If one wants to study the importance of the ethical attribute in buying
decisions, a number of factors have to be taken into consideration. First of
all, measuring explicit attitudes is not the most valid method to predict ethical
buying behavior. Instead, measures that are closely related to the actual
purchase behavior are called for. Second, a lot of buying behavior is based
on multiattribute decision making in which the ethical attribute may or may
not be important. In estimating the (intended) buying behavior, consumers
have to be confronted with realistic multiattribute buying situations. Third,
one reason for the attitude–behavior gap is the price factor. The measurement
of (intended) buying behavior has to take the willingness to pay into
account. Finally, not all consumers are equally likely to buy ethical products.
Moreover, depending upon the characteristics and the preferences of
individual consumers, different ethical dimensions may result in differences
in willingness (not) to buy products incorporating ethical values. Bird
and Hughes (1997) claimed that the willingness to purchase goods based on
ethical credentials is limited to a minority of shoppers.
Several studies have tried to identify the socially responsible consumer
in terms of demographic characteristics. Anderson and Cunningham (1972)