Chapter 4 Sustainability PDF

[Sustainable luxury and ethics] [Topic 4 -- Responsible individuals] Diagrama Descripción generada automáticamente Maslow, 1957 **Sustainability and Consumer Responsibility** **Role of Individuals**: Consumers influence sustainability through conscious purchasing, workplace decisions, and votin...

[Sustainable luxury and ethics] [Topic 4 -- Responsible individuals] Diagrama Descripción generada automáticamente Maslow, 1957 **Sustainability and Consumer Responsibility** **Role of Individuals**: Consumers influence sustainability through conscious purchasing, workplace decisions, and voting for governments prioritising green policies. Consumption and production touch virtually every aspect of our lives: International trade, agriculture, energy, working conditions and social life and well-being. **What motivates luxury consumption? Key theories** 1\. Conspicuous consumption, Veblen 1899. Veblen posits that individuals consume in an obvious manner to signal wealth to others, who then infer status and power 2\. A counterpart of the Giffen Paradox is when consumers have very low incomes and yet buy a product that is expensive. In this case, the product must have no substitutes and be necessary to meet the needs of the lowest order. 3\. The social comparison theory follows the idea that consumers buy motivated by the inferences and perceptions of others. People tend to conform to the majority opinion of their membership groups, and they may use a luxury brand to conform to social standards. This theory is used in social media marketing and luxury goods. 4\. The self-concept theory relates to how people feel about themselves, making one's self-concept a potential motivator for luxury consumption. 5\. Consumer culture theory and Belk's extended self-concept have informed how many researchers understand luxury consumption motivation. Consumers use possessions to form and alter their identities to fit their projections of who they are or hope to be. 6\. The theory of uniqueness proposes that individuals develop the need to differentiate themselves from others when there is excessive similarity in their social environment. **Cause-related consumption** Consumers base their buying decisions on the relationship between a specific product or company and a certain good cause. Causes may vary greatly. However, cause consumers might also specifically buy the product of a cause-related marketing campaign if it benefits the right topic. **Challenges to Sustainable Behavior**: **Greed**: Insatiable desire for more possessions and growth. **Mental Disconnect**: Perceiving catastrophes as distant or irrelevant. **Present Value Focus**: Prioritizing immediate comfort over future consequences. **Herd Mentality**: Difficulty breaking away from societal norms. **Call to Action**: Individuals must adopt global citizenship perspectives, considering their ecological footprints and the broader impact of their choices. **Responsible Global Citizens** **Definition**: A responsible global citizen is aware of global interconnectivity, values diversity, understands social and economic systems, and takes action to create a sustainable, equitable world. **Characteristics**: Awareness of global issues and one's role as a citizen. Respect for diversity and commitment to social justice. Community participation at local and global levels. Responsibility for personal actions and their consequences. **Ethics in Luxury Consumption** **Motivations for Luxury Consumption**: **Conspicuous Consumption**: Consumption to signal wealth, status, and power (Veblen, 1899). **Social Comparison Theory**: Using luxury to conform to societal expectations. **Self-Concept Theory**: Luxury ownership enhances self-esteem and identity (Shukla & Purani, 2012). **Extended Self (Consumer Culture Theory)**: Luxury possessions shape identities and aspirations (Belk, 1988). **Uniqueness Theory**: Pursuing exclusive luxury goods to differentiate oneself socially (Tian et al., 2001). **Lifestyle Changes and Alternative Approaches** **Need for Change**: Current Western lifestyles are unsustainable, requiring more resources than Earth can support. **Alternative Lifestyles**: **Slow Living**: A movement valuing leisure, quality experiences, and minimal environmental impact. Definition: "The slow movement aims to revalue quality leisure time, sociality, and non-consumerist experiences that minimise environmental footprints" (Petrini, 2003). **Zero Waste**: Reducing or eliminating waste production. **Minimalism**: Living with only essential items to promote simplicity and sustainability. **Slow Tourism**: Definition: Tourism that integrates environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and economic support for local communities (Timms & Conway, 2012). Characteristics: Extended stays, local engagement, and eco-friendly lodging (e.g., villas, cottages). Slow food principles emphasise local, clean, and fair production. **Strategies for Responsible Consumption** **Definitions**: **Cause-Related Consumption**: Buying products for specific social or environmental causes (e.g., eco-labelled goods, farmers' markets). **Boycotts**: Refusal to purchase products from unethical companies actively or passively. **Mainstream Strategies**: Choosing the most responsible available products. Supporting fair trade and ethical companies. **Alternative Strategies**: Simplifying consumption to focus on essentials. Engaging in cause-related marketing campaigns or supporting local producers. **Smart and Sustainable Tourism** **Definitions**: **Slow Tourism**: A sustainable tourism approach promoting eco-friendly practices and community-based experiences (Fullagar, Markwell & Wilson, 2012). **Smart Tourism**: Using digital and eco-savvy technologies to create innovative, sustainable travel experiences. **Characteristics of Smart Tourism**: Use of renewable energy in transportation, lodging, and activities. Monitoring of natural habitats to ensure biodiversity. Sustainable construction methods to reduce environmental impact. **Experimental Luxury**: Shift towards sustainability and innovation in the luxury sector. Emphasis on guilt-free travel experiences combining luxury with environmental consciousness. **Definitions Summary:** **Responsible Global Citizen**: A person actively contributing to global sustainability and equity. **Conscious Consumerism**: Making purchasing decisions based on sustainability and ethics. **Conspicuous Consumption**: Using visible luxury goods to demonstrate wealth and status. **Slow Living**: Prioritizing quality, non-consumerist experiences over quantity. **Slow Tourism**: Tourism practices that support local economies and minimise environmental impacts. **Smart Tourism**: Leveraging technology and sustainable practices to create innovative, eco-friendly travel experiences.