Adolescents around the globe are demonstrating for a sustainable future. Businesses, too, increasingly embrace the idea of sustainable economic activities. Sustainability has evolved from a niche topic into a mainstream one. Nevertheless, there still is a discrepancy between people’s attitudes toward sustainable practices and the extent to which they actually act on them.
Which drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption exist? What are the reasons for the attitude-behavior gap? Bea Alexandra Wintschnig discusses the necessity of sustainable consumption patterns in practice as a key enabler of a general sustainable development.
The variety of identified factors can broadly be subdivided into two categories: individual-related and environmental determinants. The former includes socio- demographics, personal characteristics and value orientation. The environmental determinants comprise product, service or behavior-related factors, such as cost of consumption or stereotypes of sustainable products. Bea Alexandra Wintschnig explains why people seem to talk more about environmental protection than they actually do for it.
In this book:
- Climate protection;
- Sustainability;
- Corporate Social Responsibility;
- Self-efficacy;
- society
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Conceptual foundation
- 2.1 Defining sustainable consumption
- 2.2 The attitude-behavior gap
- 3 Theoretical foundation
- 3.1 Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior
- 3.2 Norm Activation Theory
- 3.3 Deficiencies of the TRA, the TPB and the NAM
- 4 Drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption
- 4.1 Individual-related factors
- 4.2 Environmental factors
- 4.3 Conceptual model and additional remarks
- 5 Implications and future research
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to investigate the drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption, focusing on the attitude-behavior gap. It explores existing theoretical frameworks to understand the complexities of translating pro-environmental attitudes into sustainable actions.
- Defining sustainable consumption and the attitude-behavior gap.
- Analyzing relevant theoretical models (Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, Norm Activation Model).
- Identifying individual and environmental factors influencing sustainable consumption.
- Developing a conceptual model to represent the drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption.
- Exploring implications for future research.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Introduction: This chapter likely provides an overview of the research problem, introducing the concept of sustainable consumption and highlighting the significance of the attitude-behavior gap. It sets the stage for the subsequent chapters by outlining the study's objectives and methodology, providing context and rationale for the research.
2 Conceptual foundation: This chapter delves into the core definitions of sustainable consumption and the attitude-behavior gap. It establishes a clear understanding of the key terms and concepts that will be used throughout the study. It likely explores different interpretations of sustainable consumption and discusses the discrepancy between environmentally conscious attitudes and actual behaviors, setting the theoretical groundwork for later analysis of the drivers and barriers.
3 Theoretical foundation: This chapter presents a critical review of existing theoretical models relevant to understanding sustainable consumption, namely the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the Norm Activation Model (NAM). It analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each model in explaining the attitude-behavior gap within the context of sustainable consumption, providing a basis for developing a more comprehensive framework. The chapter likely discusses the assumptions, predictions, and limitations of each theory.
4 Drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption: This chapter forms the core of the study, examining the various factors influencing sustainable consumption. It likely categorizes these factors into individual-related aspects (e.g., personal values, knowledge, habits) and environmental factors (e.g., availability of sustainable products, infrastructure, social norms). This chapter will probably present a comprehensive conceptual model summarizing the interplay of these diverse influences on consumer behavior, including the impact on the attitude-behavior gap.
5 Implications and future research: This chapter, while not summarized in detail due to its forward-looking nature, would likely synthesize the key findings of the previous chapters. It would discuss the implications of the research for policy, practice, and future research directions. Suggestions for further investigation into specific drivers and barriers, or the refinement of the theoretical frameworks, could also be explored.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Sustainable consumption, attitude-behavior gap, Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Norm Activation Model (NAM), environmental behavior, individual factors, environmental factors, consumer behavior, conceptual model.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this study?
This study investigates the drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption, with a particular emphasis on understanding the attitude-behavior gap – the discrepancy between environmentally friendly attitudes and actual actions.
What are the key themes explored in this research?
The key themes include defining sustainable consumption and the attitude-behavior gap; analyzing relevant theoretical models like the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and Norm Activation Model (NAM); identifying individual and environmental factors influencing sustainable consumption; developing a conceptual model to illustrate these drivers and barriers; and exploring implications for future research.
What theoretical frameworks are used?
The study critically examines the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the Norm Activation Model (NAM) to understand how these theories explain (or fail to explain) the attitude-behavior gap in the context of sustainable consumption. The strengths and limitations of each model are analyzed.
How are the drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption categorized?
The research categorizes the factors influencing sustainable consumption into two main groups: individual-related factors (e.g., personal values, knowledge, habits) and environmental factors (e.g., product availability, infrastructure, social norms). A conceptual model is developed to show how these factors interact.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured as follows: an introduction setting the scene; a conceptual foundation defining key terms; a theoretical foundation reviewing existing models; a core chapter examining drivers and barriers of sustainable consumption; and finally, implications for future research and potential avenues for further study.
What are the key findings (in summary)?
Detailed findings aren't presented in this preview, but the study aims to identify and model the interplay of individual and environmental factors affecting sustainable consumption, particularly addressing the pervasive attitude-behavior gap. The implications will likely suggest areas for policy and future research.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Sustainable consumption, attitude-behavior gap, Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Norm Activation Model (NAM), environmental behavior, individual factors, environmental factors, consumer behavior, conceptual model.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the content and focus of each chapter, giving the reader a clear understanding of the progression of arguments and analysis throughout the study.
What is the overall objective of the study?
The primary objective is to investigate and understand the drivers and barriers to sustainable consumption, focusing on the reasons behind the inconsistency between pro-environmental attitudes and actual behavior.
- Quote paper
- Bea Alexandra Wintschnig (Author), 2021, Sustainable Consumption and the Attitude-Behavior Gap. Drivers and Barriers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/900337
