Sustainable
Marketing Research Outcomes
2008 was the offi cial launch of the Institute’s 7th research
group – the Sustainable Marketing Research Group led by Dr
Anne Sharp.
At the beginning of 2008 Dr Anne Sharp approached the Australian
Advisory Board seeking approval to formalise her ongoing research
into sustainable marketing by creating a dedicated research group.
The board approved, commenting that the Institute had the
opportunity to make a positive contribution to this topical
research area.
Why is sustainable marketing important?
We are faced with a host of sustainability challenges –
pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. Our
consumption is the cause of much of this.
To tackle these challenges effectively, society needs to make
consumption changes. But in order to change, consumers must first
understand what they need to do and why.
The Research Agenda
Key research questions that the Sustainable Marketing Research
Group are addressing include:
• To what extent should marketers satisfy customer demand if
that means either consumers health will suffer or resources will
not last?
• How can we shape consumer demand for improved
sustainability?
• How can we infl uence the evolution of a sustainable
consumer?
Also strong on the research agenda for the group is benchmarking
consumers’ knowledge and behaviours in relation to climate
change and biodiversity. Research shows there is a huge knowledge
gap and a lot of educating to be done if we are to bring about
community change regarding the environment.
Research Outcomes for 2008
Demand for contract research in the area of sustainable marketing
grew exponentially throughout 2008. Key research projects
included:
• Assessment of public awareness, usage of and satisfaction
with key department products and services, for the Department for
Environment and Heritage (SA)
• Benchmarking and tracking the impact of the proposed plastic
bag ban in South Australia on retailers and the South Australian
public, for ZeroWaste (SA)
• Research into behaviour and attitudes towards water and
energy saving changes in the home, for the Department of the
Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts’ Green Loans
Program (Federal).
South Australian newspaper, The Independent Weekly, published an
article about one of the group’s current fl agship projects
– Research into the issues associated with seafood purchase
and consumption for the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research
Centre.
Stine Høj joined the group as a Research Associate and masters
student and, with group head, Dr Anne Sharp, presented two research
papers relating to attitudes and knowledge about Global Warming at
the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy Conference in
Sydney.
