Influencing Intention for Sustainable Product Use Through Psychological Ownership, Inertia, and Scepticism.
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2021-07-01
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en
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Abstract
In order to limit global warming, we shift to a circular economy. The environmental benefits
of this can only be achieved if people consume sustainably. Sustainable consumer behaviour
is well-researched, but there is lacking knowledge on the specific aspect of using. We look
into this caveat by researching influences on intentions for sustainable consumer behaviour
among renters of trailers. This research investigates whether changes in psychological
ownership, inertia, and scepticism can alter sustainable consumption behaviour-intentions of
not overloading a rented trailer in an online scenario study. The results of a repeated measures
ANOVA showed our sample (N = 107) had different intentions between conditions. Lowering
scepticism increased intention through the use of guarantees targeting sustainable
consumption. Our attempt at increasing inertia to decrease intention resulted in a reversed
effect of our hypothesis, most likely due to compensation or social desirability. Psychological
ownership was increased, but it did not increase intention, as it appears psychological distance
to a target can inhibit the otherwise positive effect of psychological ownership. We
recommend reducing scepticism to increase sustainable use behaviour-intentions and give
recommendations for future research.
Keywords: Sustainable consumer behaviour, intention, psychological ownership, inertia,
scepticism, scenario/vignettes.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen