Overcoming reactance to climate change: the business-ecology nexus

Gajendra Prasad Liyanaarachchi; Thilini Gamage; Giampaolo Viglia; Charton Vachet

doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115229

Overcoming reactance to climate change: the business-ecology nexus

Gajendra Prasad Liyanaarachchi, Thilini Gamage, Giampaolo Viglia, Charton Vachet

School of Strategy, Marketing and Innovation

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

This study explores how concerns around misinformation, data integrity, and information asymmetry fuel psychological reactance among small business owners, impeding their adaptability to climate change initiatives. Through interviews with 25 small business owners across four countries, we uncover this reactance stemming from information risks. We propose the ’Business Ecology Nexus’ framework to address these challenges. Grounded in co-creation and customer engagement principles, this framework manages psychological reactance by balancing ecological and business values, providing a strategic pathway for small businesses to mitigate information risks and drive climate change adaptation. Our work offers actionable recommendations for businesses, climate authorities, technical experts, and policymakers to implement environmental strategies that protect businesses, consumers, and ecosystems.

Original language	English
Article number	115229
Number of pages	13
Journal	Journal of Business Research
Volume	190
Early online date	3 Feb 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115229
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 Climate Action

Keywords

Climate change
Customer engagement
Psychological reactance
Small business
Business ecology nexus
Information risk

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10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115229

Overcoming reactance to climate changeFinal published version, 683 KBLicence: CC BY

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title = "Overcoming reactance to climate change: the business-ecology nexus",

abstract = "This study explores how concerns around misinformation, data integrity, and information asymmetry fuel psychological reactance among small business owners, impeding their adaptability to climate change initiatives. Through interviews with 25 small business owners across four countries, we uncover this reactance stemming from information risks. We propose the {\textquoteright}Business Ecology Nexus{\textquoteright} framework to address these challenges. Grounded in co-creation and customer engagement principles, this framework manages psychological reactance by balancing ecological and business values, providing a strategic pathway for small businesses to mitigate information risks and drive climate change adaptation. Our work offers actionable recommendations for businesses, climate authorities, technical experts, and policymakers to implement environmental strategies that protect businesses, consumers, and ecosystems.",

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AU - Liyanaarachchi, Gajendra Prasad

AU - Gamage, Thilini

AU - Viglia, Giampaolo

AU - Vachet, Charton

PY - 2025/3/1

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AB - This study explores how concerns around misinformation, data integrity, and information asymmetry fuel psychological reactance among small business owners, impeding their adaptability to climate change initiatives. Through interviews with 25 small business owners across four countries, we uncover this reactance stemming from information risks. We propose the ’Business Ecology Nexus’ framework to address these challenges. Grounded in co-creation and customer engagement principles, this framework manages psychological reactance by balancing ecological and business values, providing a strategic pathway for small businesses to mitigate information risks and drive climate change adaptation. Our work offers actionable recommendations for businesses, climate authorities, technical experts, and policymakers to implement environmental strategies that protect businesses, consumers, and ecosystems.

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KW - Customer engagement

KW - Psychological reactance

KW - Small business

KW - Business ecology nexus

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VL - 190

JO - Journal of Business Research

JF - Journal of Business Research

M1 - 115229

ER -

Overcoming reactance to climate change: the business-ecology nexus

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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