Search results
1 – 10 of 148Edgar Edwin Twine, Sali Atanga Ndindeng, Gaudiose Mujawamariya, Stella Everline Adur-Okello and Celestine Kilongosi
Improving the competitiveness of East Africa's rice industries necessitates increased and viable production of rice of the quality desired by consumers. This paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Improving the competitiveness of East Africa's rice industries necessitates increased and viable production of rice of the quality desired by consumers. This paper aims to understand consumer preferences for rice quality attributes in Uganda and Kenya to inform the countries' rice breeding programs and value chain development interventions.
Design/methodology/approach
Rice samples are obtained from retail markets in various districts/counties across the two countries. The samples are analyzed in a grain quality laboratory for the rice's physicochemical characteristics and the resulting data are used to non-parametrically estimate hedonic price functions. District/county dummies are included to account for potential heterogeneity in consumer preferences.
Findings
Ugandan consumers are willing to pay a price premium for rice with a relatively high proportion of intact grains, but the consumers discount chalkiness. Kenyan consumers discount high amylose content and impurities. There is evidence of heterogeneity in consumer preferences for rice in Mbale, Butaleja and Arua districts of Uganda and in Kericho and Busia counties of Kenya.
Originality/value
The study makes a novel contribution to the literature on consumer preferences for rice in East Africa by applying a hedonic pricing model to the data generated from a laboratory analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of rice samples obtained from the market. Rather than base our analysis on consumers' subjective sensory assessment of the quality characteristics of rice, standard laboratory methods are used to generate the data, which enables a more objective assessment of the relationship between market prices and the quantities of attributes present in the rice samples.
Details
Keywords
Rachael Vriezen, Mikayla Plishka and John Cranfield
Traceability is an increasingly important tool for reducing food safety risks and managing supply logistics. Given the costs of implementing and maintaining traceability systems…
Abstract
Purpose
Traceability is an increasingly important tool for reducing food safety risks and managing supply logistics. Given the costs of implementing and maintaining traceability systems, it is crucial to understand consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for traceable products.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a scoping review to collate the existing literature on consumer WTP for traceability in food products to determine the nature of the evidence base and to identify research gaps.
Findings
A total of 77 articles were included in the review. The number of studies published per year generally increased over the review period, and China and the United States were the most common countries in which studies were conducted (43.6 and 14.1% of total studies, respectively). All but one of the studies investigated at least one factor that might influence consumer WTP for traceability, the most common of which was socio-demographic characteristics (72.7%). Three-quarters of studies used hypothetical methods to elicit WTP values (75.3%), whereas one-quarter used non-hypothetical methods (24.7%). Most studies included some measure of preference heterogeneity (83.1%).
Research limitations/implications
There is some potential for systematic bias in the evidence due to the predominance of studies from only a few countries and the possible presence of hypothetical bias. These potential biases could be corrected through future research.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, no previous study systematically and comprehensively identifies and summarizes the evidence base on consumer WTP for traceable food products.
Details
Keywords
Chenyu Liu, Xuan Liu, Liuyang Yao and Jie Liu
The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer preference of and willingness to pay for eco-labelled eggs using cross-sectional data collected from Chongqing Municipality in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer preference of and willingness to pay for eco-labelled eggs using cross-sectional data collected from Chongqing Municipality in China.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs both conditional logistic model and mixed logistic model to conduct the empirical analysis.
Findings
The empirical results show that individual heterogeneous preference and attributes of eco-labelled eggs significantly influence consumer choices. More specifically, higher per capita income, families with pregnant women or children, higher level of trust in and knowledge of eco-labels contribute positively to choosing eco-labelled eggs, and attributes of eco-labelled eggs such as certification labels, free-range husbandry, and nutrition enrichment significantly increase consumer utility. Generally, the price premium that consumers are willing to pay for eggs containing “organic”, “free-range husbandry”, and “nutrition enrichment” labels is 375.0% more, equivalent to 42.8 Yuan/kg.
Originality/value
This study used first-hand survey data to reveal consumers’ heterogeneous preference of and willingness to pay for eco-labelled eggs based on the random utility theory.
Details
Keywords
Harvey S. James, Michelle Segovia and Damilola Giwa-Daramola
The authors review the small but growing literature linking cognitive biases to food safety problems and foodborne illness outbreaks.
Abstract
Purpose
The authors review the small but growing literature linking cognitive biases to food safety problems and foodborne illness outbreaks.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a search of peer-reviewed articles utilizing empirical methods published since the year 2000 focusing on food safety or foodborne illnesses/outbreaks and cognitive biases.
Findings
The authors find that most research is conducted at the consumer side of the food system, with few studies examining the potential problems that can arise in the production and processing of food. The authors also observe that most research tends to focus on a few cognitive biases.
Originality/value
This is the most comprehensive study to date examining insights from the literature on cognitive biases and the related discipline of behavioral economics to the specific problem of foodborne illness outbreaks and food safety problems.
Details
Keywords
Yuangao Chen, Xinjia Tong, Shuiqing Yang and Shasha Zhou
This study aims to explore how specific cues with new manifestations (i.e. herding message and price discount information) and customer cognitive style influence attention…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore how specific cues with new manifestations (i.e. herding message and price discount information) and customer cognitive style influence attention allocation and purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
To empirically validate the research hypotheses, an eye-tracking experiment with a 2 × 2 × 2 mixed design was conducted on a sample of 44 participants recruited from a university in China. Repeated measures analysis of variance was employed for data analysis.
Findings
The results show that herding message and price discount information play different roles in viewers' attention and have an interactive effect on attention. Moreover, individual cognitive styles moderate the impact of herding message on attention allocation. Still, two cues positively affect customer purchase intention.
Originality/value
This study guides future research by applying cue utilization theory to investigate the effects of two cues in live streaming. Findings offer practical implications for how live streaming cues affect viewers' attention allocation and purchase intention.
Details
Keywords
Sergio Rivaroli, Roberta Spadoni, Stefano Tartarini, Roberto Gregori, Bettina Riedel, Paola Draicchio, Luca Folini, Themistoklis Altintzoglou and Maurizio Canavari
Combining sensory evaluations and hypothetical valuation mechanisms, this study aims to investigate the impact of consumers' product sensory attributes on willingness to pay (WTP…
Abstract
Purpose
Combining sensory evaluations and hypothetical valuation mechanisms, this study aims to investigate the impact of consumers' product sensory attributes on willingness to pay (WTP) and overall liking for a new apple cultivar.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of non-expert participants (n = 122) evaluated the overall liking and just-about-right (JAR) attributes. A variable transformation approach was applied to make linear and interval regression models between the JAR attributes, overall liking scores and participants' WTP.
Findings
The study reveals the high consumer appreciation for the new apple in both hedonic and economic terms. After controlling the anchoring effect's bias, the predicted mean WTP for the new apple cultivar was €3.26 per kilogramme. Crunchiness and flavour significantly affect both participants' overall liking and WTP.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation is the non-probabilistic sampling procedure, which does not allow for the generalisation of the results. Penalty analysis for JAR attributes in monetary and hedonic terms is beneficial for optimising the product and evaluating its potential in the marketplace.
Practical implications
The findings provide helpful directions for product optimisation in future breeding programmes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the new apple cultivars in the marketplace.
Originality/value
This study provides evidence of the beneficial synergy of mixing sensory-oriented research with the behavioural economics field of study.
Details
Keywords
Sreejesh S., Minas Kastanakis and Justin Paul
This study aims to examine the influence of two significant product labelling strategies (geographical indication [GI] vs country-of-origin [COO]) on shaping customer product…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the influence of two significant product labelling strategies (geographical indication [GI] vs country-of-origin [COO]) on shaping customer product attitude and purchase likelihood, considering consumers’ ethnocentric and cosmopolitan tendencies. The authors also investigate the boundary conditions and intervening mechanisms to manage the adverse consumer product evaluations and present mitigating procedures which reinstate favourable product evaluations and purchase likelihood.
Design/methodology/approach
The collected data from these all these studies were analysed using ANOVA and mediation anlaysis. The study tests the proposed hypotheses using three follow-up experimental investigations.
Findings
The study found that GI (vs COO) labels have a more significant impact on customers’ product evaluation and likelihood of purchase and supported the dispositional effect of ethnocentric and cosmopolitan inclinations. Further, the results indicated that self-product congruence can efficiently regulate consumer dispositions. Also, the results confirmed the significant impact of product identification on influencing consumer attitudes.
Practical implications
The above-said insights add practical insights, particularly concerning product labelling. Also, the insights on product attitudes and purchase likelihood intricacies in the context of product labelling enable companies to comprehend better the significance of GI labels, COO labels and self-product congruence.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time a study has compared the role of two significant product labelling strategies (GI vs COO) in shaping customer product evaluations, confirmed its boundary conditions and shown how to transform them into helpful customer product outcomes.
Details
Keywords
Giordano Ruggeri, Stefano Corsi and Chiara Mazzocchi
This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the academic landscape in wine economics and business research over the past decades, capturing and analysing the literature…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the academic landscape in wine economics and business research over the past decades, capturing and analysing the literature through rigorous bibliometric methodologies. The study is intended as a foundational resource for academics, policymakers and industry stakeholders interested in the evolving scholarly discourse within the wine industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyse data from over 3,200 papers in the field of wine economics and business published between 1990 and 2022, sourced from Scopus. Various bibliometric indicators are applied, including publication and citation counts, and methods like keyword and co-citation analyses were used to map out the thematic and intellectual landscape.
Findings
The study reveals the escalating global relevance of wine economics and business research and identifies prominent papers and authors, influential countries and leading journals. The analysis reveals a dynamic shift in academic focus. Initially concentrating on foundational inquiries in the 1990s, research evolved to encompass complex themes such as e-commerce, wine tourism, sustainability and global crises. The study emphasises the adaptability and resilience of the wine supply chain and anticipates future research areas.
Originality/value
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the expanding body of research in wine economics and business, using data from over 3,200 documents published between 1990 and 2022. It uniquely combines different advanced bibliometric tools to provide a multifaceted overview of wine economics and business research.
Details
Keywords
Taniya Jayani Koswatta, Gary Wingenbach and Holli R. Leggette
When scientific information is unclear about the health benefits of foods, people choose to react in different ways. Using a posttest-only control group design, the authors tested…
Abstract
Purpose
When scientific information is unclear about the health benefits of foods, people choose to react in different ways. Using a posttest-only control group design, the authors tested how balanced and nonfactual information available on YouTube influences public perception of organic foods.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors randomly assigned participants (N = 640) from a southern US land grant university to watch one video: balanced news, nonfactual news, or control. All participants indicated changes in perception about organic foods immediately after the video. The authors analyzed the data using one-way and two-way ANOVA.
Findings
The nonfactual news video had the most influence on public perception of organic foods. Results confirmed that the effect of nonfactual information was more for individuals with preexisting beliefs consistent with the message communicated and individuals exposed to average to high levels of health and diet news.
Practical implications
The authors recommend regulatory changes in marketing strategies related to organic foods in the US that encourage balanced information about organic foods rather than promoting credence attributes of organic foods using persuasive information.
Originality/value
The authors findings suggest that, when scientific information about the health benefits of foods is unclear, communication activities should aim to increase healthy skepticism considering the audience's preexisting beliefs and frequency of health and diet news exposure.
Details
Keywords
Yan Zhang, Shaosheng Jin and Wen Lin
The contradiction and conflict between grassland conservation and economic development are prominent in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) with its fragile environment and ecosystem…
Abstract
Purpose
The contradiction and conflict between grassland conservation and economic development are prominent in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) with its fragile environment and ecosystem. How to promote sustainable grazing in the plateau without hurting the economic welfare of local residents is a key challenge facing the Chinese government. This study explores the potential of market-based grassland conservation policies by evaluating consumer preferences and valuations for forage–livestock balance certification labeled yak products.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a choice experiment with four attributes of yak meat, including forage–livestock balance certification, feeding type, age at slaughter and price. A sample size of 2,999 respondents from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Chengdu was collected by a professional online survey company.
Findings
The result reveals that urban Chinese consumers are willing to pay highest price premiums for forage–livestock balance certified yak meat, followed by grass-fed claim labeled meat. Consumers on average place negative valuations for grain-fed claims, meat from yak slaughtered above 2 and 4 years old. Heterogeneous analysis indicates that individuals who are female, younger, married, and better educated, and with above median income, Tibet travel or yak consumption experience, are more receptive to the forage–livestock balance certification.
Originality/value
It is the first study to explore demand-driven mechanisms for grassland conservation by focusing on consumer valuation for the forage–livestock balance certification.
Details