Table 1. Content areas and propositional... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1.

Content areas and propositional knowledge statements

Content area	Subcategories	Propositional knowledge statements	#Question (Q)
Conceptual definition of WF	1. Scientific definition of WF	Water footprint is “the cumulative virtual water content of all goods and services consumed by one individual or by the individuals of one country” (Hoekstra, 2003)	2
	2. Scientific definition of VW	Virtual water is “the volume of water that has been used to produce a commodity, and that is thus virtually embedded in it” (Allan, 1998)	3
	3. Units of measurement	The water footprint is measured in cubic meters per ton of production (m³/t) or in liters (L) per capita per day (L/c/d) (Hoekstra, 2003)	4
	4. WF Components	There are Three components of the water footprint: the blue component relates to the use of surface and groundwater; the green component relates to the use of precipitation water (e.g. rain, snow, etc.); the grey component relates to the use of freshwater required to dilute polluted water to meet existing water quality standards (Hoekstra et al., 2011)	5–8
Usefulness – importance of WF	5. Usefulness of WF	The water footprint provides valuable information about how individuals and countries use water and about their impact on the environment, which can in turn lead to more sustainable use (Hoekstra, 2003)	9
Usefulness – importance of WF	6. Importance of WF	The significance of the water footprint lies in raising awareness about the water content of products and services, as well as the potential changes that can be achieved in production, diets and consumer behaviour (Lovarelli et al., 2016).	17 (Likert-type scale)
Determinants of WF calculation	7. Determinants of WF calculation	Domestic water consumption Outdoor water consumption Consumer habits Energy consumption Recycling (Okutan and Akkoyunlu, 2021; Zhou et al., 2023)	10
Determinants of individual WF	8. Ways to reduce individual WF	Saving water in household activities (e.g. turning off the tap while brushing teeth, using dual-flush toilets) Saving water in outdoor activities (e.g. using a rain barrel to collect water for garden irrigation) Reducing the purchase of clothing and footwear Reducing meat consumption Adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet Saving energy (e.g. using A-class energy household appliances) Reducing the use of cars and airplanes Recycling packaging and appliances (Aleksandrowicz et al., 2016; Gerbens-Leenes and Hoekstra, 2011; Jalava et al., 2014; Okadera et al., 2014; Vanham et al., 2013; Zucchinelli et al., 2021)	11–15
Implications	9. Implications of an increase in individual WF	Water scarcity Water pollution Food shortage Destruction of flora, fauna and freshwater ecosystems Acceleration of soil erosion (Chapagain and Orr, 2008; Hoekstra et al., 2011; WWAP, 2009)	16

Content area	Subcategories	Propositional knowledge statements	#Question (Q)
Conceptual definition of WF	1. Scientific definition of WF	Water footprint is “the cumulative virtual water content of all goods and services consumed by one individual or by the individuals of one country” (Hoekstra, 2003)	2
	2. Scientific definition of VW	Virtual water is “the volume of water that has been used to produce a commodity, and that is thus virtually embedded in it” (Allan, 1998)	3
	3. Units of measurement	The water footprint is measured in cubic meters per ton of production (m³/t) or in liters (L) per capita per day (L/c/d) (Hoekstra, 2003)	4
	4. WF Components	There are Three components of the water footprint: the blue component relates to the use of surface and groundwater; the green component relates to the use of precipitation water (e.g. rain, snow, etc.); the grey component relates to the use of freshwater required to dilute polluted water to meet existing water quality standards (Hoekstra et al., 2011)	5–8
Usefulness – importance of WF	5. Usefulness of WF	The water footprint provides valuable information about how individuals and countries use water and about their impact on the environment, which can in turn lead to more sustainable use (Hoekstra, 2003)	9
Usefulness – importance of WF	6. Importance of WF	The significance of the water footprint lies in raising awareness about the water content of products and services, as well as the potential changes that can be achieved in production, diets and consumer behaviour (Lovarelli et al., 2016).	17 (Likert-type scale)
Determinants of WF calculation	7. Determinants of WF calculation	Domestic water consumption Outdoor water consumption Consumer habits Energy consumption Recycling (Okutan and Akkoyunlu, 2021; Zhou et al., 2023)	10
Determinants of individual WF	8. Ways to reduce individual WF	Saving water in household activities (e.g. turning off the tap while brushing teeth, using dual-flush toilets) Saving water in outdoor activities (e.g. using a rain barrel to collect water for garden irrigation) Reducing the purchase of clothing and footwear Reducing meat consumption Adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet Saving energy (e.g. using A-class energy household appliances) Reducing the use of cars and airplanes Recycling packaging and appliances (Aleksandrowicz et al., 2016; Gerbens-Leenes and Hoekstra, 2011; Jalava et al., 2014; Okadera et al., 2014; Vanham et al., 2013; Zucchinelli et al., 2021)	11–15
Implications	9. Implications of an increase in individual WF	Water scarcity Water pollution Food shortage Destruction of flora, fauna and freshwater ecosystems Acceleration of soil erosion (Chapagain and Orr, 2008; Hoekstra et al., 2011; WWAP, 2009)	16