Sustainability through anti‐consumption

The current study looked at the effects of attitude toward consumption (positive or negative) on subjective well‐being. This research studied attitude toward consumption at both the personal (micro) level and societal (macro) level and subjective well‐being in terms of cognitive well‐being and affective well‐being. Results indicated that micro attitudes, whether positive or negative, were positively related to a consumer's subjective well‐being. In contrast, macro attitudes were negatively related to subjective well‐being. We posit that these findings could be due to micro attitudes enhancing the person's feeling of autonomy and control. In contrast, macro attitudes may create concerns beyond the person's control. For those who wish to impact societal‐level consumption, these findings provide empirical support for the idea that focusing on the personal benefits of anticonsumption may be more effective than emphasizing larger societal concerns. We explore the potential implications of these findings for mandated vs. voluntary approaches to reducing consumption.

Section: Implications For Changing Macro Consumptionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Attitude toward Consumption and Subjective Well‐Being

Iyer¹,

Muncy²

2015

“…As consumption increasingly plays a central role in modern society, there has been growing concerns about the negative impact of excessive consumption (Alcott ; Cherrier and Murray ; Dobscha ; Evans ), consumerism (Gabriel and Lang ), and materialism (Belk ; Pepper, Jackson, and Uzzell ) on the environment and society. The field of green consumption focuses on the consumption behaviors motivated by environmental and sustainability concerns (Banarjee and McKeage ; Black ; Black and Cherrier ; Evans ; Gilg, Barr, and Ford ). Typically, individuals with macro level concerns may use their consumer power to reject the brands or products which they believe are damaging society (Chatzidakis and Lee ; Littler ).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti‐consumption, Materialism, and Consumer Well‐being

Lee¹,

Ahn²

2016

184

186

Substantial research indicates a negative relationship between excessive consumption, namely materialism, and consumer well‐being (CWB). Since anti‐consumption is contradictory to materialism, and materialism has a negative relationship with CWB, logically, anti‐consumption should have a positive influence on CWB. To explore this relationship, we review the literature on anti‐consumption, materialism, and CWB, and ascertain the most prominent values by which anti‐consumption and materialism differ. We then develop a framework based on four constructs (1. Control over consumption; 2. Scope of concerns; 3. Material desire; 4. Source of happiness), conceptually highlighting how anti‐consumption and materialism differ in terms of CWB. Qualitative data and content analysis of online blogs, forums, and websites provide preliminary support for our propositions. Finally, we conclude with some implications for managers and policymakers.

“…In the area of anticonsumption, these lifestyles encompass, e.g., a voluntary reduction in consumption (Nepomuceno and Laroche ). Anticonsumption from a sustainability perspective means that people deliberately decide to reduce their own consumption (Black ), particularly for the purpose of supporting ecological, social, and economic goals. Voluntary simplifiers, downshifters, and global impact consumers are three types of anticonsumers who adopt a certain lifestyle by voluntarily lowering their materialistic consumption levels (Sharp, Høj, and Wheeler ).…”

Section: Construct Definitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Sustainability Roots of Anticonsumption Lifestyles and Initial Insights Regarding Their Effects on Consumers' Well‐Being

Seegebarth¹,

Peyer²,

Balderjahn³

et al. 2015

141

131

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.