Applying behavioural theory to the challenge of sustainable development: using hairdressers as diffusers of more sustainable hair-care practices

The challenges presented by sustainable development are broadly accepted, yet resource use increases unabated. It is increasingly acknowledged that while technical solutions may play a part, a key issue is behaviour change. In response to this there has been a plethora of studies into how behaviour change can be enabled, predominantly from psychological and sociological perspectives. This has resulted in a substantial body of knowledge into the factors that drive behaviour change and how they can be manipulated to achieve desired social goals. In this paper we describe a study that draws on this body of knowledge to design an intervention to drive behaviour change across the hairdressing sector, and by the process of diffusion, across the vast social networks of this occupational group to influence domestic hair-care practices. The intervention was successful: hairdressers indicated positive intentions to adopt more sustainable practices within their salons and pass them onto their customers. The customer survey (N=776) confirms this: customers surveyed after their hairdresser attended the Green-Salon-Makeover intervention were significantly more likely to report that environmental issues had been considered in their salon visit and that they themselves would consider such issues in their hair-care practices at home than customers who were surveyed before the intervention

Look on the bright side: a comparison of positive and negative role models in business ethics education

This paper presents three studies that evaluate the effectiveness of positive vs. negative role models of business in terms of increasing ethical intentions among business students. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that teaching business ethics using real-life examples of ethics failures can have the unintended consequence of increasing cynicism and 'norming' unethical behaviour resulting in less ethical behavioural intentions. However, exposure to more positive role models of ethical businesses increases trust in business, and makes ethical behaviour in business seem more attainable, thus increasing students’ confidence in their ability to adopt ethical business practices in their future working life