Consumer Well-being Research Articles

Characterizing Edible Oils by Oblique-Incidence Reflectivity Difference Combined with Machine Learning Algorithms.

Due to the significant price differences among different types of edible oils, expensive oils like olive oil are often blended with cheaper edible oils. This practice of adulteration in edible oils, aimed at increasing profits for producers, poses a major concern for consumers. Furthermore, adulteration in edible oils can lead to various health issues impacting consumer well-being. In order to meet the requirements of fast, non-destructive, universal, accurate, and reliable quality testing for edible oil, the oblique-incidence reflectivity difference (OIRD) method combined with machine learning algorithms was introduced to detect a variety of edible oils. The prediction accuracy of Gradient Boosting, K-Nearest Neighbor, and Random Forest models all exceeded 95%. Moreover, the contribution rates of the OIRD signal, DC signal, and fundamental frequency signal to the classification results were 45.7%, 34.1%, and 20.2%, respectively. In a quality evaluation experiment on olive oil, the feature importance scores of three signals reached 63.4%, 18.9%, and 17.6%. The results suggested that the feature importance score of the OIRD signal was significantly higher than that of the DC and fundamental frequency signals. The experimental results indicate that the OIRD method can serve as a powerful tool for detecting edible oils.

Simultaneous development and validation of an HPLC-UV method for the analysis of bisphenol A in Moroccan extra virgin olive oil stored in plastic bottles

This study explores the migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) from plastic packaging to Moroccan extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a key Mediterranean diet component. Assessing the impact of plastic containers on olive oil quality and safety, the research investigates the influence of olive oil acidity on BPA release using an HPLC-UV method. Despite BPA’s known environmental and health risks, detectable levels persist in human samples, emphasizing the need for strict control. Examining 30 olive oil samples from the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region stored in plastic bottles, the study revealed BPA levels above the daily intake limits set by EFSA in its latest version (0.2 ng/kg body weight per day), reaching (0.238 ppm) in polycarbonate (PC) bottles and (0.144 ppm) in polyethylene (PE) bottles. It advocates for controlled packaging and highlights the delicate balance between convenience and consumer well-being. The findings call for informed choices in production and storage practices, urging increased scrutiny of food packaging for enhanced public health and regulatory measures.

Faithful and luxurious: Mediating halal with luxury through self-congruity

ABSTRACT With the rise in luxury marketing and the opening of Halal markets, luxury brands have begun to penetrate the lives of Muslim consumers. This has been accelerated particularly with the growing service economy. However, there is a lack of understanding of the underlying mechanism through which luxury services can impact the purchasing behavior of Muslims. With Islam influencing all aspects of Muslims’ lives including their purchasing behavior, it is important to resolve tensions between religiosity and luxury purchasing. Using the self-congruence theory, this study proposes a conceptual model of how religiosity can influence the purchasing behavior of luxury services and the well-being of Muslim consumers. This study contributes to the emerging luxury services and Halal service marketing literature, advances the transformative luxury and transformative service research agendas on well-being, and suggests a path for firms to encourage the spending of luxury services to capitalize on the growing Halal economy. The study concludes with a research agenda to advance research on the consumption of Halal luxury services.

Physicochemical Properties and Functionalities of Food Emulsifiers

Purpose: This study sought to analyze the physiochemical properties and functionalities of food emulsifiers. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the physiochemical properties and functionalities of food emulsifiers. Preliminary empirical review revealed that the importance of considering emulsifier properties in food product development. The findings underscored the significance of optimizing emulsifier selection and formulation to meet consumer demands for healthier, more sustainable, and better-performing food products. Continued research in this area promises to drive further innovation and advancements in food technology. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Interfacial Tension theory, HLB (Hydrophilic- Lipophilic Balance) theory and Emulsion Phase Inversion theory may be used to anchor future studies on the physiochemical properties and functionalities of food emulsifiers. The study made significant contributions to theoretical understanding, practical application, and policy considerations in the field of food science and technology. It advanced theoretical knowledge by exploring molecular mechanisms and integrating principles from colloid and interface science. In practice, the study recommended systematic approaches for emulsifier selection and process optimization to enhance product quality and consistency. From a policy perspective, it emphasized the importance of regulatory guidelines and transparency in emulsifier usage. Additionally, the study advocated for sustainability, innovation, and consumer-centric approaches to promote environmental responsibility, drive technological advancements, and prioritize consumer well-being in emulsifier research and application.

Why do you want an organic coffee? Self-care vs. world-care: A new SOR model approach to explain organic product purchase intentions of Spanish consumers

The growing concern for environmental preservation, sustainability and the well-being of producers and consumers has created demand for alternative organic products. In the context of organic product consumption, individuals may be motivated by self-care or world-care factors. This study proposes a new, adapted version of the SOR model − stimulus (S), organism (O), response (R) − to explore the acceptance of an organic coffee produced in Peru. The model used data from 570 Spanish consumers, and the analysis was carried out using partial least squares (PLS), based on variance. The findings revealed that world-care (S) significantly influences both hedonic and utilitarian attitudes (O), while self-care (S) was not found to have a significant impact on these attitudes. In addition, both hedonic and utilitarian attitudes were found to influence consumers' purchase intentions for organic coffee (R), with hedonic attitudes playing a particularly crucial role. These results carry substantial theoretical and practical implications for the fostering of a more sustainable and environmentally conscious coffee market.

Impact of customer engagement strategy on customer loyalty from the perspective of consumer well-being

PurposeThis study aims to investigate mechanisms and boundary conditions of the impact of customer engagement strategies (CESs) on customer loyalty (CL) based on goal-framing and well-being theory.Design/methodology/approachThrough a three-stage, time-lagged research design, 246 valid samples were obtained. This study tested and validated the proposed framework using hierarchical regression analysis and a moderated mediation procedure.FindingsFirst, CESs have a significant positive impact on CL. Second, consumer well-being (CWB) partially mediates the CESs–CL relationship. Third, information processing style (IPS) moderates the impact of CESs on CWB, with a more pronounced effect observed under the affective processing style. Finally, IPS further moderates the indirect effect of CESs on CL, indicating that CESs enhance CL through increased CWB, particularly under the affective processing style.Originality/valueRevealing the pivotal role of CESs in enhancing CL at the corporate level helps bridge the gap between companies and customers, thereby facilitating the establishment of long-term cooperative relationships. Additionally, introducing the concept of CWB into the study of CL offers a novel perspective for understanding customer behavior.

An Islamic “Theory of Justice” commentary on consumer well-being

PurposeIn this paper, the philosophy of John Rawls, known as “Justice as Fairness,” is discussed. This philosophy examines the responsibilities social actors hold toward their societal organizations. From an Islamic perspective, justice is pivotal in safeguarding collective interests, aligning with Rawls' conviction that just societies nurture happiness and foster well-being across various life aspects. To achieve customer welfare, our viewpoint underscores the importance of justice in reflecting on consumer well-being from both Rawls’ theory and Islamic perspectives.Design/methodology/approachWe adopt a conceptual approach where secular views of Rawls’ “Theory of Justice” are merged with the Islamic view, resulting in novel insights regarding the hermeneutics involved in the notion of justice and the preservation of consumer well-being.FindingsOur analysis reveals that John Rawls' “A Theory of Justice” aligns with the Islamic perspective in several respects yet diverges in others, notably in the concepts of pre-creation consciousness and divine guidance. These distinctions are emphasized in our paper.Originality/valueOur paper presents a perspective on justice founded on the concepts of the “Original Position” and the “Veil of Ignorance.” The commentary explores consumer well-being by integrating Rawls' principles with an analysis that elucidates the role justice plays in enhancing societal welfare.

Conspiracy Beliefs and Consumption: The Role of Scientific Literacy

Abstract Conspiracy theories pose risks to consumers, businesses, and society. The present research investigates the role of scientific literacy in a variety of conspiracy beliefs with implications for consumer well-being and sustainability (e.g., regarding coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19], genetically modified organisms, and climate change). In contrast to the mixed effects of education in prior work, we find that scientific literacy undermines conspiracy beliefs and, in turn, conspiracy-related behaviors. This finding is explained by people’s ability to use two dimensions of scientific literacy—scientific knowledge and reasoning—to accurately assess conspiracy evidence. For robustness, we assess scientific literacy through both measurement and manipulation (i.e., interventions), identify two moderators (evidence strength and narration) that attenuate the effect, and further validate our theorizing using national and international datasets (regarding COVID-19 vaccination and Google search, respectively). We discuss the implications of our findings for consumers, companies, nonprofit organizations, and governments.

Institutional complexity and consumer wellbeing: Navigating the conflicting logics of religion, state, and market during the COVID-19 pandemic

Institutional complexity arises when multiple institutional logics prescribe divergent and incompatible behaviors. Studies show that exposure to contradictory prescriptions of multiple logics may trigger identity tensions, strategic challenges, and legitimacy problems. We add to this research stream by exploring the implications of the incompatibility between religion and other logics on consumer wellbeing. Extant research reports a generally positive effect of religion on wellbeing but limits the analytical attention to the individual effects of religiosity. Viewing religion as part of an inter-institutional system, we seek to understand why religion and other institutional logics might come into a conflictual relationship with each other and destabilize wellbeing. We find that critical events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, change the relative centrality of logics and prompt individuals to engage in incompatible behaviors. We also discuss how consumers manage the sudden and unexpected institutional complexity they face and seek to restore their wellbeing.

Healthy Sleep Practices for Consumers of Home Total Parenteral Nutrition: A Mixed-Methods Community-Based Participatory Study

BackgroundConsumers of overnight home parenteral nutrition (HPN) often experience sleep disruption; however, existing healthy sleep recommendations are widely inapplicable to consumers. ObjectivesThe aim of this mixed-methods, community-based participatory research study was to develop tailored recommendations on healthy sleep practices for HPN consumers. MethodsThe multipart study involved the following: 1) an initial draft of sleep recommendations based on the evaluation of existing general sleep hygiene guidelines by an expert panel of clinicians and consumers with lived experience; 2) semi-structured focus groups with consumers and clinicians; 3) pre- and post-knowledge tests completed by consumers, and 4) final approval of the recommendations by the expert panel. ResultsThe literature synthesis resulted in 51 recommendations evaluated for relevance for HPN consumers. Focus groups with 20 HPN consumers and clinicians contributed additional recommendations based on lived experience. Ultimately, the final resource included recommendations spanning 4 sections: getting ready for bed, preparing the bedroom for sleep, daytime behaviors, and overall strategies for better sleep. Of the 36 recommendations, 58% were derived from existing general sleep hygiene guidelines, and the remaining 42% addressed sleep challenges experienced uniquely by consumers, including nocturnal polyuria, noise/light from medical equipment, and infusion schedules. Knowledge tests completed by 10 additional consumers indicated a modest increase in sleep health knowledge. ConclusionsThe curated healthy sleep resource tailored for HPN consumers was facilitated by a multidisciplinary expert panel, a strategic collaboration with members of the HPN community and their clinicians, and in partnership with patient advocacy and support organizations. The wide distribution of these resources may improve the overall well-being of HPN consumers.

Exploring Antecedents of Consumers’ Green and Materialistic Values Conflict: The Case of Baltic Economy

In societies where consumers hold both green and materialistic values, which can be described as incompatible values, a conflict of values arises. Previous research on the green and materialistic value conflict has focused mainly on their negative consequences for consumer well-being. The antecedents of green and materialistic value conflict remain unclear. This research aims to determine the antecedents of consumers’ green and materialistic value conflict. Using a quantitative research strategy, data were collected following the survey method. The results of this research reveal that the effect of impulsive buying on the conflict between green and materialistic values is significant and positive, which means that impulsive buying reinforces the value conflict. Furthermore, the results show that the effect of mindfulness on the conflict between green and materialistic values is significant and negative, which means that mindfulness reduces the value conflict. These findings add substantially to our understanding of antecedents by adding new knowledge on the relatively under-researched antecedents of the conflict between green and materialistic values.

Occurrence of alkyl glucosides in rinse-off cosmetics marketed as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin.

Rinse-off cosmetic products, primarily shampoos, are frequently implicated in the onset of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by alkyl glucosides (AGs). AGs are increasingly popular surfactants and known contact allergens. Glucoside-induced ACD was most frequently observed with shampoos and skin-cleansing products in both consumer and occupational settings. Thereby, studies have shown that atopic individuals are the most susceptible to ACD. Also, several investigations have indicated that individuals with sensitive skin might be more prone to skin allergies. This is why the presence of AGs was investigated in shampoos and body cleansers marketed as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin. For this purpose, the website of Amazon.com was surveyed. Four groups of cosmetics were obtained by using the following keywords: "hypoallergenic shampoo for adults," "sensitive skin shampoo for adults," "hypoallergenic body cleanser for adults," and "sensitive skin body cleanser for adults." The first 30 best-selling cosmetics in each group were investigated for the presence of AGs, by analyzing the product information pages. The results showed that as much as 56.7% of hypoallergenic shampoos contained AGs, as ingredients, whereas the percentage was somewhat lower for other product categories. Even though decyl and lauryl glucoside were nearly ubiquitously used AGs in cosmetics over the past decade, the most commonly present AG in our analysis was coco-glucoside. The results of this study indicated a necessity to include coco-glucoside in the baseline series of patch testing allergens. Industry, regulators, and healthcare providers should be made aware of the frequent presence of AGs in rinse-off cosmetic products marketed as hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin to ensure the safety and well-being of consumers and patients.

From seeking to learning: Understanding contextual factors associated with users’ self-regulated learning on medical Q&A platforms

Based on the expectancy-value theory, contextual factors related to users’ self-regulated learning (SRL) on medial Q&A platforms were investigated. A theoretical model was developed and validated through an online survey involving 483 participants with experience in health information-seeking on medical Q&A platforms. The empirical analysis yielded three main findings. First, a significant positive relationship existed between searching for health answers and SRL. Second, perceived usefulness of health answers was also positively related to SRL. Third, user satisfaction with the medical Q&A platform partially mediated the relationship between searching for health answers and SRL, as well as the relationship between perceived usefulness of health answers and SRL. This study bridges the gap between the field of self-regulated learning and medical Q&A research, providing valuable insights for improving the well-being of online health information consumers and advancing the information science community.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GREENWASHING: AN ANALYSIS OF SUFFICIENT CONSUMPTION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

The article examines how the fashion industry has been exploiting marketing tactics that encourage overconsumption and generate a mass consciousness among consumers, where a person's social status is determined by the clothes and accessories they use. However, these tactics have contributed significantly to global environmental pollution and socio-economic issues. The fashion industry has been driven by profit-first interests that rely on cheap materials, accelerated aging of products, aggressive advertising, and an offshoring strategy that provides cheap labor and low tax rates. It is high time that companies reassess their marketing strategies and focus on sustainable development. The current climate crisis demands that companies make informed decisions and take proactive measures toward sustainability. This article revealed the impact of fast fashion marketing on consumer behavior and the environment, highlighting the need for sustainable fashion practices. The article analyzes the initiatives fashion companies take to incorporate sustainability into their core business strategies, for instance, innovative raw materials, recycling, and repair services. The article examines the practice of greenwashing, where companies make false or exaggerated claims about their environmental efforts to appear more sustainable. The article emphasizes the need for companies to encourage consumers to sufficient consumption to stay sustainable and achieve zero emissions to solve climate problems. Achieving and maintaining consumer well-being and social equity are critical goals in today's global business environment. One strategy for achieving these goals is through sufficient consumption, which involves optimizing resource use and reducing waste. Sufficient consumption can be realized by revaluing personal needs and desires, limiting excessive consumption, and minimizing waste. By adopting a mindful and responsible approach to consumption, consumers and companies can promote social equity and cultivate a sustainable business environment.

How Social Presence Influences Consumer Well-Being in Live Video Commerce: The Mediating Role of Shopping Enjoyment and the Moderating Role of Familiarity

In recent years, with the rapid development of live-streaming commerce, the social dynamics and psychological impact of such online activities merit further discussion. In this study, we investigate the sensory experiences of viewers watching live streaming and examine how these online experiences influence consumer well-being. We developed a conceptual model to understand this mechanism based on the relationship between social presence, shopping enjoyment, familiarity, and consumer well-being. The results of 410 samples indicate that (1) social presence in live-streaming commerce has a significant positive effect on consumer well-being; (2) shopping enjoyment plays a mediating role in the process of social presence predicting consumer well-being; and (3) familiarity plays a moderating role in the second half of the indirect effect of social presence on well-being. This study examines the relationship between social presence and consumer well-being in the context of live-streaming marketing, expanding the research scenario of consumer well-being and clarifying the psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions of the effect of social presence on consumers well-being, which has important implications for online interactive marketing enterprises to enhance social presence and promote consumers long-term well-being.

Reducing the negative impact of ultra-processed foods: Consumer response to natural claims, organic claims, and processing level disclosures

Drawing from theories related to choice architecture, nudges, and the integration of negative and positive information, this research examines the use of ultra-processing package disclosures in conjunction with favorable food processing claims (e.g., “natural,” “organic”) and nutrient content (e.g., sugar) warnings on perceived food processing level, disease risk evaluations, and purchase intentions. Four studies examine how marketers’ positive claims and disclosures interact to jointly affect consumer evaluations of these outcomes. Results show the usefulness of stop-sign disclosures for ultra-processed foods in counterbalancing the positive inferences created from both unregulated (e.g., natural) and regulated (e.g., organic) package claims on perceived food processing level, which mediates the interaction effects on perceptions of disease risk, healthfulness, and purchase intentions. Because high ultra-processed food consumption has recently been linked to increased obesity, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, there are implications of results for CPG marketers, consumers, and the global health community, as well as enhancing the conceptual understanding of efforts to promote consumer well-being.

Assessing the impact of different cooking methods on nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of traditional food plants

Indigenous communities rely on various nutrient-dense traditional food plants (TFPs) to make traditional ethnic foods. The dietary potential of the nutrient-dense and healthy TFPs needs to be fully explored. This work investigates the proximate components, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity of raw and cooked samples of five TFPs consumed by local communities in Kerala, India. The results show that Boerhavia diffusa possessed the highest fat (9.02 %) and fibre (3.61 %), whereas Ipomoea batatas recorded the highest protein (9.47 %), vitamin C (8.58 µM/g) and polyphenol (120.36 mg GAE/gDW) content. Amaranthus viridis showed an abundance of Mn (48.4 mg/100 g), Mg (2404.37 mg/100 g), and Zn (248.27 mg/100 g). The highest antioxidant activity was observed in A. viridis (IC50 = 0.426 mg/mL) and I. batatas (IC50 = 1.30 mg/mL) in the ABTS and DPPH assays, respectively. Boiling was the most effective cooking method for preserving protein, carbohydrate and fat stability in all TFPs. The TFPs showed a minimal reduction in minerals after being subjected to cooking. Microwaving had the least deleterious effect on phytochemicals in all TFPs. The research highlights the capacity of these TFPs to improve nutrition and promote consumer well-being with minimal environmental impact.

Freedom from interference: Decisional privacy as a dimension of consumer privacy online

The introduction of AI-based technologies has dramatically altered the premises for consumer privacy, enabling the unprecedented manipulation of consumers’ decision-making online. Given these recent threats to consumer privacy and autonomy, and considering autonomy as the ultimate outcome of privacy, I propose that a reconceptualization is warranted to reflect contemporary consumer privacy challenges and to realign the concept with its theoretical foundations. To this end, I introduce the dimension of decisional privacy, focused on autonomy versus interference in consumer decision-making. Building on previous privacy literature and extending previous theorizing about information privacy and decisional privacy as complementary, I posit that these two dimensions of privacy together comprise consumer privacy. Addressing protection from interference as an under-communicated function of consumer privacy, the paper aims to clarify, exemplify, and engage in the conceptual development of decisional privacy in the context of consumer decision-making online. In addition to its significance for consumer wellbeing and democracy collectively, the extension of consumer privacy to explicitly encompass interference has theoretical implications for privacy concern, the proxy used to measure privacy, yielding important insights for marketing scholars and practitioners.

XR and mental wellbeing: state of the art and future research directions for the Metaverse.

The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of extant research regarding XR technology and its effect on consumer wellbeing. With the hopes of informing marketing practitioners on XR consumer psychology, in preparation for the Metaverse. To achieve the above aim, two types of analysis took place. Firstly, a bibliometric analysis was conducted which was then followed by a framework-based structured literature review. The latter entailed an analysis of 81 articles evaluated from a positive psychological approach. Following the TCCM framework, the analysis revealed the most common psychological theories demonstrating potential avenues for XR to impact consumer wellbeing. Moreover, researchers found preliminary links between, theory, characteristics, and contexts. Giving a preliminary description of how theory manifests into reality. Finally, the overview of extant literature was used to propose new avenues for future research pertaining to marketing, the Metaverse, and consumer effects. In conclusion, the paper provides stakeholder insights which can ensure minimal consumer risk and sustainable use of the XR technology and Metaverse. While addressing the need for more research that uncovers the psychological effects of emerging technologies, so to prepare for the Metaverse. This is especially important when considering the current upsurge of these technologies and the uncertainties associated with their novelty and the idea of an 'always on' consumer.

Cutting edge technologies for the evaluation of Plant-based food and meat Quality: A Comprehensive review

Assessing the food quality is essential to confirm the safety, nutritional value, and sensory attractiveness of the food we ingest. Due to the globalization of food industry and concerns over food security have resulted to a greater demand from consumers for safe and nutritious food. As a result, there is a need for manufacturers to develop cutting edge technologies for recognizing and determining food quality. Presently, stakeholders in the food industry encounter the challenge of ensuring food quality and safety. Producers need to meet sustainable and environmentally robust food production standard, extended shelf life, sensory quality, nutritional value, and functional properties. The general analytical practices identify the primary metabolites for whole food quality which solely verifies the total composition of nutritional metrics. In present days consumers concentrate of functional quality of food items. So, it is essential to examine secondary metabolite compounds, enzymes and other functional quality, authenticity of food items, sources that are critical for health, development, safety, and other aspects of consumer well-being. This review paper seeks to examine the different aspects of evaluating food quality and the methods used to ensure that the food we consume meets the required criteria. Furthermore, it discusses cutting edge technologies for assessing especially secondary metabolites, enzyme functions, functional quality of food items, verifying food authenticity to optimize food manufacturing processes.