Sufficiency

A systematic literature review

Bibliographic Data

ID12185331
AuthorsJessica Jungell-Michelsson (0000-0002-6204-9614, University of Helsinki, corresponding author), Pasi Heikkurinen (0000-0002-2207-0734, University of Helsinki)
Year2022
Volume195
Pages107380-107380
Publication date2022-02-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEcological Economics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0921-8009 • E-ISSN: 1873-6106
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ecolecon.2022.107380
OpenAlexW4213035980
LanguageEN
Citations received89
References cited107

The making of sustainable economies calls for sufficiency in production and consumption. The discussion, however, lacks a shared understanding on what it means to operationalize sufficiency. In this article, we review and analyze the concept of sufficiency with a focus on its linkages to different economic scales (with a focus on micro- and macroeconomics) and economic actors (particularly consumers and producers). Altogether 307 articles were screened, resulting in a final data set of 94 peer-reviewed articles. In addition to the core assumption of ‘enoughness’, we found three premises describing the concept: (1) complementarity of capitals, (2) social metabolism, and (3) altruism. In the reviewed literature, sufficiency is understood as both an end in itself and a means for bringing consumption and production within ecological limits. By conducting the first systematic literature review on sufficiency, the study explicates a more integrated understanding of sufficiency and highlights the need to treat sufficiency across economic scales and actors. In future research, empirical work should be emphasized to grasp the contextual varieties in the operationalization of sufficiency

Economics · Energy, Environment, and Transportation Policies · Environmental Impact and Sustainability

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