literature Adverse environmental and social effects of plastic shopping bags are discussed. Retailer voluntary initiatives used to de-market plastic shopping bags, including jurisdictions where they were implemented, are also reviewed. The focus is on retailer anti-plastic bag initiatives such as 'reusable shopping bags' and 'plastic bag-free' shops. Methods This study is situated within a constructivist research paradigm and a qualitative methodology. Data were collected from a sample of 31 grocery shoppers recruited from retailer outlets in South Africa's metropolitan cities, Johannesburg and Pretoria. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore shoppers' perceptions towards retailer-driven anti-plastic bag voluntary initiatives. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse interview data. Findings The findings of this study highlight shoppers' negative perceptions towards retailer anti-plastic bag voluntary initiatives. Shoppers perceived retailer anti-plastic bag voluntary initiatives as forms of green capitalism, green entrepreneurship, symbolic corporate social responsibility, strategic business posture, commandeered green consumerism, measured environmental morality, masked green washing and calculated pre-emptive behaviour. Future studies may seek to extend the generalisability of these findings by using a larger sample size. Conclusion The study's findings highlight the trust deficit associated with retailer anti-plastic bags voluntary initiatives and the importance of enhancing market acceptance and legitimacy. Mistrust and cynicism directed towards retailer anti-plastic bag voluntary initiatives point to the importance of consumer education aimed at emphasising the negative effects of single-use plastic shopping bags. This study concludes that reliance on retailer self-regulation may not be the best approach to solve the escalating problem of plastic bag litter. We argue that national governments need to implement interventions that strike a balance between environmental sustainability and economic development.

Worldwide, the use of bioethanol is proliferating as an alternative to fossil fuels. Consistent with this trend, the Zimbabwean government mandated the blending of unleaded petrol with 10% ethanol. As the use of ethanol-blended fuel is still at the infancy stage in Zimbabwe, the objective of this study was to explore consumer attitudes towards mandatory use of ethanolblended petrol. The study employed a qualitative research design, and data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews from motorists who regularly use blended fuel. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts. The study showed that the market acceptance of blended fuel remains low in Zimbabwe. The main themes that characterised consumer attitudes towards blended fuel were cynicism, misinformation, unavailability and risk perception. Overall, the study found that the use of ethanol-blended fuel remains a contested terrain in Zimbabwe and there is a need for consumer education to correct misconceptions prevailing in the marketplace.

Worldwide, the use of bioethanol is proliferating as an alternative to fossil fuels. Consistent with this trend, the Zimbabwean government mandated the blending of unleaded petrol with 10% ethanol. As the use of ethanol-blended fuel is still at the infancy stage in Zimbabwe, the objective of this study was to explore consumer attitudes towards mandatory use of ethanolblended petrol. The study employed a qualitative research design, and data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews from motorists who regularly use blended fuel. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts. The study showed that the market acceptance of blended fuel remains low in Zimbabwe. The main themes that characterised consumer attitudes towards blended fuel were cynicism, misinformation, unavailability and risk perception. Overall, the study found that the use of ethanol-blended fuel remains a contested terrain in Zimbabwe and there is a need for consumer education to correct misconceptions prevailing in the marketplace. ; https://doi.org/10.4102/td.v13i1.417

BackgroundPlastic waste is a growing social and environmental problem in developing economies due to poor waste management infrastructure and improper disposal behaviours. This study explores how ecopreneurship can be embedded as a long-term strategy for managing plastic waste in Zimbabwe.Focus of the ArticleThis study focuses on Zimbabwe, a developing country that is grappling with plastic waste. Value-in-behaviour perceptions of plastic waste ecopreneurs were explored.Research QuestionsThis study attempts to answer the following questions: (1) What are the specific set of values that motivate ecopreneurs to start ecopreneurial ventures in Zimbabwe? (2) What are the challenges confronting ecopreneurs in Zimbabwe? (3) What is the potential role of social marketing as a strategy intervention to embed ecopreneurial behaviour in Zimbabwe?Importance to the Social Marketing FieldThis study extends the value-in-behaviour theory to deepen the current understanding of the relationship between ecopreneurship and social marketing in the context of a developing economy.MethodsA qualitative research method was employed. Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with ecopreneurs in Zimbabwe involved in plastic waste collection, recycling and eco-innovations. Interview data was analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsEconomic value, social value and ecological value emerged as the major value perceptions that motivate ecopreneurs. Funding, limited availability of plastic waste management infrastructure, low market value affixed to eco-innovations, derogatory connotations associated with waste collection and lack of community based support in sorting plastic waste were identified as the major stumbling blocks.Recommendations for Research or PracticeSocial marketing interventions for embedding ecopreneurial behaviour in Zimbabwe are proposed. Ecopreneurship may be promoted by disseminating educational messages that emphasize on economic, social and ecological benefits. Challenges confronting ecopreneurs such as lack of funding and plastic waste management infrastructure need to be addressed.LimitationsThis study focused only on ecopreneurs in plastic waste management. Thus, the findings cannot be generalised to ecopreneurs involved in other forms of ecopreneurship. Secondly, the study was conducted in a developing economy where waste collection infrastructure is limited.

The study examined the influence of South African consumers' attitudes and purchase intention towards Chinese apparel. A survey of South African consumers who had purchase experience of Chinese apparel was conducted to test the hypothesised relationships. Structural equation modelling results indicated that economic animosity and consumer ethnocentrism are negatively related to attitudes towards Chinese apparel and consumer purchase intention. The study revealed a significant, positive relationship between cosmopolitanism, attitudes towards Chinese apparel and consumer purchase intention. In addition, the findings of the study suggest the importance of cosmopolitanism, consumer ethnocentrism and animosity in market segmentation, targeting, positioning and market potential analysis. The study provides managerial implications for the marketing of Chinese apparel in South Africa.