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Lux Martin, Gibas Petr, Boumová Irena, Hájek Martin, Sunega Petr. 2017. „Reasoning behind choices: rationality and social norms in the housing market behaviour of first-time buyers in the Czech Republic“. Housing Studies. 32 (4): 517-539. ISSN 0267-3037.

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

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