Exploring consumer responsibility for sustainable consumption

TLDR

This article explores consumer responsibility for sustainable consumption (CRSC), aiming to broaden its conceptualisation and inspire further research and practice. The study uses a recent CRSC scale to empirically examine its relation to the sustainable consumption attitude–behaviour gap and then synthesises multidisciplinary research to develop a broader conceptual framework.

Abstract

This article advances our understanding of sustainable consumption by focusing on the emerging concept of consumer responsibility for sustainable consumption (CRSC). Employing a recent scale of consumer's 'felt responsibility' for sustainable consumption, we begin with the results of an empirical study intended to determine how CRSC relates to the established sustainable consumption attitude–behaviour gap. Guided by the insight gained from these results, we proceed with exploring a broader, multidimensional conceptualisation of CRSC by synthesising research from a variety of domains and perspectives. Our hope is that this exploration will inspire additional dialogue about the nature of CRSC, as well as enable development of a more refined scale to enable subsequent research. We believe that this, in turn, will promote future research and inform practice as our collective understanding of this important consumer construct continues to evolve.