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Recent research suggests that environmental benefits can be attained by changing the behavior of users and how they interact with products. The recognition that users play a fundamental role in generating more (or less) environmental impact during product usage has led to studies on design and how it can be used to influence user behavior. In this scenario, approaches and tools that explicitly focus on Design for Sustainable Behavior began to be developed. Conceptually, Design for Sustainable Behavior focuses on products and how these can be designed for users to behave more sustainably during their use. Different frameworks containing behavior changing strategies have been proposed in the literature. Based on the perception of twelve experts, this paper assesses these frameworks and identifies similarities and complementarities, aiming to unify vocabulary and methodologies to avoid unnecessary uncertainty and confusion. It also proposes a decision support diagram that relates the main contributions identified by the experts in the frameworks and adds questions to help designers define control. The diagram contains four phases: (i) user analysis; (ii) level of user or product control; (iii) strategy definition; and (iv) means to incorporate strategies to the product. Furthermore, considering the need to determine the usability of the proposed diagram, its use in practical cases within companies was assessed. In terms of future research, additional studies are suggested to confirm the relationships established between generic strategies (inform, guide, and ensure the change) and the specific strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a capitalist economy, the principles, values and behaviors of a great part of the population are centered on buying things, on having goods. Thus, in order to achieve sustainable development, emphasis should be given to the creation and the promotion of environmentally sustainable products. In view of that, the present study investigates consumers purchase decision process regarding environmentally sustainable products. This study sought identifying what the green product and process expected attributes are in automobile and furniture purchases, as well as what the expanded and reduced risks are in offers with these characteristics. To reach these objectives, a qualitative research was initially performed, and, subsequently, a quantitative research was carried out with the aim to confirm the mapped data. In summary, the results obtained indicate as important green attributes for automobiles items such as “economy”, “engine” and “new technologies”. Regarding furniture important green attributes, “design”, “origin label” and “origin of the raw material” were indicated as important. Furthermore, it could be verified that the purchase of green products may increase performance and time risks and mitigate financial and social risks. In short, this study allowed for advances in the theoretical comprehension regarding green products and decision-making processes with medium- and high-involvement levels. However, once external factors such as culture and ethnicity tend to influence buyers' decision-making processes, and considering the fact that this study was executed in Brazil, distinct results may be found in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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