As the modern world is becoming more and more complex and competitive, money and profitability are key words for most companies. The main role of companies is to make money but I think that they should also make consumer behaviour change if this is for good causes. This is a quite idealistic situation but it can lead to good effects.
Companies can easily make consumer behaviour change by making them buy one particular product and by creating fashion trend. For example brands like Levi’s have changed consumer behaviour toward fashion. The company trivialized jeans for everybody and today everybody has jeans. Moreover some brands are creating new consumer needs and demand and building up new market. This is the case of Apple. They succeed in making consumers buy their product in order to follow their trend. Some people buy Apple products because they just want to look cool and to be part of the ‘Apple community’. Apple has changed some consumer buying behaviour. Companies can make consumer behaviour change by creating some ‘superficial’ needs but I think that companies would do better if they make people change in a more serious way.
Some corporations should change consumer behaviour if it leads to good consequences: protect people from diseases protect the environment… For instance brands like Durex or Manix, which sell condoms, are trying to make consumer behaviour change. They have managed to make people use more and more condoms and to protect them from HIV or STD. Other companies like Unilever are trying to change their consumer behaviour to benefit the environment There is no doubt that companies should make people change for a good cause but this is not their main role and other players have this role.
There are players who can and should change consumer