Research project SD/TA/11B (Research action SD)
Context
Our project focuses on the development of ecological practices and sustainable behaviour in consumers. It has been built partly on the results of a previous project (SPSD2-CP15) developed by our KUL partner. Our project aims at examining psychosocial barriers and levers that can be used in order to develop new social marketing techniques. It involves cognitive social researchers from Liège (ULg), social marketing researchers from Leuven (KUL) and applied researchers from non-profit organizations (Ecolife, Leuven, and Espace – Environnement, Charleroi).
Project description
Objectives
This project has three main objectives:
A. Determining what is hidden behind the label “ecological behaviour” and which dimensions differentiate these behaviours
First, we aim at developing a typology of ecological and sustainable behaviours. We will try to have a better understanding of the classification of what ordinary people and experts call sustainable behaviours. This will help to know which behaviours have to be promoted in Belgium. In this first phase of the project, we also intend to study the Ecological Footprint Measure, its psychometric properties, and examine whether we may consider it as a good index of ecological behaviours.
B. Investigating cognitive, emotional and psychosocial antecedents of ecological behaviours
As our second objective, we would like to utilize the data of the first line of studies in order to propose and investigate a psychosocial model of ecological behaviour. This model would integrate cognitive and psychosocial variables like subjective norms, perceived personal control, attitudes, social identity, etc. In addition, we would control for different socio-demographical factors, mainly gender. We will also pay special attention to the impact of affect and emotion elicited by consumer’s sustainable behaviour or lack of it.
C. Developing and assessing original social marketing communications
In the third and final objective, we would like to develop social marketing techniques that would then be applied in real settings on different and relevant populations. We would like to develop promotion tools not only for marketing campaigns, but also for educators and animators who wants to sensitize their audience.
Methodology
To reach our three main objectives and provide convergent data, we will use a mix of research methods and data analyses :
A. In order to develop a classification of ecological behaviours, we will use interviews and standardized questionnaires addressed to both ordinary people and experts. With the collected data, we will mainly realize exploratory statistical analyses (multi-dimensional scaling, discriminant analyses, etc). In order to examine psychometric properties of the ecological footprint measure, we will administer it with other measures in order to study convergent and discriminant validities (multitrait multi-method approach).
B. In order to study the impact of cognitive and psychosocial factors on ecological behaviours, we will use questionnaires and interviews, in addition to quasi-experimental designs (where the variables would be manipulated). We will conduct mediation analyses to identify the relations between the different factors and their impact on different types of ecological behaviours.
C. Finally, we will develop marketing tools in pilot studies in our universities labs, before assessing the direct impact of these tools in real settings. The methods will be experimental and quasi experimental designs.
Interaction between the different partners
It is our intention to conduct every aspect of the research jointly. We will meet regularly to discuss results, we will write research reports jointly.
Expected results and/or Products
• We intend to develop a theoretical model of ecological behaviours and psychological factors that affect them. This model will subsequently be used as a reference to develop marketing tools.
• The psychological properties underlying ecological footprint measure will be clarified and relevant organizations will be informed of the results for this task.
• We also intend to develop effective marketing strategies yielding positive effects on ecological consumer choices.
• Finally, we aim at publishing our results in the top international journals in both social psychology and marketing/consumer behaviour. Moreover, we plan to write reports for submission to publications with practitioner audiences (website of consumer associations, publications of the non profit partners, etc.).
Partners
Activities
• Social Psychology Unit – ULG : As part of a university department, the main activities are research and teaching. Both are in the domain of social cognition, attitude and stereotyping.
• The KULeuven marketing research group works on research and teaching in the fields of (social and commercial) marketing and consumers behaviours.
• Ecolife is a NGO specialised in campaigns and models aiming at ecological behavioural change. One of the most important tools for this is the Ecological Footprint. Ecolife runs several campaigns for households and organisations.
• Espace Environnement is an independent organisation (of general interest ?) that works with citizens, associations, companies, and authorities. Its main objective is to help citizens to become “eco-responsible”.
Contact Information
Benoit Dardenne
Université de Liège (ULG)
Dept. of Cognitive Sciences, Social Psychology Unit - B32
Bd du Rectorat 5
B-4000 Liège
Tel: +32 (0)4 366 20 80
Fax: +32 (0)4 366 29 44
b.dardenne@ulg.ac.be
Luk Warlop
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Dept. of Applied Economics, Marketing Group
Naamsestraat 69
B-3000 Leuven
Tel:+32 (0)16 32 69 41
Fax:+32 (0)16 32 67 32
luk.warlop@econ.kuleuven.ac.be
www.econ.kuleuven.be/luk.warlop
Steven Vromman
Ecolife vzw
Valkerijgang 26
B-3000 Leuven
Tel: +32 (0)16 22 21 03
Fax:+32 (0)16 29 59 19
steven.vromman@ecolife.be
http://www.ecolife.be/
Jean-Marie Savino
Espace-Environnement asbl
Rue de Montigny 29
6000 Charleroi
Tél: +32 (0)71 300 300
Fax: +32 (0)71 509 678
jmsavino@espace-environnement.be
http://www.espace-environnement.be/
Follow-up Committee
Jean-Paul Broonen - Université de Liège
Geoffroy De schutter - WWF - Belgium
Martine Gillet - Office Wallon des Déchets
Ariane Godeau - OIVO-CRIOC
Lise-Anne Hondekyn - SPP Développement durable
Arnaud Liégeois - Université Catholique de Louvain
Karine Thollier - Institut de Conseil et d'Etudes en Développement Durable
Joëlle Van Bambeke - Institut Bruxellois pour la Gestion de l'Environnement
Jan Verheyen - Openbare Afvalstoffenmaatschappij voor het Vlaamse Gewest
Jo Versteven - SPF Développement Durable
Fostering Sustainable Behaviors: Community-Based Social Marketing : final report + annexes
Dardenne, Benoit - Warlop, Luk - Sohet, Xavier ... et al Brussels : Belgian Science Policy, 2011 (SP2292)
[To download]
[To order]
Fostering Sustainable Behaviors: Community- Based Social Marketing : summary of the results
Brussels : Belgian Science Policy, 2011 (SP2293)
[To download]
Encourager la Consommation Durable: Community-Based Social Marketing : résumé des résultats
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2011 (SP2294)
[To download]
Bevorderen van Duurzaam Gedrag: Community- Based Social Marketing : samenvatting van de resultaten
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2011 (SP2295)
[To download]
