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THESIS ABSTRACT

Title : Income Classes and Ethical Consumer Practices

in Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Number of Pages : 263
Researcher : Mark James B. Lota
Adviser : Prof. Gil C. Alonsagay
School : Asian Social Institute
Year of Completion : 2019
Degree Conferred : Master of Science in Economics

Problem Statement: This study aimed to determine the difference in the

ecologically and socially conscious ethical consumer practices among the three income

classes of selected respondents in Tondo, Manila, Philippines.

Specifically, this study sought answers to the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. Age;

b. Gender;

c. Educational attainment;

d. Income;

e. Nature of Work;

f. Religion; and

g. Ethnicity?

2. What is their distribution in relation to three income classes: poor, middle

and rich?
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3. What are the respective levels of their ecologically-conscious ethical

consumer practices?

4. What are the respective levels of their socially-conscious ethical consumer

practices?

5. Is there a significant difference in the levels of ecologically-conscious

ethical consumer practices among three income classes?

6. Is there a significant difference in the levels of socially-conscious ethical

consumer practices among three income classes?

7. What insights can be generated from this study relative to:

a. Sustainable economic development;

b. Human development; and

c. Science of economics?

Research Methodology: This study utilized descriptive-quantitative approach. This

research used random sampling of 400 respondents stratified into poor, middle and rich

income classes.

Findings:

A. Demographic Profile of Respondents

According to age, the greatest number of respondents (81% combined percentages)

are in the middle age ranging from 19-36 and 37-54. The age group 18 and below and 55

and above are not well-represented in this study (19%).

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According to gender, there are more female (56.75%) than male (43.25%)

respondents.

According to educational attainment, majority (55.25%) of the respondents have

finished higher education (college, master’s, doctorate and post-doctorate levels). The

percentage of respondents who finished basic and technical education is 44.75%.

According to income class, the respondents are almost fairly distributed into poor,

middle and rich income classes.

According to nature of work, professional respondents ranked first (33.5%) and

self-employed ranked second (27.75%). Skilled workers ranked third (20.75%), and

unemployed and no-work ranked least (18% combined).

According to religion, the respondents are mostly Catholic (65%) and Christian

(32.25%). There are few Moslems and those with other beliefs.

According to ethnicity, Tagalogs comprised the greatest of the respondents (70%).

Other ethnicities are Ilocano, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, Bicolano, Waray, Cebuano,

Ilonggo, and foreigners.

B. Distribution of Respondents in Relation to Income Classes

By age, the poor income class has more respondents who are younger (70.37%)

than the middle (55.63%) and the rich income class (43.18%).

By gender, majority of the respondents in all income classes are females (54% of

poor, 59.4% of middle and 56.82% of rich income class).

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By educational attainment, when those with college, masters, doctorate and post-

doctorate degrees are combined, there are more highly educated in the rich (86%) than the

middle (62.4%) and the poor income class (38.51%).

By nature of work, significant proportion of poor income class have either no work

or unemployed (45.19%). Mostly, self-employed and professionals comprised the middle

(72.19%) and rich (84.09%) income classes.

By religion, all income classes have religious belief but great majority are Roman

Catholic (69.65% of poor, 75.94% of middle and 49.24 of rich income classes).

By ethnicity, majority (75.56% of poor, 78.95% of middle and 55.3% of rich

income classes) among three income classes belong to Tagalog ethnicity.

C. Level of Ecologically-Conscious Ethical Consumer Practices

The highest level of ecologically-conscious ethical consumer practices is observed

by the rich income class (5.26), followed by the middle income class (4.07). The poor

income class ranked the least (3.67).

D. Level of Socially-Conscious Ethical Consumer Practices

The highest level of socially-conscious ethical consumer practices is observed by

the rich income class (5.22), followed by the middle income class (4.18). The poor income

class ranked the least (3.87).

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E. Significant Difference in the Level of Ecologically-Conscious Ethical Consumer

Practices

The computed t-value of mean level of ecologically-conscious ethical consumer

practices is greater than the critical or table value at 0.05 significance level (1.96) when

comparing the poor and middle income (3.768), the middle and rich income (12.82) and

the poor and rich income class (14.08).

F. Significant Difference in the Level of Socially-Conscious Ethical Consumer Practices

The computed t-value of mean level of socially-conscious ethical consumer

practices is greater than the critical or table value at 0.05 significance level (1.96) when

comparing the poor and middle income (2.949), the middle and rich income (11.03) and

the poor and rich income class (14.18).

G. Insights Generated from this Study Relative to:

1. Sustainable Economic Development

The framework of sustainable economic development is hampered by income

inequality. To realize a sustainable economy, everyone must perform to meet certain

ethical standards. However, these standards are not accessible to all due to income

constraints.
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2. Human Development

There is income inequality favoring some to have freedom to self-determination

and to live lives according to what they value. Some are underprivileged to choose and

experience higher and more ethical living standards.

3. Science of Economics

Generally, consumers consider some ethical criteria of whats and hows of their

consumption. Nonetheless, their level of ethical consciousness indicated in their

consumption practices depends on the power of their income.

Conclusions:

A. Demographic Profile of Respondents

The respondents are capable of applying ethical standards in their consumer

practices, as revealed by their age, gender, educational attainment, income class, nature of

work, religion, and ethnicity.

B. Distribution of Respondents in Relation to Income Classes

While all respondents are expected to show ethical consciousness in their consumer

practices in general, higher income classes, nevertheless, have tendencies to become more

aware and concern due to their higher level of income, level of educational attainment and

the nature of work they occupy.

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C. Level of Ecologically-Conscious Ethical Consumer Practices

The level of ecological consciousness reflected in respondents’ consumer practices

increases with income. This means that ecologically-conscious ethical consumption is most

often practiced at the rich income class, and most seldom at the poor income class.

D. Level of Socially-Conscious Ethical Consumer Practices

The level of social consciousness reflected in respondents’ consumer practices

increases with income. This means that socially-conscious ethical consumption is most

often practiced at the rich income class, and most seldom at the poor income class.

E. Significant Difference in the Level of Ecologically-Conscious Ethical Consumer

Practices

There is a significant difference between the levels of ecologically-conscious

ethical consumer practices among the poor and middle, the middle and rich and the poor

and rich income classes. Therefore, all the null hypotheses are rejected, and all the

alternative hypotheses are accepted.

F. Significant Difference in the Level of Socially-Conscious Ethical Consumer Practices

There is a significant difference between the levels of socially-conscious ethical

consumer practices among the poor and middle, the middle and rich and the poor and rich

income classes. Therefore, all the null hypotheses are rejected, and all the alternative

hypotheses are accepted.

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G. Insights Generated from this Study Relative to:

1. Sustainable Economic Development

It is imperative that to sustain the economy, people specially the consumers, must

commit to having ethical consciousness that will guide their decision-making and life

choices. As this study reveals, this consciousness which reflects in consumer practices is

constraint by consumers’ income. Therefore, income distribution must be ensured equally

to holistically and systematically address issues of sustainability.

2. Human Development

Poverty remains an issue even in the context of ethics and morality. For one to

become ethical consumer requires a price. Since poverty is hardly reduced, many are

deemed less ethical consumers because they are left choiceless and less capable of living

better lives. Therefore, when there is poverty, there impedes human development.

3. Science of Economics

This study enriches the analysis of consumption theory. This indicates that ethics

is also a determinant of patterns of consumption. However, the level of being ethically

conscious is proportional to consumer’s income.

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Recommendations:

There are some recommendations drawn from this study to specific sectors:

Firstly, the government as policy maker, must plan and implement a vigorous

poverty eradication program to ensure equal distribution of wealth and eventually close the

gap of income inequality so that all have equal power to choose and live at higher living

standards. The framework of ethical consumption must be included in the drafting of the

economic development plan of the Philippines to address the issues linked to sustainability.

Certain rules and regulations in relation to sustainable and ethical consumption and

production must be formulated (or must be well-enforced if there already are) to eliminate

hazards to ecology and human society. There should be a strong campaign to further

educate and augment the consciousness of the people. The inclusion of the theme in the

basic education curriculum is encouraged. Secondly, the consumers should provide

continuous self-education, especially those in the poor and middle income classes, about

consumer’s rights and responsibilities is encouraged so that their decision-making and

consumption choices are guided with ethical concerns. Thirdly, the producers should

review their businesses’ framework and labor policies must be made in compliance with

environmental and social responsibility of the corporate. Fourthly, the consumer

movements should popularize ethical consumption in the Philippines and other developing

countries. This will heighten the consciousness of the consumers about ecological and

social impact of consumer practices. And lastly, the family, as a basic social institution,

needs to deliberate household buying decisions that consider and promote environmental

and social consciousness. Education always starts at home and whatever it is that home
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developed to a person will serve as his guide all throughout his lifetime. Therefore, to

develop ethically-conscious individuals, values and home rearing that can be applied

practically, like in consumption practices, are necessary.

Moreover, this study also recommends future researchers to focus on the following

topics: a correlation study linking actual income data and level of ethical consciousness,

an in-depth study considering individual analysis of demographic variables used in this

study, a qualitative study about the experiences of consumers practicing ethical

consumption, a study on green consumerism and its effect on the person, environment and

society, and a replication study in a different setting.