The Effects of Globalization: Hyper Consumption and Environmental Consumer Behavior during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Purpose: The paper examines the effect of the globalization over the consumption and environmental consumer behavior. The period under review is focused on the pandemic situation caused by the COVID-19. The current paper is part of a research that elaborates in three stages. The first stage of this research is presented, and the aim is to identify any indications about the existence of association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the consumption, and between the consumption and the environment protection. Design/Methodology/Approach: Our initial hypothesis is that the COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in the consumption and the hyper consumption caused a negative effect on the environmental protection. To test our hypothesis, we used secondary data and comprehensive desk research based upon literature review in the period April 2021 - August 2021. A data set from Eurostat and the Environmental protection index was used. Findings: The initial results based on the data used show that the COVID-19 pandemic did not increase the consumption and the latter does not affect the environmental protection. As the data we used is limited in time and scope an own methodology was established. The next stages include new data, the elaboration of the survey instruments, namely an own questionnaire, questions for the in-depth interviews and focus groups. Practical Implications: These findings provide a better understanding of how pandemic situations affect the consumption and environmental consumer behavior. Originality/Value: This would help governments and companies to improve the value chains management, taking measures to limit the hyper consumption, targeting higher environmental performance.