scholarly journals The Relative Importance of Search versus Credence Product Attributes: Organic and Locally Grown

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdinand F. Wirth ◽  
John L. Stanton ◽  
James B. Wiley

Organic foods and local foods have come to the forefront of consumer issues, due to concerns about nutrition, health, sustainability, and food safety. A conjoint analysis experiment quantified the relative importance of, and trade-offs between, apple search and experience attributes (quality/blemishes, size, flavor), credence attributes (conventional vs. organic production method, local origin vs. product of USA vs. imported), and purchase price when buying apples. Quality is the most important apple attribute. Production method—organic versus conventional—had no significant impact on preferences.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3746
Author(s):  
Magdalena Polak-Śliwińska ◽  
Małgorzata Tańska

The benefits of natural honeybee products (e.g., honey, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, beevenom and pollen) to the immune system are remarkable, and many of them are involved in the induction of antibody production, maturation of immune cells and stimulation of the immune system. The type of plants in the geographical area, climatic conditions and production method have a significantly influence on the nutritional quality of honey. However, this variability can influence consumer liking by the sensory attributes of the product. The aim of this work was to compare the most popular honeys from Poland in terms of nutritional value, organoleptic properties and antioxidant activity. In the study, five varieties of honey (honeydew, forest, buckwheat, linden and dandelion) from conventional and organic production methods were tested. The nutritional characteristics of honey samples included acidity, content of water, sugars, vitamin C, HMF and phenolics (total and flavonoids), while honey color, taste, aroma and consistency were investigated in the organoleptic characteristics. The antioxidant activity was determined in water- and ethanol-soluble honey extracts using DPPH and ORAC tests. The results showed that organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of popular Polish honeys differ significantly in relation to plant source and production method. The significant effect of honey variety on the content of HMF, saccharose and phenolics, as well as acidity and antioxidant capacity were noted. The impact of variety and variety × production method interaction was significant in the case of the content of vitamin C, glucose and fructose. A visible difference of buckwheat and forest honeys from other samples was observed. The highest content of total phenolics with antioxidant activity based on the SET mechanism was found in buckwheat honeys, while forest honeys were richer in flavonoids.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Tobin ◽  
Sinead Maguire ◽  
Bernie Corr ◽  
Charles Normand ◽  
Orla Hardiman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition with a mean life expectancy of 3 years from first symptom. Understanding the factors that are important to both patients and their caregivers has the potential to enhance service delivery and engagement, and improve efficiency. The Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) is a stated preferences method which asks service users to make trade-offs for various attributes of health services. This method is used to quantify preferences and shows the relative importance of the attributes in the experiment, to the service user. Methods A DCE with nine choice sets was developed to measure the preferences for health services of ALS patients and their caregivers and the relative importance of various aspects of care, such as timing of care, availability of services, and decision making. The DCE was presented to patients with ALS, and their caregivers, recruited from a national multidisciplinary clinic. A random effects probit model was applied to estimate the impact of each attribute on a participant’s choice. Results Patients demonstrated the strongest preferences about timing of receiving information about ALS. A strong preference was also placed on seeing the hospice care team later rather than early on in the illness. Patients also indicated their willingness to consider the use of communication devices. Grouping by stage of disease, patients who were in earlier stages of disease showed a strong preference for receipt of extensive information about ALS at the time of diagnosis. Caregivers showed a strong preference for engagement with healthcare professionals, an attribute that was not prioritised by patients. Conclusions The DCE method can be useful in uncovering priorities of patients and caregivers with ALS. Patients and caregivers have different priorities relating to health services and the provision of care in ALS, and patient preferences differ based on the stage and duration of their illness. Multidisciplinary teams must calibrate the delivery of care in the context of the differing expectations, needs and priorities of the patient/caregiver dyad.


2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Shung Chang ◽  
Lydia Zepeda

AbstractIn Australia, the retail value of organic food production was estimated at A$250 million, with farm-gate value at around A$90 million and exports at around A$40 million, in 2002. The current share of organic sales in total food sales in Australia is about 1%. The growth rate in organic production was forecast to continue at 10–30% per annum. Despite the positive outlook, there are consumer concerns about product recognition and product integrity. To understand how demand for organic products is changing, it is important to investigate consumer attitudes and knowledge about these issues. The objective of this study was to identify issues that may hinder or promote demand. Given the qualitative nature of these issues, we used a focus group study to probe consumers. While focus group results are a qualitative approach and not intended to be generalizable, the results suggest directions for future research. The participants raised concerns about the use of chemicals, the treatment of farm animals and the environmental impact of food production. Organic food consumers were found to be more knowledgeable about organic foods, as well as being more tolerant of higher prices and inaccessibility. The results also suggest that increasing consumers' awareness of organic farming and certification, as well as the availability of organic foods, may be the most effective way of moving organic foods into mainstream.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 802-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrika Samnegård ◽  
Georgina Alins ◽  
Virginie Boreux ◽  
Jordi Bosch ◽  
Daniel García ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Hasan Mastrisiswadi ◽  
Herianto Herianto

Robot rehabilitasi pasien pasca stroke saat ini telah dikembangkan oleh negara-negara maju di dunia, tidak terkecuali Indonesia meskipun sebagai negara berkembang. Salah satu pengembang robot rehabilitasi pasien pasca stroke itu berada di Universitas Gadjah Mada yang telah melakukan penelitian beberapa tahun ini. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi kepentingan relatif konsumen terhadap robot rehabilitasi pasien pasca stroke untuk kemudian digunakan sebagai bahan masukan dalam pengembangan robot selanjutnya. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Conjoint Analysis. Metode ini memiliki keunggulan dalam menganalisis trade off antar atribut. Dari hasil pengolahan Conjoint Analysis dengan bantuan program SPSS, dapat diketahui bahwa kebutuhan konsumen paling tinggi terhadap robot rehabilitasi pasien stroke adalah  dapat dipasangkan ke tangan pasien dengan mudah, baru setelah itu kemampuannya untuk dipakai di kedua tangan (kanan dan kiri) dan material yang digunakan dalam pembuatan robot haruslah aman bagi pasien.AbstractPost-stroke rehabilitation robot has been developed in the world, including Indonesia as a developing country. One of this robot developers is Universitas Gadjah Mada who has conducted research for post stroke rehabilitation robot in recent years. This study aims to identify the consumer’s relative importance of the  post-stroke rehabilitation robot that can be used for the next robot development. The method used in this study is Conjoint Analysis. This method has the advantage in analyzing trade-offs between attributes. From this research, we have known that the highest rank of the robot consumer needs are: can be attached to the patient's hand with ease, the ability to be used in both hands (right and left) and the movement of the robot which can be varied according to the needs of the patient.


1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Ryan

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of conjoint analysis (CA) in health services research. Conjoint analysis is first explained, with emphasis on the history of the technique, followed by an explanation of how to carry out such a study and how the results from such a study can be used. The technique is demonstrated with reference to a study that looks at the benefits of in vitro fertilization. It is shown how CA can be used to estimate the relative importance of attributes, the trade-offs individuals make between these attributes, willingness to pay if cost is included as an attribute, and utility or benefit scores for different ways of providing a service. The paper then considers the potential advantages of CA over other, more commonly used benefit assessment instruments. Finally, there is discussion of the issues raised in the design and analysis of CA studies. It is concluded that these issues must be addressed before the technique becomes an established instrument for technology assessment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (8) ◽  
pp. 2463-2479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Migliore ◽  
Alkis Thrassou ◽  
Maria Crescimanno ◽  
Giorgio Schifani ◽  
Antonino Galati

PurposeThe aim of this study is to understand which wine quality characteristics, consumers' attitudes and socio-demographic characteristics affect the consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) a premium price for a bottle of natural wine.Design/methodology/approachThe research is experimental and investigated the purchasing intentions of 613 Italian wine consumers within a hypothetical setting. In order to elicit WTP for natural wine, a multiple price list (MPL) in a comparison with one bottle of conventional wine, with an average price of €5 was adopted. To understand which quality attributes of wine affect the consumers' WTP for natural wine, a Tobit regression model was implemented.FindingsThe findings reveal that drink frequency and occasion, organic production method, the content of sulfites, income and the attitudes towards healthy eating and the environment are positively associated with a higher WTP for natural wine.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this study is related to both the convenient sample and the limited geographical area. However, identifying which quality attributes of natural wine are most appreciated by consumers and which attitudes affect this behaviour is fundamental in order to develop successful marketing strategies for product development and the design of advertising and communication campaigns.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to analyse the consumer behaviour towards natural wines contributing to enrich that part of the economic literature which states that consumers have a positive attitude towards sustainable wines.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91
Author(s):  
Milivoje Urošević ◽  
Ersoy Nilda ◽  
Petar Stojić ◽  
Darko Drobnjak

Organic farming, as an ecologically acceptable production method based on natural processes and the use of organic and natural materials, is becoming increasingly popular in Serbia. In addition to “organic”, this type of production is also commonly called “ecological” or “biological”. The objectives of organic agriculture are to maintain and increase fertility of the land, suppress land erosion, conserve biodiversity, protect natural resources from pollution and produce foods of high nutritional value. In organizing organic livestock production, priority is given to native (indigenous) breeds adapted to local growing conditions and resistant to diseases. Organic production, which is an integral part of the sustainable agriculture system, does not permit the use of protective and nutraceuticals of synthetic chemical origin and synthetic drugs, growth regulators, hormones and GMOs. Despite the common, classical means of goat farming, in recent years there has been increasing interest to change typical farming methods to introduce “Bio” systems, i.e. biologically clean farming methods. Such production methods result in products free of the chemicals that are common in numerous substances used in common production methods. Animal welfare is always a high priority in organic production. Primarily, animals should be provided with conditions for growth and development that are in compliance with their genetic potential. This implies respecting their physiological and ecological needs, and ensuring conditions to express their natural functions and behaviour. In order to start and later organize such production, certain conditions must be met. The appropriate, accredited institutions are responsible for ensuring that the required conditions are met and that production is in line with the principles of biological production. Holdings meeting the requirements of biological production receive the appropriate certificate. Today organic production in the EU is regulated by the EEC Directive 2092/91, and its amendments.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Bean ◽  
Jeff S. Sharp

AbstractConsumers appear increasingly interested in how to engage in consumptive practices that lead to a more sustainable food and agricultural system. In this paper, we examine two possible consumptive pathways for achieving sustainability: the purchase of organic foods and/or the purchase of local foods. While there is some debate regarding the integrity and sustainability of organic versus locally produced foods, there is limited information examining the similarities or differences among consumers variably interested in one or the other attribute. Using data from a statewide survey of Ohio, USA, respondents and members of a food cooperative and an environmental and social responsibility organization, a typology is proposed and comparisons are made among different types of local and organic food consumers regarding their attitudes about food, agriculture and the environment. While a large proportion of the survey respondents expressed little or only modest interest in either local or organic foods, distinct groups of respondents interested in primarily the local attribute, primarily the organic attribute, and both attributes are identified. The results reveal similarities and differences across types with the profiles of each type of consumer contributing to a more nuanced view of supporters of these foods that can assist in production decisions, as well as purchasing and marketing decisions among retailers.


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