Title: Quest for less! Living with minimalism for building a better sustainable world - a qualitative study exploring millennials perspective

Authors: Varghese Joy; Vijay Kumar Jain

Addresses: Department of Management Studies (SoLAM), DIT University Dehradun, India ' Department of Management Studies (SoLAM), DIT University Dehradun, India

Abstract: Today, consumption contributes significantly to environmental deterioration and accounts for up to 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. The current consumption model is not sustainable, jeopardises the needs of future generations, and harms the environment. In order to afford the current consumption practices, a new consumption habit is required since overconsumption has put sustainability at stake. The current study is motivated to address this problem and aims to identify the enablers of minimalism. A total of 16 enablers were chosen after literature review and experts consultation. Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) has been used to identify minimalist enabler prioritisation and interactions. The study found that attitude, cautious shopping, self-sufficiency, and clutter elimination, are the most important enablers of minimalism. The findings of the study will help policymakers to develop new consumption practices which encourage people to adopt minimalism as a new lifestyle. By promoting minimalism habits and addressing negative externalities, the findings will contribute towards improved planetary well-being and environmental improvement.

Keywords: biospheric values; circular economy; carbon footprint; unfettered consumption; modern aesthetics; planetary well-being; interpretive structural modelling; ISM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2024.141846

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2024 Vol.10 No.4, pp.405 - 428

Received: 03 Sep 2023
Accepted: 09 Oct 2023
Published online: 02 Oct 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article