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1 – 10 of 15Ifat Zur and Christian A. Klöckner
The aim of this paper is to identify predictors of meat consumption and the intention to reduce it. Since meat consumption is one of the major contributors to human made…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to identify predictors of meat consumption and the intention to reduce it. Since meat consumption is one of the major contributors to human made environmental destruction including climate change, biodiversity loss or water and air pollution and at the same time under volitional control meat consumption is an interesting target for interventions.
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated model was derived from the theory of planned behaviour, the norm activation theory and the protection motivation theory which was tested in a paper-pencil based questionnaire study including self-reported meat consumption was conducted with a convenience sample of 210 adult inhabitants of Trondheim (Norway).
Findings
The model was confirmed to a large extent. Meat consumption was predicted strongly by meat eating habits, but also negatively by reduction intentions. Reduction intentions were determined by attitudes, moral beliefs and health beliefs. Moral beliefs were predicted by injunctive and descriptive norms as well as perceived behavioural control.
Research limitations/implications
The study was based on a convenience sample, thus the sample is not representative. Furthermore, some of the measurement instruments are of only mediocre quality.
Practical implications
The results show that interventions to reduce meat consumption need to include habits braking components to be effective. Meat consumption reduction is motivated by a broad array of motivations, including morality and health. Intervention campaigns need to cover this spectrum.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first that systematically analyses determinants of meat consumption which makes it valuable in spite of its limitations.
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Christian A. Klöckner and Silvia Ohms
The purpose of this paper is to apply a structured approach to understand the importance of personal ecological norms in purchasing organic food. The norm‐activation‐model by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to apply a structured approach to understand the importance of personal ecological norms in purchasing organic food. The norm‐activation‐model by Schwartz is used to predict self‐reported and observed purchase behaviour of organic milk.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reports the results of a field study with 63 customers of a German supermarket. A combination of covert observation and in‐store interviews was applied to obtain reliable data on actual shopping behaviour and its predictors.
Findings
The results show that the self‐reported and the observed purchase of organic milk is predicted by personal ecological norms, social norms, and perceived behavioural control. Personal norms are activated by awareness of need, awareness of consequences, perceived behavioural control, and social norms. People with strong personal norms use “organic production”, the “EU‐BIO‐Label” and “ingredients” as additional criteria during their decision process. For people with strong ecological norms the price difference between organic and conventional milk, the lack of knowledge about organic milk, and convenience are less important constraints. Finally, people with strong personal norms react more sensitively to proposed norm‐centred interventions.
Practical implications
The study offers insight into the processes of motivating behaviour and can therefore be used to design intervention strategies. Suggestions are developed in the closing part of the paper.
Originality/value
The study applies for the first time the norm‐activation‐model to the domain of purchasing organic milk and underlines the importance of normative influences for this decision.
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Christian Boris Brunner, Sebastian Ullrich, Patrik Jungen and Franz-Rudolf Esch
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of symbolic product information (symbolic product design) on consumers’ perceived brand evaluations. In an experimental…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of symbolic product information (symbolic product design) on consumers’ perceived brand evaluations. In an experimental setting, the authors consider as key factors the congruence between symbolic product design and product category, the level of product involvement as well as brand strength.
Design/methodology/approach
In an experiment of 490 participants, consumers are confronted to different symbolic product designs connotations. Based on the cognitive process model “SARA” (selective activation, reconstruction and anchoring), the authors examined how symbolic product design associations are used as heuristics in the working memory when making brand judgement.
Findings
The results show that product design associations are used in consumers’ information processing as anchor for brand evaluations. This effect is stronger if symbolic design associations are incongruent to the product category because of consumers’ deeper elaboration process. Furthermore, the impact of symbolic product design is higher for weak compared to strong brands.
Research limitations/implications
This research supports the cognitive process model “SARA” being an appropriate foundation explaining the effects of symbolic product design. Further research should extend this experiment, using a field study in a more realistic setting and/or a choice situation between different alternative product designs at the point of sale. Furthermore, the consumers’ elaboration process should be manipulated differently, e.g. in a mental load condition.
Practical implications
Symbolic product design is important to enhance brand association networks in the consumers’ mind, particularly if the brand is weak. Marketers should use incongruent symbolic product information to differentiate from competitors who use “stereotype” product designs.
Originality/value
Research about product design in the marketing discipline is still limited. The authors analyse the impact of symbolic product design on brand evaluations in an experimental setting of 490 respondents in four product categories. The findings support that consumers use product design as heuristics to evaluate brands.
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Monica Trezise and Michael J. Richardson
As Australians experience more fierce and frequent natural disasters, there are urgent calls for businesses to meaningfully respond to climate change. Australian financial and…
Abstract
Purpose
As Australians experience more fierce and frequent natural disasters, there are urgent calls for businesses to meaningfully respond to climate change. Australian financial and professional services employees occupy an ambiguous space as climate mitigation measures have different economic implications for their clients. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how Australian professionals experience climate change and respond to the issue within their workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed methods study applies a systems thinking framework to investigate: how do professionals’ experiences of the issue of climate change and the workplace influence their cognitions, emotions and behaviour? And in particular, what psychosocial antecedents precede voicing climate concern?
Findings
Firstly, a survey of professionals (N = 206) found social norms, perceived behavioural control and biospheric values, but not attitudes, significantly predicted prohibitive green voice. Middle managers were significantly likely to voice climate concern, whereas senior managers were significantly likely to express climate scepticism. Ten professionals were then interviewed to gain a contextualised understanding of these trends. Interpretive phenomenological analysis identified five interrelated themes: (1) active identity management, (2) understanding climate change is escalating, (3) workplace shapes climate change response, (4) frustration and alienation and (5) belief that corporations prioritise profit.
Originality/value
Findings are discussed in relation to how employees may both embody and adapt their organisations. These results have implications for understandings of workplace meaningfulness and organisational risk governance.
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Stuart Capstick, Sarah Hemstock and Ruci Senikula
This study aims to investigate the role of the visual arts for communicating climate change in the context of the Pacific islands, through the perspectives of artists and climate…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the role of the visual arts for communicating climate change in the context of the Pacific islands, through the perspectives of artists and climate change practitioners.
Design/methodology/approach
As part of an “Eco Arts” project carried out in Fiji, semi-structured research interviews were undertaken with artists and climate change practitioners.
Findings
Participants’ motivations to produce art reflected their personal concerns about, and experiences of, climate change. There was an intention to use art-based approaches to raise awareness and promote action on climate change. The artwork produced drew on metaphors and storytelling to convey future climate impacts and aspects of climate change relevant to Fijian and Pacific communities.
Research limitations/implications
The study reports the perspectives of participants and discusses the potential uses of arts communication. Conclusions cannot be drawn from the findings regarding the effectiveness of specific artwork or of arts communication as a general approach.
Practical implications
The research offers suggestions for the inclusion of creative approaches to climate change communication within education and vocational training. A consideration of the perspectives of artist–practitioners has implications for the design and conduct of climate change communication.
Social implications
The involvement of artist–practitioners in the communication of climate change offers the potential for novel discussions and interpretations of climate change with individuals and within communities, which complement more formal or scientific communication.
Originality/value
The present study identifies the motivations and objectives of artist–practitioners involved in climate change communication. The authors highlight the role of personal experience and their use of artistic concepts and creative considerations pertinent to the geography and culture of the Pacific region.
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Katrin Zander and Yvonne Feucht
Carp is a traditional aquaculture fish with decreasing relevance in European markets. Despite this, it is a protein source which could contribute to the worldwide protein supply…
Abstract
Purpose
Carp is a traditional aquaculture fish with decreasing relevance in European markets. Despite this, it is a protein source which could contribute to the worldwide protein supply. Traditional carp ponds are part of human cultural heritage with high relevance for biodiversity. But, market shares of carp are small compared to other seafood market, mainly due to low consumer demand. The aim of this research was to contribute to the discussion on how to increase demand for carp by testing the acceptance of selected preprocessed carp products.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative online survey was conducted in Germany and Poland with the aim of identifying consumers' attitudes towards carp and carp products. On this basis recommendations on how to best market carp products are developed.
Findings
Carp is perceived to be a fish eaten primarily at Christmas and New Year's Eve and to be difficult to prepare. The analyses reveal that a potential for novel carp products does exist in Germany and in Poland. The wider introduction of a bonecut filet to the market, a better availability of carp products, and the avoidance of off-flavors are important prerequisites for higher market relevance of carp.
Research limitations/implications
In this research consumer preferences were elicited “theoretically” by showing pictures of carp products and asking them for their preferences. In this regard, the results presented here state a general consumer interest and a potential for new carp products. Further research, integrating product tastings might give additional information on the likely success of new types of carp products.
Practical implications
In order to let people know about the new products and at the same time to combat the sometimes existent bad image of carp, product tastings, also in combination with information regarding local origin and environmental/cultural impact, should be offered at the point of sale.
Originality/value
Carp is a highly sustainable fish and offers a valuable protein source for human consumption. But, in its common ways of market presentation it is not highly appreciated by consumers. This paper demonstrates options of overcoming this situation.
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Kian Yeik Koay, Fandy Tjiptono and Manjit Singh Sandhu
Despite increasing anti-piracy legislation, digital piracy remains widespread and presents a huge barrier to the growth of creative industries globally. Hence, this study aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite increasing anti-piracy legislation, digital piracy remains widespread and presents a huge barrier to the growth of creative industries globally. Hence, this study aims to examine predictors of digital piracy through the lens of an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Furthermore, the authors also examine the moderating effects of past experience (non-experienced versus experienced) on the relationships between the common four TPB dimensions on intention to engage in digital piracy.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey method, the authors collected 832 student respondents in Semarang, Indonesia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed to analyse the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results showed that the influence of attitude, subjective norm and moral obligation on intention is significantly different between experienced and non-experienced consumers. The positive influence of attitude on intention to engage in digital piracy is stronger for non-experienced than experienced consumers. The influence of subjective norm on intention is significant and positive for non-experienced consumers but is not significant for experienced consumers. The influence of moral obligation on intention is significant and positive for non-experienced consumers but turns negative and significant for experienced consumers.
Originality/value
This research contributed to the body of knowledge by investigating the role of past experience as a moderator in the TPB model which renders the authors to have a better understanding of the differences in the thinking process between experienced and non-experienced consumers.
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Rashmi Ranjan Parida and Mahesh Gadekar
This paper investigates the factors and how they lead to meat choice decisions based on preferred slaughter practices. The literature has established the role of psychological…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the factors and how they lead to meat choice decisions based on preferred slaughter practices. The literature has established the role of psychological factors and morality perception in meat choice decisions. However, it explores how consumers' behavioural intention is impacted towards alternative meat when consumer guilt is activated in different cultural settings.
Design/methodology/approach
This study included in-depth interviews with consumers from India's emerging market due to its multicultural dimension and diverse religious beliefs about meat consumption. The authors conducted 17 interviews to explore antecedents towards non-halal meat choices.
Findings
Utilizing the Theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this paper explores research gaps related to meat consumption preferences based on preferred slaughter practices in an emerging market context. The findings uncover and add to understanding meat preferences in varied cultural contexts that affect consumer choices. The authors advance the current understanding of TPB from the perspective of behavioural intention toward non-halal meat.
Practical implications
The study's findings have significant implications for all the organizations/outlets dealing with non-vegetarian food products, whether packaged or fresh and for meat sellers.
Originality/value
The study is unique in identifying the meat choice preferences based on slaughter practice through the extended prism of TPB. The market chosen for this study is one of the biggest consumer markets and its growing continuously.
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Jaewoo Park, Hyo Jin Eom and Charles Spence
This study aims to examine whether, and how, perceived product scarcity strengthens the attitude–behavior relation in the case of sustainable luxury products.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine whether, and how, perceived product scarcity strengthens the attitude–behavior relation in the case of sustainable luxury products.
Design/methodology/approach
Three online studies were conducted to examine the moderating role of perceived product scarcity on the attitude–willingness to pay (WTP) relationship in the case of sustainable luxury products. A preliminary study (n = 208) examined the existence of an attitude–WTP gap toward a sustainable luxury product (i.e. a bag). Study 1 (n = 171) investigated the moderating effect of perceived scarcity induced by a limited quantity message on the relationship between consumer attitude and the WTP for a sustainable luxury product (i.e. a pair of shoes). Study 2 (n = 558) replicated these findings using a different product category (i.e. a wallet) while controlling for demographic variables and examined the moderating role of consumer characteristics on the scarcity effect.
Findings
Consumers’ perceived scarcity for sustainable luxury products positively moderated the relationship between product attitudes and their WTP for the products. The moderating effect of perceived scarcity was significant for consumers regardless of their tendency toward socially responsible consumption and their preference for product innovativeness. Meanwhile, the scarcity effect was influenced by the consumers’ attitude toward the brand of sustainable products.
Practical implications
This research provides empirical evidence for marketers with clear managerial implications concerning how to immediately promote consumers’ acceptance of sustainable luxury products.
Originality/value
This study is the first to examine the role of scarcity strategy on strengthening the attitude–behavior relation for sustainable luxury products.
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