A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Emotions in sustainability advancement : Multiactor experiences of the ongoing green transition




AuthorsHaaja, Eini; Harikkala-Laihinen, Riikka

PublisherElsevier

Publication year2025

JournalJournal of Cleaner Production

Journal name in sourceJournal of Cleaner Production

Article number144532

Volume486

ISSN0959-6526

eISSN1879-1786

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144532(external)

Web address https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652624039817(external)


Abstract

Although individuals in various organizations are the agents of sustainability transitions, human experience remains an underdeveloped area in sustainability transition research. Building on interview data collected from public governance organizations, businesses, and their intermediaries, this qualitative study explores emotions experienced in the context of a European manufacturing industry undergoing a green transition. We find positive, negative, and mixed emotions targeted at various actors. Based on our findings, we formulate three propositions at different stages of the emotion elicitation process, reflecting actors’ interpretations and agency. By uncovering the sustainability transition-related emotions experienced by different actors, along with the objects of these emotions, this study sheds light on the system-wide complexity of advancing sustainability collectively. It also offers insights and recommendations for practitioners and paves the way for further research on emotions and their impact on sustainability transitions.


Funding information in the publication
This work was supported by Liikesivistysrahasto [the Foundation for Economic Education, MUUTOS project] and Suomen ulkomaankaupan edistämisrahasto [the Foundation for the Promotion of Finnish Foreign Trade, TULEVA project].


Last updated on 2025-10-02 at 11:49