A study on the environmental impacts of online shopping and consumer behavior | |
| Author | Kunyarat Chueamuangphan |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-17-09 |
| Subject(s) | Electronic commerce--Psychological aspects Consumer behavior |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-17-09 |
| Abstract | Online shopping is one form of e-commerce which allows consumers to buy goods or services from a seller through the internet. In Thailand, this kind of business is very popular as well as growing rapidly. Shopping online means less travel time, convenient and lower costs. It may have potential positive environmental effects. Nevertheless, each potential positive impact is coupled with potentially negative impacts as well. The most visible negative impact from online shopping, packaging waste generation which is resulting from consumer sector and e-commerce companies. This study therefore aimed to study about consumer behavior on online shopping and their awareness and willingness to reduce the environmental impacts of online shopping. In addition, this study presented a current status of online shopping business in Thailand and also proposed the solution for sustainable and environmentally friendly e-commerce system. This study reveals that e-commerce business in Thailand is growing rapidly. Various operations were provided to the consumer by e-commerce and logistic companies. The study conducted the survey in AIT campus for exploring the consumer behavior and their points of view on the environmental impacts of online shopping. More than 80% of respondents preferred to purchase at the retail store than online shopping. The respondents who ever buy online because of the convenience both in searching products and traveling (70.1%) as well as the lower price and appealing promotion (59.7%). Moreover, 77.1% of total think online shopping is reducing their traveling distance. As the packaging aspect, people usually received cardboard box, bubble wrap and envelope, respectively. Most of the respondents like to discard all types of packaging except cardboard box which is people preferred to reuse. Most of the respondents agreed that they could help to reduce the environmental impacts by changing their behavior. As the proposed potential solutions for sustainable and environmentally friendly e-commerce system, the government should implement the policy which relating the pollution control from online shopping activities. The online shopping companies should consider on the packaging issue. Similarly, the logistic suppliers should pay attention to the logistic system and transportation vehicles. The consumer can reduce the environmental impact by changing their shopping habits. The educational package is used as the educational tool which intends to spread the knowledge and understanding about e-commerce to people through the video and simulation games. The greenhouse gas calculation tool is provided for the e-commerce and logistic companies as well as people who are interesting. |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Visvanathan, C.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Nguyen, Thi Kim Oanh;Gheewala, Shabbir H.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2017 |