| 1. |
- Adell, Gunnar, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Decreased tumor cell proliferation as an indicator of the effect of preoperative radiotherapy of rectal cancer
- 2001
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Ingår i: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. - 0360-3016 .- 1879-355X. ; 50:3, s. 659-663
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer is a common malignancy, with significant local recurrence and death rates. Preoperative radiotherapy and refined surgical technique can improve local control rates and disease-free survival.PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the tumor growth fraction in rectal cancer measured with Ki-67 and the outcome, with and without short-term preoperative radiotherapy.Method: Ki-67 (MIB-1) immunohistochemistry was used to measure tumor cell proliferation in the preoperative biopsy and the surgical specimen.MATERIALS: Specimens from 152 patients from the Southeast Swedish Health Care region were included in the Swedish rectal cancer trial 1987-1990.RESULTS: Tumors with low proliferation treated with preoperative radiotherapy had a significantly reduced recurrence rate. The influence on death from rectal cancer was shown only in the univariate analysis. Preoperative radiotherapy of tumors with high proliferation did not significantly improve local control and disease-free survival. The interaction between Ki-67 status and the benefit of radiotherapy was significant for the reduced recurrence rate (p = 0.03), with a trend toward improved disease-free survival (p = 0.08). In the surgery-alone group, Ki-67 staining did not significantly correlate with local recurrence or survival rates.CONCLUSION: Many Ki-67 stained tumor cells in the preoperative biopsy predicts an increased treatment failure rate after preoperative radiotherapy of rectal cancer.
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| 2. |
- Evertsson, Sofia, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Apoptosis in relation to proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Dukes' stage in colorectal adenocarcinoma
- 1999
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Oncology. - 1019-6439 .- 1791-2423. ; 15:1, s. 53-58
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Colorectal cancer is a disease that is associated with default in the balance of apoptotic regulation. In the present study apoptosis was examined in 158 colorectal adenocarcinomas using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The median apoptotic index (AI) was 0.95% (range 0-6. 68%). Eighty-two tumours exhibited AI 0.95%. We revealed a positive correlation between apoptosis and proliferation determined as the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA, p=0.002). The frequency of apoptosis increased from Dukes' stage A, B, C to D (p=0.01). No correlations were found between apoptosis and the patients' sex, age, tumour location, growth pattern, differentiation, prognosis, bcl-2, p53 or K-ras. Our findings suggest that we should further investigate the relationship between apoptosis and cellular proliferative activity in colorectal cancer to evaluate whether this might provide additional information in the selection of patients for effective adjuvant therapy.
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| 3. |
- Fagman, Johan Bourghardt, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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The androgen receptor confers protection against diet-induced atherosclerosis, obesity, and dyslipidemia in female mice.
- 2015
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Ingår i: FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. - : Wiley. - 1530-6860 .- 0892-6638. ; 29:4, s. 1540-1550
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Androgens have important cardiometabolic actions in males, but their metabolic role in females is unclear. To determine the physiologic androgen receptor (AR)-dependent actions of androgens on atherogenesis in female mice, we generated female AR-knockout (ARKO) mice on an atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient background. After 8 weeks on a high-fat diet, but not on a normal chow diet, atherosclerosis in aorta was increased in ARKO females (+59% vs. control apoE-deficient mice with intact AR gene). They also displayed increased body weight (+18%), body fat percentage (+62%), and hepatic triglyceride levels, reduced insulin sensitivity, and a marked atherogenic dyslipidemia (serum cholesterol, +52%). Differences in atherosclerosis, body weight, and lipid levels between ARKO and control mice were abolished in mice that were ovariectomized before puberty, consistent with a protective action of ovarian androgens mediated via the AR. Furthermore, the AR agonist dihydrotestosterone reduced atherosclerosis (-41%; thoracic aorta), subcutaneous fat mass (-44%), and cholesterol levels (-35%) in ovariectomized mice, reduced hepatocyte lipid accumulation in hepatoma cells in vitro, and regulated mRNA expression of hepatic genes pivotal for lipid homeostasis. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the AR protects against diet-induced atherosclerosis in female mice and propose that this is mediated by modulation of body composition and lipid metabolism.-Fagman, J. B., Wilhelmson, A. S., Motta, B. M., Pirazzi, C., Alexanderson, C., De Gendt, K., Verhoeven, G., Holmäng, A., Anesten, F., Jansson, J. -O., Levin, M., Borén, J., Ohlsson, C., Krettek, A., Romeo, S., Tivesten, A. The androgen receptor confers protection against diet-induced atherosclerosis, obesity, and dyslipidemia in female mice.
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| 4. |
- Gunnarsson, Cecilia, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Amplification of HSD17B1 has prognostic significance in postmenopausal breast cancer
- 2008
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Ingår i: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0167-6806 .- 1573-7217. ; 108:1, s. 35-41
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In situ synthesis of estrogens is believed to be of great importance for the progression of breast cancer. In postmenopausal women most estrogens are synthesized in peripheral hormone-target tissues from circulating precursor steroids, by the enzymes involved in formation of active estrogens. One of the enzymes involved in this process is 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) type 1. This enzyme catalyzes the interconversion of estrone (E1) to the biologically more potent estradiol (E2). The gene coding for 17β-HSD type 1 (HSD17B1) is located at 17q12-21. The aim of this study was to investigate altered gene copy number of HSD17B1 in breast cancer. We used real-time PCR and examined 387 postmenopausal breast tumors for amplification of HSD17B1, and if an increased mRNA level of this enzyme is associated with amplification of the gene. We also investigated whether amplification of HSD17B1 has a prognostic value. There was a significant correlation between gene copy number of HSD17B1 and mRNA expression level (P = 0.00002). ER-positive patients with amplification of HSD17B1 showed lower breast cancer survival than patients without amplification (P = 0.025). Among ER-negative patients there was no significant correlation between increased gene copy number of HSD17B1 and prognosis. Furthermore, we found that amplification of the gene had prognostic significance in multivariate analysis adjusting for other clinicopathological variables. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
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| 5. |
- Gunnarsson, Cecilia, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Expression of COX-2 and steroid converting enzymes in breast cancer
- 2006
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Ingår i: Oncology Reports. - 1021-335X .- 1791-2431. ; 16:2, s. 219-224
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- COX-2 is upregulated in many breast tumors, and one of the products of COX-2 is PGE2 that is suggested to upregulate aromatase through cAMP signaling in breast cancer. Although aromatase can increase the estrogen levels in tumors, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) activity is finally needed for the estrone/estradiol regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate if the protein expression of enzymes involved in estrogen synthesis shows covariation with the expression of COX-2. We also wanted to correlate these results with prognosis. We analyzed the expression of COX-2, aromatase, 17HSD1 and 17HSD2 with immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays composed of 356 primary breast tumors. In the present study COX-2 was correlated to aromatase (P<0.00001), 17HSD1 (P=0.0073), and 17HSD2 (P<0.00001). Patients with ER positive tumors expressing low amounts of 17HSD2 had decreased breast cancer survival (P=0.013). Elevated expression of COX-2 and aromatase was more frequent among larger tumors (P=0.017 and P=0.013). COX-2 expression correlates with the levels of the examined steroid converting enzymes and may contribute to increased estrogen levels in the tumor. In breast cancer cells, the regulatory function of 17HSD2 could be lost, and in the present study patients with low or non-detectable levels of 17HSD2 had worse prognosis than had breast cancer patients with higher levels of the enzyme.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 14 affects estradiol levels in breast cancer cells and is a prognostic marker in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
- 2006
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Ingår i: Cancer Research. - 0008-5472 .- 1538-7445. ; 66:23, s. 11471-11477
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Estrogens have an important role in the progression of breast cancer. The 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) family has been identified to be of significance in hormone-dependent tissues. 17HSD1 and 17HSD2 are the main 17HSD enzymes involved in breast cancer investigated this far, but it is possible that other hormone-regulating enzymes have a similar role. 17HSD5 and 17HSD12 are associated with sex steroid metabolism, and 17HSD14 is a newly discovered enzyme that may be involved in the estrogen balance. The mRNA expression of 17HSD5, 17HSD12, and 17HSD14 were analyzed in 131 breast cancer specimens by semiquantitative real-time PCR. The results were compared with recurrence-free survival and breast cancer-specific survival of the patients. The breast cancer cell lines MCF7, SKBR3, and ZR75-1 were transiently transfected with 17HSD14 to investigate any possible effect on estradiol levels. We found that high 17HSD5 was related to significantly higher risk of late relapse in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive patients remaining recurrence-free later than 5 years after diagnosis (P = 0.02). No relation to 17HSD12 expression was found, indicating that 17HSD12 is of minor importance in breast cancer. Patients with ER-positive tumors with high expression levels of 17HSD14 showed a significantly better prognosis about recurrence-free survival (P = 0.008) as well as breast cancer-specific survival (P = 0.01), confirmed by multivariate analysis (P = 0.04). Transfection of 17HSD14 in the human breast cancer cells MCF7 and SKBR3 significantly decreased the levels of estradiol, presenting an effect of high expression levels of the enzyme. ©2006 American Association for Cancer Research.
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| 8. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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A new polymorphism in the coding region of exon four in HSD17B2 in relation to risk of sporadic and hereditary breast cancer
- 2007
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Ingår i: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0167-6806 .- 1573-7217. ; 106:1, s. 57-64
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In situ synthesis of oestrogens is of great importance in the development and progression of breast cancer. 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) type 2 catalyses oxidation from oestradiol to oestrone, and thereby protects the breast epithelial cells from oestradiol. Low expression of 17HSD type 2 has been associated with decreased survival in breast cancer, but no studies have investigated the mechanism behind the low expression. The 17HSD type 2 gene (HSD17B2) was screened for mutations with Single Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP)-DNA sequencing in 59 sporadic breast cancer cases, 19 hereditary breast cancer cases and seven breast cancer cell lines. DNA samples from 226 healthy individuals were used to identify if changes were previously unknown polymorphisms. No mutation was detected and therefore mutations in HSD17B2 do not explain why some breast tumours exhibit low 17HSD type 2 expression. However, a previously unknown polymorphism was found in exon four (Met226Val). Using molecular modelling, we found that the substituted residue is located at the outer part of the steroid binding site, probably causing minor alterations in the substrate binding. We further studied if the polymorphism contributes to breast cancer susceptibility in a larger material, but did not find an increased risk in the group of 317 sporadic breast cancer patients, 188 breast cancer patients with two close relatives with breast cancer or 122 hereditary breast cancer patients, compared to the healthy control group. We suggest that the detected polymorphism does not contribute to a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
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| 9. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Bax expression decreases significantly from primary tumor to metastasis in colorectal cancer
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Oncology. - 0732-183X .- 1527-7755. ; 20:3, s. 811-816
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Bax is a proapoptotic member of the bcl-2 family. Previous studies about Bax have shown that the expression increases from normal to tumor tissue, but the clinical significance is contradictory. Our aims were to analyze the expression of Bax from normal mucosa to primary tumor and to metastases in colorectal cancer patient. We further investigated whether low Bax expression in the primary tumor or changed expression from normal mucosa to primary tumor and to metastases had biologic and clinical significance.PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 135 patients with primary colorectal adenocarcinoma, of whom 31 had metastases in the lymph nodes and 75 had normal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry, DNA sequencing, and microsatellite analysis were used to detect Bax expression, mutations, and microsatellite instability.RESULTS: The protein was observed in 132 of 135 tumors, all normal epithelial cells and metastases. The frequencies of weak expression were greater from well/moderately to poorly differentiated and to mucinous carcinomas. Bax expression was stronger from normal to tumor tissue, but subsequently decreased in metastases. The matched cases with lower expression in the metastases than in the primary tumor showed a more infiltrative growth pattern and more distal metastases.CONCLUSION: The association of Bax expression with tumor differentiation/histologic types and a decreased expression in the metastases, suggests that Bax expression may be involved in tumor differentiation/histologic types and metastatic progression. We also propose the novel notion that changed Bax expression in the metastases compared with the primary tumors might provide information to determine the clinicopathologic characteristics of the tumor.
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| 10. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Combined deficiency of hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH3 and hMSH6 is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer
- 2003
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Oncology. - 1019-6439 .- 1791-2423. ; 22:1, s. 41-49
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examined biological and clinicopathological significance of individual and combined hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH3 and hMSH6 expression with immunohistochemistry in 301 unselected colorectal cancers. Weak hMLH1 expression was correlated to microsatellite instability (P=0.04), negative p53 expression (P=0.005) and mucinous carcinomas (P=0.02). Weak hMSH2 expression was related to negative ras (P<0.001) and p53 expression (P=0.005), and better survival (P=0.03). hMSH2, hMSH3 and hMSH6, as well as hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH3 and hMSH6, were combined into a 'functional' and a 'less-functional' group, respectively. Both 'less-functional' groups were/tended to be associated with microsatellite instability, negative ras and p53 expression, and better survival. In summary, hMLH1 and hMSH2 were more important when investigated individually, and the combined groups were more related to the mutator pathway, suggesting that combined deficiencies of the proteins are more efficiently involved in the mutator pathway. Our result from weak versus strong staining may suggest that the intensity of staining should be considered in future studies on mismatch repair proteins.
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| 11. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-
(författare)
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Molecular alterations in colorectal cancer
- 2002
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes to death due to cancer in the world. It is important to understand the molecular mechanisms behind tumour development for both prognostic and therapeutic applications. In this thesis, we have focused on genes and proteins related to tumour suppressor function, apoptosis and DNA repair in patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas. In Paper I, the pattern of mutations affecting the tumour suppressor p53 was investigated in 75 cases in order to determine whether there were any specific mutations in the cases with p53 accumulated in the cytoplasm. We found that the frequency and pattern of mutation were similar to those with nuclear p53 expression, suggesting that the prognostic importance of cytoplasmic p53 accumulation may depend on both mutational and non-mutational mechanisms. In Paper II we investigated the protein expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax from normal mucosa to primary tumour and to regional lymph node metastases in 135 patients. We further examined Bax mutations and the microsatellite status in the primary tumours. Bax expression was stronger from normal to tumour tissue, but decreased in the metastases. The matched cases with lower expression in the metastastases than in the primary tumour showed a more infiltrative growth pattern and more distal metastases. In paper III the mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Noxa was examined with real-time PCR and mutations searched for in 94 colorectal tumours and the corresponding normal mucosa. Noxa mRNA expression was weak in 9% and strong in 2% of the tumours and decreased in 9% and increased in 16% of the tumours compared to the normal mucosa. The expression was not related to clinicopathological features. We did not find any mutations in the gene. In Paper IV we studied the biological and clinicopathological importance of protein expression of the mismatch repair genes hMLHJ, hMSH2, hMSH3 and hMSH6 individually or combined in 301 colorectal cancers. When analysed individually, hMLH1 and hMSH2 were more important and the combined groups were more related to the mutator pathway, suggesting that the combined deficiencies of the proteins are more efficiently involved in the mutator pathway. Our result from comparing weak versus strong staining may suggest that the intensity of staining should be considered in future studies on the expression of mismatch repair proteins.
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| 12. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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mRNA and protein expression of PUMA in sporadic colorectal cancer.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Oncology Reports. - 1021-335X .- 1791-2431. ; 12:6, s. 1245-1249
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PUMA is a BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family, up-regulated by p53 as a response to DNA damage. We have investigated the mRNA expression of PUMA with real-time PCR in 94 colorectal adenocarcinomas and the corresponding normal mucosa. Among them PUMA protein expression was investigated with immunohistochemistry in 23 tumours and 17 corresponding normal mucosa samples. The mRNA expression of PUMA decreased in 4% and increased in 4% of the tumours compared with the normal mucosa. The protein expression of PUMA decreased in 6% and increased in 29% of the tumours compared with the normal mucosa. Decreased PUMA expression in the tumour compared with the corresponding mucosa was correlated with the distal colon and rectum (P=0.02). We did not find any other relationship to clinical or pathological features. We suggest that the changes in PUMA expression may be of minor importance in the development of colorectal cancer.
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| 13. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Noxa in colorectal cancer : A study on DNA, mRNA and protein expression
- 2003
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Ingår i: Oncogene. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0950-9232 .- 1476-5594. ; 22:30, s. 4675-4678
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Noxa is a BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family, upregulated by p53 as a response to DNA damage. Mutations in the BH3-only region of other BH3-only members lead to an inactive protein. We have investigated the mRNA expression of Noxa with real-time PCR in 94 unselected colorectal adenocarcinomas and the corresponding normal mucosa. Among them, Noxa protein expression was investigated with immunohistochemistry in 16 tumors and six corresponding normal mucosa samples. Further, we searched for Noxa mutations in all the cases using single-stranded conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. The mRNA expression of Noxa was weak in 9% and strong in 2% of the tumors, and decreased in 9% and increased in 16% of the tumors compared with the normal mucosa, however, these changes did not have any clinical or pathological significance. The protein level in most of the cases investigated was correlated with the mRNA level. We did not find any mutations in the Noxa gene. Thus, we suggest that Noxa may not be of importance in the development of colorectal cancer.
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| 14. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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p53 mutations are present in colorectal cancer with cytoplasmic p53 accumulation
- 2001
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 92:3, s. 338-341
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous studies have shown that nuclear p53 over-expression is an indicator of p53 mutations whereas cytoplasmic p53 accumulation is related to wild-type p53 in several kinds of tumors. Cytoplasmic p53 accumulation has been demonstrated to be an independent prognostic factor in colorectal adenocarcinomas. The purpose was to examine whether mutations occur in cases with p53 accumulated in the cytoplasm and whether there are any differences in the frequency and characteristics of p53 mutations in different staining patterns. In the present study, we identified p53 mutations using PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing in 75 primary colorectal adenocarcinomas with different staining patterns (negative, nucleus, cytoplasm, nucleus and cytoplasm). The results show that the frequency and nature of mutations in tumors with cytoplasmic p53 accumulation were similar to those with nuclear p53 expression. However, the tumors with accumulation in both the nucleus and cytoplasm demonstrated a higher mutation rate. We suppose that the role of cytoplasmic p53 accumulation in predicting prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer may be dependent on both mutational and non-mutational mechanisms.
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| 15. |
- Jansson, Agneta, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Proliferative responses to altered 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) type 2 expression in human breast cancer cells are dependent on endogenous expression of 17HSD type 1 and the oestradiol receptors
- 2006
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Ingår i: Endocrine-Related Cancer. - : Bioscientifica. - 1351-0088 .- 1479-6821. ; 13:3, s. 875-884
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The primary source of oestrogen in premenopausal women is the ovary but, after menopause, oestrogen biosynthesis in peripheral tissue is the exclusive site of formation. An enzyme group that affects the availability of active oestrogens is the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) family. In breast cancer, 17HSD type 1 and type 2 have been mostly investigated and seem to be the principal 17HSD enzymes involved thus far. The question whether 17HSD type 1 or type 2 is of greatest importance in breast tumour development is still not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate how the loss of 17HSD type 2 expression, using siRNA in the non-tumour breast epithelial cells HMEC (human mammal epithelial cells) and MCF10A, and gain of 17HSD type 2 expression, using transient transfection in the breast cancer derived cell lines MCF7 and T47D, affect oestradiol conversion and proliferation rate measured as S-phase fraction. We further investigated how this was related to the endogenous expression of 17HSD type 1 and oestradiol receptors in the examined cell lines. The oestradiol level in the medium changed significantly in the MCF7 transfected cells and the siRNA-treated HMEC cells, but not in T47D or MCF10A. The S-phase fraction decreased in the 17HSD type 2-transfected MCF7 cells and the siRNA-treated HMEC cells. The results seemed to be dependent on the endogenous expression of 17HSD type 1 and the oestradiol receptors. In conclusion, we found that high or low levels of 17HSD type 2 affected the oestradiol concentration significantly. However, the response was dependent on the endogenous expression of 17HSD type 1. Expression of 17HSD type 1 seems to be dominant to 17HSD type 2. Therefore, it may be important to investigate a ratio between 17HSD type 1 and 17HSD type 2.
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| 16. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-
(författare)
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Car(ing) for our environment? : Consumer eco-innovation adoption and curtailment behaviors: The case of the alternative fuel vehicle.
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Determinants influencing consumer eco-innovation adoption and green curtailment behaviors in a travel context are at the center of this thesis. Previous research on green consumer behavior has uncovered that internalized personal attitudinal factors such as values, beliefs, and norms are influential in determining mainly non-consumption and post-purchase behaviors. This thesis extends the understanding of a moral basis of green consumer behavior by exploring the influences of attitudinal factors on both car curtailment behaviors, and on consumer adoption of a high involvement eco-innovation – the alternative fuel vehicle. The integrated influences of innovation specific characteristics, car habits, knowledge and social norms, are also examined. Furthermore, differences between AFV adopters and non-adopters are explored, and the notion of consumers performing purchase and curtailment behaviors for different reasons is utilized in the development of nuanced profiles of three distinct consumer groups. Four studies, which build on two quantitative data collections on adopters and non-adopters of AFVs in Sweden, are included in this thesis.In the first study, similarities and differences among adopters and non-adopters of AFVs, and the effects of attitudinal factors (values, beliefs, and norms), knowledge, and sociodemographics on the adoption decision are analyzed. The results show that knowledge and personal norms are strong predictors of AFV adoption and that the VBN theory is applicable in this context. The main implication from the study is that high-involvement green purchase decisions, such as eco-innovation adoption, can be viewed as morally based.In the second study, a set of determinants influencing both curtailment of car use and willingness to adopt a less environmentally harmful vehicle are analyzed. Biospheric values, personal proenvironmental norms, and car habit strength are found to influence both types of behaviors in different ways. The main implication from this study is that green purchase decisions and curtailment behaviors within a specific context are determined by partly different factors but personal norm is a strong predictor of both types of behaviors.The third study extends the findings from the previous one in segmenting consumers on curtailment behaviors and proenvironmental purchases. Three distinct types of consumers emerge from the data. The Non-greens are found to exhibit the lowest levels of green attitudes and behaviors, and the strongest car habits. The Curtailers are distinguished by performing primarily reductionist behaviors, and by being the most willing to reduce negative environmental impact of car use. The Ecovators are found to be the most inclined to purchase eco-innovations and also display the greenest values. The study shows that green consumers are a heterogeneous group that can be separated on the basis of green curtailment behaviors and proenvironmental purchase decisions, and that there seems to be no inherent contradiction in being an early adopter of new green technology (such as the AFV) and also having high levels of proenvironmental values, beliefs, and norms.In the final study, innovation specific characteristics and consumer innovativeness factors are integrated with normative and attitudinal determinants influencing AFV adoption. The results show that personal and social norms, consumer novelty seeking, and four perceived innovation characteristics influence the adoption decision. Differences between AFV adopters’ and non-adopters’ ratings of AFV specific attributes are also analyzed. The contribution of this study is the integration of VBN theory and the DOI framework and the empirical conclusion that eco-innovations need to deliver on both traditional and proenvironmental attributes in order to be perceived as attractive by consumers.In sum, this thesis demonstrates the importance of proenvironmental personal norms for consumer adoption of a high involvement eco-innovation such as the AFV.
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| 17. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Consumer adoption of alternative fuel vehicles : a cluster analytic approach on proenvironmental technology choices and curtailment behaviors
- 2009
-
Ingår i: In Proceedings of the 14th Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) Biennial World Marketing Congress, July 21-25, Oslo, Norway.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- One of the most pressing sustainability issues currently concerns personal car use. From an environmental consumer psychology viewpoint, a substantial knowledge base has developed concerning curtailment behaviors focusing on, for example, the reduction of personal transport. However, little has been done from a marketing perspective using that knowledge to understand proenvironmental technology choices and purchase behaviors. In this paper we use a cluster analytic approach to group consumers on replacement intentions for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and willingness to reduce negative impact of transportation (curtailment). We use data from a sample of 4,000 adopters and non-adopters of AFVs in Sweden (European market leader of AFVs), when developing profiles of uninformed, shallow green and deeper green consumers. After confirming the results using discriminant analysis, we profile the groups on attitudinal factors, proenvironmental behaviors and adoption of AFVs. Finally we draw conclusions and present theoretical and marketing implications of our results.
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| 18. |
- Jansson, Johan, Professor, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Consumer Adoption of Alternative Fuel Vehicles: A Cluster Analytic Approach on Proenvironmental Technology Choices and Curtailment Behaviors
- 2015
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Ingår i: Marketing in Transition: Scarcity, Globalism, & Sustainability. - Cham : Springer Nature. - 9783319186863 - 9783319369563 - 9783319186870 ; , s. 3-3
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although the private passenger car brings consumers freedom of mobility and expression, the downsides to the car focused society are also becoming obvious. Perhaps air pollution and the squandering of dwindling fossil oil resources are the most commonly discussed issues. In order to reduce emissions and to consume less oil, the traditional approach has been to influence consumers to curtail their car use and influence them to switch to other modes of transportation. Considering the increasing private car use in most countries this approach has had limited effect. Another approach winning ground currently is the path of technological development, where new types of vehicles have been developed that are marketed as having a lesser environmental impact than the conventional fossil oil fuelled cars. From a consumer perspective these new alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), running on fuels such as ethanol, natural/biogas and to some extent on electricity, can be viewed as proenvironmental innovations. The problem is that much research within environmental psychology has focused primarily on curtailment behaviors rather than on understanding consumer adoption of purportedly proenvironmental innovations. For example, Stern and colleagues have developed the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory postulating that activated personal norms influence consumers’ proenvironmental behaviors. Although well proven, the VBN-theory has mainly focused on curtailment behaviors. From a consumer behavior point of view, less is known about consumer adoption of proenvironmental innovations.
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| 19. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Elucidating green consumers : a cluster analytic approach on proenvironmental purchase and curtailment behaviors
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Euromarketing. - : Routledge / Taylor & Francis. - 1049-6483 .- 1528-6967. ; 18:4, s. 245-267
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study used a cluster analytic approach with the purpose of arriving at a nuanced picture of consumers, in relation to green purchase and curtailment behaviors. Based on Swedish car owners’ values, beliefs, norms, habits, and personal capabilities, three clusters emerged that were validated using discriminant analysis: non-greens, curtailers, and ecovators. The profiling constructs showed that ecovators (ecological innovators) had the highest levels of green beliefs and were found to be innovators with respect to a high involvement eco-innovation (the alternative fuel vehicle). Marketing and policy implications together with suggestions for further research on proenvironmental consumer behavior are provided.
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| 20. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Encouraging consumer curtailment behaviour and eco-innovation adoption : detailing the marketing challenge
- 2011. - 1
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Ingår i: Readings and cases in sustainable marketing. - Melbourne : Tilde University Press. - 9780734610850 ; , s. 257-272
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chapter 7: Much research on consumer environmentally significant behaviours has focused on behaviours that reduce environmental harm, such as saving energy and water. Although determinants of curtailment behaviours are important to understand, for environmental reasons it is also vital to understand the factors that drive or hinder consumers to adopt innovations that are less harmful for the environment, i.e. eco-innovations. In this chapter we discuss two types of consumer behaviours as part of the solution to environmental sustainability issues and detail the marketing challenge in encouraging consumers to adopt such behaviours. We arrive at the marketing challenge matrix where determinants of adoption and non-adoption of curtailment behaviours and eco-innovations is illustrated. The matrix proposes different ways to encourage wider adoption of these behaviours. Since drivers are both similar and different for curtailment behaviours and eco-innovation adoption, but the overall goal is similar, an understanding of these factors and how to handle them in marketing efforts will contribute in the ongoing attempts at achieving environmental sustainability.
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| 21. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring early adopters of an eco-innovation : The case of the alternative fuel vehicle
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Consumer Behaviour. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1472-0817 .- 1479-1838. ; 10:1, s. 51-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Environmental problems are increasingly becoming everyday issues of international organizations, national governments, and individual consumers. In consumer behavior research considerable effort has been focused on understanding environmentally significant behaviors. One such research stream uses the value-belief-norm theory (VBN) to explain and predict a number of relatively low involvement proenvironmental consumer behaviors such as household energy use. However, many consumer behaviors with significant impact on the environment are categorized as high involvement behaviors where VBN theory has not yet been employed. The aim of this paper is to arrive at a better understanding of consumer adoption of a high involvement eco-innovation using VBN theory. As an example of a high involvement eco-innovation the alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) which runs on fossil oil-alternative fuels such as electricity and biofuels is used. A representative sample of adopters and non-adopters of these vehicles in Sweden were surveyed. Differences between adopters and non-adopters on sociodemographic and VBN factors were analyzed and the explanatory ability of the different factors on adoption was analyzed using logistic regression. The results showed that early adopters had a higher level of education and were much more likely to live in multi-person households compared to non-adopters. In terms of attitudinal factors, adopters exhibited higher levels of proenvironmental values, beliefs, and personal norms (PNs). Furthermore the results established that VBN factors were successful in explaining the early adoption of a high involvement eco-innovation such as the AFV. The implications for consumer research, public policymakers, and for marketers of eco-innovations are discussed.
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| 22. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Green consumer behavior : Determinants of curtailment and eco-innovation adoption
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Consumer Marketing. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0736-3761 .- 2052-1200. ; 27:4, s. 358-370
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – Knowledge of green consumer behavior is important for environmental and business reasons. The purpose of this study is to examine thedeterminants of green curtailment behaviors and consumer adoption of innovations marketed as green (eco-innovations), and to analyze factorsexplaining these two types of green behaviors. Design/methodology/approach – The results from a survey on adopters and non-adopters (N = 1,832) of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) arereported. Regression analysis on willingness to curtail car use and willingness to adopt a so-called environmentally friendly car are used to identifysignificant determinants across the behavioral categories. Findings – The results show that values, beliefs, norms, and habit strength determine willingness to curtail and willingness for eco-innovationadoption. Personal norms have a strong positive influence on willingness for the behaviors and habit strength has a negative influence. The otherdeterminants have varying influence depending on type of behavior. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of this study concerns the focus on only one eco-innovation. However, since the adoption of AFVs isa high involvement behavior, the results carry implications for other high involvement products as well.Practical implications – Attitudinal factors and habits in combination prove to be effective determinants for curtailment behaviors and willingness toadopt eco-innovations. In addition, previous adoption is found to be a strong determinant of future willingness to adopt. Originality/value – The contribution of the paper is the two-sided approach on green consumer behavior and the result that values, beliefs and normsnot only predict low involvement post-purchase behaviors but also adoption of high involvement eco-innovations.
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| 23. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Motives for continuous adoption of a proenvironmental innovation : the case of alternative fuel vehicles and fuels
- 2009
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Ingår i: In Proceedings of the 38th European Marketing Academy Conference (EMAC), May 26-29, Nantes, France.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although much consumer adoption research focuses on the innovation-decision process, little research examines the motives for continuous use of the innovation after adoption. For proenvironmental innovations, the continued use of the innovation in an environmental way is imperative in order to reach intended environmental benefits. The aim of this paper is to examine factors influencing continuous usage of an adopted innovation. We report an empirical study carried out in Sweden on adopters of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The results show that contextual and attitudinal factors, personal capabilities, and how-to knowledge significantly influence continuous adoption. Implications for further research on proenvironmental innovations and continuous adoption are presented.
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| 24. |
- Jansson, Johan, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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The fossil fuel free future : comparing attitudes and behaviors among owners of alternative fuel vehicles and conventional vehicles
- 2007
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Ingår i: In Proceedings of the 13th Annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference (AISDRC), June 9-12, Västerås, Sweden.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The increase of passenger cars and the use of them has been identified as one cause of the increase in emissions of fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) and thus global warming. One way to slow this acceleration of emissions is to replace the current fleet of conventional vehicles (CV) running on fossil based fuels for one that is fuelled by alternative fuels (AF) such as bioethanol and/or biogas. A key stakeholder in this process is the consumer. Without consumers purchasing alternative fuel vehicles (AFV:s) and filling them up with AF:s, a decrease in the emissions fossil CO2 will be hard to achieve. The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of consumer attitudes and behaviors in relation to cars and fuels in a time of a possible market breakthrough of a more environmentally friendly technology. A mail-in survey was conducted on private car owners in Sweden during the winter of 2006. The sample consisted of approximately 4000 car owners, of which 1000 were owners of AFV:s, and the final response rate was close to 50%. Together with measuring attitudes and behavior towards cars and fuels, other environmentally friendly behaviors were also included, such as recycling, conserving energy and buying of organically grown food. By comparing owners of AFV:s and owners of CV:s, differences between the groups are identified and discussed. By presenting these differences, policy makers, vehicle and fuel producers, and consumers, can gain initial insights into a progressing market breakthrough for AFV:s and AF:s.
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