A Choice Experiment Model for Sustainable Consumer Goods: A Systematic Literature Review and Workflow Design

Maria Elena Saija (), Sara Daniotti, Diego Bosco and Ilaria Re
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Maria Elena Saija: Consorzio Italbiotec, 20126 Milan, Italy
Sara Daniotti: Consorzio Italbiotec, 20126 Milan, Italy
Diego Bosco: Consorzio Italbiotec, 20126 Milan, Italy
Ilaria Re: Consorzio Italbiotec, 20126 Milan, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-22

Abstract: Although various methodological biases have been shown, the choice experiment (CE) literature has confirmed the relevance of sustainability in consumers’ purchase choices. Analysing 186 case studies through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, this study defines the state-of-the-art and future perspectives of the CE approach, allowing us—for the first time—to evaluate in a single study all variables to be considered for setting up the CE questionnaire, with a focus on the selection of attributes and levels, maximising the reliability of the result, and minimising potential method biases. This paper defines a standardised workflow to expand and refine a sustainability perspective that can potentially drive cross-cutting CEs in every consumer good by investigating the accuracy of characteristics driving the willingness to pay (WTP) a premium price for greener consumer goods. Most of the studies analysed in this article concern food products (92%), and around half (51%) focus on sustainability-related aspects, frequently described in generic terms. The results show how defining an adequate number and type of attributes and levels characterising the target product is crucial for a bias-reduced study. These need to be concrete and familiar, and using labels is essential to enhance informed choice, with sustainability being a far-reaching concept with multifaceted definitions. Moreover, choosing a neutral target product, defining the correct sample size, selecting a balanced and representative group of respondents, and using the right analysis model can also minimise potential bias.

Keywords: choice experiment; consumers; sustainable; green; willingness to pay; products; PRISMA; consumer goods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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