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British Food Journal
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.5  Citation Impact (citeScore): 2 Number of Followers: 16  Hybrid journal * Containing 31  Open Access article(s) in this issue *ISSN (Print) 0007-070X - ISSN (Online) 1758-4108 Published by Emerald  [362 journals]
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- Mobile applications to reduce food waste in supply chains:
a systematic literature review-
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Authors: Jiequan Hong, Anicia Jaegler, Olivier Gergaud
Abstract: With the launch of mobile applications to reduce food waste, this study reviews scholarly articles to answer the questions: (1) What research topics are extensively discussed in relation to food waste mobile applications (FWMA)' (2) How do these applications impact food waste and food poverty' (3) At which stage of the supply chain are digital applications employed' This paper conducts a systematic literature review of scholarly articles on the topic of mobile applications and food waste to answer three research questions. The article provides a definition of mobile applications to reduce food waste. Most published studies on mobile applications are from developed countries. Over half of the applications address procurement and consumption along the supply chain. The applications are categorized by food saving method and used in studies on innovation management, platform relations and performance, the supply chain activities impacted and platform acceptance. The articles and applications analyzed suggest more quantitative studies. A wider range of cases in diverse cultural settings is needed, as well as analyses of the factors influencing the development, performance and market acceptance of platforms. This study is the first study to systematically review the relevant scholarly contributions related to mobile applications, an innovative practice that helps reduce food waste. It allows making an initial progress report on the research carried out.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-26
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0742
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- In search of restaurant excellence in Peru: key insights on food values
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Authors: Idelia Mirta Cristóbal-Lobatón, María Pilar Martínez-Ruiz, Jorge Luis López-Sánchez, Carlos Pozo-Curo
Abstract: The restaurants in Peru enjoy today a high level of international recognition, and the gastronomy of the country is recognised as one of the best in the world. For this reason, aspiring to excellence should be one of the priorities in the industry, which should mean, among other things, enhancing those aspects related to food with the greatest impact on the maximum level of customer satisfaction. However, to the authors knowledge, this research line has not been addressed before in the context of Peruvian restaurant, so that this research focuses on assessing the influence of food – through the concept of food values –, on the probability of reaching the maximum level of satisfaction both with the food consumption experience and with the foods consumed in restaurants in Peru. This research also takes into account differences according to the geographical origin of the customers. An in-person survey of customers was conducted at the exit of different flagship restaurants with a high level of recognition and tourist orientation in the department of Ayacucho (Peru) between September and November 2022. Five restaurants acknowledged as tourist restaurants were selected for this study, of which, one has been officially granted the status of Tourist Restaurant and One Fork, in accordance with the Peruvian legal regulations. A total of 468 valid questionnaires were collected. The database was analysed using descriptive statistics, principal component factor analysis for food values, and binary logistic regressions. The following food values factors emerged from the factorial analysis: “Image and Accessibility (IAA)”, “Ethics and Sustainability (EAS)” and “Natural Food-Safe (NFS)”. For the overall sample, IAA is more influential in the probability of obtaining the maximum level of both satisfactions (i.e. satisfaction with the food consumption experience and with the foods consumed in restaurants in Peru). In second place, EAS, as well as NFS (the latter one with a significance level of 90%), also affect, in this order, the probability of obtaining the highest level of satisfaction, but only with the foods consumed. When the geographical origin of the customer is considered (regional, national, international), interesting findings appear. For national customers, IAA is the factor with the greatest impact on the probability of achieving the maximum level of the endogenous satisfaction variables considered, followed by EAS, whilst for regional customers, only EAS is found to be influential in the probability of obtaining the maximum level of both types of satisfaction. For international customers, no factor is found to exert a significant influence. This is the first study to assess the influence of food values on the maximum level of satisfaction among restaurant customers in Peru with both the food consumption experience and the foods consumed. Thus, this research represents a notable contribution to this research line, especially considering the great international reputation of Peruvian cuisine.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-25
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-03-2023-0198
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Explore, eat and revisit: does local food consumption value influence the
destination’s food image'-
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Authors: Vikas Gupta, Antonino Galati, Savita Sharma
Abstract: This research investigates how foreign tourists' revisit intentions are influenced by their local food consumption (LFC) value by emphasizing their attitude towards the local food and the corresponding destination food image. It will also reveal the foreign tourists' food consumption value and explore its influences on the destination's food image. The data collection was performed from 433 foreign tourists who visited Delhi, India, using a structured survey instrument and chief constructs were measured as the first-order reflective variables. The 39 items associated with the LFC value underwent both exploratory and confirmatory evaluations. The authors employed partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The model's discriminant and convergent validity, consistency and overall fit were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The findings revealed that “tourists' attitudes and behaviors toward the local cuisine” had a significant and positive influence on their “intention to visit/revisit” and “intention to recommend”. Also, “destination food image” significantly and positively influenced the “intention of tourist to visit/revisit”; however, it negatively and insignificantly influenced the “intention of tourists to recommend”. This research used five variables related to LFC—quality, health/nutrition, emotion, prestige and price—that impact tourists' attitudes and behaviors toward local foods in Delhi. However, in addition to these constructs, other factors or constructs may be involved that could affect the tourists' attitudes and behaviors. Future studies might explore and include these constructs to provide a more comprehensive image of Delhi's LFC value. Understanding tourists' food-linked behaviors is critical for effective market conduct. However, the interrelations between travelers' destination food image, LFC value, their perceptions of the local cuisine and behavioral intentions are still unknown, and this will be one of the first attempts to discuss these behaviors.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-25
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0844
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Unveiling sustainable service innovations: exploring segmentation patterns
in Ecuadorian restaurant sector-
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Authors: María Gabriela Montesdeoca Calderon, Irene Gil-Saura, María-Eugenia Ruiz-Molina, Carlos Martin-Rios
Abstract: This paper aims to analyze the relationship between sustainability practices and the degree of innovation in the service provided by restaurants. The study identifies relevant restaurant segments in relation to sustainable practice-based service innovation so that effective actions to raise awareness and train managers and staff may be developed. Segmentation has been identified as a key tool when designing strategies and proposing actions. Yet, the use of segmentation techniques is still scarce regarding service innovation and sustainability in restaurants. A segmentation analysis was carried out applying the CHAID algorithm from 300 valid questionnaires completed by restaurant owners or managers from coastal Ecuador, where tourism and gastronomy may be drivers of service innovation. A typology of restaurants based on the sustainability-service innovation interrelation suggests three final segments: sustainable innovators focused on the value chain, moderate innovators focused on saving resources and restaurants with a low innovative profile. The three segments derived from the analysis present differences in terms of the degree of implementation of sustainability practices, as well as in terms of the demographic profile of the restaurant manager. These segments are measurable, substantial, accessible and actionable, so that tailored initiatives to raise awareness and boost sustainability-oriented innovativeness among restaurant owners/managers may be targeted to each group of establishments. The present research provides evidence of the positive relationship between sustainability practices and service innovation in foodservices. The segments of restaurants identified enable the design and implementation of actions that facilitate the transition of less sustainability-oriented restaurants towards more innovative and sustainable business models.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-19
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0023
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Deleterious food socialization: the negative impacts of the school
environment on children's food well-being-
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Authors: Rodolfo Rodrigues Rocha, Daniel Faria Chaim, Andres Rodriguez Veloso, Murilo Lima Araújo Costa, Roberto Flores Falcão
Abstract: Food socialization is the process of influences that forms children's eating habits and preferences, affecting their well-being for life. The authors' study explores what children and adolescents eat and how they obtain food at school, aiming to describe the deleterious food socialization phenomenon. The authors focused on understanding how deleterious food socialization influences children's food well-being within the school environment. The authors developed a mixed methodology using structured questionnaires with open and closed questions. The authors also took pictures of the schools' canteens, which allowed deepening the understanding of the school environment. The data collection occurred in two Brazilian private schools. The schools' teachers were responsible for collecting 388 useful questionnaires from students between 10 and 14 years old. The authors found statistically significant differences between food originating at home and school. The amount of ultra-processed foods and beverages consumed at home and taken by children and adolescents from home to school is smaller than what they buy in the school canteen or get from their colleagues. Thus, the authors suggest that the school environment tends to be more harmful to infant feeding than the domestic one. This study coins the concept of deleterious food socialization: situations or environments in which the food socialization process negatively impacts one's well-being. The authors' results illustrate the deleterious food socialization phenomenon in the school environment.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0825
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Circular economy in aquaculture: the perspectives of aspiring future
operators-
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Authors: Margherita Masi, Piermichele La Sala, Benedetta Coluccia, Felice Adinolfi, Yari Vecchio
Abstract: This study investigates the views of Italian aquaculture production science students, in their role of future operators, on the application of circular economy strategies. A key step in the development of professional knowledge is to solicit the opinions of the future operators in the aquaculture sector. The authors used the Q methodology to assess the perceptions of the students on four different knowledge dimensions of the CE: operations, culture and organization, products and services, and ecosystem. Four discourses emerge from the results, representing the respondents' views on the CE. The first discourse considers CE as business strategy applicable to products and services, the second a corporate mission and the fourth an operational efficiency strategy. Finally, the third discourse views CE as a multidimensional concept. This study contributes to the scientific and institutional debate on how to accelerate the aquaculture's circular transition. First and foremost, it offers insights to guide policy makers in the development of appropriate knowledge and information systems. Second, it offers the opportunity to improve training programmes to enable current students to be prepared for the future challenges. The results reflect a different perceived knowledge of CE among future operators, whose opinions are little explored in the literature.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-14
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1140
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Food choices and perceptions of consumers with body image dissatisfaction
about the “healthy foods” section of a supermarket-
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Authors: Kharla Janinny Medeiros, Giana Zarbato Longo, Giovanna M.R. Fiates
Abstract: Social expectations of body image can generate negative body feelings, exacerbate compensatory behaviors and discourage healthy food choices. This study examined the food choices and perceptions of adult consumers dissatisfied with their body image about food products available in the “healthy foods” section of a Brazilian supermarket. Exploratory, descriptive and qualitative study. Body image dissatisfaction was assessed with the self-reported silhouette scale validated for the Brazilian population. Chosen items were classified according with degree of processing. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 26 men and women and transcribed and thematically analyzed. Participants chose 81 food products, most of which (53%) were ultra-processed. Thematic analysis revealed that participants were motivated mainly by consumption habits, preference, convenience and brand loyalty. Participants questioned the concept of health promoted by the supermarket and suggested that the kind of food items available in “healthy foods section” may confuse consumers about the healthfulness of packaged processed foods (PF). Despite being critical of the concept of healthfulness promoted by the supermarket, participants predominantly selected ultra-processed foods (UPF) mentioning health-related motivations for their selection, revealing a realm of contradictions. The results indicate that, for individuals dissatisfied with their body image due to overweight and with emotional eating behavior, the environment of the healthy foods section of supermarkets is not conducive to healthy food shopping. Qualitative approach can bring results which add to the body of evidence on the importance of the food environment's influence on food choices, especially of individuals prone to making poor choices for the sake of improving their perceived body image.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-11
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0113
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Information on the processing of organic food: consumers' perception
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Authors: Fiorella Sinesio, Anna Saba, Elisabetta Moneta, Marina Peparaio, Eleonora Saggia Civitelli, Flavio Paoletti
Abstract: The study aimed to investigate consumers’ views on criteria to be claimed for organic processed foods and information to be communicated. An online survey was carried out among 439 adults living in Italy, users of processed organic food, to gather opinions on criteria that processing of organic food should meet and on the terms that best define “careful” processing. Next, a conjoint design was applied to examine the effects of five independent factors on consumers' ideal concept of “organic”; these were potential information on packaging, processing, additives and product quality, and the type of food product. Three products with different processing level were selected: an ultra-processed and multi-ingredient product (vegetable burger), a processed product preserved by canning (peas in glass jar) and a minimally processed product (bagged salad). The findings highlight that consumers attach more importance to the organic food carrier than the informational messages. Information on the processing and packaging follows, with messages on quality and on additives seemingly of minor importance. Three clusters of respondents were identified: those driven primarily by the type of organic food (24.6%), those placing more emphasis on product processing (21.3%), and a third larger cluster (54.1%) who expressed almost equal importance to all the factors considered. As for the processing of organic products, “eco-friendly” was the best message. This paper offers insights into what best outlines the ideal concept of “processed organic food” as seen by organic food consumers, to be communicated to better guide their purchasing decisions.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-08
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-04-2023-0317
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Consumers' insight and behaviour towards mango quality and
safety attributes: implications for integrated value chain development-
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Authors: Sohail Ayyaz, Lawrence Bryan Bonney, Rajendra Adhikari
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to segment Pakistani consumers based on their insights and preference towards mango quality and safety attributes and to demographically characterise each segment so that effective value chain (VC) development strategies may be developed. Factor and cluster analysis were applied to data collected from 400 mango buyers randomly selected from seven different cities in Pakistan. This empirical study identified four distinct segments of mango consumers in Pakistan. The diversity of consumers' perception was mainly based on four factors: food safety, price and marketing, physical quality and shelf life. Based on their demographic characteristics and preferences for product attributes, the identified consumer segments can be classified as “traditional consumers,” “safety-conscious consumers,” price and market-sensitive consumers,” quality-sensitive consumers” and “perfect consumers.” This knowledge is useful to develop mango VCs that target specific consumer segments based on their chain level abilities and aspirations. This study offers actors of mango VCs an enhanced understanding of consumer segments based on their perceived preferences towards the quality and safety attributes of mangoes, which would help VC actors design and develop business strategies that deliver value specific to each consumer segments. Findings of this study could also be useful to policy makers to design extension strategies that promote food safety and quality standards in mango VCs. Moreover, this study presents yet another case of consumer segmentation study for VC development in developing countries, adding a stepping stone towards a general VC theory development. The findings stimulate the momentum of the growing literature, particularly in the developing countries on consumer insights and behaviour toward fruit quality and safety attributes of mangoes.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-09-07
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0022
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Exploring consumer perceptions and familiarity on apple production and
processing under different conditions: conventional, organic, home-made,
artisanal and industrial-
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Authors: Lucia Espinosa-Brisset, Caroline Pénicaud, Isabelle Souchon, Anne Saint-Eve
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to better understand consumer's familiarity with fruit processing as well as how fruit production conditions (organic and conventional farming), processing conditions (homemade, artisanal and industrial) and the type of processing (e.g. applesauce, apple cider and apple sorbet) influence consumer perceptions of processed fruits. An online survey questionnaire was applied to 1,000 people living in France. The people represented different genders, ages (18–60+) and sociodemographic categories. Participants were categorized based on their produce purchasing habits (conventional, local, organic, local-organic). The questionnaire contained multiple choice and five point Likert scale questions. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests. The authors found that participants saw year-round availability, fruit preservation and food waste reduction as processing advantages. Locally sourced products were preferred to organic products. The perceived disadvantages to processing were additive usage, nutrient loss and packaging. For consumers, these disadvantages drove highly differentiated perceptions of industrial versus artisanal/homemade apple products. Processing conditions appeared to matter far more than production conditions (organic vs. conventional). In general, consumers weren't familiar with processing operations, awareness was greater for consumers of local and/or organic produce than conventional consumers. There must be a societal transition toward healthier diets, and food technologies. Informed consumers, might be better equipped to make healthy, informed choices if the consumers are given quality information about food production and processing at different levels. Research has shown that consumers view fresh organic fruit positively, but only few studies have looked at perceptions of processed fruit products and their familiarity with processing operations. Results of this study demonstrate that consumers could make better choices if the consumers are given quality information about fruit production and processing.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-31
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0026
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- A systematic review of the literature on agri-food business models:
critical review and research agenda-
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Authors: F. Javier Miranda, José Manuel García-Gallego, Antonio Chamorro-Mera, Víctor Valero-Amaro, Sergio Rubio
Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the way in which research on new business models in agri-food sector has been developed, in order to identify the main lines of work followed and determine a future research agenda in this field. A systematic review of the literature is carried out, by applying the PRISMA method to identify and classify the main articles published on agri-food business models in journals included in the Web of Science Core Collection database. The systematic literature review has identified three main forms of business models in the agri-food sector: sustainable business models, technology-based business models and cooperative business models. The three types of new business models are complementary and can sometimes be adopted together. The identification of these types of business models and the variants included in each of them is a valid starting point for new developments in this field. The limitations of this study are those typical of any literature review and derived from the methodology used. The establishment of criteria relating to time, language, type of publication or database chosen means that this review may have left out relevant studies in this field of research. It is therefore recommended that new reviews be carried out with different criteria in the coming years in order to supplement the results obtained in this study. Some research gaps were identified that should be further explored in the future. First, the relationship between digitisation and technological innovation in agri-food business models and the level of implementation of sustainable objectives in these business models has not been researched thoroughly. In addition, and despite the fact that the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted innovation in agri-food business models, the authors have detected a lack of papers focused on solving problems arising from the shortage of raw materials or labour, possible energy crises or external dependence on local markets when it comes to meeting demand. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the limitations of international markets, mainly the European market, when it comes to dealing with problems arising from this type of crisis.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-31
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1102
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Identifying key factors that encourage vegetable intake by young adults:
using the health belief model-
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Authors: Heather Hartwell, Jeff Bray, Natalia Lavrushkina, Jodie Lacey, Vanessa Mello Rodrigues, Ana Carolina Fernandes, Greyce Luci Bernardo, Suellen Secchi Martinelli, Suzi Barletto Cavalli, Rossana Pacheco da Costa Proença
Abstract: Adequate vegetable consumption is fundamental to a healthy balanced diet; however, global compliance with recommendations is poor which is particularly important for young adults as they form food consumption habits. There is a growing interest in the circular economy of hospitality and sustainability of current dietary patterns in light of climate change and an expanding global population. The food value chain needs to be considered both vertically and horizontally where the research and development (R&D) investment is optimised by being “joined up” and not fragmentary; in addition, consumer trade-offs of health vs for example sensory appeal are taken into consideration. The purpose of this study was to identify factors predicting acceptance of vegetable dishes by young adults and present a roadmap that can be used for dish development and healthful marketing. This study used the health belief model (HBM) as framework to investigate key factors that encourage vegetable intake by young adults using an online questionnaire sample of 444 enrolled in undergraduate programs at universities in Brazil. Structural modelling showed that vegetable consumption frequency was positively influenced by Health concerns, Naturalness and Self-efficacy (including cooking skills), whereas Sensory factors and Familiarity demonstrated a negative loading that might be related to unpleasantness. Globally, there is a strong need to promote the consumption of vegetables as a public health policy priority but also to ameliorate barriers to action that could be facilitated by availability, dish development and healthful marketing in hospitality operations.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-29
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0905
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Exploring consumers' attitude and intent to purchase organic food in an
emerging market context: a pre-/post COVID-19 pandemic analysis-
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Authors: Youssef Chetioui, Irfan Butt, Hind Lebdaoui, Mary Grace Neville, Laila El Bouzidi
Abstract: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the upward trend of organic food (OF) consumption is no longer restrained to western markets but has also extended to emerging markets in different parts of the world. Still, extent post-pandemic literature has devoted little attention to the factors shaping consumers' intent to purchase organic food in developing markets. The current research empirically investigates the antecedents of consumers' attitude and intent to purchase organic food in an emerging market context (i.e. Morocco). This research also explores the differences between OF consumers' manifest attitudes prior to and following the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the study's objectives, data were collected from 1,060 Moroccan respondents using online self-administered questionnaires in two different eras: prior to the COVID-19 pandemic with a total of 441 valid responses and following the pandemic with 619 valid responses. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to validate the data, and a partial least squares (PLS) estimation was used to test the hypotheses. First, attitude towards OF has a significant impact on consumers' purchase intention; at the same time, it is influenced by subjective norms, organic labeling, perceived behavioral control, health consciousness, and environmental concern. This study's findings also suggest subjective norms, organic labeling, perceived behavioral control, health consciousness, environmental concern, age, and income as the key determinants of consumers' intention to purchase OF. Second, the IPMA analysis suggests that while health consciousness, organic labeling and perceived behavioral control are the most important constructs influencing attitude towards OF, consumers' purchase intention is mostly influenced by health consciousness, attitude towards OF and age. Finally, the PLS-Multigroup Analysis conveyed few discrepancies in the results when comparing the two eras (i.e. subjective norms and age had more significant impacts on consumers' purchase intent following the COVID-19 pandemic). This study provides organic food retailers and practitioners with a deeper understanding of the key aspects shaping consumers' intent to purchase organic products in emerging markets. The comparative analysis will also provide important insights on how to shape consumers' attitudes and purchase intentions in a new-normal marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study's findings contribute to the growing literature on consumers' behavior in the organic food industry, particularly in developing countries where research is still narrow. This study's study is the first of its kind to compare consumers' intention to purchase organic food before and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-29
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1070
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Sustainable and circular practices in the hotel industry in Southern
Italy: opportunities, barriers and trends in food waste management-
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Authors: Giovanni Lagioia, Vera Amicarelli, Rossana Strippoli, Christian Bux, Teodoro Gallucci
Abstract: The hotel industry is one of the leading producers of waste worldwide, and more than one-third of that waste is food. The purpose of this study is to investigate hotel managers' awareness of sustainable and circular practices, with a focus on their attitude toward and perception of food waste in Apulia, Southern Italy. The region has a tourist vocation, accounts for 3.3 million tourists per year and plays a key role in the Italian tourism. The study was conducted using a questionnaire administered to ten hotel managers located in Apulia. In light of the Checkup Tool Speditivo, a sustainability score indicates managers' awareness of and attitude toward sustainability and circularity, distinguishing between “beginner” (0–25 points), “concerned” (26–50 points), “proactivist” (51–75 points) and “sustainable” (76–100 points). The results have been analyzed using descriptive statistic tools. The average sustainability score indicating the level of awareness of sustainable and circular practices among hotel managers in Apulia was 84, whereas the average score associated with their attitude toward food waste management strategies was 65. The greater the number of stars, the higher the sustainability scores. However, the greater the number of rooms, the lower the attitude toward food waste management strategies. The study sheds light on the main opportunities, barriers and trends in the field of food waste management, highlighting the food commodities which are wasted the most and proposing further strategies to improve circularity and sustainability in hotels. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first on such topics in Southern Italy and could represent the basis for future research on the topic.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-25
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1144
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- How country image of an exporting country buffers against the impact of
food safety incidents on consumer trust and purchase intention: an
experimental study-
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Authors: Ningning Feng, Airong Zhang, Rieks Dekker van Klinken, Lijuan Cui
Abstract: The present experimental study aims to investigate when a food safety incident occurs, how country image influences consumers' trust and purchase intention, as well as the relationship between trust and purchase intention. Participants (N = 1,590) were randomly allocated into one of the eight conditions [(country competence: high vs low) × (country warmth: high vs low) × (clean green image: high vs low)], read the corresponding country image descriptions, and rated measures on trust in food safety and quality, and purchase intention of fruit imported from this exporting country before and after reading a fictional food safety incident scenario. Results showed that the food safety incident led to a significant decrease in trust and purchase intention across all conditions. However, trust in food safety and quality, and purchase intention were still higher in high competence, warmth or clean green image conditions. The decreased magnitude of trust in food safety was larger when country competence and clean green image was high, and when country warmth was low. Food safety incident caused purchase intention to become more dependent on trust in food safety than food quality. This study provides a novel insight into the impacts of food safety incidents on consumers' responses in different country image contexts including the human-related and environment-related dimensions.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-24
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0008
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- An analysis of British Michelin-starred restaurants: guests' online
reviews-
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Authors: Mehmet Bahri Saydam, Özlem Altun
Abstract: This study aims to explore the perspectives of patrons and the underlying factors influencing luxury consumption in British Michelin-starred restaurants. While numerous studies have investigated consumers' purchase behavior of luxury items, there is limited research focusing on the utilization of premium restaurant services. Additionally, the hospitality literature has rarely addressed the emergence of discreet luxury consumption. Therefore, this research aims to examine the experiences of British Michelin-starred restaurants by incorporating online reviews from some of the most renowned establishments in the country. The initial objective of this study was to identify the predominant themes within British Michelin-starred restaurant experiences. Furthermore, the authors sought to analyze whether these main themes varied across different market segments based on guest types. Using text mining tools, the authors analyzed a sample of 4,393 online reviews. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using the Leximancer program, which identified the dominant themes. Additionally, the authors performed an analysis to identify the major narratives associated with different types of guests. The results of this analysis demonstrate that guests express a high level of satisfaction with their experiences at British Michelin-starred restaurants. The dominant themes within the narratives include food, wine, restaurant, time, reservation and innovation. It is important to note that these narratives vary depending on the type of guest. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of market segmentation in Michelin-starred restaurants. This research addresses this need by specifically categorizing British Michelin-starred restaurants based on traveler type and the main concerns of their customers. The extensive data the authors collected and the authors' approach to utilizing guests' testimonials instead of traditional surveys contribute significantly to the field of academia and restaurant management.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-24
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-03-2023-0236
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Is Chinese consumers' attitude toward genetically modified
foods bouncing back'-
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Authors: Minrong Wu, Fangbin Qiao
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the dynamic of consumers' perceptions of GM food and explore whether their knowledge of GM technology is associated with a significant change. This paper presents a meta-analysis of 156 primary studies reporting a total of 225 attitudes toward genetically modified foods. To identify the impact of consumers' knowledge of GM technology, the authors estimate multivalued treatment effects model. The results of this study show that consumers' attitudes show a U shape during 2001–2022. That is, the rise in opposition to genetically modified foods has been reversed. In addition, this study also shows that the increase in consumers' knowledge of genetically modified technology contributes to their changes in attitude. This paper is the first study that empirically investigates the dynamics of Chinese consumers' attitude to genetically modified foods, and shows the rise in opposition to genetically modified foods has been reversed, which has important implication for commercialization of genetically modified crops in China.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-22
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0042
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Determinants of organic food purchase intention: the moderating role of
health consciousness-
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Authors: Kritika Devi, Gurmeet Singh, Sanjit K. Roy, Juraj Cúg
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of self-risk perception and health consciousness on the intention to purchase organic food. The study also explored external factors, such as social networking, culture and their impact on attitude, self-risk perception and purchasing organic food. This study uses a quantitative research method to collect data from New Zealand and Fiji (N = 701). The data analysis used the partial least squares path modeling technique (PLS-PM) to test the proposed model. The empirical results revealed that self-risk perception positively influenced organic food intention. The results show that the health consciousness level strengthens the relationship between self-risk perception, beliefs, values and purchase intention. The health consciousness level dampens the relationship between social networking and purchase intention. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the guidance and promotion of Fijian and New Zealand's organic food industry. This study enables marketers to develop health-related promotional tactics to stimulate organic food sales. It gauges organic food promoters to use social media-oriented consumer networking to spread health awareness swiftly. This comprehensive study extends the literature by scrutinizing the profundity of self-risk perception and health consciousness in influencing and explaining consumers' purchase intentions. Aside from ample growth in the study of organic food purchase intention, which commonly replicates simple relationships, this study ascertains deeper meaning and new relationships to understand the moderating role of health consciousness levels in organic food studies, expanding the theory of planned behavior.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-22
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-03-2023-0220
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Resilience in the face of crisis: investigating COVID-19 impacts on urban
community gardens in Greater Toronto Area, Canada-
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Authors: Paige Robillard, Fatih Sekercioglu, Sara Edge, Ian Young
Abstract: Urban community gardens (UCGs) are important sources of community, food and greenspaces in urban environments. Though UCGs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, Canada, were considered essential during the COVID-19 lockdowns and therefore open to gardeners, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security and UCG use among garden members and managers is not fully understood. This was an exploratory qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven managers and eight members of nine gardens in the GTA. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results suggest that UCGs helped participants be resilient to COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors through the provision of cultural ecosystem services. Therefore, this study supports the current literature that UCGs can help foster resilience during crises. While participants in this study did not end up being food insecure, participants did express concern about community food security. Results contribute to the current body of literature, and can be used to further update and develop UCG policies, as well as help develop UCG infrastructure and management strategies for future crises. The impacts of the pandemic on Canadian UCGs are not well understood. This research paper investigated the impact of the pandemic on UCG use and food security, as well as the link between UCG use and increased resilience to COVID-19-related stressors.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-21
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0179
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Packaging of ready-to-eat products: a mix research approach for exploring
aesthetic element influence on brand preference-
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Authors: Anupama Chirag Dave
Abstract: Packaging design has the power to convey persuasive and functional benefits, thereby inducing the brand preference as per empirical studies, but not much has been studied in detail about aesthetic aspects of packaging. This study is a careful attempt to understanding the influence of aesthetic elements—colour, illustrations/images/pictures and information representation’s influence on consumer brand preference for ready-to-eat (RTE) product category of pav bhaji. The data for this study have been collected in two phases; phase 1 was a quantitative research where structure Google form was used while in order to elite consumer responses regarding their preferences structured interview was conducted in phase 2. Twenty-five respondents were selected using snowball sampling, who were approached for understanding how aesthetic element influenced their brand preference. This research could help in identifying various underlying subthemes within the three major themes of aesthetic element in packaging. By utilising these, packaging modifications could be made to increase brand preference. In case of RTE segment, in-store decisions are mostly take in spurn of minutes, hence making it one of essential topics of research. The findings of this research can contribute in placement of correct element in appropriate position to grab consumers’ interest leading to brand preference.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-21
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-04-2023-0288
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- From brick and mortar to click and order: consumers' online food delivery
service perceptions post-pandemic-
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Authors: Shavneet Sharma, Kritika Devi, Samantha Naidu, Tuma Greig, Gurmeet Singh, Neale Slack
Abstract: This study explores consumers' intentions to utilize online food delivery services (OFDS) in a shared economy beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, employing the protection motivation theory (PMT) as the underlying framework. Utilizing a random sampling technique, a quantitative approach was employed to gather responses from 347 Australian consumers. The proposed model was tested through covariance-based structural equation modelling. The findings of this study demonstrate significant positive relationships between restaurant credibility, food quality, e-service quality, price, online food delivery applications, consumer e-satisfaction and e-loyalty. It reveals that consumers satisfied with OFDS may continue exhibiting e-loyalty intentions in a shared economy beyond COVID-19. The relationship between consumer e-satisfaction and e-loyalty intention is moderated by consumer-perceived COVID-19 risk. This study offers practical implications for online food delivery providers, restaurants, regulators, application developers and policymakers. These implications aim to enhance the e-service quality, price value, usefulness and security of OFDS, along with strategies to improve the online food delivery application. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by examining a unique selection of antecedents, including the OFDS app, to determine consumer e-satisfaction and e-loyalty in the context of a shared economy beyond COVID-19. The utilization of the OFDS app as a second-order construct adds a meaningful contribution to the OFDS literature. Furthermore, this study investigates and contributes to the limited understanding of the moderation effect of consumer-perceived COVID-19 risk on consumer e-satisfaction and their intended continued use of OFDS.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-21
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-04-2023-0351
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Effect of cognitive bias on the consumption of broiler products in China;
the role of information acquisition channels-
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Authors: Huiqi Lin, Xi Li, Siyu Xu, Jun He, Noshaba Aziz
Abstract: Broiler meat is the most commonly used meat product worldwide. Although China is regarded as one of the three largest broiler producers, the per capita chicken consumption remains low. Consumers' cognitive bias and the information acquisition channels are believed to be the main factors contributing to this. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issue. To explore the phenomenon empirically, the current study uses the survey data of 1,056 consumers from China and analyses them using ordered logistic regression. The results revealed that consumers' cognitive bias significantly affects their behaviour toward broiler products, and the order of influence is cognitive bias regarding industry cognitive > product nutrition and taste > food safety. The study further revealed that the more diverse the information acquisition channels, the more likely they are to promote consumer behaviour toward broiler chickens. The order of influence of the channels was self-organising > new media > traditional media. Overall, the findings suggest that the government and enterprises should strengthen and upgrade information channels to boost both the broiler industry and consumer consumption behaviour regarding poultry products. Rather than the usual focus on the impact of consumer cognition on consumer behaviour, this study examines the impact of cognitive bias on consumer behaviour. Further, centring on broiler products with high protein, low fat and feed-to-meat ratios, this study explores the reasons the per capita consumption of broiler products in China is far lower than the national average.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-21
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0917
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Childhood experience of being forced to eat: focussing on its association
with vegetable consumption among young adults-
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Authors: So-young Kim
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the association of childhood experience of being forced to eat – where a particular person forced a child to eat a specific food item against one's will – on food consumption, especially vegetables later in young adulthood. An online questionnaire survey was conducted from 19 to 24 February 2020 with 1,277 young Korean adults in their 20s. A total of 1,226 eligible responses were obtained, wherein 410 (33.4%) responses with forced-eating experiences in childhood were collected. To answer the survey questionnaire, the respondents were asked to recall one of the most memorable forced-eating episodes. The results showed that forced-eating occurred mostly among lower grades or pre-schoolers, at home or in schools/childcare facilities, and by parents or homeroom teachers. Vegetables were the most common target food for forced-eating. The Forced-Eating-Experienced group with vegetables as the target food tended to have significantly lower preference for and acceptance of vegetables. Furthermore, among this group, those who had displayed unpleasant post-ingestion physical symptoms after forced-eating or refused to eat the target vegetables at all despite forced-eating, showed significantly lower acceptance of vegetables. Additionally, they were also less likely to eat the target vegetable at present, but more likely to agree that their current dietary habits were affected by their childhood experiences of forced-eating. The study attempted to fill the knowledge gap on the association of negative childhood experiences of forced-eating with food consumption, especially vegetables, later in young adulthood.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-07-2022-0655
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Leveraging collaborations to increase the impact of food sharing
platforms-
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Authors: Laura Michelini, Cecilia Grieco, Nikolay Dentchev
Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to explore how collaborations can increase the impact of food sharing platforms, which offer the potential to reduce food waste by facilitating contact between suppliers and consumers. With this comes the need to address the twofold challenge of being digital and having an economic and social-environmental mission. Thus, adopting a system perspective and recognizing stakeholders as part of a value network can maximize the generated impact. A multiple case study analysis has been conducted on 12 food sharing platforms. Data have been collected through semi-structured interviews, triangulated with internal and external documents and content analysed. The research outlines the systems of collaboration found in food sharing platforms characterized by two levels of actors (platform players and business players) and five different types of collaboration that can help platforms maximize their impact (boosting the network effect; capturing value; enhancing the business model; extending the type of impact; and scaling up). The research offers important contributions for the advancement of the field, adding evidence on the opportunities offered by collaborations to generate impact for business and society in the context of the sharing economy and food industry. The research allows to identify the concept of “sustainability-oriented sharing platforms” as a subset of sharing economy platforms characterized by a dual mission and related challenges. From a managerial point of view, the study highlights how designing and implementing collaborations with the stakeholders can increase platforms' impact consistently with the life cycle and short- and long-term perspectives.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0900
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Applying blockchain to quality food products: a marketing perspective
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Authors: Enrico Bonetti, Chiara Bartoli, Alberto Mattiacci
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to enrich the knowledge about blockchain (BC) technology implementation in the agri-food industry by providing an interpretive framework of the key marketing opportunities and challenges, related to the adoption of BC for Geographical Indication (GI) products. The study adopts an explorative qualitative research design through the cognitive mapping technique applied to the cognition of different market players involved in agri-food BC projects: farmers, distributors, companies and consultancies. This study presents a comprehensive examination of the marketing impacts of BC across various marketing objectives, including product enhancement, brand positioning, consumer relationships, market access and supply chain relationships. It highlights the capability of BC to facilitate data-enabled ecosystems within the agri-food sector, involving supply chain actors and control agencies. Additionally, the study sheds light on the challenges (technological, collaborative, political, financial and organizational) associated with the implementation of BC in the marketing of agri-food products. This work provides a comprehensive examination of the relevance of BC in the marketing activities of firms, particularly in the context of quality food products. It highlights the main areas of impact and effects and emphasizes the complexity of the phenomenon, which extends beyond its technical issues. Furthermore, it offers a systematic exploration of the challenges associated with the adoption of BC in marketing activities, thus contributing to a broader understanding of the implications of BC adoption in companies' marketing strategies. The practical implications for this work addresses both GI companies and policy makers. Implications for companies relate to the market benefits associated with the implementation of BC, which allow further strengthening of market positioning, relationships of trust within the supply chain and integration between physical and digital market channels. The study also systematizes the challenges underlying the implementation of BC projects. The implications for policy makers regard the role they have to play in BC projects at regulatory, financial and policy levels. Studies focusing on BC applications in marketing are still limited and characterized by a very narrow perspective (especially in the food industry). This study contributes to the conceptual design of the marketing applications of BC in the agri-food sector. The value of the study also lies in having framed the marketing impacts of BC in a holistic perspective, along with the technological and non-technological challenges that are related to the integration of BC in marketing strategy and operations.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1085
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The identification of expected functional food quality: female consumers'
perspective-
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Authors: Sik Sumaedi, I Gede Mahatma Yuda Bakti, Tri Rakhmawati, Nidya Astrini
Abstract: This study aimed to identify the quality consumers expect from functional food. This study investigated the quality dimensions and indicators female consumers expect in functional food. This study used a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a survey using a self-administered questionnaire from 149 women aged 17 years and over in the Greater Jakarta area. Data analysis consists of three stages: exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis-structural equation modeling (CFA-SEM) and consumer expectation value analysis. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Lisrel software were used to assist the analysis. The analysis results showed that women expect functional food products to fulfill the aspects of product presentation, product assurance, convenience, health benefits and safety and sensory characteristics. These five aspects are referred to as the expected quality dimensions. Twenty-one indicators can be used to measure the quality of functional food expected by women. Other researchers can use this study to understand functional food female consumers' behavior. Furthermore, functional food companies can utilize it to measure consumers' expectations of their products' quality and performance. This research is believed to be the first study to identify the dimensions of functional food quality expected by female consumers. Most existing research on the perceived quality of functional food measures functional food quality based on performance and ignored the differences in expectations between men and women.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-16
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0143
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Pasture shooting and mobile slaughterhouses from a consumer's point of
view: alternative slaughter methods and the meat paradox-
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Authors: Elisa Bayer, Gesa Busch, Achim Spiller, Sarah Kühl
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate consumers' attitudes towards alternative slaughter methods (ASMs). ASMs present more animal-friendly and stress-free slaughter practices. However, these practices are not yet widespread due to strict regulations, high labor efforts and costs. Therefore, the market for meat products from ASMs is still small, and less is known about consumers' awareness, assessment and willingness to pay (WTP) for these products. This study aims to close the research gap using a standardized and representative online survey among 1,604 German participants. To identify target groups for these kinds of meat products, a factor and cluster analysis was conducted. The results show that ASMs are not widely known among consumers. Overall, participants evaluated ASMs positively, but about 1/3 of the participants stated to also have concerns related more to hygiene than to animal welfare issues. The cluster analysis reveals two out of four clusters found that are interested in ASMs. These clusters are characterized by high trust in small butcheries and organic meat consumption. The slaughtering sector has hardly been examined from an economic point of view in the animal welfare debate so far. This study identifies potential target groups for products originating from ASMs based on possible consumption drivers and barriers. Therewith, products from particular animal welfare friendly slaughter methods can be promoted purposefully to suitable target groups.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-10
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0107
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Effects of misleading online advertisements on the purchase intention of
mature Chinese consumers for dietary supplements-
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Authors: Yuting Sun, Yixuan Li
Abstract: Advertisements for dietary supplements (DS) often include misleading claims regarding their health benefits. In this study, the authors designed an online advertisement for plant-based DS featuring misleading claims and investigated its effects on mature Chinese consumers before and after revealing the false claims. A consumer involvement framework was developed to evaluate the mediating effect of advertising involvement (AI) on the correlation between product involvement (PI), situational involvement (SI) and purchase intention (PI). A total of 467 mature adults aged over 40 years who resided in China's Yangtze River Delta region and had experience in purchasing DS online were recruited. Relevant data were collected through an online survey and analysed through structural equation modelling. Cognitive PI was positively correlated with both SI and PI and SI was positively correlated with PI. AI negatively moderated the correlation between affective PI and SI. Both cognitive PI and AI were positively correlated with PI and the correlation was mediated through SI. DS consumption is a rational decision-making process driven by utilitarian motives. Consumers who are aware of the misleading claims adopt a cautious evaluation approach and place themselves in specific purchase situations before making a purchase decision. This study advances the literature by incorporating the consideration of misleading advertisements into the consumer involvement model within the context of online DS consumption. The study's findings provide insights to intensify monitoring of false advertisements in the DS industry and design effective consumer education programmes.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-08
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0029
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Understanding organic food consumption in the European Union: the
interaction between health and environmental consumer's goals-
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Authors: Jesus Valero-Gil, José-Julián Escario, Daniel Belanche, Luis V. Casaló
Abstract: Based on goal-directed behavior, this study explores the direct effects and the interaction between health and environmental concerns as the main drivers of organic food consumption. Consumer's economic problems are proposed as the main barrier for such behavior from a cost-benefit approach theoretically grounded on decision theory. Data were collected using the 26,669 European 95.1 wave participants of the Eurobarometer survey. Logistic regression estimates are used to analyze the hypotheses postulated. The results indicated the significant association of both health and environmental concerns with organic food consumption, as well as the existence of an interactive effect between both consumer goals. As a novel finding, health concern weakens the influence of environmental concern on organic food consumption. Consumer's economic problems harms the expansion of organic food consumption as well as other socio-demographic factors included as control variables. For the first time, this research explores the interaction effect between health and environmental concerns as antecedents of organic food consumption. The study argues that these consumer goals present differential features in terms of individual importance, feasibility, abstractness and outcome demonstrability, resulting in a prevalence of health over environmental goals for some consumers. The research provides not only novel insights for understanding organic food consumption but also provides additional evidence for practitioners to develop sales strategies and policymakers to formulate policies to guide the promotion of this so desired example of sustainable consumption.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-08
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0907
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Crop diversity, sustainable food and nutritional security among
smallholder farmers in Ghana-
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Authors: Raymond Boadi Fremmpong, Elena Gross, Victor Owusu
Abstract: The nexus between sustainable agri-food production and food security outcomes of farm households in sub-Saharan Africa is attracting policy attention. This study analyzes the effects of crop diversity on the incidence of food scarcity, dietary diversity, and the sale and consumption of own crops. The study uses panel data collected in 2015 and 2018 on a randomly selected sample of 2553 households from 49 villages in northern Ghana. The study employed a fixed effects modeling approach in the empirical analysis. The study finds that crop diversity is positively associated with better dietary diversity, reduced hunger, lower food expenditure, and higher consumption of own produce. The results show positive effects of crop diversity on the total harvested output and sale of agricultural production. Whilst sales improved sustainable food and nutrition security by providing purchasing power to buy nutritional inputs in the market, consumption of own produce rather improved food availability by reducing food scarcity and malnutrition. Crop diversity is one of the pathways for promoting sustainable agri-food production systems to ensure the food and nutritional security of vulnerable populations and promote biodiversity to achieve environmental goals in sub-Saharan Africa. Crop diversity reduces food expenditure and raises rural incomes through improved outputs and sales, which empowers farm households to diversify their dietary options to be able to overcome incidences of hunger and malnutrition in periods of food scarcity. The present study improves the understanding of sustainable agri-food production through crop diversity and its implications on food and nutrition security outcomes. The panel data and fixed effects modelling approach address the endogeneity problem between crop diversity and household tastes and preferences.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-07
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1060
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Hospitality SME innovation: responses to multifaceted crises
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Authors: David Dowell, Robert Bowen, Wyn Morris
Abstract: This research investigates the multifaceted effects of Covid-19, Brexit and climate change on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality sector. Specifically, the authors evaluate the main opportunities, challenges and implications that hospitality businesses face in times of crises, and innovate as a response. The research adopts a mixed methods approach firstly analysing quantitative data from the Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS). Second, qualitative where data are gathered from interviews with a range of hospitality SMEs. The data are analysed independently and then triangulated to gain a deep understanding of the issues faced by hospitality SMEs and their responses. This research contributes to knowledge on the impact of economic challenges on the hospitality sector. This research underlines that hospitality businesses face multiple challenges. The findings show that sector has responded with innovations to meet requirements and regulations, some which were forced upon the industry due to changing regulations and some unforced innovations based on the strategic intentions and entrepreneurialism of the business owners. The paper embeds the pandemic with Brexit and climate change challenges, identifying two distinct types of innovation as SME responses in the hospitality sector. Survival in the hospitality industry is reliant upon adaptations, some brought about by the pandemic and others by Brexit and climate change.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-04
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0982
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Assessing land, nutrients and monetary value associated with postharvest
loss of persimmon in Brazil: pathways toward sustainability
in agri-food systems-
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Authors: Carollyne Maragoni Santos, Eduardo Botti Abbade, Ana Elizabeth Cavalcante Fai
Abstract: This study estimates the land footprint, nutrients and monetary value of persimmon loss in Brazil, and also consolidated the methodological approach for assessing resources related to food loss. It uses data on the harvested area, production, production loss and production value of persimmon in Brazil from 2014 to 2019. The persimmon loss in Brazil was converted into macro- and micronutrients, land use and monetary value. The average annual production loss, loss production value and land footprint of persimmon are 35,100 tons, US$12m and 1,673 hectares, respectively. Persimmon loss represents the average loss per year of 6.6bn grams of carbohydrates, 1.6bn grams of food fibers, 7.2bn milligrams of vitamin C, 41.8bn micrograms of vitamin A, 4.5bn milligrams of calcium and 54.8bn milligrams of potassium. These nutrients have the potential to meet the nutritional daily needs of approximately 135,000, 176,000 people, 270,000, 164,000, 12,000 and 32m, respectively. Through (1) research and innovation; (2) infrastructure development; (3) training and education; (4) collaboration and networking; and (5) market diversification and value addition, people can increase persimmon shelf life, reduce postharvest losses and create a resilient environment for small persimmon farmers. This approach promotes sustainability in the agri-food system and empowers stakeholders. This investigation helps to understand the value of food loss, considering the use of natural resources, as well as the loss of nutrients and monetary value.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-03
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0895
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Importance–performance and potential gain of food delivery apps: in
view of the restaurant partner perspective
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Moh. Wahyudin, Chih-Cheng Chen, Henry Yuliando, Najihatul Mujahidah, Kune-Muh Tsai
Abstract: The food industry is continuously developing its online services called food delivery applications (FDAs). This study aims to evaluate FDA's importance–performance and identify strategies to maximize its potential gains from a business partner's perspective. Data are collected from 208 FDA partners in Indonesia. Importance–performance analysis (IPA) is applied to evaluate the FDA feature and extended the theory of potential gain in customer value (PGCV) to achieve potential gains from FDA business partners. This study provides a clear and measurable direction for future research to develop FDA performance. Owning customer data, revenue sharing and competitive advantage are the most potential gains from joining the FDA from the business partner perspective. The respondents are restaurants from the micro, small, and medium enterprises levels. Further research should involve middle to upper level restaurants to discover all business partners' perceptions. This will be very helpful for FDA providers interested in improving the best performance for all their partners. FDA providers must focus on improving and maintaining the features of owning customer data, revenue sharing, competitive advantage, stable terms and conditions, customer interface, building customer loyalty, online presence, user credit rating, promotion and offers, delivery service and sales enhancement to increase consumer satisfaction and meet the expectations desired by business partners. This research provides a meaningful theoretical foundation for future work. It extends the theory of PGCV using the value of a partner perspective as a substitute for customer value; hence, the authors call it a potential gain in partner value.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-28
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-1003
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The role of brand and market orientation on competitive advantage in the
food sector: business strategy’s moderator role-
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Authors: It Nguyen Van, Thanh Tiep Le, Anna Kotaskova
Abstract: This study aims to show how market orientation (MO), brand (BR) and business strategy (cost leadership strategy and differentiation strategy), which play mediating and moderating roles, respectively, can increase competitive advantage (CA). With a focus on brand, market orientation, cost leadership strategy (CS) and differentiation strategy (DS), as well as an analysis of variance control on varying business sizes per business seniority, the current study made a theoretical contribution. An empirical study was created using a quantitative methodological technique. The surveyed data were collected from 379 managers or owners who participated in a face-to-face survey at different food processing companies in Vietnam. To test the hypotheses, the gathered information was examined utilizing multigroup analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling. The brand was found to have the greatest positive impact on competitive advantage, followed by a business strategy that positively influenced competitive advantage, and, finally, business strategies that significantly moderated the third strong positive impact between market orientation and competitive advantage. Market orientation has the fourth strong positive impact on competitive advantage, whereas brand has the lowest positive impact on market orientation. This is the first investigation, according to the authors’ knowledge, into the role of market orientation as a mediator in the relationship between brand and competitive advantage in addition to the regulatory role of business strategy at two strategic levels: cost leadership and strategic focus as well as the difference between competitive advantage and market orientation in the Vietnamese food sector.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-25
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0010
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- A behavioural perspective of organic wine production decisions: an
application to the Spanish wine industry-
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Authors: Nicolas Depetris Chauvin, Fernández-Olmos Marta, Wenbo Hu, Giulio Malorgio
Abstract: Using the behavioural perspective as a theoretical complement of rational models, this paper examines factors that influence the decision of producing organic wines. Based on a quantitative analysis of 687 wineries belonging to Denomination of Origin in Spain, the authors empirically examine the sequential relationships between manager's personality and winery and institutional level factors, on organic wine production activity and winery export performance. This paper investigates the direct and indirect sequential relationships between wineries' factors including an organic production activity and two dimensions of export performance, namely: volume-based and value-based performance. The results of a sequential model provide evidence that openness to experience, a manager's personality trait, has a positive causal relationship with organic wine production. This paper offers richer insights into the factors leading wine production managers to change from conventional to organic production methods. Specifically, the study shows that wine production managers are susceptible to make decisions to whether produce organic wine or not that may not be consistent with the current theoretical models based on economic efficiency (i.e. comparing costs and benefits). Instead, these decisions are, in part, based on their personality traits. Future research could study how the functional attribute affects the willingness to produce organic wines. This study contributes to a new strategic implication of organic wine production activity and export performance linkage in behavioural and traditional theoretical perspectives. These findings are valuable for policy makers in the wine sector, as they can better inform and guide policies directed to identify organic production support programs.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-25
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-1019
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- How to believe' Building trust in food businesses' consumers based on
psychological contracts-
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Authors: Weihua Wang, Dong Yang, Yaqin Zheng
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to understand the psychological mechanism that affects consumer trust by focusing on the formation and influence process of psychological contracts, and taking this opportunity, explore the influence paths of food quality, food safety and service quality on consumer trust in the online food market, and provide theoretical suggestions for building trust in food businesses' consumers. This study is based on an empirical investigation and uses partial least square structural equation modeling for analysis. Survey data were collected online from 359 APP users of online food transaction platforms in China. Food quality, food safety and service quality influence consumer trust through the mediating effects of relational and transactional psychological contracts. However, the differences between these influencing paths are obvious and shift with changes in the marketing channels. This study contributes to the body of consumer trust research by exploring online food transactions as an emerging trend in China. Some optimization strategies for food quality, food safety and service quality are provided for enterprises involved in online food transactions. This is a pioneering study revealing psychological contracts as a missing but significant mediator between consumer trust and its antecedents.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-24
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0066
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Evaluation of consumers' motivations to do online food shopping in Turkey
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Authors: Arzu Seçer, Fikriye Yazar, Mutlu Bulut
Abstract: This study aims to reveal consumers' internal and external motivations to prefer online food shopping. The paper proposes an integrated model including aspirations, capabilities, subjective norms (divided into online resources and offline resources), perceived value and traditionalism to examine their effects on consumers' intention to do online food shopping. A cross–sectional design was used to understand which factors affect consumers' intention to do online food shopping. The data were collected from a total of 400 people via an online survey. The conceptual model was tested using structural equational modeling to understand the relationships between the factors. The results suggest that the conceptual framework can be used to have a better understanding of consumers' internal and external motivations to do online food shopping. The study proves that aspirations have a considerable direct effect on and a mediating role between capabilities, subjective norms from online resources, traditionalism and the effect of COVID-19 pandemics and the intention. Also, traditionalism was found to be an antecedent for consumers to prefer online food shopping. This study reveals better insights for the sellers, marketers and system providers dealing with supplying food products through online channels. The findings suggest that the stakeholders take into consideration aspirations, capabilities, subjective norms, perceived value and traditionalism to organize their activities in food marketing in the online area. In this study, aspirations–capabilities framework was adopted and confirmed within consumers' online food shopping domain. Also, it was proved that traditionalism was a driver of individuals' intention to do online shopping for food products.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-24
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0048
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The influence of skepticism on the university Millennials’ organic
food product purchase intention-
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Authors: Carlos Arturo Hoyos-Vallejo, Nelson Geovany Carrión-Bósquez, Oscar Ortiz-Regalado
Abstract: This study extends the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and analyzes the influence of skepticism (SKP) on the purchase intention (PI) of organic products, through the mediation of subjective norms (SN) and planned behavior control. This was a quantitative, correlational and cross-sectional study. The study population comprised 446 university Millennials from Ecuador. Results were processed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The study showed that SKP does not directly influence the PI. However, if it does so through the mediating effect of SN and perceived behavior control (PBC). Also, the study found that attitudes (ATTs), SN and PBC influence the PI of organic products in university Millennials. The study used TPB constructs and identified the influence of SKP on the intention to buy organic products in Ecuadorian university Millennials.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-19
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0093
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Influence of gastronomic motivations, satisfaction and experiences on
loyalty towards a destination-
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Authors: Salvador Moral-Cuadra, Juan Carlos Martín, Concepción Román, Tomás López-Guzmán
Abstract: The main objective of this research is to establish an integrated model of gastronomy tourism to help some of the main public and private stakeholders design strategies to improve tourists' gastronomic experience and satisfaction, taking gastronomic motivations as a starting point. Furthermore, the difference between destination satisfaction and gastronomic satisfaction has been established in order to determine the degree to which each one influences loyalty towards the destination. After detailing the theoretical framework for the development of the hypotheses, the study was carried out using a quantitative methodology based on structural equation modelling (SEM). The final sample consisted of 710 tourists who visited Córdoba, Spain – a world heritage city of international renown. Results indicate that gastronomic motivations, gastronomic experience and destination satisfaction have a direct influence on loyalty towards a destination. Also, destination satisfaction is found to play a mediating role in the relationship between gastronomic experience and loyalty towards the destination. Differences between destination and gastronomic satisfaction have been evidenced. For fostering a tourist's loyalty towards a destination, gastronomic satisfaction alone is not enough; other elements inherent to the destination itself are necessary for full loyalty, whether attitudinal or behavioural. Correctly identifying tourist motivations can help managers of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) to develop tailored marketing and communication campaigns that boost return visits to the destination or recommendations to family and friends. DMOs need to be aware that DMOs cannot overlook elements such as safety, hospitality or destination cleanliness at the expense of gastronomic satisfaction.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-19
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0121
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Predicting on restaurant's hygiene rating: Does customer review emotion
and content matter'-
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Authors: Jiyeon Jeon, Eojina Kim, Xi Wang, Liang(Rebecca) Tang
Abstract: The hygiene factor is always imperative when customers consider a certain restaurant, and the information contained in customer reviews can be an efficient approach to gauge a restaurant's hygiene during gaps in the official inspection. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether information obtained from online reviews could predict the upcoming hygiene rating, specifically, evaluating the impact of both qualitative and quantitative content of reviews on the restaurant hygiene rating. The quantitative research method with big data analytic techniques was applied in this study. In total, 127,656 pieces of data collected from 1,710 restaurants in four major cities in the USA were used in the analysis. Both quantitative factors (i.e. reviewer's numerical rating, days to review, readability, useful/funny/cool) and qualitative factors (i.e. eight emotional dimensions of textual reviews) were analyzed from the online customer reviews and considered in predicting the restaurant's hygiene rating. Six out of eight emotional dimensions including anger, disgust, fear, sadness, surprise and trust were identified as having significant influences on the restaurant hygiene ratings. While three quantitative variables including days to review, readability and usefulness were identified with significant impacts on the dependent variable of restaurant hygiene rating. This study opens an avenue for innovative research that establishes a connection between customers' reviews and restaurants' inspection systems. The results allow restaurants to predict an impending hygiene inspection rating upon dynamic assessment of review content and aid in adjusting hygiene measures accordingly.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0011
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Implementation of the SDGs by social economy enterprises in the
agrifood sector-
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Authors: Juan Lafont-Torio, Esther Calderon-Monge, Domingo Ribeiro-Soriano
Abstract: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a global initiative that is becoming increasingly important in the industrial and service sectors. This paper analyses how the SDGs are being implemented in the agrifood supply chain by social economy enterprises. Case study methodology was used to understand how companies implement the SDGs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers from two cooperatives in the agrifood sector. There are no differences in the way that the SDGs are implemented by social economy enterprises involved in the food sector supply chain. Therefore, the SDG approach is an alternative that can be applied by food sector supply chain companies to achieve the sustainability favoured by the cooperative model. The value of the present study lies in its analysis of the sustainability of the agrifood supply chain from an SDG-based approach that is more comprehensive than other commonly cited approaches in the academic literature.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0080
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Unripe carob pods: an innovative source of antioxidant molecules for the
preparation of high-added value gummies-
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Authors: U. Gianfranco Spizzirri, Paolino Caputo, Rosa Nicoletti, Pasquale Crupi, Fabrizio D'Ascenzo, Cesare Oliverio Rossi, Maria Lisa Clodoveo, Francesca Aiello, Donatella Restuccia
Abstract: This study aims to investigate unripe carob pod as a source of antioxidant molecules useful in the eco-friendly synthesis of a gelatin conjugate. This one was involved in the preparation of gummies able to produce remarkable human health benefits. Eco-friendly strategies (ultrasound-assisted extraction, low temperatures and eco-friendly solvents) were employed in the extraction of active molecules. Antioxidant molecules were involved in the grafting reaction with gelatin chains (ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide couple as initiator system). Gelatin conjugate represents a useful material able to prepare gummies with remarkable rheological and antioxidant performances over time. Experimental results confirmed that the green approach allowed the achievement of extracts with remarkable antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic moieties. Gelatin conjugate synthesis preserved these functionalities, usefully exploited in the preparation of gummies with significant structural and biological features. Compared to the literature data the preparation of the gummies with outstanding biological properties was performed by employing functional gelatin synthesized by an eco-friendly approach.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0984
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The evaluation of target markets for hazelnut exports with the
classification approach of potential market alternatives-
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Authors: Rahmi Baki
Abstract: The aim of the proposed classification approach of potential market alternatives (CAPMA) is to provide exporting countries with a framework for identifying potential market opportunities for their products or services. In today's global market conditions, with competition increasing daily, companies, businesses and states must seek new markets at the national and international level. Target market selection is a strategic process that directly affects the success of an organization and can lead to important results in the short and long term. The process requires systematic research and digitization of data to analyse target markets. The study tested the proposed approach by analysing Turkey's potential markets for hazelnut exports and identifying new target markets. A significant part of Turkey's hazelnut exporting is confined to the European geography of Turkey, the leading country in hazelnut production and export. Twenty potential markets were evaluated on the basis of 11 criteria, and feasible alternatives were categorized into four classes. The study revealed that the USA, India, the United Kingdom and Japan were in the category of markets with the greatest potential for increasing exports (Dimension 1). This study has developed a novel approach that allows the comparison of the current market situation with potential market outcomes and creates an accurate classification of target markets.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-17
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0100
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Food at your doorstep' Examining customer loyalty towards online food
delivery applications-
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Authors: Xin Liu, Xin-Jean Lim, Jun-Hwa Cheah, Siew Imm Ng, Norazlyn Kamal Basha
Abstract: This study empirically investigated the different attributes (i.e. convenience, online reviews, online ratings, visual appeal and various food choices) of food delivery applications (FDAs) that impacted customers' perceived benefits, satisfaction and loyalty. Price consciousness was positioned as the moderator while customer satisfaction was positioned as the mediator. Utilizing the purposive sampling technique, 360 useable respondents were gathered from existing FDAs' customers in China. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to verify the interrelationships among variables. The results confirmed the significant impact of four FDA attributes (i.e. convenience, online ratings, visual appeal and various food choices) on perceived benefits. Customer satisfaction positively influenced loyalty. Moreover, the mediating role of customer satisfaction and the moderating role of price consciousness were confirmed. FDA operators should engage in providing more benefits to stimulate satisfaction and loyalty among customers. Promotion discounts remain a key factor in enhancing the satisfaction and loyalty of price-conscious customers. This study extends the applicability of the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) framework and enriches FDA literature by assessing the external stimuli, organisms and moderating factors that trigger customer loyalty.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-17
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0116
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The “who” and “why” of dumpster diving for food in wealthy
industrialised countries – an international scoping review-
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Authors: Michelle Watson, Sue Booth, Stefania Velardo, John Coveney
Abstract: Globally, around one-third of food produced is wasted and thrown into supermarket bins or dumpsters. As a result, these dumpsters have become opportunistic sources of food through dumpster diving. The authors' scoping review aimed to document the people that are dumpster diving and why these people engage in this potentially illegal practice. A database search spanning 12 years yielded 29 articles for review. The authors' analysis uncovered two main themes for why people were dumpster diving: (1) motivations which included political activism against consumerism, materialism and capitalism, a fun and thrilling social activity and to alleviate food insecurity and (2) the benefits derived, such as gaining free food, saving money, sharing food with others and gaining attention from the public and media. In conclusion, the review was unable to provide definitive information on “who” was dumpster diving; however, this limitation provides a unique opportunity for further research that focusses on the specific demographics of dumpster divers rather than the “why” people are diving.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-13
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0014
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Assessment of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on dietary patterns, physical
activity, and lifestyle behaviours: a survey among adult European citizens
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Authors: Petra Chaloupkova, Miloslav Petrtyl, Claire Durand, Charoula Konstantia Nikolaou, Guido Mangione, Ladislav Kokoska
Abstract: This study examined the relationship between adult respondents' COVID-19 risk perception and its impact on changes in eating habits, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking. A cross-sectional online questionnaire was used to collect data during the first wave of the pandemic, in the European spring and summer of 2020. Kruskal–Wallis and Pearson chi-squared tests were used to determine the associations between the consumers' COVID-19 risk perception and the respondents' country of origin. The respondents were primarily university employees and students from four European countries (the Czech Republic, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy). The study showed significant changes in lifestyle behaviours of the respondents during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the pre-outbreak period. Approximately half of all respondents reported a decrease in alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity, while eating habits among European consumers showed trends towards both healthier and less healthy dietary patterns. The most significant changes were recorded in reducing alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity among almost half of the respondents. Positive COVID-19 test experience, age, and country of the respondents had a negative influence, whereas healthy food consumption and alcohol consumption had a positive influence on the COVID-19 related risk perception. The fear of the COVID-19 outbreak together with the restrictions imposed by national governments in response to the pandemic fundamentally affected the respondents' lifestyles. Understanding these changes can help establish interventions to alleviate the adoption of negative lifestyles and attitudes in subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar situations.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-13
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0781
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Is texture the new taste' The effect of sensory food descriptors
on restaurant menus on visit intentions-
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Authors: Marion Garaus, Christian Weismayer, Elisabeth Steiner
Abstract: This study investigates the impact of sensory food descriptors on restaurant menus on the intention to visit a restaurant and to spread positive word-of-mouth. Drawing on the signalling theory and the assimilation-contrast theory, two online experiments and one field experiment test the assumption that food descriptors prompt food-quality inferences before and after consumption, and that in both stages, food-quality inferences prompt favourable behavioural intentions. Sensory food descriptors impact positively on behavioural intentions through quality inferences, although not all aspects of food quality mediate this effect. Not all four factors (deliciousness, visual attractiveness, variety and nutritiousness) prompt behavioural intentions to the same extent. While the signalling theory explains the positive impact of food-quality inferences on behavioural intentions before consumption, the assimilation-contrast theory explains the positive effect food-quality inferences have on the intention to revisit and word of mouth after consumption. Managers should use either oral somatosensory descriptors alone, or in combination with flavour descriptors to prompt quality inferences and behavioural intentions. The findings challenge the prevailing assumption that food descriptors addressing multiple senses have a superior effect on food-quality inferences compared to food descriptors stimulating only one sense. Instead, food descriptors referring to the texture, viscosity or mouthfeel of a dish, (i.e. oral somatosensory descriptors), impact on food-quality inferences, while adding flavour attributes did not have favourable effects.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-12
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-08-2022-0693
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Towards a sustainable agri-food ecosystem: the case study of South Korean
public food procurement-
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Authors: Seungha Baek, Agnieszka Radziwon
Abstract: Public food procurement (PFP) plays an important role in establishing agri-food systems. The study explores local food system stakeholders' response to PFP interventions by addressing the question of how PFP transforms agri-food systems and how this new agri-food ecosystem is governed. This article presents and discusses a unique case study of Jeonbuk, a rural province in South Korea, which successfully transformed its agri-food system into an ecosystem through its sustainability-oriented innovations (SOIs) among born ecopreneur farmers. This case not only offers insights into a novel way to create value chains through legislative, executive and judicial governance but also extends the body of knowledge on agri-food systems by introducing the concept of an agri-food ecosystem. The findings indicate the importance of the ecosystem governance and knowledge exchange among internal and external ecosystem stakeholders. In particular, PFP institutions play a crucial role in facilitating the operation of public meal centers and cooperation among actors. Taking an ecosystem lens to agri-food systems may offer agricultural cooperatives a wider perspective and better understanding of the governance structures necessary to successfully execute public interventions. Lastly, the Korean case differs from other developing countries, but its role model qualities could help to implement successful school meal programs elsewhere. This paper reviewed and applied a conceptual framework aimed at identifying the role of PFP institutions in the value chain governance by studying a case study of a South Korean local school meal program. The study further extends the agricultural cooperatives research and contributes to a better understanding of the role of a municipality and an agri-food intermediary in the governance process involving producers and kitchens.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-12
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0885
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Emerging themes in food tourism: a systematic literature review and
research agenda-
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Authors: Sujood, Ruksar Ali, Saba Irfan, Sheeba Hamid
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to review and categorise the body of existing research in order to better understand the state of food tourism. The primary objective of this study is to identify emerging themes in the area of food tourism and to highlight the relationships among them. This research consists of a systematic literature review of academic articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Ten themes of Food Tourism emerged from the analysis, i.e. Food Tourism and Local Food, Food Tourism and Sustainability, Food Tourism and Economy, Food Tourism and Food waste management, Food Tourism and Culture, Food Tourism and Environment, Food Tourism and Information Technology, Food Tourism and COVID-19, Food Tourism and Post pandemic consumer trust and Food Tourism and Tourism and Hospitality sector. This study elaborates on the theoretical pieces of evidence on the connection between food and tourism. Not only limited to food tourism, but this paper also contributes to the literature in the area of economy, sustainability, post-COVID-19, food waste management, environment and technological innovations in food tourism. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. The study begins by systematically examining the topic to offer a thorough and in-depth analysis of food tourism. There is not a single study which has covered these many themes of food tourism, which makes it an important contribution to the literature.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-10
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0939
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Bee pollen usage as carrier material in the drying of honey and some
properties of honey-bee pollen powders-
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Authors: Ceren Mutlu
Abstract: The aim of this study was to produce an enriched honey powder with active compounds coming from bee pollen and investigate the effects of bee pollen addition as a carrier material on honey powder. The effects of bee pollen addition as carrier material in corporation with gum arabic at different ratios (25, 50 and 75% of total carrier material amount) on vacuum-dried honey-bee pollen powder were investigated. The bee pollen concentration raise in the mixture increased the particle size, total phenolic, flavonoid and sugar contents and antioxidant activity, whereas decreased the Hauser ratio and Carr index values, hygroscopicity and solubility of enriched honey powder samples. The honey powder samples had passable and poor flow properties and very hygroscopic (>20%) structure because of the high sugar content. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of honey powder samples with bee pollen changed between 1531.59 and 3796.00 mg GAE/kg and 424.05–1203.10 mg QE/kg, respectively, and these values were much higher than the control sample. On the basis of linear correlation analysis, there was a very high positive correlation between total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant activity, while there was a very high negative correlation between these parameters and solubility. The study evaluated that enriching of honey powders with pollen, which is a product of both plant and bee origin, rather than enriching with different plant and animal sources has an innovative approach. Additionally, the usage of bee pollen as a carrier agent in food drying has not been previously reported in any study.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-10
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-1029
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- How information affects consumers' attitudes toward and willingness to
pay for cultured meat: evidence from Chinese urban consumers-
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Authors: Juhui Chen, Meng Zhang, Junfei Bai
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of providing information on Chinese consumers' attitudes toward and willingness to pay (WTP) for cultured meat, and to further focus on the heterogeneous effect of prior awareness. The data were collected by interviewing 1,004 consumers through a face-to-face survey conducted in 2019. Repeated measures ANOVA, ordinary least squares and maximum likelihood estimation were employed for data analysis. Whether consumers have heard of cultured meat before is not an important determinant for their attitude, but whether they know it well is. Consumers' attitudes and WTP all improved after the provision of information, but knowledgeable consumers' attitudes were less influenced by information than those without prior knowledge. Unlike attitude, prior awareness does not affect the effect of information on WTP. Despite extensive studies on the impact of information on the acceptance of cultured meat, few have analyzed the heterogeneous effect of prior awareness. In the research on prior awareness of cultured meat, firstly, no consistent conclusions about the effect of prior awareness on attitude; secondly, previous studies only considered heterogeneous effects of prior awareness on attitude toward cultured meat, while ignored WTP. This paper provides new insights in these areas. Further, this paper provides the first evidence on the heterogeneous impact of prior awareness in developing countries; most previous research has focused on consumers in developed countries.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-10
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1133
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Capturing consumers' visual attention toward sugar-reduction information
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Authors: Se Eun Ahn, Jieun Oh, Mi Sook Cho
Abstract: This study analyzed the factors affecting visual attention toward sugar-reduction information (SRI) on sugar-reduced beverages (SRBs) and identified the most optimal SRI type and location using eye-tracking. The eye-tracking results were compared with those of a self-reported questionnaire. An eye-tracking experiment was conducted on 50 Korean people in their 20s and 30s to analyze implicit responses. Subsequently, a self-reported questionnaire was administered to analyze explicit responses, facilitating the investigation of perceptions, attitudes, preferences, intentions to purchase SRBs, and preferred SRI types and positions. The results were as follows. First, personal trait-, state-, and product-related factors were found to affect eye movement in relation to SRI. Second, eye-tracking revealed that SRI types and locations that drew long-lasting fixation and attracted considerable attention were similar to those preferred in the self-reported questionnaire. Therefore, to efficiently convey information on SRBs, SRI should be combined with a graphic, and not merely a word, and placed in the upper-right corner, exhibiting consistency with the results of two previous experiments. This study specifically focused on considering personal and product-related traits while conducting an eye-tracking experiment to investigate the factors that attract consumers' attention. Furthermore, this study is the first to investigate the use of SRI labels to promote SRB selection. What is significant is that both explicit and implicit responses were assessed and compared via a self-reported survey and eye-tracking experiments for various SRB categories.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-07
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0937
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Exploring the role of digitalization as a driver for the adoption
of circular economy principles in agrifood SMEs – an interpretive case
study-
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Authors: Biasino Farace, Angela Tarabella
Abstract: This research aims to investigate the role of digitalization in facilitating the integration of circular economy (CE) principles within a firm operating in the Italian agrifood sector. The study seeks to explore the evidence and effects emerging from the adoption of digital technologies in a small and medium enterprise (SME) operational setting. An interpretative case study was conducted on an SME operating in the Italian agrifood sector. The selected firm is known to adopt a business model oriented towards circularity by using entirely digitized closed-loop hydroponic cultivation. The findings reveal that the digitalization of the production process, supported by an integrated information system, enables optimizing the use and consumption of natural resources and minimizes waste during the production stage. Additionally, the authors observed that digitalization triggers a complex mechanism of interaction between various firm factors, market dynamics and forms of institutionalization, which are intrinsically intertwined with the concepts of sustainability and resilience in the agrifood sector. From a theoretical point of view, the interpretive reading key – historically appropriate to embrace the complexity of the phenomena under study – can foster a deeper understanding of the dynamics underlying digitalization as an enabling factor to facilitating the adoption of CE principles in the agrifood sector. Regarding managerial implications, the study contributes to the debate on the importance of digital transition in the agrifood industry, which in the Italian context shows considerable resistance due, especially, to the size of the firms (mainly SMEs and micro) and managerial conservatism tradition.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-06
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1103
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Seaweed as food: survey of the UK market and appraisal of opportunities
and risks in the context of iodine nutrition-
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Authors: Martha Lucy Redway, Emilie Combet
Abstract: Seaweeds are gaining broader interest in Western societies through their use in product development and the health-food industry. High nutritional value, low carbon footprint and sustainability are key drivers for seaweed uptake in Europe; yet high iodine intake from seaweed remains a concern. This study seeks to identify seaweed food products available on the UK retail market between 2018 and 2021 and assess their safety in the context of iodine exposure. Here, a market survey (n = 37–40 retailers) was conducted in three annual waves to evaluate seaweed food product availability in the UK. The iodine dose of products was estimated based on a comprehensive literature review of seaweed iodine content. This study shows a young, dynamic market with 2.3-fold increase in seaweed food product availability since the last available published data (2015). Specific iodine content labelling remains uncommon, and median iodine doses in a single serving of food exceeded 400 µg in all years. Some products, especially seaweed supplements, provide iodine doses above the tolerable upper limit and upper level of tolerance. This study presents the most contemporary and comprehensive overview of the market for seaweed food products in the UK. With increasing popularisation of seaweed as a food, this study highlights the need for improved dialogue amongst producers, retailers, legislators and public health specialists to address the risk of iodine excess, and the concurrent scope for processing methods to reduce the iodine content in seaweeds.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-04
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0024
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Food safety and cognitive biases: what we know, what we need to know,
and why-
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Authors: Harvey S. James, Michelle Segovia, Damilola Giwa-Daramola
Abstract: The authors review the small but growing literature linking cognitive biases to food safety problems and foodborne illness outbreaks. The authors conducted a search of peer-reviewed articles utilizing empirical methods published since the year 2000 focusing on food safety or foodborne illnesses/outbreaks and cognitive biases. The authors find that most research is conducted at the consumer side of the food system, with few studies examining the potential problems that can arise in the production and processing of food. The authors also observe that most research tends to focus on a few cognitive biases. This is the most comprehensive study to date examining insights from the literature on cognitive biases and the related discipline of behavioral economics to the specific problem of foodborne illness outbreaks and food safety problems.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-04
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0824
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Governing buyer–supplier relationships to foster relational rents in
organic short food supply chains-
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Authors: Tatiane Pellin Cislaghi, Douglas Wegner, Luciana Marques Vieira, Gabriela Zanandrea
Abstract: This paper aims to analyze the influence of governance mechanisms in the generation of relational rents for supplier in short food supply chains (SFSCs). This study used data from a survey of 181 organic producers in SFSCs, using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with the aid of the SmartPLS® 3 software for the analysis. The results show the relationship between formal and informal governance mechanisms and relational rents. The predominance of informal mechanisms enabled a higher explanatory power than that provided by formal governance mechanisms. Further, the authors found that the complementary use of governance mechanisms has a stronger impact on generating relational rents. However, contextual factors such as relationship time, power asymmetry and uncertainty in demand have not shown any influence on governance mechanisms for generating relational rents. The result sheds new light on the relevance of governance mechanisms to foster relational rents to suppliers in SFSCs. It also shows that contextual factors that affect relationships in traditional supply chains do not play a relevant role in SFSCs due to their specific characteristics.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-04
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1073
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Sustainability practices and challenges in the meat supply chain: a
systematic literature review
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Andrea Caccialanza, Daniele Cerrato, Davide Galli
Abstract: This study comprehensively depicts the state of the art on sustainability research in the meat supply chain to advance the debate on challenges and issues associated with developing sustainable supply chain management practices. The authors conducted a systematic literature review of 333 articles published in peer-reviewed journals and organized the extant literature into five areas of supply chain management practices: strategic orientation, continuity, collaboration, risk management, and proactivity. Since 2016, the meat supply chain has received increasing scholarly attention. The literature shows the diffusion of highly heterogeneous sustainability practices related to multiple management areas and levels of analysis (institutional, industry, firm). The need for integrated, multilevel initiatives involving different stakeholders becomes increasingly crucial to the transition towards more sustainable meat supply chains. This study highlights the importance of regulatory and stakeholder pressures in the sustainability transition. Beyond setting regulatory requirements, policymakers may facilitate the establishment of collaborations within the meat supply chain and foster the development of support services that help firms to integrate sustainability in their business models. The review also alerts entrepreneurs and managers to the benefits from cooperating with their supply chain partners to navigate the industry transition and thus more effectively respond to the demands of stakeholders and to the increasing customers’ awareness of sustainability issues. This study is the first to systematize the corpus of knowledge on the sustainability of the meat supply chain by adopting a comprehensive approach to analyze relevant management and agriculture literature.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-03
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0866
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- BYOB of wine, but which one' Unveiling new boundary conditions and
moderating effects for restaurant patrons' consideration set formation-
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Authors: Kleopatra Konstantoulaki, Ioannis Rizomyliotis, Ioannis Kostopoulos, Solon Magrizos, Thi Bich Hang Tran
Abstract: Departing from conflicting findings on the role of involvement in the formation of the consideration set, the authors of this study seek to shed light to the wine consumer behaviour and expand previous findings in the bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) of wine restaurant industry. The authors seek to determine the contradictory effect of involvement on the consideration set size and variety. Three empirical studies were conducted. In Study 1, the relationships were tested in a personal consumption situation and in Study 2 in a gift-giving context. Finally, in Study 3, inconsistencies in the intensity of the hypothesised relationships were explored by testing the triple interaction amongst the three variables (i.e. involvement, decision-making context and decision domain). According to the authors' findings BYOB of wine consumers form larger considerations sets in memory-based decision contexts. Involvement's effect on wine consideration set size is stronger in memory-based decisions. BYOB restaurant patrons form smaller sets of alternatives for personal consumption. BYOB restaurant patrons form more heterogeneous sets of alternatives in wine gift-giving. BYOB of wine restaurants should facilitate consumers' wine-selection process. The authors make an effort to explain and determine the up-to-date contradictory effect of restaurant patrons' involvement on the BYOB of wine consideration set size and the amount of variety contained therein. The study offers new insights, by unfolding the moderating effect of decision-making contexts (i.e. memory-based versus stimuli-based) and decision domains (i.e. personal consumption versus gift-giving) on this effect of involvement on the properties of consideration sets.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-30
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0055
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Revealing future trajectories in sustainable food production: convergence
and openness in the innovation ecosystem-
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Authors: Eva Panetti, Daniele Leone, Andrea Caporuscio, Maria Cristina Pietronudo
Abstract: This paper aims to explore the evolutionary dynamics of innovation ecosystems in the food industry by adopting both open innovation and convergence approaches to derive practical policy implications to develop impactful innovation ecosystems to promote food production sustainably. Starting from the cutting-edge case of Foodvalley in the Netherlands, the study adopts a backcasting approach to reach a future vision of food ecosystems from a sustainable food production perspective. The authors set the backcasting analysis in four steps: (1) description of the present and trends analysis, (2) selection of trustworthy criteria and goals, (3) development of future images and (4) analysis of how to reach the images. The trends analysis has identified three existing innovation fields – protein shift, circular agrifood and food and health – and two strategic directions – convergence and localness decrease. The study reports how a long-term commitment may lead the valley toward a best future scenario. The study suggests that policymakers and stakeholders can promote innovation strategies in sustainable food production ecosystems by encouraging collaboration between different sectors, reducing regulatory barriers, attracting innovative actors, and investing in education and training programs. To achieve measurable environmental and social impact outcomes, policies should promote entrepreneurship and create an enabling environment that encourages innovation and risk-taking. The originality of this paper concerns the backcasting perspective applied to the analysis of the food ecosystem. This approach facilitates the identification of a path direction for successfully managing open innovation and industry convergence toward a desirable future of sustainable food production.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-27
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-07-2022-0633
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Are we ready to transition to sustainable sheep production in New Zealand'
A critical analysis from the perspectives of transition intention and
sustainable tool adoption-
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Authors: Wei Yang, Luu Quoc Phong, Tracy-Anne De Silva, Jemma Penelope
Abstract: This study aims to understand New Zealand sheep farmers’ readiness toward sustainability transition by assessing their intentions of transition and adoption of sustainability tools, with information collection considered to mediate the intention–adoption relationship. Based on the data collected from a survey of New Zealand sheep farmers in 2021, the empirical analysis was developed to investigate farmers’ perceptions of and attitudes toward readiness to move toward a sustainability transition. Structural equation modeling associated with principal component analysis was used to empirically test the theory of planned behavior constructs. The results show that pressure from the public and the sheep industry, and the perceived controls of transition drive the intention of sustainability transition; farmers with higher intention of sustainability transition are found to be more likely to adopt sustainability tools. However, there is an attitude–behavior gap, wherein positive attitudes toward sustainability transition may not lead to a higher likelihood of adopting sustainability tools. There is no evidence of the mediating role of information collection on the intention–adoption relationship, while a positive effect was found in information collection on the adoption of sustainability tools. The empirical evidence indicates that policymakers need to help increase the awareness of sustainable production and help farmers overcome barriers to achieving sustainable production by finding ways to turn intentions into adoption. Being the first attempt to empirically assess farmers’ readiness toward sustainability transition, the study fills the gap of limited understanding of the link between sustainability transition intention and sustainable tools adoption in sustainability transition.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-27
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0863
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Exploring success factors in food waste prevention initiatives
of retailers: the critical role of digital technologies
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Filippo Corsini, Nora Annesi, Eleonora Annunziata, Marco Frey
Abstract: Food waste is a severe problem affecting the supply chain due to its significant adverse social and environmental effects. Even if the topic is hotly debated in the literature, there is a lack of research about the success factors influencing food waste prevention initiatives retailers undertake. The research analyzes how several variables (i.e. product-related variables and technology-enabling variables) might impact the success of the sales of products close to the expiration date that is sold at a discounted price. Data from 390.000 products sold at a discounted price in 2020 and 2021 by a large Italian food retailer were examined with a regression analysis. The results highlight that both product-related and technology-enabling variables influence the success of food prevention initiatives aimed at selling products close to the expiration date at a discounted price. In particular, the authors stress the importance of digital technologies in supporting food waste prevention initiatives. The study offers several practical implications for managers in structuring a waste prevention initiative. The introduction of digital technologies, the monitoring of specific variables or the ability to find synergies with other food waste prevention initiatives are discussed to support retailers in reducing food losses. The paper is focused on the retailer perspective, which is barely investigated due to the difficulty in finding data.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-26
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0034
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Assessing smallholders’ heterogeneity towards sustainable agrifood value
chain in developing countries-
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Authors: Dwi Ratna Hidayati, Elena Garnevska, Thiagarajah Ramilan
Abstract: Agrifood value chains in developing countries are transforming into higher value markets which require sustainable practices, with smallholders playing a critical role. However, smallholders are a heterogeneous group which may have discrepancies in outcomes to meet sustainability standards. This paper aims to empirically investigate smallholders' heterogeneity towards sustainable value chain practice in developing countries. Eight key enabling factors of sustainable value chain transformation were used to explore smallholders' typology, then profiled, based on their socio-economic status and current practices. A quantitative method was applied in Indonesia's cashew sector with 159 respondents from the primary producer area on Madura Island. A combination of descriptive analysis, cluster analysis, cross-tab analysis and one-way ANOVA analysis was used in this study. Four types of groups were identified, each with distinct characteristics and arranged in priority order as follows: accelerator, progressor, inattentive and conservative groups. Interventions can be implemented on per clusters basis or based on potential similarities among clusters, depending on priority. It is noted that the pursuit of sustainable value chain practices by smallholders is not necessarily associated with high socio-economic status, as those with low socio-economic status may have a stronger inclination towards them. The paper enhances awareness of practitioners and policymakers regarding smallholders' heterogeneity in sustainable value chain practice. It enables more effective and focused interventions to support smallholders who require assistance in sustainable production and value-adding activities. Different smallholders' characteristics call for different assistance/intervention. Practitioners can recognise smallholders' characteristics that are more compatible with higher value markets and sustainability requirements to better integrate their practices. Policymakers must carefully develop short-term and long-term interventions based on the activities prioritised by particular traits to “hit the right button” for smallholders' practice development. This study investigates the typology of smallholders towards sustainable value chain practices by using eight enabling factors and profiling them based on their socio-economic condition and current practices. Additionally, this study shifts the focus of typology exploration away from the traditional lens of farm sustainability to a larger perspective which encompasses sustainable value chain activities.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-21
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0940
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The role of social media content on value co-creation in the food sector:
a strategic relationship perspective-
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Authors: Aytac Gokce, Saleh Bazi, Bijan Safavi, Elena Georgiadou, Nick Hajli
Abstract: Customers' participation in the online health community to create value with the brand is growing research interest. In addition, customers are using social media platforms to create value in the food sector. This rises points to the need to study consumers' interactions with online communities and the role of social media content and customer satisfaction in such an environment. This research collects data using a survey approach. The data were analysed using a partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicated the impact of social media content and satisfaction on value co-creation in healthy food online communities. The study’s results provide significant new insights into the food sector during the pandemic. This research enhances the knowledge of satisfaction and value co-creation in the social media context. The findings build on the previous literature on value co-creation, add to the food sector and explain the mediating role of satisfaction between social media content and value co-creation.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-20
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0772
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Do health anxiety and social value shape the intention to consume
functional food: the role of health knowledge levels—evidence from
Istanbul-
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Authors: Berna Kurkcu, Eylem Üstünsoy, Bekir Bora Dedeoğlu
Abstract: This study has two main purposes. First, the effects of health anxiety and perceived social value on the intention to consume functional food were examined. Second, the role of health knowledge levels in these relationships was identified. The sample consisted of 271 restaurant consumers on the European side of Istanbul between August and October 2021. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the research model. Restaurant consumers revealed that health anxiety and perceived social value positively affect functional food consumption intentions. Moreover, health knowledge levels have a negative moderating effect on the relationship between health anxiety and functional food consumption intentions. Thanks to the findings of this study, the roles of health anxiety, perceived social value and health knowledge in functional food consumption were determined, thus filling a vital literature gap.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-14
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1050
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Embedded big data in packaged foods: examining consumer sentiment during
the purchasing process post-COVID-19-
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Authors: Emre Yaşar, Mahmut Demir, Turgay Taşdemir
Abstract: This study aims to examine consumers' purchasing and consumption behavior regarding big data embedded in packaged food post-Covid-19. The second purpose is to determine whether consumer purchasing behavior varies depending on the variety and volume of big data on food packages. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate consumer sentiment regarding big embedded data in packaged foods during purchasing. Based on samples from packaged foods sold in international chain stores, interview data collected from 24 participants were subjected to systematic analytical procedures. The results revealed that before Covid-19, consumers had positive thoughts about the expiration date, brand, and product contents but did not care much about other data. At the same time, post-Covid-19, there were changes in their attitudes and behaviors on this issue. Post-Covid-19, it has been observed that consumers have positive attitudes and behaviors toward human health and food safety issues regarding unprocessed big data in packaged foods. This study provides a different perspective on consumer purchasing behavior through big data on packaged foods post-Covid-19. Embedded information in packaged foods provides important data regarding consumer purchasing behavior. As a powerful source of consumer sentiment, this data also provides a reference for consumer purchasing decisions.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-14
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1124
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Economic impact of investment in animal welfare–enhancing flooring
solutions – Implications for promoting sustainable dairy production in
Sweden
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Enoch Owusu-Sekyere, Helena Hansson, Evgenij Telezhenko, Ann-Kristin Nyman, Haseeb Ahmed
Abstract: The purpose of this paper was to assess the economic impact of investment in different animal welfare–enhancing flooring solutions in Swedish dairy farming. The authors developed a bio-economic model and used stochastic partial budgeting approach to simulate the economic consequences of enhancing solid and slatted concrete floors with soft rubber covering. The findings highlight that keeping herds on solid and slatted concrete floor surfaces with soft rubber coverings is a profitable solution, compared with keeping herds on solid and slatted concrete floors without a soft covering. The profit per cow when kept on a solid concrete floor with soft rubber covering increased by 13%–16% depending on the breed. Promoting farm investments such as improvement in flooring solution, which have both economic and animal welfare incentives, is a potential way of promoting sustainable dairy production. Farmers may make investments in improved floors, resulting in enhanced animal welfare and economic outcomes necessary for sustaining dairy production. This literature review indicated that the economic impact of investment in specific types of floor improvement solutions, investment costs and financial outcomes have received little attention. This study provides insights needed for a more informed decision-making process when selecting optimal flooring solutions for new and renovated barns that improve both animal welfare and ease the burden on farmers and public financial support.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-07
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-06-2022-0523
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The usage of sourdough powder as the natural preservative and glycemic
index lowering agent in salty muffins-
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Authors: Hümeyra Çetin Babaoğlu, Sultan Arslan Tontul, Lokman Karaduman, Yakup Üzgü
Abstract: The article aimed to use sourdough powder as a natural preservative against mould growth and a glycemic index reducer agent. In this study, muffin production was carried out with sourdough powder addition at the rate of 0, 15 and 30%. To obtain the sourdough powder, sourdough was fermented by using Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactococcus lactis (previously isolated from spontaneous sourdough) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The specific volume, number of crumb pores and total pore area were not adversely affected by the addition of 15% or 30% sourdough powder (p > 0.05). The sourdough addition reduced the L* values of the muffin crust, while the b* value of the muffin crumb with 30% sourdough powder decreased compared to the control (p
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-06
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1108
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Sustainable strategies of industrial tourism in the agri-food business: an
exploratory approach-
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Authors: Francesco Badia, Graziana Galeone, Matilda Shini
Abstract: This study aims to analyze the opportunities and potential of industrial tourism for the agri-food industry in the current post-pandemic scenario. Industrial tourism can favor appropriate behaviors by companies and tourists to address emerging challenges in the post-pandemic era, such as responsible production and consumption and the containment of waste production. The adopted research method is a case study with exploratory purposes, applied to an industrial tourism experiment called “Make it in Puglia” (Apulia Region, Italy). The case study was based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews. This study analyzes how industrial tourism in active agri-businesses allows local areas to be enhanced while simultaneously improving and strengthening sustainable strategies and choices for organizations and customers, especially in the changing context of the post-pandemic era. The country specificity of this project and the limited duration of the investigation in the post-pandemic period were the main limitations of this study. Industrial tourism in the agri-food business can contribute to a sustainable strategy for destination management based on new elements of attractiveness. Moreover, industrial tourism represents an opportunity for agri-food businesses, through the promotion of “business tours,” to respond to requests for more sustainable practices, especially considering that food waste and resource use efficiency have become a topic of growing concern. This paper is one of the first studies that considers industrial tourism as a strategy for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the agribusiness sector, as it analyzes industrial tourism as an instrument in the construction of a cohesive ecosystem where tourism, agri-food business and local communities together pursue preservation and safeguarding of the environment, heritage and territory.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-05
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-1031
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Economic effects of sustainable agri-food production in Taiwan: Does
spatial agglomeration make a difference'-
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Authors: Yun-Cih Chang, Yir-Hueih Luh, Ming-Feng Hsieh
Abstract: This study investigates the economic outcomes of organic farming controlling for the four major aspects of a cropping system, including climate, genotypes, management and soil. Considering possible variations in treatment responses, this study also presents empirical evidence of heterogeneous treatment effects associated with spatial agglomeration or farm covariates. Rice farm households data taken from the 2015 Agriculture Census is merged with township-level seasonal weather data, crop suitability index and average income per capita in Taiwan. To address the selection bias problem, the authors apply the Probit-2SLS instrumental variable (IV) method in the binary treatment model under homogeneous and heterogeneous assumptions. It is found that organic farming leads to a significantly positive effect on rice farms' economic performances in terms of cost reduction and profit growth. This positive treatment effect is more sizable with spatial agglomeration. Furthermore, the treatment effect of organic farming is found to vary with the farm characteristics such as farmland area and the number of hired workers. Two important implications for the promotion of sustainable agri-food production are inferred: (1) establishing organic agriculture specialized zones may benefit rural development; (2) providing economic incentives to small farms to expand their scale may be a more effective policy means to promote sustainable agri-food production. The findings in this study complement the body of knowledge by drawing insights from the agriculture census data and providing profound evidence of the heterogeneous outcomes of organic farming due to spatial clustering and farm covariates.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-02
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0879
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Local food heritage in a mountain tourism destination: evidence from the
Alagna Walser Green Paradise project-
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Authors: Riccardo Beltramo, Alessandro Bonadonna, Stefano Duglio, Giovanni Peira, Enrica Vesce
Abstract: This paper aims at assessing the role of authenticity of local food in contributing to tourism as an ecosystem service in a small mountain tourism destination, i.e. Alagna Valsesia (North-West of Italy). A mix method approach has been adopted. The research has been carried out by using both CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) and PAPI (Paper And Pen Interview) methodologies for surveys on the accommodation facilities managers and tourists. In addition, an analysis of electronic word-of-mouth platforms (TripAdvisor and Google) was implemented to understand more in-depth the local foodservice. Findings show that Alagna Valsesia embodies its authenticity with the tradition of the local culture, characterised by natural heritage and Walser uses. Some tools are identified to improve the attractiveness of the tourist destination. The main limitation of this study can be found in the study' application to a rather limited and geographically restricted area. The results provided by this study can help local policy-makers in driving local policies and public funds in implementing ecotourism based practices. Although the role of local food has been much studied in relation to the tourism sector, to the knowledge of the authors, this contribution represents a first attempt to analyse local food's role in terms of local food's crossover contribution to supporting cultural tourism.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-02
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1136
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Scenario analysis and climate change: a literature review via text
analytics-
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Authors: Dario Aversa
Abstract: Climate change has a direct impact on companies. Therefore, the scenario analysis is used to provide companies and stakeholders in this specific sector with forward-looking measures and narratives of the world's future state. This work aims to provide an independent, wide and rigorous literature review on the topics of scenario analysis and climate change, analyzing a large set of referred papers included in economic journals on the Web of Science Clarivate Analytics data source. This review, by means of a mixed approach, can help address new policy strategies and business models. The work employs 416 abstracts and relative titles in the field of economics, employing data mining for qualitative variables and performing descriptive statistics and lexicometric measures, similarity analysis and clustering with Reinert's hierarchical method in order to extract knowledge. Furthermore, qualitative content analysis allows for the return of a comprehensive and complete universe of meaning, as well as the analysis of co-occurences. Content analysis reveals three main classification clusters and four unknown patterns: model area, risks, emissions and energy and carbon pricing, indicating research directions and limitations through an overview with an extensive reference bibliography. In the research, the prevalent use of quantitative instruments and their limitations emerge, while qualitative instruments are residual for climate change assessment; they also highlight the centrality of transition risk over adaptation measures and the combination of different types of instruments with reference to carbon pricing. Scenario analysis is a relatively new topic in economics and finance research, and it is under-investigated by the academy. The analysis combines quantitative and qualitative research using text analytics.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-30
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-08-2022-0691
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Illegal slaughter of sheep for “smokies” production and for the
Muslim sacrifice of Qurbani in the UK: animal welfare and food safety
implications-
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Authors: Awal Fuseini
Abstract: It is the expectation of Halal consumers that the meat they buy in retail shops and restaurants are ethically and legally reared and slaughtered in approved premises to protect animal welfare and public health. While this may be the case in multinational and well-established supermarkets due to due diligence on the part of retailers, there is evidence to suggest that some independent retail shops and ethnic restaurants in the UK partake in selling meat from illegally slaughtered animals. It is a crime that involves many players, but usually masterminded by rural entrepreneurs, including rogue farmers who supply the animals for illegal slaughter and further processing into smokies, or as part of the Islamic festival of Qurbani, in makeshift abattoirs. The purpose of this paper is to highlight illegal slaughter of sheep for the Halal market and how these impacts on food integrity and animal welfare. This paper examines the legality of slaughter in accordance with UK animal welfare and food safety legislations. The documentary research approach is adopted to examine available information on the activities of organised criminal gangs in the production of smokies and their possible involvement in Qurbani fraud. This paper demonstrates the involvement of some rogue farmers who are facilitating the smokies trade and illegal slaughter of sheep during the Qurbani sacrifice. It is worth noting that while these illegal activities occur in the Halal sector, the perpetrators are not always Muslims. The processing of illegally slaughtered sheep takes place in unhygienic conditions which is of food safety, public health concern and may violate the religious rules around slaughter. Illegal slaughter for the Muslim sacrifice of Qurbani is underreported, this paper aims to highlight the animal welfare and food safety aspects of this type of slaughter, in addition to those slaughtered for smokies production.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-29
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1128
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The circular potential of a Bio-District: indicators for waste
management-
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Authors: Stefano Poponi, Alessandro Ruggieri, Francesco Pacchera, Gabriella Arcese
Abstract: This work aims to assess the potential of a Bio-District as a model for applying the circular economy concerning the waste scope. It aims to understand the capability of organic farms to manage waste with a circular perspective, starting with the use of indicators that directly or indirectly impact the waste scope. This study is based on previous work that identified and systematised the circular indicators of the agri-food sector within a dashboard. With this research as a basis, the indicators within the waste scope in the dashboard were extracted. Cross-linked indicators with an indirect connection to the waste scope were also systematised and tested in a case study. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data came from a semi-structured interview, and the secondary data were from official databases. The work highlights two important results. The first allows the definition of a subclassification of indicators by product and organisation, extracting those with a cross-linked characteristic concerning the waste scope. Secondly, the indicators' application shows the farm's circular and waste valorisation potential within the Bio-District. The study also made it possible to test a new indicator, the “Potential Energy Biomass Recovery”, to measure the farm's potential to produce energy from waste. This research proposes a new circular economy approach to evaluate waste management in the agri-food sector.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-29
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1137
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Digitalisation and digital transformation in the social economy: the cases
of Anecoop and Consum-
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Authors: Belén Ribeiro-Navarrete, Esther Calderon-Monge, Virginia Simón-Moya
Abstract: Digital technologies are changing the business landscape and the way companies are run. This research examines the implementation of digitalisation and digital transformation (DT) and explores the associated advantages and disadvantages. Case study methodology was employed to help develop an understanding of how key actors implement DT. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed with managers of two social economy enterprises in the agri-food sector supply chain. The specific nature of the supply chain of companies in this sector can hinder the implementation of certain digital technologies. This scenario results in two different approaches to digital technologies: one focused on digitalisation, and another focused on DT. Companies in this sector that seek successful implementation of DT should choose and combine appropriate digital technologies that fit with their DT strategy. They should also structure their organisation to ensure the leadership of senior management to engage all staff. This study is valuable because of its focus on cooperatives in its analysis of DT. There is scant research on this business model, so the present study helps fill this gap in the literature.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-24
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1086
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Exogenous trehalose application promotes survival by alleviating oxidative
stress and affecting transcriptome in ethanol-stressed-
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Authors: Yinfeng Li, Guilan Jiang, Hua Long, Yifa Liao, Mingzheng Huang, Zhihai Yu, Shuang Cheng, Ying Wang, Xiaozhu Liu
Abstract: Increased ethanol accumulation during ethanol fermentation generates stress in yeast cells, which finally reduces the fermentation performance and efficiency. Trehalose, a potential stress protectant, has been reported to regulate the response of yeast to diverse environmental stresses. This study aimed to explore how exogenous trehalose application affects the survival, transcriptome and antioxidant enzymes of Wickerhamomyces anomalus grown under ethanol stress conditions. Exogenous trehalose was applied to the growth condition of W. anomalus, and optical densitometric method was used to detect contents of intracellular trehalose and MDA and activities of CAT and SOD. The survival was evaluated using spot analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through transcriptomics analysis. The results showed that ethanol stress induced the accumulation of intracellular trehalose, with further exogenous trehalose application improving the survival and alleviating oxidative stress in ethanol-stressed W. anomalus. Transcriptomic results showed that trehalose has pleiotropic regulating effects on ethanol-stressed W. anomalus since most DEGs annotated to energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, translation, folding, sorting and transport were affected post trehalose addition. Therefore, it is found that trehalose protected W. anomalus against ethanol stress, and these findings provide interesting insights into the mechanistic role of trehalose in improving ethanol stress tolerance of W. anomalus. (1) Protective effect of exogenous trehalose addition on the survival of ethanol-stressed W. anomalus was proved. (2) Exogenous trehalose addition could partly alleviate oxidative stress induced by ethanol stress and affect transcriptome in W. anomalus.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-19
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0061
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- A fuzzy AHP study of barriers for circularity in the wine sector in
Bulgaria-
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Authors: Vesselina Dimitrova, Teodoro Gallucci, Georgi Marinov, Petyo Boshnakov
Abstract: Identifying the barriers that hinder the circularity in the wine industry in Bulgaria and proposing a preliminary circular economy (CE) index for ranking in order of importance the barriers for providing a suitable and replicable model through the contextualization of the study applied at the territorial level. The article adopts a Fuzzy AHP methodology based on 6 main barriers and 19 sub-barriers to find the weights of the barriers and rank them. The study was conducted in Bulgaria, and it consists of a questionnaire with pairwise comparisons to ask for expert opinions of members of the Executive Board of the National Association of Bulgarian Vinegrowers and additional members of the regional vine and winegrowing chambers. The study identifies training and education and environmental barriers as the most important among the main barriers whereas, economic barriers are assessed as low impact. Considering the sub-barriers, lack of consumer awareness and interest, unclear taxation for CE, lack of knowledge about environmental emissions (carbon, water etc.) within the supply chains, and lack of digital trends are determined as the most significant sub-barriers. The preliminary CE index can be practically used and tested, when necessary, by each winemaker according to their understanding and opinion of CE barriers and sub-barriers. The ranking within the CE index can lead winemakers also to decisions related to the company's social policy. The study uses the Fuzzy AHP methodology with expert opinions to analyze and weigh the main barriers to achieving CE at the micro-level.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-19
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1113
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The role of traditional aspects, health consciousness and environmental
concerns in Italian agri-food consumption during Covid-19-
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Authors: Gabriella Arcese, Grazia Chiara Elmo, Fabio Fortuna, Maria Giovina Pasca, Mario Risso
Abstract: The study investigates how consumers' food purchasing habits changed during the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy. The research aims to understand if traditional aspects, health consciousness and environmental concerns have influenced and changed the purchases of food products post-pandemic. The authors developed a theoretical model to understand whether health consciousness, traditional aspects and environmental concerns affect consumers' purchasing intention. The study collects secondary data to analyse state of the art and investigate consumer behaviour in the agri-food system after the pandemic. Thereafter, a survey was conducted via a convenience random sampling procedure. The data (n = 622) were analysed using the formulated research framework and tested through the structural equation modelling procedure. The findings reveal that health consciousness and traditional aspects (culinary traditions, ingredients usage from one's territory of origin, products' origin attention) are among the main reasons for purchasing agri-food goods after the pandemic. Instead, environmental concerns negatively affect consumers' purchase intentions. The study identifies which aspects influenced consumers' purchasing intentions after the Covid-19 pandemic. It also provides insights for food companies and policymakers on the factors to be improved to optimize the agri-food sector following a sustainable perspective and in order to develop effective business strategies.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-09
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0841
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The role of social media in consumers’ intentions to buy green food:
evidence from Türkiye-
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Authors: Barış Armutcu, Veland Ramadani, Jusuf Zeqiri, Leo-Paul Dana
Abstract: There is limited research examining the relationship between social media and green food purchasing behaviour. In the current study, we examine the factors that affect consumers’ green food purchasing behaviour in Türkiye. Data collected from the participants by survey method were analysed using Smart PLS 4.0 with IBM SPSS 26 and PLS to run SEM. Our findings have revealed that from all the structural elements in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), only attitude and perceived behavioural control contribute to consumers’ green food purchasing behaviour, while subjective norms do not contribute to consumers’ green food purchasing behaviour. Additionally, it was found that social media usage (SMU) and digital marketing interactions (DMI) have a positive and significant effect on green food purchasing behaviour. More information, experiences, opinions and recommendations on green foods in social media channels can encourage consumers to buy more green food. This study first evaluates the applicability of the TPB model in explaining green food purchasing behaviour. This study is extended with two new factors included in the original framework of the TPB model, namely, SMU and DMI.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-09
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0988
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Limits and potential of organic farming towards a more sustainable
European agri-food system
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Grazia Calabro, Simone Vieri
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to assess whether the current European target to increase the areas under organic farming to 25% by 2030 is attainable and whether the simple increase in areas under organic farming may be sufficient to improve the sustainability of European agriculture. The analysis has been carried out through a simple data processing related to areas under organic farming, for the period 2012–2020 (Eurostat database), in order to highlight the trends of areas under organic farming and to verify whether the annual average change rates may be compatible with the stated target. The analysis showed that organic farming has a productive weight not corresponding to the amount on the total of the areas under cultivation and a small impact on the total of food consumption. It is a plausible hypothesis, the one that shows the increase in areas under organic farming will engage forms of agriculture and farms that, already, are more sustainable, so the achievement of 25% target will not particularly impact the European potential productive and the less environmental sustainable forms of agriculture. This paper contributes to the debate, involving scientific community, policy maker and civil society, about the real contribution of organic farming to sustainability, and it will be developed in future research.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-08
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1067
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Generation Z, tourism and hospitality: the legacy of COVID-19
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Authors: Domenico Morrone, Annunziata Tarulli, Raffaele Silvestri, Savino Santovito
Abstract: As Generation Z (Gen Z) represents one of the most important segments in the travel and tourism sector, the present work aims to analyse Gen Z's behaviour in a post-pandemic scenario. In particular, the present work deepens the factors that may influence future accommodation choices. This study uses data from a web-based questionnaire targeting Italian tourists belonging to Generation Z, reaching 221 complete responses. After the statistical analysis of the sample, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was then carried out. Data provided evidence about the main factors affecting Gen Z tourist choices. In particular, these young consumers are positively influenced by the information (especially from institutional and verifiable sources), more flexible purchase terms (e.g. full refund in case of cancellation due to contagion of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and digital payments) and structure features (e.g. cleanliness, sanitisation, digitalisation and sustainability). This work attempts to contribute to the academic literature by looking at the tourism experience from Gen Z's perspective. From this angle, this work underlines the influence some factors exert on the final accommodation choice, especially in the presence of exogenous events. Moreover, as this study focusses on a post-pandemic scenario, the study seeks to provide valuable indications, both at the theoretical and managerial level, for the tourism sector to boost the sector's recovery and prepare the sector to face similar events.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-04
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0972
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Wine tourism as a catalyst for green innovation: evidence from the
Spanish wine industry-
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Authors: Javier Martínez-Falcó, Bartolomé Marco-Lajara, Patrocinio del Carmen Zaragoza-Sáez, Luis A. Millan-Tudela
Abstract: This research focuses on analysing the effect of wine tourism on green product and process innovations developed by Spanish wineries. In addition, age, size and membership in a protected designation of origin (PDO) are introduced as control variables to increase the precision of the cause–effect relationship analysed. The study proposes a conceptual model based on previous studies, which is tested using structural equations (partial least squares structural equation modelling [PLS-SEM]) with data collected from 202 Spanish wineries. The research results show that wine tourism activity has a positive and significant influence on green product and process innovation. The research contributes to the academic literature in several ways. First, the study advances knowledge and understanding of the benefits generated by wine tourism. Second, the research contributes to the literature that analyses the wine tourism–sustainability link, since it is predicted that this type of tourism can increase the capacity for green innovation. Third, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no previous research that has analysed wine tourism as a catalytic variable for green innovation. Fourth, the proposed theoretical model has not been previously addressed in the academic literature, so the study represents an important advance in scientific knowledge.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-04-28
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-08-2022-0690
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Online food delivery habits and its environmental impact during
the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian and Polish study-
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Authors: Erica Varese, Maria Chiara Cesarani, Bartłomiej Kabaja, Mariusz Sołtysik, Magdalena Wojnarowska
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate, through a quantitative research, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online food delivery in Italy and Poland, as well as to ascertain whether or not, under a consumer perspective, respondents consider such method as impacting on the environment and on food waste. An empirical survey of consumers at Italian and Polish Universities was conducted using the online survey computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method. Results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has modified consumer habits in both Italy and Poland, though the researched sample does not have full knowledge of these changes. Moreover, the study has proved once again that online food delivery may impact negatively on the environment and the food waste issue. This paper fills a gap in literature since, by the authors' knowledge, it is the first quantitative study analysing Italian and Polish young consumers as to online food delivery habits and their approach to sustainability aspects of this purchasing method.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-04-28
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1120
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- What do consumers care about when purchasing experiential packaging'
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Authors: Paula Álvarez-González, Ana Dopico-Parada, María J. López-Miguens
Abstract: The importance of packaging attributes for purchase decisions has generated interest in the research and food industry. As a matter of fact, innovation in packaging is constantly searching for new solutions that generate customer experience. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of packaging attributes (protection, convenience, portability and storage, information, sustainability, branding and engagement) on consumer purchase intention of experiential packaging especially designed to provide an extraordinary sensory or interactive communicational experience and the influence of potential moderators. The authors used a quantitative methodology based on the partial least squares (PLS) technique to estimate the structural model proposed. A purposely developed questionnaire was administered to a non-probabilistic sample of 1,489 European consumers. The questionnaire included questions related to consumers' perception of packaging attributes and purchase intention of different experiential packages. The results indicate that packaging attributes are related to consumer purchase intention of experiential packaging. Engagement attributes show the strongest positive influence followed by branding and economy. However, attributes such as sustainability showed a negative effect on the purchase intention of these packages. The authors’ results also show the influence of gender, family structure and residential background as moderators of the relationships. Customers' decision-making processes are strongly influenced by product packaging. However, little is known about how new technologies and design in packaging influence consumers' responses. This research provides evidence of the influence of packaging attributes on consumer purchase intention for experiential packaging, a proliferating area of research.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-04-07
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-07-2022-0579
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- A multi-actor ICT platform for increasing sustainability and resilience of
small-scale farmers after pandemic crisis-
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Authors: Antonio Cimino, Francesco Longo, Vittorio Solina, Saverino Verteramo
Abstract: This paper proposes an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platform to increase the sustainability and resilience of smallholders to face supply chain disruptions in the event of COVID-like crises. The platform facilitates interactions between smallholders and buyers, workers and freight transport companies in agri-food ecosystems. Furthermore, this research work presents the implementation of the freight transport companies’ platform module. The research work begins with a literature review aiming at analyzing current available ICT solutions supporting smallholders and other actors in the agri-food supply chain. This analysis identifies the research gaps which have to be filled by the platform. Then, the authors proceed with the analysis of the operational scenarios of each platform actor by interacting with experts and operators working in the agri-food sector. The results of such analysis resulted in a comprehensive, unambiguous and consistent set of specification being used to define the platform structure and modules architecture. The platform modules have been developed by using the web-application framework Laravel. Preliminary tests show that the proposed platform is usable and promises to improve the resilience and economic, social and environmental sustainability of agri-food supply chains, with a focus on smallholders. The research work allows players in the agri-food supply chain and in particular small local producers to react and mitigate the impact of COVID-like crises through development of a platform in which smallholders, citizens (buyers and workers) and freight transport companies are simultaneously present.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-04-04
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-01-2023-0049
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- The way we live, the way we travel: generation Z and sustainable
consumption in food tourism experiences
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Alicia Orea-Giner, Francesc Fusté-Forné
Abstract: This research aims to examine Generation Z's perspectives of sustainable consumption in food tourism experiences, considering the drivers on food tourists' behavioural intents and basing its analysis on the value-attitude-behaviour model of norm activation theory. Using a qualitative design, 27 qualitative online surveys were conducted with Generation Z travellers who are also active on social media. Results show that while they are aware of environmental knowledge and ethical food choices and think that sustainable food consumption improves individual and social wellbeing, the sustainability of food consumption is limited by factors such as time and budget. Also, results reveal that the eating habits of Generation Z people are more sustainable when they eat at home than when they travel. Theoretical and practical implications for food tourism management and marketing are described. While food tourism has been largely investigated in recent years, little previous research has focused on the relationships between daily eating behaviours and sustainable consumption in food tourism experiences, especially from the perspective of Generation Z individuals and the influence of social media on individual and social food decisions.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-04-04
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0962
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- “Green” practices in the food retail sector: evidence
from the Romanian market-
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Authors: Raluca Mariana Grosu
Abstract: Within a Europe highly concerned about becoming a zero net greenhouse gas emission continent, and where the circular economy is strongly promoted as a proper lever in this sense, the present paper aims to raise awareness regarding best practices towards a “green” food retail sector in Romania. In a more specific regard, the “green” practices implemented by the main food retailers acting on the Romanian market are analysed, focusing on what these practices are, how they are measured and how transparent they are. The paper is based on desk research consisting in the identification and content analysis of the “green”-related information outlined on the food retailers' websites and in their published sustainability reports. Food retailers are concerned about becoming carbon neutral, implementing the “green” measures outlined in the paper through the lenses of waste management, minimising/eradicating plastic, reducing/eliminating food waste, energy efficiency/saving, water consumption efficiency, protecting biodiversity, transportation efficiency and compliance with standards/obtained certifications/adherence to pacts. In addition to actions, food retailers are concerned about their proper, continuous monitorization, tackling key indicators in four directions: overall impact on the environment, impact on resources, waste impact and transportation impact. The paper provides a novel, exhaustive best practices guide to encourage the transition to a “greener” activity in the Romanian food retail sector, highlighting both action measures and key assessment indicators.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-04-03
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1119
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Do circular economy practices moderate the wine tourism–green
performance relationship' A structural analysis applied to the Spanish
wine industry-
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Authors: Javier Martínez-Falcó, Bartolomé Marco-Lajara, Patrocinio del Carmen Zaragoza-Sáez, Luis A. Millan-Tudela
Abstract: The research focuses on analysing the effect of wine tourism (WT) on the green performance (GP) of Spanish wineries, as well as the mediating role of green intellectual capital (GIC) and the moderating effect of circular economy practices (CEPs) developed by wineries in this main relationship. In addition, age, size and protected designation of origin (PDO) membership are introduced as control variables to increase the precision of the cause–effect relationships analysed. A conceptual model is proposed through the literature review carried out and then verified through structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) based on data obtained from a survey of 202 Spanish wineries between September 2021 and January 2022. The results of the study show that WT activity has a positive and significant effect on the GP of wineries, also demonstrating the mediating effect of GIC and the moderating role of CEPs in this relationship. The study contributes to the academic literature in several ways. First, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has addressed the impact of WT on the set of wineries' ecological intangibles. Second, to the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has analysed the mediating effect of GIC on the WT-GP relationship. Third, there is no previous attempt to deal with the moderating role of CEPs in the main relationship under analysis. Fourth, the proposed theoretical model has not been previously addressed in the academic literature.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-29
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0833
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Sustainable and healthy purchasing behaviors towards palm oil-based food
in Italy
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Fabrizio Flavio Baldassarre, Savino Santovito, Raffaele Campo, Giacomo Dilorenzo
Abstract: Palm oil is widely used in the food industry; however, there are two main controversies connected to its use, namely, its nutritional value and the environmental consequences deriving from its crop. In Italy, the use of palm oil has recently been criticized, insomuch that some important bakery companies decided to substitute it, creating a real food marketing case. Through a focus on biscuits, this study is aimed at profiling consumers with regard to palm oil issue to better comprehend if the presence of this ingredient truly influences their food purchases and if they care about the nutritional and environmental aspects, highlighting the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on consumers' consumption. A questionnaire was administered to 243 subjects in Italy, in order to apply a cluster analysis. The findings show the presence of three main kinds of consumers: (1) compromise finders (sensitive to cost savings but trying to privilege palm-oil free food), (2) brand-loyal consumers (palm oil does not influence their preferences) and (3) healthsensitives (the presence of palm oil profoundly affects their choices), who represent the majority of our sample. The results and implications are discussed. Research on palm oil is essentially focused on chemistry, natural sciences or on its industrial uses: this study analyzes the consumer point of view by applying a different methodology compared to existing studies.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-29
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0968
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Evaluation of the agri-food supply chain risks: the circular economy
context-
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Authors: Mladen Krstić, Valerio Elia, Giulio Paolo Agnusdei, Federica De Leo, Snežana Tadić, Pier Paolo Miglietta
Abstract: Circular supply chains (CSC) are particularly important for the agri-food sector, which faces strict requirements generated by increased food consumption as a consequence of world population growth, changes in lifestyle, development of consumer society and increasing health awareness. Recent disruptive factors have placed the vulnerability of agri-food supply chains in the spotlight. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to identify the most manageable groups of risks in order to ensure the smooth operation of agri-food circular supply chains. Seven main risk groups were evaluated in relation to nine criteria. To solve this multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, a novel MCDM model, which integrates the best-worst method (BWM) and the COmprehensive distance-Based RAnking (COBRA) method in a grey environment, was developed. Three risks were singled out, namely, product features risks, logistics risks and managerial risks. The obtained risks are those whose management would create the most positive effects for the stakeholders and help them achieve their primary goals regarding the circularity of agri-food supply chains. This study investigates the main characteristics of the CSC in the agri-food sector, identifies, simultaneously explores and ranks all main risk groups associated with them and expands the possibilities for solving these kinds of problems by developing a novel MCDM model. It also identifies the most significant risks, both for individual stakeholders and for all stakeholder groups together.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-21
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1116
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Statistical analysis of the circular economy for the intervention policies
of the NRRP-
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Authors: Pierluigi Passaro, Paola Perchinunno, Francesco Rotondo
Abstract: This paper deals with analyzing the relationships between the domains of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Missions envisaged by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). Specifically, the authors refer to Mission 2 (Green revolution and ecological transition) and to the statistical indicators related to the M2C1 component (Circular economy and sustainable agriculture). The numerous data available were analyzed at a regional level using multivariate statistical methodologies (Totally Fuzzy and Relative method) capable of summarizing the various information to evaluate the current situation relating to the “circular economy and sustainable agriculture” component. The presence of multiple updated data allows for the development of a holistic approach to the evaluation of the local government policies in place and to be able to monitor the progress of the subsequent intervention policies of the Italian government. No Findings. NRRP represents an opportunity for development for the area, providing for reforms and substantial investments for the promotion of circular economy solutions, the improvement of the capacity for efficient and sustainable waste management, the strengthening of the infrastructures for treatment of waste and separate collection, the reduction of the North/South gap.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-16
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0796
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Social media on the route to circular economy transition from a dialogic
perspective: evidence from the agri-food industry
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Benedetta Esposito, Daniela Sica, Ornella Malandrino, Stefania Supino
Abstract: This paper investigates circular economy communications and stakeholder dialogic engagement with circular economy posts published by European agri-food companies on Twitter from the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the use of social media as a dialogic tool to activate circular economy engagement in order to involve all supply-chain actors on the route to a circular transition. A coding framework based on the reclassification of the Glossary of Circular Economy, according to a 4-R paradigm (reduce, reuse, recycle and recover), was developed for the analysis. All tweets published by a sample of European agri-food companies, starting from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic until data extraction, were collected, purified and analysed. Agri-food companies showed a higher level of engagement through social media, even if mainly focused on “recycling” and “general circular economy” issues. In general, awareness among social network users of the need to be part of the circular economy transition emerged. Moreover, the highest percentage of posts published by the companies' Twitter accounts was informative rather than interactive. In addition, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the circular economy has arisen as a central topic of debate and a driver for the rethinking process of the agri-food business community. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this research represents the first study focused on circular economy engagement through social media from the company perspective in the agri-food industry.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-20
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-0974
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Hospitality SMEs and the circular economy: strategies and practice
post-COVID-
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Authors: Robert Bowen, David Dowell, Wyn Morris
Abstract: This research evaluates specific circular economy issues in relation to the hospitality sector. This is investigated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the impact that the experiences of UK hospitality SMEs had on their circular economy activities. Viewed through a resource bricolage lens, for some this was a consequence of the challenges of the pandemic, while others were proactive in pursuing circular economy strategies. A sequential mixed methods research design is established based on a pragmatic worldview. The first phase analyses secondary data from the Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) to evaluate circular economy aspects on hospitality businesses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 2 collects and analyses qualitative semi-structured interview data from directors of hospitality SMEs to investigate the experiences of businesses in this research context. Results point to a desire for hospitality SMEs to engage in circular economy activities, especially as a means of achieving financial efficiency, however this is sometimes constrained by increased costs. Resource bricolage theory underlines potential advantages for SMEs to engage with the local community to support circular economy activities and bring mutual benefits. This research contributes to the under-researched topic of circular economy issues in hospitality SMEs. The focus on SMEs is significant as small businesses are more resource-constrained than larger businesses. The context of the post-COVID period is also notable due to changing attitudes towards circular economy aspects from the experiences of the pandemic.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-16
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0932
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Dealcoholised wine: exploring the purchasing considerations of South
African Generation Y consumers
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Markus Filter, Chris D. Pentz
Abstract: This study contributes to the scant research on dealcoholised wine from a consumer behaviour perspective by providing insight and reporting on the attributes that South African Generation Y consumers prefer when purchasing dealcoholised wine. A two-phased research approach was adopted, involving a main quantitative phase, preceded by a qualitative phase. Data were gathered from 626 South African Generation Y respondents by means of a questionnaire. The best–worst scaling method was applied to 13 selected dealcoholised wine attributes, to measure the level of importance of each attribute. To gain more insight on the data, the best-worst scaling scores were further standardised to a probabilistic ratio scale. “Taste”, “price” and “I have tried it before” were the most important attributes that respondents considered when purchasing dealcoholised wine. Furthermore, “taste” was by far the most important of all the attributes. The attributes of “back label”, “attractive front label” and “brand name” were identified as the least important by the respondents, suggesting that they did not consider the visual elements of a bottle of dealcoholised wine as particularly important in their purchasing decision. The findings of this pioneering study contribute to the lack of knowledge about dealcoholised wine from a consumer behaviour and marketing perspective, and provide insights and strategies that can be used by stakeholders to enhance the dealcoholised wine market in South Africa.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-14
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-04-2022-0339
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Carbon footprint of FFP2 protective facial masks against SARS-CoV-2 used
in the food sector: effect of materials and dry sanitisation
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Pasquale Giungato, Bianca Moramarco, Roberto Leonardo Rana, Caterina Tricase
Abstract: International outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 infection has fostered the Italian government to impose the FFP2 protective facial masks in closed environments, including bar, restaurants and, more in general, in the food sector. Protective facial masks are rocketing, both in mass and in costs, in the food sector imposing efforts in fostering reuse strategies and in the achievement of sustainable development goals. The scope of the present paper is to depict possible strategies in manufacturing and reuse strategies that can reduce the carbon footprint (CF) of such devices. To implement circular economy strategies in the protective facial masks supply chain, it was considered significant to move towards a study of the environmental impact of such devices, and therefore a CF study has been performed on an FFP2 facial mask used in the food sector. Different materials besides the mostly used polypropylene (PP) (polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), poly (lactic acid) (PLA), cotton, polyurethane (PUR), polystyrene (PS) and nylon 6,6) and different sanitisation alternatives as reuse strategies (both laboratory and homemade static oven, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) readily implemented have been modelled to calculate the CF of a single use of an FFP2 mask. The production of textiles in PP, followed by disposal was the main contributor to CF of the single-use FFP2 mask, followed by packaging and transportations. PP and PE were the least impacting, PC, cotton and Nylon 6-6 of the same weight results the worst. PLA has an impact greater than PP and PE obtained from crude oil, followed by PUR and PS. Static laboratory oven obtained an 80.4% reduction of CF with respect to single use PP-made FFP2 mask, whereas homemade oven obtained a similar 82.2% reduction; UV cabinet is the best option, showing an 89.9% reduction. The key strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of the masks (research for new materials and reuse with sanitisation) should ensure both the retention of filtering capacities and the sanitary sterility of the reused ones. Future developments should include evaluations of textile recycling impacts, using new materials and the evaluation of the life cycle costs of the reused masks. This paper intends to provide to stakeholders (producers, consumers and policy makers) the tools to choose the best option for producing and reuse environmentally friendly protective facial masks to be used in the food sector, by using both different materials and easily implemented reuse strategies. The reduction of the CF of protective facial masks in the food sector surely will have relevant positive effects on climate change contributing to reach the goals of reducing CO2 emissions. The food sector may promote sustainable practices and attract a niche piece of clients particularly sensible to such themes. The paper has two major novelties. The first one is the assessment of the CF of a single use of an FFP2 mask made with different materials of the non-woven filtering layers; as the major contribution to the CF of FFP2 masks is related to the non-woven textiles manufacturing, the authors test some other different materials, including PLA. The second is the assessment of the CF of one single use of a sanitised FFP2 mask, using different sanitation technologies as those allowed in bars or restaurants.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-07
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0773
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Improving online food ordering and delivery service quality by managing
customer expectations: evidence from Italy
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Angelo Bonfanti, Chiara Rossato, Vania Vigolo, Alfonso Vargas-Sánchez
Abstract: Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, many restaurants and catering businesses have introduced or improved online food ordering and delivery services (OFODSs). This study aims to identify service quality expectations about OFODSs, to examine their content and to suggest management strategies to meet these expectations. Adopting a qualitative method, four focus groups were conducted amongst Italian users of OFODSs. The results reveal three dimensions of expectations, each comprising two categories that can be set along a continuum: (1) basicness of expectations (ranging from implicit to explicit), (2) accuracy of expectations (ranging from fuzzy to precise) and (3) attainability of expectations (ranging from realistic to unrealistic). Content may refer to technical, social, economic, legal and technological aspects. To meet customer expectations, the following strategies are suggested: customer reassurance, flexibility, continuous improvement, customer education, adaptation to customers' requirements and monitoring of exceptions. This study provides specific activities in which restaurants and catering businesses could invest to enact the management strategies that emerged from the analysis. This paper proposes a new classification of expectations and framework for improving OFODS quality by managing customer expectations.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-06
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-08-2022-0694
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Upcycled food choice motives and their association with hesitancy towards
consumption of this type of food: a Swedish study
Open Access Article-
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Authors: Hanieh Moshtaghian, Kim Bolton, Kamran Rousta
Abstract: This study investigates factors motivating upcycled food choices and assesses the association between these factors and hesitancy towards upcycled food consumption in a Swedish population. An online food choice questionnaire was used. Participants (n = 682) were categorised into Inclined and Hesitant groups based on their intention to consume upcycled foods. The factors motivating upcycled food choices were identified using explanatory factor analyses. Independent t-tests assessed the differences in the mean importance score of factors between the two groups. The association between upcycled food choice factors and hesitancy towards consumption was evaluated by logistic regressions (adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics). The most important upcycled food choice factor in both groups was ethical concerns, followed by natural content, sensory appeal, price, healthiness, familiarity and impression. The Inclined group’s mean importance score for ethical concern was higher than the Hesitant group (pvalue
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-01-23
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0757
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Blue economy and aquaculture before and during the pandemic era: a
systematic literature review-
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Authors: Raffaele Silvestri, Domenico Morrone, Pasquale Del Vecchio, Gioconda Mele
Abstract: The paper provides a contribution of systematisation to the literature on the blue economy and aquaculture as challenging issues for achieving sustainable growth and a circular economy. The growing scientific interest in recent years and the increased attention in political agendas make the blue economy and aquaculture as promising fields for scientific investigation. The latter has been confirmed during a particular period too as the pandemic times. To identify those areas of specialisation emerging from the intersection of such topics, the paper embraces a systematic literature review for inspiring future research. The study covers a period of 20 years by including 85 papers extracted from the Scopus database. Through the adoption of VOSviewer, the investigation explores the main descriptive statistics, while content analysis has been embraced to identify thematic areas. The main results of this study are about statistics (i.e. publication trends, geographic distribution, most frequent keywords and most influential authors, etc.). Three main thematic areas have been identified in this study: SDGs and policies for sustainable development, food and energy, business models and managerial issues. Practical implications arise both for firms and policymakers. About the firsts, interesting insights can be derived in terms of business model innovation, collaborative approaches and technological exploration. About policymakers, inspiration in terms of renewal of strategic guidelines, creation of enabling contextual conditions and evidences for new regulations can be noted. Elements of original contributions can be identified in the adoption of an SLR to verify the advancement of the debate till the recent pandemic.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-01-02
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-07-2022-0660
Issue No: Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print (2023)
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- Unleashing the value of artificial intelligence in the agri-food sector:
where are we'
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Authors: Meriam Trabelsi, Elena Casprini, Niccolò Fiorini, Lorenzo Zanni
Abstract: This study analyses the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for the agri-food sector. This research aims to identify the current research streams, main methodologies used, findings and results delivered, gaps and future research directions. This study relies on 69 published contributions in the field of AI in the agri-food sector. It begins with a bibliographic coupling to map and identify the current research streams and proceeds with a systematic literature review to examine the main topics and examine the main contributions. Six clusters were identified: (1) AI adoption and benefits, (2) AI for efficiency and productivity, (3) AI for logistics and supply chain management, (4) AI for supporting decision making process for firms and consumers, (5) AI for risk mitigation and (6) AI marketing aspects. Then, the authors propose an interpretive framework composed of three main dimensions: (1) the two sides of AI: the “hard” side concerns the technology development and application while the “soft” side regards stakeholders' acceptance of the latter; (2) level of analysis: firm and inter-firm; (3) the impact of AI on value chain activities in the agri-food sector. This study provides interpretive insights into the extant literature on AI in the agri-food sector, paving the way for future research and inspiring practitioners of different AI approaches in a traditionally low-tech sector.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-16
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-11-2022-1014
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Impact of faith on food marketing and consumer behaviour: a review
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Authors: Savino Santovito, Raffaele Campo, Pierfelice Rosato, Long Dai Khuc
Abstract: The aim of this manuscript is to study the current scientific literature on food marketing and religion, by giving an overview of current knowledge and the possible future research opportunities once found the gaps. This a classic literature review carried on by considering marketing, consumer behaviour and management journals as well as religion-focused ones. Current literature highlights how faith impacts on food marketing and religious consumers choices (and not only). Most of the papers focus on Islam. Considering the globalised economy, the authors’ findings highlight also the relevance of religious certifications for less/not religious people, because of certified food is considered safe and healthy. The paper joins and reviews two research fields whose connection is growing, so it is relevant to know the current status of scientific literature, which is updated compared to recent literature.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-08-08
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0112
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Artificial intelligence and new business models in agriculture:
a structured literature review and future research agenda
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Authors: Alberto Cavazza, Francesca Dal Mas, Paola Paoloni, Martina Manzo
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a growing technology impacting several business fields. The agricultural sector is facing several challenges, which may be supported by the use of such a new advanced technology. The aim of the paper is to map the state-of-the-art of AI applications in agriculture, their advantages, barriers, implications and the ability to lead to new business models, depicting a future research agenda. A structured literature review has been conducted, and 37 contributions have been analyzed and coded using a detailed research framework. Findings underline the multiple uses and advantages of AI in agriculture and the potential impacts for farmers and entrepreneurs, even from a sustainability perspective. Several applications and algorithms are being developed and tested, but many barriers arise, starting from the lack of understanding by farmers and the need for global investments. A collaboration between scholars and practitioners is advocated to share best practices and lead to practical solutions and policies. The promising topic of new business models is still under-investigated and deserves more attention from scholars and practitioners. The paper reports the state-of-the-art of AI in agriculture and its impact on the development of new business models. Several new research avenues have been identified.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-12
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-02-2023-0132
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- An econometric analysis of the demand for cigarettes in Italy after the
introduction of heated tobacco products in 2016
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Authors: Stefano Marzioni, Alessandro Pandimiglio, Marco Spallone
Abstract: This article provides evidence of a long-term structural relationship between demand for heated tobacco products (HTPs) and for combustible cigarettes in a Marshallian demand framework, using data from the Italian market. A cointegration-based approach allows to capture the substitution effects between the two products arising for reasons (possibly) other than price. The authors find that such a relationship exists and is sufficiently strong to constitute a cointegration. Since a fully consolidated consensus on reduced harm from smokeless tobacco products is absent, symmetric policies on both markets are therefore necessary in terms of regulation and excise incidence to minimize the social cost of substitution and to maximize government revenues, which are a necessary counterpart to negative externalities that arise with smoking both products. This paper focuses on the Italian market with product specific volume and price data, both for cigarettes and HTPs. Because of the detected relationship, a regulatory trade-off arises in case of a relatively mild regulation on heated-tobacco products: benefits from decreasing demand for combustible cigarettes may be offset by the social cost of increasing consumption of heated tobacco products. Moreover, a milder regulation makes price related policies to curb smoking less effective.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-07-11
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0760
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Drivers of liking and value perception for a new apple cultivar in
Italy
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Authors: Sergio Rivaroli, Roberta Spadoni, Stefano Tartarini, Roberto Gregori, Bettina Riedel, Paola Draicchio, Luca Folini, Themistoklis Altintzoglou, Maurizio Canavari
Abstract: Combining sensory evaluations and hypothetical valuation mechanisms, this study aims to investigate the impact of consumers' product sensory attributes on willingness to pay (WTP) and overall liking for a new apple cultivar. A sample of non-expert participants (n = 122) evaluated the overall liking and just-about-right (JAR) attributes. A variable transformation approach was applied to make linear and interval regression models between the JAR attributes, overall liking scores and participants' WTP. The study reveals the high consumer appreciation for the new apple in both hedonic and economic terms. After controlling the anchoring effect's bias, the predicted mean WTP for the new apple cultivar was €3.26 per kilogramme. Crunchiness and flavour significantly affect both participants' overall liking and WTP. The main limitation is the non-probabilistic sampling procedure, which does not allow for the generalisation of the results. Penalty analysis for JAR attributes in monetary and hedonic terms is beneficial for optimising the product and evaluating its potential in the marketplace. The findings provide helpful directions for product optimisation in future breeding programmes to ensure the long-term sustainability of the new apple cultivars in the marketplace. This study provides evidence of the beneficial synergy of mixing sensory-oriented research with the behavioural economics field of study.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-06-06
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2022-0865
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Natural wine as an expression of sustainability: an exploratory analysis
of Italy's restaurant industry
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Authors: Patrizia Gazzola, Enrica Pavione, Daniele Grechi, Federica Scavarda
Abstract: Although not yet fully defined, natural wine represents a sector that has gained the widespread attention of final consumers and, therefore, also of the restaurant world, because of its promise of sustainability. The objective of this paper is to understand Italian haute cuisine's interest in natural wine, with the aim of analysing what qualifies this product as sustainable. After introducing a theoretical framework based on the concept of natural wine, a brief paragraph is dedicated to consumer preferences; subsequently, the analysis focusses on a questionnaire given to restaurateurs to determine the impact that natural wine has had in the Italian context. The results try to identify the importance that restaurateurs give to the characteristics of natural wine and their propensity for using such wine in their own businesses. The analysis, conducted on a sample of medium-high range restaurants, highlights their strong interest in natural wine, as a result of the final consumers' attitude towards wine with characteristics attributable to sustainability. The positive perception by restaurateurs is similar across Italy, both geographically and in terms of the size of the restaurant. The originality of the work is the focus on the world of restaurants. To date, the literature on natural wine remains embryonic and always refers to the final consumer. This research is the first step in a broader study that will involve a greater number of restaurants, extending beyond Italy to all of Europe, with the aim of understanding the real development potential of natural wine.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-22
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-08-2022-0680
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- The perceived value of oat milk and the food-choice motives
of young, urban people
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Authors: Merja Halme, Anna-Maija Pirttilä-Backman, Trang Pham
Abstract: Both governments and the food industry are interested in plant-based products. New products are advertised as climate-friendly, with plant-based materials increasingly replacing animal-based content. In Finland, oat milk dominates the plant-based milk market. The authors studied what features young and urban users of plant-based and cow's milk value in oat milk for coffee and how the preferences of the users relate to ethical food-choice motives. In total, 308 students filled in an e-questionnaire. The survey used best-worst scaling (BWS), a discrete choice approach, to measure the perceived values related to oat milk characteristics. The ethical motives were measured by a version of the Lindeman and Väänänen scale. Also the respondents' diets were asked. Preference clusters were identified and viewed with the ethical food-choice motives and diets. The respondent group that exclusively used cow's milk attached more value to taste, added nutritional elements, discounts and recommendations by friends. The rest of the respondents attached more value to origin and sustainability-related features of oat milk. In the six-cluster solution, one extreme cluster was valuing taste and the other was valuing sustainability-related issues. All the ethical food-choice motives: ecological welfare, political values and religion were (roughly) the higher the cluster valued sustainability-related items. The respondents eating meat were more likely to belong to the clusters valuing taste than non-meat eaters that belong more likely to clusters valuing sustainability-related features. Very few earlier studies have explored the heterogeneity of valuations of plant-based products and the products' relationship with ethical food-choice motives.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-05-16
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-03-2022-0238
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Food interests, preferences and behaviours: a profile of the
sustainable food consumer
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Authors: Claire O'Neill, Mary Brigid McCarthy, Seamus O'Reilly, Frode Alfnes
Abstract: Sustainability challenges are omnipresent. This study aims to identify consumer segments based on food consumption practices from purchasing to disposal. A priori work identified quality attributes, food responsibility, dietary choices and food organisation and management within the home as key influences. Each represents an opportunity for consumers to employ more sustainable food behaviours. A priori work identified several indicators for each of these influences. This study explored the suitability of these indicators for measuring the identified key influences. The authors used an online survey of 324 Irish food consumers in January 2021 to address online food interests, purchasing preferences and purchase behaviour linked to food sustainability. The authors identify four consumer segments – food dabblers, food appreciators, pro-sus and pressured – which present a holistic view of the sustainable behaviours practiced by food consumers. The findings provide insight into the range of sustainability-related food behaviours actioned by consumers – from interest in meat-free products, organics and local produce to having an organised stock at home and minimising waste. The findings shed light on how consumers integrate elements of sustainability into their food lifestyles. This study captures sustainability-related food behaviours from the point of purchase through to consumption and disposal and identifies four new consumer segments based on interests, preferences and behaviours.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-04-18
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-09-2022-0762
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Where was my cup of honey made' PDO honey and sub-regional
ethnocentric consumer segments
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Authors: Maria Teresa Trentinaglia, Daniele Cavicchioli, Cristina Bianca Pocol, Lucia Baldi
Abstract: The goal of this study is to understand if ethnocentrism exists at the sub-regional level among honey consumers living in the same production area as a protected designation of origin (PDO). Moreover, this analysis explores if ethnocentrism is influenced by individual economic conditions, among other socio-demographic characteristics. A sample of 725 consumers was collected through the use of a questionnaire that was circulated in the province of Varese, one of the few honey PDO areas in Italy. The authors performed a principal component analysis and a two-step cluster analysis to identify different PDO honey consumer segments, focusing on their interest for PDO attributes. The authors identified four consumer segments, depending on socio-demographic, consumption habits, frequencies, preferred attributes and preferences for the PDO product. One cluster exhibited strong preferences for the PDO honey, in the spirit of ethnocentrism, and was characterised by low-income levels; ethnocentric preferences were also observed in another cluster that had a different socio-economic profile. Honey is a niche product and not universally diffused among consumers: further analyses should investigate sub-national ethnocentrism for more universal food products. Yet, through the inspection of the different profiles found, it was possible to devise marketing strategies to boost PDO honey purchasing and to bring consumers closer to PDO products. This analysis considers ethnocentrism as a segmentation criterion for PDO honey consumers that live in the very same PDO honey production area and enriches the existing literature on the relationship between ethnocentrism and individual economic status.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-24
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-07-2022-0640
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Consumer preferences for rice in East Africa
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Authors: Edgar Edwin Twine, Sali Atanga Ndindeng, Gaudiose Mujawamariya, Stella Everline Adur-Okello, Celestine Kilongosi
Abstract: Improving the competitiveness of East Africa's rice industries necessitates increased and viable production of rice of the quality desired by consumers. This paper aims to understand consumer preferences for rice quality attributes in Uganda and Kenya to inform the countries' rice breeding programs and value chain development interventions. Rice samples are obtained from retail markets in various districts/counties across the two countries. The samples are analyzed in a grain quality laboratory for the rice's physicochemical characteristics and the resulting data are used to non-parametrically estimate hedonic price functions. District/county dummies are included to account for potential heterogeneity in consumer preferences. Ugandan consumers are willing to pay a price premium for rice with a relatively high proportion of intact grains, but the consumers discount chalkiness. Kenyan consumers discount high amylose content and impurities. There is evidence of heterogeneity in consumer preferences for rice in Mbale, Butaleja and Arua districts of Uganda and in Kericho and Busia counties of Kenya. The study makes a novel contribution to the literature on consumer preferences for rice in East Africa by applying a hedonic pricing model to the data generated from a laboratory analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of rice samples obtained from the market. Rather than base our analysis on consumers' subjective sensory assessment of the quality characteristics of rice, standard laboratory methods are used to generate the data, which enables a more objective assessment of the relationship between market prices and the quantities of attributes present in the rice samples.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-23
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-08-2022-0698
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Consumption of low pesticides food: implications for producers and
policymakers. Results from a multi-attribute analysis
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Authors: Paola Ferretti, Aiste Petkeviciute, Maria Bruna Zolin
Abstract: This study aims to identify different consumer segments to address the strategies that can be adopted by companies and policymakers to increase the consumption of safer foods and reduce the negative externalities caused by pesticides. More than 3,000 consumers were involved in the survey, of which more than 1,000 completed in all parts. The complexity of the topic required a multidimensional approach. Therefore, the authors modelled the decision support system by proposing a decision rule-based approach to analyse consumers' food purchasing choices. More precisely, the authors referred to the dominance-based rough set approach (DRSA). Based on the DRSA results, three consumer segments were identified: green consumers, integrated pest management (IPM)-informed and active consumers, and potential low-pesticide consumers for which different policy implications have been highlighted. Despite the high number of survey respondents, further research should seek to obtain data from a more balanced sample. Furthermore, different methods of analysis could be applied and the results compared. Identification and promotion of managerial and public policies to increase the consumption of low pesticide food. The main social implications can be summarised in the greater knowledge and awareness of the environmental aspects related to food, recognition of the intrinsic quality and/or functionality of food. The authors contribute to the literature in two ways. First, the authors refer to the DRSA, an innovative approach in the context of consumer analysis. Second, based on the decision rules, the authors identify three consumer segments to which specific tools can be addressed.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-14
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-03-2022-0222
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Investigating sustainable consumption behaviors: a bibliometric
analysis
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Authors: Donata Tania Vergura, Cristina Zerbini, Beatrice Luceri, Rosa Palladino
Abstract: The research carried out a bibliometric analysis of the literature on environmental sustainability from a demand perspective by analyzing the scientific contributions published in the last twenty years. A bibliometric analysis was carried out to outline the scientific studies development, identifying the most discussed topics and those that would require future research. In total, 274 articles published between 1999 and 2021 were collected through the Web of Science database and analyzed with the SciMAT software. By systematizing the literature results, the study revealed a steady growth in the number of publications and in the research areas, highlighting a substantial evolution of the research topic. The study contribute for conceptual, methodological and thematic development of the topic, systematizing the results of existing studies and providing useful indications for the promotion of sustainable consumer habits. The study attempts to bridge the gap in current literature by offering a holistic view on the role of consumer behavior in pursuing sustainability goals, identifying both the most treated areas and the emerging ones that can represent opportunities for future research.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-07
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-06-2022-0491
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Food entrepreneurship and self-employment in an island
context
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Authors: Paulina Ines Rytkönen, Pejvak Oghazi, Rana Mostaghel
Abstract: The aim is to advance the conceptualisation of island entrepreneurship by investigating how the island context, for example, industry characteristics, social context and formal and informal institutions, influences the development of artisan food businesses in that context. An applied, qualitative and participatory research approach was implemented. Data were collected during a business development process focusing on food artisans in the Åland Islands. In total, 19 business owners participated in the process. Key informants and public officers were interviewed, and the literature was reviewed. Interviews were analysed using phenomenography to identify representative categories, and the literature was analysed using content analysis. Island characteristics and context, local institutions, the quality of social capital and gendered institutions influence business activities positively and negatively. Island entrepreneurship entails mobilising agencies to find innovative solutions that enable businesses to overcome obstacles. Most previous research treats business activities as entrepreneurship; however, as self-employment is essential in the island context, it should be highlighted in future studies. This study illustrates how the island context influences the business development of small firms. Results indicate that local policies (1) benefitting female entrepreneurs, (2) supporting local businesses and (3) promoting locally produced artisan food could generate benefits for the entire artisan food businesses. Local policies that (1) benefit female entrepreneurs, (2) support local businesses and (3) promote locally produced artisan food have the potential to generate benefits for the entire trade. Policies can benefit from an understanding of the role played by different ecosystem actors. Promoting self-employment can generate benefits for the local entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing agglomeration and helping to solve some challenges caused by the characteristics of islands. Empirically, this research enhances the knowledge of post-productive responses in the island context. Theoretically, the study advances the conceptualisation of research on the island entrepreneurship context and the local food debate.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-03-06
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-06-2022-0537
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Business and management research trends of sustainability assessment in
the food sector
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Authors: Carolina Nicolas, Valeska V. Geldres-Weiss
Abstract: This study aimed to identify research trends and topics in sustainability assessment in the food sector within the scope of economics, business and management research. The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis by applying a rigid and systematic research protocol, employing bibliometric techniques and a keyword co-occurrence network. Further, the Visualization of Similarities viewer software was used to analyse publications between 1994 and 2021. The knowledge trends regarding “sustainability assessment” in the research area of business economics demonstrated a notable evolution of the topics analysed, ranging from indicators and policy analyses in agriculture and fishery sectors, to the topic of sustainability life cycle assessment (LCA) and management systems. In business and management research areas, the main theoretical frameworks used for sustainability assessment in the food sector included the triple-bottom line (TBL) and the LCA, and the main research topics were food chain logistics, bio-based products, retailers, consumption patterns and crop-based biodiesel options. This study employed only the WoS database and future studies could incorporate other scientific databases. Regarding future research, more emphasis could be laid on food retailers given their prevalence as demonstrated by the study and past research. The findings can help all participants in the food global value chain to make better decisions to guide their sustainability efforts and assessment. Moreover, this research reveals that companies need to be actively engaged with their stakeholders and pay special attention to consumer patterns and perceptions. The bibliometric research focus on business and management research areas using the Web of Sciences categories, starting from the research area of business economics to the analysis of the food sector's sustainability assessment.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-20
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-06-2022-0528
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Financing innovation in agri-food industries: an analysis of the Italian
micro, small and medium enterprises
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Authors: Mauro Paoloni, Marco Tutino, Niccolò Paoloni, Valentina Santolamazza
Abstract: This work aims to investigate the current financial structure of Italian agri-food micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to understand how MSMEs face innovation challenges, which are also required to support sustainable development. To reach the goal, an empirical longitudinal analysis is performed on a sample of Italian agri-food firms. In detail, to highlight the changes in the use of financial sources between 2013 and 2019, a descriptive ratio analysis is carried out on the data extracted by the AIDA database. In addition, statistical analyses were performed, including t-tests and U Mann–Whitney. Finally, a fixed-effects model is created to analyse the panel data. To ensure homogeneity, the sub-sectors of production and transformation are separately considered. The financial structure analysis shows an increase in the equity percentage in the funding sources, attributable to an attempt to compensate for the reduction of banks' funding. However, even though this change has not compromised firms' profitability, the undercapitalisation of companies is still present. Therefore, more equity investments are required to support the innovation process. The value of the present research is to highlight the choice of using new alternative financing sources instead of traditional banks' credit to implement sustainable and innovative development Italian agri-food sector (AFS). This choice is forced by reducing finance from banks and other financial institutions because of the credit crunch. This issue is even more relevant, considering that MSMEs have structural financial problems but have to fulfil the mission of pursuing innovation in the same way as large companies. Therefore, this paper expands the literature on agri-food, delving into an issue typical of MSMEs and combining agri-food with the need for innovation.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-16
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-04-2022-0342
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Motives, propensities and consistencies among Swedish consumers in
relation to the food choice concept of clean eating
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Authors: Anna Kristina Edenbrandt, Carl-Johan Lagerkvist
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore how consumers apply clean-eating criteria to a range of food characteristics, and the extent to which individuals are consistent in how they apply clean-eating criteria across products. Further, this study investigates how the clean-eating approach relates to underlying food choice motives. Data were collected in a consumer survey (n = 666) in Sweden, where participants were prompted about the importance of a set of intrinsic food attributes of the “free-from” and “added” types, for three different food product types (bread, processed meat, ready meals). Data were analyzed using latent class cluster analysis, to explore segments of consumers that place similar importance to the food characteristics and hold similar food choice motives. Clean eating can be described by two distinctly different attainment strategies: avoiding undesirable characteristics or by simultaneously approaching desirable characteristics. Notably, individuals who apply clean-eating criteria in their food choices strive for healthy, natural and environmentally friendly food, but the clean-by-approach strategy implies a stronger focus on personal health in the form of weight control. While claims and labels on food packages concerning clean eating are implemented by food manufacturers, it remains unregulated. This study provides information for future regulations on how consumers apply clean-eating criteria, and their motives thereof. Further, the results provide insights food manufacturers regarding motives for clean eating in different consumer segments.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-03
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-03-2022-0217
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- What makes hot beverage vending machine cups eco-friendly' A research
into consumer views and preferences
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Authors: Alberto Bertossi, Stefania Troiano, Francesco Marangon
Abstract: This study aims to gain a first explorative view on what intrinsic/extrinsic attributes a generic cup for hot beverage should possess to be perceived as eco-friendly, and how some attributes of a hot beverage could influence consumers’ purchase decision and willingness to pay (WTP) for that beverage dispensed by vending machines (VMs). A questionnaire was developed in 2021 and sent to all students of an Italian university campus. For the first goal, students were asked to assign a score to some eco-friendly intrinsic/extrinsic attributes using a five-point Likert scale. For the second aim, a choice experiment with six scenarios was developed. Both intrinsic and extrinsic attributes play a key role in shaping students’ opinions and preferences. Results indicate that students are attracted by the idea of a cup that communicates its environmental properties through corresponding labels and information, and it is made by materials that guarantee biodegradability, recyclability or reusability. The research represents the first academic attempt to provide a first consumers’ viewpoint on the importance of eco-friendly attributes of cups for hot beverages able to influence consumers’ perceptions and consumption choices of hot beverages dispensed by VMs.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-02-02
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-03-2022-0263
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- The effects of mandatory non-financial reporting on financial
performance. A multidimensional investigation on global agri-food
companies
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Authors: Gianluca Vitale, Sebastiano Cupertino, Angelo Riccaboni
Abstract: Focusing on the Agri-Food and Beverage sector, the paper investigates the direct effect of worldwide mandatory non-financial disclosure on several financial dimensions as well as its moderating effects on the relationship between sustainability and financial performance. The authors performed fixed-effect regressions on a sample of 180 global listed companies, considering a period of eight years. The authors also tested the moderating effects of non-financial disclosure regulation on the relationship between sustainability and financial performance. The authors found a positive direct impact of mandatory non-financial disclosure on Operating Return on Asset, Return on Equity and Return on Sales. The analysis also highlighted the negative moderating effects of non-financial reporting regulation on the relationship between sustainability issues and financial performance. As for the Cost of Debt, the authors found mixed results. This study considers a short-term perspective focusing on a limited sample composed of companies playing a key role in the global agri-food system. The paper identifies which financial performance dimensions are positively or negatively affected by mandatory non-financial disclosure. Accordingly, managers can rearrange corporate activities to deal with further reporting normative requirements concurrently preserving financial performances and fostering corporate sustainability. This study recommends fostering mandatory non-financial disclosure to increase corporate transparency fostering the sustainability transition of the Agri-Food and Beverage industry. The paper highlights global mandatory non-financial disclosure effects on financial performance considering a sector that is cross-cutting impactful on plural sustainability issues.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-01-31
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-06-2022-0545
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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- Drivers for economic recovery: analysis of family expenditure
on catering services
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Authors: Javier de Esteban Curiel, Arta Antonovica, Beatriz Rodríguez Herráez
Abstract: Catering services play important role in the Spanish economy, accounting for 6.2% of GDP in 2021. To overcome the adverse economic impacts of COVID-19, catering services are considered one of the drivers to stimulate economic growth. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to analyse the sociodemographic profile of the family's main breadwinner who allocates most of his expenditure budget on different catering services before and during the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 in Spain. The official Family Budget Survey in Spain was used. This offers information on expenditure by families in 2019 and 2020. CHAID multivariate analysis was employed. This has proved a valuable tool in predicting expenditure, as well as determining the cause–effect relationship of this expenditure. Findings establish the main breadwinner's expenditure on catering services based on predictors such as “year” affected by the pandemic; “type of employment contract”; “gender”; and “age”. A gender “pub-gap” in consumption in bars and cafes has been revealed, and families with a male breadwinner, on a permanent contract, between the age of 40 and 60 spent the most on catering services. This research presents a new interdisciplinary approach to family breadwinners as a company whose spend on catering is shaping the economic recovery and leading to new answers for hospitality management. Identified factors can lead to improved decision-making and contextualisation of economic models for food service providers in a post-pandemic future.
Citation: British Food Journal
PubDate: 2023-01-24
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-07-2022-0599
Issue No: Vol. 125, No. 13 (2023)
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