Increasing Consumer Awareness Research Articles

Eating Good Food and Helping the Community: The Drivers of Online Local Food Purchasing

Literature indicates that local food has enjoyed a surge in popularity partly due to increasing consumer awareness of its positive impact on both the economy and the environment of rural communities. However, little research has been dedicated to examining customer purchasing of local food in an e-commerce context. The objective of this research is to develop a model that draws from the sense of community theory and quality-based intention model to assess how a sense of community influences customer experience in purchasing local food via e-grocery. Data was collected from 404 customers in West Java, Indonesia via an online survey. The dataset was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling, and the results show that a sense of community combined with food quality and e-grocery quality contributes to a new approach to understanding and predicting satisfaction and behavioral intention. Specifically, a sense of community influences satisfaction and behavioral intention, and food quality drives satisfaction.

Water-Energy-Food nexus index proposal as a sustainability criterion on dairy farms

Cow milk is a fundamental nutrients source for the human diet at all stages of life. However, the decline in cow milk consumption over the years has been driven by increased consumer awareness of animal welfare and the environmental burdens associated. In this regard, different initiatives have emerged to mitigate the impacts of livestock farming, but many of them without addressing the multi-perspective view of environmental sustainability. Thus, the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus emerges as a framework to consider the complex synergies among carbon emissions, water demand, energy requirements and food production. In this study, a novel and harmonised WEF nexus approach has been proposed and applied to evaluate a set of 100 dairy farms. For that, the assessment, normalisation, and weighting of three lifecycle indicators such as carbon, water and energy footprints, as well as the milk yield were carried out to obtain a single value, the WEF nexus index (WEFni), which varies from 0 to 100. Results show that the WEF nexus scores obtained vary from 31 to 90, demonstrating large differences among the farms assessed. A cluster ranking was performed to identify those farms with the worst WEF nexus indexes. For this group, consisting of 8 farms with an average WEFni of 39, three improvement actions focused on the feeding, digestive process and wellbeing of the cows were applied to determine the potential reduction in the two main hotspots identified: cow feeding and milk production level. The proposed methodology can establish a roadmap for promoting a more environmentally sustainable food industry, although further studies are still required in the pathway of a standardised WEFni.

Do Sustainable Consumers Have Sustainable Behaviors? An Empirical Study to Understand the Purchase of Food Products

Sustainability and the circular economy (CE) are issues of increasing interest to governments, investors, industry, and civil society; for this reason, the implementation of a business model for circularity and/or sustainability is becoming crucial for achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage for various organizations. In this context, consumers play a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of business processes through their choices and behaviors. “Sustainable consumption” is a growing global concern that will link human behavior with the planet’s future. Negligent behavior by individuals in their daily lives has a significant impact on the environment, with devastating consequences for the survival of humankind itself. However, even though sustainability issues and the circular economy have now widely involved consumers, making them seem aware of how the behavioral ran has a direct impact on the environment, the percentage of people who accompany this awareness with truly sustainable behavior and who are therefore willing to embrace the goal of “saving the planet” is small. Therefore, this study hypothesizes that from a sample of consumers with a particular interest in environmental and sustainability issues, there are subsamples of consumers who show a particular interest in adopting sustainable purchasing behavior regarding food products. Our analysis adds essential results to the existing literature by using a methodology that can improve the homogeneity of a sustainable consumer dataset to assess consumer behavior. Through cluster analysis, one of the most widely used techniques, it is possible to extract a sub-sample of consumers with conceptions on environmental and sustainability issues that may influence their awareness of buying sustainable food products. The results show the presence of four different consumer clusters, Some consumers are sustainability and environmentally aware, other consumers are indifferent to environmental issues, and finally, some consumers show minimal attention to sustainability but little involvement in activities. The study shows that attention to environmental sustainability has clear policy and managerial and scientific implications that can increase consumer awareness.

Linking eco-label knowledge and sustainable consumption of renewable energy: A roadmap towards green revolution

In recent years, China's electricity consumption has risen significantly as a result of improving lifestyles, a growing population, and economic development. Although the public and commercial industries are investigating effective energy resources to solve the nation's energy shortage, there aren't many research examining consumers' ecological use of renewables. This study tries to fill this gap and makes a contribution by including three new variables (eco-label knowledge, environmental attitudes, and customer belief) to the Theory of Planned Behavior, which allows for a more thorough analysis of sustainable consumption in the Chinese culture. The survey responses of 529 customers in Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin are analyzed. The structural equation modelling technique is used to assess hypotheses that have been developed. Evidence suggests that sustainable consumption trust and environmental attitude are considerably and favorably influenced by understanding of eco-labels. Comparably, customer belief and environmental attitude have a favorable and considerable impact on buying intention. Customer belief, on the other hand, is considerably and favorably correlated with buying intention. The study's findings also show that consideration of environmental labelling is favorably and substantially influenced by the intention to buy. These results add to the body of knowledge on sustainable purchasing behavior and provide researchers and policymakers new avenues for changing societal norms, increasing consumer awareness, and redesigning regulatory frameworks via coordinated and integrated activities.

Drivers of consumer willingness to pay for sustainable wines: natural, biodynamic, and organic

This study analysed consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for wines with different sustainability features, namely natural, biodynamic, and organic, and explored the drivers of individual preferences for these wines. An online survey was conducted with a sample of 501 Italian regular wine consumers. To elicit WTP for natural, organic, and biodynamic wines, a multiple price list (MPL) was applied. The drivers of consumers’ preferences for the three wines were then investigated by means of a seemingly unrelated regression model (SUR). Results reveal a higher WTP for organic, followed by natural and biodynamic wines. The same core drivers of individual preferences were revealed for the three wine types: wine drinking frequency, naturalness perception, and wine health concerns. Wineries interested in commercialising sustainable wines should develop targeted communication campaigns to increase consumer awareness and understanding of the different sustainable production methods.

Exploring Consumer Behavior and Preferences towards Edible Mushrooms in Slovakia.

Edible mushrooms represent a food with high nutritional properties, and their consumption has a positive effect on the health of consumers. The aim of the paper is to identify the behavior and preferences of consumers in the consumption of edible mushrooms in Slovakia. The aim of the paper was achieved by conducting a consumer survey using the snowball sampling method on a sample of 1166 respondents in the Slovak Republic, of which 1032 respondents were consumers of edible mushrooms. Using statistical methods (the Chi-square test of independence, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Friedman test, as well as categorical principal component analysis), differences in consumer behavior were examined in three identified segments created based on the amount of consumption of edible mushrooms. The results of the consumer study showed the existence of statistically significant differences between the defined segments in terms of frequency of consumption, evaluation of the preference of edible mushrooms in various meals, evaluation of important reasons for consumption, and determination of preference for individual species of mushrooms, as well as determination of preference for the place of consumption and the option of obtaining mushrooms for consumption. Moreover, four latent components determining the purchase of mushrooms applicable in all segments were defined. Supporting the consumption of edible mushrooms among Slovak consumers is possible by increasing consumer awareness through recommendations and published articles. The research paper provides a new insight into the behavior and preferences of consumers in mushroom consumption, divided into three segments, which can fill the scientific research gap. The results provide valuable information for scientific purposes, as well as for food companies and policy makers.

Analysis Of Price Perception, Brand Awareness, Delivery Quality On Customer Satisfaction And Repurchase Intention

This research was conducted to know the effect of perceived price, brand awareness, quality of delivery on customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. This study used Menantea products in Pajajaran, Bogor and the number of samples used in this study were 255 respondents. This study used a purposive sampling, a questionnaire procedure, and used partial least squares (PLS). The findings explained that perceived price, brand awareness, and quality of delivery had a significant impact on customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. Customer satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on repurchase intention. The management implication in this study is to increase repurchase intention and customer satisfaction. It is necessary to improve product quality so that consumers have the impression that the prices offered are in accordance with quality, increase consumer awareness via internet promotions, and improve the quality of product/service delivery by increasing operating hours, to serve consumers.

Nutritional, Functional and Sensory Attributes of Ready-to-use Cocoa Beverage

Increased consumer awareness of the health advantages of plant-based foods and beverages has resulted in a preference for functional beverages over traditional sugar-laden drinks and beverages that just satisfy thirst but give little or no nutritional or health benefits. This study carried out the formulation and sensory evaluation of cocoa beverages enriched with calcium and zinc. Nutritional composition, functional properties and anti-nutritional factors were investigated using standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical chemist. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and results were expressed as mean and standard deviation. The result of proximate indicates that moisture, ash, and fibre content were within the normal range. The result also shows that the blend formulated contained an appreciable amount of vitamin A and minerals elements such as K, Na, Ca, and Zn which are public health importance. The result of functional properties indicate that bulk density range from (0.763 - 0.579 g/cm3), swelling index (0.7- 0.32 ml/g), reconstitution index (3.0 – 1.1 g/ml), water absorption capacity (0.6 – 0.58 ml/g) and pH (6.78-6.63). Therefore, on the basis of this study, it can be concluded that the formulated blends serve can serve as a good sources of macro and micro nutrients to combat hidden hunger.

Dietary Supplements with Proline—A Comprehensive Assessment of Their Quality

Dietary supplements are food products commonly used worldwide to obtain nutritional and physiological effects. They can contain a wide variety of active substances and can be administered for health and disease. Their use can be beneficial if justified, and their quality is adequate. Unfortunately, data on the quality of supplements is scarce. As part of this work, we assess the quality of seven dietary supplements containing proline. The preparations were produced in the EU and the USA. The quality assessment consisted of the detection of potential impurities, the determination of the content of the main ingredient, and the release of proline. The technique used to analyse impurities and proline (Pro) content was liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. We detected five contaminants. The main ingredient content was in the range of 73-121% in capsules and 103-156% in tablets. Five of the seven analysed dietary supplements released below 80% Pro (for each tablet/capsule at pH 1.2). One of the supplements may be inactive because a very low release of Pro was reported. The results, we hope, will increase consumer awareness of the quality of these preparations and result in a change in the regulations governing the marketing of these preparations, at least by making release testing mandatory.

Novel plant-based meat alternatives: future opportunities and health considerations.

Present food systems threaten population and environmental health. Evidence suggests reduced meat and increased plant-based food consumption would align with climate change and health promotion priorities. Accelerating this transition requires greater understanding of determinants of plant-based food choice. A thriving plant-based food industry has emerged to meet consumer demand and support dietary shift towards plant-based eating. 'Traditional' plant-based diets are low-energy density, nutrient dense, low in saturated fat and purportedly associated with health benefits. However, fast-paced contemporary lifestyles continue to fuel growing demand for meat-mimicking plant-based convenience foods which are typically ultra-processed. Processing can improve product safety and palatability and enable fortification and enrichment. However, deleterious health consequences have been associated with ultra-processing, though there is a paucity of equivocal evidence regarding the health value of novel plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) and their capacity to replicate the nutritional profile of meat-equivalents. Thus, despite the health halo often associated with plant-based eating, there is a strong rationale to improve consumer literacy of PBMAs. Understanding the impact of extensive processing on health effects may help to justify the use of innovative methods designed to maintain health benefits associated with particular foods and ingredients. Furthering knowledge regarding the nutritional value of novel PBMAs will increase consumer awareness and thus support informed choice. Finally, knowledge of factors influencing engagement of target consumer subgroups with such products may facilitate production of desirable, healthier PBMAs. Such evidence-based food manufacturing practice has the potential to positively influence future individual and planetary health.

Pumping up adoption: The role of policy awareness in explaining willingness to adopt heat pumps in Canada

Heat pumps are a key technology for decarbonising residential buildings, yet their current market share in Canada remains very low at approximately 5 %. To promote heat pump adoption, governments in Canada have introduced supportive policies such as purchase subsidies, and it is often assumed that increasing consumer awareness of such policies increases heat pump adoption. Using a survey of Canadian homeowners who do not own heat pumps (n = 3138), we assess: (1) levels of willingness to adopt air source and ground source heat pumps across Canada, (2) the effect of information provision on willingness to adopt heat pumps, (3) levels of heat pump policy awareness across Canada, (4) whether perceived technical characteristics of heat pumps can be categorized as functional or symbolic, and as private or societal, and (5) the role of policy awareness and other drivers in explaining willingness to adopt heat pumps. We find that a third of Canadian homeowners express willingness to adopt heat pumps. These homeowners are found predominantly within the Atlantic region and show higher levels of adoption willingness for air source rather than ground source heat pumps. Awareness of existing heat pump supportive policy is low, with only 5 % of respondents able to name any policies from memory. Awareness tends to be higher in British Columbia, and for heat pump subsidies and carbon taxes. Policy awareness without cues (i.e., being able to freely recall policies) is a positive predictor of willingness to adopt air source heat pumps only. Policy awareness with cues (i.e., when respondents were provided with a list of policies that served as a memory prompt) is not associated with willingness to adopt either type of heat pump. Other significant predictors include perceptions of heat pumps' functionality and their environmental benefits, having a technology-oriented lifestyle, having higher support for policies, and the financial and inconvenience costs during installation. Based on findings, insights into targeted policy designs to accelerate residential building decarbonisation are provided.

A review ofpackaging awareness consumers level in terms of material and product information in food safety: The case of Turke

Packaging is an advertising tool that increases sale of products for consumption and helps to present food sources safely to the consumer. Market share of food packaging industry, which plays an important role in product branding, is quite large commercially. Today, the increase in consumer awareness in the field of food quality and safety has also increased selectivity in packaging material and caused product information on packaging to be read more frequently. In this study, approach of consumers in Turkey to product information on food packaging and packaging material selection has been examined. This research across Turkey was carried out with the selection of 40 metropolitan cities representing the country between 2019-2020. In examinations, it has beendetermined that consumers give importance to food packaging in general, packaging selection is made more carefully as education level increases and product information written on packaging is given importance.

ТHEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET OF APPLES AND THEIR PROCESSING PRODUCTS

The article is devoted to the justification of theoretical and methodological approaches to the development of the market of apples and their processing products, taking into account modern trends and challenges. The study of the theoretical and methodological foundations of the development of the market of apples and their processing products in Ukraine reveals various prospects for the development of this sector. When writing the article, the methods of literature analysis, induction, deduction, and content analysis were used. The development of the market for apples and their processing products in Ukraine is observed due to the increase in production and demand for apple products. The mechanism of the apple market in Ukraine is based on the system of production, sales, price policy and regulatory mechanisms that ensure the functioning of this market segment. One of the key aspects of the development of the apple market is the growth in demand for the products of the apple industry, which is due to the increase in consumer awareness of the benefits and quality of these fruits. At the same time, the high export potential of the Ukrainian apple market helps to stimulate the development of the production of apples and their processing products. Regional economic features affect the market mechanism. Apples are grown both on small farms and on large plantations. However, there are certain challenges in the apple market, such as the volatility of demand and changes in consumer preferences, storage and logistics issues, and the impact of climate change on apple cultivation. In general, scientific research on the development of the market for apples and their processing products is important for ensuring the sustainable development of agriculture in Ukraine. The analysis and generalization of the obtained data will contribute to the development of effective strategies and solutions to increase the competitiveness of this market segment and promote its development both domestically and internationally. Addressing these issues requires further research and development of effective strategies.

Sustainable consumption and energy efficiency

Purpose: The paper presents the issues related to the sustainable consumption and energy efficiency. Design/methodology/approach: The study used world-bank reports from the University of Oxford publication Our World in Data and own research. Findings: The main purpose of the article is to increase consumer awareness and demand for energy needs. It is worth emphasizing the important role played by sustainable energy expenditure in this area. They are an important element of sustainable consumption, because the way society uses energy has a significant impact on the environment, health and energy resources. Sustainable energy expenditure is a way of using energy that allows you to achieve a balance between the demand for energy and its consumption. Selected measures of energy efficiency show that economic development does not have to be equated with an increase in the consumption of energy resources. Originality/value: The publication presents the results of research conducted on the basis the University of Oxford publication Our World in Data. Keywords: sustainable consumption, energy efficiency, solar energy. Category of the paper: Research paper.

Consumer Cyber Insurance as Risk Transfer: A Coverage Analysis

The internet has become an integral part of most people's lives. Although this has many advantages, such as constant entertainment and easy access to resources, the internet also has its downsides. Studies indicate that people tend to be more concerned with the cyber risks that arise from their internet usage than before. While cyber insurance for businesses has been on the market for several years, the novel type of consumer cyber insurance (CCI) mitigates cyber risks to a residual level. However, we argue that both supply and demand sides do not have a shared understanding of CCIs due to the complexity and dynamics of cyber risks. Therefore, we conduct a content analysis regarding the coverage of CCI to (1) demonstrate the potential value of such insurance policies for private households and (2) increase consumer awareness of the dynamically changing cyber risk situation.

A comprehensive review on oat milk: from oat nutrients and phytochemicals to its processing technologies, product features, and potential applications.

Plant-based milk alternatives have become increasingly desirable due to their sustainability and the increased consumer awareness of health. Among many varieties of emerging plant-based milk, the smooth texture and flavor of oat milk make it spread rapidly around the world. Furthermore, as a sustainable source of diet, oats can provide rich nutrients and phytochemicals. Issues on the stability, sensory properties, shelf life, and nutritional quality of oat milk have been highlighted in published studies. In this review, the processing techniques, quality improvement, and product features of oat milk are elaborated, and the potential applications of oat milk are summarized. Besides, the challenges and future perspectives of oat milk production in the future are discussed.

Effect of Ultrasound and Thermal Pasteurization on Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Juice Extracted from Ripe and Overripe Pineapple

It has become necessary to assess how food processing methods affect qualitative qualities due to the increased consumer awareness of the health benefits of various nutrients in food. In the current study, the effects of ultrasound treatment (37°C, 5 min), pasteurization (90°C, 5 min), and their combination on quality parameters, including pH, total soluble solids (TSSs), titratable acidity (TA), color values (L*, a*, b*), ascorbic acid (AA), total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH), of pineapple juice from ripe and overripe pineapples were assessed. Color values (L*), ascorbic acid (AA), total phenolic content (TPC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity in all juice samples that were sonicated alone and in combination with pasteurization improved significantly (p and color value (a* and b*) decreased in comparison to the control. Whereas pH and acidity did not change significantly (p , but sonicated samples significantly (p quality parameters and antioxidant activity, notably in ripe juice. Overall, pasteurization degraded these liquids but sonication, either alone or in combination with it, was advantageous for preserving their quality by retaining nutrients.

A multi-agent based simulation model of consumer behaviour in the health and wellness food market

The main scientific goal of the article is to present the results of research which aimed to build a multi-agent simulation model of consumer behaviour on the health and wellness market. A multi-agent based modelling and simulation (MABS) method was used to build the model. The analysis of the collected data allowed for a typology of a group of consumers in the health and wellness food market. The results of the simulation experiments led to the identification of key strengths and weaknesses and indicate which opportunities and threats have the strongest impact on the development of the health and wellness food market. The findings could be useful in the development of tools and strategies that could be adapted to encourage healthy eating habits. The study can increase consumer awareness of the importance of healthy eating, sustainable consumption and lead to more healthy buying behaviour.

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT ADVERTISING ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

In order to achieve company objectives, marketing is the strategic process of discovering, promoting, and providing value to customers. It includes a variety of activities like as market research, product development, promotion, and sales, all with the goal of increasing consumer awareness, interest, and loyalty. In today's competitive industry, effective marketing is critical for businesses to engage with their target audience and generate growth. To do so, understanding the distinction between direct and indirect marketing - and tailoring it to their target audience- is vital for businesses to optimize the effectiveness of marketing efforts. Marketing is essential and in the digital age understanding the dynamic between the two advertising methods is of growing relevance, thus making this study of importance. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of direct and indirect advertising in persuading consumer behavior. It was conducted using a small sample group belonging to the upper socio-economic background from New Delhi, NCR and Gurgaon, Haryana. Using a questionnaire, their preferences on direct (Billboards, Youtube and Offers) and indirect (Social media, Celebrity endorsement and Product Placement) were analyzed. It was found that direct advertising was rewarded more informative, creative and influential in comparison.

Application of ultrasound technology for extraction of color pigments from plant sources and their potential bio‐functional properties: A review

AbstractNatural colorants/pigments are nowadays gaining popularity due to increased consumer awareness and severe health problems caused by the use of synthetic pigments. The efficient extraction of natural pigments from different plant sources leads to their effective application as substitutes for synthetic pigments in the food processing sector. In the present review, authors discussed the mechanistic approach of a novel ultrasonication technique in the extraction of natural color pigments having potential bio‐functional characteristics leading to numerous health benefits. The recent advancements in the ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) of plant pigments including anthocyanins, betalains, carotenoids, and chlorophyll were explored. The most significant observations were that the extraction efficiency improved due to the phenomenon of cavitation, low installation and maintenance costs, and reduced energy requirement. Further, the optimum extraction conditions, stability, and bio‐accessibility of the pigment compound significantly impact the process parameters. Moreover, recent progress in enhancing the performance of the UAE technique was addressed.Practical applicationsUltrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) is an effective way to improve the recovery of natural pigments from plants. Ultrasound treatment is a novel green extraction technology that offers a wide range of benefits. The present review conveys a better understanding of UAE mechanisms and optimum conditions of extracted pigments from different plant sources for their effective use as a natural colorant in food applications on an industrial scale.