Functional, organic or conventional? Food choices of health conscious and skeptical consumers

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justina Gineikiene ◽  
Justina Kiudyte ◽  
Mindaugas Degutis
Keyword(s):  
Functional Food ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Partial Explanation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Health Consciousness ◽  
Willingness To Buy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how health consciousness and skepticism toward health claims are related to perceived healthiness and willingness to buy functional food (i.e. functional yogurt) compared to conventional and organic (bio) food. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 295 consumers was conducted in Lithuania. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings Research findings indicate that health conscious consumers tend to discount messages about the health value of functional food and show preferences for organic food. In contrast, skepticism toward health claims has a higher negative homogenous impact on the perceived healthiness of functional, organic and conventional products compared to health consciousness. On the other hand, skepticism toward health claims does not directly reduce consumers’ willingness to buy functional, organic and conventional products. Research limitations/implications Testing other settings, product categories, additional constructs and understanding underlying processes using an experimental design may help to gain more insights into how health conscious and skeptical consumers make food choices. Practical implications An examination of health consciousness and skepticism toward health claims can provide at least a partial explanation as to why many functional food products fail to gain consumer confidence. Originality/value Based on the reactance theory, the study sheds some light on the understanding of how different psychosocial factors are related to consumer attitudes toward functional, organic and conventional food.

Chinese perception and willingness to buy Taiwanese brands

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Souiden ◽  
Riadh Ladhari ◽  
Liu Chang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
Brand Quality ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine ethnocentrism and animosity in a special context of two societies that share cultural, historical, ethnic and geographical characteristics. In particular, it first investigates the relationships between Chinese ethnocentrism and animosity toward Taiwan, and then it examines the impact of these two factors on the Chinese perception of Taiwanese brand quality and their purchase intent. Design/methodology/approach Based on a sample of 605 respondents from China, data were analyzed by structural equation modeling. Findings The results show that although Chinese animosity toward Taiwan is moderate, it is significantly driven by ethnocentrism, which has a significant and negative effect on willingness to buy, but not on the perception of Taiwanese brand quality. The Chinese animosity toward Taiwan, however, has negative and significant effects on their perception of Taiwanese brand quality and their intention of purchasing Taiwanese brands. Research limitations/implications The immense size of the country has impeded the representativeness of the authors’ sample and the generalizability of the results. Also, the study covers only one type of product. Practical implications Forming partnerships with local Chinese businesses and developing strong ties with local communities could be considered as a solution to minimize or circumvent the effect of animosity and might help foreign companies appear more “local.” Originality/value In contrast to past studies that investigated ethnocentrism and animosity in the context of countries presenting several differences (e.g. China vs USA), this study investigates the effect of ethnocentrism and animosity in the context of two countries (China and Taiwan) that share cultural, historical, ethnic and geographic characteristics. Despite the strong ties between the two countries, the Chinese have a certain animosity, though moderate, toward Taiwan and consequently are less inclined to buy Taiwanese brands. This implies that Chinese animosity toward a country may be toned down or pronounced, depending on whether they have strong or weak ties with that country.

Impacts of consumers’ perceived risks in eco-design packaging on food wastage behaviors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Knowledge Gap ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Risks ◽  
Health Consciousness ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Food Wastage

PurposePackaging links products to consumers by delivering messages to promote healthy food consumption and reduce wastage. However, studies point to a knowledge gap and skepticism among consumers regarding the impact of eco-design packaging on food wastage reduction. To demystify this skepticism and fill the knowledge gap, this study aims to examine consumers’ perceived risks in eco-design packaging and their impact on consumer food wastage.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted to identify consumer-perceived risks in eco-design packaging and explain whether, and why, some dimensions of perceived risk are more influential on consumer food wastage decisions.FindingsConsumers are prevented by financial, physical, functional, temporal and social factors from adopting eco-design packaging. Through structural equation modeling, we find consumer perceived risks in eco-design packaging influence their food wastage decisions through health consciousness and environmental awareness.Practical implicationsThis study provides practical suggestions for packaging manufacturers, the food industry and policymakers.Originality/valueDrawing on the perceived risk theory, this research highlights that the impacts of consumer-perceived risks differ, depending on the dimensions considered in their food wastage decision.

scholarly journals Attitude Components Affecting Functional Dairy Foods Acceptance Among Iranian Urban Consumers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kavoosi-Kalashami ◽  
AmirAli Faridi ◽  
Hamid El Bilali
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Dairy Foods ◽  
Health Consciousness ◽  
Attitudinal Factors ◽  
Willingness To Buy

Abstract Background: Due to the effects that chemical and inorganic foods have on the human body system and cause a variety of diseases, including cancer, the use of functional foods is highly recommended for people. In this study, the attitudinal factors affecting the acceptance of functional dairy foods by urban consumers in Rasht, located in Guilan province, have been investigated.Methods: Data were obtained from 223 households in Rasht City, Northern Iran. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to investigate the effects of the general components of purchasing, the benefits of functional dairy food, the need of functional dairy foods, confidence in functional dairy foods, safety of functional dairy foods, health consciousness and healthy lifestyle, components on the willingness to buy of functional dairy foods.Results: The components of attitude towards healthy lifestyle and the general components of purchasing were the most effective factors in determining the acceptance of functional dairy foods by the households of Rasht City.Conclusions: Lifestyle changes and promotion of healthy lifestyle among urban consumers will increase the acceptance of functional dairy foods in Iran.

Is health consciousness and perceived privacy protection critical to use wearable health devices? Extending the model of goal-directed behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishit Kumar Srivastava ◽  
Namrata Chatterjee ◽  
A.K. Subramani ◽  
N. Akbar Jan ◽  
Pankaj Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Privacy Protection ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Model Comparison ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Consciousness ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Goal Directed Behavior

PurposeThe present study is an attempt to extend the Model of Goal-directed Behavior (MGB) to consider health consciousness and perceived privacy protection as two critical factors to predict desire and intention by individuals to adopt and use wearable health devices (WHDs).Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review hypotheses were framed and tested using data collected through a questionnaire survey. A total of 418 self-reported complete responses were considered to analyze the hypotheses proposed in the study. Structural equation modeling, effects analysis and model comparison (MGB and extended MGB) were performed to understand the predictability of the suggested model.FindingsThe results of the study corroborate that along with MGB, health consciousness and perceived privacy protection also induces the intention of users toward using WHDs. Health-consciousness is found to have a positive and significant direct and indirect impact on intention to use WHDs. Further, the model comparison exhibits that the proposed extended MGB is a better predictor of intention to use WHDs.Practical implicationsApart from the conventional framework of MGB, health consciousness and perceived privacy protection promote desire and intention to use WHDs. This research provides a framework for marketers to promote health consciousness among consumers by motivating them to adopt WHDs. Further, privacy protection features should be showcased in order to induce trust in consumers which in turn will trigger their intention to use WHDs to lead a healthy lifestyle.Originality/valueThe current study incorporates health consciousness and perceived privacy protection in MGB to fit into the context of healthcare intention study, which enhances the predictability of intention behavior of consumers and adds to the existing body of MGB and healthcare literature.

Feeling guilty and willingness to buy organic food: the moderating role of motherhood

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faruk Anıl Konuk
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe main purpose of the study is to examine the moderating influence of motherhood on the linkage between feeling guilty and willingness to buy organic food.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected using a questionnaire from female consumers and analyzed with structural equation modeling.FindingsThe structural equation model results revealed that food safety concern and environmental concern influence feeling guilty about buying conventional food products. The empirical findings also supported the positive effect of feeling guilty on willingness to buy organic food. Additionally, for mother consumers, the impact of food safety concern and environmental concern on feeling guilty was greater than non-mother consumers. Similarly, moderator analyses revealed that the influence of feeling guilty on willingness to buy organic food is significantly higher for mothers.Originality/valueReferring to the attitude-behavior-context (ABC) theory, the current research aimed at filling the knowledge void by examining how motherhood moderates the relationship between feeling guilty and willingness to buy organic food. Hence, understanding the moderation role of motherhood provides newer insights into consumer behavior and marketing literature. The results of the research can help both organic food producers and retailers to develop successful marketing strategies.

A comparative analysis of dimensions of COO and animosity on industrial buyers’ attitudes and intentions

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 832-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakim Meshreki ◽  
Christine Ennew ◽  
Maha Moustafa Mourad
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Type ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
Normative Dimension ◽  
Business To Business

Purpose Country of origin (COO) is well established as an extrinsic product cue that influences buyer behavior in the business-to-business (B2B) context. However, non-product-specific attitudes to a COO, including the notion of animosity, have received rather less attention. This paper aims to investigate COO as a multi-dimensional construct and animosity as a normative dimension of buyers’ attitudes and intentions. Design/methodology/approach The work is based on data collected from industrial buyers in Egypt and Canada to enable a comparative perspective between developing and developed countries. Structural equation modeling was used to test the study’s hypotheses. Findings Country of manufacture was an antecedent of perceived quality and a determinant of brand evaluation in both countries. Price was an antecedent of perceived risk and value in Egypt, while its impact on perceived risk was less pronounced in Canada. Perceived value was the strongest determinant of willingness to buy, while animosity played a significant role in this respect in Canada but not in Egypt. Research limitations/implications Country of brand was not included as a dimension to be investigated; industry type was not controlled and may confound the results; and generalization of the results is limited given the cross-sectional approach. Originality/value The study’s contribution lies in four main elements, viewed individually and in combination: investigating a large number of COO constructs that have not been studied within a single research context in B2B before; including the animosity construct in a B2B setting; contrasting “benefit received” and “sacrifice given” constructs that help to shape industrial buyers’ purchase decisions; and carrying out the research in two very different countries to help improve the generalizability of results.

Grocery shopping, a one man job? Understanding the single shopper

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 574-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Tariq ◽  
Giles D’Souza ◽  
Arthur W. Allaway
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Budget Allocation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Grocery Shopping ◽  
Single Male ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Grocery Products ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Single males and females are an under-studied segment of grocery shoppers. This study aims to compare the shopping habits of single males with single females and couples. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling is used to analyze purchase history data for testing the effect of household type on shopping trip metrics and budget allocation to product categories. Findings Although single male shoppers differ on some trip metrics from females, differences are more pronounced between single shoppers, male or female, and couples. The study also confirms the mediating effect of trip metrics on the relationship between demographics and allocation of budget to grocery product categories. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by identifying the differences and similarities between shopping behaviors of single males, single females and couples, developing an understanding of their budget allocation decisions to different product categories and testing and confirming that trip characteristics mediate the relationship between demographics and budget allocated to grocery products.

Outbreaks of animosity against the West in China: effects on local brand consumption

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Heinberg
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Chinese Consumers ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
Fierce Competition ◽  
The Cost

Purpose Local brands in emerging markets suffer from fierce competition and chronic disadvantages. The purpose of this paper is to investigate if outbreaks of animosity against the West (AAW) might benefit local brands by raising consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to buy (WTB). Design/methodology/approach The study employed 2 methods: structural equation modeling (n=244 Chinese students); and experiment, multiple regression (n=676 Chinese students, different sample than those included in study 1). Findings AAW is different from ethnocentrism and the measurement has good validity and reliability. After an outbreak of animosity, AAW increases Chinese consumers’ WTB local products. The WTP is also enhanced by AAW in such a situation. Under “normal” circumstances, there is no effect of AAW on the WTP. This might be due to the cost of substituting western goods for local ones (e.g. inferior perceived quality and other-signaling value). An outbreak of animosity presents a risk to consumers and thus lowers their overall WTP. Originality/value The study introduces the construct “AAW,” which stretches the animosity construct to an inter-regional level. On such a level, it is possible to find consequences of animosity on local brand consumption, which have not been the focus of previous studies. Additionally, this research introduces the concept of WTP to animosity research. The measurement is built on a real economic exchange and better represents the cost aspects of substituting one brand for another.

scholarly journals After-sales services, brand equity and purchasing intention to buy second-hand product

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Danish Habib ◽  
Muhammad Arslan Sarwar
Keyword(s):  
Brand Equity ◽  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Marketing Manager ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Purchasing Intention ◽  
Brand Credibility ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
Survey Responses

Purpose This study aims to examine the concept of brand equity and willingness to buy second-hand products in the automobile context. The customer-based brand equity model is used as a theoretical lens to examine after-sales services, brand credibility and brand loyalty as drivers of brand equity and willingness to buy the second-hand product. Design/methodology/approach A survey questionnaire based on convenience sampling is used to collect the data from the car owners. A total of 433 survey responses were used to empirically test the measures and propositions by using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings The findings suggest that after-sales services are a key factor in developing brand credibility and brand loyalty. Results are also in support of the positive and significant impact of brand credibility and brand loyalty on brand equity and willingness to buy second-hand products. Originality/value Brand equity represents a differential response and preference to marketing efforts that a product obtains as a result of its brand identification. Although practitioners are actively engaged to position themselves as a unique, attractive and strong brand, little is known about the equity of the brand in the case of second-hand products. This study provides an alternate branding view to the academic scholars and to the marketing manager as this study explicitly probes into the effect of after-sales services in developing brand credibility, brand loyalty, brand equity and wiliness to buy second-hand product as an outcome.

Repurchase intention in the Chinese e-marketplace

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (8) ◽  
pp. 1759-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haijun Bao ◽  
Boying Li ◽  
Jiaying Shen ◽  
Fangfang Hou
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Repurchase Intention ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Online Marketplace

Purpose Retaining customers is very important for the survival of e-commerce sellers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the roles of computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools, interactivity, trust and perceived effectiveness of e-commerce institutional mechanisms (PEEIM) in influencing customer’s repurchase intention in the Chinese online e-commerce marketplace. Design/methodology/approach The research model is empirically tested using survey data analyzed with partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings This study confirms the positive relation between customer satisfaction and trust in the seller, which further contributes to repurchase intention. Results also support the positive influences of effective use of an instant messenger and feedback system on customer perceived interactivity, which helps enhance trust in the seller. PEEIM demonstrates interesting results regarding its moderating effects. Research limitations/implications In the future, researchers can extend the study to other e-commerce platforms and take trust transfer effects and product categories into consideration. Practical implications This study highlights the importance to manage trust, PEEIM, interactivity and CMC tools in e-commerce platforms, assisting practitioners to develop appropriate business strategies and processes to retain customers. Originality/value This study extends previous investigations by integrating trust and PEEIM with interactivity and testing the model in the context of the Chinese online marketplace.

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