Psychological ownership rather than material consumption: Can fashion firms' new subscription services become an environmentally sustainable business strategy?

Abstract

Fashion, acknowledged as among the most polluting industries, is responsible for excessive production and consumption, necessitating a reevaluation and transformation of current strategies by adopting more sustainable ones. The emergence of fashion subscription services (FSSs) has the potential to mitigate the industry's unsustainability. However, it is empirically unknown whether FSSs contribute to sustainable consumption and, if so, how their slow adoption can be addressed. This research: (a) examined whether consumers who already use FSSs are more engaged in pro‐environmental behaviors (Study 1), and (b) developed and tested an adoption model with a strong underscore on the mediating role of psychological ownership (Study 2). The results revealed that those who subscribe to such services display sustainable consumption behaviors, and psychological ownership acted as a critical mediator facilitating service adoption intentions. This research offers empirical evidence to support the theoretical premise of the service's positive impact on environmental sustainability and a strategic direction to accelerate its market penetration.

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