Changes In Consumption Patterns Research Articles

GLOBAL FEED PRODUCTION DOWN SLIGHTLY IN 2023. Р.2

Alltech’s Agri- Food Outlook estimates that global feed tonnage totaled 1.29 billion metric tons (BMT) in 2023, a decrease of 2.6 million metric tons (MMT) — or 0.2% — from 2022*. The overall lower demand for feed was due, in part, to the more efficient use of feed made possible by intensive production systems that focus on using animal nutrition, farm management and other technologies to lower feed intake while producing the same amount of protein, or more. Slower production of animal protein, in response to tight margins experienced by many feed and animal protein companies, also contributed to lower feed demand. The feed tonnage rate — defined as the amount of feed produced and distributed per unit of livestock or poultry — is influenced by multiple factors that affect the demand and supply of feed, as well as the efficiency and profitability of animal production. Changing consumption patterns caused by inflation and dietary trends, higher production costs and geopolitical tensions also influenced feed production in 2023.

The Romanian Media System: Dynamics, Challenges, and Implications for Democracy

This article endeavors to delve into the recent transformation of the Romanian media landscape, aiming to offer a nuanced comprehension of the cultural and political dynamics that have influenced journalistic practices. The Romanian media environment has undergone swift changes, transitioning from a monolithic structure to one increasingly driven by commercial interests, all while navigating economic and political pressures. The shift toward a free-market framework has not only reshaped the social and political fabric but has also significantly impacted the media sector. This article posits that the Romanian media landscape is shaped by the interplay of cultural, economic, and political forces, evident in journalistic outputs across both traditional and digital platforms. This assertion aligns with Hallin and Mancini’s (2004) notion of parallelism between journalism and politics. Moreover, it extends this perspective to encompass cultural influences and the evolving media landscape resulting from shifts in the media market, changing consumption patterns, and the proliferation of digital media. Key indicators such as professional standards, editorial autonomy, transparency, financial sustainability, political influence, and media regulations are critically examined within the unique context of Romania, in which political interference and growing reliance on advertising revenue often curtail editorial independence. In conclusion, the article reflects on the current state of the Romanian media system and the manifold challenges it confronts amidst the changing dynamics of the media landscape.

Towards true prices in food retailing: the value added tax as an instrument transforming agri-food systems

AbstractCurrent crises (i.e., climate crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting energy and food shortages) indicate the need for robust, and sustainable supply chains with regional food production and farmland to secure food supply in the European Union (EU). Recent research shows that organic food is more resilient to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. In this context, we examine an approach for the sustainable and resilient transformation of agri-food networks: can an adaptation of value added tax (VAT) levels work as a financial incentive to amplify resilient agricultural practices and sustainable dietary patterns? Within the setting of the amendment of the European framework directive on the use of VAT in 2022, we model the effects of adapting the current German VAT system by (1) reducing VAT on organic vegetarian food to 0% and (2) raising VAT on conventional meat and fish to 19%. Based on historical data on organic sales shares and price elasticities, we project sales shares differentiated by product group for each scenario. Then, we calculate expected tax revenues, changes in consumption patterns, and arising total external climate costs in Germany for both scenarios. Our results show that the overall consumption share of organic food would increase by 21.83% due to the modeled VAT reform compared to the status quo. Despite the VAT reduction to 0% on organic vegetarian products, the measure would yield €2.04 billion in extra tax revenues in Germany per year due to the increased taxation on conventional meat products. We find that annual environmental costs of €5.31 billion can be avoided as a result of lower external climate costs of organic and vegetarian food. Therefore, adjusting VAT rates in the food market can be a political instrument to drive organic food consumption and reduce animal livestock. This supports re-territorialization of agriculture and a more sustainable and resilient European food supply.

Effects of Service Marketing in AI Medical Industry on Brand Image and Consumer Behavior

Emerging smart technology in global medical & health care systems in past years results in the popularity of telework and telehealth. Besides, people’s changing consumption patterns enhance explosive growth of medicine, life sciences, and digital technology in recent years to accelerate the transformation and reform of medical industry. Under real needs and the catalysis of technology, smart medicine becomes the mainstream in the future. For this reason, this study tends to discuss the effect of service marketing in AI medical industry on brand image and consumer behavior. AI medical industry customers in southern Taiwan, as the research samples, are distributed 500 copies of questionnaire. After deducting invalid and incomplete ones, 346 copies of questionnaire are valid, with the retrieval rate 69%. The research results reveal that service marketing would positively and significantly affect brand image, brand image would positively and remarkably affect consumer behavior, and service marketing would positively and notably affect consumer behavior. According to the results to propose suggestions, it is expected to provide effective guide for various service organizations practicing service marketing to grasp critical factors and build the service marketing systems being able to promote the benefit in AI medical industry.

Strong daily routinisation, weak energy flexibility: a survey study of the stability and adaptability of everyday energy practices

Fundamental changes in everyday consumption patterns are required to mitigate negative environmental impacts, and these include adapting the timing of consumption. For example, flexible energy demand becomes increasingly important in response to larger shares of fluctuating energy production while dynamic electricity pricing suggests there is a need to encourage staggered electricity use. In this paper, we explore the stability, adjustability and flexibility of everyday practices to critically address the potential for flexible household energy demand. Based on a survey questionnaire (N=1,470), the paper takes its empirical focus in the Nordic welfare state Denmark, which has a high share of wind power and little focus on energy justice. Across household groups, it seems that morning routines are strongly routinised, especially on weekdays, and that variations in these primarily involve adjustment to other household members. The analysis indicates that there are differences across household types, for example, households with children and households whose inhabitants are aged 41-60 tend to be associated with stable evening routines, women tend to agree more to adjusting routines to lifestyle and household, while being in employment seems to be associated with stronger dependence on time schedules determined by factors outside the household. The study suggests that socio-temporal rhythms of everyday practices strongly depend on societal rhythms and practices outside the home. It follows therefore that expectations of energy flexibility in household energy demand should initially focus on common temporal patterns and dependence on these rather than on individual households’ (apparent) capacity to consume energy flexibly.

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF DSN-MUI FATWA NO. 83 OF 2023 ON PEOPLE'S CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN PADANG CITY

About how the effects of the release of Fatwa DSN-MUI No. 83 in 2023 to the people of the plains city that occurred in the field of response of the people prefer to follow the rules and the people also changed consumption patterns from those who intially used common produtcs to switch equipment to other such research and natural observastion. From the data already collected on how fatwa rules have been released one people’s consumption patterns it has been evident that some of the data gathered there are 97 of the 100 people from the country’s population that are gathered in that people agree that people support and they change their consumption patterns by switching to other inexpensive and accessible products but not impossible. There are only a number of responses and societies disapprove of the fatwa because it is not given a description of alternatif solutions or pathways to replace products or brand that are used in everyday public consumption.

Current State of Archaeobotanical Research in Ghana: On Diet, Food Resources and Research Perspectives

This review delves into the changes in food consumption patterns over time in West Africa, emphasising the significant role played by archaeobotanical studies. West African food consumption has been influenced by various factors such as economic, environmental, and external influences. Our initial studies focused on plant and animal domestication and the spread of grains. The arrival of Europeans in the 15th century brought changes in foodways, introducing new crops from the New and Old World. Some misconceptions about African food and agriculture have been challenged, accentuating the region’s diversity and resilience. The paper discusses the initial focus on economic factors and the domestication of plants, leading to a better understanding of the connection between food and society. Additionally, it dispels misapprehensions about West African cuisine and highlights the impact of the Atlantic trade on foodways. The study underscores the significance of interdisciplinary research in rectifying any biases surrounding Africa’s food history. Archaeobotanical research has shed light on the dynamic nature of African foodways, including the integration of American crops into local food traditions. However, knowledge of the extent of adoption and use of these crops during the precolonial era remains limited. More research is required to comprehend the adoption of American crops and the resilience of African food systems.

Effect of Coating and Coated Paperboard Packaging on the Quality of Grapes and Apple during Storage

Edible coatings and active packaging have become more prevalent in response to changing consumption patterns and market trends to enhance the quality and safety of fresh products. In this work, we investigated the effect of aloe vera gel (AVG) coating and paraffin wax-coated paperboard (PWB) packaging on the postharvest quality attributes of both grapes and apples during storage. The fruits were coated with 50% AVG concentrations, and the inner wall of the corrugated paperboard was coated with paraffin wax emulsion. The grapes and apples were stored for 12 and 35 days, respectively, at ambient conditions (25 ± 3°C and 80–85% relative humidity). The physicochemical properties, microbiological attributes, and decay incidence of the fruits were analyzed at intervals during storage. Both fruits treated with AVG and PWB packaging retained better qualities than the control at the final day of the storage period. Particularly, PWB packaging provided considerably superior quality from the control sample in terms of weight loss (≈54% and 32%), firmness (≈48% and 68%), and color difference (≈30% and 28%) for both grapes and apples. These findings would introduce a novel approach for preserving the quality attributes of both climacteric and nonclimacteric fruits for a prolonged storage period at ambient temperature by PWB packaging and AVG coating.

Chemical Analysis of Kitchen Waste for Developing Formulae for Compost Fertilizer

The rapid growth of the global population and changes in food consumption patterns have resulted in issues relating to food insecurity. Improved strategic solutions are needed to allow easy access to food and also to manage large volumes of waste efficiently. From this research, a microeconomic- level solution to manage the aforementioned issues is addressed. Common kitchen waste such as peels and discarded parts of fruits and vegetables can be combined to produce compost fertilizer. Producing compost fertilizer in this manner can be considered a microeconomic-level waste management strategy. Compost fertilizer produced using kitchen waste can subsequently be used in home gardening. Many vegetables and fruits can easily be cultivated in small, confined spaces such as in home gardens. This study analyzed chemical parameters such as total carbon and other total nutrient levels (N, P, Ca, Mg and K) in ten kitchen waste and two supplementary samples using standard methods. The kitchen waste samples consisted of peels and discarded parts of fruits and vegetables. The two supplementary samples- Tithonia diversifolia (Wild sunflower), and Gliricidia sepium were chosen because they are nutrient-rich organic fertilizers. The analysis results were then fed to a computer program developed for this study. It was based on the simulated annealing algorithm. The program generated different formulae for producing 100 g mixtures of raw materials for composting, by mixing the 10 kitchen waste and 2 supplementary samples in 24 different combinations. The nutrient levels of these mixtures were expected to match or exceed a calculated ―target nutrient level‖. It was calculated based on local compost fertilizer standards and the chemical analysis results. The target nutrient level calculated as the minimum required level by dry mass of each material was 25.00% Carbon, 1.25% Nitrogen, 0.63% Phosphorus, 1.25% Potassium, 0.88% Calcium, and 0.63% Magnesium. The program was able to generate mixtures of raw materials in which most of the levels matched or exceeded the target level. However, the phosphorus levels of all formulae fell below the target phosphorus level and in some mixtures, the magnesium level also was less than the targeted level. The actual nutrient level of one of the 100 g mixtures (combination C3) containing 0.19 g banana stem, 0.21 g discarded tea grounds, 0.41 g discarded scraped coconut, 0.57 g banana peel, and 97.34 g Gliricidia leaves was (% by dry mass), 85.68% Carbon, 2.20% Nitrogen, 0.25% Phosphorus, 1.32% Potassium, 2.24% Calcium and 0.71% Magnesium. This promising method can further be developed by adding more nutrient-rich raw materials to the program. The program could be a useful tool for compost fertilizer manufacturing, especially for small-scale horticultural purposes. 
 Keywords: Compost, Waste management, Nutrient analysis, Kitchen waste

Moral disengagement in the media discourses on meat and dairy production systems

Meat and dairy production and consumption are the subject of ongoing public debates that touch on various sustainability issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, animal welfare, and social and health aspects. Despite extensive discussions specifically relating to the environmental impacts of livestock farming in conjunction with animal welfare aspects, there have been no substantial changes in production or consumption patterns. Moreover, the focus of extant research is usually on consumers' responses to public concerns around livestock production. In this study, we shed light on the discrepancy between the normative discourse and action of relevant value chain actors with the help of Bandura's theory of moral disengagement, which allows us to identify mechanisms that contribute to the perpetuation of unsustainable production and consumption patterns. In particular, we focus on the shifting of responsibility between actors in the normatively charged field of sustainable livestock production. We collected 109 media interviews on meat and dairy production and consumption from the years 2020–2022, including interviews with actors from agriculture, processing industries, and food retail. Using qualitative content analysis, we investigated the role of moral disengagement in the media discourse on meat and dairy production and explored differences between actors in terms of moral disengagement. We found that shifting of responsibility shows a quasi-circular dynamic of being shifted from all actors to all, in our case most frequently to consumers, politics, and (diffuse) economic forces. In addition, our analysis showed the use of social justifications, beneficial comparisons, and euphemistic labelling to be common mechanisms of moral disengagement, constituting a collective problem within agri-food systems.

Readings in queer pleasure

This article analyzes the queer pleasures of the 2015 sf movie by the Wachowski sisters, Jupiter Ascending . We find that these pleasures operate on two intertwined levels: the movie’s campy villains and over-the-top aesthetics reflect the themes of queer temporality and reproduction on the textual level, while the straight romance of the protagonist draws on the queer archive of fan fiction. We engage with queer studies and fan studies as critical frameworks that allow us to center affective pleasures of recognizing well-established romantic tropes and character archetypes. Critical debates surrounding Jupiter Ascending point to a larger discussion concerning the space for pleasure within sf texts and sf fan communities, while the movie’s commitment to fan fiction tropes and narrative practices anticipates recent changes in media consumption and production patterns.

The Impulsive Buying Behavior of H&M Products in Gen-Z: The Role of Income and Self-Esteem

Generation Z is currently the largest consumer in Indonesia; thus their values and priorities could lead to changes in consumption patterns and societal norms. This study examined the influence of income, self-esteem, and impulsive buying behavior of H&M products in Gen-Z. This research was conducted using a quantitative cross-sectional with a predictive design. Research respondents were obtained through a non-random accidental sampling of 374 Gen-Z who had made unplanned purchases of clothes from the H&M brand at least once in the past month. Data analysis was performed using correlation and multiple regression tests. The results showed that income and self-esteem could be used as predictors of impulse buying behavior. However, the income itself showed no contribution when self-esteem was controlled. Research implies that monitoring self-esteem and using interventions to increase self-esteem could help control impulse buying behavior that individuals, especially Gen-Z, usually do.

Implementasi Transformasi Digital dan Kecerdasan Buatan Sebagai Inovasi Untuk UMKM pada Era Revolusi Industri 4.0

Abstract−Technology plays an important role in economic development. Covid-19 has changed people's lifestyles and the behavioral patterns of business actors have transformed from traditional to digital. Even though Covid-19 has had a significant impact in the form of a decline in the global economy, including on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), it has also provided lessons in the form of adaptation to innovation and digital transformation in the form of the application of the latest technology and artificial intelligence. In line with the industrial revolution 4.0 and digital transformation, it can provide opportunities and strengths to build sustainable businesses. Along with changes in people's consumption patterns, MSMEs have also implemented digital adoption in the form of switching to e-commerce platform sites, food delivery applications and online business models. However, the adoption of artificial intelligence is still not widely used by MSMEs. However, several MSMEs have adopted artificial intelligence technology such as chatbot applications for communication services. Apart from that, support and providing programs from the government and the private sector are needed for MSMEs so that they can develop and adapt their business models to the latest technological adaptations so that MSMEs are also able to survive and even grow rapidly in the future.Keywords: Industrial Revolution 4.0, Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, MSMEs

Determinants of changes in harvested area and yields of major crops in China

Global agricultural production has risen substantially in recent decades and needs to rise further to meet the ever-growing food demand. While higher production can be directly attributed to agricultural expansion and intensification, the underlying factors behind the changes in cultivated areas and yields can be complicated and have not been well understood. China has dramatically increased its food production in past decades, especially during the initial approximately 30 years following the commencement of the rural reform in the late 1970s. The agricultural land use, including cropland areas, the composition of different crops and their spatial distributions, and crop yields have experienced substantial changes. In this research, we quantitatively analysed the changes in the harvested areas and yields of the four most widely cultivated crops in China (rice, wheat, maize, and soybean) at the county level from 1980 to 2011. We used spatial panel regressions to quantify the determinants of the observed changes in harvested area and yields for the major cultivation region of each of the four crops. Results showed that growth in population, gross domestic product, and urbanisation are positively associated with harvested areas. Higher usage of machinery and fertiliser inputs increased yields of the three cereal crops, while the harvested area of soybean decreased, particularly after China’s accession to the WTO. Our findings reveal how domestic urbanisation and changes in consumption patterns, coupled with the rising globalisation of agricultural markets, shaped China’s agricultural production and land use over the three decades. These insights shed light on the determinants of long-term agricultural dynamics and thus inform evidence-based decision-making.

The Impact of EG and DEG Cases on Sales of Over-The-Counter Syrup

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) investigated and listed safe and unsafe syrup products in response to the contamination of Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Diethylene Glycol (DEG), causing Acute Kidney Injury in pediatric patients. Unsafe products were recalled and removed from distribution, leading to uncertainty and panic among the public and significantly impacting over-the-counter syrup sales in several pharmacies. This retrospective observational study assessed the impact of EG and DEG contamination on the sales of over-the-counter syrup in Pharmacy X in South Denpasar. Data from three months before (August to October 18th, 2022) and three months following the official instruction was published (October 19th, 2022 to December 2022) were analyzed using Wilcoxon test. The findings reveal a staggering decline in the sales of over-the-counter syrup by 35,03% (p-value of 0.03). Moreover, there was a notable increase of prescriptions in powder forms. The contamination cases caused panic, resulting in changes in behavior and consumption patterns. Despite the availability of safety information on an official website, public hesitance toward syrup products persists, indicating the need to implement a more effective strategy to address misinformation and restore public trust. Each individual must be responsible for educating the public during crises to prevent the spread of misinformation, ultimately restoring trust and normal consumer behavior. Furthermore, efficient stock management should be implemented to anticipate potential health crises in the future proactively.

Harnessing nature for more sustainable food systems

Harnessing nature for more sustainable food systems Markus Wyss and Ian Carr emphasize the importance of nature-positive innovations to address the pressing environmental challenges. We currently face extraordinary crises and challenges that can be resolved partly through innovative approaches to harnessing nature. The global population is predicted to increase to close to 10 billion people by 2050. In parallel, living standards increase, and consumption patterns change, leading to over-exploitation of natural resources and waste accumulation, including plastic waste. Global temperatures are increasing due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which starkly increases the risk of natural disasters. Regarding biodiversity, one million plant and animal species are under threat of extinction, and the actual species extinction rate is likely 1,000-fold higher than before human interference.

Analysis of the Impact of Energy Use on CO2 Emissions: Before, During, and Post-Covid-19

This article discusses the impact of energy use on CO2 emissions, especially the transition from fossil energy to renewable energy. Since the industrial revolution until today, fossil energy has been the main source of energy. The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in transformingthe global energy paradigm. Restrictions on social activities during the pandemic resulted in a drastic decrease in the use of fossil energy and increased the use of renewable energy. A critical analysis of energy consumption, availability of energy sources, and the impact of fossil and renewable energy use provides an overview of the energy transition that is taking place. It can be concluded that this article illustrates the significant changes in energy consumption patterns before, during and after COVID-19.

Socio-religious behavior on consumption pattern during Israel and Palestine conflict in Muslim society

The changes in consuption patterns triggered by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the pro-Israel boycott movement in Indonesia are important since they show the influence of socio-religious values on cunsumers behavior and the resulting impacts on companies and the workforce. Previous studies primarily focused on analyzing the causes and implications of the conflict, and paid insufficient attention to the socio-religious behavior perspective in changing consumption patterns. This study includes boycott actions, the social and religious characteristics of both pro and con movements, and the involvement of state institutions in responding to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The desk research method is used by collecting data through digital media analysis, including online news, social media, and library research. The findings of this study include the internalization of social religious values as a driving force for boycott actions, moral considerations influencing the defense of opinions in society, and the involvement of major powers in strenghtening the boycott movement. The uniqueness of this study lies in its in-depth approach to religious social behavior in the context of changing consumption patterns amidst armed conflict.

A Practical Approach to Increase Crop Production Using Wireless Sensor Technology

Introduction; The global demand for food production continues to rise due to the growing population and changing consumption patterns. Traditional agricultural practices often fail to meet this demand efficiently, leading to the exploration of innovative technologies to enhance crop productivity. Wireless sensor technology (WST) has emerged as a promising tool to monitor and optimize agricultural practices, providing real-time data on various environmental parameters crucial for crop growth. Objective; This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of wireless sensor technology in increasing crop production. By integrating WST into conventional farming practices, we seek to optimize resource usage, reduce waste, and improve crop yields. Methods; We have proposed an IoT-enabled soil nutrient classification and crop recommendation model to recommend crops. By incorporating machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), the cloud, sensors, and other automated equipment into the decision-assisting system, farmers will be able to take decisive actions without relying entirely on regional farming offices. Results; The analysis showed that the plot using wireless sensor technology exhibited a significant increase in crop yield compared to the traditional plot. Soil moisture levels were maintained within optimal ranges, leading to better water usage efficiency. Additionally, the automated system adjusted fertilizer application based on real-time soil nutrient data, resulting in improved plant health and productivity. Conclusions; The integration of wireless sensor technology in agriculture presents a practical and effective approach to increase crop production. This technology enables precise monitoring and management of critical growth parameters, resulting in higher yields and more efficient resource use. Adopting WST can significantly contribute to meeting the global food demand while promoting sustainable farming practices.

Impact of digital burnout on the use of digital consumer platforms

As digital transition processes occur at a high speed, new models and business opportunities are emerging. One such phenomenon is the explosion of digital consumer platforms that are changing consumption patterns, as well as the boundaries of commercial exchange. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in exponential growth of this consumption model, while the motivation for the use of digital platforms intensified. The intensive use of digital devices also threatens the mental health of digital users, enhancing states of stress, anxiety, and digital burnout. Therefore, this study analyses the effects of motivators and digital burnout on customers' use of digital platforms in a post-pandemic context. The sample comprised 202 participants who voluntarily completed a web-based survey. The digital burnout level of the study participants was lower than the theoretical midpoint of the scale and was significantly influenced by their Internet Addiction. Contrary to expectations, digital burnout has a significant positive effect on the use of digital consumer platforms, which is partially mediated by utilitarian motivation. The results highlight the need to consider predictors that potentially lead to digital burnout in consumers and the subsequent identification of the necessary factors to ensure the prevention and management of digital burnout.