Prosuming for a sustainable future? Effects of different forms of participatory value creation with respect to sustainability

Abstract

The phenomenon of users or consumers actively taking part in the value creation process of products is referred to as prosuming in sociology. In recent years prosuming in its various forms has been gaining widespread attention due in part to its association with different aspirations and expectations regarding, i.e., economic and sustainability effects. However, prosuming is a very broad topic and its impacts have not yet been conclusively examined. This article thus first provides an overview of the different sub-forms and existing definitions of prosuming. Using this as a basis, the possible effects on people and the environment are presented and analysed, including the question of the extent to which these effects can be considered sustainability effects.