Exploring the harm of cognitive overload content to sustainable consumer choices

Vollständiger Abstract

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Building on conservation of resources theory (COR) and dual-process theory (DP), we explore how cognitive overload (CO) negatively affects sustainable consumer choices (SCC) in Pakistan’s digital and retail settings. We postulate decision fatigue (DF) as a mediator through which CO impairs consumers’ ability to sustainably purchase products. Further, we also propose digital nudging intensity (DNI) as a moderating factor. The results of a scenario-based experiment (Study 1) involving 392 consumers from Karachi and Lahore reveal that CO leads to a substantial reduction in sustainable intentions through DF. Study 2, using multiwave survey data of 214 online consumers in Pakistan, verifies the mediation of DF. We also observe that low intensity of digital nudging mitigates the influence of CO and high intensity of digital nudging increases DF, thus negatively affecting sustainable choices. Our work advances sustainable economic decision-making by incorporating psychological limitations with digital nudging and provides practical insight for creating sustainable consumer environments.