OpenText Survey Shows Increase in Demand for Ethically Sourced Goods

Nine in ten global consumers want to buy products sourced in a responsible and sustainable way and 83% would pay more for goods that are ethically produced

New research commissioned by OpenText ™ (NASDAQ: OTEX), (TSX: OTEX) reveals that consumer demand for ethically sourced products has increased during the global pandemic.

OpenText logo (PRNewsfoto/Open Text Corporation) (PRNewsfoto/Open Text Corporation)

The new data – from a survey of 27,000 respondents across the globe – considers the extent to which environmentally sustainable and socially responsible business practices matter to consumers and influence their purchasing behavior. The results highlight the growing importance companies need to place on ensuring their entire supply chain operates ethically.

Demand for Ethical Sourcing Reaches New Heights

Nine in ten (88%) global consumers responding to the survey say they prioritize buying from companies that have ethical sourcing strategies in place. This is an increase of 10% from before the Covid-19 pandemic broke – when just 58% of consumers in Japan , 71% in both Canada and the UK and 72% in the US felt the same way.  A growing number of consumers in each of these markets now indicate they will prioritize buying from companies with a clear commitment to responsible sourcing – 78% in Japan , 82% in the US and UK, and 86% in Canada .

The research also highlights that 83% of global consumers are willing to spend more on a product if they can be certain it is ethically sourced. Indian (94%), Italian (90%), Brazilian (87%) and Singaporean (87%) consumers rank highest in terms of their willingness to pay a premium for ethically produced goods.

"Consumers are demanding that organizations produce goods in environmentally sustainable and socially responsible ways," said Lou Blatt , senior vice president and CMO at OpenText. "And the key to building an ethical supply chain is information. Organizations need to have the tools and technologies in place to access data from not only their suppliers, but also their suppliers' suppliers, and make that information accessible to partners and customers."

Gen Z and Millennials are Driving Change

The survey also revealed that almost two thirds (64%) of 18–24-year-olds would never buy from a company again if that organization was accused of working with unethical suppliers, compared to just two in five (40%) respondents aged 65 or over. Furthermore, almost two thirds (62%) of 25–34-year-olds say it is important to know where the product they are buying originated from, versus just 47% in the 65 and over age group.

Organizations Need to be More Proactive

Chris Cunnane , research director, supply chain management, at ARC Advisory Group, commented, "The OpenText research shows seven in ten (69%) global consumers believe governments need to introduce regulations that hold businesses more accountable for responsible sourcing. Laws such as the EU's Conflict Minerals Regulation, requiring companies importing conflict minerals into the EU to conduct due diligence within their supply chain, is an example of progress. To fully earn the trust of customers, organizations must take a much more proactive stance to demonstrating their ethical credentials."

OpenText brings thirty years of experience in facilitating the exchange of supply chain data and helping customers to create more responsible and sustainable supply chains. Already connecting more than 1 million companies and supporting 24 of the 30 largest supply chains in the world, OpenText™ Business Network Cloud allows businesses to share data in real-time, providing clear visibility into partner performance, practices, and certifications – making it easier to establish and operate an ethical supply chain.

Visit our interactive site where you can download our white paper on the survey findings and what they mean for organizations, click here to access the survey response data by country, or visit our website to learn more about how OpenText can help your organization create more responsible and sustainable supply chains.

Methodology
This research was conducted by 3Gem in April 2021 . Commissioned by OpenText, 27,000 consumers were anonymously surveyed globally, across the UK, Germany , France , Spain , Italy , USA , Canada , Brazil , Japan , India , Australia and Singapore .

About OpenText
OpenText, The Information Company™, enables organizations to gain insight through market leading information management solutions, powered by OpenText Cloud Edi­­tions. For more information about OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX, TSX: OTEX) visit opentext.com

Connect with us:
OpenText CEO Mark Barrenechea's blog
Twitter | LinkedIn

Certain statements in this press release may contain words considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities laws. These statements are based on OpenText's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which the company operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and the actual outcome may be materially different. OpenText's assumptions, although considered reasonable by the company at the date of this press release, may prove to be inaccurate and consequently its actual results could differ materially from the expectations set out herein. For additional information with respect to risks and other factors which could occur, see OpenText's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC and other securities regulators. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, OpenText disclaims any intention or obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Copyright © 2021 Open Text. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks owned by Open Text. One or more patents may cover this product(s). For more information, please visit https://www.opentext.com/patients .

OTEX-G

Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/opentext-survey-shows-increase-in-demand-for-ethically-sourced-goods-301387120.html

SOURCE Open Text Corporation

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

The Conversation (0)
Tech 5: Meta Plans Multi-Billion AI Bet, Apple Reveals iOS 26 at WWDC 2025

Tech 5: Meta Plans Multi-Billion AI Bet, Apple Reveals iOS 26 at WWDC 2025

This week saw a flurry of activity in the tech world, from Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) new product announcements to Amazon's (NASDAQ:AMZN) massive infrastructure investment in Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, Nvidia's (NASDAQ:NVDA) European expansion and its role as an AI powerhouse were all but cemented after a series of announcements at the Paris VivaTech Conference, and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) made some big moves in the AI startup space.

Read on to dive deeper into this week's top tech stories.

Keep reading...Show less
3D model of an intricate oil reservoir.

Why 3D Visualisation is a Game Changer for Resource Asset Management

Forget spreadsheets and static blueprints. The future of resource asset management is unfolding in three dimensions, and smart money is starting to take notice.

3D visualisation is no longer a niche tool; it's rapidly becoming the indispensable core of how resource companies — such as mining, oil and gas and utilities — are tackling their most pressing challenges, from optimising daily operations to achieving critical environmental, social and governance objectives. For investors, this isn't just a technological upgrade; it's a paradigm shift with significant implications for portfolio performance.

Keep reading...Show less
Vancouver Convention Center and skyline.

Web Summit 2025: AI Innovation, Investment Shifts and Global Tech Alliances Take Center Stage

The Vancouver edition of Web Summit took place last week, bringing 15,727 attendees from 117 countries together, including 159 partners, 681 investors and 50 trade delegations.

A record-breaking 1,108 startups across a range of tech-touching industries exhibited, showcasing their products, services and ideas, from groundbreaking biotech advancements to revolutionary sustainable energy solutions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was a prominent feature across all these innovations, underscoring the rapid pace of technological advancement and its pervasive influence across all aspects of modern life.

Keep reading...Show less
US flag on a microchip with red, white and blue circuit lines on a black background.

Trump Admin Strips "Safety" from AI Oversight Institute in Move to Rebrand

The Trump administration announced a rebrand of the US Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Institute, stripping the word “safety” from the organization's title and mission.

The institute, once tasked with developing standards to ensure AI model transparency, robustness and reliability, will now be known as the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI). According to the announcement, its focus will be on enhancing US competitiveness and guarding against foreign threats, not constraining the industry with regulations.

The decision, announced on Tuesday (June 3) by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, marks a sharp departure from the Biden-era posture on AI governance.

Keep reading...Show less
NVIDIA logo.

NVIDIA Rallies After Strong Q1, AI Demand Outshines China Export Hit

NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares rose over 5 percent to hit US$142.50 on Thursday (May 29), extending a powerful rally that reflects Wall Street’s optimism in the chipmaker’s long-term trajectory

The company's positive performance came despite a bruising blow from US export restrictions to China.

The semiconductor giant, seen by many industry experts as the backbone of the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, reported better-than-expected financial results for its first fiscal quarter of 2026 on Wednesday (May 28), allaying fears that geopolitical tensions and tighter trade controls could derail its momentum.

Keep reading...Show less
Tech 5: OpenAI Restructures, Apple Pursues AI Search, Constellation Shares Jump

Tech 5: OpenAI Restructures, Apple Pursues AI Search, Constellation Shares Jump

This week proved pivotal for the tech and energy sectors as market dynamics and the regulatory landscape shifted.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) made waves by signaling a foray into artificial intelligence (AI) search and challenging app store regulations, while OpenAI underwent a major restructuring amid legal battles with Elon Musk.

Meanwhile, legislation targeting AI chip tracking gained momentum, and the nuclear energy sector saw increased activity with Ontario Power Generation's new reactor project and potential White House actions.

Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×