On the Sources of Consumer Boycotts Ineffectiveness

Journal of Environment and Development, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2009

Posted: 7 Oct 2009

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

This article investigates weaknesses of consumer boycotts. First, usual shortcomings of collective action, such as coordination failure and free riding, reduce considerably the success likelihood. Second, consumers with the highest ability to hurt the targeted firm’s profit also have the highest opportunity cost of boycotting. Thus, they are less likely to participate in the boycott. Conversely, the most involved consumers have high environmental preferences and small amounts of consumption, which prevent them from hurting the firm’s profit enough.

Keywords: consumer boycott, war of attrition, environment, technology choice

JEL Classification: D11, D21, Q59

Suggested Citation

Delacote, Philippe, On the Sources of Consumer Boycotts Ineffectiveness (2009). Journal of Environment and Development, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1016773

Philippe Delacote (Contact Author)

LEF-ENGREF-INRA ( email )

14 rue Girardet
Nancy, 54042
France

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