abstract: Advancing sustainable food systems requires holistic understanding and solutions-oriented approaches that transcend disciplines, so expertise in a variety of subjects is necessary. Proposed solutions are usually technically or socially oriented, but disagreement over the best approach to the future of food dominates the dialogue. Technological optimists argue that scientific advances are necessary to feed the world, but environmental purists believe that reductions in consumption and waste are sufficient and less risky. Life cycle assessment (LCA) helps resolve debates through quantitative analysis of environmental impacts from products which serve the same function. LCA used to compare dietary choices reveals that simple plant-based diets are better for the environment than diets that include animal products. However, analysis of soy protein isolate (SPI) demonstrates that certain plant-based proteins may be less preferable for the environment than some unprocessed meats in several categories due to additional impacts that come from industrial processing. LCAs' focus on production risks ignoring consumers, but the food system exists to serve consumers, who can be major drivers of change. Therefore, the path to a sustainable food system requires addressing consumption issues as well. Existing methods for advancing sustainable food systems that equate more information with better behavior or performance are insufficient to create change. Addressing food system issues requires sufficient tacit knowledge to understand how arguments are framed, what the supporting content is, the findings of primary sources, and complex and controversial dialogue surrounding innovations and interventions for food system sustainability. This level of expertise is called interactional competence and it is necessary to drive and maintain holistic progress towards sustainability. Development strategies for interactional competence are informed by studying the motivations and strategies utilized by vegans. A new methodology helps advance understanding of expertise development by assessing levels of expertise and reveals insights into how vegans maintain commitment to a principle that influences their daily lives. The study of veganism and expertise reveals that while providing information to debunk fallacies is important, the development of tacit knowledge is fundamental to advance to a stage of competence. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Sustainability 2015

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-16T14:48:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1682746 bytes, checksum: 58ab688285508a47f84907e2d4e8ca04 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Given the idea of rethinking the way society consumes, which is characterized by the abundance of consumer goods and at the same time begins to feel the close possibility of suffering with the impacts caused by the nature of consumerism, made the interest of investigating consumer habits related to environmental preservation to appear. It was noticed that the society has valued the sustainable practices even more, but how those people act as consumers before their apparent ethical stance they present? The consumers profess a concern on environmental questions but researches indicate that their consumer habits continue to be the same, the old ones. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the convergences and divergences between the environmentally responsible discourse and the consumers behaviour according to the theory of action of Argyris et al. (1985). From a qualitative approach, this research used in-depth interviews and a self-report through notes in a board diary to collect data about the environmentally responsible discourses and the consumers behaviours of 15 participants. To analyse data, the research used the dimensions related to the environmentally responsible research presented in Stern (1999, 2000): personal domain, behavioural domain, contextual domain, personal capabilities and habits and routines. The four first dimensions were investigated to identify the environmentally responsible discourses through interviews, and the last dimension habits and routines was investigated to identify the consumers behaviour effected by means of the registration of purchase experiences, consume and discard of goods in a board diary. The research suggests that the environmentally responsible behaviour is not always coherent with its discourse by the existence of motivational (impotence, lack of interest, sacrifice, convenience) and contextual elements (financial condition, absence of public policies, constraints of time and culture). It was noticed that environmentally responsible behaviour appear in some aspects of the participants daily lives, because it is understood that having quite favourable good consumer habits to the environment, under current conditions that the society lives, it would be impractical. / Diante do imperativo de repensar a maneira como a sociedade consome, a qual se caracteriza pela abundância de bens de consumo e ao mesmo tempo começa a sentir a possibilidade próxima de sofrer com os impactos causados à natureza pelo consumismo desenfreado, surgiu o interesse em investigar os hábitos de consumo relacionados à preservação ambiental. Percebeu-se que cada vez mais a sociedade tem valorizado as práticas sustentáveis, mas como essas pessoas atuam como consumidores diante da aparente postura ética que apresentam? Os consumidores professam uma preocupação com as questões ambientais, mas pesquisas indicam que seus hábitos de consumo continuam a ser os antigos. Deste modo, este estudo objetivou analisar as convergências e divergências entre o discurso ambientalmente responsável e o comportamento de consumo à luz das teorias da ação de Argyris et al. (1985). A partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, a pesquisa utilizou entrevistas em profundidade e o auto-relato por meio de um diário de bordo para coletar informações sobre os discursos ambientalmente responsáveis e os comportamentos de consumo de 15 participantes. Para fazer a análise, a pesquisadora se baseou nas dimensões relacionadas ao comportamento ambientalmente responsável tratadas em Stern (1999, 2000): Domínio Pessoal, Domínio Comportamental, Domínio Contextual, Capacidades Pessoais e Hábitos e Rotinas. As quatro primeiras dimensões foram investigadas para identificar os discursos ambientalmente responsáveis por meio de entrevistas, e a última dimensão, Hábitos e Rotinas, foi investigada para identificar o comportamento de consumo efetivado por meio do registro das experiências de compra, consumo e descarte de bens em um diário de bordo. A pesquisa sugere que o comportamento ambientalmente responsável nem sempre é coerente com o discurso ambientalmente responsável, pela existência de elementos motivacionais (impotência, falta de interesse, sacrifício, comodidade) e contextuais (condição financeira, ausência de políticas públicas, restrições de tempo e cultura). Percebeu-se que os comportamentos ambientalmente responsáveis aparecem em alguns aspectos do dia-dia dos participantes do estudo, pois se entende que ter hábitos de consumo completamente favoráveis ao meio-ambiente, nas condições atuais que a sociedade vive, seria impraticável.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-16T14:49:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1374760 bytes, checksum: 668ddae8afa6991f24f94e768321a334 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-09 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Understanding the relationship between the human being and the environment is a need present in the agenda of companies, governments, academy and consumers. Towards the sustainable development, everyone is looking for the causes and possible solutions to mitigate the environmental problems, since these might affect all of us. So, this study aimed to identify if the awareness of adverse consequences and the consumers' environmental concern contribute to the environmental conscious behaviors. These objectives were reached through the application of in-depth interviews allied with the projective technique with 33 consumers aged between 18 to 66 years old that were residents in João Pessoa city. The interpretation of the speeches through the content analysis with qualitative approach oriented by Bardin (1977) generated thematic categories and variables. These, when confronted in the light of the theoretical references, allowed the analysis of the environmental conscious behaviors and if these are oriented by selfish values (anthropocentric) or are guided by altruistic and biospheric values (ecocentric). The results showed a paradoxical consumers relationship that ranges among consuming less to preserve the environment and the planet (values oriented to our interests ) or consuming more to reach personal satisfaction in a way to maintain the own life quality, the health and the personal well-being ( my interests ). The study reveals a high concern and understanding referred to the negative consequences of the environmental degradation. However, despite of the declared intention of acting on behalf of the environment, the consumers demonstrate passivity and selfish behaviors. In this context, the consumers impute to the companies and the governments the environmental care and do not exercise their power to maintain the society s balance. From these verifications, it is necessary to make the consumers aware and to motivate them to change values and behaviors, towards this new thought related to an ecological rationality. The sustainable development can be reached by addressing the government actions together with the marketing strategies, but also counting with the consumer's active participation in this sense. / Entender as relações entre o homem e o meio ambiente é uma necessidade presente na agenda de empresas, governos, academia e consumidores. Na onda do desenvolvimento sustentável, todos buscam as causas e possíveis soluções para mitigar os problemas ambientais, já que estes acabam afetando a todos. Neste sentido, esta dissertação busca identificar se a conscientização acerca das consequências adversas e a preocupação ambiental dos consumidores contribuem para seus comportamentos ambientalmente conscientes. Estes objetivos foram alcançados por meio de entrevistas em profundidade aliadas à técnica projetiva conduzidas com 33 consumidores de idades entre 18 a 66 anos e moradores da cidade de João Pessoa. A análise qualitativa de conteúdo orientada por Bardin (1977) possibilitou interpretar as falas e gerou categorias temáticas e variáveis. Estas, confrontadas à luz das referências teóricas, permitiram analisar o comportamento ambientalmente consciente dos consumidores e verificar se são consoantes com valores egoístas (antropocêntricos) ou são orientados por valores altruístas e biosféricos (ecocêntricos). Os resultados apontam para uma relação paradoxal dos consumidores que se baseia entre consumir menos para preservar o meio ambiente e o planeta (valores voltados aos nossos interesses ) ou consumir mais para atingir satisfação pessoal e manter a própria qualidade de vida, a saúde e o bem-estar pessoal ( meus interesses ). O estudo revela alta preocupação e conscientização acerca das consequências negativas da degradação ambiental. Porém, apesar de os entrevistados declararem a intenção de agir em prol do meio ambiente, demonstram passividade e egoísmo nos comportamentos. Neste contexto, os consumidores imputam às empresas e aos governos os cuidados com o ambiente e não exercem seu poder para manter a sociedade em equilíbrio. A partir destas constatações, infere-se a necessidade de conscientizar os consumidores e incentivar a mudança de valores e comportamentos, face ao novo pensamento voltado à racionalidade ecológica. O desenvolvimento sustentável poderá ser alcançado a partir do direcionamento das ações governamentais aliadas às estratégias de marketing, mas também com a participação do consumidor mais atuante neste sentido.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-07T14:49:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4189429 bytes, checksum: 0cf3bac5e39923d7487127dcfd10fe8c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Individualistic attitudes are commonplace in our society fruit of competitiveness and consumerism. Given the above framework is needed to analyze the importance in addressing the individual's relationship with the environment, the need of creating new habits and modes of consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the understanding of students and teachers from two schools in the city of João Pessoa on sustainable consumption and waste within the culture of the school. This research was conducted in two public schools teaching the EMEF General Francisco Notare and EEEFM Alice Carneiro both the city of João Pessoa. Throughout the research that is necessary to promote school issues regarding sustainable consumption and minimizing the impacts of culture of waste imposed on us every day. An education focused on conscious consumption is extremely valuable in the contemporary context in which our society is thus awakening future generations, since its formation is indispensable to sustainable practices, so that a new standard of sustainability is achieved harnessing the innovative potential youth and new generations that are to come in relating to their natural habitat in an ethical and responsible manner. The study presented an analysis of the sustainable consumption as a way to build a critical perspective of the students within the school, involving the intertwining of themes: environment and wasteful consumption. As results we can conclude that environmental education becomes relevant to address this as an issue in everyday current, being necessary a proposal that must be present within the school environment. / Atitudes individualistas são corriqueiras em nossa sociedade fruto da competitividade e do consumismo. Diante do quadro exposto se faz necessário analisar a importância em se abordar a relação do indivíduo com o meio ambiente, quanto à necessidade da criação de novos hábitos e modos de consumo. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a compreensão dos alunos e professores de duas escolas da cidade de João Pessoa sobre o consumo sustentável e a cultura do desperdício no do âmbito escolar. A pesquisa foi realizada em duas escolas da rede pública de ensino EMEF General Ângelo Francisco Notare e na EEEFM Alice Carneiro ambas da cidade de João Pessoa. Ao longo da pesquisa observa-se que é necessário fomentar nas escolas questões que concernem ao consumo sustentável e minimização dos impactos da cultura do desperdício imposta a nós todos os dias. Uma educação voltada para o consumo consciente é de extrema valia no contexto contemporâneo em que nossa sociedade se encontra. Despertar as futuras gerações, desde a sua formação para práticas sustentáveis é indispensável, para que um novo padrão de sustentabilidade seja alcançado aproveitando o potencial inovador da juventude e das novas gerações que estão por vir em se relacionar com seu habitat natural de forma ética e responsável. O estudo apresentou uma análise da relação consumo sustentável como forma de construir uma perspectiva crítica dos alunos dentro do âmbito escolar, implicando o entrelace das temáticas: meio ambiente consumo e desperdício. Como resultados pode-se concluir que a educação ambiental se faz pertinente para tratar de uma problemática tão presente no cotidiano atual, sendo uma proposta necessária que deve estar presente dentro do universo escolar.

A presente dissertação aborda uma forma de consumo que ganha cada vez mais atenção dos meios de comunicação, bem como da academia, o consumo sustentável, que surge em decorrência da mudança da percepção do conceito de marketing ocorrida em meados do século XX, quando passou a existir o conceito de marketing social. Esse fato contribui para que as empresas dediquem maior preocupação para aspectos antes esquecidos e passem a investir em responsabilidade social. A partir disso, em conjunto com diferentes fatores, como a degradação ambiental, o maior engajamento das pessoas em práticas ambientalmente responsáveis, bem como a formação de uma consciência por parte das pessoas acerca de questões ambientais, o estudo do conceito de consumo sustentável tornou-se de extrema importância. Dessa forma, estudos demonstraram a relação existente entre consumo sustentável e características individuais (DIETZ et al., 2002; VERMEIER; VERBEKE, 2008; RIBEIRO, 2011). Assim, o presente trabalho busca ampliar o conhecimento acerca do tema, relacionando-o com outro construto bastante estudado na área de marketing, os valores pessoais. Dessa forma, realizou-se uma survey com 442 entrevistados, escolhidos de maneira aleatória, na cidade de Porto Alegre, com a utilização de uma escala de consumo sustentável (RIBEIRO; VEIGA, 2010) em conjunto com a escala de valores pessoais – portrait value questionaire (PVQ) (SCHWARTZ, 1992) com o objetivo de verificar a relação entre esses dois construtos. Os resultados encontrados confirmaram a existência de relação estatisticamente significativa entre as dimensões auto-promoção, abertura à mudança e conservadorismo (valores pessoais) com as dimensões reciclagem, frugalidade, economia de recursos e consciência ecológica (consumo sustentável). A dimensão de valores pessoais auto-transcendência apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa com as dimensões de consumo sustentável economia de recursos e frugalidade. / This dissertation deals with a consumption’s form which gains more and more attention from the media, as well as the academy, the sustainable consumption, which arises because of changing’s perception of marketing’s concept occurred in the middle of twentieth century, when begins to exist the social marketing’s conception. This fact contributes to company dedicates major preoccupation for aspects that were forgotten and became to invest in social responsibility. From this perspective, together with different factors, as the environmental degradation, the major people’s commitment to practices environmentally responsible, as well as the development of a consciousness, from the persons, related to environmental issues, the study of sustainable consumption’s concept became extremely important. In this sense, studies demonstrate the existing relation between sustainable consumption and individual characteristics (DIETZ et al., 2002; VERMEIER; VERBEKE, 2008; RIBEIRO, 2011).Thus, this work aims to extend the knowledge about the topic, relating this issue with another construct much studied in marketing’s area, the personal values. Thereby, a survey took place with 442 interviewees, chosen by random sample selection, in Porto Alegre city, using a sustainable consumption’ scale (RIBEIRO; VEIGA, 2010), together with a personal values’ scale - portrait value questionaire (PVQ) (SCHWARTZ, 1992) with the aim of analyzing the relation between this two constructs. The results achieved confirm the existence of a relation statistically meaningful between the dimensions self-promotion, opening to change and conservatism (personal values) with the dimensions recycling, frugality, economy of resources and ecological conscience (sustainable consumption). The personal value’s dimension self-transcendence presents relation statistically meaningful with the sustainable consumption’s dimension economy of resources and frugality.

A presente dissertação aborda uma forma de consumo que ganha cada vez mais atenção dos meios de comunicação, bem como da academia, o consumo sustentável, que surge em decorrência da mudança da percepção do conceito de marketing ocorrida em meados do século XX, quando passou a existir o conceito de marketing social. Esse fato contribui para que as empresas dediquem maior preocupação para aspectos antes esquecidos e passem a investir em responsabilidade social. A partir disso, em conjunto com diferentes fatores, como a degradação ambiental, o maior engajamento das pessoas em práticas ambientalmente responsáveis, bem como a formação de uma consciência por parte das pessoas acerca de questões ambientais, o estudo do conceito de consumo sustentável tornou-se de extrema importância. Dessa forma, estudos demonstraram a relação existente entre consumo sustentável e características individuais (DIETZ et al., 2002; VERMEIER; VERBEKE, 2008; RIBEIRO, 2011). Assim, o presente trabalho busca ampliar o conhecimento acerca do tema, relacionando-o com outro construto bastante estudado na área de marketing, os valores pessoais. Dessa forma, realizou-se uma survey com 442 entrevistados, escolhidos de maneira aleatória, na cidade de Porto Alegre, com a utilização de uma escala de consumo sustentável (RIBEIRO; VEIGA, 2010) em conjunto com a escala de valores pessoais – portrait value questionaire (PVQ) (SCHWARTZ, 1992) com o objetivo de verificar a relação entre esses dois construtos. Os resultados encontrados confirmaram a existência de relação estatisticamente significativa entre as dimensões auto-promoção, abertura à mudança e conservadorismo (valores pessoais) com as dimensões reciclagem, frugalidade, economia de recursos e consciência ecológica (consumo sustentável). A dimensão de valores pessoais auto-transcendência apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa com as dimensões de consumo sustentável economia de recursos e frugalidade. / This dissertation deals with a consumption’s form which gains more and more attention from the media, as well as the academy, the sustainable consumption, which arises because of changing’s perception of marketing’s concept occurred in the middle of twentieth century, when begins to exist the social marketing’s conception. This fact contributes to company dedicates major preoccupation for aspects that were forgotten and became to invest in social responsibility. From this perspective, together with different factors, as the environmental degradation, the major people’s commitment to practices environmentally responsible, as well as the development of a consciousness, from the persons, related to environmental issues, the study of sustainable consumption’s concept became extremely important. In this sense, studies demonstrate the existing relation between sustainable consumption and individual characteristics (DIETZ et al., 2002; VERMEIER; VERBEKE, 2008; RIBEIRO, 2011).Thus, this work aims to extend the knowledge about the topic, relating this issue with another construct much studied in marketing’s area, the personal values. Thereby, a survey took place with 442 interviewees, chosen by random sample selection, in Porto Alegre city, using a sustainable consumption’ scale (RIBEIRO; VEIGA, 2010), together with a personal values’ scale - portrait value questionaire (PVQ) (SCHWARTZ, 1992) with the aim of analyzing the relation between this two constructs. The results achieved confirm the existence of a relation statistically meaningful between the dimensions self-promotion, opening to change and conservatism (personal values) with the dimensions recycling, frugality, economy of resources and ecological conscience (sustainable consumption). The personal value’s dimension self-transcendence presents relation statistically meaningful with the sustainable consumption’s dimension economy of resources and frugality.

Political consumers, by using their consumerism to make political statements, constitute a potential force in changing global consumption patterns towards more sustainable ones. Thus new insights concerning this specific group and its ways of searching for information prior to a purchase decision might help understand the mechanisms behind sustainable consumption choices. This study is based on a series of twelve personal qualitative interviews conducted with Swedish consumers of sustainable goods. These interviews confirmed certain characteristics known to political consumers, such as a high level of commitment, high standards regarding information and the frequent use of labelling schemes. Furthermore this study has shown the complexity experienced by this group of consumers regarding sustainability claims and the role of a chosen “sustainability champion” in helping make sense of this complex information. Finally this study reminds of the significance of respecting the consumer and his trust for a message as well as the need for simple and clear information tools to distinguish proper sustainable goods from others.

In recent years, food waste has received growing interest from local, national and European policymakers, international organisations, NGOs as well as academics from various disciplinary fields. Increasing concerns about food security and environmental impacts, such as resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions attributed to food waste, have intensified attention to the topic. While food waste occurs in all stages of the food supply chain, private households have been identified as key actors in food waste generation. However, the evidence on why food waste occurs remains scattered. This paper maps the still small but expanding academic territory of consumer food waste by systematically reviewing empirical studies on food waste practices as well as distilling factors that foster and impede the generation of food waste on the household level. Moreover, we briefly discuss the contributions of different social ontologies, more particularly psychology-related approaches and social practice theory. The analysis reveals food waste as a complex and multi-faceted issue that cannot be attributed to single variables; this also calls for a stronger integration of different disciplinary perspectives. Mapping the determinants of waste generation deepens the understanding of household practices and helps design food waste prevention strategies. Finally, we link the identified factors with a set of policy, business, and retailer options.

In this discussion paper we review and contrast alternative theories of consumption in terms of the intellectual basis they provide for understanding sustainable behaviours. A defining aspect of the modern literature in this field is the emphasis on the individual as a volitional agent who engages wilfully in the decision to consume. This is in stark contrast to earlier literature that concentrated on the structural lock-in of individuals to undesirable consumption patterns and the powers of corporations in creating consumer demand for their products and services. We argue that, in order to unravel consumption in its full complexity, and as a matter of utmost importance, understanding must include both the buy-in of individual agents, whose consumption activities contribute to their self-identity, and the structure imposed by the institutions of society, that frame the context of actors' decisions. More than this, any move away from the current unsustainable consumption patterns prevalent in modern societies requires a richer conceptualisation of consumption that involves an awareness and examination of the political economy in which humans live. / Series: SRE - Discussion Papers

The implication and rise of the fashion industry is not only affecting its consumers, but the whole world. As the fashion industry is proclaimed to be one of the largest contributors to climate change, and makes up for 4.8% of Swedish consumption (Centrum för konsumptionsvetenskap, 2016, p. 12), it is timely that more sustainable approaches must be taken. Disposing of one’s textiles is a vital part to reaching a more sustainable consumption, since many textiles can be recycled for redesign or to extract fibres. Post-retail initiatives are set out by many fashion firms, where they extend services to their customers in order to aid in sustainable clothing care or helping them dispose of their textiles in a more sustainable manner. The purpose of this study is to understand the perception of male consumers, a demographic that is often overlooked in fashion studies, and how they perceive post-retail initiatives, as well as looking into how male consumers take responsibility for their clothes after use. The following research questions: How are post-retail initiatives perceived by millennial men? How are sustainable clothing collections from a fast fashion company perceived by men? How do men take responsibility for their clothing when they are finished using them? Where does the responsibility lie of recycling clothes?   By using a qualitative method, in terms of semi-structured interviews, 8 participants were interviewed and questions with different themes such as: CSR, post-retail initiatives, sustainable consumption, behaviour and attitude towards sustainable consumption, fast fashion, and hedonism vs utilitarianism were used to code the data for analysis. The inductive nature of the study allowed for a model to be derived after data collection. By adapting a technological acceptance model (TAM) and a model for decision making of sustainable consumption the sustainable acceptance model (SAM) was made to interpret how external variables contribute to perceptions of sustainability and post-retail initiatives and how that can instigate a changed attitude or behaviour.    The SAM model helped to answer the research questions and showed that for perceptions to be formed, social and individual factors played a large role. One’s social context as well as situational and individual factors play a role in the perception of post-retail initiatives. The bearers of responsibility for textile recycling was believe to be in the hands of the municipalities, not the fashion industry, as they have a bigger influence of creating situational opportunities to instigate awareness for recycling textiles.   The findings show that perceptions of post-retail initiatives are derived from influences from external variables. Convenience plays a large role in perception as something that is perceived well must also be easily accessible. Clothing collections are not perceived well as availability over other convenient choices are not present. Responsibility for clothing varies from sale to donation, but an understanding was made that the lack of knowledge on where to dispose sustainably was limited. Responsibility for recycling clothing was said to be from a municipal level not the [clothing] industry level.