Thesis Abstract
Thesis Abstract
Thesis Abstract
THESIS ABSTRACT
ecologically and socially conscious ethical consumer practices among the three income
a. Age;
b. Gender;
c. Educational attainment;
d. Income;
e. Nature of Work;
f. Religion; and
g. Ethnicity?
and rich?
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consumer practices?
practices?
c. Science of economics?
research used random sampling of 400 respondents stratified into poor, middle and rich
income classes.
Findings:
are in the middle age ranging from 19-36 and 37-54. The age group 18 and below and 55
According to gender, there are more female (56.75%) than male (43.25%)
respondents.
finished higher education (college, master’s, doctorate and post-doctorate levels). The
According to income class, the respondents are almost fairly distributed into poor,
self-employed ranked second (27.75%). Skilled workers ranked third (20.75%), and
According to religion, the respondents are mostly Catholic (65%) and Christian
(32.25%). There are few Moslems and those with other beliefs.
By age, the poor income class has more respondents who are younger (70.37%)
than the middle (55.63%) and the rich income class (43.18%).
By gender, majority of the respondents in all income classes are females (54% of
By educational attainment, when those with college, masters, doctorate and post-
doctorate degrees are combined, there are more highly educated in the rich (86%) than the
By nature of work, significant proportion of poor income class have either no work
By religion, all income classes have religious belief but great majority are Roman
Catholic (69.65% of poor, 75.94% of middle and 49.24 of rich income classes).
by the rich income class (5.26), followed by the middle income class (4.07). The poor
the rich income class (5.22), followed by the middle income class (4.18). The poor income
Practices
practices is greater than the critical or table value at 0.05 significance level (1.96) when
comparing the poor and middle income (3.768), the middle and rich income (12.82) and
practices is greater than the critical or table value at 0.05 significance level (1.96) when
comparing the poor and middle income (2.949), the middle and rich income (11.03) and
ethical standards. However, these standards are not accessible to all due to income
constraints.
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2. Human Development
and to live lives according to what they value. Some are underprivileged to choose and
3. Science of Economics
Generally, consumers consider some ethical criteria of whats and hows of their
Conclusions:
practices, as revealed by their age, gender, educational attainment, income class, nature of
While all respondents are expected to show ethical consciousness in their consumer
practices in general, higher income classes, nevertheless, have tendencies to become more
aware and concern due to their higher level of income, level of educational attainment and
increases with income. This means that ecologically-conscious ethical consumption is most
often practiced at the rich income class, and most seldom at the poor income class.
increases with income. This means that socially-conscious ethical consumption is most
often practiced at the rich income class, and most seldom at the poor income class.
Practices
ethical consumer practices among the poor and middle, the middle and rich and the poor
and rich income classes. Therefore, all the null hypotheses are rejected, and all the
consumer practices among the poor and middle, the middle and rich and the poor and rich
income classes. Therefore, all the null hypotheses are rejected, and all the alternative
It is imperative that to sustain the economy, people specially the consumers, must
commit to having ethical consciousness that will guide their decision-making and life
choices. As this study reveals, this consciousness which reflects in consumer practices is
2. Human Development
Poverty remains an issue even in the context of ethics and morality. For one to
become ethical consumer requires a price. Since poverty is hardly reduced, many are
deemed less ethical consumers because they are left choiceless and less capable of living
better lives. Therefore, when there is poverty, there impedes human development.
3. Science of Economics
This study enriches the analysis of consumption theory. This indicates that ethics
Recommendations:
There are some recommendations drawn from this study to specific sectors:
Firstly, the government as policy maker, must plan and implement a vigorous
poverty eradication program to ensure equal distribution of wealth and eventually close the
gap of income inequality so that all have equal power to choose and live at higher living
standards. The framework of ethical consumption must be included in the drafting of the
economic development plan of the Philippines to address the issues linked to sustainability.
Certain rules and regulations in relation to sustainable and ethical consumption and
production must be formulated (or must be well-enforced if there already are) to eliminate
hazards to ecology and human society. There should be a strong campaign to further
educate and augment the consciousness of the people. The inclusion of the theme in the
continuous self-education, especially those in the poor and middle income classes, about
consumption choices are guided with ethical concerns. Thirdly, the producers should
review their businesses’ framework and labor policies must be made in compliance with
movements should popularize ethical consumption in the Philippines and other developing
countries. This will heighten the consciousness of the consumers about ecological and
social impact of consumer practices. And lastly, the family, as a basic social institution,
needs to deliberate household buying decisions that consider and promote environmental
and social consciousness. Education always starts at home and whatever it is that home
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developed to a person will serve as his guide all throughout his lifetime. Therefore, to
develop ethically-conscious individuals, values and home rearing that can be applied
Moreover, this study also recommends future researchers to focus on the following
topics: a correlation study linking actual income data and level of ethical consciousness,
consumption, a study on green consumerism and its effect on the person, environment and