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An investigation of sustainable consumption behavior systems – Exploring personal and socio-structural characteristics in different national contexts

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  • Ganglmair-Wooliscroft, Alexandra
  • Wooliscroft, Ben

Abstract

Sustainable consumption behaviors are embedded in a consumption system. Their uptake is influenced by personal characteristics and the context. Feedback loops reinforce extant behavior and path dependencies enable or hinder additional sustainable consumption. This study applies a cross-national approach to reveal the influence of structural characteristics on the pattern of sustainable consumption, comparing results from Austria and New Zealand. Using Rasch Modelling, we test five propositions and find that most of the 26 behaviorsinvestigatedare taken up in the same order in both countries. Government regulations, business initiatives, and geographic characteristics influence the uptake of some sustainable behaviors, including recycling, consumption of organic food or use of public transport in the two countries. Consumers experience structural feedback loops and historic government foci have created path dependencies. The results demonstrate that a systemic view of sustainable consumption behaviors is required, to foster and increase sustainable behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Ganglmair-Wooliscroft, Alexandra & Wooliscroft, Ben, 2022. "An investigation of sustainable consumption behavior systems – Exploring personal and socio-structural characteristics in different national contexts," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 161-173.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:148:y:2022:i:c:p:161-173
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.04.049
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    1. Shuai Jin & Na Qiao & Francis Tang Dabuo & Changchun Zhu, 2024. "The evolution mechanism of green products supply and demand in a demand‐driven market," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 45(6), pages 3624-3640, September.
    2. Wu, Xuepin & Ma, Yongjun, 2023. "Research on the comparison effect of urban residents' consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    3. Małgorzata Bogusz & Renata Matysik-Pejas & Andrzej Krasnodębski & Paweł Dziekański, 2023. "Sustainable Consumption of Households According to the Zero Waste Concept," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-23, September.
    4. Hongjuan Zhang & Haibing Liu & Rongkai Chen, 2025. "Policy-Driven Dynamics in Sustainable Recycling: Evolutionary Dynamics on Multiple Networks with Case Insights from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-30, June.
    5. Jurgita Paužuolienė & Ligita Šimanskienė & Mariantonietta Fiore, 2022. "What about Responsible Consumption? A Survey Focused on Food Waste and Consumer Habits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
    6. Ramón Mahía & Rafael de Arce, 2024. "Quantifying the excess carbon footprint and its main determinants of Spanish households," Energy & Environment, , vol. 35(4), pages 1907-1935, June.
    7. Shuai Jin & Na Qiao & Muhamad Aamir Shafique Khan & Changchun Zhu, 2024. "Promoting the production and consumption of green products from the perspective of supply and demand: An evolutionary game-based analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(9), pages 23193-23213, September.
    8. Alexandra Ganglmair-Wooliscroft & Ben Wooliscroft, 2025. "Unsustainable Consumption: A Systemic Exploration of Everyday Behaviours," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-21, January.
    9. Tat-Dat Bui & Ming K. Lim & Raditia Yudistira Sujanto & Monica Ongkowidjaja & Ming-Lang Tseng, 2022. "Building a Hierarchical Sustainable Consumption Behavior Model in Qualitative Information: Consumer Behavior Influences on Social Impacts and Environmental Responses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.

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