Do anticipated emotions influence behavioural intention and behaviour to consume filled chocolates?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of anticipated emotions (AE) on behavioural intention and behaviour to consume filled chocolates and to give an indication on the possible differences in consumer behaviour between two countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used to explain the consumption of chocolate. In this study, TPB is extended with a construct for AE.

Findings

A total of 859 consumers in Belgium and Hungary participated in the study and results showed that including AE increases the predicted variance of the TPB. Moreover, AE have a positive effect on the intention and the actual behaviour of consumers. Next, the study suggests that Belgian consumers are more influenced by their emotional and control beliefs and that Hungarian consumers are also driven by opinion of family and friends and some behavioural beliefs.

Practical implications

Overall, TPB can contribute to the understanding of behavioural intention and behaviour towards eating filled chocolate. Moreover, it can help to develop a marketing plan for specific consumer segments as it can identify influencing factors and consumer beliefs towards a product.

Originality/value

This is the first study that compares the fit of the TPB model with and without the construct of AE. The work contributes to the growing literature on emotions as it does not focus on emotions elicited during or after consumption, but explores if the AE also play a significant role in behaviour.

Citation

De Pelsmaeker, S., Schouteten, J.J., Gellynck, X., Delbaere, C., De Clercq, N., Hegyi, A., Kuti, T., Depypere, F. and Dewettinck, K. (2017), "Do anticipated emotions influence behavioural intention and behaviour to consume filled chocolates?", British Food Journal, Vol. 119 No. 9, pp. 1983-1998. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-01-2016-0006