Reasoning behind choices: rationality and social norms in the housing market behaviour of first-time buyers in the Czech Republic

《Reasoning behind choices: rationality and social norms in the housing market behaviour of first-time buyers in the Czech Republic》

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关键字: Housing market; social norms; housing systems; house prices; HOME-OWNERSHIP; TENURE CHOICE; MODEL; HOMEOWNERSHIP; TRANSITION; CYCLES

作者单位: [Lux, Martin; Gibas, Petr; Boumova, Irena; Hajek, Martin; Sunega, Petr] Acad Sci Czech Republic, Inst Sociol, Prague, Czech Republic. [Hajek, Martin] Charles Univ Prague, Fac Social Sci, Inst Sociol Studies, Prague, Czech Republic. Lux, M (reprint author), Acad Sci Czech Republic, Inst Sociol, Prague, Czech Republic. E-Mail: martin.lux@soc.cas.cz

摘要: The main objective of this paper is to draw attention to the influence of social norms on housing market behaviour. The research is based on an in-depth qualitative study of first-time buyers in the Czech Republic. We found systemic deviations from economically rational behaviour (as defined by mainstream housing economic theory) that stem from the influence of a dominant housing social norm about what constitutes the right' housing tenure. We show how the influence of a social norm constrains financial, pragmatic, utility- or investment-based considerations of Czech home-buyers. Sociology can thus significantly contribute to recent econometric research about sources of housing market instability.