Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet

Change search
Refine search result
12 1 - 50 of 71
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Rows per page
  • 5
  • 10
  • 20
  • 50
  • 100
  • 250
Sort
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
Select
The maximal number of hits you can export is 250. When you want to export more records please use the Create feeds function.
  • 1. Berglund, Christer
    et al.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Citizen and consumer: the dual role of individuals in environmental policy2006Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    This article investigates the dual role - exemplified by the ideal-types of the consumer and the citizen - individuals' face in contemporary environmental policy. As crowding-out theory highlights the implications of using ‘wrong' incentives or controlling means, examining the match between policy and those value-systems guiding individuals' decision-making process in practice should indeed be a relevant undertaking. Sweden provides the empirical example for the article, in which a text analysis of policy documents is compared with the results of a mail-out survey to 4000 individuals in four different counties. The article finds that external motivations are perceived as being highly relevant for the promotion of ecological sustainability in Sweden and, thus, that the notion of the consumer-role as guiding individuals' behaviour in the environmental field is rather strong. However, at the same time people tend to ascribe the motivational values included in the Self-transcendence cluster (altruism) a far greater importance as guiding principles in life than the opposing values of Self-enhancement (egoism), indicating that the citizen-role indeed is important to account for in policy-making. Hence, clearly there is a mismatch between Sweden's contemporary policy documents and the general value orientation held by Swedish people in general.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 2. Berglund, Christer
    et al.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Citizen and consumer: the dual role of individuals in environmental policy2006In: Environmental Politics, ISSN 0964-4016, E-ISSN 1743-8934, Vol. 15, no 4, p. 550-571Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This article investigates the dual role – exemplified by the ideal types of the consumer and the citizen – individuals face in the contemporary environmental policy context. As crowding-out theory highlights the implications of using the ‘wrong’ incentives, examining the match between policy and the value systems guiding individuals' decision-making process in practice is a relevant undertaking. Sweden provides the empirical context for the article, in which official environmental policy-discourse in Sweden is compared with the results of a mail-out survey to 4,000 individuals in four different counties. It is suggested that external motivations are perceived as highly relevant for the promotion of ecological sustainability, so the consumer element as a motivating feature of individuals' behaviour in the environmental field is indeed of considerable importance. However, at the same time people tend to ascribe far greater importance to the motivational values included in the self-transcendence cluster (altruism) as guiding principles in life than to the opposing values of self-enhancement (egoism), indicating that the citizen-role is also important to take into account in policy design. It is concluded that there is a mismatch between the content of Sweden's policy documents and the general value orientation held by the Swedish citizenry.

  • 3.
    Ek, Kristina
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Deliberation and valuation in environmental decision-making2011Conference paper (Refereed)
    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 4.
    Ek, Kristina
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Valuing the local impacts of a large scale wind power establishment in northern Sweden: public and private preferences toward economic, environmental and sociocultural values2015In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, ISSN 0964-0568, E-ISSN 1360-0559, Vol. 58, no 8, p. 1327-1345Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper estimates public and private preferences towards economic, environmental and sociocultural values associated with a planned large-scale onshore wind-power development in northern Sweden, and analyses the most important determinants of the individual's Willingness to Pay (WTP) for reducing the negative impact associated with the establishment. Sociocultural effects were deemed the most important in the private sample, whereas new job opportunities are valued most highly in the public sample. We further find that ascription to moral and social norms together with individuals’ perceptions related to general and institutional trust constitutes significant determinants of WTP.

  • 5.
    Harring, N.
    et al.
    Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg.
    Jagers, Sverker
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg.
    The significance of political culture, economic context and instrument type for climate policy support: a cross-national study2019In: Climate Policy, ISSN 1469-3062, E-ISSN 1752-7457, Vol. 19, no 5, p. 636-650Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    While many countries have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the choice of national climate policy measures demonstrates widespread variation. Although system of government, path-dependency and economic entanglements can explain a certain amount of variation in policy choice, research also points specifically towards the highly politicized nature of climate policy instruments and their sensitivity to public support as explanatory factors for cross-national differences. Previous studies hypothesize that various country-specific contextual factors determine both general preferences for environmental protection and the public’s preferences for different types of policy instruments. One suggestion is that countries’ prevailing political cultures have significant consequences for such public support. Another supposition is that, since countries differ in their economic dependency on climate detrimental industry such as fossil fuel production, this should be a significant factor determining both public attitudes and subsequent political decisions. This paper applies unique, original data from four countries with significant variation in (i) political-cultural contexts (Sweden and Norway vs New Zealand and Australia and (ii) economic dependency (Norway and Australia vs Sweden and New Zealand) to analyze how, and to what extent, these two contextual variables interact with, and moderate, the effect of individual-level factors on support for climate policy measures in the four countries. Furthermore, the paper explores variations in support for different types of CO2 taxes (directed towards individual consumers, industry, and fossil-fuel producers) in the four countries. Key policy insights Across contexts, public policy support is lower for taxes directed towards private consumption than for taxes directed towards industry, and the strongest for CO2 taxes on fossil fuel producing industry. Political culture and economic context influence the effect of individual-level factors on policy support. In a context of high economic dependency on the fossil-fuel industry, people are less likely to support the introduction of CO2 taxes. The effect of left-right ideology on policy support is sensitive to political-cultural context.

  • 6.
    Harring, Niklas
    et al.
    Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Jagers, Sverker C.
    Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Higher education, norm development, and environmental protection2020In: Higher Education, ISSN 0018-1560, E-ISSN 1573-174X, Vol. 79, no 2, p. 291-305Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    There is a debate on whether higher education in the social sciences generates stronger democratic and environmental norms among students. In our study, we focus on students’ perceptions about legitimate rule in the case of environmental protection. We contribute to this debate by using a unique longitudinal data set from seven universities and university colleges in Sweden. Our results show that higher education in the social sciences does not generate stronger democratic or environmental norms, at least not in the case of environmental protection. We discuss why this is the case and refine our results further by looking at individual-level factors, such as gender and ideology.

  • 7.
    Harring, Niklas
    et al.
    Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Humanities and Social Science Education, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Jagers, Sverker C.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Public Support for Pro-Environmental Policy Measures: Examining the Impact of Personal Values and Ideology2017In: Sustainability, E-ISSN 2071-1050, Vol. 9, no 5, article id 679Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This article explores the relationship between two major explanations of the formation of positive attitudes towards environmental policy measures. Ideological orientation and personal values have, in theory, significant overlaps in the sense that they collect general and cross-situational sentiments used to understand and evaluate a wide range of political issues. However, in the empirical literature, although they independently have been shown to have rather significant effects on pro-environmental policy attitudes, they are rarely tested together in order to explore whether they capture the same basic mechanisms. In this article, two data sets from Sweden are used to demonstrate both that ideological orientation and personal values independently affect pro-environmental policy support, as well as that these effects differ across different policy types.

  • 8.
    Harring, Niklas
    et al.
    Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Jönsson, Erik
    Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Social Sciences.
    Mundaca, Gabriela
    Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
    Jagers, Sverker C.
    Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Cross-national analysis of attitudes towards fossil fuel subsidy removal2023In: Nature Climate Change, ISSN 1758-678X, E-ISSN 1758-6798, Vol. 13, p. 244-249Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In 2021, governments of 51 countries spent US$697 billion on subsidizing fossil fuels. Removing fossil fuel subsidies is crucial not only for reducing CO2 emissions and making carbon pricing more effective, but also for making more valuable use of government funds. Currently, however, scientific evidence on the scale and scope of public attitudes towards fossil fuel subsidy-removal policies is lacking, yet it is instrumental for gauging political feasibility. Furthermore, previous studies tend to focus on carbon pricing in the developed world only. Here we present a comparative analysis of attitudes towards both carbon taxation and fossil fuel subsidy removal, focusing on five developing countries across four continents. It is found that (1) removing fossil fuel subsidies is not more undesirable than introducing carbon taxation and (2) the public has more-positive attitudes towards subsidy removal if optimal use of the saved fiscal revenues is specified.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 9.
    Harring, Niklas
    et al.
    Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Jönsson, Erik
    Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Social Sciences.
    Mundaca, Gabriela
    Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
    Jagers, Sverker C.
    Centre for Collective Action Research, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Public acceptance of fossil fuel subsidy removal can be reinforced with revenue recycling2023In: Nature Climate Change, ISSN 1758-678X, E-ISSN 1758-6798, Vol. 13, p. 214-215Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Removing fossil fuel subsidies is important for mitigation and making carbon pricing polices effective. We find that removing subsidies on fossil fuels may not generate more public resistance (or support) than introducing a carbon tax, and by specifying alternatives for revenue recycling, the level of acceptability may increase.

  • 10.
    Havenhand, Jonathan N.
    et al.
    Department of Marine Sciences, Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Filipsson, Helena L.
    Department of Geology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Niiranen, Susa
    Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Troell, Max
    Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden;Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Crépin, Anne-Sophie
    Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Jagers, Sverker
    Department of Political Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Langlet, David
    Department of Law, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Turner, David
    Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Winder, Monika
    Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
    de Wit, Pierre
    Department of Marine Sciences, Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Anderson, Leif G.
    Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Ecological and functional consequences of coastal ocean acidification: Perspectives from the Baltic-Skagerrak System2019In: Ambio, ISSN 0044-7447, E-ISSN 1654-7209, Vol. 48, no 8, p. 831-854Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Ocean temperatures are rising; species are shifting poleward, and pH is falling (ocean acidification, OA). We summarise current understanding of OA in the brackish Baltic-Skagerrak System, focussing on the direct, indirect and interactive effects of OA with other anthropogenic drivers on marine biogeochemistry, organisms and ecosystems. Substantial recent advances reveal a pattern of stronger responses (positive or negative) of species than ecosystems, more positive responses at lower trophic levels and strong indirect interactions in food-webs. Common emergent themes were as follows: OA drives planktonic systems toward the microbial loop, reducing energy transfer to zooplankton and fish; and nutrient/food availability ameliorates negative impacts of OA. We identify several key areas for further research, notably the need for OA-relevant biogeochemical and ecosystem models, and understanding the ecological and evolutionary capacity of Baltic-Skagerrak ecosystems to respond to OA and other anthropogenic drivers.

  • 11.
    Hellström, Johan
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Political Science.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå tekniska universitet, Luleå, Sverige.
    Fler partier leder till kaos i riksdagen2014In: Svenska Dagbladet, ISSN 1101-2412Article in journal (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
    Abstract [sv]

    Med fler och mindre partier i de nationella parlamenten blir regeringsbildningen en utdragen och svåröverblickbar process. 

  • 12.
    Hoff-Elimari, Eivind
    et al.
    Common Cause Network, Norway.
    Bardi, Anat
    Royal Holloway University of London, United Kingdom.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Östman, Kristina
    KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
    Collective action problems: Disentangling possible feedback loops between government policies and the public’s value-change2014In: European Journal of Government and Economics, E-ISSN 2254-7088, Vol. 3, no 1, p. 24-46Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Solving collective action problems, such as poverty reduction or climate change, depends on interactions between governments' and voters' preferences regarding pro-social actions. This paper examines whether the overall direction of change in pro-social public policy precedes public value-change, rather than the other way around. We examine change in the public’s pro-social values in six European countries, as measured by the European Social Survey (ESS) during 2002-2012. In these countries, we conducted an expert survey to rate governmental policy that expresses these values over the same period, thereby examining value-change in governmental policy. The chronological comparison of value-change of the public with that of respective governments suggests that changes in pro-social government policies may drive public value-change rather than vice versa. This complements previous studies focused on the opinion-policy connection. Possible political implications are discussed. The promising findings of this initial study point to the importance of conducting larger-scale future studies.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 13.
    Holmquist, Hanna
    et al.
    Division of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers University of Technology.
    Jagers, Sverker
    Department of Political Science and Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), University of Gothenburg.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Svanström, Magdalena
    Division of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers University of Technology.
    Peters, Gregory M.
    Division of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers University of Technology.
    How information about hazardous fluorinated substances increases willingness-to-pay for alternative outdoor garments: A Swedish survey experiment2018In: Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, E-ISSN 1879-1786, Vol. 202, p. 130-138Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Many outdoor garments are impregnated to make them water and, in some cases oil repellent, but the impregnation agents can be hazardous to human health and the environment. Some examples of such hazardous impregnation agents include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. To reduce the risks related to these fluorinated substances, a phase-out is necessary, and voluntary avoidance by consumers may be one way to make this happen. This experimental survey investigates the extent to which information about the hazardous properties of fluorinated substances affects consumer willingness-to-pay for alternative outdoor garments without hazardous chemicals. The experiment was conducted by means of a questionnaire distributed to more than 4000 Swedish respondents via the Laboratory of Opinion Research's Citizen Panel. The results show a generally high willingness-to-pay, and that the effects of providing information are higher when the price increase is high. This suggests that there is room for a price increase if the non-hazardous options are more expensive. This survey experiment indicates that the Swedish general public is ready for substitution to garments without hazardous fluorinated chemicals if the alternative provides an identical function. Information campaigns, however, will have limited ability to increase the willingness-to-pay for an alternative as it is already high. Despite the general willingness of the Swedish public to choose less hazardous options, legislative measures may potentially be the most effective action when supply chains are opaque and information to consumers is limited.

  • 14.
    Jagers, Sverker C.
    et al.
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Lachapelle, Erick
    Département de Science Politique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
    Martinsson, Johan
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Social Sciences.
    Bridging the ideological gap? How fairness perceptions mediate the effect of revenue recycling on public support for carbon taxes in the United States, Canada and Germany2021In: Review of Policy Research, ISSN 1541-132X, E-ISSN 1541-1338, Vol. 38, no 5, p. 529-554Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Carbon taxes are frequently advocated as a means of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, yet their political feasibility remains a challenge. To enhance their political appeal, carbon tax proponents have proposed revenue recycling as a means of alleviating public concern with this instrument's visible costs. Analyzing data from identical survey-experiments administered in the United States, Canada, and Germany, we examine the extent to which returning revenues to the public has the potential to broaden the political acceptability of carbon taxes across ideological and national contexts. While public opinion is sensitive to the cost attributes of carbon taxes, we find that in some cases, opposition to carbon taxes can be offset by a reduction in income taxes. However, these effects tend to be modest in size, limited to some ideological groups, and varied across countries. Moreover, we demonstrate that fairness perceptions are a crucial mechanism linking revenue recycling to carbon tax support in all countries examined. 

  • 15.
    Jagers, Sverker C.
    et al.
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 711, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
    Martinsson, Johan
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 711, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    On how to make the theoretical concept of ecological citizenship empirically operational2009In: Papers from Uppsala Forum Workshop: Climate Change Policy after Copenhagen- Politics, Policy and Ethics, Uppsala University, September 28, 2009, 2009, p. 1-15Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    As the discourses of ecological sustainability point towards the active involvement of individuals in the environmental work as an important prerequisite for targeting the sources of environmental degradation, one of the main foci for contemporary environmental policy and political theory is the need for comprehensive individual lifestyle-changes. Within political theory an Ecological Citizenship, reinterpreting the traditional state/individual relationship by straddling the private - public; national - global; and present - future divides, has been suggested a valuable approach to realising a personal responsibility for the environment. Empirical research analysing the prospects for ecological citizenship to function as a route towards individual environmental responsibility is, however, to date lacking in the literature. In this paper we elaborate on how the theory of ecological citizenship can be made empirically operational.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 16.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Harring, Niklas
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Environmental management from left to right: on ideology, policy-specific beliefs and pro-environmental policy support2018In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, ISSN 0964-0568, E-ISSN 1360-0559, Vol. 61, no 1, p. 86-104Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Due to growing environmental challenges, the demand for effective management through pro-environmental policy measures is increasing. The effectiveness is, however, largely determined by the degree to which the policy measures are supported by the actors affected by them. A consistent finding in the literature is that ideology (or subjective positioning on the left–right dimension) affects environmental policy support, with left-leaning individuals being more pro-environmental. A major caveat with previous research is that it seldom makes a distinction between different kinds of policies. Therefore, we are concerned with investigating how different ideological positions affect attitudes towards different forms of environmental protection. Using unique survey data, we show that ideology is related to conceptions about the fairness and effectiveness of different policy tools, which in turn steer preferences. In that sense, this paper makes the discussion on the effects of ideological position on pro-environmental policy support more nuanced.

  • 17.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Linde, Stefan
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Martinsson, Johan
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Statsvetenskapliga Institutionen, Göteborgs universitet.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Testing the Importance of Individuals’ Motives for Explaining Environmentally Significant Behavior2017In: Social Science Quarterly, ISSN 0038-4941, E-ISSN 1540-6237, Vol. 98, no 2, p. 644-658Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    ObjectiveThis article explores how different motives affect behavior, and attempts to explain how the causal chain of values and beliefs forms our understanding of and motives for private-sphere environmentally significant behaviors (ESBs). As a point of departure, we postulate that traditional models focusing primarily on individual-level motivation as a driver for ESB should benefit significantly from making a distinction in the dependent variable between: (1) behaviors that are explicitly pro-environmental, judging both by their outcomes and the individual's stated motives for undertaking them; (2) behaviors that have a positive environmental impact but that are connected to motives other than environmental ones; as well as (3) behaviors where both environmental and other motives coincide as drivers for ESB.MethodsIn order to answer our research questions, we use survey data collected from a random sample from the Swedish population register. The main dependent variable is the self-reported frequency of 12 different kinds of nonactivist, private-sphere behaviors. We employ ordinary least square regressions to analyze the explanatory strength of individual-level motivational factors for ESB when taking stated motives for behavior into account.Results and ConclusionThe results support our main assumption that to explain drivers for ESB, stated motives should be taken into account. For all of the 12 ESBs in the survey, a considerable share of the respondents do not perceive or motivate behavior as pro-environmentalism at all, and others provide multiple motives for their behavior, combining, for example, economic or health with environmentalism. Furthermore, when analyzing the relationship between a scientifically well-established model aspiring to explain pro-environmental behavior, and individuals’ behavioral perceptions and their stated behavior, we find that the explanatory power of this model is clearly sensitive to people's stated motives.

  • 18.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Martinsson, Johan
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Ecological citizenship: a driver of pro-environmental behaviour?2014In: Environmental Politics, ISSN 0964-4016, E-ISSN 1743-8934, Vol. 23, no 3, p. 434-453Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In theory, ecological citizenship (EC) has been suggested as a driver of individual pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), providing a more stable foundation for lifestyle changes than reliance on external policy tools. The relevance of EC for explaining PEB is tested by applying data from a Swedish survey designed to capture various aspects of EC. A significant proportion of Swedes fulfil the values-based requirements of ecological citizenship, as outlined in EC-theory. Furthermore, individuals who think along the lines of EC are more likely than others to behave in an environmentally friendly manner in their day-to-day activities. Certain aspects of EC are more important for PEB than others, which implies the need for further theoretical development of EC theory

  • 19.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Martinsson, Johan
    University of Gothenburg.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Ecological citizenship: a driver of pro-environmental behaviour?2011Conference paper (Other academic)
    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 20.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Martinsson, Johan
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Statsvetenskapliga Institutionen, Göteborgs universitet.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    The Environmental Psychology of the Ecological Citizen: Comparing Competing Models of Pro-Environmental Behavior2016In: Social Science Quarterly, ISSN 0038-4941, E-ISSN 1540-6237, Vol. 97, no 5, p. 1005-1022Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    ObjectivesThe overall objective of this article is to contribute to the identification of underlying factors causing individuals’ pro-environmental behavior (PEB).MethodsThis is done by the amalgamation of an empirically-derived theory originating in the behavioral science research—the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory (e.g., Stern et al., 1999)—and a rather recently developed theory in political science—the ecological citizenship (EC) model (e.g., Dobson, 2003). Using survey data, this article empirically tests the explanatory power of these two theories, both separately and as a joint model.

  • 21.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg.
    Martinsson, Johan
    Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), University of Gothenburg.
    The impact of compensatory measures on public support for carbon taxation: an experimental study in Sweden2019In: Climate Policy, ISSN 1469-3062, E-ISSN 1752-7457, Vol. 19, no 2, p. 147-160Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study aims at better understanding how, and to what extent, perceptions of a policy instrument’s distributional effects impact on policy support, focusing on the case of CO2 taxes on petrol in Sweden. Through a large-scale (N = 5000) randomized survey experiment with a 2 × 3 factorial design, the extent to which perceptions of fairness determine attitudes to a suggested increase of the Swedish CO2 tax is explored. Furthermore, the study considers whether these effects change with the level of the suggested tax increase, as well as whether negative sentiments can be alleviated by combining it with a compensatory measure in the shape of a simultaneous income tax cut financed by the revenues from the tax increase. The results show that a higher tax increase is both viewed as more unfair and enjoys weaker support. Furthermore, compensatory measures can be a powerful policy design tool to increase perceptions of the policy as fair, but the effect of compensation on policy support is conditioned by the individual’s left–right ideological position. Whereas people self-identifying to the right react favourably to compensatory measures, people self-identifying to the left become less supportive of a tax increase when combined with a simultaneous cut in income taxes.

  • 22.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Ecological citizens: identifying values and beliefs that support individual environmental responsibility among Swedes2010In: Sustainability, E-ISSN 2071-1050, Vol. 2, no 4, p. 1055-1079Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    As it has been suggested that involvement of individuals in environmental work is necessary for halting environmental degradation, one focus for contemporary environmental policy and political theory is the need for comprehensive individual lifestyle changes. Ecological Citizenship (EC) has been suggested within the field of political theory as an approach to realize personal responsibility for the environment. However, empirical research on whether EC can serve this purpose is still lacking. Based on a survey sent to 4,000 Swedish households, this paper makes the theory of EC empirically operational and explores whether, and to what extent, people in general hold values and beliefs in line with what is expected of EC, in order to shed light on the feasibility of cultivating ecological citizens in Sweden. The study concludes that a significant proportion of the respondents do demonstrate a value base consistent with EC, i.e., non-territorial altruism and the primacy of social justice. While additional tests and studies are needed, the results support the use of EC as a theoretical model for behavioral change.

  • 23.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Politikernas representation av medborgarnas miljöintresse2014In: Svenska politiker: Om de folkvalda i riksdag, landsting och kommun, Stockholm: Santérus Förlag, 2014, p. 41-59Chapter in book (Other academic)
  • 24.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden .
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
    Crépin, Anne-Sophie
    The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Langlet, David
    Department of Law, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
    Havenhand, Jonathan N
    Department of Marine Sciences-Tjärnö, Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Strömstad, Sweden .
    Troell, Max
    The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Filipsson, Helena L
    Department of Geology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Galaz, Victor R
    Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Anderson, Leif G
    Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
    Societal causes of, and responses to, ocean acidification2019In: Ambio, ISSN 0044-7447, E-ISSN 1654-7209, Vol. 48, no 8, p. 816-830Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Major climate and ecological changes affect the world's oceans leading to a number of responses including increasing water temperatures, changing weather patterns, shrinking ice-sheets, temperature-driven shifts in marine species ranges, biodiversity loss and bleaching of coral reefs. In addition, ocean pH is falling, a process known as ocean acidification (OA). The root cause of OA lies in human policies and behaviours driving society's dependence on fossil fuels, resulting in elevated CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. In this review, we detail the state of knowledge of the causes of, and potential responses to, OA with particular focus on Swedish coastal seas. We also discuss present knowledge gaps and implementation needs.

  • 25.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Nilsson, Andreas
    Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg.
    How Exposure to Policy Tools Transforms the Mechanisms Behind Public Acceptability and Acceptance: The Case of the Gothenburg Congestion Tax2017In: International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, ISSN 1556-8318, E-ISSN 1556-8334, Vol. 11, no 2, p. 109-119Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An increasing body of literature suggests that acceptance of environmental policy instruments tends to change along with increased experience of the same. Among the more popular examples of this are the growing number of congestion-pricing initiatives emerging around the world; in several cases the acceptability of these projects among the public has been relatively low before implementation, but then acceptance has increased as experience of the project has grown. The question is just how, and in particular, why? I.e., what is it really that experience does to people's propensity to accept initially quite unpopular measures? In this article we analyze how the relationship between political trust, policy-specific beliefs and public support for policy tools is moderated or affected by people's personal experiences of those policy tools. On the basis of the experience of previous research, we test the way in which policy-specific beliefs, institutional trust and the legitimacy of the political decision-making process affect public attitudes toward a policy tool. In addition—and consistent with other studies—we expect these effects to be significantly reduced post-implementation, as people gain first-hand experience of a policy tool. More specifically, we theorize that the often emphasized process legitimacy is only valid as a factor driving support before implementation, and that the effect of general institutional trust is replaced by the level of trust specific to the implementing institutions after the introduction of the policy tool. We tested these hypotheses using a natural experiment; i.e., by studying public attitudes toward the introduction of congestion fees in the Swedish city of Gothenburg both before and after their introduction. By doing so, we were able to comprehensively analyze both the drivers behind public sentiments toward congestion charges and how these mechanisms transform as people are exposed to the costs and benefits of the policy tool in practice. Among other things, we found that with regard to fairness and environmental effectiveness, there is a clear symmetry in our results. The level of acceptance increased most noticeably among those who experienced that the environment was improved by the implemented tax, or that the system turned out to be fairer than expected. However, the opposite is also the case. Thus, among those experiencing that the environment was not improved, or that the system appeared to be less fair than expected, the level of acceptance decreased significantly after implementation. These results may have important policy implications.

  • 26.
    Jagers, Sverker
    et al.
    Göteborgs Universitet, Gothenburg.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Göteborgs Universitet, Gothenburg.
    Nordblom, Katarina
    Göteborgs Universitet, Gothenburg.
    The evolution of public policy attitudes: Comparing the mechanisms of policy support across the stages of a policy cycle2020In: Journal of Public Policy, ISSN 0143-814X, E-ISSN 1469-7815, Vol. 40, no 3, p. 428-448Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We analyse the importance of legitimacy on public policy support by comparing how drivers of public policy attitudes evolve across the policy process consisting of the input (the processes forgoing acquisition of power and the procedures permeating political decisionmaking), throughput (the inclusion of and interactions between actors in a governance system) and output (the substantive consequences of those decisions) stages. Using unique panel data through three phases of the implementation of a congestion tax in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, we find that legitimacy is indeed important in explaining policy support. Moreover, we find a lingering effect where support in one phase depends on legitimacy both in the present and in previous phases. Hence, our study takes us one step further on the road to understand the complicated dynamic mechanisms behind the interactions between policymaking, policy support, and the legitimacy and approval of politicians and political processes.

  • 27.
    Larsson, Jörgen
    et al.
    Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences. Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Nässén, Jonas
    Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Public support for aviation policy measures in Sweden2020In: Climate Policy, ISSN 1469-3062, E-ISSN 1752-7457, Vol. 20, no 10, p. 1305-1321Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Air travel has received increasing attention in the climate debate in recent years. Current climate policy in this sector remains weak in comparison to, for example, the road transport sector. In this study, we analyze public support for seven different national policy measures that have been chosen to reflect the main thinking raised in the debate. Using original data from Sweden (N = 4500), we found that less coercive measures, as well as regulatory measures targeting the aviation industry rather than individuals directly, are more readily supported by the public than market-based policies aiming to push individuals away from air travel. The analyses of the different policy measures reveal many similarities between them. Climate concern, a personal norm to act in a more climate-friendly way, a political orientation to the left and high levels of institutional trust all display strong associations with support for all the different policy types. Perceptions of fairness, in particular, and effectiveness were strongly associated with overall policy support. Interestingly, however, the extent to which a policy measure was expected to affect one’s own personal freedom was found to have a very weak correlation with policy support.

    Key policy insights

    • Public support was higher for ‘pull’ policies (climate labelling and subsidies for high-speed and night trains), as well as for regulatory measures targeting the aviation industry (biofuel blending mandate), than for policies that aim to push individuals away from air travel (e.g. air passenger tax).

    • The weakest public support was found for frequent flyer taxation and personal carbon allowances. One reason, however, may be that these are novel policy options where the respondents had little prior information.

    • In line with previous research, climate concern, ideology and trust in institutions correlate with attitudes to aviation polices, but the multivariate model showed that perceptions of whether a policy is fair and effective were by far the most important variables. Hence, fairness and effectiveness appear to be crucial aspects for the design of new policies.

  • 28.
    Lindahl, Karin Beland
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Zachrisson, Anna
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Wiklund, Roine
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Fjellborg, Daniel
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Fjällnära Gruvdrift?: Konflikter om vägar till hållbarhet2016Report (Other academic)
    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 29.
    Lindahl, Karin Beland
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Zachrisson, Anna
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Wiklund, Roine
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Fjellborg, Daniel
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Johansson, Andreas
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Elenius, Lars
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Konflikter om gruvetablering: Lokalsamhällets aktöreroch vägar till hållbarhet : slutrapport2016Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    Gruvprospektering och gruvetablering kan ge upphov tilllokala konflikter. Syftet med den här studien är att undersökahur berörda aktörer och medborgare ser på fråganom framtida mineralutvinning och gruvetablering, vilketutrymme som finns för lokalt deltagande och inflytandei politik och regelverk, samt möjligheterna att hanteraeventuella konflikter med hjälp av dialog och samråd. Vihar analyserat tre gruvetableringsprocesser på tre olikaplatser i det fjällnära området: järnbrytning i Gállok/Kallak(Jokkmokks kommun), nickelutvinning i Rönnbäck/Rönnbäcken (Storumans kommun) samt guld, koppar ochjärnbrytning i Rakkuri (Kiruna kommun).

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
    Download full text (pdf)
    Fjällnära gruvdrift
  • 30.
    Linde, Stefan
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Jagers, Sverker
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Political and institutional prerequisites for successful mining establishment and development: a synthesis of social science research2012Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Mining has a substantial influence on several parts of society, in part by providing economic and social development, but also through negative environmental and social-cultural impacts connected to its operation. This combination of both positive and negative effects induces a complex planning and permitting process concerning large and differentiated values, long time spans and large numbers of actors. The aim of this report is to conduct a survey of previous research on societal aspects on mines and mining conducted within political science in particular (and within a broader spectrum of other social sciences in general). The emphasis of the study is placed on identifying research focusing on how, and to what extent, political and institutional factors affect processes of mining development and subsequent serve to shape their outcomes. Results show that previous research has focused on the distribution of rights and resources in connection to development. Five main sub-categories are identified: national mining policies, indigenous rights, corporate social responsibility, company-community conflicts and environmental impacts. Research on how the development processes is impacted by the influence of e.g. public opinion and stakeholder core values, of interactions within the administrative system and of national and subnational policies has though largely been overlooked.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 31.
    Lundmark, Carina
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Exploring the prospects for deliberative practices as a conflict-reducing and legitimacy-enhancing tool: the case of Swedish carnivore management.2015In: Wildlife Biology, ISSN 0909-6396, E-ISSN 1903-220X, Vol. 21, no 3, p. 147-156Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A new structure for decision-making in relation to management of large carnivores is presently being implemented in Sweden through a system of regional Wildlife Management Delegations (WMD). The governing idea is that strengthened regional influence will increase the legitimacy of both the management system and its outcomes. We use this institutional change as a backdrop for analyzing the possibilities to apply deliberative practices to reduce conflict and enhance legitimacy in the management of natural resources. We argue that structures alone do not determine the prospects of deliberative arrangements; the political context (i.e. the characteristics and relationships among participating actors) is equally important. An analytical framework is proposed that merges structural prospects for deliberation in co-management with stakeholder features, capturing the interests and beliefs of the actors involved. We illustrate the application of this framework by analysing original data from three Wildlife Management Delegations. Our findings show that there are significant differences in the beliefs among the actors within the system. Based on similarities in their beliefs, they can potentially form a relatively strong anti-carnivore/pro-WMD-coalition, opposing the pro-carnivore/anti-WMD-beliefs of the nature conservation interest. Furthermore, the structure is designed to meet vital deliberative criteria, yet we point at substantial differences between statutory and effective representation that, as it coincides with diverging beliefs, can affect decision-making. One qualitative criterion for successful deliberation stands out in our study - reasoned debate. The prospects for deliberation in WMDs to reduce conflict levels among opposing interests seem to depend on the capacity for ensuring exchange of reasonable and informed arguments

  • 32.
    Lundmark, Carina
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Michanek, Gabriel
    Uppsala universitet.
    The Swedish environmental norm: balancing environmental obligations and the pursuit of individual lifestyles2010In: Environmental Policy and Household Behaviour: Sustainability and Everyday Life, London: Earthscan / James & James, 2010Chapter in book (Other academic)
  • 33.
    Lundmark, Carina
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Rova, Carl
    Rönnbäck, Peder
    Sandström, Annica
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Structuring social complexities in natural resource governance: exploring a new model for adaptive co-management2011Conference paper (Refereed)
    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 34.
    Lundmark, Carina
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Sandström, Annica
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Adaptive co-management: How social networks, deliberation and learning affect legitimacy in carnivore management2014In: European Journal of Wildlife Research, ISSN 1612-4642, E-ISSN 1439-0574, Vol. 60, no 4, p. 637-644Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Adaptive co-management (ACM) is a key concept in science and an increasingly adopted policy response in conservation, associated with a number of positive outcomes. However, the effects and mechanisms of co-management arrangements, including the conditions under which ACM gives rise to higher levels of internal and external legitimacy, are yet to be explored. This endeavor, in turn, requires theoretically driven models providing assumptions and outlining testable hypotheses. Considering the social challenges of ACM and using an institutional change within the Swedish carnivore management system aimed at achieving legitimacy through co-management as an illustrative example, this article develops a conceptual model that encompasses conditions and possible explanations to ACM outcomes. More specifically, drawing on lessons from social theory, we model the impact of three key factors-social networks, deliberation and learning-on the external and internal legitimacy resulting from ACM arrangements. Based on the model proposed, the popular assumptions of ACM outcomes can thus be empirically scrutinized and the conditions for increased legitimacy through ACM arrangements better comprehended.

  • 35.
    Lundmark, Carina
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Sandström, Annica
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    The transforming capacity of collaborative institutions: belief change and coalition reformation in conflicted wildlife management2018In: Journal of Environmental Management, ISSN 0301-4797, E-ISSN 1095-8630, Vol. 226, p. 226-240Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this study is to examine the transformative capacity of top-down imposed collaborative institutions on participants’ beliefs and coordination patterns. First, do collaborative arenas enhance learning in terms of belief change and belief convergence among participating actors? Second, what types of beliefs are changed and, third, how are changes in beliefs reflected in the formation of coalitions? To answer these questions, a longitudinal study encompassing three collaborative decision-making arenas in the highly adversarial system for wildlife management in Sweden is performed. The empirical analysis indicates both stability and change within the new management system that confirms, as well as challenges, the theoretical assumptions guiding the analysis. While beliefs overall are rather stable, we note, surprisingly, how some participants’ more normatively oriented policy core beliefs have been slightly modified over time. A more expected result was that these adjustments in normative policy core beliefs were accompanied by a reformed coalition structure within the studied decision-making arenas. The study contributes to our understandings of policy beliefs and coalitions in conflicted policy areas; it underlines the mixed results of collaborative institutions found in previous research; yet, lends a modest support in favor of the transformative capacity of collaborative institutions.

  • 36.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    A Swedish environmental norm?: exploring the normative foundations of Swedish environmental policy2005In: Double Standards and Simulation: Symbolism, Rhetoric and Irony in Eco-Politics: International Conference, ISA Research Committee 24: Environment and Society, 2005Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 37.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    A Swedish environmental norm?: exploring the normative foundations of Swedish environmental policy2005Report (Other academic)
    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 38.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Book review: Environmental policy2005In: Environmental Politics, ISSN 0964-4016, E-ISSN 1743-8934, Vol. 14, no 1, p. 144-146Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Review of Environmental Policy by Jane Roberts (Routledge Introductions to Environment Series). London: Routledge, 2003. ISBN 0 4151 9885 2 and 9886 0

  • 39.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Climate Policy Instruments2015In: Research Handbook of Climate Governance, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, Incorporated , 2015, p. 400-410Chapter in book (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    A great number of policy instruments have been developed or proposed within the environmental sector, with the ambition to mitigate climate change by changing social choice mechanisms and thus initiating collective action in this regard. The effectiveness and efficiency of a policy instrument directed towards individual behaviors is, however, partially determined by the level of general public support the chosen instrument enjoys. On an aggregated level, public policy support determines policy choice and can thus explain the eligibility of specific instruments in specific contexts. On an individual level, policy support can help account for compliance and long-term stability of the policy. This chapter discusses the mechanisms behind public support for climate policy instruments and proposes a model of individual policy attitudes that account for and combines three broad elements that have been particularly emphasized throughout previous research: (1) moral-normative factors such values, beliefs and personal norms driving general environmental attitudes and behavior; (2) beliefs about the attributes of a specific policy instrument; and (3) interpersonal and institutional trust.

  • 40.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Consuming sustainability2007In: Environmental Politics, ISSN 0964-4016, E-ISSN 1743-8934, Vol. 16, no 4, p. 700-702Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Review of Consuming Sustainability: Critical Social Analyses of Ecological Change, edited by Debra Davidson and Kierstin Hatt. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing, 2005. Pp. 296. ISBN 1 55266 155 5

  • 41.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Exploring public policy legitimacy: a study of belief-system correspondence in Swedish environmental policy2009Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    As environmental problems today are understood as being problems of collective action, they also depend on the broad engagement of individual citizens for their successful solution. Policymakers are thereby faced with the challenge of designing policy and constructing policy tools, which contribute to an increase in individual environmental responsibility and voluntarily behavioural change. Here, this challenge is approached from the point of departure of policy legitimacy, concluding that the problem of legitimacy facing public policy is threefold: affecting the performance (in terms of effectiveness and efficiency) of political programs and policy tools; the boundaries of the policymaking process itself (through the legitimacy/effectiveness dilemma) as well as the democratic standing and future overall performance of political government. As such, the thesis aims both at exploring the level of legitimacy for contemporary Swedish environmental public policy as well as at analysing the prospects and prerequisites for designing future environmental policy that holds a high(er) level of legitimacy. In order to fulfil these aims, a further objective is to discuss the meaning and function of policy (as opposed to political-) legitimacy as well as to suggest methods and approaches to its study.By reviewing and synthesising key concepts and theories from legitimacy theory, public opinion research, and policy analysis, as well as from social and environmental psychology, the first part of the thesis constructs a framework for studying policy legitimacy, focusing content rather than process or actors, and systems of belief rather than opinion. The level of policy legitimacy is seen as the extent to which values and beliefs underpinning public policy content corresponds to those established among the public. This suggests that the evaluation of policy legitimacy is a three-step process, requiring an exploration of policy belief-systems; a mapping of public belief-systems and a subsequent comparison of the two.In the second part of the thesis, the analytical framework is put to the test in an empirical exploration of the legitimacy for Swedish environmental public policy during the period 1994-2006. By examining and comparing data from a qualitative text analysis of national policy documents with the results of two mass-surveys conducted in the years of 2004 and 2006, important insights are reached in terms of how both policymakers and the public understand and frame the environmental problem in terms of causes, seriousness and possible solutions; how they assign costs and responsibilities in amending the problem; as well as their preference for overall goals in the environmental policy domain. The thesis concludes that although public policy and public values align on several instances, belief-system divergences potentially affecting policy performance might nevertheless be identified. These findings deepen our understanding of the character of those legitimacy issues facing Swedish environmental public policy, providing relevant insights into how the level of legitimacy, and thereby policy performance, might be furthered. Lastly, it is possible to conclude that through the elaboration of an analytical framework, contributions are made to the scientific study of policy legitimacy, also beyond the environmental policy domain.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 42.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    From sustainable consumers to ecological citizens: elucidating attitudes towards individual environmental action in Sweden2008Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    As the discourses of ecologically sustainable development point towards the active involvement of individuals in the environmental work as an important prerequisite for targeting the sources of environmental degradation, one of the main foci for contemporary environmental policy is the need for individual lifestyle-changes. However, most policies targeting environmental work at the individual level both in Sweden and in other countries is directed towards targeting individuals as consumers, and the corresponding active involvement is therefore primarily framed as a move towards sustainable patterns of consumption. As an alternative to this rather narrow interpretation of what individual environmental action comprise, suggestions for an Ecological Citizenship, straddling the private - public; national - global; and present - future divides, has recently been granted a central position in research on political ecology. As this novel conception, however, is considerably more wide-ranging than a change in consumption-patterns, the prospect of legitimately realising or rhetorically framing individual environmental action as ecological citizenship has been strongly questioned. Even so, recent research indicates that people might hold values in line with those of the ecological citizen. Based on mass-surveys to a total of 4000 Swedish households, this article investigates the values and attitudes established among the citizenry, in order to elucidate the seed-bed for cultivating ecological citizens in Sweden. What are the possibilities for environmental action in the shape of ecological citizenship in Sweden today? Do people in general hold values and attitudes in line with what is expected of the ecological citizen? If so, how? If not, why?

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 43.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    From sustainable consumers to ecological citizens: elucidating attitudes towards individual environmental action in Sweden2007Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    As the discourses of ecologically sustainable development point towards the active involvement of individuals in the environmental work as an important prerequisite for targeting the sources of environmental degradation, one of the main foci for contemporary environmental policy is the need for individual lifestyle-changes. However, most policies targeting environmental work at the individual level both in Sweden and in other countries is directed towards targeting individuals as consumers, and the corresponding active involvement is therefore primarily framed as a move towards sustainable patterns of consumption.As an alternative to this rather narrow interpretation of what individual environmental action comprise, suggestions for an Ecological Citizenship, straddling the private - public; national - global; and present - future divides, has recently been granted a central position in research on political ecology. As this novel conception, however, is considerably more wide-ranging than a change in consumption-patterns, the prospect of legitimately realising or rhetorically framing individual environmental action as ecological citizenship has been strongly questioned. Even so, recent research indicates that people might hold values in line with those of the ecological citizen.Based on mass-surveys to a total of 4000 Swedish households, this article investigates the values and attitudes established among the citizenry, in order to elucidate the seed-bed for cultivating ecological citizens in Sweden. What are the possibilities for environmental action in the shape of ecological citizenship in Sweden today? Do people in general hold values and attitudes in line with what is expected of the ecological citizen? If so, how? And if not, why?

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 44.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Revisiting the 'Legitimacy - Effectiveness Dilemma' of environmental protection: the importance of considering personal values in researching environmental policy legitimacy2008Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    The ‘legitimacy - effectiveness dilemma' of environmental protection in contemporary (liberal) democracies indicates that a choice has to be made between implementing policies and policy instruments which are effective in their long-term protection of the environment, or implementing policies which are legitimate in the sense that they respect and abide by core liberal principles. Theoretically, this notion has led to a range of attempts to demonstrate that (some forms of) sustainability are compatible with (some forms of) liberal democracy. Empirically, the dilemma has also had political implications as most governments are reluctant to frame the environmental challenge as requiring a fundamental attitude- and lifestyle changes. However, the notion of a legitimacy - effectiveness dilemma rest on fundamental assumptions lacking an important piece of the legitimacy-puzzle, which makes it difficult to reach a reliable conclusion on what the balancing of legitimacy and effectiveness in environmental policy-making requires. Missing from the notion of legitimacy as an ultimately normative concept is empirically determined answers to the questions on why people either accept or reject the policy; as well as which set of values that, in each particular context, must be respected in order for legitimacy to be at hand? Finding these answers require an examination of the personal values held by the majority of citizens; those values that are truly established in society and therefore can form the basis for a legitimate relationship, and an initial empirical testing of this approach to legitimacy also suggests that the obstacles to strong environmental protection should be less significant in political practice than in theory, as people seem willing to trade individual freedom for stronger environmental protection.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 45.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Revisiting the ‘legitimacy - effectiveness dilemma' of environmental protection: the importance of considering personal values in researching environmental policy legitimacy2007Conference paper (Refereed)
    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 46.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Sticks, carrots and legitimate policies: effectiveness and acceptance in Swedish environmental public policy2010In: Environmental Policy and Household Behaviour: Sustainability and Everyday Life, London: Earthscan / James & James, 2010Chapter in book (Other academic)
  • 47.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Sweden and Ecological Governance: Straddling the Fence" by Lennart J. Lundqvist (Issues in Environmental Politics Series). Manchester University Press, 2004. Pp. x+246.2006In: Environmental Politics, ISSN 0964-4016, E-ISSN 1743-8934, Vol. 15, no 1, p. 141-143Article, book review (Other academic)
  • 48.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    The global environment: institutions, law, and policy2005In: Environmental Politics, ISSN 0964-4016, E-ISSN 1743-8934, Vol. 14, no 5, p. 717-719Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Review of The Global Environment: Institutions, Law, and Policy, 2nd edn, edited by Regina S. Axelrod, David Leonard Downie and Norman J. Vig. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2005. ISBN 1-5680-2827-X

  • 49.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    The imagined environmental citizen: exploring the state - individual relationship in Swedish environmental policy2006Licentiate thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    As environmental problems today are understood as being problems of collective action, they also depend on the broad engagement of individual citizens for their successful solution. Institutions directed towards resolving the environmental situation need, accordingly, to be perceived by the citizenry as promoting acceptable goals, for acceptable reasons and by the use of acceptable means. In short, institutions aiming at instigating and sustaining collective action need first to be perceived by the collective itself as being legitimate. Emanating from the notion of public acceptance as essential for long-term effective policies, this thesis takes a first step towards an evaluation of the degree of legitimacy for Swedish environmental policy. In this endeavour, its primary purpose is to elucidate and study the foundations for policy legitimacy, that is, the normative principles embedded in political sustainability aspirations and expressed through the official Swedish environmental policy discourse. The main aim of this thesis is, accordingly; To explore, map and analyse the values, beliefs and principles underpinning Swedish environmental policy aiming at involving household members in the work towards an environmental sustainable society, as reflected through official policy documents and policy instruments in-use on both national and municipal levels of government. By the use of a value-oriented qualitative text analysis of both national and municipal policy documents, the normative foundations of Swedish environmental policy are outlined. Through this approach, important insights are reached in terms of how people, according to policy-makers, are expected to reason in environmental matters; what motivations are used to guide behaviour in this field; and what kinds of policy instruments and motivational statements are deemed the most effective for making people comply with new environmental norms of behaviour. Additionally, by applying three different conceptions of citizenship as the analytical framework by which the environmental norm is analysed, the thesis also examines to what extent the Swedish image of the ‘environmental citizen'; on the rights - obligations balance; on her motivations, values and participation in the environmental work, either express an image of a new ecological citizenship or keeps firmly within the traditional framework of the state - individual relationship. The thesis concludes first, that the normative foundations of Swedish environmental policy, on the national as well as the local level of government, draw strongly on collectivist values. All Swedish citizens are bound by a contract based in the membership of the Swedish community and shall therefore dutifully contribute to the common good by actively doing their bit in building the Green People's Home. The state - individual relationship is therefore interpreted as being contractual, territorially bound and based on the expectance of reciprocity. The responsibilities for political authority is, consequently, framed as to actively enlighten the citizens on what is considered the good life, and to steer the citizenry towards making (objectively defined) responsible or informed choices in everyday life. Education for sustainability thus plays an important part as the policy instrument of choice. In this context, the thesis also concludes that the environmental norm is, in almost unaltered form, transferred down to local authorities. Local level environmental policy thereby rests on the same normative foundations as the national policy discourse. Secondly, although Sweden has taken important steps on the way towards instigating new, environmental duties and responsibilities with the citizenry and towards expanding the citizenship sphere to encompass also the private, the image of the environmental citizen provided in the official environmental discourse still predominately resides within the framework of traditional, albeit environmentally sensitive, (civic-republican) citizenship.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 50.
    Matti, Simon
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    The individual or the community: towards a common understanding of values2004Conference paper (Refereed)
12 1 - 50 of 71
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf