Consumption Practices Research Articles

Impact of climate change on Chinese college students’ consumption behavior: A case study of Jilin University

This study investigates the impact of climate change on the consumption behavior of Chinese college students, especially their daily expenses. Using a survey method, data were collected and analyzed to understand the correlation between climate change awareness and consumption choices among students at Jilin University. The findings indicate that over 70% of respondents believe climate change significantly affects their daily lives and consumption habits. Particularly, changes in transportation choices were most prominent, with 68% of students opting for greener travel options. However, less willingness was observed in reducing online shopping or paying carbon taxes. These insights highlight the need for tailored educational interventions to enhance climate change awareness and promote sustainable consumption practices among college students.

IRREGULARIDADES NO SISTEMA DE DISTRIBUIÇÃO DE ENERGIA ELÉTRICA NO AMAZONAS

In current times, climate adversities that impact society are observed, such as heat waves and historic droughts, directly influencing electricity consumption and revealing the impacts of irregular practices in energy consumption. In Amazonas, non-technical losses in low voltage reach approximately 42%, gaining national prominence. This study aims to discuss, reflect on the imperative of highlighting the reality of the state of Amazonas in the context of non-technical losses in the electricity sector. It begins with the characterization of irregularities in energy consumption, using ANEEL reporting metrics. It then discusses the adverse impacts on society related to these practices, establishing connections between climatic conditions and non-technical losses. Finally, postures and practices to combat irregularities are outlined, highlighting measures adopted to mitigate and raise awareness among consumers in the Amazon region.

The influence of message frame and product type on green consumer purchase decisions : an ERPs study

Green consumption is a crucial pathway towards achieving global sustainability goals. Product-oriented green advertisements can effectively stimulate consumers’ latent needs and convert them into eventual purchasing intentions and behaviors, thereby promoting green consumption. Given that neuromarketing methods facilitate the understanding of consumers’ decision-making processes, this study combines prospect theory and need fulfillment theory, employing event-related potentials (ERPs) as measures to explore changes in consumers’ cognitive resources and emotional arousal levels when confronted with green products and advertising information. This enables inference regarding consumers’ acceptance of purchasing and their psychological processes. Behavioral results indicated that message framing influences consumers’ purchases, with consumers consuming more green in response to negatively framed advertisements. EEG results indicated that matching positive framing with utilitarian green products was effective in increasing consumers’ cognitive attention in the early cognitive stage. In the late stage of cognition negative frames stimulated consumers’ mood swings more, and the influence of product type depended on the role of message frames, and the consumption motivation induced by the product, whose influence was overridden by external evaluations such as message frames. These research findings provide an explanation for the impact of frame information on consumers’ purchasing decisions at different stages, assisting marketers in devising diverse promotional strategies based on product characteristics to foster the development and practice of green consumption. This will further embed the concept of green consumption advocated by organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Greenpeace into the public consciousness.

The role of alcohol consumption in the lives of older Australian women: qualitative insights and an agenda for further research, policy and practice

BackgroundAlcohol consumption presents a threat to the health and wellbeing of women. The alcohol industry often pushes back at global efforts to prioritise the prevention of alcohol harms to women. Qualitative researchers have investigated how younger and midlife women conceptualise their alcohol consumption, but there is very limited research relating to older women (those 60 years and over).MethodsUsing data collected from an online qualitative survey, this paper explored the factors that influence how older Australian women drinkers (n = 144. 60–88 years) conceptualised the role of alcohol in their lives. The study used a ‘Big Q’ reflexive approach to thematic analysis, drawing upon sociological theories of risk and symbolic interactionism to construct four themes from the data.ResultsFirst, alcohol consumption was viewed by participants as an accepted and normalised social activity, that was part of Australian culture. Second, alcohol played a role for some participants as a way to cope with life changes (such as retirement), as well as managing stressful or challenging life circumstances (such as loneliness). Third, alcohol was part of the routines and rituals of everyday life for some women. For example, women discussed the consumption of wine with their evening meal as an important part of the structure of their day. Fourth, participants had clear personal expectancies about what it meant to be a ‘responsible drinker’. They had clear narratives about personal control and moral obligation, which in some cases created a reduced perception of their own risk of alcohol-caused harm.ConclusionsThis research provides a starting point for future public health research examining the factors that may shape older women’s alcohol consumption beliefs and practices. Public health activities should consider the unique needs and potential vulnerabilities of older women drinkers, and how these may be potentially exploited by the alcohol industry.

Briefing for Circularity. Translating EU policies into operational guidelines for the building project

Abstract The current EU interest in Circular Economy offers novel opportunities to move towards more sustainable production and consumption practices. Literature confirms that building stakeholders are expressing a growing demand of common references and tools to support the integration of circular principles in building processes. The paper introduces a methodological approach meant as an information support tool to translate EU circularity policies into guidelines for building design and management. Indeed, the challenge is to translate circularity objectives and targets into specific requirements expressed from one stakeholder to another, up to the last operator involved in the supply chain. The requests along the different levels of the supply chain must be consistent with each other and with the initial circularity objectives expressed at the origin by the client. Hence, starting by outlining the complexity of the fragmented building supply-chain, the paper identifies the proper level of detail for expressing circularity requirements and, therefore, for communicating mutually consistent circularity objectives at the different levels of the supply chain. Supporting the integration of circularity requirements within Project Briefs (design phase) and Invitations to Tender (management phase), the proposed tool lays the foundations for the experimentation of circular building practices and for the systemic evaluation of compliance with EU circularity objectives.

Healthy sleep practices for consumers of home total parenteral nutrition: A mixed-methods community-based participatory study

Healthy sleep practices for consumers of home total parenteral nutrition: A mixed-methods community-based participatory study

DNA Barcoding using Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) Reveals Wildlife Consumption of Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) and Dusky Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus) by the Senoi (Semoq Beri) Tribe in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract Malaysia, a culturally diverse nation, encompasses various ethnicities, including the Orang Asli, the region’s aboriginal people. Among the Orang Asli tribes in Peninsular Malaysia, the Senoi constitute the largest demographic, followed by the Proto-Malay and Negrito groups, each comprising six distinct subtribes. Traditional methods, such as surveys and interviews, have been instrumental in understanding wildlife consumption practices among indigenous communities like the Senoi. However, they may not always provide accurate and comprehensive data. The adoption of molecular techniques, such as DNA barcoding, presents a promising avenue for enhancing the accuracy and reliability of wildlife consumption studies. This study investigates wildlife consumption practices among the Senoi tribe, particularly the Semoq Beri subgroup in Maran, Pahang, using DNA barcoding that focuses on the Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene. Following the collection of biological samples with consent from Semoq Beri villagers, DNA extraction and PCR amplification were performed using established protocols. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify wildlife species consumed by the tribe. From the DNA barcoding analysis, two wildlife species were successfully detected: including the Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) and the dusky leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus), commonly consumed by the Semoq Beri tribe. Despite their status conservation, the findings suggest that the Semoq Beri tribe’s hunting practices are relatively sustainable, as they hunt only for subsistence purposes and in small quantities. The study emphasizes the significance of incorporating molecular techniques alongside conventional methods to accurately assess wildlife consumption patterns among indigenous communities. The findings highlight the necessity of collaborative approaches involving indigenous peoples, government agencies, and conservation organizations to preserve traditional knowledge, safeguard wildlife resources, and promote the sustainable coexistence of indigenous communities and biodiversity.

Comparative Study of Energy Consumption Intensity: A Case Study of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics (FEI) Versus the Faculty of Chemical Technology (FChT) in the City of Pardubice

Abstract The study’s comparative aspect between the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics (FEI) and the Faculty of Chemical Technology (FChT) buildings is pivotal for elucidating nuanced differences in energy consumption practices within academic institutions, facilitating targeted energy efficiency measures. The research methodology adopts a comparative case study approach to examine two focal research buildings. Analysis entails computing energy consumption intensity per unit area for both buildings and comparing energy consumption data to identify disparities. The need for understanding energy consumption patterns and improving energy efficiency in academic infrastructure is directly addressed through variables studied in the comparative analysis, including energy consumption comparison, annual and monthly variations, ratio, and intensity. The data indicates that the average heating intensity in the FChT building surpasses that of the FEI building by a factor of 2.3, signifying significant disparities in heating energy consumption trends between the two structures and suggesting potential areas for targeted energy efficiency interventions. Moreover, the average electrical intensity in the FChT building is over 1.7 times higher than in the FEI building. Interestingly, despite the FChT building being 2.6 times larger than the FEI, its intensity does not always correspond with the increase in building area, indicating additional factors influencing energy consumption.

Plant the pot! Understanding consumer willingness to pay for sustainability in garden shop products

This study explores consumer preferences for various sustainability attributes in gardening pots using a discrete choice experiment. Data were collected from 499 respondents in garden shops across Milan and Monza, Italy. The study examines different aspects of sustainability, focusing on attributes that influence consumer purchasing decisions, such as the use of renewable energy, recycled material usage, ethical certification, and end-of-life options (recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable pots). The primary objectives are to determine consumers' preferences and the relative importance of these sustainability attributes in gardening pots and assess the impact of educational information on these preferences and willingness to pay. A mixed logit model is employed to capture the variations in preferences across the entire sample, providing a detailed analysis of the average willingness to pay for each sustainability attribute. A latent class model aimed to identify distinct segments within the sample, revealing specific groups of consumers with unique preference patterns and varying monetary evaluations for sustainable features. The results indicate strong preferences for reusable and recyclable pots, followed by biodegradable options and products made with recycled materials. Additionally, providing consumers with educational information about the environmental impacts of plastic pots significantly influenced their preferences and willingness to pay. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by offering detailed insights into consumer behaviour towards sustainable gardening products and their relative importance and providing actionable recommendations for policymakers and marketers to foster sustainable consumption practices.

Determinants of environmental changes in human-modified ecosystems: Effects of plastics on moisture gradients, nutrients, and clay properties

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystem health worldwide. This study examines the determinants of environmental changes in human-modified ecosystems through a quantitative-qualitative system dynamics modeling approach: field experiments conducted on a 310 m2 unsaturated clay-rich bed and a 2.5 m2 clay-rich shore of a plastic-impacted pond in Shenzhen, China, and a 1.17 ha plastic-impacted clay pit in Musanze, Rwanda; laboratory experiments involving Modified Proctor (MP) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests on natural clay reinforced with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics, with diameters ranging from 0.25 to 5 mm and at concentrations of 1.25 %, 2.5 %, 3.75 %, 5 %, and 10 % by weight of clay; and plastic dynamic flows analyzed by modeling the life cycle of PET. Field experiments showed that mulch type and thickness were critical factors influencing crack distribution in a plastic-impacted pond bed. Specifically, cracks were dominant in areas with pronounced desiccation and lacking filamentous green algae and PET-dominated plastic waste. Along the 2.5 m moisture gradient in a plastic-impacted pond bed, temperature and moisture significantly influenced nutrients, particularly in pronounced desiccation zones. Laboratory experiments showed that microplastics altered the structural properties of natural clay, decreasing moisture content while increasing dry density and load-bearing capacity. The plastic life cycle underscored the roles of industrial and consumer practices, environmental conditions, and waste management and recycling inefficiencies in driving environmental changes in human-modified ecosystems. The findings underscore the need for effective plastic waste management and recycling to mitigate the ecological impacts of plastic pollution in ecosystems.

Генеалогия практик совместного потребления в европейской культуре

The article draws attention to a new feature of the consumer society – the saving of money in the consumption of goods, the organisation of common capital and the relinquishing of the right of ownership for the right of use. The relevance of considering this feature of consumer society is conditioned both by the problem of overcoming poverty and by the attempt to understand the genesis of consumer practices in the historical development of European society. As a result of a comparative cultural and historical review, the author concludes that such tendencies originated long ago and largely under the influence of the Church. These practices appear to have been, as they are today, a means of combating poverty.

A Study on the Impact of Green Consumption Information Dissemination and Green Concern on Consumers' Green Purchase Intention on Social Media

Social media platforms impact consumer behavior, particularly regarding environmental sustainability. However, the impact of these platforms on promoting green consumption remains unclear, particularly in China. The gap between the widespread dissemination of green consumption information and actual behavioral change raises concerns about the effectiveness of social media campaigns in promoting genuine green consumption practices. A study aims to investigate the relationship between green consumption information dissemination, consumer green concern, and green purchase intentions in urban China. Preliminary findings show that green information significantly boosts green purchase intentions, particularly among younger and university-educated individuals

Post - Pandemic Crisis Consumption Practices to Frozen Food Products in Indonesia

Post - Pandemic Crisis Consumption Practices to Frozen Food Products in Indonesia

An Assessment of Promoting Culinary Tourism in Ghana

Purpose: Ghana's tourism and hospitality industry has been extensively researched over the past five decades, primarily focusing on culture and heritage tourism, nature and economic tourism, marketing, and service quality. The aim is to assess the potential of culinary tourism as a powerful tool for creating sustainable livelihood empowerment channels, offering a beacon of hope for the future. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted with a rigorous qualitative research design and desk review approach, ensuring a comprehensive topic exploration. Published data and literature on the food tourism prospects of eight regions in Ghana were analysed. The gathered data was then subjected to content analysis, a common technique in qualitative research. Research Limitation: The findings derived from the desk review may not be generalisable to other contexts, populations, or geographic areas due to the reliance on specific literature that may not capture all perspectives. This acknowledgement ensures that the audience is fully informed about the scope of the study. Findings: The study exposes the stark reality that the culinary tourism market in Ghana, despite its significant potential, remains underdeveloped. This underscores the crucial need for strategic interventions and the active participation of all stakeholders in the industry's development. Practical Implication: From a practical point of view, the Ghana Tourism Authority must show greater interest in developing the sector by organising regional and national food festivals annually. This effort must be publicised internationally to attract tourists interested in exploring Ghana's culinary diversity. Social Implication: Culinary tourism promotes sustainable food production and consumption practices by emphasising local, seasonal, and environmentally friendly ingredients. This reduces tourism's carbon footprint and supports responsible consumption patterns. Originality/Value: This study has revealed a significant research gap with practical implications. Thus, narratives on the potential of culinary tourism across eight regions in Ghana have known to have been provided practical actions towards enhancing culinary tourism in Ghana.

The effectiveness of duty cycling technique on air conditioning system during break period for comfort, energy and cost savings: A real case study in health center

This paper investigates the potential of duty cycling techniques for air conditioning (AC) systems in producing energy and cost savings and the impact on the indoor thermal environment, air quality, and environmental sustainability. The real case study concentrated on energy consumption practice during the break period between 13:00 to 14:00 in a lobby area of a Health Center. Site data measurements of electrical input power, energy, indoor air temperature and humidity, and indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration were conducted. Two zero-cost strategies were studied and results were compared to baseline conditions. In general, the results show that all strategies can meet the indoor thermal environment and air quality requirements, except room temperature for Strategy 2 which ranges on average between 26.71 to 26.82C. In addition to the instant payback period (0 years), the results also indicate that as compared to baseline condition, Strategies 1 and 2 led to annual energy and cost savings of around 759.2 kWh (USD 64.40) and 1250.6 kWh (USD 106.08), respectively. In terms of environmental sustainability, Strategies 1 and 2 can avoid environmental CO2 emissions by 444.13 and 731.60 kg of CO2 per year, respectively. Due to these reasons and if the sensitivity of occupant comfort to room temperature during the break period can be tolerated, it is proposed that Strategy 2 is the best option for the AC system operation during the break period. Considering other buildings also adopted the same strategy, this small action can lead to a high impact, not only on energy and cost savings but also on environmental sustainability in the future.

The Last Bite: Exploring behavioural and situational factors influencing leftover food waste in households

Food leftovers are a major contributor to household food waste. However, the drivers of household food leftover management practices are less understood. This study analyses the leftover food management behaviour using the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability framework. A Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis was used to empirically test the influence of motivation, opportunity, ability, and competing goals on self-reported leftover food management practices of Australian consumers. The results show consumers’ motivation is strongly associated with leftover food management practices. Particularly, consumers are motivated not to waste food because of negative feelings towards wasting food and understanding the consequences of leftover food waste. Consumer abilities in meal planning, efficient cooking, food inventory management, interpreting expiry dates, and food storage also significantly affected leftover food management in the home. The availability of time, information technology and lifestyle showed a relatively weaker impact on leftover food management. Competing goals of eating healthy, safe, and tasty food and having enough food lower the interest in leftover food management in the home. Understanding the drivers of leftover food management can guide designing interventions to promote behaviour change in preventing leftover waste.

Validation of the minimum dietary diversity for women as a predictor of micronutrient adequacy among lactating women in Ethiopia.

The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) indicator is used as a proxy indicator for assessing micronutrient adequacy among women of the reproductive age group. Variations were observed in studies, and there was also a lack of evidence regarding the performance of this proxy indicator in Ethiopia, a country with diverse dietary consumption practices. This study aimed to validate the performance of the MDD-W in predicting micronutrient intake adequacy among lactating women in Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 457 lactating women in Northwest Ethiopia from February 2 to 18, 2023. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 457 study participants. A single multiphasic interactive 24-h dietary recall was used to collect dietary intake data. Ten food groups were used to compute the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women, and the Mean Adequacy Ratio was used to assess nutrient intake adequacy. Spearman's rank correlation test, Cohen's kappa statistics, and ROC curve analysis were conducted. The optimal cutoff points for Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women were determined by selecting the points that maximized the Youden index. MDD-W had poor positive correlation (ρ = 0.19, p < 0.001) and poor predictive ability (AUC = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.67) (p < 0.001) with the Mean Adequacy Ratio in determining micronutrient intake adequacy. The sensitivity and specificity of the MDD-W in the ≥5 food groups standard cutoff were 25.2 and 82.3%, respectively. The optimal cutoff point for MDD-W to predict micronutrient intake adequacy was ≥3 food groups. Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women had a poor correlation and poor predictive ability in predicting micronutrient intake adequacy. The variations noted in studies and differences from the Food and Agriculture Organization recommendations regarding the cutoff and level of performance of MDD-W in defining micronutrient adequacy warrant further investigation.

A Systematic Review on Unique Characteristics of Generation Z and Their Impact on Purchasing Decisions

The Generation Z, also recognized as "centennials," stands out for its complete immersion in technology, exerting a significant influence on their purchasing decisions. This study applied the PRISMA method to conduct a systematic review of the distinctive attributes of this generation and their impact on consumer choices. Results, extracted from 14 articles analyzed between 2019 and 2023, indicate an increase in scientific production in 2023, with a notable focus on purchasing trends. Indonesia emerges as a focal point of research, demonstrating a particular interest in the consumption practices of Generation Z. "Sustainability" leads in publications, emphasizing the convergence between youth and sustainable consumption. Scopus stands out as the primary database, indicating a preference for journal articles. Generation Z, identified by its connection to digital commerce and the influence of social media, especially TikTok, exhibits a blend of contemporary and traditional values in their purchasing decisions. Their focus on adopting innovative technologies and the meticulous evaluation of sustainability and cost reflect thoughtful and critical consumption. In conclusion, Generation Z redefines the market landscape with an innovative and socially conscious perspective, underscoring the importance of authentic and personalized strategies in an ever-evolving commercial environment.

Ethical Consumption as Fetishism: Unmasking Capitalist Ideologies, Social Distinctions, and the Educational Imperative

This paper offers a critical examination of ethical consumption, exploring how it reinforces social identities within the capitalist framework. It argues for the crucial role of educational institutions in addressing ethical consumption within their curricula. While ethical consumption is often promoted for its moral virtues and its potential to address issues such as environmental sustainability and labor rights, the paper contends that it inadvertently perpetuates capitalist ideologies and exacerbates class divisions. Through this lens, the analysis critiques the ways in which ethical consumption practices sustain existing social structures, often cloaked in the guise of moral virtue. The paper suggests that educational institutions should integrate discussion on ethical consumption into their ethics courses in advertising and marketing programs to facilitate a more thorough examination of its consequences. This approach would equip students to critically navigate the complexities of ethical consumer choices, fostering a generation of informed, discerning, and socially responsible consumers.

Proposing the Model to Accelerate SMEs to Apply Green Economy Practices Through the Utilization of Social Crowdfunding

Following Indonesia's commitment to promoting the achievement sustainable consumption and production practices (RCP- SDGs Number 12), a plan must be put in place to motivate important players (SMEs) to support the green economy. The limitations of SMEs in terms of funding to be able to implement green economic practices are accommodated through access to financial technology, namely social crowdfunding. To gain insight into how SMEs implement green economic practices by utilizing social crowdfunding, a survey was conducted on 75 SMEs use descriptive research design. The results of the descriptive analysis found that some SMEs have not been able to take advantage of social crowdfunding due to several reasons: not being able to access the right website, having requirements that are difficult to fulfill and their technology skills are not yet good. An interesting insight that was extracted from the results of this survey is the high level of confidence among SMEs that implementing green economic practices using social crowdfunding can improve business performance and are confident that they can overcome all difficulties. The proposed conceptual model can apparently be supported by research results which produce the proposition namely:" willingness to participate in implementing green economic practices using social crowdfunding needs to be driven by creating strong awareness and interest by triggering 3 important determinants, namely stakeholder management, community engagement and entrepreneurship strategy”. In the future, this conceptual modeling can be used to conduct quantitative research so that it can explore the facts in the field in a comprehensive manner.