Search results
1 – 10 of over 6000
Shashank Thanki, Sunita Guru and Bhavin Shah
Popularity of organic food and food products is growing across the globe due to rising awareness towards health and environment, leading to quality life. However, the multitude of…
Abstract
Purpose
Popularity of organic food and food products is growing across the globe due to rising awareness towards health and environment, leading to quality life. However, the multitude of challenges associated with the purchase and consumption of organic food remain insufficiently addressed within the context of developing nations, such as India. This study attempts to fill this gap by identifying the crucial barriers and analyzing them further to establish contextual relationships among them.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 18 barriers identified with a literature review are classified into 6 major barriers (constructs) using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Further, fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach is employed to relegate these barriers and sub-barriers into the cause-and-effect group. Moreover, causal relationships among these barriers are also established to assist organic food producers and food processing industries in developing the strategies to overcome these barriers.
Findings
The study results indicate that “acceptability,” “preferability” and “reachability” are the most prominent barriers. Moreover, “reachability’ is the leading cause group barrier, while “acceptability” is the major effect group barrier. “Usualness,” “visibility” and “readiness” of the organic food exhibit significant challenges in the organic food consumption.
Practical implications
The findings of this study act as a roadmap and guiding principle for various stakeholders, such as organic food manufacturers, organic food processing industries, government policymaking bodies and food certification agencies, in organizations and government regulatory agencies for devising and implementing targeted strategies to enhance the accessibility, appeal and, in turn, adoption and consumption of organic foods. This successively contributes to broader efforts in improving public health and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study is two-fold. First, it investigates the interdependences among the organic food consumption barriers. Second, it provides policy-related recommendations to enhance the consumption of organic food, especially in India.
Details
Keywords
Mohammad Soliman, Naayama Al-Ghafri, Alicia Orea-Giner, Hafidh Al Riyami and Musallam S. Hawas Al-Aamri
This study examines how street food affects urban culture, economics and sustainable tourism. It examines how street food stands, as a cultural and economic phenomenon, influence…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines how street food affects urban culture, economics and sustainable tourism. It examines how street food stands, as a cultural and economic phenomenon, influence consumer behaviour and local traditions, particularly in Oman’s evolving street food scene.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a quantitative research design, this study utilises an integrated model combining the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) and Attitude-Social-Influence-Efficacy (ASE) models. This approach facilitates a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing consumer behaviour towards street food consumption. The methodology includes surveys and structured interviews with consumers and vendors to assess perceptions, attitudes and behaviours linked to street food in Oman.
Findings
The research identifies key sociocultural, economic and marketing factors that significantly influence consumer engagement with street food. It highlights how traditional elements, such as local customs and societal norms, interplay with contemporary marketing strategies to shape consumer preferences and experiences. The findings suggest that street food not only enhances the culinary experience for travellers but also plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of local tourism economies.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a novel empirical exploration of street food consumption in Oman, a relatively underexplored area within tourism research. It offers valuable insights into how street food can be leveraged to bolster local economies and enrich the tourist experience through sustainable practices. By integrating the S-O-R and ASE models, this research provides a unique framework for understanding the dynamic relationship between street food culture and consumer behaviour in a Middle Eastern context.
Details
Keywords
Xin Qi, Xinlei Lv, Zhigang Li, Chunbaixue Yang, Haoran Li and Angelika Ploeger
Understanding young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior in the fresh food e-commerce platforms (FFEP) is crucial for expanding the global environmental product market. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior in the fresh food e-commerce platforms (FFEP) is crucial for expanding the global environmental product market. The study aims to investigate how specific characteristics of platforms and organic food information impact young adults’ perceived value, leading to their subsequent purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Around 535 valid responses were collected through an online survey and then analyzed applying a two-stage structural equation model (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) approach.
Findings
Results of this research show that platform characteristics (including system quality and evaluation system) and product information characteristics (including organic label, ingredient information and traceability information) significantly affect young adults’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic value. The platform’s service quality has a strong effect on their perceptions of hedonic value, while the delivery system strongly influences their utilitarian value. Moreover, the perceived value, as a crucial mediator, plays a significant role in moderating the influence of platform and product information characteristics on the purchase intentions of young consumers regarding organic food.
Originality/value
Previous research has overlooked the credence attributes of organic food and particularities of online purchasing, focusing instead on general platform and product characteristics. This study addresses this gap by proposing a more appropriate model that integrates the characteristics of both the platform and product information. This offers theoretical and managerial implications for effectively stimulating organic food consumption among young adults in online environments.
Details
Keywords
Sachin Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Vandana, Eva Ivanová and Sheshadri Chatterjee
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of consumption values on customer satisfaction and intention to consume millet-based foods. This study examines both tangible and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of consumption values on customer satisfaction and intention to consume millet-based foods. This study examines both tangible and intangible values of the millet-based food to the customer.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on consumption value theory (CVT), the present study evaluates the impact of consumption value factors such as emotional, epistemic, health, price, prestige and taste/quality values on satisfaction and intention to use millet-based foods and develops a unique research model. Later, leveraging a dataset comprising more than 410 responses from Pune city in India, a rigorous empirical examination of the proposed model was conducted employing SmartPLS 4.0 software.
Findings
The study's finding unveils both the significant and insignificant impacts of various consumption values, both from the tangible and intangible consumption value perspectives on satisfaction and intention to consume millet-based foods. The study also provides a validated food consumption model which can be used for other similar food consumption behaviour of the customers.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides insights as to how different consumption values impact the satisfaction of the customers for the millet-based food. This study illuminates additional aspects of the tangible and intangible factors impacting the satisfaction level of customers to consume millet-based products. Also, this is a cross-sectional study, and the respondents are only based in Pune, India. Thus, the study results cannot be generalised.
Originality/value
This study employs CVT to explore the unexplored impact of consumption values on satisfaction and intention to use millet-based foods, which is unexplored in the past literature. Moreover, this study develops a theoretical model with high explanatory power, and the research model adds value to the existing body of literature from areas such as food preference, consumer behaviour and value consumption insights.
Details
Keywords
Marina Padovan, Gaston Ares, Tailane Scapin, Mariana Vieira dos Santos Kraemer, Maria Cecília Cury Chaddad, Ana Carolina Fernandes, Greyce Luci Bernardo, Paula Lazzarin Uggioni, Simone Pettigrew and Rossana Pacheco da Costa Proença
The World Health Organization recommends limiting the intake of free sugars, which can be added to packaged foods and may appear on labels under different terms. The aim of this…
Abstract
Purpose
The World Health Organization recommends limiting the intake of free sugars, which can be added to packaged foods and may appear on labels under different terms. The aim of this research was to analyse the evidence related to the declaration of free sugars from fruits on packaged food labels.
Design/methodology/approach
A scoping review was conducted following the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).
Findings
Ten eligible studies, conducted in seven countries, were included in this review. The percentage of packaged foods in which free sugars were identified ranged from 52.5 to 86.5%. In three studies, terms related to sugars were identified inductively by reading the entire ingredient list, whereas in the other studies sugars were identified by searching for a list of predefined terms. Studies differed in the definition of sugars and the terms used to identify them. Nine studies included fruit sugars within the terms used to identify free sugars. However, they lacked consistency in the types of fruit sugars considered and did not discuss their agreement with the adopted definitions of sugars.
Originality/value
As far as can be ascertained, this is the first review that addresses the declaration of free sugars from fruits on packaged food labels. Overall, there is a scarcity of literature focused on identifying and discussing the range of free sugars from fruits declared on food labels.
Details
Keywords
Luciana Marques Vieira, Priscila Laczynski de Souza Miguel and Camila Colombo de Moraes
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic raised global alarms about hunger and food insecurity worldwide and the corresponding need for public policies, particularly in…
Abstract
Purpose
The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic raised global alarms about hunger and food insecurity worldwide and the corresponding need for public policies, particularly in emerging countries. One possible solution for addressing this important topic is a food donation supply chain, which comprises food banks and involves their relationships with suppliers (donors), customers (people in need) and other potential stakeholders. The aim of this research is to understand how different agents in a food donation supply chain use different but interrelated capital dimensions (human, structural and relational) to leverage their resources and build knowledge in their relationships with other stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted an abductive single case study with the food bank as a focal organisation in a direct supply chain. Data were collected by way of 15 semi-structured interviews with representatives from each tier in the chain (food bank, donor, social impact company and social movement), non-participant observation and secondary data (e.g. codes of practice, websites and media). All data sources were analysed individually and then cross-checked.
Findings
Our findings show that tangible dimensions, such as those that are structural, are present upstream while intangible dimensions – those that are relational and human, for example – are prevalent downstream. The political dimension was identified as an important mechanism that allows stakeholder engagement and access to resources, funding and government incentives.
Originality/value
By applying a multi-tier approach, the present research explores how different stages in this supply chain use intellectual capital (IC) to better manage relationships. The heterogeneity of agents within the food donation supply chain (public, private and third sector), each of which has distinct levels of IC dimensions, can share their knowledge to improve efficiency and social protection mechanism policies. Since the focal organisation is a non-profit organisation, this study also contributes to IC theory.
Details
Keywords
Lea Kirsten, Rebecca Garvert and Ramona Teuber
With a growing world population and climate crises, edible insects are a promising alternative to conventional livestock. However, Western consumers are largely opposed to eating…
Abstract
Purpose
With a growing world population and climate crises, edible insects are a promising alternative to conventional livestock. However, Western consumers are largely opposed to eating insects. The aim of this study is to investigate the acceptance of insects in a German sample with a specific focus on risk–benefit perceptions and risk preferences.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via an online survey (N = 569). Established scales for food neophobia (FN), risk perception, risk preference and acceptance were used. The statistical analyses included mean comparisons regarding acceptance and risk–benefit perceptions of unprocessed and processed insects. We further examined the role of perceived benefits and risks as well as risk preferences as determinants of acceptance via hierarchical multiple regressions.
Findings
Respondents indicated lower perceived risks, and higher perceived benefits and thus higher acceptance for processed insect products as compared to whole insects. Risk perception was the strongest predictor of acceptance of unprocessed as well as processed insect food. Respondents who reported to have already eaten insects before exhibited higher risk preferences than those who had not.
Originality/value
This study specifically considered the role of risk preferences, which has been so far largely overlooked in consumer research on insect foods. The findings indicate that acceptance of insect food is mainly driven by risk perception rather than individual risk preferences. However, risk preferences should not be totally overlooked as they seem to play a role especially for unprocessed insects and the decision to try insects for the first time.
Details
Keywords
Flavia Braga Chinelato and Carlos Arturo Hoyos Vallejo
This study explores how food biosafety measures (FBM), electronic service quality and product quality influence consumer satisfaction and loyalty in the online food delivery…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores how food biosafety measures (FBM), electronic service quality and product quality influence consumer satisfaction and loyalty in the online food delivery service (OFDS) sector. It also integrates the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to form a robust framework for assessing consumer behaviours and providing insights for this sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 877 Colombian urban consumers were collected. The proposed theoretical model was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) in the SEMinR package of the R program (an open-source programming language).
Findings
The results reveal that food biosafety measures and product quality are the most essential factors for OFDS consumers. Besides, food biosafety measures strongly affect product and e-service quality, which in turn significantly and directly impact consumer satisfaction and loyalty. This means that it is necessary to consider both visible actions strongly related to product quality and invisible actions that highlight the role of e-service quality in ensuring operational excellence.
Practical implications
To maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty, OFDS managers should consider first working with restaurants that practice high food biosafety measures so that the order leaves the restaurant in good condition. However, OFDS should maintain these measures to ensure operational excellence from the order on the platform until delivery to the end consumer.
Originality/value
This innovative study demonstrates how FBMs directly affect perceptions of service, product quality, satisfaction and loyalty. This goes beyond traditional findings suggesting that food biosafety measures' influence is only indirect and mediated by satisfaction.
Details
Keywords
Tewelde Gebre, Zenebe Abraha, Amanuel Zenebe and Woldegebrial Zeweld
In our world, nearly nine million people die every year from hunger, losing one person to hunger every few seconds. Ethiopia is among the leading countries in the total number of…
Abstract
Purpose
In our world, nearly nine million people die every year from hunger, losing one person to hunger every few seconds. Ethiopia is among the leading countries in the total number of people facing hunger. Several actions have been taken to achieve food security globally and at the household level. However, the problem of food insecurity is still high in many parts of the world. Why are we failing to achieve food security? And where should we start? This study aims to answer these main questions.
Design/methodology/approach
Relevant quantitative and qualitative data were duly used to describe food insecurity and associated climate factors globally and nationally. For this, PRISMA review methodology was used to help the systematic review. More than 90 relevant empirical and theoretical literature in the field were reviewed in an integrated way with practical evidence from Ethiopia. Governmental technical reports, NGOs reviews and other relevant empirical data referring to Ethiopia are thematically analyzed.
Findings
The subjectivity, dynamism and complexity of the concept of food security are found to be some of the issues challenging the practice of achieving food security. The unresolved issues in the combination and interaction of the four pillars of food security (food availability, access to food, food utilization and stability) are affecting its measurement. In this study, it is emphasized that food insecurity in rural and urban areas should be treated differently, as food insecurity in rural areas is directly related to food production which depends on rainfall patterns. In rural Ethiopia, rainfall variability was among the main causes of food insecurity. More importantly, it is indicated that rainfall variability does not affect all pillars of food security equally; its effect is more pronounced on food availability and stability aspects. Deconstructing the concept of food security to make it more pragmatic, and understanding the factors behind the rainfall variability should be the starting tasks in achieving food security. Further, even though food aid is preferred to react to transitory food insecurity, focusing on long-lasting preventive measures that address the root causes of the recurring food insecurity in rural areas of Ethiopia would be an effective way of addressing the problem.
Practical implications
Policy makers and other governmental and humanitarian agencies working on food security can make an evidence-based decision, shape policies and programs if they have clear information about the features of food insecurity, the nature of rainfall variability and critiques of the reacting mechanisms to food insecurity. Shortages of food in some place and food price crises in the other places have been both referring to food insecurity. This makes the understanding of food security situations more difficult to explain and communicate.
Originality/value
This study primarily clarifies the conceptual complexity surrounding food security as it currently exists. Further, it provides a comprehensive and quantitative description of the state of global to national food security, along with the associated variability of rainfall patterns that are related to it. It also provides a brief overview of the intervention mechanisms for addressing food security, with a specific focus on Ethiopia. This study has set a clear demarcation to assess food security in rural and urban areas.
Details