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Exploring (Self-)Perceptions and Assessments Among Actors Within the Sustainable Consumption Scene

Oldag, Jasmin LU (2015) HEKM40 20151
Human Ecology
Abstract
The major objective of this thesis is to explore (self-)perceptions and assessments of
manufacturers and employees within the realms of sustainable consumption. In order to
investigate what people themselves believe to know and perceive to be sustainable, a field
research was carried out among participants within the German sustainability platform
Heldenmarkt by making use of participant observations, interviews, questionnaires, websites and literature analysis. Using world systems theory and a culture of consumption as a
background, the analytical framework deals with characteristics of classifications, power
relations and ethics of nature. Considering the theory, the data suggests that companies’ visions are mainly addressing... (More)
The major objective of this thesis is to explore (self-)perceptions and assessments of
manufacturers and employees within the realms of sustainable consumption. In order to
investigate what people themselves believe to know and perceive to be sustainable, a field
research was carried out among participants within the German sustainability platform
Heldenmarkt by making use of participant observations, interviews, questionnaires, websites and literature analysis. Using world systems theory and a culture of consumption as a
background, the analytical framework deals with characteristics of classifications, power
relations and ethics of nature. Considering the theory, the data suggests that companies’ visions are mainly addressing ecological aspects, whereas employees’ understanding of sustainability highlights a critical thinking. The analysis reveals that employees have high ethical values which go far beyond the companies’ visions. Moreover, contradictions within sustainable consumptions are illustrated and confirmed which suggest a continuing existance of the culture of consumption. The paper concludes that future sustainability conceptions should be complemented by an ethical dimension to consider values being important for authentic longterm sustainable development. Moreover, companies shall become aware of the employees' strengths. Further research should consider perspectives from other companies to better grasp what companies or employees prevent from acting sustainably. (Less)
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author
Oldag, Jasmin LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKM40 20151
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
sustainable consumption, sustainability, classifications, ethics of nature, culture of consumption, assessments
language
English
id
5385854
date added to LUP
2015-06-25 15:43:13
date last changed
2015-06-25 15:43:13
@misc{5385854,
  abstract     = {{The major objective of this thesis is to explore (self-)perceptions and assessments of
manufacturers and employees within the realms of sustainable consumption. In order to
investigate what people themselves believe to know and perceive to be sustainable, a field
research was carried out among participants within the German sustainability platform
Heldenmarkt by making use of participant observations, interviews, questionnaires, websites and literature analysis. Using world systems theory and a culture of consumption as a
background, the analytical framework deals with characteristics of classifications, power
relations and ethics of nature. Considering the theory, the data suggests that companies’ visions are mainly addressing ecological aspects, whereas employees’ understanding of sustainability highlights a critical thinking. The analysis reveals that employees have high ethical values which go far beyond the companies’ visions. Moreover, contradictions within sustainable consumptions are illustrated and confirmed which suggest a continuing existance of the culture of consumption. The paper concludes that future sustainability conceptions should be complemented by an ethical dimension to consider values being important for authentic longterm sustainable development. Moreover, companies shall become aware of the employees' strengths. Further research should consider perspectives from other companies to better grasp what companies or employees prevent from acting sustainably.}},
  author       = {{Oldag, Jasmin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Exploring (Self-)Perceptions and Assessments Among Actors Within the Sustainable Consumption Scene}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}