What Motivates Individuals or Groups to Engage in Commons Initiatives? A Scoping Review
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Who joins commons initiatives, and why? This paper presents a scoping review of 53 theoretical and empirical studies from 2004 to 2023, focusing on the sociodemographics of commoners and their individual and group motivations for joining. The review reveals that a wide range of people participate in commons initiatives for a variety of complex reasons. Their decision to join may be influenced by normative motives, such as biospheric values and feelings of ethical responsibility. They may be motivated by self-interest, such as positive outcome expectations, or by high self-efficacy beliefs and easy access to the initiative. In terms of group motivations for joining commons, we highlight social identity, collective efficacy beliefs, mutual support and reciprocity, collaborative decision-making, and trust. Applying a broad theoretical and geographical scope in our review enhanced our understanding of people who participate in commons initiatives in the Global North and South.
Date Issued
2024
Publication Type
Article
Subjects
commons
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motivations
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participation
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motivational theories
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community-based initiatives
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grassroots initiatives
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theory of planned behaviour
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value-belief norm model
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norm activation
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social identity
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Journal
Global Environmental Psychology
Publisher
PsychOpen
ISSN
2750-6630
Access(Rights)
open.access