Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Circular economy behaviors and well being : identifying the conditions that matter most

Svensson-Hoglund, Sahra ; Sirgy, M. Joseph ; Russell, Jennifer D. ; Little, Vicki J. ; Richter, Jessika Luth LU orcid ; Webb, Dave ; Ekici, Ahmet ; Gallego-Schmid, Alejandro ; Milios, Leonidas LU and Grousset, Rich , et al. (2026) In Frontiers in Sustainability 7.
Abstract

Circular economy (CE) behaviors, such as reuse, repair, and sharing, are crucial to sustainable consumption; however, how and when such behaviors influence product users or consumers' personal well being remain underexplored. Specifically, limited insights exist regarding how engagement may foster feelings of enjoyment, a sense of mastery, or social belonging, as well as the contextual conditions under which these outcomes are most likely to emerge. This paper introduces the “Key Aspects of CE Behaviors for Product User Well Being” Framework, which identifies 13 high-level conditions of CE behavior engagements that shape product user well being outcomes. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature and validated through a Delphi study with... (More)

Circular economy (CE) behaviors, such as reuse, repair, and sharing, are crucial to sustainable consumption; however, how and when such behaviors influence product users or consumers' personal well being remain underexplored. Specifically, limited insights exist regarding how engagement may foster feelings of enjoyment, a sense of mastery, or social belonging, as well as the contextual conditions under which these outcomes are most likely to emerge. This paper introduces the “Key Aspects of CE Behaviors for Product User Well Being” Framework, which identifies 13 high-level conditions of CE behavior engagements that shape product user well being outcomes. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature and validated through a Delphi study with experts in CE, sufficiency, and consumer well being, the Framework presents a comprehensive theorization of product user well being (PUWB) within the CE context. The Framework serves as an analytical tool for academics and consultants to examine actor influences, while also empowering stakeholders and decision-makers (e.g., businesses, policymakers, and product users) to identify and optimize levers within their respective spheres of influence. Emphasizing integrated application and actor coordination, the Framework provides actionable guidance for fostering supportive social, policy, and infrastructure environments that promote well being. Thus, the Framework lays foundational groundwork for designing people-centered CE strategies that advance both environmental sustainability and quality of life.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and , et al. (More)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and (Less)
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
circular behaviors, circular consumption, circular economy, happiness, sustainable consumption, well being
in
Frontiers in Sustainability
volume
7
article number
1718473
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • scopus:105040668403
ISSN
2673-4524
DOI
10.3389/frsus.2026.1718473
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
581ee138-9ad6-44fd-b306-2de1094c4ab4
date added to LUP
2026-09-21 09:41:30
date last changed
2026-09-21 09:41:43
@article{581ee138-9ad6-44fd-b306-2de1094c4ab4,
  abstract     = {{<p>Circular economy (CE) behaviors, such as reuse, repair, and sharing, are crucial to sustainable consumption; however, how and when such behaviors influence product users or consumers' personal well being remain underexplored. Specifically, limited insights exist regarding how engagement may foster feelings of enjoyment, a sense of mastery, or social belonging, as well as the contextual conditions under which these outcomes are most likely to emerge. This paper introduces the “Key Aspects of CE Behaviors for Product User Well Being” Framework, which identifies 13 high-level conditions of CE behavior engagements that shape product user well being outcomes. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature and validated through a Delphi study with experts in CE, sufficiency, and consumer well being, the Framework presents a comprehensive theorization of product user well being (PUWB) within the CE context. The Framework serves as an analytical tool for academics and consultants to examine actor influences, while also empowering stakeholders and decision-makers (e.g., businesses, policymakers, and product users) to identify and optimize levers within their respective spheres of influence. Emphasizing integrated application and actor coordination, the Framework provides actionable guidance for fostering supportive social, policy, and infrastructure environments that promote well being. Thus, the Framework lays foundational groundwork for designing people-centered CE strategies that advance both environmental sustainability and quality of life.</p>}},
  author       = {{Svensson-Hoglund, Sahra and Sirgy, M. Joseph and Russell, Jennifer D. and Little, Vicki J. and Richter, Jessika Luth and Webb, Dave and Ekici, Ahmet and Gallego-Schmid, Alejandro and Milios, Leonidas and Grousset, Rich and Yu, Grace B. and Novich, Laura and Wooliscroft, Ben}},
  issn         = {{2673-4524}},
  keywords     = {{circular behaviors; circular consumption; circular economy; happiness; sustainable consumption; well being}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Sustainability}},
  title        = {{Circular economy behaviors and well being : identifying the conditions that matter most}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2026.1718473}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/frsus.2026.1718473}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}