Sustainable development outcomes of alternative consumer networks – A systematic review and logic model development

Abstract

Alternative consumer networks (ACNs) have become increasingly important for promoting sustainable development. This study provides a conceptual clarification of ACNs and systematically reviews their impact on sustainable development. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we identified 218 peer-reviewed references that report on sustainability outcomes of ACNs at different levels, including determinants of motivation, contextual changes, behavioral changes, and social, ecological, and economic impacts. Our findings demonstrate that ACNs have a multifaceted influence on sustainability, highlighting the interconnected nature of various outcomes. This holistic approach captures the broad and significant role ACNs play in advancing sustainable practices across multiple dimensions of sustainability. We synthesized these results into a comprehensive logic model, which serves as a practical tool for systematically assessing the impact of ACNs. This model helps practitioners focusing on relevant outcomes and to develop and implement effective strategies tailored to their specific contexts. Additionally, it provides researchers with a structured framework for further study, facilitating a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationships between different sustainability outcomes.