scholarly journals Using Causal Maps to Analyse the Major Root Causes of Household Food Waste: Results of a Survey among People from Central and Southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Fanelli
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Statistical Dependence ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Causal Maps ◽  
Sustainability Issue ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Food waste is an important sustainability issue that needs to be addressed. Consumer behaviour is one of the biggest sources of food waste in developed countries. To successfully reduce consumer-related food waste, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of its major root causes at the level of the individual. The present manuscript presents the results of an exploratory on-line survey that was made available through Google Drive and conducted among a representative sample of 1058 Italian individuals. The information contained in the questionnaire related to the characteristics of the individual respondents, their attitudes to expenditure and food, and their opinions of measures to reduce or prevent food waste. Data analysis was conducted in three phases. The first phase allowed for the identification, with the application of descriptive statistics, of the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and why, what, and how much they wasted. In the second phase, linear regression analysis and causal maps were used to both measure the statistical dependence between variables and to identify the main root causes of food waste in the phase of individual consumption. As expected, the perceived quantity of food waste that was declared by respondents was very low. Among the major root causes identified, the socio-demographic characteristics of consumers, types of food shopping purchases, and consumer behaviour played a key role. A causal map was drawn, which offers an immediate vision of the major root causes and can be a useful tool for policymakers who intend to introduce measures to combat food waste. Finally, participants’ responses showed that the main initiatives needed to eliminate waste are the separate collection and dissemination of more information on the impact that waste has on the environment. For these reasons, information and education policies are crucial for changing consumer lifestyles and raising awareness of the value of food.

The Difficulty in Measuring Suitable Targets When Modeling Victimization

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 689-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Marie Popp
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Problem ◽  
Study Participant ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Crime Victimization ◽  
The Social ◽  
Lifestyle Measures ◽  
Psychological Vulnerability ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Target suitability is a critical theoretical concept for opportunity theory. Previous research has primarily measured this concept using demographic characteristics of the study participant, which is problematic. This study corrects the measurement problem by employing bullying variables as alternative measures of target suitability because they are arguably better at capturing the social and psychological vulnerability of the individual that is attracting motivated offenders. Using three waves (1999, 2001, & 2003) of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) School Crime Supplement (SCS), this research explores the impact of the bullying measures along with demographic characteristics and lifestyle measures on the likelihood that a student will experience victimization in school. The findings suggest that the bullying measures are better predictors of victimization over the demographic characteristics and lifestyle measures for all three waves. The findings highlight the need for better measures of target suitability, which capture the social and psychological vulnerability of victims to explain victimization.

The Impact of Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 on Consumer Behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-270
Author(s):  
H. Mustafa Paksoy ◽  
Yakup Durmaz ◽  
Filiz Çopuroğlu ◽  
B. Dilek Özbezek
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Correlation And Regression Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of anxiety that people experience due to the rapidly spreading Covid-19 on consumer behaviour. The sub-objectives of this study are to test the relationship among the anxiety caused by Covid-19, consumer behaviour and socio-demographic variables. In line with this purpose, qualitative research was conducted on 251 academicians working in Gaziantep University. Demographic information form, Death Anxiety Scale developed by Thorson and Powell (1992) and Consumer Behaviour Scale developed by Ang (2001) were conducted on the participants for data collection. The questionnaire was carried out online. The data obtained from the study were analyzed with statistical techniques such as factor analysis, correlation and regression analysis, independent sample T-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings of the study showed that the deprivation and suffering dimensions of the anxiety caused by Covid-19 have significant effects on the dimensions of consumer behaviour. It has also been found that there are significant differences among the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, the anxiety caused by Covid-19 and consumer behaviour.

Consumer expenditures on clothing and footwear: a mixed methods study

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cruz-Cárdenas ◽  
Patricio Arévalo-Chávez ◽  
Jorge Guadalupe
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychological Measures ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Disposal Behavior

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the predictors of consumers’ annual monetary expenditures on clothing and footwear in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, a developing Latin American country. Design/methodology/approach The research followed an exploratory, sequential, mixed methods design. The first phase consisted of in-depth interviews with adult individuals. The second phase involved surveying a similar segment of the population. Findings The present study supports the importance of demographic and psychological factors as predictors. The study also identifies two new groups of predictors: consumers’ reception of used clothing and physical space at home and its management. Practical implications In addition to demographic variables, consumer panels that measure expenditures on clothing and footwear should include psychological measures of participants, particularly clothing involvement. Clothing manufacturers and retailers in developing countries should consider the impact of receiving used clothes by consumers. Because clothing buying and disposal behaviors are positively associated, companies should become more involved in their customers’ disposal behavior. Originality/value The contribution of the present study is twofold. First, it contributes to the understanding of clothing and footwear expenditures by considering the individual consumer as a unit of analysis. Furthermore, it provides insights into this behavior from a little-studied context.

scholarly journals Disorders of Sex Development—Novel Regulators, Impacts on Fertility, and Options for Fertility Preservation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia Lisboa Gomes ◽  
Tarini Chetty ◽  
Anne Jorgensen ◽  
Rod T Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Fertility Preservation ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Disorders Of Sex Development ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Sex Development ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Disorders (or differences) of sex development (DSD) are a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions with variations in chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Impaired gonadal development is central to the pathogenesis of the majority of DSDs and therefore a clear understanding of gonadal development is essential to comprehend the impacts of these disorders on the individual, including impacts on future fertility. Gonadal development was traditionally considered to involve a primary ‘male’ pathway leading to testicular development as a result of expression of a small number of key testis-determining genes. However, it is increasingly recognized that there are several gene networks involved in the development of the bipotential gonad towards either a testicular or ovarian fate. This includes genes that act antagonistically to regulate gonadal development. This review will highlight some of the novel regulators of gonadal development and how the identification of these has enhanced understanding of gonadal development and the pathogenesis of DSD. We will also describe the impact of DSDs on fertility and options for fertility preservation in this context.

Accent Policy and Accent Modification Enterprises as Potential Indicators of Intercultural Power Relations: A Call for an Updated Research Agenda

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brynne D. Ovalle ◽  
Rahul Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Cultural Organization ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This article has two purposes: (a) to examine the relationship between intercultural power relations and the widespread practice of accent discrimination and (b) to underscore the ramifications of accent discrimination both for the individual and for global society as a whole. First, authors review social theory regarding language and group identity construction, and then go on to integrate more current studies linking accent bias to sociocultural variables. Authors discuss three examples of intercultural accent discrimination in order to illustrate how this link manifests itself in the broader context of international relations (i.e., how accent discrimination is generated in situations of unequal power) and, using a review of current research, assess the consequences of accent discrimination for the individual. Finally, the article highlights the impact that linguistic discrimination is having on linguistic diversity globally, partially using data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and partially by offering a potential context for interpreting the emergence of practices that seek to reduce or modify speaker accents.

Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Stigma Among Young Adults With History of Suicide Attempts

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meshan Lehmann ◽  
Matthew R. Hilimire ◽  
Lawrence H. Yang ◽  
Bruce G. Link ◽  
Jordan E. DeVylder
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Self-esteem is a major contributor to risk for repeated suicide attempts. Prior research has shown that awareness of stigma is associated with reduced self-esteem among people with mental illness. No prior studies have examined the association between self-esteem and stereotype awareness among individuals with past suicide attempts. Aims: To understand the relationship between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among young adults who have and have not attempted suicide. Method: Computerized surveys were administered to college students (N = 637). Linear regression analyses were used to test associations between self-esteem and stereotype awareness, attempt history, and their interaction. Results: There was a significant stereotype awareness by attempt interaction (β = –.74, p = .006) in the regression analysis. The interaction was explained by a stronger negative association between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among individuals with past suicide attempts (β = –.50, p = .013) compared with those without attempts (β = –.09, p = .037). Conclusion: Stigma is associated with lower self-esteem within this high-functioning sample of young adults with histories of suicide attempts. Alleviating the impact of stigma at the individual (clinical) or community (public health) levels may improve self-esteem among this high-risk population, which could potentially influence subsequent suicide risk.

The Role of Threat and Economic Uncertainty in Support for Scottish Independence

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kopasker
Keyword(s):  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Constitutional Change ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Economic Expectations ◽  
Scottish Independence ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Levels Of Support

Existing research has consistently shown that perceptions of the potential economic consequences of Scottish independence are vital to levels of support for constitutional change. This paper attempts to investigate the mechanism by which expectations of the economic consequences of independence are formed. A hypothesised causal micro-level mechanism is tested that relates constitutional preferences to the existing skill investments of the individual. Evidence is presented that larger skill investments are associated with a greater likelihood of perceiving economic threats from independence. Additionally, greater perceived threat results in lower support for independence. The impact of uncertainty on both positive and negative economic expectations is also examined. While uncertainty has little effect on negative expectations, it significantly reduces the likelihood of those with positive expectations supporting independence. Overall, it appears that a general economy-wide threat is most significant, and it is conjectured that this stems a lack of information on macroeconomic governance credentials.

The Digital Divide and K-12 Student Computer Use

10.28945/2926 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Morgan ◽  
Craig A. VanLengen
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Limited Basis ◽  
K 12 ◽  
The Impact

The divide between those who have computer and Internet access and those who do not appears to be narrowing, however overall statistics may be misleading. Measures of computer availability in schools often include cases where computers are only available for administration or are available only on a very limited basis (Gootman, 2004). Access to a computer and the Internet outside of school helps to reinforce student learning and emphasize the importance of using technology. Recent U.S. statistics indicate that ethnic background and other demographic characteristics still have substantial impact on the availability and use of computers by students outside of the classroom. This paper examines recent census data to determine the impact of the household on student computer use outside of the classroom. Encouragingly, the findings of this study suggest that use of a computer at school substantially increases the chance that a student will use a computer outside of class. Additionally, this study suggests that computer use outside of the classroom is positively and significantly impacted by being in a household with adults who either use a computer at work or work in an industry where computers are extensively used.

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