IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i10p4098-d359286.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Impact of Self-Quantification on Consumers’ Participation in Green Consumption Activities and Behavioral Decision-Making

Author

Listed:
  • Yudong Zhang

    (Business School, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

  • Huilong Zhang

    (Business School, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China)

  • Chubing Zhang

    (Business School, Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, Tianjin 300222, China)

  • Dongjin Li

    (Business School, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China)

Abstract

Looking at the contradiction between the prevalence of self-quantification and unclear applicable boundaries, the objective of this study is to examine the internal mechanism of how self-quantification influences consumers’ participation and behavioral decision-making in green consumption activities. Based on the goal setting theory, a series of research hypotheses were proposed. Four experiments were designed and performed in different situations with different subjects. Through the analysis of variance and bootstrap testing, the experimental data were analyzed and processed. The results show that, under specific goals, consumers with low self-quantification participate more in promotional activities and less in defensive activities. In promotional green consumption activities, self-quantification enables consumers with (without) goal requirements to reduce (enhance) their participation performance, and choose high-intensity promotional activity categories less (more) with better (worse) participation experience. In defensive green consumption activities, self-quantification enables consumers with (without) goal limitations to enhance (reduce) participation performance and choose high-intensity defensive categories more (less) with better (worse) participation experience. The conclusions can provide enlightenment for enterprises to guide consumers to participate in green consumption activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Yudong Zhang & Huilong Zhang & Chubing Zhang & Dongjin Li, 2020. "The Impact of Self-Quantification on Consumers’ Participation in Green Consumption Activities and Behavioral Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-21, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4098-:d:359286
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/10/4098/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/10/4098/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ayelet Fishbach & Ravi Dhar, 2005. "Goals as Excuses or Guides: The Liberating Effect of Perceived Goal Progress on Choice," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 32(3), pages 370-377, December.
    2. Oltra, Christian & Boso, Alex & Espluga, Josep & Prades, Ana, 2013. "A qualitative study of users' engagement with real-time feedback from in-house energy consumption displays," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 788-792.
    3. Juliano Laran & Chris Janiszewski, 2011. "Work or Fun? How Task Construal and Completion Influence Regulatory Behavior," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 37(6), pages 967-983.
    4. Gans, Will & Alberini, Anna & Longo, Alberto, 2013. "Smart meter devices and the effect of feedback on residential electricity consumption: Evidence from a natural experiment in Northern Ireland," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 729-743.
    5. Michal Maimaran & Ayelet Fishbach, 2014. "If It's Useful and You Know It, Do You Eat? Preschoolers Refrain from Instrumental Food," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 41(3), pages 642-655.
    6. Jordan Etkin, 2016. "The Hidden Cost of Personal Quantification," Journal of Consumer Research, Oxford University Press, vol. 42(6), pages 967-984.
    7. J. H. Jung & Christoph Schneider & Joseph Valacich, 2010. "Enhancing the Motivational Affordance of Information Systems: The Effects of Real-Time Performance Feedback and Goal Setting in Group Collaboration Environments," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 56(4), pages 724-742, April.
    8. Daniel Kahneman & Jack L. Knetsch & Richard H. Thaler, 1991. "Anomalies: The Endowment Effect, Loss Aversion, and Status Quo Bias," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 5(1), pages 193-206, Winter.
    9. Robin L. Soster & Andrew D. Gershoff & William O. Bearden, 2014. "The Bottom Dollar Effect: The Influence of Spending to Zero on Pain of Payment and Satisfaction," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 41(3), pages 656-677.
    10. John G. Lynch , Jr. & Dan Ariely, 2000. "Wine Online: Search Costs Affect Competition on Price, Quality, and Distribution," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(1), pages 83-103, April.
    11. Xinshu Zhao & John G. Lynch & Qimei Chen, 2010. "Reconsidering Baron and Kenny: Myths and Truths about Mediation Analysis," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 37(2), pages 197-206, August.
    12. Minjung Koo & Ayelet Fishbach, 2012. "The Small-Area Hypothesis: Effects of Progress Monitoring on Goal Adherence," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 39(3), pages 493-509.
    13. Jingjing Ma & Neal J. Roese, 2014. "The Maximizing Mind-Set," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 41(1), pages 71-92.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yu-dong Zhang & Hui-long Zhang & Jia-qin Xie & Chu-bing Zhang, 2023. "The influence of self-quantification on individual’s participation performance and behavioral decision-making in physical fitness activities," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Carolina Werle & Brian Wansink & Collin Payne, 2015. "Is it fun or exercise? The framing of physical activity biases subsequent snacking," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 691-702, December.
    2. Hege Westskog & Tanja Winther & Hanne Sæle, 2015. "The Effects of In-Home Displays—Revisiting the Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Francesco Cerigioni & Simone Galperti, 2021. "Listing specs: The effect of framing attributes on choice," Economics Working Papers 1775, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    4. Shiri Melumad & Rhonda Hadi & Christian Hildebrand & Adrian F. Ward, 2020. "Technology-Augmented Choice: How Digital Innovations Are Transforming Consumer Decision Processes," Customer Needs and Solutions, Springer;Institute for Sustainable Innovation and Growth (iSIG), vol. 7(3), pages 90-101, October.
    5. He, Jiaxiu & Wang, Xin (Shane) & Curry, David J., 2017. "Mediation analysis: A new test when all or some variables are categorical," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 780-798.
    6. Khosrowpour, Ardalan & Xie, Yimeng & Taylor, John E. & Hong, Yili, 2016. "One size does not fit all: Establishing the need for targeted eco-feedback," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 523-530.
    7. Park, Sohyeon & Kim, Kacy & Park, Seolwoo & Choi, Yung Kyun & Yoon, Sukki, 2023. "Cancel anytime!: How easy cancellation options enhance purchase intentions for services that require long-term commitments," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    8. Dellaert, B.G.C. & Johnson, E.J. & Baker, T., 2019. "Choice Architecture for Healthier Insurance Choices: Ordering and Partitioning Can Improve Decisions," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2019-008-MKT, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    9. Lane Peterson Fronczek & Martin Mende & Maura L. Scott & Gergana Y. Nenkov & Anders Gustafsson, 2023. "Friend or foe? Can anthropomorphizing self-tracking devices backfire on marketers and consumers?," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 51(5), pages 1075-1097, September.
    10. Nicole Koschate-Fischer & Wayne D. Hoyer & Nicola E. Stokburger-Sauer & Jan Engling, 2018. "Do life events always lead to change in purchase? The mediating role of change in consumer innovativeness, the variety seeking tendency, and price consciousness," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 516-536, May.
    11. Som, Anirban & Dubelaar, Chris & Chowdhury, Rafi M.M.I., 2019. "The effects of goal orientation on goal pursuit," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 322-332.
    12. Yao, Jun & Oppewal, Harmen, 2016. "Unit Pricing Increases Price Sensitivity Even When Products are of Identical Size," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 92(1), pages 109-121.
    13. Sara Kim & Rocky Peng Chen & Ke Zhang, 2016. "Anthropomorphized Helpers Undermine Autonomy and Enjoyment in Computer Games," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 43(2), pages 282-302.
    14. Batalla-Bejerano, Joan & Trujillo-Baute, Elisa & Villa-Arrieta, Manuel, 2020. "Smart meters and consumer behaviour: Insights from the empirical literature," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    15. K Akdim & Luis V. Casaló, 2023. "Perceived value of AI-based recommendations service: the case of voice assistants," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 17(1), pages 81-112, March.
    16. Huang, Yunhui & Jia, Yanli, 2019. "Remaining focus increases task evaluation and future task perseverance," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 251-263.
    17. Lieberman, Alicea & Amir, On & Carmon, Ziv, 2023. "The entrenchment effect: Why people persist with less-preferred behaviors," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    18. Wolf, Tobias & Jahn, Steffen & Hammerschmidt, Maik & Weiger, Welf H., 2021. "Competition versus cooperation: How technology-facilitated social interdependence initiates the self-improvement chain," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 472-491.
    19. Khosrowpour, Ardalan & Jain, Rishee K. & Taylor, John E. & Peschiera, Gabriel & Chen, Jiayu & Gulbinas, Rimas, 2018. "A review of occupant energy feedback research: Opportunities for methodological fusion at the intersection of experimentation, analytics, surveys and simulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 304-316.
    20. Ashley A. Austin & Jacqueline S. Hammersley & Michael A. Ricci, 2020. "Improving Auditors' Consideration of Evidence Contradicting Management's Estimate Assumptions†," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(2), pages 696-716, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:10:p:4098-:d:359286. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.