@article{HuettelZiesemerPeyeretal.2017, author = {H{\"u}ttel, Alexandra and Ziesemer, Florence and Peyer, Mathias and Balderjahn, Ingo}, title = {To purchase or not?}, series = {Journal of Cleaner Production}, volume = {174}, journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0959-6526}, doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.019}, pages = {827 -- 836}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Although ecologically and socially responsible consumption helps to reduce the harmful effects of resource use for both nature and society, all types of consumption (whether green or fair) deplete valuable resources. At the same time, to maintain household financial sustainability, spending should not exceed a household's financial resources. Thus, economically sustainable consumption is related to the consumer's decision to not buy products and the disposition to forgo specific purchases. Based on a means-end chain approach, this study investigates consumer cognitive decision-making structures related to six distinct options for economically (non-)sustainable consumption. Whereas saving motives, waste concerns, and avoidance motivations support economically sustainable decisions, economically non-sustainable decision-making is directly linked to attaining overall life goals. By clustering respondents based on the elicited means-end chains, the study discloses four consumer groups with distinctive motivational structures. The study also reveals several obstacles to promoting economic sustainability, indicates methods to overcome such obstacles, and suggests avenues for future research.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffmannBalderjahnSeegebarthetal.2018, author = {Hoffmann, Stefan and Balderjahn, Ingo and Seegebarth, Barbara and Mai, Robert and Peyer, Mathias}, title = {Under which conditions are consumers ready to boycott or buycott?}, series = {Ecological economics}, volume = {147}, journal = {Ecological economics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0921-8009}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.01.004}, pages = {167 -- 178}, year = {2018}, abstract = {There are two fundamental ways in which consumers can express their concerns and obligations for society through their consumption decisions: They can boycott companies that they deem to be irresponsible or they may deliberately buy from companies that they perceive to act responsibly ('buycott'). It has been largely ignored that individuals are driven by different motivational mechanisms to join boycotts and buycotts (punishment vs. reward of corporate behaviors), and thus, these mechanisms have disparate implications for the participating individual (e.g., high vs. low subjective costs because of a restriction in consumption habits). This paper fills this void and develops a framework suggesting that the extent to which consumers translate their concerns and obligations for society into a willingness to boycott and/or buycott is bounded by self-interest. Using a unique, representative sample of 1833 German consumers, this study reveals that the effects of environmental concerns and universalism on buycotting are amplified by hedonism, while the effects of social concern on buycotting and boycotting are attenuated by hedonism and simplicity, respectively. These results have far-reaching implications for organizations and policy planners who aim to change corporate behavior.}, language = {en} } @article{BalderjahnLeeSeegebarthetal.2019, author = {Balderjahn, Ingo and Lee, Michael S. W. and Seegebarth, Barbara and Peyer, Mathias}, title = {A sustainable pathway to consumer wellbeing}, series = {The Journal of consumer affairs}, volume = {54}, journal = {The Journal of consumer affairs}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Malden, Mass.}, issn = {0022-0078}, doi = {10.1111/joca.12278}, pages = {456 -- 488}, year = {2019}, abstract = {This study investigates the effect of different anticonsumption constructs on consumer wellbeing. The study assumes that people will only lower their level of consumption if doing so does not also lower personal wellbeing. More precisely, this research investigates how specific subtypes of sustainable anticonsumption (e.g., voluntary simplicity, collaborative consumption, and debt-free living) relate to different states of consumer's wellbeing (e.g., financial, psychosocial, and subjective wellbeing). This work also examines whether consumer empowerment can improve personal wellbeing and strengthen the anticonsumption wellbeing relationship. The results show that voluntarily foregoing consumption does not reduce wellbeing and consumer empowerment plays a significant role in supporting sustainable pathways to consumer wellbeing. This study reasons that empowerment improves consumer sovereignty, but may be detrimental for consumers heavily concerned about debt-free living. The present investigation concludes by proposing implications for public and consumer policymakers wishing to promote appropriate sustainable (anticonsumption) pathways to consumer wellbeing.}, language = {en} } @article{HuettelBalderjahnHoffmann2020, author = {H{\"u}ttel, Alexandra and Balderjahn, Ingo and Hoffmann, Stefan}, title = {Welfare beyond consumption}, series = {Ecological economics}, volume = {176}, journal = {Ecological economics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0921-8009}, doi = {10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106719}, pages = {13}, year = {2020}, abstract = {In developed regions worldwide, so-called anti-consumers are increasingly resisting high-level consumption lifestyles or shifting to alternative forms of consumption. A general reduction in consumption levels is considered necessary to attain global sustainability goals. However, knowledge regarding the factors driving people to deliberately consume less and how anti-consumption affects individuals' well-being is limited. Against this background, this study considers the influence of human values and the well-being effects of two types of anti-consumption: voluntary simplicity and collaborative consumption. Based on representative data from the US (N = 1075) and Germany (N = 1070), the findings show that the two anti-consumption types do not reduce the well-being of individuals' but in some cases, even improve it, which suggests that lowering consumption can not only help protect environmental resources but also serve the greater good of society. In particular, this relationship holds among collaborative consumers with a strong need for cognition, i.e., a cognitive thinking style that involves a high level of decision control. According to the study results, opposite value orientations are the drivers of voluntary simplicity and collaborative consumption (i.e., a focus on self-transcendence versus self-enhancement). These findings are comparable in both countries; however, the strength of the effects differs.}, language = {en} } @article{ZiesemerHuettelBalderjahn2021, author = {Ziesemer, Florence and H{\"u}ttel, Alexandra and Balderjahn, Ingo}, title = {Young people as drivers or inhibitors of the sustainability movement}, series = {Journal of consumer policy : consumer issues in law, economics and behavioural sciences}, volume = {44}, journal = {Journal of consumer policy : consumer issues in law, economics and behavioural sciences}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0168-7034}, doi = {10.1007/s10603-021-09489-x}, pages = {427 -- 453}, year = {2021}, abstract = {As overconsumption has negative effects on ecological balance, social equality, and individual well-being, reducing consumption levels among the materially affluent is an emerging strategy for sustainable development. Today's youth form a crucial target group for intervening in unsustainable overconsumption habits and for setting the path and ideas on responsible living. This article explores young people's motivations for engaging in three behavioural patterns linked to anti-consumption (voluntary simplicity, collaborative consumption, and living within one's means) in relation to sustainability. Applying a qualitative approach, laddering interviews reveal the consequences and values behind the anti-consumption behaviours of young people of ages 14 to 24 according to a means-end chains analysis. The findings highlight potential for and the challenges involved in motivating young people to reduce material levels of consumption for the sake of sustainability. Related consumer policy tools from the fields of education and communication are identified. This article provides practical implications for policy makers, activists, and educators. Consumer policies may strengthen anti-consumption among young people by addressing individual benefits, enabling reflection on personal values, and referencing credible narratives. The presented insights can help give a voice to young consumers, who struggle to establish themselves as key players in shaping the future consumption regime.}, language = {en} } @article{MaiHoffmannBalderjahn2021, author = {Mai, Robert and Hoffmann, Stefan and Balderjahn, Ingo}, title = {When drivers become inhibitors of organic consumption}, series = {Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science}, volume = {49}, journal = {Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {0092-0703}, doi = {10.1007/s11747-021-00787-x}, pages = {1151 -- 1174}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The organic market is characterized by remarkable disparities, and confusion persists about which motives drive organic consumption. To understand them, this research introduces the idea that the same consumer motives can exert different and potentially opposite impacts when organic consumption patterns unfold. The proposed multistage theory of differential effects distinguishes a participation stage, when consumers decide whether to purchase organic at all, and an expenditure stage, when consumers decide about how much of their budget to spend on organic products across purchases. An analysis of shopping patterns of approximately 14,000 households confirms the proposed differential influences: Other-oriented motives (care for others and the environment) support participation but impede sustained expenditures. Only self-oriented motives (hedonism) foster both participation and expenditures. The results pinpoint the need to rethink organic consumption as a stage-specific problem, which opens up new perspectives for managers about an old but persistent problem.}, language = {en} } @article{ReimersJacksohnAppenfelleretal.2021, author = {Reimers, Hanna and Jacksohn, Anke and Appenfeller, Dennis and Lasarov, Wassili and H{\"u}ttel, Alexandra and Rehdanz, Katrin and Balderjahn, Ingo and Hoffmann, Stefan}, title = {Indirect rebound effects on the consumer level}, series = {Cleaner and responsible consumption}, volume = {3}, journal = {Cleaner and responsible consumption}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2666-7843}, doi = {10.1016/j.clrc.2021.100032}, pages = {16}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Indirect rebound effects on the consumer level occur when potential greenhouse gas emission savings from the usage of more efficient technologies or more sufficient consumption in one consumption area are partially or fully offset through the consumers' adverse behavioral responses in other areas. As both economic (e.g., price effects) and psychological (e.g., moral licensing) mechanisms can stimulate these indirect rebound effects, they have been studied in different fields, including economics, industrial ecology, psychology, and consumer research. Consequently, the literature is highly fragmented and disordered. To integrate the body of knowledge for an interdisciplinary audience, we review and summarize the previous literature, covering the microeconomic quantification of indirect rebounds based on observed expenditure behavior and the psychological processes underlying indirect rebounds. The literature review reveals that economic quantifications and psychological processes of indirect rebound effects have not yet been jointly analyzed. We derive directions for future studies, calling for a holistic research agenda that integrates economic and psychological mechanisms.}, language = {en} } @article{BalderjahnSeegebarthLee2021, author = {Balderjahn, Ingo and Seegebarth, Barbara and Lee, Michael S. W.}, title = {Less is more!}, series = {Journal of cleaner production}, volume = {284}, journal = {Journal of cleaner production}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0959-6526}, doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124802}, pages = {12}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Enhancing consumer satisfaction and well-being is an important objective of companies, retailers and public policy makers. In the current debate on climate change, a consistent theme is that consumers in developed countries must learn to consume less. The present study (based on representative data sets from the US, N = 1,017, and Germany, N = 1030) addresses these issues by using a scenario-based experiment to analyze how satisfied voluntary simplifiers (people who voluntarily abstain from consumption) are with their purchase decisions in the case of a muesli brand. The research question is whether people who follow a sustainable, simple lifestyle are more satisfied with their daily consumption choices than people who have a more consumerist lifestyle. If so, it would be easier for many people to change their lifestyles and consume less. In addition, this scenario experiment manipulates consumer empowerment and decision complexity since both factors are supposed to influence purchase satisfaction. The results are consistent across both countries and indicate that voluntary simplifiers experience a higher level of purchasing satisfaction than non-simplifiers, whereby empowerment and decision complexity play different roles.}, language = {en} } @article{HuettelBalderjahn2022, author = {H{\"u}ttel, Alexandra and Balderjahn, Ingo}, title = {The coronavirus pandemic}, series = {The Journal of consumer affairs}, volume = {56}, journal = {The Journal of consumer affairs}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1745-6606}, doi = {10.1111/joca.12419}, pages = {68 -- 96}, year = {2022}, abstract = {As a means to preserve present and future generations' living conditions, sustainable consumption presents a route to the enhanced well-being of individuals. However, the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic raises the question of whether society is going to continue down a path of increased awareness of sustainable consumption or whether the pandemic will move people to focus more on themselves. Based on data gathered before and near the end of the first pandemic lockdown in Germany in spring 2020, this research demonstrates that ecological, social, and voluntary simplicity consciousness deteriorated in the minds of sustainability-conscious consumers, with notable impacts on their willingness to spend sustainably and their shopping affinity. Furthermore, we identify segments that show particular vulnerability to the lockdown by reacting with a decrease in their ecological consumption consciousness. This study concludes with a discussion of the pandemic's implications for the spread of sustainable consumption styles and human well-being.}, language = {en} } @article{BalderjahnAppenfeller2023, author = {Balderjahn, Ingo and Appenfeller, Dennis}, title = {A social marketing approach to voluntary simplicity}, series = {Sustainability}, volume = {15}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su15032302}, pages = {17}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Higher eco-efficiency will not be enough to slow global warming caused by climate change. To keep global warming to 2 degrees, people also need to reduce their consumption. At present, however, many who would be able to do so seem unwilling to comply. Given the threats of a runaway climate change, urgent measures are needed to promote less personal consumption. This study, therefore, examines whether social marketing consume-less appeals can be used to encourage consumers to voluntarily abstain from consumption. As part of an online experiment with nearly 2000 randomly sampled users of an online platform for sustainable consumption, we tested the effectiveness of five different "consume-less" appeals based on traditional advertising formats (including emotional, informational, and social claims). The study shows that consume-less appeals are capable of limiting personal desire to buy. However, significant differences in the effectiveness of the appeal formats used in this study were observed. In addition, we found evidence of rebound effects, which leads us to critically evaluate the overall potential of social marketing to promote more resource-conserving lifestyles. While commercial consumer-free appeals have previously been studied (e.g., Patagonia's "Don't Buy This Jacked"), this study on the effectiveness of non-commercial consume-free appeals is novel and provides new insights.}, language = {en} }