scholarly journals Tasty or Sustainable? The Effect of Product Sensory Experience on a Sustainable New Food Product: An Application of Discrete Choice Experiments on Chianina Tinned Beef

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biancamaria Torquati ◽  
Tiziano Tempesta ◽  
Daniel Vecchiato ◽  
Sonia Venanzi

This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by verifying whether the degree of liking of a new food product influences people’s preferences and willingness to pay from a discrete choice experiment when dealing with sustainable food products. To this purpose, we considered the case study of the introduction into the Italian market of a new food product: tinned Chianina meat. Among the attributes considered for this new product, two in particular were related to sustainability: organic breeding and the preservation of a traditional rural landscape. Half of the respondents underwent a sensory test before taking part in the hypothetical market (discrete choice experiment), while the remaining were administered the tests in reverse order. Tasting the product before the discrete choice experiment did not produce different willingness to pay (WTP) parameters as estimated by a taste factor interaction. However, separating the respondents into those who liked or disliked the product in the tasting condition revealed differences in willingness to pay results. The preferences are different for more than 50% of the attributes considered, and the magnitude of this difference is quite relevant. The WTP for one well known and certified sustainability related attribute—organic breeding—was not affected by the liking, while, for the other—the preservation of a traditional rural landscape—the effect of liking decreases the WTP. As a consequence, we suggest that tasting and liking studies should be routinely coupled with discrete choice studies when analyzing the introduction of new food products, especially when considering sustainable attributes in the experimental design. In the case of organic products where the expectations about taste are higher, neglecting to consider their sensory perception, along with the other discrete choice experiment attributes, could seriously undermine their long lasting success on the market.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. e002209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahari Yihdego ◽  
Ayanaw Amogne ◽  
Selamawit Desta ◽  
Yoonjoung Choi ◽  
Solomon Shiferaw ◽  
...  

IntroductionBirth registration remains limited in most low and middle-income countries. We investigated which characteristics of birth registration facilities might determine caregivers’ decisions to register children in Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a discrete choice experiment in randomly selected households in Addis Ababa and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region. We interviewed caregivers of children 0–5 years old. We asked participants to make eight choices between pairs of hypothetical registration facilities. These facilities were characterised by six attributes selected through a literature review and consultations with local stakeholders. Levels of these attributes were assigned at random using a fractional design. We analysed the choice data using mixed logit models that account for heterogeneity in preferences across respondents. We calculated respondents’ willingness to pay to access registration facilities with specific attributes. We analysed all data separately by place of residence (urban vs rural).ResultsSeven hundred and five respondents made 5614 choices. They exhibited preferences for registration facilities that charged lower fees for birth certificates, that required shorter waiting time to complete procedures and that were located closer to their residence. Respondents preferred registration facilities that were open on weekends, and where they could complete procedures in a single visit. In urban areas, respondents also favoured registration facilities that remained open for extended hours on weekdays, and where the presence of only one of the parents was required for registration. There was significant heterogeneity between respondents in the utility derived from several attributes of registration facilities. Willingness to pay for access to registration facilities with particular attributes was larger in urban than rural areas.ConclusionIn these regions of Ethiopia, changes to the operating schedule of registration facilities and to application procedures might help improve registration rates. Discrete choice experiments can help orient initiatives aimed at improving birth registration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziano Tempesta ◽  
Daniel Vecchiato ◽  
Federico Nassivera ◽  
Maria Bugatti ◽  
Biancamaria Torquati

This paper analyses the demand for social farming (SF) products. In particular, we investigate the preferences of consumers who buy their products from large retailers, rather than from solidarity purchasing groups or other niche markets using a sample of 225 consumers. In this regard, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was carried out to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) a premium price for the purchase of a common product (i.e., eggs) from farms that employ disabled people. The attributes considered in our DCE design are the employment of disabled people and two additional attributes which may have ethical implications for the choices. The results indicate that consumers are interested in buying SF products, with about 74% of the sample willing to buy the eggs produced by social farms and the average WTP being equal to €1.36 for a pack of six eggs. Moreover, the average WTP for the use of labour of disabled people attribute amounted to €0.69 for a pack of six eggs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Danne ◽  
Saramena Meier-Sauthoff ◽  
Oliver Musshoff

Abstract Background: In order to achieve an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy supply, it is necessary that this goal is supported by society. In different countries worldwide it has been shown that one way consumers want to support the energy transition is by switching to green electricity. However, few people make the leap from their intention to a buying decision. This study explores parameters that influence whether German consumers would hypothetically decide to switch to a green electricity tariff.Methods: A quota-representative online survey including a discrete choice experiment with 371 German private households was conducted in 2016. For the econometric analysis, a generalized multinomial logit model in willingness to pay space was employed, enabling the estimation of WTP values to be as realistic as possible.Results: The results show that consumers’ decision whether or not to make the switch to green energy is mainly influenced by the source of green energy, whether a person can outsource the switching process, and a person’s attitude towards the renewable energy sources levy that currently exist in Germany.Conclusions: The findings indicate that politics should focus on supporting wind and solar energy as German consumers prefer these sources over biogas. As the results suggest, the EEG levy is a reason why consumers have lower WTP for switching to a green tariff. Therefore a switching bonus with a specifically “framed” bonus in the amount of the current EEG levy could be a promising strategy for the increase of green energy tariff acceptance. Furthermore, attention should be given to psychological and behavioral aspects, as the results indicate that these factors influence the consumer’s choice for a green electricity tariff.JEL classifications: C23, C25, Q40, Q50


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke A. Robles ◽  
Stuart J. Wright ◽  
Lucy Hackshaw-McGeagh ◽  
Ellie Shingler ◽  
Constance Shiridzinomwa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity, are associated with prostate cancer progression and mortality. However, it is unclear how men would like lifestyle information to be delivered following primary treatment. This study aimed to identify men’s preferences for receiving lifestyle information. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional pilot best-worst discrete choice experiment which was nested within a feasibility randomised controlled trial. Our aim was to explore men’s preferences of receiving diet and physical activity advice following surgery for localised prostate cancer. Thirty-eight men with a mean age of 65 years completed best-worst scenarios based on four attributes: (1) how information is provided; (2) where information is provided; (3) who provides information; and (4) the indirect cost of receiving information. Data was analysed using conditional logistic regression. Men’s willingness to pay (WTP) for aspects of the service was calculated using an out-of-pocket cost attribute. Results The combined best-worst analysis suggested that men preferred information through one-to-one discussion β = 1.07, CI = 0.88 to 1.26) and not by email (β = − 1.02, CI = − 1.23 to − 0.80). They preferred information provided by specialist nurses followed by dietitians (β = 0.76, CI = 0.63 to 0.90 and − 0.16, CI = − 0.27 to − 0.05 respectively) then general nurses (β = − 0.60, CI = − 0.73 to − 0.48). Three groups were identified based on their preferences. The largest group preferred information through individual face-to-face or group discussions (β = 1.35, CI = 1.05 to 1.63 and 0.70, CI = 0.38 to 1.03 respectively). The second group wanted information via one-to-one discussions or telephone calls (β = 1.89, CI = 1.41 to 2.37 and 1.03, CI = 0.58 to 1.48 respectively), and did not want information at community centres (β = − 0.50, CI = − 0.88 to − 0.13). The final group preferred individual face-to-face discussions (β = 0.45, CI = 0.03 to 0.88) but had a lower WTP value (£17). Conclusions Men mostly valued personalised methods of receiving diet and physical activity information over impersonal methods. The out-of-pocket value of receiving lifestyle information was important to some men. These findings could help inform future interventions using tailored dietary and physical activity advice given to men by clinicians following treatment for prostate cancer, such as mode of delivery, context, and person delivering the intervention. Future studies should consider using discrete choice experiments to examine information delivery to cancer survivor populations.


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