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Unstable identities: stable unsustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Lars Strannegård

    (Department of Management and Organization, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Peter Dobers

    (School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden)

Abstract

The identity concept has emerged as a key analytical concept in the social sciences in the past decades. In both scientific accounts and everyday use, the identity concept has traditionally been seen as something that individuals possess. This view has however been heavily criticized by a social identity strand of social science, where identity is a matter of a negotiation where different social roles are learned in relations with others. The relational view of identities creates some serious problems for the sustainability challenge. In a world of relational identities, individuals are engaged in identity-creating interactions every day. Key problems are that the interactions, in urban environments, are highly commercialized; consumption cues are emotionally based and speak to our senses, and outnumber the competing cues several times over. Sustainable lifestyles are thus very fragile. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Strannegård & Peter Dobers, 2010. "Unstable identities: stable unsustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(3), pages 119-122.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:18:y:2010:i:3:p:119-122
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.459
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Victoria Hurth, 2010. "Creating sustainable identities: the significance of the financially affluent self," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(3), pages 123-134.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pasi Heikkurinen & Tarja Ketola, 2012. "Corporate Responsibility and Identity: from a Stakeholder to an Awareness Approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(5), pages 326-337, July.
    2. Eva Kiefhaber & Kathryn Pavlovich & Katharina Spraul, 2020. "Sustainability-Related Identities and the Institutional Environment: The Case of New Zealand Owner–Managers of Small- and Medium-Sized Hospitality Businesses," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 37-51, April.
    3. Bina, Olivia & Vaz, Sofia Guedes, 2011. "Humans, environment and economies: From vicious relationships to virtuous responsibility," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 170-178.

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