The Impact of Corporate Greenwashing Behavior on Consumers' Purchase Intentions of Green Electronic Devices: An Empirical Study in Vietnam

The environment friendly lifestyle and the green product trend have motivated corporates to develop and adopt sustainable business practices. However, an increasing number of corporations have engaged in greenwashing practices to create the appearance of environmental responsibility. By employing the theory of reasoned action, the paper investigated a model linking corporate greenwashing and consumers' green purchase intentions with the mediating role of green trust and green word-of-mouth about green electronic devices in Vietnam. Using an online survey via Email, Zalo, and Wechat, data was obtained from 308 Vietnamese consumers who have been purchasing green electronic devices. Based on the responses of the participants from the questionnaires conducted, data analysis was conducted by using SEM in AMOS version 23. This investigation shows that corporate greenwashing negatively affects consumers' green trust, green word-of-mouth, and their green buying intentions. Additionally, the paper verifies that green trust and green word-of-mouth mediate the relationships between greenwashing and consumers' green purchase intentions. These results reinforce the extant understanding of greenwashing and its consequences. Finally, the study not only stimulates future research but serves as a reference for business managers, scholars, and students who are interested on the topic of environmental sustainability, new product development, and green brands.