@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{BalderjahnHoffmannHuettel2023,
  author    = {Balderjahn, Ingo and Hoffmann, Stefan and H{\"u}ttel, Alexandra},
  title     = {How empowerment and materialism contribute to anti-consumers' well-being},
  series = {European journal of marketing},
  volume    = {57},
  journal   = {European journal of marketing},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Emerald},
  address   = {Bradford},
  issn      = {0309-0566},
  doi       = {10.1108/EJM-04-2020-0284},
  pages     = {1186 -- 1218},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Purpose Because steadily growing consumption is not beneficial for nature and climate and is not the same as increasing well-being, an anti-consumerism movement has formed worldwide. The renouncement of dispensable consumption will, however, only establish itself as a significant lifestyle if consumers do not perceive reduced consumption as a personal sacrifice. Since prior research has not yielded a consistent understanding of the relationship between anti-consumption and personal well-being, this paper aims to examine three factors about which theory implies that they may moderate this relationship: decision-control empowerment, market-control empowerment and the value of materialism. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on data from a large-scale, representative online survey (N = 1,398). Structural equation modelling with latent interaction effects is used to test how three moderators (decision-control empowerment, market-control empowerment and materialism) affect the relationship amongst four types of anti-consumption (e.g. voluntary simplicity) and three different well-being states (e.g. subjective well-being). Findings While both dimensions of empowerment almost always directly promote consumer well-being, significant moderation effects are present in only a few but meaningful cases. Although the materialism value tends to reduce consumers' well-being, it improves the well-being effect of two anti-consumption styles. Research limitations/implications Using only one sample from a wealthy country is a limitation of the study. Researchers should replicate the findings in different nations and cultures. Practical implications Consumer affairs practitioners and commercial marketing for sustainably produced, high-quality and long-lasting goods can benefit greatly from these findings. Social implications This paper shows that sustainable marketing campaigns can more easily motivate consumers to voluntarily reduce their consumption for the benefit of society and the environment if a high level of market-control empowerment can be communicated to them. Originality/value This study provides differentiated new insights into the roles of consumer empowerment, i.e. both decision-control empowerment and market-control empowerment, and the value of materialism to frame specific relationships between different anti-consumption types and various well-being states.},
  language  = {en}
}