Research Information System
1st ICRS 2023, İstanbul, Turkey, 22 - 23 June 2023, pp.1
The energy prerequisites of industrialized countries increase the usage of fossil fuels. This situation triggers climate change. Also, the current production approach of business enterprises and the consumption patterns of households cause both greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. The increasing level of environmental pollution poses the danger of the extinction of flora and fauna. Considering that limited resources such as freshwater, raw materials, and oil are spent carelessly, it can be inferred that the existing production and consumption patterns jeopardize the needs of future generations. Although sustainable development has been mainly considered in terms of economic and environmental dimensions, the triple bottom line of environmental, economic, and social sustainability should be applied in a balanced manner. Accordingly, the United Nations members adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), such as combating hunger and poverty, climate action, gender equality, and responsible production and consumption, in 2015. SDG 12 refers to responsible or sustainable consumption and production. Sustainable production implies that production processes cause fewer harmful impacts on the environment and create value for society. Sustainable consumption implies consumer choices such as sustainable mobility options (i.e., scooters and mopeds), biodegradable plastics, energy-saving bulbs, and reusable printer cartridges. The fossil fuel usage of airline companies and airport operations causes greenhouse gas emissions. Segregation and recycling of solid waste, the use of sustainable aviation fuels by airlines, and green airports with internationally recognized certificates are examples of sustainable aviation practices. The aim of the study is to classify the sustainable aviation practices that affect consumers' purchasing behaviors. Qualitative methods were preferred in the study. Firstly, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with senior managers of airline companies. Afterward, four focus group interviews were conducted with Generations Y and Z. Interviews with managers revealed that airline companies have sustainable practices such as preferring aircraft with composite fuselages, using sustainable aviation fuel, and observing the equality of women and men. In the focus group interviews conducted with Gen Y and Z, it was observed that the participants had positive attitudes towards airline companies' separation of solid waste, use of sustainable aviation fuel, gender equality, and corporate social responsibility practices. Besides, more than half of the participants showed a positive attitude towards paying more for the tickets of airline companies that adopt sustainable aviation practices. The research concluded that social responsibility projects and gender equality factors in the social dimension, sustainable aviation fuel and recycling of wastes in the environmental dimension, and practices such as creating job opportunities for society and reducing income inequality in the economic dimension all positively affect the purchasing behavior of consumers. In this sense, the research reveals that the sustainability practices of airline companies should be focused on in terms of consumers.