Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing (Third Edition)

Well written, easy to read...fair price.

The Community-Based Social Marketing steps and tools presented in Fostering Sustainable Behavior introduced me to a new way of approaching changing norms. Some of the concepts seem basic but with the hustle of daily life I sometimes forget to approach challenges in a positive, structured nature. The idea our society has become so complex that education alone does not promote change is a challenge I face daily. Without continual reinforcement, reminders, and sometimes firing workers who cannot follow the simplest instructions such as not smoking onsite makes me realize it is not just the construction field facing these challenges!The case studies focused mainly on social diffusion, prompts, and commitment. `Canada's "Turn it Off" Campaign' relied on commitment from motorists, stickers, and ultimately social diffusion by influencing others to participate so they would feel as if they were part of the group. Social diffusion was also shown to be effective in the `Protecting Watersheds' case study by direct communication and literature distribution. `The Reducing Outdoor Water Use' case study also proved commitment, direct communication, and prompts were the most effective way to foster social norms in a community. Commitments were again proved successful in the `Using Email to Change Behavior' by communicating regularly to ensure DEP staff was following through with their commitment. This method is also very cost efficient!The other two case studies `Increasing Hotel Towel Reuse' used descriptive norms as means to encourage energy conservation while `Making Biking Convenient' case study did not address anything besides convenience as a strategy. Overall, the case studies proved sustainable practices can become a norm through different strategies. I felt as if the case studies could have included more information to encompass all five steps. The book reiterates the same topics and I felt as if the organization could use improvement. For example, focus groups are referenced in Step 2 and Step 3, but I felt the statements about financial reimbursement were unnecessary and none of the case studies utilized focus groups.The quote by Albert Einstein "Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another; it is the only means, "is the most effective way to foster sustainable behavior in my opinion. Leading by example is the only way to outwardly show commitment and obtain credibility.

This was a text book for a college course, but I recommend it to anyone interested in saving our planet

Excellent book that every sustainability professional should own and follow. If you are engaged in education and outreach campaigns with the intent of changing behavior and you're not using this book, then you are ignoring over a decade of research about what actually works. Don't assume you know what works to change behavior. Pay attention to the research. This book will guide you through the literature and offers a methodology to follow.

Recommend it to who wants to try a community promotion. It’s our textbook and we needed to make a plan for planning a community based activity according to the book. It’s easy to follow the steps so we made it!

Great book, informative, easy read.

I am new to the area of marketing of sustainable behavior and this book is a nice and valuable start. Sometimes it feels like kicking in open doors, because of the requirement to investigate your target group but that is with all books about marketing I guess.Good examples and easy to read which creates a good understanding of what is required to start with fostering sustainable behavior.

Social marketing is marketing that seeks to make the world better in some way. This is the best all-in-one guide to what works in social marketing that I've ever seen. It focuses on sustainability-oriented campaigns, but the principles apply to all forms of social change.

Anyone interested in why people behave the way that they do and/or how to influence behaviour in a certain direction would be well advised to read this book. Doug-McKenzie-Mohr is one of the leading practitioners of 'Social Marketing' and a highly respected academic expert in his field. But this is not a dry textbook by any means and contains fascinating insights and examples that will be valuable to a wide range of readers.

It arrived in time and in excellent conditions

Great read for anyone who wants to be an effective communicator.