Consumer preferences for organic vegetables in southwestern Nigeria: A choice experiment approach

In sub-Saharan Africa, identifying estimates of consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for safe food continues to receive attention in the literature. Using experimental data from Nigeria, we examined the source of heterogeneities in preference and WTP for organically produced food. The subjective valuation by consumers of certification in relation to third-party certification and the participatory guarantee system (PGS) was also investigated. A sample of 196 households subjected to a discrete choice experiment yielded 1 764 observations that were analysed using the generalised multinomial logit and mixed logit models. The results reveal a strong preference for food safety in terms of reducing chemical residue, which dominated the respondents’ preference and WTP patterns. Concerning certification attributes, consumers were positively disposed to third-party certification, but showed no significant preference for the PGS form of certification. Significant heterogeneities in preference were due mainly to age and awareness of organic products. We suggest that policies should focus on consumers’ understanding of organic food, third-party certification, and organic agriculture

Investigating the Future of Ultrafast Charging: A Choice Experiment in the Netherlands

Ultrafast charging is developing and will soon be available to electric vehicles (EV). This research focuses on the feasibility of ultrafast charging for EV passenger cars in the Netherlands. We carried out a stated choice experiment with 311 respondents (all EV drivers) and developed mixed logit models based on random utility maximization. In deciding which charging type to choose, this research identified the charging point characteristics, price, proximity to shopping facilities, certainty of charging availability and not having to make a detour as key influential factors for EV drivers. Price changes and not having to make a detour substantially affect users’ choices for the charging types. Contrary to expectations, no significant results were found for urban density, age, technology awareness and importance of sustainability. Finally, the research results show that there is demand for ultrafast charging in the Netherlands even if users have to pay slightly more compared to other forms of charging.

Role of Attitudes in Transit and Auto Users’ Mode Choice of Ridesourcing

This paper presents the results of a study that examines the factors that influence travelers’ mode choice between transit and ridesourcing, for two distinct market segments—transit users in a regular context and auto users in occasional situations when a private vehicle is not available. Data from a stated preference (SP) survey were used for this study. Specifically, responses to a set of attitude-related questions were used to extract latent attitude factors that represent various aspects of attitudes toward mobility options. Mixed logit models were developed for the two classes. Socioeconomic and demographic attributes, as well as the attitudinal factors, were explored as independent variables. Model results revealed distinct behavior patterns between transit users and auto users. For transit users, the decision to shift to ridesourcing is highly affected by the perceptions of time and cost as well as motivations for technology, while the concerns on traveling with strangers and joy of driving were major barriers for auto users to use ridesourcing. Auto users would use ridesourcing when they believed that they would receive higher utilities, in relation to time, cost, reliability, convenience, comfort, stress relief, and so forth. This study provides further insights into the contributing factors to the choice between transit and ridesourcing. The results present a better understanding of the potential market for ridesourcing and highlight underlying attitudes that have significant influences on choice behavior. The findings could be helpful for planners and service providers to better plan for and address the needs and concerns of travelers.