Skip to main content

Impacts of Social Media Mediated Electronic Words of Mouth on Young Consumers’ Disposal of Fashion Apparel: A Review and Proposed Model

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustainable Fashion Supply Chain Management

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Supply Chain Management ((SSSCM,volume 1))

Abstract

In recent decades, sustainability has been a very popular research topic in the fashion apparel industry. There is no doubt that sustainability is a serious issue for people living anywhere in the world. As fashion is one of the most essential facets in everybody’s life, sustainable consumption is one of the methods to assist the development of sustainability. Yet, prior studies have paid little attention to investigate consumers’ disposal behaviors of fashion clothing. Nowadays, on the other hand, young consumers are seriously committed to their “virtual life” on social media and are being influenced tremendously by the associated electronic words of mouth (E-WOM) in their behaviors. Motivated by the importance of environmental sustainability in fashion and the importance of social media mediated E-WOM, this chapter reviews the literature and proposes a conceptual empirical research model to explore the impacts of social media mediated E-WOM on young consumers’ disposal behaviors of fashion apparel. Some specific propositions have also been developed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Berman, B., & Evans, J. R. (2013). Retail management: A strategic approach. New Jersey: Prentical Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi, C., & Birtwistle, G. (2010). Sell, give away, or donate: An exploratory study of fashion clothing disposal behavior in two countries. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 20(3), 353–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birtwistle, G., & Moore, C. M. (2007). Fashion clothing—Where does it all end up? International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 35(3), 210–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackwell, R. D., Miniard, P. W., & Engel, J. E. (2006). Consumer behavior. Mason: Thomson South-Western.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolton, R. N., Parasuraman, A., & Hoefnagels, A. (2013). Understanding generation Y and their use of social media: A review and research agenda. Journal of Service Management, 24(3), 245–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bough, B. B., Agresta, S., & Milersky, J. I. (2010). Perspectives on social media marketing. Boston: Course Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 210–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. J., & Reingen, P. H. (1987). Social ties and word of mouth referral behavior. The Journal of Consumer Research, 14(3), 350–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Constantinides, E., & Fountain, S. J. (2008). Web 2.0: Conceptual foundations and marketing issues. Journal of Direct, Data and Digital Marketing Practice, 9, 231–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dann, S., & Dann. S. (2011). E-Marketing: Theory and application. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Coverly, E., McDonagh, P., O’Malley, L. & Patterson, M. (2008). Hidden mountain: The social avoidance of waste. Journal of Macromarketing, 28(3), 289–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, T., Cooper, T., Woodward, S., Hiller, A., & Goworek, H. (2008). Public understanding of sustainable clothing: Report to the department for environment, food and rural affair.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fong, J., & Burton, S. (2006). Electronic word-of-mouth: A comparison of stated and revealed behavior on electronic discussion boards. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 6(2), 61–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, L. P., & Vespoli, E. M. (2013). Does social media influence consumer buying behavior? An investigation of recommendations and purchases. Journal of Business and Economics Research, 11(2), 107–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenpeace International. (2012). Toxic threads: Putting pollution on parade. Netherlands: Greenpeace International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ha-Brookshire, J., & Nancy, N. H. (2009). Socially responsible consumer behavior? Exploring used clothing donation behavior. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 27(3), 179–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, J. W. (1980). A proposed paradigm for consumer product disposition processes. The Journal of Consumer Affairs, 14(1), 49–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacoby, J., Berning, C. E., & Dietvorts, T. F. (1977). What about disposition? Journal of Marketing, 41, 22–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2009). The fairyland of second life: About virtual social worlds and how to use them. Business Horizons, 52(6), 563–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kietzmann, J. H., Hermkens, K., Mccarthy, I. P., & Silverstre. B. S. (2011). Social media? Get serious! Understanding the functional building blocks of social media. Business Horizons, 54(3), 241–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S. H., Park, J. Y., & Lee, Y. R. (2013). The E-word-of-mouth effect on consumers’ Internet shopping behavior: Focus on apparel products. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 6(3), 160–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koukouvinos, D. (2012). Psychosocial factors influencing young consumers’ clothing disposal behavior in Greece—An application of Triandis’ theory of interpersonal behavior. Dissertation. The Swedish School of Textiles. Report No. 12012.13.17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mersey, R. D., Malthouse, E. C., & Calder, B. J. (2010). Engagement with online media. Journal of Media Business Studies, 7(2), 39–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, L. R., & Birtwistle, G. (2009). An investigation of young fashion consumers’ disposal habits. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 33, 190–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramnarain, Y., & Govender, K. K. (2013). Social media browsing and consumer behaviour: Exploring the youth market. African Journal of Business Management, 7(18), 1885–1893.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safko, L. (2010). The social media bible. Tactics, tools and strategies for business Success. New Jersey: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, S. (2010) . An exploratory study into the disposition behaviour of poor bottom-of-the-pyramid urban consumers. In M. C. Campbell, J. Inman, & R. Pieters (Eds.), NA—Advances in consumer research (vol. 37, pp. 440–446). Duluth: Association for Consumer Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, M., Leiws, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students. New York: Financial Times Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman, L., Bednall, D., O’Cass, A., Paladino, A., Ward, S., & Kanuk, L. (2005). Consumer behavior. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, M. R. (2006). Consumer behavior: A European perspective. Pearson Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trusov, M., Bucklin, R. E., & Pauwels, K. (2009). Effects of word-of-mouth versus traditional marketing: Findings from an internet social networking site. Journal of Marketing, 73, 90–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyagi, C. L., & Kumar, A. (2004). Consumer behavior. Atlantic Publishers & Distributor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrenechea, F. (2013). The power of e-Word of mouth: Adding social media to the marketing mix. http://www.slideshare.net/fbarrenecheaf/the-power-of-eword-of-mouth-adding-socialmedia-to-the-marketing-mix. Accessed 14 Feb 2014.

  • Burberry. (2012). Annual report. http://www.burberryplc.com/investor_relations/annual_reports/financial_review. Accessed 2 Jan 2014.

  • Caulfield, K. (2009). Sources of textile waste in Australia. Technical Textiles & Nonwoven Association. http://www.ttna.com.au/TEXTILE%20WASTE%20PAPER%20March%202009.pdf. Accessed 1 March 2014.

  • Chua, J. M. (2011). 16-Foot clothing Mountain Illustrates Hong Kong’s Daily Textile Waste. http://www.ecouterre.com/16-foot-mountain-of-clothing-illustrates-hong-kongs-daily-textilewaste/. Accessed 22 Nov 2014.

  • Market Force. (2012). Market Force Study Shows Companies Wield Comparable Social Media Influence to Friends. Press Release on 1 May 2012. http://www.marketforce.com/pressreleases/item/research-social-media-influence/. Accessed 14 Feb 2014.

  • Market Force. (2014). Market Force unveils social media monitoring and analytics tool. http://www.marketforce.com/press-releases/item/market-force-unveils-social-media-monitoring-and-analytics-tool. Accessed 14 Feb 2014.

  • Monitoring of solid waste in Hong Kong (2011). Environment Protection Department Web site: https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/materials/info/msw2011.pdfEPS. Accessed 18 Jan.

  • Tuten, T. L. (2013). Social media and consumer behavior. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. http://hstalks.com.ezproxy.lb.polyu.edu.hk/main/view_talk.php?t=2623&r=703&c=250. Accessed 2 Nov 2013.

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Wastes – Resource Conservation – Common Wastes and Materials: Textiles. http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/textiles.htm. Accessed 1 Jan 2014.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank the reviewers for their constructive suggestions and advice which led to important improvements in this chapter. All authors have contributed to the development of this chapter. The authorship listing follows an alphabetical order with the most senior author listed last.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pui-Sze Chow .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ng, NY., Chow, PS., Choi, TM. (2015). Impacts of Social Media Mediated Electronic Words of Mouth on Young Consumers’ Disposal of Fashion Apparel: A Review and Proposed Model. In: Choi, TM., Cheng, T. (eds) Sustainable Fashion Supply Chain Management. Springer Series in Supply Chain Management, vol 1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12703-3_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics