Consumer Perception and Attitude toward Insects for a Sustainable Diet

The main objective of this research paper is to understand consumer knowledge and perception of insects for food. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire conducted in Rome, and the data was analysed using a probit model in order to understand consumers’ attitudes to include insects as a sustainable solution to meat consumption in their diet. We connected the participants with a willingness to consume insects with those that are critical, informed, and concerned about the environment. This study shows that insects’ consumption and social acceptance is very low even for people who have a greater sensitivity to sustainable diets. Suggestions are included to improve the communication of this food type to raise awareness in the consumers’ minds. This research continues the debate on sustainability and global food security.

Exploring consumer non-knowledge in the agrifood context and its effects on behaviour

PurposeConsumer knowledge has been one of the most studied variables in marketing due to its strong influence on consumer behaviour. Knowledge level has traditionally been measured through objective knowledge and the number of correct answers in a battery of items about product characteristics. The authors argue that this analysis could be complemented with other information, that is, the structure of non-knowledge. The main objective of this work is to explore the nature and explanatory potential of this new dimension on consumer behaviour in the agrifood context. The principal hypothesis is that, while they may have similar levels of objective knowledge, there are significant differences between the behaviour of consumers who have a predominant pattern of ignorance (tendency to answer “I don't know”) and those who are in error (tendency to give wrong answers).Design/methodology/approachThe present study draws on data derived from five case studies examining consumer knowledge about agrifood products (olive oils, Iberian ham and orange juice) and certain aspects of consumer behaviour. A sample of 4,112 participants was classified into two non-knowledge profiles: wrong, if most items answered incorrectly in a questionnaire were wrong; or ignorant, if most items answered incorrectly were “don't know”.FindingsThe results obtained supported the argument that complementing the study of consumer knowledge with an analysis of the structure of non-knowledge is worthwhile, as differences within the structure are associated with different patterns of consumer behaviour.Originality/valueIn the present study, it is proposed that the measurement of knowledge be complemented with an analysis of the consumer's non-knowledge structure (items not answered correctly), given its effects on behaviour, an aspect hitherto unconsidered in the literature. To do so, a new index is proposed.

Investigating the relationship between Internal Environmental Locus of control and Behaviour towards sustainable apparel: The mediating role of intention to purchase

Drawing on the theory of responsible environmental behaviour, the study seeks to examine the relationship between internal environmental locus of control (IntLOC)and behaviour towards sustainable apparel in the presence of intention to purchase as a mediator. Consumer knowledge about sustainable apparel was applied as a moderator in this mediated relationship. Data was collected from a sample of 294 Gen Z consumers through an online questionnaire Structural Equation modelling and Hayes PROCESS MACROS were the statistical tools employed to test the moderated mediation model. The results depict that IntLOC is animportant predictor of purchase behaviour towards sustainable apparel products. Intention to purchase has also been established as a partial mediator in the mode. Finally, consumer knowledge also acts as a significant moderator in the study.

Food and You 2: Northern Ireland. Wave 1-2 Key Findings

Food and You 2 is a biannual representative sample survey, recognised as an official statistic, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The survey measures selfreported consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food issues amongst adults in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. Food and You 2 uses a methodology, known as ‘push-to-web’, which is primarily carried out online. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 1 was conducted between 29th July and 6th October 2020. In Northern Ireland, 2,079 adults from 1,389 households completed the survey, with 57% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 9,319 adults from 6,408 households across Northern Ireland, Wales, and England completed the survey. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 2 was conducted between 20th November 2020 and 21st January 2021. In Northern Ireland, 1,566 adults from 997 households completed the survey, with 60% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 5,900 adults from 3,955 households across Northern Ireland, Wales, and England completed the survey. This survey was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic and so it records the reported attitudes and behaviours under unusual circumstances which have had a significant impact on how and where people buy and eat food, and on levels of household food insecurity. The modules presented in this report include ‘Food we can trust’, ‘Concerns about food’, ’Food security’, ‘Food shopping’, ‘Eating out and takeaways’, ‘Food hypersensitivities’ and ‘Eating at home’. Findings presented in this report refer to data collected in Northern Ireland unless otherwise specified.

Food and You 2: Wales Wave 1-2 Key Findings

Food and You 2 is a biannual representative sample survey, recognised as an official statistic, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The survey measures selfreported consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food issues amongst adults in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland. Food and You 2 uses a methodology, known as ‘push-to-web’, which is primarily carried out online. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 1 was conducted between 29th July and 6th October 2020. In Wales, 2,100 adults from 1,579 households completed the survey, with 68% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 9,319 adults from 6,408 households across Wales, England, and Northern Ireland completed the survey. Fieldwork for Food and You 2: Wave 2 was conducted between 20th November 2020 and 21st January 2021. In Wales, 1,366 adults from 1,042 households completed the survey, with 67% of respondents completing the survey online. A total of 5,900 adults from 3,955 households across Wales, England, and Northern Ireland completed the survey. This survey was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic and so it records the reported attitudes and behaviours under unusual circumstances which have had a significant impact on how and where people buy and eat food, and on levels of household food insecurity. The modules presented in this report include ‘Food we can trust’, ‘Concerns about food’, ’Food security’, ‘Food shopping’, ‘Eating out and takeaways’, ‘Food hypersensitivities’ and ‘Eating at home’. Findings presented in this report refer to data collected in Wales unless otherwise specified.

Understanding the antecedents to luxury brand consumer behavior

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how consumers perceive the value of luxury brands and the antecedents to these perceptions, including consumer knowledge, reference group influence and accessibility. Prior studies focused less on the salience of consumer knowledge and sources of luxury information, in addition to their accessibility to luxury. Hence, a more nuanced luxury conceptualization is needed to reflect luxury’s conceptual fluidity, consumers’ different lived experiences, accessibility levels and persistent retail marketing changes. Design/methodology/approach In a survey involving 475 US respondents, five hypotheses were tested and analyzed with structural equations modeling, examining the relationships among knowledge and accessibility of luxury brands, as well as reference group influence and its impact on consumer value perceptions of luxury brands and consumer behaviors. Findings Significant relationships were found for all five hypotheses and demonstrated that knowledge, reference group influence and accessibility have strong relationships with consumers’ personal value perceptions of luxury brands and behavioral measures, including purchase intentions, willingness to recommend to a friend and willingness to pay a price premium. Originality/value This conceptualization recognizes that consumers must have luxury brand awareness prior to reference group influence, developing individual luxury value perceptions and entering the buying process. This research contributes to the literature by highlighting consumers’ views of the luxury category, which induce perceptions and potential outcomes. It also expands the understanding of consumer’s accessibility to luxury products, which impacts purchase intentions. While it was conducted in the USA, it yields broader consumer perspectives.

Consumer Knowledge Sharing Behavior and Consumer Purchase Behavior: Evidence from E-Commerce and Online Retail in Hungary

The twenty-first century has been full of fundamental changes in consumers’ behavior patterns, especially with the use of diverse social media knowledge-sharing platforms. Therefore, companies have highlighted the significance of knowledge sharing and the importance of social network use in purchasing processes. Accordingly, his paper tries to reveal how consumer purchase behavior (CPB) can be affected by consumer knowledge sharing behavior (CKSB) and the moderating role played by value co-creation dimensions, which are citizenship behavior (CB) and participation behavior (PB), within a sustainable e-commerce field. To test our hypotheses deducted from the literature review, we opted for the PLS-SEM method. We also employed other innovative approaches, such as the IPMA matrix, MAICOM test, FIMIX approach, and CTA analysis, to evaluate the outer and inner model. Our statistical population covered individuals living in Hungary with at least one online purchase involvement. We distributed the questionnaire via various online platforms and, finally, 433 completed questionnaires were prepared for analysis. The results showed that CPB, CB, and PB are positively influenced by the CKSB. However, the link between CPB and CB was not confirmed. As for the moderating role of gender, the permutation test was applied to compare male and female groups and see the difference between them. With a focus on CKSB, this study contributes to the success of international marketing strategies to attain higher competitive advantages.

Tobacco 21: Retailer Perceptions, Experiences, and Challenges Before and After a New Minimum Legal Sales Age Law in Maryland

Objectives: By raising the legal age of sale from 18 to 21 years old, Tobacco 21 laws (T21) are reshaping the tobacco landscape in the United States. In 2019, Maryland became the 13th state to adopt T21. This study is among the first to examine the perception, awareness, and ease of compliance of T21 among tobacco retailers through a two-wave survey conducted pre-T21 and post-T21. Design: Surveys were conducted among the states more than 6,000 registered retailers prior to the states T21 law going into effect and eight months later after T21 had been enacted. The pre-T21 and post-T21 survey instruments measured retailer awareness, support, and perceived ability to comply with T21, current tobacco practices, revenue from tobacco products, and challenges faced in compliance. 414 retailers completed the pre-T21 survey and 360 completed the post-T21 survey. The final survey data was weighted to reflect the geographic distributions of licensed tobacco retailers in Maryland. Results: There was no significant difference in retailer awareness, support and challenges comparing pre and post T21. One notable caveat is lack of consumer knowledge about T21, resulting in retailers being responsible for educating customers. Conclusions: The evaluation of T21 and impact to retailers is a valuable tool in determining the laws success and barriers to implementation. Results support the idea that T21 laws have had a minor impact on how retailers conduct their business. As a result of the communication and materials provided by the state, retailers largely understand the law and how to adhere to guidelines.