Consumer Well-being Research Articles

Influence of Microbial Treatments on Vine Growth and Must Quality: Preliminary Results

Microorganisms play a crucial role in addressing the challenges related to the increasing detrimental effects of intensive agriculture in vineyards by contributing to various aspects, from maintaining soil health and vine vitality to influencing fermentation and the overall wine features. Among microorganisms, mycorrhizal fungi are widely distributed in both natural and agricultural ecosystems, and their mutually beneficial relationship with most terrestrial plants provides valuable ecological benefits. Nowadays, the wine industry is increasingly moving toward the production of organic wines, highlighting the need for novel and healthier strategies that prioritize both the consumer well-being and the quality of the final wine product. Following our previous study in collaboration with the Bioma SA Company (Quartino, Switzerland), the investigation was continued by extending the organic practice to the cultivation. The present work, indeed, aimed to evaluate the influence of the treatment with mycorrhizal fungi on the metabolism of “Sangiovese” grapevines. In particular, the chemical parameters, including alcohol content, pH, acidity, phenolic composition, and sulfur dioxide, were assessed on the must, while the analysis of the volatile emission was conducted both on whole and pressed grapes, on must, as well as on the grape skins. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the mycorrhizal fungi association effect on the quality of “Sangiovese” grapes and, further, its effect on the VOCs emission.

Sport spectator well-being: a scoping review

ABSTRACT A clear understanding of sport consumer well-being is central to enriching research on the interaction between sport organizations and consumers, and more tangibly, to advancing public policy. This research offers a scoping review of existing studies on the well-being of sport spectators, resulting in the formulation of a Sport Spectator Well-being Process Model designed to direct future research endeavors. The review includes 76 peer-reviewed articles comprising reviews, qualitative and quantitative studies. A dual approach of frequency and thematic analysis was utilized to synthesize the findings. The frequency analysis highlighted an increasing trend in relevant publications over time, and the thematic analysis informed the development of a conceptual model of the four key stages of the sport spectator well-being process. The review also identified three significant research gaps: (1) the narrow scope of research contexts, (2) a limited range of theoretical frameworks employed and (3) challenges in research methodology. The findings significantly contribute to the transformative sport service research by integrating positive psychology concepts into the discourse on sport spectator well-being. The conceptual model is vital for researchers exploring the intricate relationship between sport spectatorship and spectator well-being, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of this significant topic.

Beyond the hashtags: social media usage and cryptocurrency investment

PurposeCryptocurrencies have gained popularity among investors despite their high risk and volatility. Social media wields substantial influence over investors' attitudes, judgments and decisions related to investment. This study aims to investigate the associations between social media usage and cryptocurrency investment behavior.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing the main dataset of the 2021 National Financial Capability Study and its supplementary Investor Survey, this study analyzed social media usage in general. Additionally, it separately examined 11 different social media platforms as potential sources of information for investments. Logistic regressions were performed to explore the relationship between social media, previous experiences and future considerations in investing in cryptocurrencies. Robustness checks were conducted with additional analyses.FindingsInvestors who used social media for investment information were more likely to invest in cryptocurrencies and consider investing in cryptocurrencies in the future. The likelihood increased with the number of social media platforms used. Different social media platforms exhibited distinct associations with cryptocurrency investment experiences and future considerations.Originality/valueThis study is one of the initial attempts to examine the role of social media platforms in cryptocurrency investment. The findings offer unique and important theoretical and practical insights for policymakers, researchers and practitioners, which can benefit consumer well-being.

Measurement of women attitude toward the consumption of organic foods in Turkiye & Algeria

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of gender on the willingness to consume organic foods by focusing on the perception of women. This study makes an important theoretical contribution to the previous studies belonging to the healthcare concerns which are expanding in recent years in order to ensure the wellbeing of consumers by enhancing to use safe type of food, called organic foods. Using the Chi square test and two sample independent t-test, this paper examines whether Turkish and Algerian women are aware with the consumption of organic meals. Including 81 participants, 63 of them were women; it has been concluded that there is no significant difference in terms of gender regarding the acceptance of organic foods. This research demonstrates that both men and women are aware of their willingness to consume organic foods.

Limitations of the investor information confirmation form in capturing investor risk propensity

The financial consumer protection laws in South Korea emphasize the principle of suitability to ensure the well-being of the financial consumer. To adhere to these regulations, financial institutions utilize the behavioral risk assessment (BRA) form to assess investors’ characteristics. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these forms in capturing investor risk propensities, using Economic Risk Attitude (ERA), Instrumental Risk-Taking (IRT), and Stimulating Risk-Taking (SRT) as comparative benchmarks. Unlike previous research focused mainly on financial risk attitudes, this study introduces a multidimensional approach that includes psychological factors like SRT, offering a more comprehensive understanding of investor behavior. Findings reveal that while BRA assessments correlate with ERA and IRT, they fail to capture the excitement-driven aspects of risk propensity represented by SRT, indicating that BRA forms may inadequately reflect investors' risk profiles. This underscores the need for refining BRA forms by integrating psychological risk factors, advocating for a multidimensional framework that enhances consumer protection and enables more tailored investment strategies. The study contributes actionable insights for financial consumer protection and sets the stage for integrating advanced technologies, such as AI, to further refine risk assessments.

8.K. Scientific session: Promoting Healthier and Sustainable Diets – Evidence from the Interdisciplinary MedDietMenus4Campus

Abstract Food service comprises the production of meals consumed outside the home, including consumers from all age groups and in different sectors. This service sector has evolved through the years, providing an increasing number of meals, which have been drifting away from the Mediterranean Food Pattern. Food service is an important setting for public health interventions, educating consumers and modulating behaviours through the meals provided. Prior research on eating habits has mainly focused on a single stakeholder - typically consumers - and on a narrow set of outcome variables. Although these studies provide important clues about the determinants of adherence to food offer, research has yet to address this issue using an integrative approach of multiple stakeholders (e.g., the consumers, food providers, and decisors) across a set of different variables. Also, intervention initiatives, usually act only on the environment without strategies that efficiently engage all the stakeholders involved. In contrast, to promote behavioral change this research will focus on Social Marketing as it has been acknowledged as an effective strategy to enhance the health and well-being of consumers. Establishing and managing long-term partnerships that include different groups of stakeholders - consumers, government, retailers, and other players - are key elements in the application of mid and upstream social marketing to complex issues. The project’s main ambition is to change the food service paradigm, by creating and implementing a new healthy and sustainable food service concept complying with the Mediterranean diet, as well as solutions that comply with consumers’ new needs, and also developing and implementing strategies that engage all the stakeholders with this concept. We expect to create the reference in terms of food offer that will be demanded by consumers of the next generations and the standpoint to inspire the other food service sectors/ settings to achieve an effective and sustainable food offer change and positively influence food service consumers’ food patterns towards Mediterranean recommendations. In this workshop, the findings of the project will be presented focusing on examining the barriers and facilitators of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in the menus offered in public high education institutes canteens in Portugal, Turkey, and Croatia. To promote the identification of effective intervention pathways, we take on an interdisciplinary approach, integrating the theoretical and methodological frameworks of Nutrition, Psychology, and Marketing. Key messages • Provide an overview of an interdisciplinary approach to promote healthier and more sustainable food offered in university canteens. • Present the pathway to develop social marketing strategies to engage different stakeholders in effective food behaviour change.

MedDietMenus4Campus: Integrating Views from Nutrition, Marketing and Psychology to Improve Diets

Abstract Food service is an important setting for public health interventions, educating consumers and modulating behaviours through the meals provided. Social Marketing is one of the strategies designed to promote behaviour change, which contributions to health and well-being of consumers are widely recognised. This project aims to identify the compliance of food service menus with the Mediterranean Diet (MD) in public high education institutes (HEI) canteens, pinpointing opportunities to intervene, namely: 1) promoting changes in the food offer addressing proximity to the MD, creating, and offering plant-based meals, with seasonable and local food products and 2) developing tailored social marketing strategies to engage stakeholders to encourage healthier and sustainable food habits. It gathers a team comprised of nutrition experts on public health and food service, food technologists, gastronomy experts, psychologists, and marketers. To achieve the objectives researchers will: 1) develop an index to evaluate compliance of menus with the MD; 2) define priority stakeholders and define a methodology for engagement; 3) evaluate perceptions, barriers and facilitators; 4) develop a meal plan framework; 5) develop a new food concept “student bag” (meal on the go) and test it for industry scale-up; 6) use previous diagnosis to develop social marketing strategies directed to stakeholders and consumers to achieve food behaviour change and 7) measure the impacts of the implemented strategies. This research intends to create and implement a new healthy and sustainable food service concept, expecting to define the standpoint to inspire other food service settings to achieve an effective and sustainable food offer change and positively influence food service consumers’ food pattern towards Mediterranean recommendations, while addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (3 - good health and 12 - responsible consumption and production; 17 - partnerships for the goals).

The Impact and Challenges of Digital Transformation on Supply Chain Resilience in Physical Enterprises

Abstract: In the digital era, supply chain resilience (SCR) has become a key pillar of the real economy. Enterprises face various challenges, including cybersecurity threats, market volatility, technological change and changing global conditions. A strong SCR not only ensures continued business operations but also maintains market stability and consumer well-being. Digital transformation helps businesses anticipate market changes, optimize inventory management, improve operational efficiency, and assist in management decisions when necessary by providing unprecedented data transparency and real-time insights. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of digital transformation in the supply chains of physical firms globally through a literature review, to identify the factors influencing the resilience of digital transformation in the supply chains of physical firms, and to discover the barriers to digital transformation in the supply chains of physical firms. The study finds that the digital transformation of physical firms' supply chains is still in its infancy, and there are barriers at both managerial and physical levels. Solutions to address these barriers include enhancing employee training, correctly introducing appropriate digital technologies, and improving information security.

Optically active carbon dot/cellulose nanocrystal hydrogel printing inks with two-step authentication

The counterfeit market in field of consumer goods is still a great obstacle to financial well-being for manufacturers and consumers. Security labels with hidden images have proven to be an effective anticounterfeiting measure. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an effective approach to fabricating labels with complex geometries using environmentally friendly and cost-effective customized inks. In this work, optically active hydrogels were made by incorporating fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) into a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) matrix. The CD:CNC ratios were optimized to obtain inks with high viscosity and fidelity that exhibited shear-thinning behavior. The resulting inks showed good printability and the extrusion parameters were optimized to achieve high printing accuracy. When excited at different wavelengths, the printed patterns fluoresced different colors. CNC also showed shear-induced alignment upon extrusion, which is visible under polarized light, allowing hidden images to be incorporated into the printed structures for two-factor authentication.

How CSR communication and value co-creation shape consumer well-being and brand love in the post-COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the UK

PurposeDrawing upon the service-dominant logic (S-D logic) and elaboration likelihood model (ELM), this paper provides an integrative model to investigate how argument quality and source credibility of CSR communication affects customer value co-creation behavior, resulting in increased brand trust. Additionally, it unveils how brand trust and the perception of COVID-19 risk influence both brand love and subjective well-being.Design/methodology/approachThe data of this study were collected through survey questionnaire from 304 coffee shop customers using convenience sampling and tested using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique to validate its model.FindingsThe research findings confirm the positive association between source credibility and customer value co-creation (i.e. customer participation and citizenship behavior). By contrast, argument quality is revealed to have a significantly positive effect on customer citizenship behavior (CCB) but a non-significant effect on customer participation behavior (CPB). Additionally, the study identifies that customer value co-creation behavior significantly promotes brand trust. Finally, findings indicate that brand trust and the perception of COVID-19 risk significantly influence brand love and subjective well-being.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on CSR communication and S-D logic and provides new insights for marketers and advertisers to manage brands in the post-pandemic scenario through CSR communications. Furthermore, this study theoretically extends the ELM model to the CSR communication research. Finally, this study expands the relevant literature by clarifying the relationships between the perception of COVID-19 risk, brand love and subjective well-being.

“Let the Driver off the Hook?” moral decisions of autonomous cars and their impact on consumer well-being

Equipped with sophisticated, AI-based driver assistance systems, passenger cars are becoming increasingly intelligent. It seems that in a matter of a few years, fully autonomous vehicles will operate without any driver intervention. In this context, researchers are addressing the question of how fully automated vehicles should make decisions in critical situations. Should they spare the driver, children jumping out into the road or elderly people standing on the sidewalk? Projects such as MIT’s Moral Machine are investigating the preferences of people from different nations and cultures for ethical decision algorithms. Evaluations of these automated decisions and how the may impact consumer perception and well-being are still scarce. In our experimental study, participants experienced a simulator-based driving situation in a fully autonomous car, after which they were confronted with alternative scenarios requiring automated action by the car in a critical situation. We measured the emotional status and well-being of our test-persons (N=33) in those critical situations using facial expression recognition (FER), electroencephalography (EEG), and standardized questions. The results show that there are detectable differences between the scenarios with respect to emotions as well as subjective well-being and behavioral intentions in the test group’s responses to the questionnaire. Regarding FER and EEG, no statistically significant differences could be shown due to the small subsample.

How to encourage consumers' ongoing participation in physical exercise via feedback: Evidence from a longitudinal field experiment

Improving consumers' ongoing participation in physical activity is crucial to enhance consumer well-being. While many consumers may begin an exercise program, sustaining their continued participation often presents a significant challenge. This study tests the effectiveness of providing different ex post feedback reminders to motivate consumers' ongoing exercise. We developed feedback reminders across two dimensions. One dimension varied the feedback messages according to whether the messages attributed performance to participants' own efforts, and the other dimension used different personal pronouns to examine whether the deictic relational framing of the feedback mattered. We developed an exercise recording application embedded in WeChat to conduct an 8-week longitudinal field experiment in China. We find that when feedback messages were provided, participants in the “I/We” frame and “You frame + effort emphasized” treatment groups achieved their weekly exercise goals more frequently, especially for subjects with low self-regulation. However, when feedback was no longer provided, the influence of the “You frame + effort emphasized” treatment was even reversed.

Response Satisficing Across Online Data Sources: Effects of Satisficing on Data Quality and Policy-Relevant Results

The use of crowdsourced data has become extremely popular in marketing and public policy research. However, there are concerns about the validity of studies that source data from crowdsourcing platforms such as Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Using five different online sample sources, including multiple MTurk samples and professionally managed panels, the authors address issues related to online data quality and its effects on results for a policy-based 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment. They show that survey response satisficing, as well as multitasking, is related to attention check performance measures beyond demographic differences, and there are substantial differences across the five different online data sources. The authors specifically identify segments of high and low response satisficers using a multi-item measure and show that there are critical differences in the policy-relevant results of the experiment for these segments of online respondents. Findings suggest implications for concerns about failures to replicate results in the policy and consumer well-being, business, and social science literatures. The authors offer some suggestions for attempting to reduce problematic effects of response satisficing and data quality that are shown to differ substantially across the sample sources examined.

Low-income consumers’ informal and formal financial service experiences: perceptions of access, inclusion, and social dependence

Purpose Low-income consumers’ perceptions of access and inclusion in financial services, remain underresearched. To fill this gap, the purpose of this study, is to investigate elements of low-income consumers’ informal and formal financial service experiences, from their personal experience. Design/methodology/approach Mixed methods using data collected from low-income consumers in Latin America, reveal a spectrum of consumer perceptions making up access, inclusion and social dependence within financial service experiences. Scales, grounded in the consumer experience, are developed, validated and used to test a model of consumers’ service inclusivity perceptions. Findings Service costs, information and documentation difficulty, convenience and social dynamics influence low-income consumers’ perceptions of financial service inclusivity. Research limitations/implications Analysis reveals differentiation in the impact of aspects of low-income consumers’ experiences between formal and informal financial services. Working directly with this unique population exposes the nuance of their financial service experiences. Practical implications This research provides a more holistic perspective on low-income consumers’ financial service experience and provides contextually relevant scales with robust psychometric properties. Services marketers can use this research to inform design and evaluation of financial service offerings for low-income consumers. Originality/value This research contributes to study of the wellbeing of low-income consumers by providing understanding of their financial service experiences from their point-of-view and providing contextually-relevant, empirically validated tools for future inquiry.

1-Benzhydryl-piperazine: Isolation, structure determination, and in silico studies for a novel potential narcotic agent detected in sports supplements

Adulteration of sports supplements poses significant health risks, necessitating stringent regulatory oversight. This study investigates deceptive practices by manufacturers, including concealment of formulations and manipulation of label information, impacting a wide demographic beyond elite athletes. Cinnarizine (CIN), and its degradation product, 1-benzhydryl-piperazine (BHP), which has amphetamine-like effects, are detected for the first time in 8 out of 41 sports supplements. An HPTLC method was developed to quantify CIN, and validated with specificity, linearity, the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision studies. The linear range was between 50–800 ng spot−1. LOD and LOQ were 15 and 50 ng spot−1, respectively. The average recovery was calculated as 88.32 %, and %RSD values were less than 4 %. CIN’s degradation products were detected using GC-MS. CIN's decomposition into BHP also was confirmed via NMR analysis. Molecular docking studies revealed BHP's superior binding affinity and stability compared to 1-benzyl-piperazine (BZP), a prohibited narcotic agent, for dopamine and serotonin receptors, indicating potent psychoactive effects. Molecular dynamics simulations further elucidated interaction patterns, highlighting BHP's robust binding and potential for abuse, necessitating regulatory scrutiny and potential reevaluation of its legal status. It is also the first in silico study to compare BHP with BZP in terms of receptor interactions, which makes it pioneering. This study emphasizes the critical need for regulatory vigilance in the sports supplement industry to ensure consumer safety. Methodologies developed here for detecting adulterants provide foundational tools for future research aimed at enhancing public health protections against adulterated supplements. Regulatory collaboration and enhanced quality controls are essential to mitigate risks associated with deceptive practices and ensure the well-being of consumers.

A novel and cost-effective model for cloud energy storage based on a dual storage setup in active distribution grid with resilience consideration

The rising occurrences of natural disasters, terrorist actions, and cyber-attacks that result in extensive, long-lasting, and expensive disruptions have necessitated a shift in focus towards the resilience of electrical grids for network operators. However, the task of designing a resilient network remains complex and costly. One potential solution to bolster resilience is the deployment of battery energy storage devices on the consumer side, known as distributed energy systems (DES). Despite its effectiveness, the high construction costs and lengthy payback period associated with investing in energy storage devices have led consumers to exhibit reluctance in adopting them. Cloud energy storage (CES) is an innovative and cost-effective solution to address those challenges. In the CES platform, investors install storage facilities in the network which can be rented by consumers to fulfill their needs and they become holders of the virtual batteries. By adopting this approach, consumers are relieved from the burden of maintenance, repair, and installation. While a single CES facility offers reduced costs and increased comfort for consumers, it compromises the resilience of the grid when compared to the Distributed Energy Storage (DES) mechanism. In order to bridge this gap, this paper proposes a dual CES model which serves as an intermediate solution between DES and single CES. The dual CES model strikes a balance between the resilience of the grid and cost-effectiveness. It provides a higher level of resilience compared to a single CES and a lower level compared to DES. Additionally, the costs associated with the dual CES model fall between that of a single CES and DES. This model not only increases the profit margin for investors but also enhances the overall comfort and well-being of consumers compared to the single CES. To validate the proposed model, a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem is formulated and simulated on the IEEE 33 bus network. Three cases are considered: DES, single CES, and dual CES. The results indicate that the dual CES reduces consumers' costs by 28 %, losses by 27 %, unsupplied load costs by 45 %, and return on investment by 33 %. Moreover, it increases the stability margin time by 2 intervals and improves robustness by 47 %.

Research on the Effect of the Empathy Ability of AI Service Robots on Consumer Well-Being: The Chain Mediating Model

Artificial intelligence (AI) service robots represent a relatively new service paradigm with the potential to raise consumer well-being and service quality. Most previous studies ignored the significance of AI-human exchange relationships in favor of exploring the effects of AI service robots on consumers from the perspective of artificial intelligence technology stimuli. This study investigated how the empathy ability of AI service robots affects consumer well-being in AI-human exchange relationships. It did this by developing a chain mediation model based on mind perception theory and social exchange theory. The results indicate that the empathy ability of AI service robots has a significant impact on consumer well-being. The empathy ability of AI service robots improves consumer well-being through consumer self-congruence and consumer warmth perception. Furthermore, consumer privacy concerns negatively moderate the chain mediation effect. This study provides suggestions on how to improve consumer well-being for marketers and developers of AI service robots.

Navigating the age of AI influence: A systematic literature review of trust, engagement, efficacy and ethical concerns of virtual influencers in social media

This systematic literature review (SLR) delves into the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered virtual influencers (VIs) in social media, examining trust factors, engagement strategies, VI efficacy compared to human influencers, ethical considerations, and future trends. Analyzing 60 academic articles from 2012 to 2024, drawn from reputable databases, the study applies specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both automated and manual searches ensure a comprehensive review. Findings reveal a surge in VI research post-2012, primarily in journals, with quantitative methods prevailing. Geographically, research focuses on Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America, indicating gaps in representation from other regions. Key themes highlight trust and engagement’s critical role in VI marketing, navigating the balance between consistency and authenticity. Challenges persist regarding artificiality and accountability, managed through brand alignment and transparent communication. VIs offers advantages, including control and cost efficiencies, yet grapple with authenticity issues, addressed through human-like features. Ethically, VI emergence demands stringent guidelines and industry cooperation to safeguard consumer well-being. Looking ahead, VIs promises transformative storytelling, necessitating vigilance in ethical considerations. This study advocates for continued scholarly inquiry and industry reflection to navigate VI marketing evolution responsibly, shaping the future influencer marketing landscape.

Bacteriological Assessment of Ready-To-Eat Foods Sold in Baze University Student Cafeteria

Although foods can be easily contaminated by naturally occurring microbes or pathogens by any means possible, safe eating is considered as a basic human right. In this study, the bacteriological quality of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods sold within the Baze University campus were assessed. Ready-to-eat food samples including spaghetti, fried rice, jollof rice, yam and moi-moi were bought from different major food vending sites to the student and staff community within the university. The Bacterial species were isolated from food samples and the isolates were identified using standard microbiological procedures. The ability of the isolates to produce hemolysins and lyse blood cells was investigated with hemolysis test and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined with the following antibiotics: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin and Gentamicin. The sensitivity and resistance of the isolates to these antibiotics were observed and recorded. A total of six (6) different bacterial species including Corynebacterium spp. (31.6%), Staphylococcus spp. (26.3%), Streptococcus (10.5%), Micrococcus spp. (10.5%), Lactobacillus spp. (15.8) and Micrococcus varians (5.3%) were isolated and identified. The isolates also showed varying reactions to hemolysis and some were highly resistant to common antibiotics, signaling their tendency to initiate foodborne illness. The study concluded that while these sites are necessary in meeting the needs of the university community, it is important that adequate safety measures be enforced to reduce the spread of pathogenic bacterial contaminants in RTE foods and enhance the wellbeing of consumers.

The Effect of Consumer Curiosity on Consumer Well-being

The Effect of Consumer Curiosity on Consumer Well-being