Sunway University’s Professor Lim Weng Marc, Dean of Sunway Business School, explores the multifaceted world of consumption and ecological sustainability in this study. This comprehensive multi-study analysis leverages the power of scientometrics to uncover crucial insights into two perspectives: environmental values and planetary health.

First, the study uncovered that the productivity of consumption research addressing environmental values surpasses the productivity of research on planetary health. This phenomenon can be attributed to the emphasis on ecological sustainability in international agendas, such as sustainable development goals. The study’s findings highlight the need for future research at the intersection of environmental values and planetary health. This research should be accompanied by the development of new theories and frameworks to expand this critical domain.

Second, the study observes a disparity in research presence across academic journals. While there is a substantial body of research in "Environmental Science" and "Medicine" journals, which explore consumption and ecological sustainability, research in "Business, Management, and Accounting" journals, typically the domain of consumer and marketing studies, remains relatively limited. This disparity calls for concerted efforts from academic scholars and industry professionals to promote and publish more research in this area. Furthermore, educational institutions and funding sponsors can be pivotal in stimulating research interest in this underexplored domain.

Third, the study delves into the profoundness of research themes, revealing that research on environmental values generates more significant pieces in comparison to planetary health research. However, there are notable overlaps, particularly in areas related to food systems and planetary health diets. The study synthesises these significant themes from micro and macro perspectives into a meta-perspective of ecological sustainability through consumption. This forms an innovative conceptual framework that provides a valuable guide for scholars, industry professionals, and policymakers to navigate this complex field.

Looking ahead, the study has proposed several promising research directions. First, researchers should conduct deeper examinations of significant research streams, utilising frameworks like the Theory, Context, Characteristics, and Methods (TCCM) to facilitate detailed content analysis. Second, the conceptual framework, which integrates consumption research on environmental values and planetary health, should be empirically tested to validate and refine its utility. Third, industry professionals should be encouraged to collaborate with academic scholars to develop strategies and initiatives that promote sustainability and environmentally friendly products across various sectors.

In conclusion, this research offers a foundational understanding of consumption and ecological sustainability, serving as a crucial starting point for scholars, industry professionals, and policymakers. It underscores the importance of addressing environmental values and planetary health in consumption research and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to drive progress. The proposed conceptual framework provides a roadmap for transforming consumers into advocates for ecological sustainability and planetary health, safeguarding the future of our planet.
 

Professor Lim Weng Marc
Sunway Business School
Email: @email
 

This article has been adapted from Weng Marc Lim (2023), Avengers, assemble the literature! A multi-study review of consumption, environmental values, and planetary health research, DOI: 10.1002/cb.2188