The availability of big data allows a wide range of predictive analyses that could inform policie... more The availability of big data allows a wide range of predictive analyses that could inform policies for promoting sustainable behaviors. While providing great predictive power, adopted models fall short in explaining the underlying mechanisms of behavior. However, predictive analyses can be enhanced by complementary theory-based inferential analyses, guiding tailored policy design to focus on relevant response mechanisms. This paper illustrates the complementary value of multidisciplinary inferential models in informing large predictive models. We focus on Structural Equation Modeling, an approach suitable for a holistic examination of different pathways and hypotheses from multiple disciplines. Drawing on an interdisciplinary theoretical framework we develop an empirically tractable model and apply it to a sample of household data from Switzerland. The model focuses on the relationships that delineate the underlying mechanisms for energy consumption behaviors in the case of private transportation. The results are discussed in light of possible contributions to policies aiming at the promotion of sustainable travel behavior as well as data requirements for analyses relying on big data.
The goal of this study is to develop a new typology of lifestyles, specifically related to sustai... more The goal of this study is to develop a new typology of lifestyles, specifically related to sustainable development. For this purpose, behavioral categories from the lifestyle sciences are examined on their relevance to sustainability. The procedure is based on the threedimensional sustainability model with the criteria environment, society and economy and on two systems of indicators of sustainable development. In addition, results of the environmentalist’s lifestyle sciences are considered, in order to distinguish between niche oriented and generalized ecological behavior and to optimize the environmental impact from a sustainability perspective. Based on these sociological and environmental lifestyle models, 16 categories of individual everyday behavior in postmodern societies are identified regarded as relevant to sustainable development. Examples of these categories are music interests, nutrition, consumption and fun, working place, residence, mobility and general environmental behavior. We build five lifestyle types oriented on behavior categories, supplemented by two value-oriented lifestyles. Using a probability model, the interrelations between the intensities of the categories of everyday behavior and the lifestyle types and the sustainability dimensions are explored. One of the main results is, that there is almost no interrelation between lifestyle types and environmental impacts. Concerning social and economic sustainability, the result is an aboveaverage performance for the progressive-pluralistic lifestyle. For the traditional-conservative lifestyle, there is a lower performance compared with the average. A more detailed Analysis for each behavioral category shows, that e.g. an interest for folk music leads to a higher probability for the traditional-conservative or for the community- and family oriented lifestyle. In the area of socio-demography, interrelations between lifestyle types and the variables age, education and income can be demonstrated.
The debate on transdisciplinary research has so far rarely addressed the epistemological and meth... more The debate on transdisciplinary research has so far rarely addressed the epistemological and methodological issues of this new form of scientific practice. With our paper we offer a contribution that attempts to fill this gap. Setting out from a system of knowledge desiderata of “problem-oriented research” we present an empirical analysis of problem-orientation, knowl- edge integration and participation of non-scientific actors in transdisciplinary research projects. The results show that the term “transdisciplinary research” is used for quite heterogeneous project goals and epistemic ends. The results reveal further that methods of knowledge integration are used only on a small scale and that participation often does not primarily serve epistemic ends. Thus, the notion of transdisciplinary research covers projects only in the sense of a family-resemblance, and does not represent a fertile methodological point of reference. Therefore, we propose to relate further methodological considerations with types of knowledge desiderata.
Secretariat geńeŕal du Deṕartement des infrastructures et des ressources humaines, Unité de deve... more Secretariat geńeŕal du Deṕartement des infrastructures et des ressources humaines, Unité de developpement durable Canton du Valais: Eric Nanchen, Fondation pour le Developpement durable des reǵions de montagne
The Palgrave Handbook of Indicators in Global Governance, 2017
Although the societal discourse on sustainable development has become more and more prominent and... more Although the societal discourse on sustainable development has become more and more prominent and agenda setting, the scholarly work on it is still highly diverse. This is why the chapter steps back first to position the topic within the broader scientific discourse on sustainable development. An outline of the most influential sustainability conceptions is given to get options for discussing fiscal sustainability. As “sustainable” is understood as an evaluative term for development, the chapter takes account of methodological foundations for sustainability assessment as a second step. The chapter finally argues that fiscal sustainability should be treated as a part of the broader sustainability discourse as it is about “ensuring the state’s action and reaction potential”. However, it deals with an instrumental, not an intrinsic, good.
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 2019
Autonomous vehicles, understood as vehicles that do not require manual steering, will cause disru... more Autonomous vehicles, understood as vehicles that do not require manual steering, will cause disruptive changes in the transportation sector. Many studies on autonomous vehicles address the sustainability potential of this technology, and they assume that vehicles will no longer be privately owned and will be used with pooling options (multiple riders on a trip). However, there is currently little evidence to indicate whether this assumption is supported by user preference. To address this gap, an online choice experiment including 709 participants was conducted. It assumed the full-market penetration of autonomous vehicles and explored future mode choices, considering both short-term and long-term mobility decisions. The experiment tested the influence of 15 short-term and 13 long-term decision instruments to encourage the adoption of shared and pooled use of autonomous vehicles, like autonomous taxis and autonomous public transport. Our findings partly support the assumption in the existing literature that vehicles are likely to be used in a pooled mode. In the control condition, 61% of Swiss respondents preferred pooled autonomous vehicles over private autonomous cars. Moreover, stated preferences indicated that combined instruments influencing comfort, cost, and time are likely to increase the proportion of pooled uses of autonomous vehicles.
The availability of big data allows a wide range of predictive analyses that could inform policie... more The availability of big data allows a wide range of predictive analyses that could inform policies for promoting sustainable behaviors. While providing great predictive power, adopted models fall short in explaining the underlying mechanisms of behavior. However, predictive analyses can be enhanced by complementary theory-based inferential analyses, guiding tailored policy design to focus on relevant response mechanisms. This paper illustrates the complementary value of multidisciplinary inferential models in informing large predictive models. We focus on Structural Equation Modeling, an approach suitable for a holistic examination of different pathways and hypotheses from multiple disciplines. Drawing on an interdisciplinary theoretical framework we develop an empirically tractable model and apply it to a sample of household data from Switzerland. The model focuses on the relationships that delineate the underlying mechanisms for energy consumption behaviors in the case of private transportation. The results are discussed in light of possible contributions to policies aiming at the promotion of sustainable travel behavior as well as data requirements for analyses relying on big data.
The goal of this study is to develop a new typology of lifestyles, specifically related to sustai... more The goal of this study is to develop a new typology of lifestyles, specifically related to sustainable development. For this purpose, behavioral categories from the lifestyle sciences are examined on their relevance to sustainability. The procedure is based on the threedimensional sustainability model with the criteria environment, society and economy and on two systems of indicators of sustainable development. In addition, results of the environmentalist’s lifestyle sciences are considered, in order to distinguish between niche oriented and generalized ecological behavior and to optimize the environmental impact from a sustainability perspective. Based on these sociological and environmental lifestyle models, 16 categories of individual everyday behavior in postmodern societies are identified regarded as relevant to sustainable development. Examples of these categories are music interests, nutrition, consumption and fun, working place, residence, mobility and general environmental behavior. We build five lifestyle types oriented on behavior categories, supplemented by two value-oriented lifestyles. Using a probability model, the interrelations between the intensities of the categories of everyday behavior and the lifestyle types and the sustainability dimensions are explored. One of the main results is, that there is almost no interrelation between lifestyle types and environmental impacts. Concerning social and economic sustainability, the result is an aboveaverage performance for the progressive-pluralistic lifestyle. For the traditional-conservative lifestyle, there is a lower performance compared with the average. A more detailed Analysis for each behavioral category shows, that e.g. an interest for folk music leads to a higher probability for the traditional-conservative or for the community- and family oriented lifestyle. In the area of socio-demography, interrelations between lifestyle types and the variables age, education and income can be demonstrated.
The debate on transdisciplinary research has so far rarely addressed the epistemological and meth... more The debate on transdisciplinary research has so far rarely addressed the epistemological and methodological issues of this new form of scientific practice. With our paper we offer a contribution that attempts to fill this gap. Setting out from a system of knowledge desiderata of “problem-oriented research” we present an empirical analysis of problem-orientation, knowl- edge integration and participation of non-scientific actors in transdisciplinary research projects. The results show that the term “transdisciplinary research” is used for quite heterogeneous project goals and epistemic ends. The results reveal further that methods of knowledge integration are used only on a small scale and that participation often does not primarily serve epistemic ends. Thus, the notion of transdisciplinary research covers projects only in the sense of a family-resemblance, and does not represent a fertile methodological point of reference. Therefore, we propose to relate further methodological considerations with types of knowledge desiderata.
Secretariat geńeŕal du Deṕartement des infrastructures et des ressources humaines, Unité de deve... more Secretariat geńeŕal du Deṕartement des infrastructures et des ressources humaines, Unité de developpement durable Canton du Valais: Eric Nanchen, Fondation pour le Developpement durable des reǵions de montagne
The Palgrave Handbook of Indicators in Global Governance, 2017
Although the societal discourse on sustainable development has become more and more prominent and... more Although the societal discourse on sustainable development has become more and more prominent and agenda setting, the scholarly work on it is still highly diverse. This is why the chapter steps back first to position the topic within the broader scientific discourse on sustainable development. An outline of the most influential sustainability conceptions is given to get options for discussing fiscal sustainability. As “sustainable” is understood as an evaluative term for development, the chapter takes account of methodological foundations for sustainability assessment as a second step. The chapter finally argues that fiscal sustainability should be treated as a part of the broader sustainability discourse as it is about “ensuring the state’s action and reaction potential”. However, it deals with an instrumental, not an intrinsic, good.
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 2019
Autonomous vehicles, understood as vehicles that do not require manual steering, will cause disru... more Autonomous vehicles, understood as vehicles that do not require manual steering, will cause disruptive changes in the transportation sector. Many studies on autonomous vehicles address the sustainability potential of this technology, and they assume that vehicles will no longer be privately owned and will be used with pooling options (multiple riders on a trip). However, there is currently little evidence to indicate whether this assumption is supported by user preference. To address this gap, an online choice experiment including 709 participants was conducted. It assumed the full-market penetration of autonomous vehicles and explored future mode choices, considering both short-term and long-term mobility decisions. The experiment tested the influence of 15 short-term and 13 long-term decision instruments to encourage the adoption of shared and pooled use of autonomous vehicles, like autonomous taxis and autonomous public transport. Our findings partly support the assumption in the existing literature that vehicles are likely to be used in a pooled mode. In the control condition, 61% of Swiss respondents preferred pooled autonomous vehicles over private autonomous cars. Moreover, stated preferences indicated that combined instruments influencing comfort, cost, and time are likely to increase the proportion of pooled uses of autonomous vehicles.
There seem to be good reasons that democratic institutions must be reformed in order to minimize ... more There seem to be good reasons that democratic institutions must be reformed in order to minimize the danger of unsustainable policy decisions infringing upon duties of intergenerational justice. This is why there exist a number of different proposals of how to reform democratic states in order to foster their duties towards the future. However, the debate lacks a systematic assessment of these suggested reforms within a coherent theoretical and norma-tive framework. This paper aims at developing such a framework. We suggest two conceptual dimensions defining the spectrum of different justi-fiable institutional reforms: the relation between democracy and justice as one dimension and the conditions considered relevant for viewing democracies as responsible collective agents as the other. Depending on how we understand this relation and these conditions, it is possible to substantiate a set of types of institutional reforms that will promote democracies? capacities to comply with their responsibilities towards the future.
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Papers by Paul Burger