How Consumer Choice is Influenced by Labor and Environmental Conditions in the Global Cosmetics Industry: A Study of Students’ Purchasing Decisions at the University of Victoria
Date
2024
Authors
Kritsky, Jarica
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
In this research project, I explore what cosmetics products students at the University of Victoria consume, what factors influence their purchasing decisions, and what students know about labor and environmental conditions within global cosmetics supply chains. I conducted an online questionnaire and series of interviews to collect this data, and I contextualize my findings in comparison to existing studies which also identify “cost” as the primary factor influencing cosmetics consumers’ purchasing decisions. The implications of these findings are 1) offering a price premium for products manufactured in “ethical” labor and environmental conditions may only appeal to some consumers, having a limited impact on global labor and environmental conditions in cosmetics manufacturing processes, and 2) changes to labor and environmental conditions within cosmetics supply chains must occur from supply-side policies, involving a range of actors such as governments, corporations, non-governmental organizations, media, academic institutions, and communities in which ingredients for cosmetics products are sourced.
Description
Keywords
cosmetics, consumers, labor, commodity, supply chain