• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.588-604
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate whether there were differences in eco-friendly food, home meal replacement (HMR) purchases, and eating-out behavior according to the level of agri-food consumer competence. The data for the study were extracted from main food consumers (n=3,321) in the 2022 Food Consumption Behavior Survey. The competence index was divided into awareness-attitude-practice items, and three groups were classified by competence level. The results showed an agri-food consumer competency score of 70.62, with the highest score for awareness (73.96), followed by practice (69.28) and attitude (66.18). The frequency of purchasing eco-friendly food was higher in the excellent group compared to other groups, and quality and price satisfaction was higher with higher competency (p<0.001). Regarding HMR, the results showed that the shortage group had the lowest HMR consumption rate, and satisfaction decreased as competence decreased (p<0.001). The main reason for eating-out was to enjoy food in all groups (59.0%), followed by a lack of cooking time in the excellent group (15.7%) and hassle with food preparation in the moderate and shortage groups (17.3%, 16.6%) (p<0.001). In short, agri-food consumption competency showed differences by contents and components, and differences in food purchases and eating-out behavior by competency level were found.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.517-526
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The increased consumers' interests in health and food safety have increased the demand for organic foods. Many studies have been performed on consumers' purchase intentions for organic foods and their influencing factors, and various studies have shown that the prices of organic foods and the consumers' willingness to pay are important influencing factors. This study examined the payment value of organic foods and agrifood consumer competency index according to the food-related lifestyles in South Korean consumers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using the 2019 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food. A total of 6,176 participants aged 19 to 74 years (male: 2,783, female: 3,393) were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Three factors were extracted by factor analysis (rational consumption-seeking type, convenience-seeking type, and health, and safety-seeking type) to explain the consumers' food-related lifestyles. The results of cluster analysis suggested that consumers were classified into 3 food-related lifestyles as the 'exploratory consumers' (n = 2,485), 'safety-seeking consumers' (n = 1,544), and 'passive consumers' (n = 2,147). Exploratory consumers showed a significantly higher willingness to pay for imported organic foods (P < 0.05). Safety-seeking consumers had a significantly higher willingness to pay for domestic organic foods (P < 0.05). For the agrifood consumer competency index, exploratory consumers had the highest score, followed in order by safety-seeking consumers and passive consumers. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide basic data in understanding consumption tendency for organic foods and agrifoods based on food-related lifestyles of South Korean consumers.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.182-194
• /
• 2022

After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an explosive increase in restaurant meal delivery or takeout. The purpose of this study was to analyze the consumer perception of food safety and its influence on the purchase of delivery or takeout food from restaurants. This study, the 2020 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food (CBSF), was conducted from June 10 to August 21 2020. A total of 6,355 responses were used for the analysis. The results were as follows: First, the differences in consumer perception about food safety were analyzed according to whether they used delivery or takeout. Concern about food safety, satisfaction with dietary habits, and the ability to maintain safe dietary habits were higher in the non-user group. Except for food at home, the perception about food safety at other locations was higher in the user group. Food hazards such as antibiotics were perceived to be safer in the user group. Second, the perception of food safety affecting use of delivery or takeout was analyzed. It was found that the usage of delivery or takeout increased when the perception of the safety of home meal replacement (HMR), delivery or takeout food, and the ability to be informed about the harmful factors of agricultural products increased. The findings of this study may offer the basis for the food and food service industry to consider safety issues seriously and develop strategies to lead to feasible practices. Further, this study also supports the direction of the government toward strengthening the safety of new segments which have shown explosive growth in the COVID-19 era.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.607-617
• /
• 2022

As the number of households raising pets increases, the pet food industry is also growing. Since pets cannot express their intention explicitly, it appears that the owner's perception mainly affects the selection of products related to pets. In this study, consumers were categorized based on their interest in food choices and the factors influencing their interest in pet food were empirically analyzed. For the analysis, a cluster analysis, factor analysis, and Tobit analysis were conducted using consumer survey data for raising companion animals. The major findings of the study were as follows. As a result of the factor analysis and cluster analysis using questions for consumers' food consumption choices, consumer types were classified into high-interest, low-interest, and practical-seeking types. The degree of interest in pet food was high in the order of high-interest, practical-seeking, and low-interest type. Demographic characteristics such as gender, education, and household type correlate with differences in the degree of interest in pet food, and the food selection criteria of consumers also affect the degree of interest in pet food. These results show that consumers who are more interested in their food choices are more interested in pet food, and this will make possible to know pet owner's purchasing behavior for pet food.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.23-33
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The objective of the study is to examine the role of approval goals, subjective norm, internal motivation, external motivation, attitude towards behavior, and perceived behavioral control on retail consumer's intention to consume fortified food in Pakistan. Research design, data, and methodology: The study was quantitative in nature. That is why the data were collected from 384 respondents approaching retail stores of Lahore, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad using mall intercept survey. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. Results: The results show that approval goals significantly influence subjective norms. Secondly, subjective norms positively influence internal and external motivation. Thirdly, attitude towards behavior and internal motivation significantly impacted on intention. However, the findings of the study show, non-significant relationship of external motivation and perceived behavioral control with intention to consume fortified food. Conclusion: Theory of reasoned goal pursuit was used to investigate consumer intention to consume fortified food in Pakistan. This study is helpful for the marketers to create a word-of-mouth strategy to enhance positive word of mouth for the company, which ultimately beneficial to develop the distribution strategy of the firm. Fortified food is full of health enriched ingredients which is beneficial for society at large.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2022

Purpose-Meat plays an important role in the Chinese daily diet, however, due to the spread of COVID-19, food supply and safety have become a major concern. The safety and health features of chilled fresh meat have attracted the attention of consumers. To study consumers' purchasing behavior and willingness to pay for chilled meat under the influence of the epidemic. Research methodology- The data were obtained by questionnaire survey, major issues include consumers' meat consumption habits in the wake of the COVID-19 and their awareness of meat product quality labels. In addition, the gender, age, family income, and other basic personal information of the interviewees were also counted. Based on the binary Logit regression method, we study consumers' purchasing behavior and willingness to pay for chilled meat under different demographic characteristics. Results-The results showed that brand and quality certification are important factors influencing purchases. In addition, the presence of children under the age of 12 in the household and the level of income and education also influence consumers' purchase intention of the chilled fresh meat. However, mart promotions and city ratings can significantly lower consumers' propensity to buy the chilled fresh meat. Apart from this, such factors as gender, age, and living conditions have no significant influence on consumers' purchase of chilled fresh meat.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.293-301
• /
• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of eating habits and dietary attitudes on dessert consumption among university students in Gwangju Province, South Korea. Methods: A survey was conducted from May to June 2022. Out of 300 distributed questionnaires, 261 valid responses were included in the analysis. The survey assessed dessert selection, satisfaction, consumer attitudes and behaviors, as well as factors influencing satisfaction. Results: Both genders reported purchasing desserts 2 to 3 times per week, primarily after lunch, due to the convenience of dessert accessibility. Males favored ice cream, bakery items, and fruits, while females preferred bakery items, ice cream, and fruits in that sequence. 'Having fun' was identified as the most common motivation for dessert consumption post-meal. Notable gender disparities emerged regarding perceptions of dessert consumption, including its role in stress relief, potential for nutritional imbalance, positive effects, and preferences for seasonal menus. Significant gender-based differences also manifested in intentions to purchase dessert, responsiveness to price changes, and inclination to recommend desserts to others. Conclusions: This study offers foundational data on university students' dessert purchasing behaviors, perceptions, and satisfaction levels, intending to inform strategies promoting healthier dietary habits.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2022

Purpose: Brand hearsay refers to information that can be acquired from advertisement, media publicity, and word-of-mouth prior to experiencing products or services of brands. Previous information about brands obtained through brand hearsay affects consumer behavior in choosing brands. Moreover, brand hearsay is an effective communication method in promoting brands to consumers. Thus, bakery franchises need to improve strengths and differentiate characteristics of their brand, thereby attracting more consumers. Therefore, this study investigates relationships the effect of brand hearsay on consumers' brand attitude and brand loyalty in the context of franchised bakery brands. Research design, data, and methodology: A research model was proposed to examine structural relationships between brand hearsay (advertising, publicity, word-of-mouth), brand attitude, and brand loyalty. An online survey was conducted to consumers who had an experience of visiting a franchise bakery. A total of 513 responses were used for data analysis. SPSS 22.0 was used for analyzing general demographics, and SmartPLS 4.0 was used to test validity and reliability of the proposed model. Result: Among attributes of brand hearsay, advertisement and word-of-mouth had positively significant effects on brand attitude, but no significant effect was found between publicity and attitude. Advertisement had a positively significant impact on brand loyalty, while publicity had a negative effect on brand loyalty opposite to hypothesis. Moreover, brand attitude had a statistically significant effect on brand loyalty. Conclusions: In the context of franchise bakeries, brand hearsay contents may change consumers' attitude toward brands but does not increase brand loyalty. Though media publicity does not affect consumers' attitude toward brands, it may decrease brand loyalty when consumers are too exposed to it. In addition, it is necessary to enhance brand attitude to increase brand loyalty of customers. This study provides bakery franchisors and franchisees information about which type of brand hearsay (e.g., advertisement, word-of-mouth, media, publicity) is effective in enhancing brand attitudes and loyalty of consumers. Further studies may include other variables (e.g., trust) in addition to attitude and loyalty, or compare findings based on brand characteristics (e.g., low-to-medium/high prices, store size).