The effect of altruistic attitude on freeganism and the mediating role of personality traits

One of the new concepts that emerged with the changing consumption perceptions of today's societies is the concept of freeganism. Freeganism emerges as a consumer behaviour that aims at simplifying life, reducing waste products and eliminating the understanding which leads to waste on individual and social base. Besides, altruism, which expresses the aim of helping the interests of others without any reward or expectation in return, appears as a concept revealing the importance of sharing in consumerist societies. In this study, the effect of altruistic attitude on freeganism and the mediating role of personality traits have been examined by emprical methods and it is aimed to contribute to literature. In this study, which is especially considered as significant in order to fill the deficiency in freeganism, the data collected through an online survey polled by a heterogenous group of participants has been analyzed by Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and the hypothesis developed has been tested. Findings obtained by the results of analyses show that altruistic attitude has an effect on freeganism. These findings also reveal that openness to experience and conscientiousness as personality dimensions have a partial mediating role in this relation.It is expected that the results obtained will contribute to literature and the sector managers.