Spanish Consumers Research Articles

Degree of Concern and Awareness of Spanish Consumers About Working Conditions in the Clothing Industry

The clothing industry has experienced global and sustained growth in the last decades due, among other factors, to the decentralisation of production in this sector and its consequent lowering of prices, but also to the effect of the unceasing demand that fashion generates. Simultaneously, the number of people employed in the textile sector has been growing in economically developing countries under precarious labour conditions. The objective of this study is to analyse the level of knowledge and awareness of the Spanish population about the working conditions in clothing manufacturing at production sites. To achieve this, we applied statistical analysis to data collected from a sample (n = 3000) of Spanish fashion consumers. The main results show a society with a high degree of concern for labour conditions in the textile sector, as well as for the environmental repercussions triggered by this type of production. Considering the differences based on socio-demographic variables, we find that women, older consumers, and respondents with higher education show a greater degree of concern about the working conditions in the clothing industry. Along the same lines, respondents who are ideologically left wing present a higher degree of concern than respondents from the extreme right.

Product lifespan extension of technology products: Exploring perceptions, value-beliefs, motives and attitudes in American and Spanish consumers

Product lifespan extension (PLE) is the post-purchase practice of keeping products longer by continued use and/or repair. This two-study paper explores American and Spanish consumers’ perceptions of PLE as a sustainable anti-consumption behavior, and value-beliefs and motives behind their attitudes towards PLE of technology products. First, we demonstrate low awareness of PLE as a green behavior in both countries. Second, using behavioral reasoning theory, we show that personal value-beliefs such as long-term orientation, green consumption, materialism and price consciousness shape consumer reasoning (for and against) and attitudes towards PLE of tech products. The findings provide insight for increasing these behaviors.

Defining Traceability Attributes and Consumers' Segmentation Based on Fish Attributes: A Case Study in Italy and Spain.

Consumers' involvement in the development of new goods and services is growing, and thus understanding food motives is crucial for various fisheries stakeholders to manage fish value chains. In addition, traceability is becoming more prominent in guiding consumers' behaviour. Yet, the latter can be considered a source of confusion, as the multiplicity of certifications and labelling systems can be overwhelming. A national web-based survey was conducted on a representative sample of Italian and Spanish consumers. From the literature, a set of 13 attributes was chosen to identify the most important factors guiding consumers' choice, and various groups in each population were identified using hierarchical cluster analysis. Our findings provide valuable insights for fish value chain stakeholders, enabling them to optimize fisheries supply chains, educate consumers about diverse fish species, and promote more sustainable decision-making.

Assessing food preferences in Spain: a historical perspective including attributes and values

PurposeThis study aims to identify how Spanish consumers’ extrinsic preferences for food have evolved by examining the extant literature on food preferences in Spain, focusing on food-related attributes and food-related values.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a synthetic review of the extant academic literature on Spanish consumer preferences for food-related attributes and food-related values from the mid-20th to the 21st century. This study uses key economic and social milestones that are most likely to influence food value chain actors to show how consumer preferences have evolved over the study period.FindingsSpanish consumer food attribute preferences expanded as the food sector of the nation continued to grow, and value preferences showed a similar pattern from the mid-20th to the 21st century. The drivers of these preferences were trust, lifestyle, education (campaigns), sociodemographic factors and purchasing power.Originality/valueEvaluating the extant literature’s contribution to consumer preferences for food-related attributes and values is important because it can aid in understanding the hierarchy and variety of consumers’ food preferences as well as the factors that drive these preferences. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore how Spanish consumer preferences evolved between the mid-20th and 21st centuries.

From taste to purchase: Understanding the influence of sensory perceptions and informed tasting on plant-based product purchases - An extension of the theory of planned behavior

Although suggestions to shift towards plant-based diets have been proposed, and consumers have indicated their willingness to reduce meat consumption, there is a scarcity of research exploring consumers' attitudes and intentions regarding plant-based products. Therefore, this study analyses consumers’ hedonic sensory acceptance and its impact on the attitudes and predictors associated with purchasing intentions with regard to various plant-based products. Data were collected from 132 consumers using a validated questionnaire designed on the Qualtrics platform. Statistical package for the social sciences software was used to analyze the descriptive statistics relating to consumers' attitudes towards plant-based products, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to identify the factors influencing their purchasing intentions. The results showed that consumers have tended to adopt moderate attitudes towards plant-based products. They rated their perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and perceptions of the sensory characteristics of these products as high. However, they also reported only a moderate level of satisfaction after tasting the product. The results of the structural equation modelling analysis demonstrated that four factors significantly influenced consumers' intentions to purchase plant-based products: perceived behavioral control, sensory perceptions, attitude, and informed tasting. This study contributes to existing knowledge and provides empirical support for explaining the factors influencing Spanish consumers' decisions to purchase plant-based products. These findings have promising implications for the future sales of plant-based food products in Spain and other European countries.

Labeling and consumer purchases

AbstractLabeling information and its presentation are intended to guide consumers at a store toward a choice of food that is healthier than they might otherwise buy. Consumer reactions to labeling are examined in this study through the Nutri‐Score (food) label, the efficacy and utility of which is still under debate. The aim is to analyze the degree of approval of Nutri‐Score through the Technology Acceptance Model, applying structural equation modeling to data gathered from a questionnaire administered to a sample of 478 Spanish consumers. All the hypotheses of the theoretical model were validated. The results of the proposed Nutri‐Score Acceptance Model affirmed that perceived usefulness is a direct predictor of consumer attitude and purchasing behavior, when consumers are evaluating the contents of the Nutri‐Score label. In turn, perceived ease of use had an indirect influence on the two previous variables. In this study, it is confirmed that Nutri‐Score is an effective system for guiding consumer purchase decisions on packaged food. The usefulness of the label generates positive attitudes toward intention of use among consumers.

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.

Comparison of Product Liability in Indonesian and Spanish Consumer Protection Law

This article examines a comparative study of the concept of product liability in the consumer protection laws of Indonesia and Spain.This research aims to describe the regulation and implementation of product liability in Indonesian and Spanish legislation particularly. Both countries already have consumer protection laws that regulate liability for defective products. The concept of product liability has long been applicable in consumer protection law in Spain, unlike in Indonesia. The research results show that protection against defective furniture products in Indonesia's consumer protection law is still limited to users, although it could harm other non-users. Using doctrinal research methods and a comparative approach.. The result of the comparative legal analysis can be an input in the development of national law of Indonesia.

Consumer Willingness-to-Pay for Sustainable Coffee: Evidence from a Choice Experiment on Fairtrade and UTZ Certification

Sustainability labels serve as crucial instruments facilitating the presentation of credible product attributes, enabling consumers to assess various aspects of sustainability in their purchasing decisions. This study aims to evaluate consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay for sustainable certifications, specifically Fairtrade and UTZ certification, within the coffee sector in Spain. Employing the choice experiment approach, an online survey involving 547 Spanish consumers was conducted, and a conditional logit model was estimated. The findings indicate that consumers exhibit positive utility towards both sustainability labels examined. Furthermore, the results reveal that consumers are willing to pay a premium of EUR 1.481 per 250 g for the Fairtrade label and EUR 1.379 per 250 g for the UTZ label. The proposed model offers an initial insight into willingness to pay for sustainable coffee in Spain. These results furnish valuable insights for the coffee sector in crafting effective marketing strategies to bolster initiatives promoting sustainable production practices and expanding market access for certified coffee products.

Purchase intentions in a chatbot environment: An examination of the effects of customer experience

Research background: Chatbots represent valuable technological tools that allow companies to improve customer experiences, meet their expectations in real time, and provide them with personalized assistance. They have contributed to the transformation of conventional customer service models into online solutions, offering accessibility and efficiency through their integration across various digital platforms. Nevertheless, the existing literature is limited in terms of exploring the potential of chatbots in business communication and studying their impact on the customer's response. Purpose of the article: The main objective of this study is to examine how consumers perceive chatbots as customer service devices. In particular, the paper aims to analyze the influence of the dimensions of “Information”, “Entertainment”, “Media Appeal”, “Social Presence” and “Risk for Privacy” on the “Customer Experience” and the latter on the “Purchase Intention”, under the consideration of the Uses and Gratifications Theory. Moderations due to Chatbot Usage Frequency for some of the relationships proposed are also analyzed. Methods: An empirical study was performed through a questionnaire to Spanish consumers. The statistical data analysis was conducted with R software through the lavaan package. To test the hypotheses from the conceptual model a structural equation modelling approach was adopted. Findings & value added: The results obtained identify the main characteristics of chatbots that can support brands to effectively develop their virtual assistants in order to manage their relational communication strategies and enhance their value proposal through the online customer journey. Findings demonstrate the contribution that chatbot dimensions make to the online consumer experience and its impact on the purchase intention, with the consideration of the moderating effect exercised by the user's level of experience (novice vs. experienced) with the use of chatbots. Regarding managerial implications, this research offers recommendations for e-commerce professionals to manage chatbots more effectively. The “Entertainment” and “Social Presence” dimensions can be operationalized at a visual (e.g., appearance of the avatar and text box, use of designs aligned with the website) and textual level (e.g., style and tone of voice, use of expressions typical of the target audience) to generate a feeling of proximity with the chatbot and facilitate its adoption. “Media Appeal” requires that the chatbot be easy to use, effective, and accessible, to facilitate its usability. Finally, mitigation of “Privacy Risk” concerns should be achieved by presenting an appropriate privacy policy and requesting permission for the use of customers’ private information.

Preference and acceptance of fresh rabbit, pork and chicken meat sausages among young consumers

The rabbit sector has proposed sausages as a suitable presentation format to increase rabbit meat consumption among young people in a context in which it is declining in several traditionally-consuming countries. In order to confirm its suitability in this context, this work compares the acceptability and preference of commercial fresh rabbit sausages with those of chicken and pork meat, using an untrained panel of 70 young Spanish consumers (22.1 yr old on average; 57.1% male and 42.9% female). In the first part of the trial, cooked sausages were evaluated for: a) acceptability of organoleptic characteristics (odour, colour, appearance, texture, flavour, elasticity and juiciness) and the overall rating using a 9-point hedonic scale, and b) order of preference of sausages (first to third). Overall acceptance and sensory attributes were rated in the medium-high range (6.1-7.9 points) and differed among the cooked sausages, except for odour and appearance. Rabbit sausage was rated at the same level as chicken and pork sausages in terms of odour, appearance, texture, flavour and overall assessment, outperformed pork sausage in colour, elasticity and juiciness acceptance, and was only rated lower than chicken sausage in terms of juiciness. Cooked chicken sausage was preferred in first place, followed by rabbit sausage, while pork sausage came last. In the second part of the trial, raw sausages were evaluated visually for: a) acceptability of colour and visual appearance, and b) order of preference of the sausages. No difference was found between the raw sausages in terms of colour, while the appearance of the raw pork sausage was rated better than that of the rabbit and chicken sausages, with no difference between the latter two. The visual appearance of the raw pork sausage was ranked first, followed by the chicken sausage, while the raw rabbit sausage came last. Only 40% of the young panellists could identify the meat ingredient of the rabbit sausage in both cooked and raw sausages. No interaction was found between the type of sausage and the gender of the panellists in evaluation of either the cooked or raw sausages. Young women rated the texture, flavour, elasticity, juiciness and overall assessment of the cooked sausages lower than men, regardless of meat type, whereas no gender difference was found for the visual assessment of the raw sausages. In conclusion, cooked rabbit sausage was accepted as well as chicken sausage overall and better than pork sausage, while raw rabbit sausage was accepted as well as chicken sausage overall and worse than pork sausage in the visual assessment, showing its potential to promote rabbit meat consumption among young people.

Citizens' views on prices of medicines reimbursed by the National Health Service: Findings from Italian online focus groups.

Access to medicines is one of the biggest challenges to health systems, affecting society and individuals. This study aims to explore citizens' opinions, perceptionsand attitudes on the model of medicines' research and development (R&D) and price setting of medicines reimbursed by the Italian National Health Service. We run four online focus groups, analysed through thematic analysis. people aged 30-70 years, who had completed at least compulsory schooling (8-10 years), with no specialised knowledge about the subject. healthcare workers, pharmaceutical and device industry employees, researchersand medicine policy board members. We aimed to include a purposive sample of 20 participants, variable in terms of age, educational leveland place of residence. Eleven women and six men participated. The mean age was 53 years (range: 28-73). Most (n = 15) had a university degree or attended secondary schools. Eight had a job, five were not employed,and four were retired. In general, participants supported the role of the public health service. Almost all had limited knowledge of medicines' R&D and price setting. Most asked for transparency on medicine prices and negotiation criteria. Participants considered revenues of pharmaceutical companies disproportionateand most called for containment measures of profits. Most were in favour of a stronger public intervention in R&D and prices' negotiations. Few were sceptical of the public sector's ability to play this role. Medicines' prices were discussed as a health matter. Increasing citizens' awareness ofthese topics is needed by providing spaces and conditions to participate in the discussion, including different perspectives and interests. Members ofBEUC-the European consumer organisation-proposed the project. Altroconsumo, an independent consumer organisation and OCU, a Spanish consumer organisation, participated in developing the project and the main topics to discuss. The Mario Negri Institute and Aplica cooperative-the Spanish methodological team-were involved by BEUC and their national organisations to define the methodology, organisational aspectsand contentsand conducted the focus groups.

Estimating the excess of interests paid by consumers when applying an upper rate. The case of Spain

PurposeThe framework of this paper is financial mathematics and, more specifically, the control of data fraud and manipulation with their subsequent economic effects, namely, in financial markets. The purpose of this paper is to calculate the global loss or gain, which supposes, for the borrower, a change of the interest rate while the contracted loan is in force or, in another case, the loan has finished.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used in this work has been, in the first place, a review of the existing literature on the topic of manipulability and abusiveness of the loan interest rates applied by banks; in the second place, the introduction of a mathematical-financial analysis to calculate the interests paid in excess; and, finally, the compilation of several sentences issued on the application of the so-called mortgage loan reference index (MLRI) to mortgage loans in Spain.FindingsThere are three main contributions in this paper. First, the calculation of the interests paid in excess in the amortization of mortgage loans referenced to an overvalued interest rate. Second, an empirical application shows the amount to be refunded to a Spanish consumer when amortizing his/her mortgage loan referenced to the MLRI instead of the Euro InterBank Offered Rate (EURIBOR). Third, consideration has been made to the effects and the possible solutions to the legal problems arising from this type of contract.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is a useful tool capable of implementing the financial calculation needed to find out overpaid interests in mortgage loans and to execute the sentences dealing with this topic. However, a limitation of this study is the lack of enough sentences on mortgage loans referenced to the MLRI to get some additional information about the number of borrowers affected by these legal sentences and the amount refunded by the financial institutions.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that deviations in the payment of interests have been calculated when amortizing a mortgage.

VARIETY OF SHOPPING MODES: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK, PIVOTAL FACTORS, AND MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS

With the development of e-commerce and smartphones, consumers can use a variety of shopping modes (i.e., showrooming, webrooming, and completely offline/online shopping), each of which provides specific advantages in terms of price, assortment, service, etc. Using a great variety of these shopping modes can confer many benefits. However, previous studies have found evidence of sizable segments of consumers who typically avoid using a great variety of shopping modes. To understand the contrast in consumers’ variety of shopping modes, we propose a theoretical framework and measure the effect of the desired variety in the information-seeking and purchase processes. Results – from a representative sample of the Spanish consumers – confirm that the variety of shopping modes pivots on the extent to which e-commerce use, smartphone use, offline and online interactivity, and online device interchangeability differ. Better understanding the variety of shopping modes may help marketers adjust their channel strategies to the actual preferences of different consumer segments and assess the economic viability of an omnichannel approach.

Furnishing your home? The impact of voice assistant avatars in virtual reality shopping: A neurophysiological study

This study provides insights into the informational cues consumers use in virtual reality (VR)-based retail shopping experiences. The aim of the study is to identify the number and type (extrinsic versus intrinsic) of informational cues that most attract consumers' visual attention, and that are most important in their purchase decision-making in a VR store, with special emphasis on the role of voice assistant (VA) avatars. A sample of 152 Spanish consumers participated in a laboratory-based 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment. The study's main stimulus was a recreation, in both 2D and VR, of a living room in a home. The participants were asked to view the recreation using either a computer screen (2D) or a head-mounted display (HMD). Clickstream data, neurophysiological measures (eye-tracking and GSR) and self-reported measures were used to test the hypotheses. We found that consumers used more informational cues in the product choice process in the 2D online store than in the VR store, but that the VR store generated higher flow state; that the type of cue used depended on the type of platform and that the presence of VA avatars did not influence the number of informational cues consumers used but made them pay more visual attention to the products, and evoked higher arousal.

Building food consumer loyalty through economic corporate social responsibility: the moderating effects of environmental and social dimensions

Research into the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on consumer behaviour has consistently revealed that CSR initiatives possess the potential to mould specific consumer attitudes and behaviours that, in turn, profoundly influence the overall success of businesses. Building upon the theoretical framework of the expectation disconfirmation theory, this study seeks to delve deeper into the intricate dynamics that underlie the influence of consumers’ perceptions of a company’s CSR efforts on their satisfaction levels and, consequentially, their propensity to exhibit brand loyalty. Previous CSR studies have ignored the possible interactions between CSR dimensions. This study tests the moderating role of social and environmental aspects of CSR in the relationship between economic responsibility and consumer satisfaction, influencing consumer loyalty. A sample of 252 Spanish consumers was used to test the hypotheses. The findings suggest that each aspect of CSR has varying levels of impact, and their interplay also significantly affects satisfaction and consequent loyalty. The economic aspect most influences consumer loyalty, and its effect is amplified as social or environmental aspects increase.

Emotional response to healthier foods: Influence of culture and health consciousness.

Sugar, salt, and fat content in processed products are important concerns for consumers. Hence, alternative "healthy" versions of conventional foods such as chocolate, potato chips, and yogurt are offered. This work aimed to define the emotional response of consumers from different cultural backgrounds (Spain vs. Brazil) evoked by healthier versions of conventional products and the relationship between hedonic responses and health consciousness. A total of 186 Brazilian and 152 Spanish consumers participated in this online cross-cultural study. Participants answered a Health Consciousness Questionnaire and an emotional check-all-that-applies questionnaire using picture stimuli of conventional chocolate, potato chips, and yogurt and their healthier versions with less sugar, salt, and fat content, respectively. The Brazilians' emotional responses were more diverse for all stimuli compared to the Spaniards'. However, participants from both cultures rated an average of "slightly agree" on the health consciousness scale; a higher level of consumption, liking, and willingness to buy; and a higher frequency of positive emotional terms for the stimuli of conventional products compared to their healthier versions. A higher frequency of evocation of "active" is strongly associated with higher levels of health consciousness. Strategic actions by the food industry and government must consider cultural, emotional, and health-conscious factors to encourage the consumption of healthier foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Food manufacturers can use the information obtained from this study to create healthier versions of their products that appeal to consumers' emotional responses and health consciousness levels. The findings can assist in designing strategic actions to promote healthier food consumption by emphasizing the benefits of healthier food choices and making them more appealing to consumers. The methodology employed in this study can also be applied to further studies aimed to assess emotional responses to food stimuli across different cultures.

Anisakid Presence in the European Conger, Conger conger, from Spanish Mediterranean Waters.

The European conger, Conger conger, is a benthic marine fish species with a geographical distribution extending through the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Despite being extensively distributed and widely appreciated by Spanish consumers, studies regarding parasite presence in this fish are scarce. In the present work, a hundred and eight specimens from the Mediterranean coast of northeastern Spain (Catalan waters) were surveyed for the presence of nematode parasites. Several species were morphologically identified: third-stage larvae of Anisakis type I (sensu Berland, 1961) (n = 131), third-stage larvae of Anisakis type II (sensu Berland, 1961) (n = 18), third- and fourth-stage larvae and adults of Hysterothylacium spp. (n = 48), adults of Cucullanus sp. (n = 391), and adults of Cristitectus congeri (n = 69). Moreover, some fish and decapode species were also observed as part of the host's diet, with the most detected preys being Micromesistius poutassou, Sardina pilchardus, Macropipus sp., and Goneplax rhomboides. This represents the first survey of nematode parasites infecting C. conger from the northeastern Spanish Mediterranean waters. Among the parasite species detected, the presence of Anisakis species should be highlighted as the ingestion of C. conger parasitized with these larvae could potentially lead to anisakiasis in consumers.

Importance of the origin, organic production and other extrinsic parameters in fruit and vegetable choices.

The aims of the present work were to evaluate consumers' perceptions and purchasing habits in relation to fruit and vegetables and to determine the importance of the production type, price and geographical origin of such products for consumers' purchasing decisions. For this purpose, an online consumer survey was conducted to determine Spanish people's opinions and consumption habits in relation to fruit and vegetables, especially those from organic farming. The survey also included a part to assess the importance that consumers attach to different extrinsic attributes in oranges and avocado pears (with a conjoint analysis), and a section to determine the participants' ethnocentrism. Consumers agree that organic food respects the environment more, contains fewer 'chemicals' and is more natural. Price is the first reason why many people do not buy organic food, followed by them thinking that they do not offer any added value and they are difficult to find. For the Spanish population, country of origin, local production, seasonality and price are much more important attributes for purchasing fruit and vegetables than them being organic. This study reflects a relatively high ethnocentrism level of the surveyed population, especially in older individuals. Given consumer preference for km 0/local and seasonal products, and the importance of these parameters for the environment, promoting the market of such products would help to achieve some Sustainable Development Goals. This study offers a vision of the trends of Spanish consumers in relation to fruit and vegetable preferences, which can help producers and distributors to design new strategies that focus on meeting consumer demands.

Does the pandemic effect still exist? A comparative analysis of online food services in India and Spain

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic appears to be winding down. But has its psychological effect of the pandemic also faded? This next stage remains uncertain, which needs to be explored further. This article aims to understand changing consumer attitudes in post‐pandemic times. In this regard, the present study conducts a cross‐country analysis to examine and compare the COVID‐19 fear appeals of consumers in India and Spain (if they still exist) that may have an influence on the future use (FU) and recommendation of online food services (OFS). The study integrates the concept of fear appeal, the theory of planned behaviour and cultural values to observe differences between Indian and Spanish consumers, in influencing their intention to use OFS. The findings confirm the importance of hygiene risk, with very low or no significance of perceived COVID‐19 risk on OFS usage in both countries.