Project information
Building an Evidence Base for Cognitive Interventions in Sustainable Consumption: A Scoping and Systematic Literature Review

Sustainable consumption is one of the defining societal challenges of the 21st century, calling for innovative, evidence-based approaches that go beyond informational campaigns and financial incentives. Behavioral and cognitive interventions—especially nudging techniques—offer promising tools for encouraging consumers to make more sustainable choices while preserving freedom of choice. Yet, most existing studies focus on short-term behavioral outcomes, leaving a major gap in understanding the long-term cognitive mechanisms through which such interventions influence consumer decision-making.

This project aims to fill that gap by building a robust evidence base for cognitive nudges that promote sustainable consumption. It will examine how repeated exposure to visibility enhancements, evaluative labels, and descriptive labels shapes consumer behavior over time, with particular attention to habit formation, corporate image, and consumer loyalty. By integrating these dimensions, the project seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how cognitive interventions can drive enduring behavioral change and contribute to both theory and practice in sustainable consumer research.

Methodologically, the project employs a Scoping Review and a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following PRISMA 2020 and TCCM (Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methodology) frameworks to ensure transparency, rigor, and replicability. Using Covidence for systematic screening and MAXQDA for qualitative synthesis, the project will map conceptual and methodological trends in sustainable consumer behavior research and develop an integrated framework for future empirical testing.

As a core component of the applicant’s doctoral dissertation within the Marketing and Sustainability Research Group at Masaryk University, the findings will inform the design of the experimental phase focused on the long-term effects of cognitive nudges on sustainable food choices. In doing so, the project will advance academic understanding and offer actionable insights for fostering meaningful, long-lasting shifts in consumer behavior.