Katherine Whalen
Papers
2
Total Citations
145
H-Index
2
About
Dr. Katherine Whalen is a leading researcher at the intersection of consumer behavior and the circular economy, with a particular focus on how market dynamics can drive sustainable transitions. Her work fundamentally challenges the assumption that circular products—those designed for reuse, refurbishment, or recycling—face an automatic price penalty. In her highly influential 2020 study, "Product Labels for the Circular Economy," which has garnered over 110 citations, she pioneered the investigation of whether consumers are willing to pay a premium for products bearing an explicit "circular economy" label, revealing nuanced consumer responses across different recirculation pathways. Building on this, her 2021 work, "Consumer Demand for Circular Products," uses sophisticated choice experiments to segment consumers for products like mobile phones, demonstrating that distinct customer segments exist with varying preferences for circular attributes. By bridging the gap between technical circularity and real-world market acceptance, Dr. Whalen’s research provides actionable insights for producers seeking to de-risk the transition to circular business models, making her a pivotal voice in translating circular economy theory into commercial practice.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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