Synthesizing Design Knowledge for Persuasive Conversational Agents in Sustainability
Abstract
Global sustainability challenges depend on large-scale behavioral change. Persuasive conversational agents
(CAs) have emerged as promising systems to shape user attitudes and foster sustainable actions. However,
the design knowledge surrounding these systems is scattered and seldom reused. This paper follows a meta-
synthesis approach and consolidates insights from 26 publications directly addressing persuasive CAs and
sustainability. We extracted and clustered over 500 design knowledge chunks into 30 abstract design
clusters, which are organized in a three-dimensional framework: Sustainability by agent (how CAs foster
sustainability goals), sustainability in agent (how CAs embed ethical and inclusive practices), and
conversational agent (core CA features for naturalistic interaction and adaptability). Our findings
illuminate current design practices, uncover blind spots, and lay the groundwork for advanced theorizing.
This structured resource enables researchers and practitioners to systematically identify important chunks
to design, implement, and evaluate persuasive CAs that reinforce sustainable behaviors while maintaining
responsible practices. By synthesizing fragmented insights into a reusable knowledge base, we promote
consistency in future design efforts and offer a firm foundation for developing an overarching design theory
of CA-based interventions for sustainability.
Keywords
Sustainability; meta-synthesis; conversational agents; persuasivenes; behavior change support system; design knowledge; design principles; design theory