Towards Sustainable Consumption: Economics and Ethical Concerns for the Environment in Consumer Choices |
| |
Authors: | Jouni Paavola |
| |
Institution: | 1. University of Tennessee , USA;2. College of Charleston , USA;3. University of Groningen , The Netherlands |
| |
Abstract: | The article examines individual action informed by ethical concerns for the environment as a strategy for moving toward more sustainable consumption. The article first employs a model of rational choice to analyze independent consumer choices among the usually assumed self- and welfare-centered consumers and then expands the model to analyze the implications of other than self- and welfare-centered motivations for consumer choice. The article next analyzes interdependent consumer choices informed by self- and welfare-centered values with the help of a simple game-theoretic model and then moves on to examine the implications of nonutilitarian environmental concerns for interdependent consumer choice in the same game-theoretic framework. The article concludes that although a strategy based on individual action may have limited promise when environmental concerns are widely shared, the case for collective action remains strong because of both efficiency and equity reasons. |
| |
Keywords: | Consumer Choice Environment Rationality Preferences Values Sustainability |
|
|