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Ecolabels will undoubtedly play a central role in promoting more sustainable production methods and consumption behaviors. Although numerous recent studies have explored consumer awareness, interpretation and preferences toward ecolabels and certifications, little is yet known about how they perceive the regulatory schemes that underpin them.

Data were collected using a survey answered by a representative random sample of 1,032 Canadian consumers. Unconstrained partial-proportional odds models were used to perform statistical analyses.

The results suggest that consumers generally do not differentiate between regulatory schemes for organic, local and non-GMO products. The level of perceived control and strictness appears to be influenced by multiple variables involving risk perception, trust and motivations, although this influence varies across labels.

In addition to geographical specificities, this survey includes self-reported variables that might be subject to desirability biases and intention variables which do not necessarily predict behavior. Finally, this study does not consider interaction effects, since claims and ecolabels have not been studied in relation to specific products.

These misperceptions about ecolabels' regulatory schemes could be addressed through better communication about schemes and certifications, although the authors agree that information alone would not be enough to deal with the trust issue suggested by the results. Deliberative and behavioral approaches might be more efficient to embed consumers' values, perceptions and concerns related to food labeling and certifications into the policymaking process.

This work explores the role played by risk perceptions, trust, egoistic and altruistic motives, and the importance of third-party certifications in the consumer's understanding of ecolabels' regulatory schemes.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Fukushima nuclear disaster (FND) that occurred 11 March 2011 through the lens of the systemic and complexity theory. This analysis allows the proposition of some guidelines for the development of a more preventive and ethical approach in crisis management, including changes in human resource management and training.

Thanks to a layered analysis of the complex system that represents the FND and an actor/stake approach, this paper sheds light on the many failures that occurred on the personal, organizational, institutional, political and cultural level.

This analysis highlights that, beyond the apparent simplicity of the natural trigger events, a complex network of legal, cultural and technological paradigms, as well as the defense mechanisms of personal and organizational moral disengagement, have structured the context of this crisis, allowing for an event to turn into this disaster.

This study shows the limit of classical approach towards crisis management such as probabilistic risk assessment in terms of systemic and complexity: the assessment could be easily overcome if the mindset of the organization leaders is not already oriented towards preventive management.

The value of this study is participating to the effort of showing the need to develop more preventive mindsets and behaviours in the global economy, dealing with worldwide and complex issues.