Ethical Pro-Environmental Self-Identity Practice: The Case of Second-Hand Products

Abstract

As part of sustainable development, more attention is being placed on consumer behavior. Revised economic models have resulted in an understanding of the need for a circular economy. In this perspective, the consumer is not merely the buyer of the product but also a seller in consumer-to-consumer (C2C) activities, here referred to as re-commerce. In this qualitative study, researchers conducted in-depth interviews of 32 respondents from two countries who had second-hand product trading experience on Facebook. The study uses thematic content analysis to analyze the themes of ethical pro-environmental self-identity (PESI) practices in the respondents' everyday lives. In this study, challenges relating to understanding conditions for fruitful re-commerce are framed in a social practice theory. Focus is placed on ethical pro-environmental self-identity in the context of selling or buying products in Bangladesh and Sweden. The contributions of this study relate to consumer perspectives on what enables re-commerce for six selected product categories. The study also points to the importance of social media and context-bound differences between product groups as well as individuals in two national contexts.

Keywords

circular economy; consumer behavior; ethical consumption; emerging economy; ethical PESI practice; pro-environmental self-identity (PESI); re-commerce; responsible consumption

Published in

Sustainability
2022, Volume: 14, number: 4, article number: 2154
Publisher: MDPI

SLU Authors

• Mark-Herbert, Cecilia

  • Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG8 Decent work and economic growth
SDG12 Responsible consumption and production


UKÄ Subject classification

Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
Sociology (excluding Social work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042154

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/116488