Understanding the impact of lifestyle on sustainable consumption behavior: a sharing economy perspective

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential determinants of sustainable consumption behavior. This study describes lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS) tendency and the effects of such lifestyles on the behavioral intentions for sustainable consumption in sharing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adapts LOHAS tendency, consumer attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and consumers' behavioral intention for sustainable consumption scale in Indian context to describe the sustainable consumption behavior by extending the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Data of 627 individuals collected through a questionnaire, after the scales validation process and thereafter a structural equation analysis has been performed.

Findings

The findings confirm the extended TPB, wherein LOHAS tendency has emerged as an antecedent to consumer attitudes for taking part in sustainable consumption. Results highlight that consumer attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are significant determining factors of consumers' sustainable consumption behavior.

Research limitations/implications

This study has examined the sustainable consumption behavior by considering the lifestyle tendency. A few other limitations are also discussed.

Originality/value

Consumer behavior in sharing economy is surely one of the emerging research areas; there is dearth of research to understand Indian consumers' sustainable consumption, particularly from lifestyle perspective. This research establishes relationship between LOHAS tendency and sustainable consumption, which may serve as a contributor to sharing economy in terms of LOHAS consumer's lifestyle and their sustainable consumption behavior.

Citation

Matharu, M., Jain, R. and Kamboj, S. (2021), "Understanding the impact of lifestyle on sustainable consumption behavior: a sharing economy perspective", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 20-40. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-02-2020-0036