TY - JOUR

T1 - The Impact of Income Inequality on Sustainable Consumption

AU - Brieger, Steven

AU - Hörisch, Jacob

AU - Zhang, Xinyu

N1 - Conference code: 85

PY - 2025/7/1

Y1 - 2025/7/1

N2 - This research explores the interplay between income inequality and sustainable consumption, highlighting how socioeconomic disparities shape consumer behavior. Using secondary data from 20 countries, a vignette experiment, and UK survey data, we find that both objective and perceived high levels of income inequality reduce sustainable consumption. Drawing on norm activation theory, we show that rising inequality diminishes consumers’ sense of responsibility for environmental outcomes and reduces their awareness of the environmental impact of their consumption choices. Our findings emphasize the interconnected nature of social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Reducing income inequality emerges as a pathway to foster sustainable consumption, suggesting that redistributive policies may not only promote equity but also enhance environmental outcomes. We also discuss how businesses and policymakers can mitigate the negative effects of inequality on sustainable consumption by promoting low-cost sustainability practices, leveraging impact labeling, and empowering consumers in regions with high inequality.

AB - This research explores the interplay between income inequality and sustainable consumption, highlighting how socioeconomic disparities shape consumer behavior. Using secondary data from 20 countries, a vignette experiment, and UK survey data, we find that both objective and perceived high levels of income inequality reduce sustainable consumption. Drawing on norm activation theory, we show that rising inequality diminishes consumers’ sense of responsibility for environmental outcomes and reduces their awareness of the environmental impact of their consumption choices. Our findings emphasize the interconnected nature of social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Reducing income inequality emerges as a pathway to foster sustainable consumption, suggesting that redistributive policies may not only promote equity but also enhance environmental outcomes. We also discuss how businesses and policymakers can mitigate the negative effects of inequality on sustainable consumption by promoting low-cost sustainability practices, leveraging impact labeling, and empowering consumers in regions with high inequality.

KW - Management studies

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009410363

U2 - 10.5465/AMPROC.2025.323bp

DO - 10.5465/AMPROC.2025.323bp

M3 - Conference article in journal

AN - SCOPUS:105009410363

VL - 2025

JO - Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings

JF - Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings

SN - 0065-0668

IS - 1

M1 - 12541

T2 - 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management - AOM 2025

Y2 - 25 July 2025 through 29 July 2025

ER -