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Article
Publication date: 20 November 2020

Linda Ferrari, Chad M. Baum, Alessandro Banterle and Hans De Steur

This study jointly examines consumer attitudes towards gene-edited (GE) food and their preferences for labelling such products. Thus, it contributes to understanding the role of…

1494

Abstract

Purpose

This study jointly examines consumer attitudes towards gene-edited (GE) food and their preferences for labelling such products. Thus, it contributes to understanding the role of educational background, objective/subjective knowledge, environmental concern and socio-demographics in the context of GE food.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered to two generations of young individuals (millennials and Generation Z; n = 234) from two neighbouring European Union (EU) regions (Belgium and The Netherlands), which have a stringent policy on (labelling) genetically modified (GM) food. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and ordered logit models (OLMs) were employed to identify key determinants of attitudes towards GE food and GE labelling preferences, respectively.

Findings

Attitudes towards GE food were determined by environmental concern (negative) and objective knowledge (positive). Key factors influencing preferences for GE labelling were a non-hard-scientific background, knowledge about relevant policies and a negative attitude towards GE food. Preference for applying a similar labelling policy to both GM and GE was itself linked to having low, objective EU policy-related GM food knowledge and one's nationality.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine consumer attitudes towards GE food products, while also addressing a lack of research on GE food labelling preferences. By highlighting the preferences of young generations for a revised policy approach, this study sheds new light on the current GE debate, notably, by promoting a deeper understanding of a group which has so far received limited attention in the discourse on the acceptance of novel plant-breeding technologies.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 123 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 February 2025

Marie Claire Custodio, Jhoanne Ynion, Matty Demont and Hans De Steur

This paper aims to analyze and compare consumers’ acceptance and valuation of brown, colored and low glycemic index rice and identify the factors that influence their willingness…

66

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze and compare consumers’ acceptance and valuation of brown, colored and low glycemic index rice and identify the factors that influence their willingness to pay (WTP).

Design/methodology/approach

A stated-preference survey was conducted among 600 middle-class urban consumers in the Philippines, using a contingent valuation approach with a between-subjects design. The data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple linear regression.

Findings

Consumers accepted healthier rice types, but they discounted them relative to premium white rice, despite receiving product-specific information on health benefits. Consumers’ household income, attitude toward healthy eating and their diet quality had significant effects on WTP. Snack occasions could serve as entry points for healthier rice rather than targeting the substitution of white rice during main eating occasions. Generic information on nutritional benefits of healthier rice products was insufficient to nudge consumers’ intentions toward integrating these products into their diets.

Practical implications

The empirical contribution provides insights for breeding programs on the design of rice target product profiles that incorporate nutritional attributes.

Originality/value

The current study addresses the gap in consumer preference studies by evaluating nutrition-related attributes of rice. Measures of attitude toward food-based dietary guidelines and indicators of diet quality were included in the set of predictors that may influence WTP. The results provide insights for designing nutrition education programs to promote healthier rice in the context of healthy eating habits and to enhance the health benefits of consumers’ current diets. Future studies should further explore different types of nutrition nudges that encourage consumers to eat healthier rice-based dishes and test nutrition communication strategies that move from a narrow product focus to a broader emphasis on dietary diversity by promoting healthier dishes based on healthier rice products.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 127 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Article
Publication date: 9 July 2019

Joanita Kataike, Adrienn Molnar, Hans De Steur and Xavier Gellynck

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of chain governance on chain performance among the chain members.

369

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of chain governance on chain performance among the chain members.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was conducted in a triadic context with 345 chain members (115 dairy farmers, 115 dairy cooperative managers, and 115 processors) of the dairy sector in Uganda. Data collection was performed through simple random sampling by survey questionnaires with the chain executives. SEM was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results revealed several chain governance structures (spot market, relational, contractual and mini integration) confirmed the hypothesized correlations on chain performance at different chain levels. The authors found a positive influence of relational governance on chain performance for all the chain members; however, the effect is stronger at the first supplier chain level.

Originality/value

This triadic chain approach makes an original contribution to the chain governance structures and chain performance literature in the supply chain context. Studies analyzing all aspects of chain governance structure and chain performance at three chain levels are limited.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 121 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Joseph Birundu Mogendi, Hans De Steur, Anselimo Makokha and Xavier Gellynck

Despite the large body of research on consumers’ willingness-to-pay for new food, few studies have tried to integrate new technology-based systems and improve their validity. The…

209

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the large body of research on consumers’ willingness-to-pay for new food, few studies have tried to integrate new technology-based systems and improve their validity. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the integration of short messaging service (SMS) in experimental auctions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a case study on iodine biofortified food with 180 household decision makers in Africa, a standard Becker-Degroot-Marschak procedure was compared with the novel SMS-based procedure through five information/auction rounds. Thereby, a standard protocol commonly employed in validation of medical diagnostic tests was adopted, assessing the sensitivity, specificity, precision, negative predictive values, likelihood ratios and post-test probability.

Findings

The SMS-based elicitation exhibited high levels of sensitivity (89-95 per cent), specificity (63-73 per cent), precision (40-60 per cent), NPV (92-98 per cent), LR+(2.6-3.3) and LR−(0.08-0.2) for all the auction rounds. The post-test plot indicates that the novel procedure is particularly consistent in ascertaining positive and negative valuations for a new food product.

Originality/value

Even though SMS-based bidding is shown to be an accurate, but also convenient and attractive bidding procedure, which is in line with novel ways of purchasing food, further validation is inevitable to determine its reliability in different contexts and its most effective use.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 118 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Article
Publication date: 12 December 2019

Joshua Wesana, Joachim J. Schouteten, Evi Van Acker, Xavier Gellynck and Hans De Steur

While trends of health and well-being have boosted the development of sports nutrition products, consumer research is limited. The purpose of this paper is to profile sports…

1328

Abstract

Purpose

While trends of health and well-being have boosted the development of sports nutrition products, consumer research is limited. The purpose of this paper is to profile sports nutrition users and non-users, and to explain users’ preference and equity of sports nutrition brands.

Design/methodology/approach

A large online survey (n=3,165) was conducted with users and non-users of sports nutrition drinks in Belgium. Profiling was based on socio-demographic and sport related variables. For users, brand preference and equity of three key sports nutrition brands (n=1,075) were measured. Thereby, a three-dimensional consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) model was applied.

Findings

Both the socio-demographic (gender, age, education and employment status) and sport profile (frequency, context, reasons and sports nutrition advice) had a significant influence on respondents’ likelihood to use sports nutrition products. For brand preference, the effect of sport and socio-demographic profile was only partially confirmed, with advice and frequency of sport participation being most influential. Furthermore, users’ brand equity was shown to be positively affected by brand quality and brand loyalty, while the impact of brand awareness/associations was not significant for all brands.

Research limitations/implications

Insights in the role of the sport and socio-demographic profiles contribute to the understanding of general and brand-specific sports nutrition use. The insignificance of brand awareness/associations for Brand A points to the notion of other implicit factors that possibly mask or transform the effect of brand awareness, yet do not influence brand quality and loyalty. Future theory development could integrate the CBBE model with other explanatory determinants related to consumer (health) behavior theories, or consumer perceptions on marketing efforts, while brand equity measurement could be extended with financial measures.

Practical implications

Variations in the impact of brand equity dimensions further lend support for the diversification of marketing strategies in the sports nutrition sector.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine the customer market of sports nutrition products and brands.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 122 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 February 2024

Duc Tran, Hans De Steur, Xavier Gellynck, Andreas Papadakis and Joachim J. Schouteten

This study aims to investigate the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on consumers' evaluation of blockchain-based traceability information. It also examined how the use of quick…

1863

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on consumers' evaluation of blockchain-based traceability information. It also examined how the use of quick response (QR) codes for traceability affects consumers' evaluation of traceable food products.

Design/methodology/approach

An online choice experiment was conducted to determine consumers' evaluation of the blockchain-based traceability of Feta cheese with a quota sample of 715 Greek consumers. Pearson bivariate correlation and mean comparison were used to examine the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and QR use behaviour. Random parameter logit models were employed to examine consumers’ valuation of the examined attributes and interaction terms.

Findings

The results show that ethnocentric consumers are willing to pay more for blockchain-based traceability information. Ethnocentric consumers tend to scan QR codes with traceability information. Spending more time reading traceability information embedded in QR codes does not lead to a higher willingness-to-pay (WTP) for traceable food products.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that patriotic marketing messages can draw consumers' attention to blockchain-based traceability information. The modest WTP for and low familiarity with blockchain-based traceability systems raise the need for educating consumers regarding the benefits of blockchain in traceability systems.

Originality/value

This is the first study to provide timely empirical evidence of a positive WTP for blockchain-based traceability information for a processed dairy product. This study is the first to attempt to distinguish the effects of the intention to scan QR codes and reading information embedded in QR codes on consumers’ valuation of food attributes.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 126 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Article
Publication date: 26 August 2014

Hans De Steur, Filiep Vanhonacker, Shuyi Feng, Xiaoping Shi, Wim Verbeke and Xavier Gellynck

Experimental auctions are widely used as a non-hypothetical value elicitation method to examine consumer preferences for novel, controversial foods. However, despite its…

556

Abstract

Purpose

Experimental auctions are widely used as a non-hypothetical value elicitation method to examine consumer preferences for novel, controversial foods. However, despite its advantages over hypothetical methods, its practice might lead to a wide variety of biases. The purpose of this paper is to provide a list of key cognitive biases and design effects in food auction research and to deliver scientifically underpinned procedures in order to assess, control and reduce them. Its applicability and relevance is examined in auctions on willingness-to-pay for folate (GM) biofortified rice.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on auction literature, a list of 18 biases has been developed. Experimental auctions were conducted with 252 women from Shanxi Province, China to test the occurrence of eight biases, while demonstrating measures to reduce the risk of ten biases.

Findings

The results lend support for three information-related effects, i.e. confirmation bias, conflicting product information effects and a primacy bias, but not for a multiple-good valuation effect, a panel size effect, a trial winner effect and time-related sampling biases. Furthermore, there are no clear indications of social desirability bias, auction fever and a false consensus effect.

Research limitations/implications

This study emphasizes the need to take into account, and measure the risk of various biases when developing, organizing and interpreting experimental auctions. Future research should further extend the list of biases and validate the study findings.

Originality/value

By using a highly topical subject, this study is one of the first to address the potential risk of cognitive biases and design effects in experimental (food) auctions.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

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Article
Publication date: 5 January 2015

Virginie Marie Lefebvre, Hans De Steur and Xavier Gellynck

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that different external sources of knowledge play in product, process, market and organizational innovations in food SMEs.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that different external sources of knowledge play in product, process, market and organizational innovations in food SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a web-survey of 214 food European SMEs. Binary logistic regression models were utilized for data analysis.

Findings

The findings support the recent studies that suggest that the introduction of different types of innovation is associated with different types of source of knowledge. They indicate that collaboration with customers matter for product innovations in food SMEs while collaboration with competitors is more important for organizational innovations in this type of firm. In addition, collaboration with science base actors does not appear relevant to innovation in food SMEs, supporting previous works that highlight the predominant role of market base actors in innovation in this type of firm.

Research limitations/implications

In line with previous research on innovation in SMEs, the generalization of the findings to all European food SMEs may be limited due to the low response rate and the difficulties in collecting innovation data from micro-firms. Data used in the study were gathered from single informants also which may have resulted in self-report bias. Besides, cross-sectional data were employed so no causal inferences could be drawn.

Originality/value

Although the food industry is a major sector for the European economy, little attention has been given to the sources of knowledge that may be used for innovation in this industry. This paper offers interesting insights into the importance of external sources for innovation. Moreover, past research dealing with collaboration for innovation usually focus on product and process innovations. The paper adds to these by incorporating market and organizational innovations.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 117 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Book part
Publication date: 12 February 2013

Bram Verschuere and Eline Beddeleem

As public service deliverers, funded by public money and performing tasks on behalf of government, many non-profit organisations (NPOs) are under pressure to increase their…

Abstract

As public service deliverers, funded by public money and performing tasks on behalf of government, many non-profit organisations (NPOs) are under pressure to increase their performance. More and more NPOs have to prove they work efficiently, effectively and in line with the overall mission. As a result, the challenges these organisations are confronted with put pressure on their management. For NPOs, innovation and performance are managerial key issues. Ultimately, the question is what the factors are that lead to innovation and/or improved organisational performance in NPOs, given their important role in public service delivery, often acting as agents of government. For academics, this creates an ambitious research agenda. With a risk to oversimplify the picture, we could summarise this agenda as consisting of some crucial descriptive and explanatory questions. Major descriptive research questions concern the level of innovative behaviour of NPOs, their performance, and their organisational governance characteristics. In terms of explanations, there is a possible relationship between organisational governance features and organisational performance, between organisational governance features and innovation, and between innovation and organisational performance. In this chapter, we discuss the recent academic research concerning these issues, and, secondly, based on the assessment of this literature, we will propose some directions and challenges for such a research agenda.

Details

Conceptualizing and Researching Governance in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-657-6

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Article
Publication date: 7 August 2018

Weiwei Zhu, Nengzhi (Chris) Yao, Ben Ma and Fangbin Wang

The purpose of this paper is to explore consumers’ intention to purchase genetically modified (GM) food from the perspective of risk information.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore consumers’ intention to purchase genetically modified (GM) food from the perspective of risk information.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was proposed in which intention to purchase GM food is stimulated by the combination and complex effects of knowledge, risk perception, information need, information seeking and attitude. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in Jinan, Shandong Province. A total of 757 valid samples (55.6 percent of women vs men) were involved to conduct structural equation model analysis.

Findings

Results demonstrated that attitude is the most important predictor of intention to purchase GM food. Attitude, in turn, is predicted by risk perception and information seeking. Risk perception is a significant determinant of information need and information seeking. Moreover, information need influences information seeking. Finally, knowledge plays a critical role in risk perception and intention. Overall, the explained variance of the model is 66 percent.

Originality/value

The study provides new insights explaining intention to purchase GM food by constructing a conceptual model from the perspective of risk information. In this model, knowledge, risk perception, information need and information seeking are all based on information related to GM food, resulting in attitude and intention to purchase.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 120 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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