Cognitive and motivational structure of sustainability

Ynte K. van Dam and Hans C.M. van Trijp

Journal of Economic Psychology, 2011, vol. 32, issue 5, 726-741

Abstract: In this paper the cognitive and motivational perceptual structure of sustainability of light users of sustainable products are empirically compared to the Brundlandt definition and the Triple-P-Baseline definition of sustainability. Results show that light users cognitively can distinguish between the social and temporal dimensions of the Brundlandt definition, as well as the People, Planet and Prosperity dimensions of the Triple-P definition of sustainability. In the motivational structure of light users of sustainable products, all attributes that do not offer direct and personal benefits are collapsed into a single dimension. This single dimension explains purchases more parsimoniously than a more complex structure, and is itself explained by a set of psychographic predictors that appears to be related to identity.

Keywords: Cognitive structure; Motivational structure; Sustainable development; Consumer behaviour (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:32:y:2011:i:5:p:726-741

DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2011.06.002

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