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Article
Publication date: 29 December 2021

Yong You Nie, Austin Rong-Da Liang and En Ci Wang

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of organic food certification labels of different third-party verification institutions on consumers' choice of organic…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of organic food certification labels of different third-party verification institutions on consumers' choice of organic food in terms of willingness-to-pay (WTP) using cue utilization theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted an experiment in which organic rice and organic certification labels were presented to 360 valid participants.

Findings

With different organic rice labels issued by various third-party verification institutions, including (1) foundations, (2) associations, (3) university certification centers and (4) private businesses, results indicate that consumers had different preferences and WTP for certain labels. The institutions preferred organic food labels issued by non-profit organizations. In addition, consumers showed different WTP as a result of different purchase motivations (e.g. health vs environmental protection).

Originality/value

These results imply that consumers might not have confidence in the organic labels issued by associations and private institutions. Therefore, different types of certification institutions can have significantly different impacts on consumers' WTP. The study further proposes that the extrinsic attributes of food products (i.e. the cues used in making a purchase decision) must be incongruent with the image of third-party certification institutions in order to develop more efficient communication of product information and to encourage consumers to give positive comments regarding organic food.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 August 2022

Marco Francesco Mazzù, Angelo Baccelloni, Simona Romani and Alberto Andria

This study aims to reveal the implications that trust, as a key driver of consumer behaviour, might have on consumer acceptance of front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) and policy…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the implications that trust, as a key driver of consumer behaviour, might have on consumer acceptance of front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) and policy effectiveness. By conducting three studies on 1956 European consumers with different levels of exposure to FOPLs, this study offers additional theoretical and experimental support through a deep investigation of the central role of trust in consumers’ decision-making towards healthier and more informed food choices.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 used structural equation modelling to assess whether trust is a relevant mediator of the relationship between attitude and behavioural intention (BI), thus upgrading the front-of-pack acceptance model (FOPAM); Study 2 tested the model by comparing two labels at the extremes of the current European scheme (NutrInform Battery [NiB], Nutri-Score [NS]); Study 3 assessed the effect in cases where the connection between trust and algorithms is made transparent and evaluated trust dimensions, focusing on the perception of an algorithm presence behind FOPLs information.

Findings

Study 1 strengthens the FOPAM model with the mediating role of trust in FOPLs, demonstrating a positive effect of attitude on trust and, in turn, on BI, and resulting in a higher model fit with all the significant relationships; Study 2 revealed that the relative performance of the different labels on the FOPAM can be explained by the trust dimension; Study 3, investigating the dynamics of trust in the FOPAM, revealed that the NS is less effective than the NiB on attitude, BI and trust.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was limited to Italian, French and English respondents, and two labels at the extreme of the spectrum were examined. Furthermore, the research has relevance to the issue of trust. Other moderators used in previous studies on technology acceptance model, such as actual use versus perceptual use, user experience level or type of users and type of use might be investigated.

Practical implications

The investigation of trust, with the upgrade of FOPAM, enhances understanding of consumers’ decision-making processes when aided by food labels and makes a new contribution to the European Union “Inception Impact Assessment” in preparation for the finalization of the “From-Farm-to-Fork Strategy”, providing new insights into the role of trust by assessing the relative performance of FOPLs in consumers’ acceptance of food-related information. Furthermore, this study revealed that consumers’ perception of FOPLs worsens when they realize that they are the result of an algorithmic calculation. Finally, the new FOPAM represents a reliable theoretical model for future research on FOPL.

Originality/value

This study increases the knowledge about the performance of different FOPLs on several dimensions of food decision-making, positions the upgraded FOPAM as a valid alternative to existing theoretical models to assess the relative performance of labels, also extending the literature in the context of algorithm-based FOPL, and could be used as a valid support to policymakers and industry experts in their decision towards a unified label at European level.

Article
Publication date: 3 June 2019

Mo Chen, Yiqin Wang, Shijiu Yin, Wuyang Hu and Fei Han

The organic food sold in China can bear organic labels from different countries/regions. The purpose of this paper is to assess the trust and preferences of consumers for tomatoes…

Abstract

Purpose

The organic food sold in China can bear organic labels from different countries/regions. The purpose of this paper is to assess the trust and preferences of consumers for tomatoes carrying these different labels.

Design/methodology/approach

The data came from real choice experiments conducted in Shandong Province, China. A mixed logit model was used to analyze consumer willingness to pay (WTP).

Findings

Results indicated that, among the four organic labels considered in this study, the highest WTP was expressed for organic label from the European Union, followed by Hong Kong’s organic label, Japanese organic label and, lastly, by the Chinese mainland organic label. Consumer trust has a positive effect on their WTPs for the four organic labels. Providing consumers with information on organic can significantly lift their WTPs, and reduce the gaps between WTPs for different organic labels.

Originality/value

This research is of academic value and of value to food suppliers. International food marketers are recommended to equip their products with proper organic labels and initiate additional consumer education.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 121 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 October 2014

Kyle Dillon Feuz and Diane J. Cook

The purpose of this paper is to study heterogeneous transfer learning for activity recognition using heuristic search techniques. Many pervasive computing applications require…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study heterogeneous transfer learning for activity recognition using heuristic search techniques. Many pervasive computing applications require information about the activities currently being performed, but activity recognition algorithms typically require substantial amounts of labeled training data for each setting. One solution to this problem is to leverage transfer learning techniques to reuse available labeled data in new situations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces three novel heterogeneous transfer learning techniques that reverse the typical transfer model and map the target feature space to the source feature space and apply them to activity recognition in a smart apartment. This paper evaluates the techniques on data from 18 different smart apartments located in an assisted-care facility and compares the results against several baselines.

Findings

The three transfer learning techniques are all able to outperform the baseline comparisons in several situations. Furthermore, the techniques are successfully used in an ensemble approach to achieve even higher levels of accuracy.

Originality/value

The techniques in this paper represent a considerable step forward in heterogeneous transfer learning by removing the need to rely on instance – instance or feature – feature co-occurrence data.

Details

International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications, vol. 10 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-7371

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2015

Mo Chen, Shijiu Yin, Yingjun Xu and Zhiwei Wang

– The purpose of this paper is to determine consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for tomatoes carrying different organic labels.

1190

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for tomatoes carrying different organic labels.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 878 randomly selected consumers in Shandong Province, China, using the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak auction experiment. The authors used the multivariate probit (MVP) model to analyze the factors influencing consumer preferences.

Findings

Results indicated that consumers’ WTP for tomatoes carrying the European Union (EU) organic label was significantly higher than those carrying the Chinese organic label. However, no significant difference was found between consumers’ WTP for tomatoes carrying the EU organic label and that for tomatoes carrying both Chinese and EU labels. The results of the MVP model analysis demonstrated that the consumers with different individual characteristics had heterogeneous preferences for organic labels. Food safety consciousness and organic knowledge both had positive effects on consumers’ WTP, meanwhile, environmental awareness had no prominent effect on consumer preferences.

Originality/value

This research is of academic value and of value to policy makers and suppliers. To satisfy diverse market requirements, governments, and manufacturers should consider consumer preferences for different certification labels in strategy development.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 117 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2022

Ana Claudia Mazzonetto, Ana Carolina Fernandes, Aretusa Dias de Souza, Vanessa Mello Rodrigues, Tailane Scapin, Paula Lazzarin Uggioni, Marcela Boro Veiros, Greyce Luci Bernardo and Rossana Pacheco da Costa Proença

This study aimed to examine the perceptions and preferences of Brazilian adult consumers about four different front-of-pack (FOP) food labeling systems proposed by the Brazilian…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the perceptions and preferences of Brazilian adult consumers about four different front-of-pack (FOP) food labeling systems proposed by the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study conducted with 33 participants allocated in six focus groups. Four different types of FOP labels were displayed on processed and packaged bread: three interpretive warning labels (black triangle, black octagon and red ellipse) and a hybrid model (nutritional traffic light). Thematic analysis was used to identify the key topics addressed by participants.

Findings

Three topics were identified: label design, clarity and precision of information. The results demonstrated an influence of labels on product development and consumers' food choices. Most participants expressed a preference for black warning labels and reported the importance of statements endorsed by the Ministry of Health, which provide credibility and could influence food choices. Furthermore, participants agreed that the traffic light system provides more information but is difficult to interpret when comparing products. Warning labels were reported to have the greatest influence on purchase decisions. However, participants were concerned about how to understand the lack of warning labels on some products.

Practical implications

The results may help and support the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency to identify and recommend the most effective FOP labeling system to be adopted in Brazil.

Originality/value

Few studies investigating adult consumers' perceptions of different FOP label formats have been conducted in the Brazilian context. Our study contributes to the small pool of evidence on the topic by demonstrating that FOP labels can be helpful for consumers when they are presented in an intuitive, interpretative and trustworthy format.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 August 2022

Peipei Jia, Dongjin Li, Huizhen Jin and Yudong Zhang

This paper aims to propose a framework model of belief consistency on the confirmatory bias theory, trying to explore the interactions between cues of credence-label structure and…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a framework model of belief consistency on the confirmatory bias theory, trying to explore the interactions between cues of credence-label structure and different controversial types of health foods, as well as the intermediary mechanism of belief consistency.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a conceptual framework of belief consistency based on confirmation bias theory. The interactions between cues of credence-label structure and different controversial types of health foods, as well as the intermediary mechanism of belief consistency.

Findings

Consumers’ willingness to purchase varies under interactions between cues of credence-label structure (product-level and ingredient-level credence-label cues) and different controversial types of health foods (noncontroversial health foods and controversial health foods). In the consumption context of noncontroversial health foods, the presence of product-level credence-label cues causes confirmation bias, greater perception of health belief consistency and higher willingness to purchase healthy foods. In the consumption context of controversial health foods, the presence of ingredient-level credence-label cues results in the prevention of confirmation bias, lower perception of unhealthy belief consistency and higher willingness to purchase health foods.

Originality/value

This paper offers a significant tool for researchers to enrich relevant theories in the field of the conceptual framework of cues of credence-label structure. It also discusses practical implications for enterprise marketing and for the health and welfare of consumers.

Details

Nankai Business Review International, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8749

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 June 2021

Hsu-Ju Teng, Chi-Feng Lo and Jia-Jen Ni

The purpose of this study is to investigate how combined nutrition labelling influences consumer attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and purchase intention…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how combined nutrition labelling influences consumer attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and purchase intention for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a mixed method research, quasi-experimental design with 406 valid Taiwanese samples to evaluate the possible effects of combined nutrition labelling on SSB purchase intention; two focus group interviews with four nutritional experts and 12 students were conducted to explain how and why consumers perceived different types of combined nutritional labels.

Findings

Combined labels including sugar type/gram with the guideline daily amounts and traffic light display were perceived by consumers as high-quality and reliable, which improved consumer attitude and SSB purchase intention. Consumers perceived the traffic light display and warning claim as a sugar over-consumption message, which reduced SSB purchase intention through subject norms.

Practical implications

Governments should be aware that concrete nutritional information (NIP) leads to the worst SSB consumption. Moreover, the authors suggest that policymakers emphasise the effectiveness of warning claims on SSB products with “sufficient” sugar information to trigger consumers' concern, remind SSB manufacturers of their moral obligation to consumers.

Originality/value

This study identified that the combined effects of nutritional attributes and parts of meanings might be enhanced, eliminated or even separated from their original meaning. Although the label messages were delivered simultaneously, the consumer's psychological perceptions proved to be more complicated than a single attribute and sequentially affected consumer attitudes, subject norms and SSB purchase intention.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 123 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 March 2017

Jessica Burshell and Will Mitchell

Studies of the social construction of markets have not determined which social environments, which we refer to as proximate social space, are most likely to trigger social…

Abstract

Studies of the social construction of markets have not determined which social environments, which we refer to as proximate social space, are most likely to trigger social construction processes. We find that U.S. nonprofit fiscal sponsors respond to greater potential for category emergence when proximate social space is defined by geography but not by market segment. Further, in addition to responding to potential claimants based on geographic peers, organizations also respond to actual claimants based on peers in the market segment. The pattern suggests that geographic social proximity triggers initial label claiming, which in turn triggers responses from market segment peers.

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2023

Xin Feng, Xu Wang, Yufei Xue and Haochuan Yu

In the era of mobile internet, the social Q&A community has built a large-scale and complex knowledge label network through its internal knowledge units, and the scale and…

178

Abstract

Purpose

In the era of mobile internet, the social Q&A community has built a large-scale and complex knowledge label network through its internal knowledge units, and the scale and structure of the network have changed over time. By analysing the structural characteristics and evolution rules of knowledge label networks, the main purpose of this study is to understand the internal mechanisms of the replacement of old and new knowledge and the expansion of knowledge element boundaries, so as to explore the realization path of knowledge management in the new era from the perspective of complex networks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses distributed crawlers to capture 419,349 samples from the Zhihu platform. Each sample contains 33 characteristic dimensions, and the natural year is used as the sliding window to divide the whole. In this study, the global knowledge label network and 11 local knowledge label networks are first constructed. Then, the degree distribution analysis and central node exploration of the knowledge label network are carried out using the complex network method. Finally, the average shortest path and average clustering coefficient of the network are analysed by the time series method, and the ARIMA model is used to predict the evolution of the correlation coefficient.

Findings

The research results show that the dissimilation degree of the degree distribution of the knowledge label network has gradually decreased from 2011 to 2021, and the attention of users in the knowledge community has shown a trend of distraction and diversification over time. With the expansion of the scale of the knowledge label network and the transformation to an information network, the network sparsity is becoming more and more obvious, and the knowledge granularity of the Q&A community is being refined and diversified. The prediction of the correlation coefficient of the knowledge label network by the ARIMA model shows that the connection between the labels is lacking diversity and the opinion strengthening phenomenon tends to strengthen, which is more likely to form the “echo chamber effect”, resulting in mutual isolation and even opposition between different circles. The Q&A community is about to enter a mature stage, and the corresponding status of each label has been finalized. The future development trend of label networks will be reflected in the substitution between labels, and the specific structure will not change significantly.

Originality/value

The Q&A community model is the trend in Web 2.0 community development. This study proves the effectiveness of complex networks and time series prediction methods in knowledge label network mining in the Q&A community.

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