TY  - JOUR
A1  - Hüttel, Alexandra
A1  - Ziesemer, Florence
A1  - Peyer, Mathias
A1  - Balderjahn, Ingo
T1  - To purchase or not?
BT  - Why consumers make economically (non-)sustainable consumption choices
JF  - Journal of Cleaner Production
N2  - 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.
KW  - Economically sustainable consumption
KW  - Consumer decision-making
KW  - Means-end chain theory
KW  - Collaborative consumption
KW  - Voluntary simplicity
KW  - Frugal consumption
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.019
SN  - 0959-6526
SN  - 1879-1786
VL  - 174
SP  - 827
EP  - 836
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Oxford
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Ziesemer, Florence
A1  - Hüttel, Alexandra
A1  - Balderjahn, Ingo
T1  - Young people as drivers or inhibitors of the sustainability movement
BT  - the case of anti-consumption
JF  - Journal of consumer policy : consumer issues in law, economics and behavioural sciences
N2  - 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.
KW  - Voluntary simplicity
KW  - Collaborative consumption
KW  - Sustainable
KW  - consumption
KW  - Means-end chain analysis
KW  - Laddering interviews
KW  - Youth
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-021-09489-x
SN  - 0168-7034
SN  - 1573-0700
VL  - 44
IS  - 3
SP  - 427
EP  - 453
PB  - Springer
CY  - New York
ER  -