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Keywords
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Responding to the global call for a "sustainable economy" requires meaningful insights into sustainability-conscious consumers and their actual buying behaviors. Sustainable consumption is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon because it encompasses several distinct behavioral patterns and consumption types. Therefore, companies are well advised to recognize multiple types of sustainability-conscious consumers with different expectations, attitudes, and values and to implement targeting strategies that do not rest on the assumption of homogeneity. Thus, the objective of this study is to provide a more fine-grained picture of (un)sustainable consumer segments and their differentiated effects in different product markets. Based on three large datasets, we create a robust six-segment typology of consumer consciousness regarding sustainable consumption. By using panel data on actual purchases, the results show not only that sustainability concerns significantly positively influence actual sustainable purchases, as expected, but also that sustainable buying can occur independently of sustainability concerns.
The perceived risks and benefits of genetically modified food products : Experts versus consumers
(1999)
This article introduces the concept of sustainability-rooted anticonsumption (SRAC), which refers to consumers' anticonsumption practices of voluntary simplicity in living and, on a smaller level, collaborative consumption and boycotting with the goal of supporting sustainable economic development. The SRAC measurement approach is validated based on three empirical studies. Results of a representative German sample (Study 2) reveal that SRAC is predominantly negatively linked to consumer overconsumption dispositions. Exemplary, voluntary simplification and boycott intention may result in declining levels of indebtedness. Study 3 shows that psychosocial well-being is positively related to SRAC and overconsumption. However, a simplified lifestyle and a greater willingness to boycott are not necessarily associated with psychosocial well-being. This article provides insights for practitioners and policymakers to leverage existing SRAC values via “new” business models (sharing offers) or to influence the existing level of consciousness to effectively pave the way for solid progress in the sustainability movement.
This article introduces the concept of sustainability-rooted anticonsumption (SRAC), which refers to consumers' anticonsumption practices of voluntary simplicity in living and, on a smaller level, collaborative consumption and boycotting with the goal of supporting sustainable economic development. The SRAC measurement approach is validated based on three empirical studies. Results of a representative German sample (Study 2) reveal that SRAC is predominantly negatively linked to consumer overconsumption dispositions. Exemplary, voluntary simplification and boycott intention may result in declining levels of indebtedness. Study 3 shows that psychosocial well-being is positively related to SRAC and overconsumption. However, a simplified lifestyle and a greater willingness to boycott are not necessarily associated with psychosocial well-being. This article provides insights for practitioners and policymakers to leverage existing SRAC values via “new” business models (sharing offers) or to influence the existing level of consciousness to effectively pave the way for solid progress in the sustainability movement.
To purchase or not?
(2017)
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.
BALDERJAHN, I.; KRUEGER, C.: Produkte und Prozesse mit dem Ziel Nachhaltigkeit Teilprojekt: "Marketing, Kommunikation, Informationsmanagement" ; MÜLLER, K. et al: Ansätze für eine dauerhaft umweltgerechte landwirtschaftliche Produktion: Modellgebiet Nordost-Deutschland (GRANO) ; PETERSEN, H.-G.; MÜLLER, K.: GRANO - Projektbereich 1: Dezentrale Bewertungs- und Koordinationsmechanismen - Teilprojekt 2: Honorierung ökologischer Leistungen ; SCHULTZ, P.; SOYEZ, K.: Der ökologische Friedhof - Ein Ort des Lebens ; THRÄN, D.: Nachhaltiges Stoffstrommanagement ländlich strukturschwacher Regionen
Brandenburgisches Umweltforschungszentrum e.V.:
Arbeitsgruppe: Nachhaltigkeit ; Arbeitsgruppe: Umwelt- und Biotechnologie ; Arbeitsgruppe: Umweltmanagement ; Arbeitsgruppe: Umweltsoziologie ;
Zentrum für Umweltwissenschaften:
Arbeitsgruppe: Betriebliches Umweltmanagement/Umweltbewußtes Konsumentenverhalten ; Arbeitsgruppe: Grüne Bioraffinerie ; Arbeitsgruppe: Integrierter Arten- und Biotopschutz ; Arbeitsgruppe: LIDAR-Inversionen ; Arbeitsgruppe: FG Ökotechnologie ; Arbeitsgruppe: Regenerative Energien ; Arbeitsgruppe: Stoffdynamik in Geosystemen ; Arbeitsgruppe: Umweltbildung