Time as a Subject in Sustainable Consumption

Fatemeh Jouzi,Katariina Koistinen,Lassi Linnanen

doi:10.3390/su13063331

Fatemeh Jouzi, Katariina Koistinen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063331

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Abstract

The aim of this paper was to assess the use and consistency of the time concept in the sustainable consumption context. In this field, time is generally defined as a limited resource, such as money, which is allocated to activities and understood by the activities that it is allocated to. We assessed time as a subject matter in the reviewed articles to verify how it was conceptualized and used in sustainable consumption. During this analysis, we defined six categories: time-use, time of use, time-related rebound effects, time-related value-action gap, time pressure, and time-related well-being. Despite identical definitions, there are some inconsistencies in the essential assumptions regarding time, and we observed that the current recognition of time in sustainable consumption debates is not comprehensive. Clarifying the difference between an objective definition of time and the practical knowledge that people have about time has applications in terms of developing sustainable consumption strategies and policies.

Highlights

Time and its related terms are used in almost all branches of science
Time is one of many resources that individuals use in their daily lives [4] (p. 182), and this is the common definition that is used in sustainable consumption
We looked for scientific articles in the sustainable consumption field, which were concerned about time and its effects in discussion as a subject matter

Summary

Introduction

Time and its related terms are used in almost all branches of science. Time is a frequently used concept in terms of personal and social life routines. Many scholars use this concept’s self-explanatory meaning in their scientific debates, as is often the case with energy or money, while literal interpretations of these useful conceptual scientific entities are very important in social studies, and people’s welfare can be increased when definitions are more concerned with their practical knowledge of such essential concepts [2] Time and practices are discussed regarding the fact that limited time is allocated to routines and everyday activities. As a science for studying human behavior concerning goals and the scarcity of resources [3] Time is one of many resources that individuals use in their daily lives [4] (p. 182), and this is the common definition that is used in sustainable consumption

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