scholarly journals Introducing Phenomenological Research Methodology in Sustainable Consumption Literature: Illustrations From India

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691984055
Author(s):  
Soumyajit Bhar

In this age of rising consumerism, it is evident that we need to move toward a more environmentally sustainable and socially just form of consumption patterns by surpassing the impasse currently faced by various sustainable consumption policies. Without any further delay, we need to embrace an apt methodological orientation to gain a better socioculturally situated conceptual understanding of consumers and a means to obtain empirical insights into drivers of socioenvironmentally impactful consumption patterns to be able to proceed toward efficacious sustainable consumption policies. This article proposes a phenomenological research methodology–based conceptual framing and a step-by-step methodological approach based on that framing to gain an in-depth understanding of how consumers being socioculturally situated identity projects–driven subjects embed consumer goods as integral parts of their life narratives and how that in turn acts as the drivers of their consumption. The elaborated steps of interpreting collected consumer narratives are presented with examples from an empirical research conducted in a few Indian cities. Critical reflections on diverse issues that may arise while employing this methodology in similar contexts like India are then discussed. The conclusion highlights how this understanding of consumer could make a novel contribution to sustainable consumption literature.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3529
Author(s):  
Joël Berger

The diffusion of environmentally sustainable consumption patterns is crucial for reaching net carbon neutrality. As a promising policy tool for reaching this goal, scholars have put forward social tipping interventions (SOTIs). “Social tipping” refers to the phenomenon that a small initial change in a parameter of a social system can create abrupt, nonlinear change via self-reinforcing feedback. If this reduces the burden on the environment, it is of potential interest for environmental policy. SOTIs are attempts to create social tipping intentionally. SOTIs produce rapid norm changes in laboratory experiments. However, little is known about the potential of SOTIs in the field. This research reports on a field intervention promoting the consumption of hot beverages in reusable mugs instead of one-way cups, conducted at Swiss university cafeterias (N = 162,523 consumption decisions). Two SOTIs involved an appeal promoting sustainable consumption with regular feedback about the current prevalence of sustainable consumption. Two control treatments involved either the same appeal without feedback or no intervention. This research offers three key findings. First, SOTIs involving regular normative feedback can transform sustainable consumption from a minority behavior into a social norm within weeks. Second, tipping points in real-world environmental dilemmas may exceed the values found in recent laboratory experiments (≥50% vs. ≥25%). Third, SOTIs can also promote the decay of sustainable consumption. By implication, the risk-free use of SOTIs requires deeper insights into the boundary conditions of these dynamics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abubakari ◽  
Bessy Thuranira

AbstractCorporate entities are expected to show a great commitment to the sustainability agenda in response to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-12—‘Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns’ by 2030. This study, therefore, analyses the sustainability commitments of two major consumer goods companies in Ghana; Unilever Ghana Limited, and PZ Cussons Ghana Limited. It uses the traditional qualitative literature review approach to identify and evaluate the varying commitments of the two entities through an analytic lens of the Sustainable Business Model (SBM) archetypes. The findings indicate that of the eight archetypes, Unilever Ghana Limited is committed to four of the archetypes—1, 3, 6, and 8—whereas PZ Cussons Ghana Limited’s commitments align with five of the archetypes—1, 2, 5, 6, and 8. This indicates a defining step in their sustainability commitments moving forward, however, the translation of the commitments of the two companies into actualities calls for a concerted effort involving the State, civil society, the academic community, and the entities themselves.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Teresa Foti ◽  
Giuseppe Timpanaro

PurposeThe study aims to demonstrate that farmers' markets can represent a model of environmental, social and governance reference for modern agri-food systems facing the challenge of post COVID-19 pandemic reconstruction, responding to consumer expectations in terms of health, safety and wholesomeness of agri-food products.Design/methodology/approachA sample of consumers was surveyed in farmers' markets and social network analysis (SNA) was adopted as a methodological approach to reconstruct the links between the worlds of production and consumption and to derive the relative importance attributed to various factors that promote relational structures.FindingsThe work demonstrates the importance of sustainability – as a productive and behavioural model of firms – for the construction of efficient and durable relationship systems in two farmer markets in Sicily. In particular, four fundamental components emerge in the construction of networks represented by consumer sensitivity to sustainability processes, the individual behavioural model of purchasing and consumption, the expectation of political direction and the level and factors of knowledge of the firm. The clustering elements of the relationships were found to be the territory and local products, the environmentalist attitude and the protection of resources, as well as the adoption of a rational waste disposal policy, the fight against food waste, the encouragement of healthier and more sustainable consumption styles, clear and transparent communication and the activation of sustainable supply chain processes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Originality/valueThe paper aims to demonstrate how alternative food systems can become a useful model for large enterprises, which are committed to rebuilding their business strategy to overcome the current crisis.


Author(s):  
Brian Pham

Although climate change education strategies have succeeded in spreading awareness, they also create a sense of fear and urgency that not only fails to change environmentally unsustainable behavior but may increase this behavior. The failure of current strategies and the paradoxical increase of environmentally unsustainable behavior may be explained by a theory known as terror management theory. This theory posits that if people are faced with an existential crisis, like climate change, they may cling even tighter onto their current ways. A novel solution to alleviate terror management theory is inspiring and empowering people. Inspiration and empowerment will teach people to see environmentally sustainable behavior as a healthier alternative to their current ways rather than an existential crisis. Therefore, they are more likely to welcome change rather than fear it. My study aims to see if mindfulness, connection to nature, and differing undergraduate programs affects sustainable consumption behavior. These factors are thought to inspire and empower people. If these factors can affect sustainable consumption behavior, then they may inspire and empower people to fight climate change. I predict that individuals who are more mindful and connected to nature will also have more sustainable consumption behavior. Furthermore, programs that highlight environmental issues will allow students to have a better connection to nature and more sustainable consumption behavior. If there is evidence to support, my hypotheses then factors that influence sustainable consumption behavior should be taught in schools. These factors would not only increase environmental behavior but increase the student’s overall wellbeing.


2021 ◽  
pp. 219-228
Author(s):  
Lesia TURCHAK

The work of Ukrainian artists who have contributed to Ukrainian and international art, is not sufficiently disclosed. Their creative search impresses with versatility, interesting decision, continues to impress and inspire contemporaries. Purpose of the article — to find out the contribution of the Ukrainian avant-garde artist, set designer, teacher Oleksandra Ekster, to the Ukrainian and international fine arts. Oleksandra Ekster’s work has been the subject of research for decades. Scientists are interested in the painter’s art search, her contribution to Ukrainian avant-garde, scenography reforms, and teaching activity. Some sources may state that Ekster is a representative of Russian avant-garde. However, the artist grew up in Kyiv, obtained art education and promoted with her work not only Ukrainian but world avant-garde as well. The research of modern scientists (H. Kovalenko, D. Horbachova, T. Filevska, N. Stoliarchuk, M. Yur and others) makes it possible to review the artist’s life and artistic journey as well as her contribution to art history. The research methodology consists of a range of methods: historical, biographical, theoretical. The abovementioned methodological approach allows studying the question of historical data relating to the events in Ukraine that led to the emigration waves, finding out certain biographical facts and analyzing the artist’s creative activity.


Author(s):  
Larysa Khorolets

The purpose of the article is diagnostics of Lesya Ukrainka’s dramatic works realization prospects in conditions of performing arts visualization as a consistent trend of the national stage development. The study involves analyzing the adequacy of modern means of expressiveness to the peculiarities of the poetess’ dramaturgy. The research methodology is determined by observational, analytical as well as historical, and logical analysis of the realization prospects of Lesya Ukrainka’s dramatic poems on the Ukrainian stage in the context of the exceptional specific weight of a word for understanding the poetic and philosophical content of the poetess’ works. The indicated methodological approach allows analyzing the reasons why some performances already realized are of enormous artistic value (notably, by “Stone Master” (“Kaminny Hospodar”) as well as outlining the prospects of some contemporary theatrical models in this sense. The novelty of the research lies in expanding the conceptions about the relevance of correlation of cardinally “re-equipped” arsenal of the XX1century scenic space multimedia technologies and the system of means of expressiveness of Lesya Ukrainka’s dramas in the context of conveying the content of these works to the audience, as well as in raising the issue of a more careful approach of modern direction to the ways of conveying and revealing the word of the creator relative to the dramatic works of Lesya Ukrainka as an exceptional phenomenon in the world dramaturgy. Conclusion. Lesya Ukrainka’s dramaturgy is in tune with the present time and corresponds to the aesthetic and civil tasks facing our art today. The Ukrainian theater is in urgent need of this dramaturgy. The poetess’s dramaturgy requires a modern but specific philosophic and poetic theater. To make it sound appropriate, it is necessary to be inspired by the Ukrainian art showing piety towards Lesya’s word and having a desire not just to act but to act namely Lesya Ukrainka, and to find the truth about life in her writing. For her plays it is very important to avoid pomposity which is typical of stage directors fascinated by visualization: there should not be any divertissements, any ball scenes except for those which are required by the unraveling of the plot.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1296-1320
Author(s):  
Anna L. SABININA ◽  
Svetlana A. IZMALKOVA ◽  
Irina V. SYCHEVA ◽  
Aleksandr S. VASIN ◽  
Natal'ya A. SYCHEVA

Subject. We focus on activation of activities at the regional economy level to transform the linear model of production and consumption waste management into the most rational and environmentally sustainable cyclical model. Objectives. The aim is to develop a cyclical model for the rational organization of activities in the field of production and consumption waste management to reduce the volume of disposal to zero in the foreseeable future. Methods. The study employs methods of economic and statistical analysis and methods of project management theory. Results. The study presents a methodological approach to the organization and financing of rational and environmentally sustainable activities at the level of the Federal subject in the field of waste management, based on a cyclical model. To build the model, the following principles are used: consistency, complexity of basic elements, cyclical actions of progressive and recurrent nature, industry characteristics, constructive interaction of the State, business, banks and the population to reduce the impact on the environment. Conclusions. The implementation of the "Management of Production and Consumption Waste Based on the Principles of a Cyclical Model" regional project will enable to solve the problem of environmental pollution of territories, including the solid municipal waste. The project success is determined by the extent, to which the waste management sector of the regional economy is knowledge-intensive, technologically advanced, and financially secure to reduce the environmental impact in terms of adherence to the carbon neutrality policy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-72
Author(s):  
Tetsuro Shigematsu ◽  
Chris Cook ◽  
George Belliveau ◽  
Graham W. Lea

Research-based theatre (RbT) is an innovative research methodology that draws on theatre practices and conventions to engage in and share research. It is an inherently collaborative and relational methodology, inviting research participants, artists and researchers to take part in embodied data generation, analysis and knowledge-exchange activities. This methodology encompasses writing, rehearsing and performing a research-based monologue, scene or play. In this article, the authors share three recent examples from interdisciplinary projects where researchers and artists engaged with different communities to dramatize data using an RbT methodological approach. To add to literature in the field, the authors consider their experiences leading RbT projects in three disparate fields: theatrical, social and therapeutic. The authors explore the question of how RbT transforms relationships and how relationships transform RbT.


2013 ◽  
pp. 100-115
Author(s):  
Stéphane Ganassali ◽  
Jean Moscarola ◽  
Francesco Casarin

Considering the large number of participants and the heterogeneity of the group, the research methodology of COBEREN has been defined in a very specific way. The authors implemented a mixed methodological approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, and they used a various range of numerical, verbal, and even pictorial measurements. The scope for covering different dimensions of the consumer culture was made as open as possible but had to remain acceptable from the point of view of the survey response process. Finally, they successfully combined some a priori instructions/guidelines and some a posteriori adjustments/adaptations. This chapter introduces the data collection method, the sampling aspects, the questionnaire design and translation, implemented according to the general principles of the COBEREN methodology.


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