TY - JOUR A1 - Hoffmann, Stefan A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo A1 - Seegebarth, Barbara A1 - Mai, Robert A1 - Peyer, Mathias T1 - Under which conditions are consumers ready to boycott or buycott? BT - the roles of hedonism and simplicity JF - Ecological economics N2 - 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. KW - Environmental concerns KW - Social concerns KW - Boycott KW - Buycott KW - Hedonism KW - Voluntary simplicity Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.01.004 SN - 0921-8009 SN - 1873-6106 VL - 147 SP - 167 EP - 178 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - 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 -