TY - JOUR A1 - Ziesemer, Florence A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo T1 - Anti-Consumption JF - Sustainability N2 - Transcending the conventional debate around efficiency in sustainable consumption, anti-consumption patterns leading to decreased levels of material consumption have been gaining importance. Change agents are crucial for the promotion of such patterns, so there may be lessons for governance interventions that can be learnt from the every-day experiences of those who actively implement and promote sustainability in the field of anti-consumption. Eighteen social innovation pioneers, who engage in and diffuse practices of voluntary simplicity and collaborative consumption as sustainable options of anti-consumption share their knowledge and personal insights in expert interviews for this research. Our qualitative content analysis reveals drivers, barriers, and governance strategies to strengthen anti-consumption patterns, which are negotiated between the market, the state, and civil society. Recommendations derived from the interviews concern entrepreneurship, municipal infrastructures in support of local grassroots projects, regulative policy measures, more positive communication to strengthen the visibility of initiatives and emphasize individual benefits, establishing a sense of community, anti-consumer activism, and education. We argue for complementary action between top-down strategies, bottom-up initiatives, corporate activities, and consumer behavior. The results are valuable to researchers, activists, marketers, and policymakers who seek to enhance their understanding of materially reduced consumption patterns based on the real-life experiences of active pioneers in the field. KW - social innovation KW - sufficiency KW - collaborative consumption KW - expert interview KW - consumer behavior KW - sustainability KW - innovation policy KW - governance for sustainable development KW - consumer education Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236663 SN - 2071-1050 VL - 11 IS - 23 PB - MDPI CY - Basel 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 - TY - JOUR A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo T1 - The coronavirus pandemic BT - a window of opportunity for sustainable consumption or a time of turning away? JF - The Journal of consumer affairs N2 - 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. KW - coronavirus pandemic KW - intervention study KW - sustainable consumption KW - well-being Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12419 SN - 1745-6606 VL - 56 IS - 1 SP - 68 EP - 96 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo A1 - Hoffmann, Stefan T1 - Welfare beyond consumption BT - the benefits of having less JF - Ecological economics N2 - 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. KW - anti-consumption KW - subjective well-being KW - voluntary simplicity KW - collaborative consumption KW - human values KW - need for cognition Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106719 SN - 0921-8009 SN - 1873-6106 VL - 176 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - GEN A1 - Ziesemer, Florence A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo T1 - Pioneers’ insights into governing social innovation for sustainable anti-consumption T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Transcending the conventional debate around efficiency in sustainable consumption, anti-consumption patterns leading to decreased levels of material consumption have been gaining importance. Change agents are crucial for the promotion of such patterns, so there may be lessons for governance interventions that can be learnt from the every-day experiences of those who actively implement and promote sustainability in the field of anti-consumption. Eighteen social innovation pioneers, who engage in and diffuse practices of voluntary simplicity and collaborative consumption as sustainable options of anti-consumption share their knowledge and personal insights in expert interviews for this research. Our qualitative content analysis reveals drivers, barriers, and governance strategies to strengthen anti-consumption patterns, which are negotiated between the market, the state, and civil society. Recommendations derived from the interviews concern entrepreneurship, municipal infrastructures in support of local grassroots projects, regulative policy measures, more positive communication to strengthen the visibility of initiatives and emphasize individual benefits, establishing a sense of community, anti-consumer activism, and education. We argue for complementary action between top-down strategies, bottom-up initiatives, corporate activities, and consumer behavior. The results are valuable to researchers, activists, marketers, and policymakers who seek to enhance their understanding of materially reduced consumption patterns based on the real-life experiences of active pioneers in the field. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe - 116 KW - social innovation KW - sufficiency KW - collaborative consumption KW - expert interview KW - consumer behavior KW - sustainability KW - innovation policy KW - governance for sustainable development KW - consumer education Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-439404 SN - 1867-5808 IS - 116 ER - TY - THES A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra T1 - The role of human values in sustainable consumption Y1 - ER - TY - RPRT A1 - Reimers, Hanna A1 - Jacksohn, Anke A1 - Appenfeller, Dennis A1 - Lasarov, Wassili A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra A1 - Rehdanz, Katrin A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo A1 - Hoffmann, Stefan T1 - Maßnahmen zur Eindämmung von Rebound-Effekten auf Konsument:innen- und Haushaltsebene T2 - iReliefs - Indirect Rebound Effects N2 - Rebound-Effekte, die infolge von Maßnahmen und Handlungen auftreten, die darauf abzielen, den Ressourcenverbrauch und die damit verbundenen Emissionen zu reduzieren, stehen dem Ziel nach Klimaneutralität entgegen. Bei der Entwicklung und dem Einsatz von Maßnahmen zum Ressourcen- und Klimaschutz sollte immer das Auftreten von Rebound-Effekten berücksichtigt und durch geeignete Konzepte zur Abschwächung dieser Effekte ergänzt werden. Die wissenschaftliche Forschung hat sich bisher überwiegend auf die Analyse von Rebound-Effekten und weniger auf die Eindämmung dieser Effekte fokussiert. Der vorgelegte Maßnahmenkatalog zur Eindämmung von Rebound-Effekten, der im Rahmen des vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) geförderten Verbundprojektes „iReliefs. Indirect Rebound Effects. Lifestyle‐segmentation and Interventions with Efficiency‐Feedback and Sufficiency” (FZK 01UT1706) entwickelt wurde, soll genau diese Wissenslücke schließen. KW - Rebound-Effekte KW - Maßnahmen Y1 - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:8:3-2021-00847-5 PB - Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel CY - Kiel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reimers, Hanna A1 - Jacksohn, Anke A1 - Appenfeller, Dennis A1 - Lasarov, Wassili A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra A1 - Rehdanz, Katrin A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo A1 - Hoffmann, Stefan T1 - Indirect rebound effects on the consumer level BT - a state-of-the-art literature review JF - Cleaner and responsible consumption N2 - 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. KW - indirect rebound effects KW - income effects KW - substitution effects KW - spillover effects KW - moral licensing Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2021.100032 SN - 2666-7843 SN - 1879-1786 VL - 3 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Balderjahn, Ingo A1 - Hoffmann, Stefan A1 - Hüttel, Alexandra T1 - How empowerment and materialism contribute to anti-consumers’ well-being JF - European journal of marketing N2 - 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. KW - sustainable consumption KW - anti-consumption KW - consumer well-being KW - materialism KW - consumer empowerment Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-04-2020-0284 SN - 0309-0566 SN - 1758-7123 VL - 57 IS - 4 SP - 1186 EP - 1218 PB - Emerald CY - Bradford ER -