A Framework to Evaluate Areas of Interest for Sustainable Products and Designs
Yuri Borgianni,
Lorenzo Maccioni,
Anton Dignös and
Demis Basso
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Yuri Borgianni: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Lorenzo Maccioni: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Anton Dignös: Faculty of Computer Science, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Demis Basso: CESLAB, Faculty of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 39042 Brixen, Italy
Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-17
Abstract:
Experience and evaluation research on sustainable products’ design is increasingly supported by eye-tracking tools. In particular, many studies have investigated the effect of gazing at or fixating on Areas of Interest on products’ evaluations, and in a number of cases, they have inferred the critical graphical elements leading to the preference of sustainable products. This paper is motivated by the lack of generalizability of the results of these studies, which have predominantly targeted specific products and Areas of Interest. In addition, it has also been overlooked that the observation of some Areas of Interest, despite not specifically targeting sustainable aspects, can lead consumers to prefer or appreciate sustainable products in any case. Furthermore, it has to be noted that sustainable products can be recognized based on their design (shape, material, lack of waste generated) and/or, more diffusedly, information clearly delivered on packaging and in advertising. With reference to the latter, this paper collected and classified Areas of Interest dealt with in past studies, markedly in eco-design and green consumption, and characterized by their potential generalizability. Specifically, the identified classes of Areas of Interest are not peculiar to specific products or economic sectors. These classes were further distinguished into “Content”, i.e., the quality aspect they intend to highlight, and “Form”, i.e., the graphical element used as a form of communication. This framework of Areas of Interest is the major contribution of the paper. Such a framework is needed to study regularities across multiple product categories in terms of how the observation of Areas of Interest leads to product appreciation and value perception. In addition, the potential significant differences between sustainable and commonplace products can be better investigated.
Keywords: eye tracking; areas of interest; sustainable products; eco-design; green consumption; eco-labels; product description; brand; value perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7931-:d:851490
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