Organic food and university students: a pilot study

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Hamilton ◽  
Sharareh Hekmat
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
University Students ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Canadian Population ◽  
University College

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide information relating to organic food consumption patterns specific to the Canadian population and youth demographic. The primary objective of this pilot study is to investigate the knowledge, consumption patterns and willingness to pay for organic food among the first-year University students enrolled in courses at Brescia University College. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire has been developed by the researchers and distributed to several first-year classes at Brescia University College. The results have been analyzed using Wilcoxon scores (rank sums), Wilcoxon two-sample test, Spearman correlation coefficients and univariate and multivariate regression analyses. A theme analysis has been generated from open-ended questions. Findings No significant differences exist between nutrition and non-nutrition students. Attitudes toward organic food and knowledge score significantly impact the consumption patterns and willingness to pay for organic food (p = < 0.0001). Most students indicated that they were willing to pay a premium for organic food and had positive associations with it. Originality/value This is the first study relating to this topic and the Canadian population. Results from this study provide baseline data that may be used to conduct future research.

Students’ knowledge and attitudes towards GMOs and nanotechnology

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 628-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharareh Hekmat ◽  
Lindsay Nicole Dawson
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Nutritional Studies ◽  
First Year University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate knowledge and attitudes toward genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and nanotechnology among the Canadian youth demographic. The primary objective of this pilot study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes toward GMOs and nanotechnology among first year university students. The secondary objective was to compare knowledge and attitudes toward GMOs and nanotechnology among students studying nutrition as to students who do not study nutrition. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed by researchers and student volunteers. This questionnaire was distributed to first year university classes at Western University. The multiple-choice questions were analyzed using SAS, and open-ended questions were analyzed using theme analysis. Findings GMO knowledge was strong for both populations, however questions related to the percentage of GM foods grown in Canada indicated nutrition students had a stronger GMO knowledge (p = 0.031). Open-ended questions revealed overall attitudes toward GMOs were either unsure or negative between both populations. Nutrition students had a more positive attitude toward nanotechnology, and a slightly stronger knowledge regarding applications of nanotechnology (p = 0.006). Theme analysis indicated that participants enrolled in nutritional studies were less apprehensive toward GMOs. No differences were indicated in open-ended questions related to nanotechnology between both groups, which may be due to the lack of awareness related to the novelty of the technology. Research limitations/implications Without a validated questionnaire, this reduces the reliability of the results from the questionnaire. The questionnaire was carefully designed by combining previous studies questionnaires, as well as producing questions from related literature, which increases the reliability and accuracy of the questionnaire. In addition, the questionnaires underwent several rounds of pre-piloting as well as multiple revisions with current health-care professions to increase the reliability and accuracy of the questionnaire. Practical implications This study will assist in understanding the current knowledge of GMOs and nanotechnology among first year university students. This will then allow us to understand if knowledge has a factor in altering students’ attitudes toward these technologies. If students do not have a strong knowledge toward these technologies, then this may lead to the potential implementation of education regarding GMOs and nanotechnology. As these technologies are emerging and being used in everyday food items, individuals should be aware of the implications, as well as the benefits of these technologies. Originality/value This is the first study regarding this topic in Canada. Results from this study provide baseline data that may be used to conduct future research.

Attitudes and behaviour towards organic products: an exploratory study

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efthimia Tsakiridou ◽  
Christina Boutsouki ◽  
Yorgos Zotos ◽  
Kostantinos Mattas
Keyword(s):  
Organic Food ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Consumer Decision Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Actual Behaviour ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Organic Products

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to identify consumers' attitudes and behaviour towards organic products in Greece.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on a non‐probability quota sample of 660 respondents to explore the attitudes and behaviour of Greek consumers towards organic food products.FindingsGreek consumers seem to be informed about environmental and health issues. They seek information about the nutritional value of food and demand more products free from chemical residues. The results show that most consumers associate organic consumption mainly with fruit and vegetables. Although demographics seem to affect attitudes towards organics, their value in explaining actual behaviour is minimal.Research limitations/implicationsIt is recognized that the data gathered in this study focus on the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, Greece. The specific area though, is considered to be representative of the total Greek population. The results confirm that health, concern for the environment, animal welfare and support of the local economy are drivers of organic consumption. However, there is an indication that the importance of motives and barriers may vary for different product categories and perhaps future research should focus on product segmentation.Practical implicationsAlthough certain similarities in consumers' attitudes towards organic food products have been identified, this paper records the variation in behaviour towards organics among the various consumer groups examined in Greece, and highlights the gap between attitudes and actual behaviour. Given the complexity of consumer decision making, future research should explore the other value trade‐offs that consumers make.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to provide evidence on the relatively under researched area of organics attitudes and behaviour in Greece.

Differences between organic and conventional leafy green vegetables perceived by university students

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (7) ◽  
pp. 1579-1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo Thimoteo Da Cunha ◽  
Adriane Elisabete Costa Antunes ◽  
Julia Gabriela Da Rocha ◽  
Talita Gaspar Dutra ◽  
Catarina Vezetiv Manfrinato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Blind Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Students First ◽  
Likert Scale Response ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Organic Food Consumption

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate perceived sensory differences of organic and conventional leafy green vegetables through three sensory tests – blind, informed and inverted and the willingness to buy (WTB) them, and associated factors of organic food consumption by these students. Design/methodology/approach The research had a cross-sectional design with university students. First, a questionnaire with 16 statements was presented to 233 consumers with a five-point Likert scale response. The assertions were categorized into five domains: trust in organic production; trust in conventional production; positive attitude to organic; affordable price; and perceived quality. Afterwards, a hedonic scaling was conducted with 150 consumers, 50 in each type of test with conventional and organic leafy green vegetables: lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.); kale (Brassica oleracea L.); common chicory (Cichorium intybus); and endive (Cichorium endivia). Visual aspect, taste, texture, bitterness and overall liking for all samples were evaluated on a nine-point hedonic scale. Findings In general, the participants did not perceive sensory differences during the blind test, but when the information about the vegetables was provided, higher scores were obtained by those products labelled as organic in the informed test and in the inverted test (conventional labelled as organic). This effect was higher for students with stronger attitudes towards organic food. These results indicated that the perceived differences between organic and conventional leafy green by university students tended to be attitudinal and, therefore, can be greatly influenced by the information provided with the product. Originality/value This research showed that university students were influenced by the organic label, revealing their sensory perception about vegetables. This study had multiple methodological approaches, including hedonic scaling and consumers’ WTB. This combination allowed identifying the students’ attitudinal tendency in relation to their sensory perceptions of organic green leafy green vegetables.

Psychological engagement of university students

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Timms ◽  
Tracey Fishman ◽  
Alexander Godineau ◽  
Jamie Granger ◽  
Tariro Sibanda
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Course Experience Questionnaire ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Psychological Engagement ◽  
Course Experience ◽  
Course Material

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship of undergraduate university students’ course experience (learning community (LC), clear goals and standards, student support, study-family affect (SF affect) and autonomy) to their well-being, as measured by psychological engagement (dedication, absorption and vigour) and burnout (exhaustion and disengagement/cynicism). Design/methodology/approach First-year psychology students (n=128) were surveyed using previously validated measures of their well-being and experiences at university. Findings Belonging to a LC (where students were encouraged to develop fluidity with the subject matter and share insights) was positively related to students’ psychological engagement. By contrast, the provision of ready access to course materials did not predict student engagement. Knowledge of goals and standards predicted that students would find course work energising (vigour). Respondents reported that SF affect (where participation at university enhances family life) was related to their engagement at university. In addition, mature age students (over the age of 25 years) reported higher levels of engagement in their study than did younger students. Research limitations/implications The dominant predictor of student well-being (LC) was redolent of two important psychological human needs (affiliation and mastery). The central nature of this variable to student well-being is therefore currently undifferentiated and calls for the application of more finely tuned instruments to predict student well-being. Originality/value The current research applied measures from the widely validated Course Experience Questionnaire (Ramsden, 1991) as predictors of students’ psychological engagement and burnout. It highlights the value of personal relationships and community in university students’ mastery of difficult course material.

Intention towards social entrepreneurship of university students in an emerging economy: the influence of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurship education

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-151
Author(s):  
H.M. Kamrul Hassan
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Entrepreneurial Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Support

Purpose Entrepreneurial intention plays a crucial role in the research and application of social entrepreneurship (SE). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the factors affecting students’ intention towards social entrepreneurship (ISE). The study has taken entrepreneurial self-efficacy, along with entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial network and perceived university support that have an impact on intentions, which instills interest amongst students in being future entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach Data were primarily taken from a survey of 380 university students from public and private universities in Chattogram, the business capital of Bangladesh. Students were preliminarily selected, focussing on different profiles such as male/female, age, socio-economic status, education level, university status and employment level. Initially, using factor analysis factors were analyzed and later multiple regression analysis was used to identify the relationship with ISE. Findings The study on the student reveals that four aspects significantly impacted the preference of students’ ISE. This study reinforces the influence of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, along with entrepreneurial education, as the factors contributing to aid young graduates recognizing and fostering an ISE. Entrepreneurial networks and perceived university support were found to have no association with social entrepreneurial intentions. Originality/value This paper contributes to the understanding of the factors and provides a basis for explaining factors that affect the intention of students towards SE. It can contribute to future research related to social entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, it was concluded that forming social entrepreneurial intention is highly influenced by entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurship education.

How aspects of a wine’s place affect consumers’ authenticity perceptions and purchase intentions

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Moulard ◽  
Barry J. Babin ◽  
Mitch Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
New World ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Old World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Description ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how two aspects of place affect consumers’ authenticity perceptions of a wine and their willingness to pay for it. One aspect of place is the wine’s country of origin, specifically Old World versus New World wines. A second aspect of place is the technical terroir. A description of the terroir that is highly specific was expected to be perceived as more authentic and offer more value than a vague terroir description. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 109 US adults participated in an online 2 × 2 experiment in which authenticity, willingness to pay and expertise were measured. ANCOVA and MANCOVA were used to analyze the data. Findings – Subjects perceived the Old World wine as more authentic and were willing to pay more for it than the New World wine. Additionally, country of origin moderated the effect of terroir specificity on authenticity and willingness to pay. For New World wines, wine with specific information about the terroir was perceived as more authentic and more valuable than wine with vague terroir information. The opposite was found for the Old World wine. Finally, authenticity mediated the effect of this interaction on willingness to pay. Research limitations/implications – The sample limits generalizability, and the study design involved only a text description of the wine. While the description allowed control, future research should include a measure following an actual taste of the wine. Practical implications – The implications concern the strength of the Old World wine stereotypes and the means of marketing wines from less traditional wine-producing regions. The Old World wines provide a quality signal that need not be reinforced by a specific description of the technical terroir. In contrast, a specific description of the technical terroir may well send positive signals for wines from New World countries. Originality/value – This study is the first to empirically demonstrate that two different aspects of place influence a wine’s perceived authenticity.

How important is country-of-origin for organic food consumers? A review of the literature and suggestions for future research

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 542-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Thøgersen ◽  
Susanne Pedersen ◽  
Maria Paternoga ◽  
Eva Schwendel ◽  
Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Starting Point

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the country-of-origin (COO) effect in the context of organic food and develop suggestions for further research in this area. Research has investigated COO effects and consumer responses to organic food, but there is little research on the combination of the two. Design/methodology/approach A narrative review of two research streams and their intersection, forming the basis for the development of a research agenda. Findings There are few studies analysing the possible interaction between the effects of organic and COO on consumers’ food preferences and choices. In general, COO seems to lose impact when other quality cues are salient. This suggests a lower impact of COO for organic than for conventional food products. However, there is still no research on the possible impact of organic labelling in categories where products from a foreign country are able to demand a premium, and little is known about consumer preferences for different import countries regarding organic food. Six potential future research directions are suggested. Research limitations/implications There is a need for research that more systematically investigates the possible interactions between COO and organic labelling on consumers’ food product preferences and choices. A research agenda is suggested as a starting point. Originality/value This literature review highlights the lack of research on the interaction between COO effects and consumer responses to organic food. The literature review creates a basis for future research and a possible research agenda is suggested.

On the Teaching of Economics in Africa

1969 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 713-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Kimble
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Gold Coast ◽  
First Year ◽  
Technical Quality ◽  
Important Thing ◽  
Industrial History ◽  
Teaching Of Economics ◽  
The World ◽  
University College ◽  
First Year University

The past two years, 1968–9, have seen the publication of a significant handful of economic textbooks, designed for first-year university students in Africa. Their specific aims, their precise range, and their technical quality naturally vary widely; but the important thing is that they have been published at all. This marks the culmination of a long, slow revolution, since the time when the then University College of the Gold Coast began to teach economics in 1949–50, following unmodified London syllabuses. There seemed to be no anxiety to work out any appropriate local substitute for papers in such topics as British industrial history, although this was possible under the regulations; and one of the lecturers told me, ‘There is no need for an African textbook— economic principles are the same all over the world.’

Empowerment through induction: supporting the well-being of beginning teachers

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-70
Author(s):  
Chris Wilcoxen ◽  
Julie Bell ◽  
Amanda Steiner
Keyword(s):  
Beginning Teachers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Induction Programs ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Impact ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
First Year Teacher

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore ways teachers undergoing induction via the Career Advancement and Development of Recruits and Experienced (CADRE) Teachers Project felt empowered and supported in their well-being through mentoring and coaching. Design/methodology/approach Surveys about CADRE Project impact were e-mailed to 675 current and former participants. Out of 438 surveys returned, researchers used homogeneous sampling to identify 341 teacher respondents. Researchers used qualitative thematic analysis to determine ways teachers felt supported. Findings Coaching and mentoring supported CADRE Project participants’ well-being through empowerment (theme). Sub-themes included: growth, collaboration, networking, improvement and resources. Research limitations/implications Possibilities for future research include exploring the role of mentors/coaches, tracking teachers’ leadership roles and investigating the link between induction and teacher retention in more detail. Practical implications Opportunities for growth and collaboration are cornerstones of first-year teacher support. These support systems can lead to a sense of belonging, develop a mindset for continuous improvement and create long-term networking opportunities. The support teachers need to empower them and maintain their well-being changes with each first-year teacher phase. Originality/value Few studies exist on induction programs with the longevity of the CADRE Project. The high survey response rate with overwhelmingly positive responses suggests that CADRE is unique in its support of beginning teachers’ well-being through the first-year teacher phases, specifically due to the combination of mentoring and coaching beginning teachers receive.

Perceived value, trust and purchase intention of organic food: a study with Brazilian consumers

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1070-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eluiza Alberto de Morais Watanabe ◽  
Solange Alfinito ◽  
Isabelle Cristina Galindo Curvelo ◽  
Kavita Miadaira Hamza
Keyword(s):  
Latent Variables ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Organic Food ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Consumer Trust ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Market

PurposeThe consumption of organic food grows worldwide, increasing the need of studies seeking to understand factors influencing its consumption. To extend the understanding of organic food market, the present research seeks to explore the effect of perceived value on consumer trust and purchase intention in Brazil.Design/methodology/approachA survey with 274 Brazilian consumers of organic food was carried out. Perceived value was measured through four dimensions: functional, economic, social and emotional. The convergent and discriminant validities of latent variables were confirmed. The relationships among them were tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that functional and emotional values positively affect consumer trust and that only emotional value motivates purchase intention. The trust had no direct influence on purchase intention. Thus, the perceived value is an important aspect in the prediction of trust and purchase intention among Brazilian consumers.Originality/valueThe identified results enlarge the understanding of Brazilian organic food market and consumer behavior and point out some opportunities for future research involving the subject.

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