Search Results (638)

As the integrated energy market evolves toward a multi-stakeholder coexistence model, balancing economic efficiency, user well-being, and system-level sustainability among interacting stakeholders has become a key challenge, particularly in the rapidly developing regional integrated energy markets in China. Thus, to satisfy user comfort and energy substitution requirements while achieving cost-effective electricity and heating supply, this study proposes a Stackelberg game-based market trading framework involving an integrated energy producer (IEP), an integrated energy operator (IEO), and a load aggregator (LA). First, the integrated energy market framework and transaction modes are established, and the profit models of IEP and IEO are formulated. Considering users’ energy substitution behavior, user comfort is quantified to explicitly reflect user welfare in market decision making, and a consumer surplus model is developed for LA participating in market transactions. Second, a Stackelberg game framework is constructed to coordinate the strategies of all participants by incorporating source–load energy flows, and the equilibrium solution is proven to be unique and solvable using quadratic programming. Finally, a case study based on historical data from Hebei Province, China, is conducted to validate the proposed strategy. The results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively coordinates the interests of all stakeholders, enhances demand response capability without reducing user comfort, and improves economic benefits for both supply and demand sides in regional integrated energy markets. Full article

While previous studies have established the positive effects of minimalism on well-being, the issue of how minimalism shapes satisfaction within specific consumption contexts remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationships among minimalism, satisfaction with collaborative consumption (CC), and life satisfaction, examining the moderating role of corporate service sincerity. Drawing on goal satisfaction theory, we conceptualize minimalism as an intrinsic goal orientation that drives psychological fulfillment through value-congruent consumption. Survey data from 430 Japanese consumers with recent CC experience were analyzed using the SPSS PROCESS macro. Results indicate that minimalism positively predicts both satisfaction with CC and life satisfaction, and that these effects are amplified when the CC service is perceived as sincere. However, contrary to theoretical expectations, satisfaction with CC was negatively associated with life satisfaction, suggesting that domain-specific satisfaction in access-based consumption may not spill over to global well-being under certain conditions. We propose that this paradox reflects a boundary condition of goal satisfaction theory: when CC participation is constraint-driven rather than autonomously chosen, satisfaction may coexist with unfulfilled ownership aspirations. These findings advance the minimalist consumption literature by specifying mechanisms linking lifestyle values to consumption outcomes and offer practical guidance for sharing economy platforms seeking to engage value-driven consumers through authentic brand communication. Full article

The unique aroma of ginseng is linked to its recognized mood-enhancing properties. However, the specific aromatic compounds responsible for this effect, as well as the underlying mechanisms across different processed ginseng products, remain unclear. Here, the characteristic pleasant aroma compounds and their potential associations in five preparations—fresh ginseng, white ginseng, Dali ginseng, red ginseng, and black ginseng—were analyzed using flavoromics, bioinformatics, and computational modeling. The aroma evolved from “green” to “roasted-medicinal” notes, with pleasantness peaking in red ginseng, highlighting moderate processing as a key factor. Eight key pleasant aroma compounds were identified (including octanal and β-selinene), which were found to be potentially associated with olfactory- and emotion-related pathways involving IGF1 and OR6A2. Molecular interaction analysis revealed that these compounds may synergistically modulate pleasantness through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Furthermore, aroma harmony proved more decisive than aroma intensity in determining consumer preference, suggesting correlational evidence linking molecular interactions to sensory perception. Dynamic simulations further demonstrated stable interactions between β-selinene, octanal, and IGF1/OR6A2. This research offers new insights into the mood-modulating properties of ginseng aroma and may inform future studies exploring the development of specialized ginseng products for emotional well-being applications. Full article

Previous research provides valuable insight into energy knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in the context of energy literacy. However, a research gap exists in dealing with a comprehensive understanding of complex relationships on energy-related attributes for adolescents. In this aspect, utilizing the framework of the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory, this study highlighted these complex relationships for the selected adolescents as potential future energy consumers and future decision makers. Participants of the study were a total of 530 8th-grade students attending public schools located in a district of Istanbul, Türkiye. To test the hypothesized connections among the latent constructs, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed. This dataset demonstrates that altruistic values develop pro-environmental beliefs and awareness of consequences directly, but ascribed responsibility indirectly. Interestingly, biospheric and egoistic values showed no significant influence. In line with VBN theory, these students with more strong beliefs about human-nature interdependence develop an awareness of the consequences of their own actions and ascribed responsibility. The finalized model reveals that the relevant behaviors were linked to personal norms that could be positively explained by pro-environmental beliefs, awareness of consequences, and ascribed responsibility. These adolescents believing in the severity of global warming, while focusing on human well-being could be active in creating sustainable energy consumption patterns. This research provides valuable insight into strategies for promoting behavior aimed at reducing the persistent rise in energy consumption. Full article

Consumer wellbeing systems are characterized by conceptual fragmentation, heterogeneous data sources, and multilevel interactions across economic, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Existing monitoring approaches remain largely unidimensional and lack integrative system architectures capable of supporting real-time, adaptive analysis. This paper proposes a Federated Digital Twin (FDT) framework for Consumer Wellbeing Systems, designed to integrate decentralized, multimodal data while preserving autonomy and privacy. The proposed architecture builds on a five-dimensional digital twin model and extends it through federated interoperability, data fusion, adaptive learning, simulation capabilities, and human-in-the-loop mechanisms. The framework enables the synchronization of observed, self-reported, contextual, and synthetic data across distributed environments, supporting system-level modeling, prediction, and optimization. As an illustrative application, the paper examines Shopping Wellbeing and Shopping–Life Balance as sub-systems within broader wellbeing ecosystems, demonstrating how federated digital twins can unify fragmented theoretical constructs into a coherent, dynamic monitoring structure. The study contributes a system-oriented conceptual architecture for modeling complex human-centric wellbeing ecosystems and outlines implications for systems design, governance, and future interdisciplinary research. Full article

Background: Anhedonia denotes a reduced capacity of experiencing pleasure, which is often reported by individuals with psychiatric disorders such as depression and polysubstance use disorders. Since anhedonia is a critical factor influencing the well-being of psychiatric and general populations, it is important to investigate predictors of anhedonia. Method: We conducted a survey in N = 300 young adults aged 18 to 30 (M = 25.45, SD = 3.66). As predictors of anhedonia, we examined polysubstance use, problems with social media use, coping styles, and mindfulness. We controlled for age, gender, education, and the frequency of leisure activities. Results: Together, the predictors explained 20% of the variance in anhedonia. We found a positive association of polysubstance use with anhedonia, indicating that the more substances individuals consumed, the more anhedonia they reported. Problems with social media were not significantly related to anhedonia. Concerning coping styles, individuals with a more problem-focused coping style (e.g., planning) reported significantly lower levels of anhedonia, whereas emotion-focused coping (e.g., seeking social support) was unrelated to anhedonia. Mindfulness negatively correlated with anhedonia. Conclusions: The present study adds to research on behavioral and dispositional predictors of anhedonia and underlines the positive impact of mindfulness and problem-focused coping on anhedonia. Full article

Commercially available wearable health devices (WHDs) carry the potential to decentralize healthcare systems. These devices can empower individuals with health knowledge by offering a low-cost and accessible way to monitor physical activity, sedentary behavior, cardiac health, and sleep. However, a lack of standardization in design, health, and safety regulations means that consumer-grade WHDs on the market vary in efficacy to affect positive behavior change in users, as user compliance alone does not indicate whether these devices actually influence wellbeing outcomes long term. We use a grounded theory analysis of the experiences of seven long-term informed users of the same wearable, the Oura Ring, to propose a substantive theory describing the tacit challenges that these users face in order to truly benefit from their device even after extended use. We provide recommendations as to how designers of wearable devices can facilitate the user’s journey to surpass these obstacles. Full article

In ecologically fragile and geomorphologically complex mountainous regions, ensuring a smooth transition from poverty alleviation to multidimensional sustainable rural development remains a key issue in regional governance. Focusing on the Qinba Mountains, a typical former contiguous poverty-stricken region in China covering 18 prefecture-level cities in six provinces, this study uses 2009–2023 prefecture-level panel data to examine the spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of coordinated rural revitalization. An integrated framework of “multi-dimensional evaluation–spatiotemporal tracking–attribution diagnosis” is developed by combining the improved AHP–entropy-weight TOPSIS method, the Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model, spatial Markov chains, spatial autocorrelation, and the Geodetector. The results show pronounced subsystem asynchrony. Livelihood and Well-being Security (U5) improves steadily, while Level of Industrial Development (U1), Civic Virtues and Cultural Vibrancy (U3), and Rural Governance (U4) also rise but with clear spatial differentiation; by contrast, Quality of Human Settlements (U2) fluctuates in stages under ecological fragility. Overall, the coupling coordination level advances from the Verge of Imbalance to Intermediate Coordination, yet the regional pattern remains uneven, with eastern basin cities leading and western deep mountainous cities lagging. State transitions display both policy responsiveness and path dependence: the probability of retaining the original state ranges from 50.0% to 90.5%; low-level neighborhoods reduce the upward transition probability to 25%, whereas medium-to-high-level neighborhoods raise the upward transition probability of low-level cities from 36.36% to 53.33%. Spatial dependence is also evident, with Global Moran’s I increasing, with fluctuations, from 0.331 in 2009 to 0.536 in 2023; high-value clusters extend along the Guanzhong Plain–Han River Valley corridor, while low-value clusters remain relatively locked in mountainous border areas. Driving mechanisms show clear stage-wise succession. At the single-factor level, the explanatory power of Road Network Density (F6) declines from 0.639 to 0.287, whereas Terrain Relief Amplitude (F1) becomes the dominant background constraint in the later stage (q = 0.772). Multi-factor interactions are generally enhanced. In particular, the traditional infrastructure-led pathway weakens markedly, with F1 ∩ F6 = 0.055 in 2023, while the interaction between terrain and consumer market vitality becomes dominant, with F1 ∩ F7 = 0.987 in 2023. On this basis, three major pathways are identified: government fiscal intervention and transportation accessibility improvement, capital agglomeration and market demand stimulation, and human–earth system adaptation and ecological value realization. These findings provide quantitative evidence for breaking spatial lock-in and improving cross-regional resource allocation in ecologically constrained mountainous regions. Full article

This study reveals that a primarily ignored but crucial environmental situation—social crowding—can affect consumers’ sustainable behavior. The present research proposes a causal relationship between social crowding and consumer recycling behavior. Drawing on resource depletion theory and self-affirmation theory, three experiments were conducted across product recycling, participation in a brand-sponsored recycling program, and waste sorting activities. The results show that consumers exposed to crowded (vs. uncrowded) environments are less likely to engage in recycling. Study 1 provides initial evidence of this negative effect, demonstrating that it stems from crowd density rather than from the sheer number of people in the environment. Study 2 identifies ego depletion as the underlying mediating mechanism. Study 3 further demonstrates that self-affirmation attenuates the negative effect of social crowding on recycling behavior by mitigating ego depletion. These findings suggest that social crowding is an important situational barrier to recycling and that self-affirmation may serve as an effective intervention for promoting sustainable disposal behavior in dense consumption settings. This article concludes with a general discussion of the findings and practical implications for extending the relevant literature and benefiting consumer well-being, as well as promoting sustainable development. Full article

A regenerative economy refers to an economic system that regenerates various forms of capital, including natural resources and social systems, for long-term use. Regenerating these forms of capital enables the sustained improvement of social well-being. This concept differs from a traditional consumption-based economy or a sustainable economy, which primarily aims to secure the satisfaction of future needs. Traditional capitalism has regenerated capital in production but has often consumed natural capital and sometimes degraded social capital. The concept of a regenerative economy provides principles for restoring these forms of capital. This paper discusses how digital transformation (DX) technologies can help realize a regenerative economy, using development projects for DX technologies as case studies. Airport-adjacent districts in three countries—Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand—representing different industrial sectors are examined, and the impacts of these technologies are analyzed based on Fullerton’s concept of a regenerative economy. Based on qualitative assessment, we found that these technologies are expected to contribute to improving some principles of a regenerative economy, but challenges remain in others. As a result, the concept of a regenerative economy can be useful for a conceptual yet holistic assessment of the regeneration of natural and social capital. Full article

Present-day artificial intelligence systems (AI), virtual assistants, and devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) are playing an increasingly important role in decision-making processes in the everyday lives of individuals and daily operations of organizations. In this respect, the users’ trust is a key factor determining their acceptance and effective use. In contemporary digital ecosystems, this trust increasingly becomes a component of sustainable digital marketing, in which transparent data practices and responsible communication shape long-term consumer–technology relationships. This paper analyzes the halo effect as a psychological mechanism affecting the perception of competences, reliability, and ethics in the case of technologies based on AI. Based on the literature on behavioral economics, it was shown how positive associations with the interface, brand, or previous experience of the user may lead to excessive trust in technology. Such mechanisms also play a significant role in shaping sustainable consumption patterns, as users—guided by cognitive shortcuts—can adopt technologies in ways that either strengthen or weaken responsible digital behaviors. Moreover, the potential risks associated with this phenomenon were also indicated. The aim of this paper was to present how the utilization of the halo effect influences the generation of trust in smart systems and the formulation of implication for management practices and technology design. These implications are increasingly important in the context of sustainable digital marketing policy, where organizations must align persuasive communication with ethical standards and with rising expectations regarding sustainable digital transformation. Relationships between variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), making it possible to verify complex dependencies between the perceived image of technology, the halo effect, and the users’ trust. This study tested three core hypotheses regarding the halo effect’s role, the foundational importance of security, and the mediating function of trust in technology adoption. The results of these analyses indicate that the halo effect significantly affects the level of trust in each of the investigated areas, with the strongest effect observed in the case of virtual assistants, where perception of the human-like characteristics of the interface considerably strengthened trust in the competences and reliability of the system. This finding has particular relevance for AI-driven personalization mechanisms, which increasingly guide consumer decision-making and shape their long-term behavioral patterns in online environments, with direct implications for sustainable consumption. This paper provides contribution to innovation management and technical marketing, stressing the importance of cognitive and emotional factors in the acceptance of new technologies. At the same time, it highlights the theoretical need to integrate responsible AI design with sustainable digital marketing strategies The findings suggest that ensuring trust, once established, has the potential to support not only technological innovation but broader societal goals related to responsible consumption, environmental stewardship, and long-term digital well-being aligned with sustainable development principles. However, this study stops short of empirically measuring sustainable consumption behaviors, offering instead a conceptual link that requires further empirical validation. Full article

India, the world’s largest producer and consumer of milk, deifies cows. Contemporary Hindu religious beliefs bestow upon the cow the status of a mother who provides humans with life-sustaining food—milk. However, the role of this culturally shaped human–animal dynamic in Indians’ routine dairy consumption remains largely unknown. This study aims to understand the role of cow-related religious beliefs in Indians’ intentions to consume cow dairy products using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model. A quantitative survey was conducted involving 559 Indian adults, utilizing a snowball sampling method. Employing structural equation modeling, the findings indicated that Indians’ dairy consumption intentions are affected by their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards the dairy products (p < 0.001). Subjective norms had the most notable influence on dairy consumption intentions (β= 0.29, p < 0.001), and cow-related religious beliefs were a significant moderator of this link (Δβ= 0.11, p < 0.01). These findings show that consuming cow dairy products is a religiously shaped social practice in India. They reveal a conceptual and physical ‘culturalization’ of the cow in Indian society through which the animal is simultaneously sacralized and commodified. This highlights a paradoxical situation where the demand for cow dairy products, which arises significantly from the cow’s sacred, mother-like status, in turn perpetuates the growth and sustenance of the same dairy industry that compromises her wellbeing (Mother-Milk paradox). This irony, therefore, challenges the assumptions surrounding the use of cow dairy products as a normalized socioreligious practice in India, questions the abuse of the cow’s acclaimed sacrality for capitalistic purposes, and calls for further research on Indians’ awareness of the cow’s animality and of the implications of the cow’s religious commodification on the animal’s wellbeing. In this way, a deeper appreciation of the role of sociocultural dynamics in human–animal relations can be obtained, and generate culturally sustainable human–bovine relationships which promote both human and animal wellbeing. Full article

Exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been a cause for concern for decades due to evidence linking exposure to these substances with adverse health effects. Its widespread use in industrial and consumer products combined with their persistence in the environment poses a toxicological and regulatory challenge. Due to its ubiquity, resistance to degradation, and accumulation in biological systems, humans are exposed to a mixture of multiple PFASs, which complicates the analysis of exposure effects. As PFASs pose a risk to human health, it is crucial to study their impact during vulnerable periods, such as pregnancy. In this regard, understanding the impact of PFASs on the placenta is essential, as they can affect both pregnancy and the well-being of the developing fetus. This article reviews the current evidence linking PFAS exposure with altered placental function, focusing on the affected molecular pathways. Furthermore, we examine current methodologies for analyzing the effects of exposure to complex mixtures and explore how these approaches could be employed to evaluate the potential impact of such mixtures on placental function in the context of real-life exposure to these chemicals. Full article

Under the rapid development of live commerce, impulse buying has become a core consumption phenomenon, yet its psychological triggering pathways across different consumer groups remain to be fully elucidated. Drawing on the S–O–R framework, this study conceptualizes live-stream interactivity, novelty, and streamer attractiveness as external “stimuli,” and positions immersive experience as the core “organism” mechanism, thereby constructing and testing an integrated “stimulus–experience–response (impulse buying intention)” model. Using a mixed-method approach that combines structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), the results show that all three live-stream features significantly enhance impulse buying intention, primarily by strengthening immersive experience, with immersion exerting a significant partial mediating effect. Moreover, consumers’ loneliness significantly amplifies the indirect effect of live-stream features on impulse buying via immersive experience. The fsQCA further uncovers multiple equivalent pathways leading to high impulse buying intention, including a strong-experience pattern centered on “streamer attractiveness + immersive experience,” as well as a social compensation pattern centered on “high interactivity + high loneliness.” This study provides a testable theoretical framework, actionable operational strategies, and sustainable ethical guidance for live commerce, offering a pathway for the industry to achieve a “high experience × high conversion × high well-being” triple-win outcome. Full article

Public open spaces (POSs) are key assets in renovating traditional residential areas, and many studies examine how their commercial attributes shape spatial cognition and consumer behavior to encourage activity and boost local consumption. However, there is a lack of response to the emotional feedback needs of locals in the renovation of public open spaces in historic communities. To fill this gap, this study proposes a VR-based multimodal perception assessment framework integrating immersive virtual reality (VR) experiments, electroencephalography (EEG) measurements, and AI-based landscape image segmentation to investigate how built environmental elements in public open spaces influence the spatial preferences and psychological responses of local residents within Quanzhou historic communities. By integrating EEG data with Likert-scale preference evaluations, it investigates how varying characteristics of visible landscape elements within POSs influence residents’ psychological responses. The results reveal that locally distinctive vegetation and heritage architectural remains in historical district public open spaces (HDPOSs) are positively correlated with relaxation and negatively correlated with attention levels. It is worth noting that recently designed or renovated spaces with preserved old vegetation are more popular and cause higher levels of relaxation among locals compared to more contemporary built-up areas, highlighting their cultural and ecological importance in urban settings. This study advances the fields of urban planning and historical preservation by advocating for the integration of local preferences and historical elements into POS design to foster community well-being and ensure cultural continuity. Full article