Urban Consumers Research Articles

Governing for food security during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan and Nanjing, China

The global COVID-19 pandemic has elicited a range of public health governance responses. One common result has been an associated disruption of food supply chains and growing urban food insecurity. Policy responses to this situation have not yet received sufficient research attention. This paper therefore focuses on the urban food security implications of China's zero-COVID public health measures and the response of central, provincial and municipal government to the governance challenge of ensuring a stable and sufficient food supply to urban consumers. During the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 in China, zero-COVID lockdown measures aimed to contain and eliminate the spread of the virus. This paper examines the associated policy responses around urban food security in early 2020, with a particular focus on two cities: Wuhan (where SARS-CoV-2 was first identified) and Nanjing (a neighbouring city). The analysis is based on an inventory of policy-related documents providing a wide range of information about governance responses to the pandemic. Four major governance challenges are addressed: agricultural production, food transportation, stabilization of food prices, and new contactless methods in purchasing foods. Key recommendations for post-pandemic policy responses around urban food security include: ensuring consistency throughout all levels of government, strengthening existing food reserves to leverage emergency responses, addressing the root causes of pandemic-related food insecurity by focusing on access at the household level, and improving food utilization.

Consumers’ Opinions and Constraints towards Buying Jute Products in Jalpaiguri and Ludhiana District- A Comparative Study

The study was undertaken in Jalpaiguri of West Bengal and Ludhiana districts of Punjab, India. The paper analyse the consumers’ opinions and constraints faced by them towards buying Jute products. A total of 100 consumers respondents were selected randomly comprising 50 from each district. Multistage sampling was used to select respondents. A paired t-test and factor analysis were used to statistically analyse the collected data. The findings of the study shows that there are statistical significant difference in awareness and opinions of the rural and urban consumers towards buying of Jute products. Two important factors safety of the environment and Jute products are fashionable and quality products were found. The Garret ranking technique was employed to analyse the constraints faced by consumers. The results shows that lack of information, followed by poor after-sale service, and unavailability of jute products are important constraints faced by consumers when buying jute products.

The influence of social capital on local retail patronage in an urban setting

AbstractLocal retail stores are currently facing intense competition from both online retailers and large chain stores. An understanding of local retail store patronage (i.e., patronage of retail stores in one's own community) is essential to the survival and growth of local retailers. Drawing on Social Capital Theory, we theorize and show with store‐level survey data the influence of social capital (community attachment and reciprocity) on local retail store patronage in a large urban setting. We find that the impact of social factors differs for residents within the community compared to those outside of the community. We also demonstrate the importance of social factors in comparison to non‐social factors. These findings contribute to the literature by extending the impact of social capital on local retail store patronage beyond rural settings, providing insight into urban consumers' decision to patronize local retail stores, and highlighting the impact of community boundaries. These findings also generate practical recommendations for local merchants and stress the importance of building reciprocal relationships with local customers as well as varying communications across community boundaries.

Urban Vietnamese consumers’ preferences for attributes of sustainably produced rice

PurposeThe purpose of the present research is to examine the comparative values that urban Vietnamese consumers place on attributes of rice that is produced using environmentally friendly methods. The authors consider the impacts that this may have on the livelihoods of rural Vietnamese small farmers. Rice is an “impure public good” that includes both “private” and “public” attributes that consumers consider in their purchase decisions. Consumers make tradeoffs between environmentally and socially beneficial practices (public goods) and perceptions of product quality (private goods). The authors used latent class modeling to investigate the values associated with attributes of rice that is produced using sustainable farming practices.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a discrete choice experimental design in which consumers stated their choices among combinations of rice attributes. The survey provided responses from 360 urban Vietnamese consumers and allowed to estimate the preferences and nonpecuniary values for rice grown using different levels of environmentally beneficial production methods.FindingsThe results identify two segments of rice consumers: one group of consumers who are sensitive to price and the other group who are sensitive to environmental issues. The individual characteristics are reflected in the choices of production methods and in the willingness to pay for environmentally beneficial outcomes of those methods.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the number of independent variables measured, the sample was relatively small, such that confirmatory statistical methods were inconclusive. However, the authors used multiple analytical tools that provide corroboration of the significant determinants of the utility functions for the two segments.Practical implicationsThe results provide directions for production of rice at a national level, as well as practical implications for consumer-oriented communications.Social implicationsResults suggest that the emerging middle class of Vietnamese consumers are willing to pay more for rice that is produced using methods that are beneficial to the environment. Results also indicate challenges to provide sustainably-produced rice to poorer groups of consumers.Originality/valueThe study provides important context for consumer preferences within emerging economies. This also adds to a growing literature that uses the choice experiment method to estimate consumer valuation of the outcomes of various agricultural practices.

Is Financial Education Positively Associated with Consumer Stock Market Satisfaction? Evidence from China

This study aims to investigate the associations between financial education and consumer stock market satisfaction. Consumer financial education is measured through the objective aspect incorporating formal and informal financial knowledge education, and the subjective aspect is reflected through consumers’ attitudes toward financial education. Using data from China’s urban consumers, the results indicate a positive association between financial education and consumer stock market satisfaction. The findings suggest that consumers who were financially literate at high schools or colleges are more satisfied in participating in the stock market. Moreover, consumers who spend more money and time, as well as those who think financial education is more important, feel more satisfied in participating in stock market investment activities. The results imply that it is necessary to increase the supply of formal financial education in high schools and universities, encourage consumers to invest more in the informal education of financial knowledge, and promote policymakers to formulate informative policies to make consumers aware of the importance of financial education.

Biomedical doctor as acupuncturist: The business of Chinese medicine in the Philippines

Acupuncture, a specialty of Chinese medicine, has become increasingly popular among urban middle-class health consumers in the Philippines in recent years. Professionalized training courses have started up and bio-medical doctors and nurses are the largest group of trainees enrolled in various programs. They are also the largest group of service providers cum trainers in the formal and private healthcare system. Based on a qualitative study approach, this study conducted face-to-face interviews with a questionnaire among trainees and practitioner cum trainers at the Ateneo de Manila University, the SMIC Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the St. Luke Medical Center- Quezon City, and the St. Luke Medical Center-Global City. This study finds that biomedical doctors and nurses from various ethnic groups have switched to practice acupuncture not only because of their fascination with Chinese medicine but also to respond to the market demand. Their entry is driven by a range of factors including, but not limited to: financial incentives, the limitations of biomedicine and the advantages of acupuncture, family tradition, and the idea of holism that is attached to Chinese medicine. The advantages to becoming an acupuncturist appear to be professional, economic and personal despite the challenges regarding the social and political circumstances. This paper concludes that biomedical professionals are in control of Chinese medicine specialties, which are being professionalized in the Philippines, and are making the industry a private multicultural and urban middle-class phenomenon, thus fulfilling the demand created by the market economy.

Prices, profit margins and intermediary market power: evidence from the matooke value chain in Uganda

PurposeThere is widespread belief that intermediaries in African agri-food value chains have disproportionate market power. In this paper, the authors examine this belief by uncovering the purchasing and selling prices, costs and profit margins by farmers, intermediaries and retailers in the matooke (cooking banana) value chain in Uganda, and by analysing the prevailing value chain and market structures, seasonal entry and exit dynamics and the trading relationships in the chain.Design/methodology/approachData for this study were collected along the trading routes from the main matooke producing districts in South-West Uganda (Kabarole, Bunyangabo, Bushenyi, Isingiro and Mbarara) to the main urban markets around the capital Kampala. A structured survey was administered with 383 producers, 172 collectors and wholesalers and 71 retailers. In addition, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were held.FindingsThe authors find that price mark-ups by intermediaries (selling prices minus purchasing prices) vary with the type of intermediary, season and location but generally reflect the costs of moving matooke down the value chain to the urban consumer. The authors do not find evidence for disproportionate market power among the intermediaries in the chain. Intermediaries enter and exit the market in peak and off-peak season, such that profits are kept in check. This seasonality does imply a small shift in market power in favour of farmers in off-peak season and in favour of intermediaries in the peak season.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation concentrated on an important and relatively homogenous staple crop along its main trade route. More remote areas, where there is less of an abundance of matooke, might still be characterised by local monopsonies where intermediaries have more market power due to high search and transport costs. Similarly, (local) monopsonies might exist for products for which there is a smaller market (segment), for products with a stronger seasonal variation in supply and for more perishable products.Originality/valueWhile there is an important literature on the role of intermediaries in African agri-food value chains, the evidence on intermediary market power is scant. Beliefs on intermediary market power are largely based on anecdotal evidence from farmers or inferred from observed prices or market structures. The paper contributes in addressing this important knowledge gap by studying the matooke value chain in Uganda.

The politics of in/visibility: The Jews of urban Tehran

The presence of Jews in Iran has always had its ups and downs. Naturally, political and social changes have influenced their way of life and the interaction of religious minorities in the urban context and neighbourhoods of Tehran. Politics rules society. The architecture of the religious buildings of religious minorities, on the one hand, influences the urban context and, on the other, is influenced by the sociopolitical conditions and structures that govern society. Cities are places for religious presentations and celebrations, which form part of urban consumer cultures and contribute to constructing urban identities and city images. In Iran, Jews are recognized minorities and scattered throughout the country. This study investigates the relationship between urban spaces and religious buildings, especially synagogues in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Role of Health Orientation in the Consumption of High Value Agriculture Products: An Exploration of Urban Indian Consumers

The health landscape of India is changing fast due to the impacts of globalization and urbanization, bringing in changes in lifestyles and food consumption patterns in urban areas. The current study aims to explore the linkages between health orientation (HO) and the consumption trends of high-value agricultural products (HVAP) among urban Indian consumers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) have been conducted using the data collected through a primary survey of 385 individuals in Delhi. The results show that HO explains 54.8% of the total HVAP consumption. Within the HVAP basket, consumption of fruits, vegetables, milk, and eggs has been found to be affected more by HO, compared to meat and fish. The socio-economic factors, such as education, gender, family size, monthly income, etc. build the health orientation of consumers more significantly and thus have been found to be the dominant determining factors behind HVAP consumption.

Gene‐edited or genetically modified food? The impacts of risk and ambiguity on Chinese consumers' willingness to pay

AbstractThis study investigates consumer preferences for newly introduced gene‐edited (GE) food. We focus on how risk and ambiguity aversion affect consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) to avoid genetically modified (GM) food or GE food and whether the impacts of risk and ambiguity aversion differ between GM and GE food. We collected the data in 2020 through a nationwide online survey in China. The multiple price list method is used to estimate the premiums that consumers are willing to pay for conventional rice to avoid GM/GE rice. Our results show that Chinese urban consumers are more concerned about the health, environmental, and ethical impacts of genetic modification than gene editing technology. They are willing to pay lower premiums when the alternative is GE rice than when it is GM rice. We further find that both risk aversion and ambiguity aversion have significant negative impacts on respondents’ WTP for food derived from gene technologies, with ambiguity aversion being more influential than risk aversion for both GM and GE rice. However, there is no significant difference in how risk aversion and ambiguity aversion affect the respondents’ WTP to avoid GM or GE rice.

An Empirical Analysis of the Psychological Factors Influencing the Purchase Behaviour in the Automotive Market

This article throws light on various discriminant functions that will best discriminate between different segments of consumers regarding the psychological factors influencing the purchase behavior in India's automotive market. The paper further highlights the importance of various promotional tools in the purchase of cars in India. The car market in India is one of the largest segments of the domestic auto industry. From a luxury product for the urban middle class in the eighties and earlier, a car has now become the favorite mode of personal transport and the most coveted personal household durable possession among nearly all consumer classes. The commercial vehicle segment's leading vehicle is the stylish, fuel-efficient and sturdy 4-stroke car, the purchase of which is influenced by various psychological factors like motivation, perception, learning, beliefs, and attitudes. Descriptive research using a stratified random sampling method was undertaken, and the study was conducted using both primary and secondary data. It was concluded that the “Beliefs and Attitudes” factor was the most effective psychological factor in discriminating among the urban consumers and the ‘Motivation’ factor was the most effective psychological factor in discriminating among the rural consumers in the choice of a car brand.

Wild and Indigenous Foods (WIF) and Urban Food Security in Northern Namibia

Rapid urbanisation and food system transformation in Africa have been accompanied by growing food insecurity, reduced dietary diversity, and an epidemic of non-communicable disease. While the contribution of wild and indigenous foods (WIF) to the quality of rural household diets has been the subject of longstanding attention, research on their consumption and role among urban households is more recent. This paper provides a case study of the consumption of WIF in the urban corridor of northern Namibia with close ties to the surrounding rural agricultural areas. The research methodology involved a representative household food security survey of 851 urban households using tablets and ODK Collect. The key methods for data analysis included descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression. The main findings of the analysis included the fact that WIFs are consumed by most households, but with markedly different frequencies. Frequent consumers of WIF are most likely to be female-centred households, in the lowest income quintiles, and with the highest lived poverty. Frequent consumption is not related to food security, but is higher in households with low dietary diversity. Infrequent or occasional consumers tend to be higher-income households with low lived poverty and higher levels of food security. We conclude that frequent consumers use WIF to diversify their diets and that occasional consumers eat WIF more for reasons of cultural preference and taste than necessity. Recommendations for future research include the nature of the supply chains that bring WIF to urban consumers, intra-household consumption of WIF, and in-depth interviews about the reasons for household consumption of WIF and preferences for certain types of wild food.

Would consumers help achieve sustainable development in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau with a forage–livestock balance certification label?

PurposeThe contradiction and conflict between grassland conservation and economic development are prominent in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) with its fragile environment and ecosystem. How to promote sustainable grazing in the plateau without hurting the economic welfare of local residents is a key challenge facing the Chinese government. This study explores the potential of market-based grassland conservation policies by evaluating consumer preferences and valuations for forage–livestock balance certification labeled yak products.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a choice experiment with four attributes of yak meat, including forage–livestock balance certification, feeding type, age at slaughter and price. A sample size of 2,999 respondents from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Chengdu was collected by a professional online survey company.FindingsThe result reveals that urban Chinese consumers are willing to pay highest price premiums for forage–livestock balance certified yak meat, followed by grass-fed claim labeled meat. Consumers on average place negative valuations for grain-fed claims, meat from yak slaughtered above 2 and 4 years old. Heterogeneous analysis indicates that individuals who are female, younger, married, and better educated, and with above median income, Tibet travel or yak consumption experience, are more receptive to the forage–livestock balance certification.Originality/valueIt is the first study to explore demand-driven mechanisms for grassland conservation by focusing on consumer valuation for the forage–livestock balance certification.

A descriptive study on local street vendors: a case study in dimapur district nagaland

The term “street vendor” refers to those who are unable to get regular jobs in the formal sector on account of their low level of education and skills. Street vending is an important activity for the urban areas. The study focuses on the street vending of Nagaland State. Nagaland is a mountainous state in northeast India, bordering Myanmar, and it is home to diverse indigenous tribes. It occupies about 70 percent of the total area under cultivation and constitutes about 75 percent of the total food production in the state. In Nagaland majority of the street vendors are women, belonging to diverse tribes and sell a variety of products ranging from vegetables to meat, fast food, handicraft, second-hand clothing, etc., to urban consumers. The study population in Nagaland is around 22.8 lakhs and around 30,000, people are street vendors. Street vending gives platform to earn income to the illiterate, low-class, and unemployed to sustain their life.

A discrete choice experiment to measure the Malawian potential market for Baobab fruit shell briquettes: Evidence from consumer preferences in Mzuzu City

Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, is mainly dependent on wood biomass for its energy supply. This biomass, in most cases, is procured in an unsustainable manner, such as from the country's dwindling natural forests. Under these circumstances, there is an urgent need to develop more environmentally friendly and reliable energy sources. Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit shell, a waste product of baobab fruit pulp processing, has high lignin and cellulose contents with a good heating value. The main objective of this work is to determine the product characteristics desired by urban consumers of a substitute for firewood and charcoal. Using a discrete choice experiment, our work analyzes consumer preferences for Baobab fruit shell briquettes in Mzuzu City, as a potential alternative to current fuel sources for cooking and heating. A questionnaire divided into 3 parts was used to collect primary data from 203 consumers of fuelwood and/or charcoal. Apart from choice sets, respondents answered questions related to procurement issues of fuel sources, their relation to Baobab trees, and socioeconomic conditions. The results show that a higher willingness to pay is attached to the products with lower smoke formation, exclusion of children's help for procurement, and extensive time intervals for procurement needs.

Awakening to Independence: The Evolution of Chinese Urban Women's Ideology Behind Consumer Behavior

Women, in the long-standing structure of social development, have been excluded from the relations between production and consumption; they have been repressed in the gender confrontation between men and women. Chinese feminism started late and was influenced by the patriarchal system that has existed in China for thousands of years, so there was great resistance to its development Nowadays, with the prevalence of consumerism, "women" and "consumption" are even more bound by social identity. The process of Chinese women's pursuit of independence is tortuous and difficult. Therefore, focusing on the current situation of women's consumption can help us understand the current situation of Chinese women's survival, so as to summarize the problems facing the development of Chinese feminism and explore the possible future development trend of Chinese feminism. First, this paper composes and summarizes the current consumption status and survival status of Chinese women, using the Chinese Women's Living Conditions Report as a data source. Secondly, it briefly reviews the development trajectory of Chinese feminism and points out the problems faced by Chinese women in their pursuit of independence at present and the possible countermeasures to be taken. In order to make useful reflections on the development path of Chinese women.

Profiling of Antibiotic Residues in Surface Water of River Yamuna Stretch Passing through Delhi, India

The River Yamuna is one of the largest rivers in northern India. It serves as a major source of potable water to the National Capital Delhi. A study was carried out to monitor and quantify three common antibiotics in surface water, with the help of Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled with the Mass spectrophotometer (MS/MS)-based method. All the major river water locations in the research area were sampled in triplicate to determine the significant presence of antibiotics from local areas, hospitals, drug manufacturing facilities, and residential areas. Using spiked, as well as actual samples, an optimized method for the detection and quantification of different concentrations of antibiotics was developed. Spatiotemporal variations in the physicochemical properties at the five sites, including reference site-6 (Jamia Millia Islamia), during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period, were also investigated. Maximum concentration was observed during the pre-monsoon season followed by the post-monsoon season. The highest detected antibiotic concentration from the river water samples was that of ofloxacin (145.3794 ng/mL), followed by amoxicillin (3.033 ng/mL) and erythromycin (2.171 ng/mL). An aquatic environment may be very vulnerable to dangers from these pharmaceutical residues, according to this risk assessment. Additionally, the levels and compositions of pharmaceutical residue in the aquatic ecosystem might be influenced by seasonal agricultural application, precipitation, and temperature. The findings revealed the existence of antibiotics because of their indiscriminate usage, which may have resulted in the development of resistant strains and ultimately contributed to the spread of antibiotic resistance among living organisms in the river. Thus, attention is required particularly to this section of river as it is the local lifeline source for urban consumers for the domestic water supply and farmers for cultivation.

Taxi and urban mobility studies: A bibliometric analysis

In the context of increasing globalization and global competition, urban mobility in terms of different private Taxi transport projects is gaining relevance. In the last decade, interest in studying the impact of Taxi options on changes in urban mobility and consumer preferences has increased. The most important recent line of study is the development of the dimensions of urban mobility and the possible incorporation of new ones and the Taxi option is one of the most important dimensions in urban mobility dynamism. Therefore, it becomes a necessary task to measure the amount and level of academic work that has been carried out on urban mobility, its dimensions, and the effect that Taxi options may have. So, the main objective of this paper is to examine the current state of urban mobility, carrying out a bibliometric analysis. 6687 research papers published between 1967 and 2021 have been analysed based on the results of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS), identifying publications and co-authorship among the most recognized authors, the countries with the highest percentage of scientific production, the most prominent citations, the most influential journals, and the co-occurrence of keywords. In summary, the most recurring topics that show the academic development of urban mobility have been identified, guiding on future topics to be incorporated into the study and measurement of urban mobility options, such as Taxi, ride-sourcing, ride-pooling, ride-sharing and others.

Gender-Disaggregated Consumer Testing and Descriptive Sensory Analysis of Local and New Yam Varieties.

Gender-disaggregated sensory evaluation has become an essential element that could enhance breeding activities by increasing the adoption of new varieties. The effect of age, sex and geographical location on descriptor preferences for boiled and pounded yam were studied using descriptive and consumer testing. Attributes with definitions and measurement scales were used to generate lexicons for boiled and pounded yam. Analytical tools employed for the inferential statistics were the independent t-test, analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test and relative importance index (RII). Descriptive testing showed that all the D. rotundata varieties were good for boiling and pounding. The D. alata varieties afase soanyinto and afase biri were most liked, while afase pa and ahodenfo were disliked. Age had no significant effect on descriptor preferences. Being a female or male, however, influenced preferences for pounded yam descriptors such as mouldability, lumpiness and colour. The RII for the D. rotundata varieties (0.22-0.28) showed that they are all good varieties for boiling and pounding. The local D. alata varieties were still highly acceptable compared the new CRI varieties due to the aroma. Rural consumers preferred all the descriptors of boiled D. rotundata than urban consumers, whereas urban consumers liked the pounded yam varieties better than the rural consumers. Availability of the new yam varieties on local markets could therefore increase consumption and improve adoption.

Issues, challenges and opportunities in the digitalization of rural markets

BACKGROUND: Digitalization widely connected the MNCs and urban consumers. Though not much efforts were made to reach the rural markets, the Indian government must recognize the problems and challenges to digitally connect such rural consumers. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to highlight the problems and challenges that the Indian rural markets are currently undergoing through digital transformation and also discusses the possible avenues for rural development and growth of the national economy. METHODS: This paper studies the extant literature on the Indian rural market and understands its potential resources for which the Indian government is leveraging efforts for the national wide digitalization. The study conducted focused group discussion (FGD) with 23 industrial digital marketing experts who are working in rural areas. RESULTS: The findings illustrated literacy rate, resources non-availability, obsolete traditions and culture, unemployment, low income, crime and violence as problems; communication barriers, lack of government coordination, inadequate media coverage, lack of infrastructure, varying purchasing decisions as challenges; easiness through ICT, penetrating into export-import markets, expanding consumer markets, increase in employment as exciting opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the most potential barriers of rural markets and suggests a steady approach of digitalization to bring the rural consumers closer to the entrepreneurs.