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Sustainable consumption in capability perspective: Operationalization and empirical illustration

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  • Leßmann, Ortrud
  • Masson, Torsten

Abstract

The present research combines the capability approach (CA) with the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to investigate the effects of social norms and personal autonomy on sustainable consumption behavior. The approaches bear some similarities, but differ in that the CA attaches more importance to autonomy and highlights the indirect effects of social influence. In contrast to TPB, the CA suggests indirect norm effects (on behavior) by shaping attitudes and the perception of freedom of choice. Furthermore, the CA hints at the motivational power of personal autonomy for behavioral choices. We develop a combined model to test our assumptions for two sustainable consumption behaviors (i.e., purchase of organic food and mobility behavior). Testing the combined model based on cross-sectional data of the German socio-economic panel (GSOEP-IS) confirms the significance of the CA for sustainable consumption. The policy implications of the findings are enhancing people's opportunities for sustainable consumption in order to strengthen sustainable behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Leßmann, Ortrud & Masson, Torsten, 2015. "Sustainable consumption in capability perspective: Operationalization and empirical illustration," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 64-72.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:57:y:2015:i:c:p:64-72
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2015.04.001
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    2. Tseng, Ming-Lang & Wu, Kuo-Jui & Chiu, Anthony SF. & Lim, Ming K. & Tan, Kimhua, 2018. "Service innovation in sustainable product service systems: Improving performance under linguistic preferences," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 414-425.
    3. Wei, Jia & Chen, Hong & Long, Ruyin, 2016. "Is ecological personality always consistent with low-carbon behavioral intention of urban residents?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 343-352.
    4. Tseng, Ming-Lang & Wu, Kuo-Jui & Chiu, Anthony SF. & Lim, Ming K. & Tan, Kimhua, 2019. "Reprint of: Service innovation in sustainable product service systems: Improving performance under linguistic preferences," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 159-170.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sustainable consumption; Capability approach; Theory of planned behavior; Empirical analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B59 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Other
    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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