Different Groups Of Consumers Research Articles

Addressing low-quality electricity service for low-income consumers: Empirical evidence from Brazil

This article addresses the issue of low energy quality for low-income consumers, exploring whether the quality of electricity supplied to the low-income population is inferior to other residential consumers. The analysis is built by comparing various electricity service quality indicators among different groups of consumers. The study used different specifications of linear and nonlinear panel data, with disaggregated information in more than 300 million observations of consumer units served by Enel-GO (Goiás, Brazil) between 2014 and 2017. The results corroborate the study hypothesis, with consumers classified as low-income receiving lower-quality electricity than other consumers.

Study on the Influence of Food Packaging on the Psychology of Different Groups of Consumers

Study on the Influence of Food Packaging on the Psychology of Different Groups of Consumers

Analyzing organic food purchase intentions: eco-literacy and innovation resistance

Purpose This research examines consumer reluctance to purchase organic food using the theory of innovation resistance and also extends the theory by investigating the moderating influence of eco-literacy. In addition, the authors used a multigroup analysis to identify differences between consumer segments.Design/methodology/approach Data collection used computer-assisted web interviewing and a prior screening process to confirm engagement. Through stratified quota sampling, 1,000 useable responses were obtained from 2,887 recipients.Findings The findings reveal barriers are significant inhibitors to adopting organic food. Among these barriers, usage, risk tradition and image barriers have a significant adverse influence on purchase intention. In contrast, the value barrier has a nonsignificant influence on the purchase intention of organic food. However, the study found that eco-literacy significantly reduces the negative influence of risk and tradition barriers on consumers' intentions. In addition, a multigroup analysis examines notable differences between consumer groups based on education, age and income.Social implications This research has significant social implications for boosting sustainable consumption in Lithuania. It identifies key barriers to organic food adoption, emphasizing the need for strategic interventions. The study highlights eco-literacy as an essential tool in diminishing resistance to organic food, advocating for targeted educational initiatives. Additionally, it reveals the importance of tailored marketing strategies based on different consumer demographics. Overall, this study provides important insights to promote environmentally conscious consumer behavior and overcome resistance to innovation in the organic food sector.Originality/value This study expressively advances the understanding of intentional behavior by exploring organic food within Lithuania's Baltic economy. It authenticates the innovation resistance theory's applicability to organic food behavior in the region while emphasizing the moderating impact of eco-literacy in the link between barriers and purchase intention concerning organic food. Furthermore, using advanced methods such as partial least squares statistical modeling and multi-group analysis, the research reveals how barriers affect the purchase intention of organic food among different groups of consumers.

Influential Factors of Consumer Preferences for Online Takeaway Ordering

The online food delivery service has gained immense popularity among consumers worldwide, boasting a staggering 3 billion users of food delivery apps across the globe. In this highly competitive landscape, merchants face the challenge of attracting and retaining customers. It is of paramount importance to discern the factors that influence consumer decision-making. This experimental study investigates participants’ attention preferences when navigating online takeaway apps. The research involved presenting participants with various ordering pages from online takeaway apps and recording their gaze data using an eye tracker. This gaze data reflected participants’ attention, which was further analyzed based on fixation count and fixation duration. The experimental findings revealed notable distinctions in the factors that different groups of consumers prioritize. Individuals with higher budgets showed significant interest in the ratings and sales information when making takeaway orders. Conversely, individuals with more budget constraints focused on cover images, delivery fees, and starting prices. These findings offer valuable insights into consumer behaviors when ordering takeaways through online apps. Furthermore, they provide actionable guidance for merchants aiming to optimize their positioning within takeaway apps to better cater to the preferences of their target customers.

Unintended consumption: The effects of four e-commerce dark patterns

Dark patterns, the manipulation and deliberate presentation of information to influence consumer decision-making, can lead to unintended purchases and overconsumption. Past studies have established the prevalence of dark patterns in e-commerce. Yet, few studies have investigated the differential effects of dark patterns on the consumption choices of different groups of consumers. Similarly, few studies have examined the effectiveness of interventions countering dark patterns which may reduce unintended consumption. This study seeks to 1) investigate the effects of low-stock message, activity message, countdown timer, and limited-time message dark patterns and its influence on product selection decisions, 2) determine if demographic variables would predict susceptibility to dark patterns, and 3) explore the effectiveness of video- and activity-based dark patterns awareness intervention. 195 adult volunteers aged 19 to 53 participated in this experiment. Results indicated that participants were significantly more likely to select products with dark patterns. The use of limited-time message dark pattern was significantly more effective than other dark patterns in inducing consumption. Older individuals tend to be more susceptible to dark patterns. No clear evidence for the effectiveness of video- and activity-based dark patterns awareness intervention was found. Several study limitations were noted. We note how companies can support cleaner and responsible consumption by refraining from using dark patterns. On individuals, the implications of dark patterns on unintended consumption, in a world with aging populations and post-pandemic accelerated e-commerce were discussed.

Does Price Discrimination Increase Social Welfare?

The process of charging a different price to a different group of consumers for similar goods and services is called price discrimination. The relationship between price discrimination and social welfare has been an important topic of research and discussion for many years. The purpose of the study is to determine the conditions under which price discrimination improves or reduces social welfare. The authors used a method of series of literature reviews to gather information about the relationship between price discrimination and social welfare. The study showed that price discrimination can improve social welfare if output is increased. The increase in output increases social benefits and overcomes the loss of welfare due to the inefficient distribution of products. The key conclusion is that the social benefits of price discrimination are the availability of essential services to low-income groups and the maintenance of equity in the consumption of public goods. This study has major implications for the formulation of a policy that introduces price discrimination to maintain equity among different income groups and ensure the availability of high-cost essential services.

Influence of consumption experience on the behavior of craft beer consumers: beginner and experienced consumers

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the profiles of beginner and experienced consumers (BCs and ECs) of craft beer and evaluate their perception, knowledge and purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachA total of 291 craft beer consumers including 148 BCs and 143 ECs participated in the study, which was divided into 2 stages: quantitative research through a questionnaire and conjoint analysis.FindingsBCs are mostly female, with a lower age, income and consumption frequency, presented a shallower understanding of International Bitterness Units (IBU) and considered 7.0% alcohol by volume (ABV) as a high-relative value in craft beers. Otherwise, ECs are mostly men with a higher age and consumption frequency, and they don't consider 50 IBU as high bitterness. The results of conjoint analysis indicate that both groups of consumers attribute greater relative importance to ABV and nonalcoholic beers had lower purchase intentions. Finally, the authors show that beer with 30 IBU and 4.5% ABV is preferred by both BCs and ECs.Originality/valueThe authors' identification about the distinct behaviors of different groups of consumers, based on their consumption time of craft beer, as managerial implications for industries producing craft beer and, as a theoretical contribution, the authors have defined “BCs” and “ECs” based on the experiences with and durations of craft beer consumption.

Relationship between Consumers' Perceptions about Goat Kid Meat and Meat Sensory Appraisal.

The goat meat preferred by consumers in Spain comes from suckling goat kids, slaughtered at a live weight of 8-10 kg. However, consumption of this meat is very uncommon, so it is necessary to show its value. To achieve this, we planned to investigate consumers' perceptions about goat kid meat and to study whether their perceptions are related to their sensory appraisal of the meat, measured by the mean of the consumers' home tests. The experiment was conducted with 30 volunteer families (from two cities with different consumption patterns), who were surveyed regarding their sociodemographic parameters, purchasing and eating habits, and the importance of the meat's attributes. As a result, four clusters were obtained, which were labeled "negative," "idealistic," "positive," and "concerned about fat content". The parameters of the animal production system were valued differently by the clusters. Meat tenderness, taste, and amount of fat were considered very decisive factors by most respondents. When the goat kid meat was valued, tenderness was considered more important than taste among older people ("negative" cluster), whereas there was not so much difference between the appraisal of all parameters for the other three clusters. We conclude that it is necessary to improve the information received by consumers about goat production systems and meat quality parameters. There is certainly potential for creating new markets, especially targeted toward young consumers and considering specific strategies for the different groups of consumers, depending on the region and habits of consumption.

ІДЕНТИФІКАЦІЯ ДЕТЕРМІНАНТІВ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ДИФУЗІЇ ІННОВАЦІЙ СОЦІАЛЬНО-ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ СИСТЕМ

In the conditions of global economic transformation, the development of socio-economic systems is possible only through the implementation of innovative national, regional and corporate strategies. The evolution of technology and science is changing the socio-economic environment, innovations are becoming a key factor in economic growth and competitiveness of countries and organizations. But, despite the great potential of innovations, their effective implementation does not always take place. Under such conditions, the topic of this study becomes especially relevant. The purpose of the article is to identify the determinants of the effective diffusion of innovations in socio-economic systems and its evaluation. The object of the research the process of effective diffusion of innovations in socio-economic systems. Methods used in the study: methods of scientific knowledge, namely analysis and synthesis, induction, measurement, observation, formalization, logical-analytical techniques. The main hypothesis of the study is the assumption that the effective diffusion of innovations in socio-economic systems depends on a set of factors, the management of which allows identifying problem areas and improving the mechanisms for solving them. Presenting main material. The study, based on the theory of innovation diffusion, identified the key determinants of the efficiency infiltration of innovation in socio-economic systems. It is appropriate to include: technical features of innovations, cultural and ethical differences between different groups of consumers, availability of financial resources for the implementation of innovations, effectiveness of communication mechanisms and interaction networks between participants of the socio-economic system, degree of involvement and support of participants, level of education and information literacy of the population, cultural, social and political aspects, etc. The world experience in methods of assessing the effectiveness of national innovative activity, on the basis of which international indexes and ratings are determined, including Global Innovation Index, European Innovation Development Scoreboard, Bloomberg Innovation Index, Global Competitiveness Index, etc., is analyzed. It has found that international indexes and ratings have a number of shortcomings that do not allow to correctly assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the results of innovative activities and to identify the main problematic aspects that prevent the diffusion of innovations in socio-economic systems. The originality and practical significance of the research lies in the fact that the identified determinants of the efficiency of innovation diffusion of socio-economic systems can be used to identify problematic aspects and increase the level of innovative development of countries. Conclusions and prospects for further research: the determinants of the effectiveness of the diffusion of innovations in socio-economic systems are determined. The study of their interaction and their management can increase the effectiveness of the diffusion of innovations at the macroeconomic level. It has been established that the indicator systems used to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative activities of socio-economic systems at the macroeconomic level characterize various aspects of national innovative development, reflecting not only the results of innovative activities, but also available innovative resources. However, there is still no clear idea of the composition of the system of indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of the diffusion of innovations and their number. In order to eliminate subjectivity in further research, it is advisable to use mathematical methods of forming such system of evaluation indicators.

The implementation effects of different plastic bag ban policies in China: the role of consumers’ involvement

This study selects three cities in China that implement plastic bag ban policies with different levels of consumer involvement to compare the effects of policy implementation. In general, consumer plastic bag usage behaviour becomes more environmentally friendly when plastic bag ban policies became more stringent. High consumer involvement policies induces changes in pro-environmental bag use; however, their plastic-reducing effects are uncertain and compounded. In contrast, low-consumer-involvement policies could reduce plastic waste damage but could not make consumers’ more environmentally conscious with regard to bag usage. Moreover, this study confirms robust bag usage differences across different groups of consumers. These findings provide valuable insights into the patterns of influence of different types of plastic bag bans. Based on these insights, plastic crisis managers can create more effective and targeted policies to combat the growing plastic crisis.

Towards halving food waste: A comparative study using orange juice by-product in dairy desserts

By-products upcycling to produce ingredients has increased in the last years. However, the perception of foods with these ingredients must be studied to find the proper way to inform the consumer. The aim of this work was to study the purchase intention and healthiness and environmental friendliness perceptions of a flan dessert, enriched with orange juice by-product fibre. The effect of different product categories (ready-to-eat, powdered form, home-made type), fibre origin claim, and the addition of a sustainability logo in the packaging were studied through an online survey carried out in Spain (n = 342) and Uruguay (n = 307). Data were analyzed by PLS and cluster analysis. Both Spanish and Uruguayan participants considered the product category the most important attribute in purchase intention and in healthiness and environmental friendliness perception, being the home-made product preferred by both. Logo presence was more important for purchase intention and perceived environmental friendliness, while information about fibre origin was more important for healthiness perception. The home-made product with a logo and the claim about fibre origin was the one that had the highest perception of being healthy and environmentally friendly in both populations. Logo presence affected positively purchase intention for both groups, but the relative importance was higher in the case of Spanish consumers. The allegation “source of fibre” also increased healthiness and environmental friendliness perceptions, although not the purchase intention in Spain. Cluster analysis identified different groups of consumers on each country, who gave different relative importance to each attribute in purchase intention.

Residue levels and dietary risk evaluation of prothioconazole-desthio and kresoxim-methyl in cucumbers after field application in twelve regions in China

A commercial formulation called prothioconazole·kresoxim-methyl 50% water dispersible granule (WG), used to control the powdery mildew, is under registration for use on cucumbers. Therefore it is urgent to validate the reliability of the recommended good agricultural practices (GAP) conditions (187.5 g a.i. ha−1, three sprays with a 7-d interval, and a pre-harvest interval of 3 d) by conducting field trials in 12 regions in China, as required by national regulations, with a subsequent risk assessment. The residues of prothioconazole-desthio and kresoxim-methyl in field samples were determined using QuEChERS coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). On the suggested pre-harvest interval (PHI, 3 d), the residual concentrations of prothioconazole-desthio (no maximum residue limit set in China) and kresoxim-methyl (maximum residue limit = 0.5 mg/kg) in cucumbers were 0.01–0.020 and 0.01–0.050 mg/kg, respectively. The acute risk quotients of prothioconazole-desthio in cucumbers were no higher than 0.079% for Chinese consumers. The chronic dietary risk quotient of kresoxim-methyl and of prothioconazole-desthio for different groups of consumers in China ranged from 2.3% to 5.3% and from 1.6% to 4.6%, respectively. Thus, prothioconazole·kresoxim-methyl 50% WG sprayed on cucumbers under the recommended GAP information can pose a negligible risk for Chinese consumers.

The Value of Crop Diversification: Understanding the Factors Influencing Consumers’ WTP for Pasta from Sustainable Agriculture

(1) Background: The pressure that agricultural systems’ intensive management exerts on the environment concerns society. For this reason, the demand for sustainable foods is growing in the market. This study investigated consumers’ Willingness To Pay (WTP) for dry semolina pasta produced with raw materials from more diversified agricultural systems and which factors influence this choice. (2) Methods: The data, collected through a contingent valuation exercise, involved 185 Italian consumers. Through a Tobit model, the drivers influencing the WTP were selected. A latent class cluster analysis determined four different groups of consumers. (3) Results: The data highlighted a real social demand for sustainability. Consumers recognize a higher WTP for sustainable pasta. This value is influenced by drivers such as purchasing habits, personal characteristics, and environmental attitudes. (4) Conclusions: This work offers an approach, both from a market and political point of view, to how this higher potential WTP could be identified and redistributed among the value chain actors by structuring both marketing strategies for the different types of consumers and political tools able to help agri-food chains towards sustainability transition.

REGIONAL GEOTURISTIC POTENTIAL TERNAVA RIVER VALLEYS IN THE LOWER COURSE

The publication highlights the regional features of the geotourism potential of the Ternava river valley (further on the river) and the conditions for the implementation of geotours, as basic components of the structure of the complex route “Terra Podolica”, the territory of Podilsk Transnistria, in particular within the study region. The advantages of the geographical location of the region in the system of regional tourist transfers have been established, which generally creates a demand for the development and implementation of geotourist routes here. The advantages of developing universal routes with spatial and content variations of tours, which are justified from an economic and eco-educational point of view, have been proven. The basic conditions and components of the geotourist potential of the Ternava River valley for the development of geotours within the selected locations with a description of their technical aspects are disclosed. The conditions for the effective implementation of geotours in the system of the regional recreation complex are determined. limiting factors and problematic aspects of their implementation. In particular, the role and features of relief forms in the visual-aesthetic perception of the landscape from the standpoint of developing interpretive geotours are revealed, and their technical parameters are described in detail from the standpoint of laying the route line. The factors of adaptation of promising geotourism products based on routes within the Ternava River valley to the needs of different groups of consumers are indicated. Meteorological and seasonal conditions for the sale of the specified geotourism products were analyzed. The Kytaygorod Outcrop and the conditions for carrying out activities within its boundaries have been determined as the main geotourism object. Prospective routes and variations of their spatial combination are characterized. An assessment of the complex combination of proposed routes (or their elements) within the Kamianets-Podilskyi – Bakota trunk route was carried out. The possibilities of component content specialization (in particular, litholo-paleontological and hydrological) routes have been demonstrated. An analysis of the effectiveness of promising geotourism development formats based on regional natural conditions was carried out. The results of the practical approbation of geotourism products are indicated. Key words: geotourism; resources; Ternava River; Podolia.

Price convergence on the national gas markets of the Eastern European region

Establishing institutional arrangements for regulating gas markets toward price convergence is one of the crucial integrational factors. The strategy of the firm and economic development management depends on it. The paper aims to assess the characteristics of price convergence on the natural gas markets of the Eastern European region. This region is relevant for Ukraine in a number of parameters. The assessment was made based on Eurostat data for different groups of consumers, excluding taxes, using the standard deviation detection method of price convergence for 15 countries in 2007–2020. Despite the revealed generally positive price convergence on the natural gas markets in the considered countries after 2014, obtained results showed three points that highlight the heterogeneous structure of the process. First, an even movement toward a single price is detected in groups of large households (the standard price deviation of the price decreased in 2014–2020 from 2.7 to 1.9 euro per Giga Joule or 1.5 times) and medium industrial enterprises (the standard deviation decreased from 1.0-1.7 to 0.6-1.1 or 1.5-1.8 times). Second, the prices for the largest industrial enterprises in considered countries approached the fastest (the deviation decreased from 2.0 to 0.5). Third, in the segment of small enterprises, the deviation even increased from 2.1 to 2.2 (1.05 times). This result highlights the gap in the institutional mechanisms of European integration and sources of uncertainty for the small firms’ management. AcknowledgmentThe paper was funded as a part of the “Determination of institutional conditions for the development of the exchange segment of the gas market” research project (No. 0122U002205), conducted at the State Institution Institute for Economics and Forecasting of the NAS of Ukraine.

Beyond one-size-fits-all: Consumers react differently to packaging colors and names of cultured meat in Italy

Cultured meat, also known as “in-vitro meat,” “clean meat,” “synthetic meat,” “lab-grown meat” and many other nomenclatures, represents one of the most recent controversial food technologies, even with its environmental benefits. Although the market success of cultured meat depends on consumers' acceptance, specific characteristics such as name and packaging color can influence consumers' perceptions and acceptance of the food product. This study assessed the impact of the name and packaging color of cultured meat on consumers' behavioral intentions toward its consumption in Italy. With the assumption that names and packaging colors affect consumers’ acceptance differently, according to their characteristics and food neophobia, this study used a finite mixture model to analyze the stimulus impacts across different groups of consumers. The results showed that food neophobia plays a relevant role in individual response to name and packaging color of cultured meat. Less neophobic consumers are more likely to be positively affected in their intentions by green color packaging and nomenclatures that least emphasize the unnaturalness of the product, such as “clean meat,” whereas neophobic consumers are more likely to be positively affected only by green color.

Understanding consumption frequency across consumer segments and regions in the Brazilian aquaculture market

Several socio-demographic factors influence fish consumption frequency and preferences in the Brazilian aquaculture market. Hence, the aims of this paper were (i) to acquire information on fish consumption frequency; (ii) to examine the associations between specific socio-demographic characteristics of aquaculture consumers; (iii) to investigate the consumption frequency of these specific characteristics relating to certain barriers and drivers of consumption frequency; and (iv) to explore whether consumption behavior varies across different groups of consumers and regions. The study involved an online survey of 1509 consumers across the five regions in Brazil. The results of this study indicated that the general fish consumption frequency pattern is highly seasonal. In addition, we determined that significant differences in fish consumption frequency, determinants, and habits were found among income levels, age groups and regions. Our results show that low-income consumers are highly disadvantaged and more likely to consume fish less frequently than the other income groups. We further recommend several marketing strategies and initiatives to stimulate the consumption frequency of fish amongst Brazilian consumers.

Consumer acceptance of new plant-breeding technologies: An application to the use of gene editing in fresh table grapes.

This study estimates consumers' willingness to pay for specific product (quality) and process (agronomic) attributes of table grapes, including taste, texture, external appearance, and the expected number of chemical applications, and for the breeding technology used to develop the plant. Considering varietal traits, on average our survey respondents were willing to pay the highest price premiums for specific offers of improvements in table grape taste and texture, followed by external appearance and expected number of chemical applications. Considering breeding methods, on average our respondents were willing to pay a small premium for table grapes developed using conventional breeding rather than gene editing (e.g., CRISPR). Results from a latent class model identify four different groups of consumers with distinct preferences for grape quality attributes and breeding technologies. The group of consumers most likely to reject gene editing considers both genetic engineering and gene editing to be breeding technologies that produce foods that are morally unacceptable and not safe to eat.

Food supply chain waste reduction for a circular economy in the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study of New Zealand consumers

PurposeFood waste (FW) reduction, of which household wastage comprises a large fraction, has an important role in promoting the circular economy (CE). This study investigates how certain consumer traits impact household FW, particularly in the face of external shocks.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a qualitative and longitudinal study, spanning three periods in New Zealand. A preliminary model is constructed from the outcomes of a survey with 178 participants. Then, the authors carried out 29 semi-structured interviews to refine the preliminary model and adapt it to the analysis of household waste behavior.FindingsDifferent segments of consumers have distinct response patterns in successive lockdowns, and these patterns impact household FW reduction and food supply chain (FSC) management. The key findings include (1) for government, quick responses to quash unhelpful rumors help to reduce public concerns around FSC interruption; (2) for retailers, the pandemic has hastened the growth of online shopping; being able to expand the distribution channel in a short time is a critical issue; and (3) for consumers, the experience of lockdown has different impacts on different groups of consumers. This variation of experience may either enhance or exacerbate FW in households.Originality/valueThis paper complements the existing literature on the FSC and contributes to household FW and CE literature by providing a framework that integrates external impacts, consumer segmentation to reflect on waste management, and the possible applications of the proposed framework.

Climate-Smart Villages in Southeast Asia: The Pivotal Role of Seed Systems in Rice-Based Landscapes

Given the aggravating nature of climate change impacts, rice farming will increasingly rely on improved resilience to climate variability and extremes. To this end, the climate-smart village (CSV) approach was developed to address specific challenges of smallholder farmers. Within Southeast Asia, the CSV approach has so far been applied in Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia, as well as in Vietnam and the Philippines where national programs have taken it up and established multiple CSVs. Despite distinct climatic conditions, all these CSVs have rice-based landscapes as a common denominator. This article focuses on the improvement of rice seed systems as the core of introducing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in these villages. The experience of a CSV in Lao PDR clearly shows community-based seed (CBS) systems as a viable CSV component. Moreover, the efficiency of CBS systems is enhanced when applied in combination with the following supporting climate-smart interventions: (1) training in improved crop and pest management through farmers’ field schools, (2) awareness raising through photo exhibits and seed fairs, (3) participatory variety selection, and (4) climate risk mapping as a means for targeted distribution of improved rice varieties. The study also explored direct market access for CSV products by advertising both the generic aspects of climate-smart adaptation strategies and the location-specific stories of smallholder farmers. To this end, the emerging online retail economy could offer viable avenues for highlighting specific aspects of food production in CSVs to different groups of consumers (e.g., the “buy local” preference in the domestic market and climate change concerns in the international market).