Browsing by Person "Schröder, Monika"

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Accessing and affording sustainability: The experience of fashion consumption within young families
(Blackwell Publishing, 2012-03) Ritch, Elaine; Schröder, Monika
Despite the ever increasing levels of fashion consumption, neither retailers nor consumers have as yet implemented sustainability principles to a significant degree. This is despite the fact that sustainability principles are increasingly understood and will be applied by consumers, as long as affordable alternatives in mainstream fashions are available. In a highly competitive fashion retail sector, there exists an opportunity for UK high street fashion retailers to differentiate their brand image through aligning products with consumers' moral frameworks. Using phenomenological interviews, this research explores the fashion consumption experiences of professional women with young children and living in or near Edinburgh, with particular focus on their expression of their own sustainability concerns in their day-to-day practices. The findings reveal that in the absence of suitable products, information and labelling, consumers apply heuristics to their choices, especially price. They refer to the more familiar ethical food market which serves as a metaphor for fashion-related practices. They talk about trustworthy retailers and about how they deal with and rationalize their own practices where they reveal an obvious attitude-behaviour gap. The women's role of providing for the family adds further complexity in a sector which provides affordable alternative options. 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Complementary roles for the personalized behavioural toolbox and public nudges in the sustainability of good food habits among consumers
(University of Bonn, 2011) Schröder, Monika; Lyon, Phil
There is no shortage of knowledge about, or advice on, healthy eating yet we have a continuing paradox of poor diets in rich countries. People often choose to eat some foods too often or in excessive amounts even when they know better. In the longer term, poor diets cause individual health problems and pose a threat to the sustainability of publically-funded health care systems. Obesity, overweight and an increasing susceptability to diet-relaled diseases are now a major source of political and medical concern in many countries. How can people be persuaded to eat a better diet and generally eat less? This paper examines two approaches to the problem. One attempts to empower individuals in making healthier choices, the other focuses on our managing reactions to the way that choices are presented. These appraoaches are also very different in their view of the appropriate levels of public intervention in individual choice and beguilingly suggest different cost options for countries already struggling with economic difficulties. However, least cost may be wrong choice for health care sustainability.
Consumer Voice and Representation
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2010-03) Schröder, Monika
The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by Cludia Abreu Lopes on market morality, trust and engagement, one by Sue Bailey on consumer sciences in higher education in Great Britain and one by Kerstin Bergstrm and colleagues on young consumers..
Consumer-driven sustainable tourism: towards inconspicuos consumption.
(2009-06-26) Reino, Sofia; Schröder, Monika
Introduction Life in the typical affluent modern market economy is associated with high spending power and extensive consumer choice. Social comparison, competition and rivalry at work, and stress all drive consumer choice (Layard, 2005). The resultant status race is invariably associated with conspicuous consumption (Veblen, 1899), i.e. consumption that is demonstrative and signals an individual's position in the social pecking order. Consumer satisfaction with goods, services and experiences is derived from one of several types of consumer value, which are either extrinsically or intrinsically motivated. Extrinsic value may be understood as a means to some end, whereas intrinsic value is enjoyed for its own sake (Holbrook, 1999). Another characteristic of extrinsic value is that it can be pursued deliberately, as is typical for conspicuous consumption. Recreational activities offer opportunities for people to rebalance their lives through less conspicuous consumption, associated with more intrinsic consumer value. However, as intrinsic consumption value is more transitory, less predictable and less self-conscious than extrinsic value, products designed to deliver it present a particular challenge, nowhere more so than in terms of branding and marketing. This is exacerbated where tourism is concerned, because consumption takes place away from the familiar home environment and because it is not routine. Thus the tourist is likely to be in a
Embedding healthy eating: nudging or toolbox?
(Emerald, 2013-07) Schröder, Monika; Lyon, Phil
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the rationale and limitations of public nudging approaches currently to be found in the UK food choice environment. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a critical review of the literature with case studies. Findings: Nudging has potential value to assist healthier food choices, although the current focus of proponents tends to be the individual micro-environment for selection rather than the wider food choice context. Ethical questions are raised by nudging as a policy and limited evidence of success to date would suggest that a combination of personalised tools and public nudges - individual empowerment and attention to the choice environment - might be more effective for embedded healthier eating. Originality/value: This paper contrasts the underlying assumptions of the nudge approach by reference to the behavioural toolbox. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Food System Sustainability and the Consumer
(Elsevier, 2013) Schröder, Monika; Kosseva, M. R.; Webb, C.
The chapter is set within the context of contemporary cultures of consumption and the global sustainable consumption agenda. It begins with an overview of the modern food supply chain, with particular focus on the household as end user. Theories and current issues in consumer behavior and behavioral change are examined and provide a platform for the ultimate purpose of this chapter, namely an exploration of consumers' roles as instigators and adopters of change in the area of food waste. This includes both household food waste and waste embedded through the food supply chain. The chapter investigates acceptance of new products and processes and establishes the role of product development as accurately capturing and translating consumer requirements. Examples representing various levels of novelty are given and include entirely novel foods, food waste isolates as ingredients for added-value compounded foods, and behavioral innovations such as greater inclusion of less-valued food species into individual diets.