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1 – 10 of over 7000Thamaraiselvan Natarajan and Jayadevan G.R.
This conceptual paper aims to study the Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic’s impact on branded functional beverages consumption in India. There is a sincere effort to…
Abstract
Purpose
This conceptual paper aims to study the Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic’s impact on branded functional beverages consumption in India. There is a sincere effort to critically review the role of some vital determinants of consumer behaviour and to develop an integrated model for branded functional beverages consumption behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic and extensive literature review was performed by searching electronic databases relating to consumer acceptance and purchase behaviour of functional beverages in India from 2000 to 2021. This study also reviewed very recent literature on the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global consumer traits, buying behaviour, marketing trends and psychographic behaviour.
Findings
The extensive review of the literature yielded results that shed light on some crucial factors propelling branded functional beverages’ consumption behaviour in India, especially in the COVID-19 scenario.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based purely on a conceptual understanding of branded functional beverages’ consumption behaviour among Indian consumers. The conceptual framework proposed here results from the review of past literature. Therefore, the scientific world is invigorated to test further the implications presented in this study empirically.
Practical implications
The conceptual framework proposed here concerning consumer behaviour in functional beverages would guide the food marketers to segment and position their functional food offerings, mainly beverage variants, in the post-pandemic scenario. Moreover, the study findings enable policymakers to craft food policies to uphold the noble cause of moulding a healthy generation.
Originality/value
The COVID-19 pandemic has virtually shattered our food system and modified our associations with food in many different ways. The perception of health risks associated with COVID-19 might have influenced people’s food purchase and consumption behaviours. It is proposed that health-conscious people would prefer more health-promoting foods and beverages to strengthen their immunity. Several reports disclose that food consumers in India demand functional foods and beverages more extensively than before to include in their daily food basket. A detailed literature review revealed an evident shortage of research studies regarding consumer behaviour in functional beverages in India. No prior research works could be identified as to why consumers prefer functional beverages to benefit their overall health and immunity and what guides them to purchase or not to purchase such products, especially in the post-pandemic scenario. Therefore, this research work would be a primer that would guide future studies investigating consumers’ attitudes and purchasing behaviour of branded functional beverages.
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Thamaraiselvan Natarajan, Jayadevan Geetha Raveendran Nair and Jegan Jayapal
This study aims to experimentally investigate branded functional beverage (BFB) consumption behaviour post-COVID-19 through the lens of a conceptual framework built on three…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to experimentally investigate branded functional beverage (BFB) consumption behaviour post-COVID-19 through the lens of a conceptual framework built on three renowned behaviour modification models and to critically evaluate how well subjective norms serve as a moderator in the consumption behaviour relating to such beverage products.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model was developed based on the tenets of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), health belief model (HBM) and value-attitude-behaviour (VAB) model. The study was performed on a convenience sample of 537 respondents aged 18 and up from diverse regions in India using the PLS-SEM method. A total of 444 useable questionnaires were utilized for the final data analysis.
Findings
Given the post-pandemic setting, the perceived benefits of BFBs significantly influenced its purchase intention and consumption behaviour. It could grossly impact the media's role (information about COVID-19) and the consumers' interest in healthy food. The study revealed that the information about COVID-19 (role of media) strongly increased interest in healthy food, whereas interest in healthy food positively influenced purchase intention of functional beverages. With interest in healthy food as a “mediator”, the role of media (information about COVID-19) positively influenced purchase intention. It is worth noting the moderating role of subjective norms in the relationship between the role of media (information about COVID-19) and interest in healthy food and that between interest in healthy food and BFB purchase intention.
Practical implications
Food marketers shall skillfully use “opinion” leaders and subject experts in marketing communication campaigns to popularize the link between good food and immunity through COVID-19 and healthy diet-related messages sent via a suitable media platform. This would grab food consumers' interest in BFBs and persuade them to incorporate such items in their daily food milieu. Consumers need to be assured that consuming “functional” products would deliver health benefits and upkeep their body immunity in the post-COVID-19 times.
Originality/value
There has been minimal research on the link between perceived benefits, the role of media, interest in healthy food and consumption behaviour on functional beverages in the post-COVID-19 setting. Moreover, subjective norms have never been probed as a moderator in the consumer behaviour studies on BFBs. This pioneering study applied the tenets of the TPB, HBM and VAB model in the context of post-pandemic functional beverage consumption. The altered study settings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the context of a developing economy like India have amplified the research value of this study.
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Cristina Calvo-Porral and Jean-Pierre Levy-Mangin
Situational factors influence food and drink consumption, being how, when and where, not fully researched. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to address the influence…
Abstract
Purpose
Situational factors influence food and drink consumption, being how, when and where, not fully researched. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to address the influence of “where” in alcoholic beverage consumption. That is, the authors examine the influence of the place of consumption, comparing consumer behaviour at home and at hostelry outlets.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, beer was selected as the alcoholic beverage category. Then, a conceptual model of consumer behaviour was proposed and empirically tested through multi-group structural equation modelling (SEM) on a sample of 525 beer consumers (home consumers=209 and hostelry consumers=316.
Findings
The findings show that the place of consumption influences alcoholic beverage consumer behaviour. While home consumers demand value for money, hostelry consumers seek for product perceived quality.
Practical implications
This research suggests the applicability of situational factors to the beverages market, providing a starting point for situational segmentation.
Originality/value
The authors’ major contribution is the empirical examination into how alcoholic beverage consumption behaviour is situational dependent.
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Nguyen Pham, Maureen Morrin and Melissa G. Bublitz
This paper aims to examine how repeated exposure to health-related products that contain flavors (e.g. cherry-flavored cough syrup) create “flavor halos” that can bias perceptions…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how repeated exposure to health-related products that contain flavors (e.g. cherry-flavored cough syrup) create “flavor halos” that can bias perceptions about the healthfulness of foods that contain the same flavors (e.g. cherry-flavored cheesecake).
Design/methodology/approach
Six experiments, using both between- and within-subjects designs, explore the effects of flavor halos in hypothetical and actual consumption settings. They test the underlying mechanism, rule out competing explanations and identify an opportunity to correct the cognitive biases created by flavor halos.
Findings
Flavor halos can be created via repeated exposure to flavored medicinal products in the marketplace. These flavor halos bias dieters’ judgments about the healthfulness of vice foods containing such flavors. Dieters are motivated toward a directional conclusion about food healthfulness to mediate the guilt associated with consuming indulgent products. Providing dieters with corrective information mitigates these effects.
Research limitations/implications
The authors examine one way flavor halos are created –via repeated exposure to flavored medicinal products. Future research should explore other ways flavor halos are created and other ways to mitigate their effects.
Practical implications
Considering the prevalence of obesity, organizations striving to help consumers pursue health goals (e.g. weight watchers) can use flavors to improve dietary compliance. Health-care organizations can help consumers understand and correct the cognitive biases associated with flavor halos.
Originality/value
By identifying flavor halos, this work adds to the literature investigating how flavors influence consumers’ judgments about healthfulness. The results suggest dieters apply flavor halos as they engage in motivated reasoning to license their indulgent desires.
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Christine E. Walsh, Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, Alice Ammerman, Karla Hanson, Stephanie B. Pitts Jilcott, Jane Kolodinsky, Marilyn Sitaker and Susan Ennett
Snacking contributes to one-quarter of children’s total daily energy intake in the USA, with many snack foods being nutrient-poor and energy-dense. Snacking and sugary beverage…
Abstract
Purpose
Snacking contributes to one-quarter of children’s total daily energy intake in the USA, with many snack foods being nutrient-poor and energy-dense. Snacking and sugary beverage consumption have been identified as potential contributors to childhood overweight and obesity and may play a particularly important role among children from socioeconomically disadvantaged households that generally display higher rates of obesity. This exploratory study investigated associations between consumption of snack foods, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and overweight and obesity in children from low-income households.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from households that participated in a multi-state cost-offset (CO-CSA) community supported agriculture intervention in 2016 and 2017 (n = 305) were analyzed. Fixed effect regression models were used to estimate associations between child monthly consumption of salty snack foods; sweet snack foods and SSBs; and child weight status, accounting for demographic characteristics.
Findings
No associations were found between snack or SSB consumption and child overweight. However, household income was significantly, negatively related to all three consumption variables (Salty snacks: ß = −0.09, SE = 0.04, p = 0.02; Sweet snacks: ß= −0.10, SE = 0.04, p = 0.01; SSB: ß= −0.21, SE = 0.05, p = 0.0001). The results suggest that household income may play an important role in children’s snacking and SSB behaviors among more disadvantaged households.
Practical implications
Factors beyond snack food and SSB consumption should be explored to better understand childhood overweight and obesity, and to inform future obesity interventions.
Originality/value
Socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity are an ongoing policy-relevant issue within the USA and internationally. This study provides new information about child snacking behaviors in a unique, low-income population and contributes to the evidence base regarding the role household context in shaping child consumption behaviors.
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Ayantunji Gbadamosi, Ojo Olukayode Iwaloye and David Bamber
Given the diversity which exists among various groups of consumers, the purpose of this paper is to explore students' consumption of non‐alcoholic beverages in Nigeria.
Abstract
Purpose
Given the diversity which exists among various groups of consumers, the purpose of this paper is to explore students' consumption of non‐alcoholic beverages in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
Three focus groups and 20 in‐depth interviews were conducted with students in three universities located in Lagos, Nigeria.
Findings
Initial findings indicate that these students' consumption of non‐alcoholic beverages is influenced in many ways. Nevertheless, the most striking of these influences are found to be convenience of purchase, along with availability, price, health concerns, and culture/social reasons.
Originality/value
The main contribution of the study lies in the relevance of segmentation, targeting, and positioning activities of business organisations in respect of marketing of non‐alcoholic beverages. Based on the findings, the empirical study will serve as a valuable input to marketers in their planning, analysis, and implementation of appropriate marketing strategies to students vis‐à‐vis the highlighted influences on their consumption of this category of food. It will thus serve as a tool for creating competitive advantage in this prevailing volatile business environment.
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Elisabeth Lind Melbye and Merete Hagen Helland
The purpose of this paper is to explore associations between food-related self-control, intentions, descriptive peer norms, parents’ healthy eating guidance and adolescents’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore associations between food-related self-control, intentions, descriptive peer norms, parents’ healthy eating guidance and adolescents’ consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in a school lunch setting. An additional aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the measure used to assess food-related self-control in order to reveal potential multi-dimensionality.
Design/methodology/approach
A web-based survey was conducted among 694 Norwegian high school students. Multiple logistic regression was used to explore associations between the independent variables and SSB consumption. Psychometric evaluation of the self-control measure included factor analysis and internal consistency reliability.
Findings
Factor analysis resulted in two food-related self-control dimensions: resistance and avoidance. Multiple logistic regression showed that intentions was the strongest predictor of SSB consumption in the sample. Avoidance and descriptive peer norms appeared as weaker predictors.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the findings, the authors suggest that future studies may consider developing guiding principles on how to create health-promoting eating intentions in adolescents, how to deal with peer norms related to foods and beverages and how to avoid tempting stimuli in the environment. Such strategies may be helpful when structural changes in the environment are not feasible in the near future.
Originality/value
An original aspect of the present study is that it includes a psychometric analysis of a supposedly one-dimensional self-control measure. Further, it adds to the knowledge about variables associated with adolescent SSB consumption in a school lunch context.
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Carl Peter Borchgrevink and Allan Lewis Sherwin
The purpose of this paper is to outline Tim Hanni’s vinotype theory and to test some of the theories foundational propositions. Specifically, this paper tests whether the wine…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline Tim Hanni’s vinotype theory and to test some of the theories foundational propositions. Specifically, this paper tests whether the wine preferences of novice wine consumers can be predicted using novice consumers’ historic and current food and beverage consumption patterns and preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consists of college students at a large Midwest University in the USA with an average age of 21.5 years. Data are collected via focus group (n = 4), a web-based survey (n = 231) and via recorded hedonic responses to food and wines in a controlled lab setting (n = 75). Correlation, regression and factor analyses are performed.
Findings
The findings support the vinotype theory. Predicted order and structure was found and near-past consumer consumption patterns and preferences predicted the consumer wine preferences of novice wine consumers.
Research limitations/implications
The use of a convenience sample of college-student wine drinkers from a single university in Midwestern USA limits the paper. While the paper provides support for the vinotype theory, the results are not generalizable to other countries, regions or populations with a different wine-consumption culture. Additional research is necessary to further test and validate the vinotype theory and model.
Practical implications
The support for the foundational propositions of the vinotype theory suggests that it is reasonable to consider adopting the vinotypic approach. Businesses that sell wine can have their sales and service staff use the vinotypic approach to assist consumers in selecting wines the consumer will find delicious. This should lead to customer satisfaction and possible repeat sales/visits. Consumers can use the vinotype theory to develop an understanding of which wines they like and the reason for liking such. Researchers should use this foundational support to test the model outright.
Originality/value
This is a first academic review of the vinotype theory and a first test of the theory’s foundational propositions independent of the theory’s author. This paper is important, as it provides some independent support for the vinotype theory. The vinotype theory provides a basis for increased understanding and clarity in the realm of wine choice and preference.
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Thorsten Merkle, Kayhan Tajeddini, Ilias Vlachos and Jim Keane
In this chapter, the authors investigate the experiences of air passengers in the airside setting of commercial airports. Whilst the concept of liminality has found increased…
Abstract
In this chapter, the authors investigate the experiences of air passengers in the airside setting of commercial airports. Whilst the concept of liminality has found increased interest in tourism studies, only few studies have contextualized the airside experience as a liminal one. We investigate the role of food and beverage (F&B) consumption in this context as well as factors influencing F&B outlet patronage intentions. Using a European non-hub commercial airport as practical unit, we applied a mixed methods single case-study methodology to investigate F&B outlet choice in the airside setting. It becomes evident that perceptions of liminality play an important role in this context. Findings support the claim that the airport environment constitutes a special context, an encapsuled or protected space; not only for passengers, but also for employees alike. Whilst airports have a certain uniformity to regular travelers, infrequent travelers perceive air travel as an extraordinary activity, often paired with a certain uncertainty about related procedures. Evidence suggests that passengers’ emotional states play a key role in consumption decisions. Depending on travel purpose and direction, passengers showed differing consumption behaviors.
Understanding the airport airside area as a liminoid space and using the concept of boundary work for the transition between home and work realms (and back again) thus serves as a suitable frame of reference to help understand the phenomena that were observed and analyzed in this study. F&B consumption can then be understood to support the mental transition between home and work realms. Our findings thus allow linking the passenger clusters’ different consumption behavior to prevailing emotional states in their transgressions between work and home realm in the liminoid airside context.
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Angelina De Pascale, Maurizio Lanfranchi, Raffaele Zanchini, Carlo Giannetto, Mario D'Amico and Giuseppe Di Vita
In recent years, the global consumption of craft beer witnesses remarkable growth. This growth is attributed to the evolving demographics of beer consumers, particularly the…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, the global consumption of craft beer witnesses remarkable growth. This growth is attributed to the evolving demographics of beer consumers, particularly the emergence of a new generation known as Digitarians or Generation Z. This study aims to analyze the key determinants influencing craft beer consumption among Digitarians.
Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire is administered, and a total of 296 completed responses are included in the statistical analysis. The methodology uses logistic regressions combined with a backward selection process and variance inflation factor analysis to address multicollinearity. The logistic regressions are conducted in three steps to delve into the research objective and gain insights into the behavior of young consumers. The stepwise backward selection aids in obtaining robust coefficients as a variable selection tool.
Findings
The results shed light on how Digitarians’ preferences for craft beer are influenced by various factors, including self-perceived knowledge, alcohol content, gender, food pairings, environment and companionship.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper contributes novel insights by being the first study to explore the significance of craft beer choices among Digitarians, identifying the role of several predictors in their consumption patterns.
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