1,721,353 research outputs found

    Consumers’ willingness to consume sustainable and local wine in Italy

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    Wine production is a relevant sector of the Italian economy and recently consumer demand has drastically changed due to their orientation towards new attributes of quality wines. Sustainability aspects are credence attributes that have an effect on consumers’ perceived quality. Moreover, local production of wine is seen as a sign of quality. However, much is still to be studied about drivers that can push consumers towards new quality attributes of wine such as sustainability and local production. Profiling consumers could be a first step to better understand consumers’ decisions on local and sustainable wine. Thus, the paper has the purpose of understanding the Italian consumers’ willingness to consume sustainable and local wine. Data has been collected from a sample of Italian consumers (N=1,099) using a web-based survey. A binary logistic regression model, selected on the basis of the model AIC was used. The findings showed the large majority of the interviewed are willing to consume local and sustainable wine

    The potential for developing educational farms: a SWOT analysis from a case study

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    Purpose: Educational farms (EFs) serve a number of social and economic functions and are part of the debate about new learning environments, multifunctional agriculture and firm diversification. Through the analysis of a case study, this paper aims to identify strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of EFs and key factors for setting a development strategy. Design/Methodology/Approach: A direct survey to EFs in Molise region (IT) was implemented during April-May 2017 and results were assessed following a SWOT approach. Findings: Strong motivation and connection with agritourism activities are strengths of EFs in the region; small size, unskilled staff, lack of structured educational pathways, and limited profitability are the main weaknesses. Farms opportunities come from a territory rich in rural landscapes, environmental resources, and typical food products, and from a growing demand for educational tourism. Obstacles are in the institutional sphere and due to the absence of regional networks. Based on SWOT findings, key factors for EFs development are discussed. Practical implications: EFs development requires innovative educational and managerial tools, a more concerted and proactive role for multiple stakeholders, and the implementation of a network approach. Study findings solicit actions from public institutions and advisory services to improve farmers’ skills. Theoretical implications: The paper contributes to the theoretical debate about the need for a multidisciplinary approach in dealing with the analysis of EFs. Originality/Value: The analysis underlines the importance of internal and external drivers in stimulating farms and institutions to support diversification strategies, rural development and transformation processes in inner areas

    A framework for assessing the relational accessibility of protected areas

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    Human - nature relationship concept has recently been reconsidered, emphasizing the benefits humans beings receive from ecosystems. This study moves from the awareness of the importance for organizations that manage protected areas to design strategies and actions aimed at improving the relatedness between the natural world and people, and between individuals. Starting from this premise, the study proposes a voluntary framework of relational accessibility, with the aim of improving the visitororganization relationship and the human-nature relatedness, and thus creating value for the organizations themselves. Afterdefining the relationshipconcept, the approach and the contentof the framework are set, based on multidisciplinary fields and approaches. The framework follows a cyclical approach and consists of a set of general and specific requirements and guidelines. To support the definition of the framework, relational accessibility is investigated within a specific protected area, through a focus group and a direct survey with children. The framework is then defined in more general terms, so that it can suitable for application to other environmental and organizational contexts. The relational accessibility framework is discussed with the managing board of the study site and compared with other sustainability tools. The implementation of the relational framework within the management system of protected areas could increase the social and economic value of these areas, while at the same time pursuing environmental goals

    Eco-Labeled Canned Tuna Consumption: What do Italians Know and How do They Behave?

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    The study investigates the importance that Italians assign to eco-labeled canned tuna, their appreciation and ability to recognize different eco-label logos. Three steps of analysis were followed: a descriptive analysis; a test analysis, to detect the significance of socio-demographic characteristics, frequency of consumption and knowledge of eco-labels; finally, an ordered logistic model, to investigate respondents’ preferences toward eco-labeled tuna and understand what factors influence their choice. Results show a high willingness to buy and to pay for eco-labeled tuna. Most of the respondents were unable to identify the logos. Consumers who know the meaning of the sustainability concept, who buy certified products and who trust in the certification of products are more likely to prefer eco-labeled tuna, than other people. People’s recognition of eco-labels, awareness to buy certified food and the perceived knowledge of the overfishing status of tuna, all exerted a positive effect on people’s preferences toward eco-labeled tuna

    Towards an Aporia? Empirical evidence on the relationship between consumer behavior and metaverse-based virtual stores.

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    Recently, Metaverse technology has caught the attention of many businesses and consumers. However, there is no research on this topic in the food sector. Thus, it is crucial to understand the key drivers influencing consumers’ intention to purchase food through Metaverse technology. The present research leverages a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyse 710 Italian consumers. The results highlighted perceived technological and regulatory uncertainty and the feeling of cyber risk as significant obstacles to consumers’ intention to purchase food using Metaverse platforms. Conversely, several factors emerged as important facilitators, including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, perceived herd behaviour, hedonic motivation and consumer innovativeness. The study shows practical implications for businesses, practitioners and Metaverse developers in designing effective marketing strategies to promote the adoption of Metaverse commerce in the food sector. In fact, this research proposes a model that can be applied by stakeholders. Finally, this paper offers both actionable recommendations and theoretical insights

    An Explorative Study of Key Factors Driving Italian Consumers' Willingness to Eat Edible Seaweed

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    Seaweed is an important source of nutrients and their consumption is considered an environmentally sustainable option. The study aims to contribute to the current literature exploring factors most capable of impacting on Italian consumers’ willingness to eat seaweed. Data were collected from a sample of 257 consumers in Italy by using a web-based survey and, after a factor analysis, a binary logistic regression model was applied. Even if the study shows an explorative approach, due to non-representative nature of the sample, findings suggest that there should be a potential for increasing seaweed consumption and production. Indeed, more information about seaweed organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, opportunities to find it in a menu, at gastronomic events or previous satisfactory eating experiences, should increase the grade of acceptance of this food in consumers. The study findings allow several implications for market interventions. In fact, promotional and informational tools could be usefully applied to satisfy consumers’ need of information. On the other hand, marketing tools, by improving the accessibility of this novel food through distributional channels, could be useful for supporting the development of a market niche, which up until now has been left unexplored in Italy

    Food waste is embarrassing! Motivations and actions to prevent it among students in Italy

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    Purpose – According to recent studies, young people are most inclined to waste food, and an important category is represented by students. Unlike other young people, they possess several characteristics that influence their food waste behaviour. For these reasons, this study aims to identify the elements that influence students’ behaviour towards food waste in Italy to provide insights on how to reduce food waste among young consumers. Design/methodology/approach – In this exploratory research, a Web survey involving 1,066 Italian students was used, and, after a factor analysis, a hierarchical multiple linear regression model was applied. Findings – The findings showed that, at a young age, the food thrown away and the reasons are positively associated with food waste, while the family size and the actions that students adopt to prevent food waste are negatively associated with it. Practical implications – Recognizing that students are the people who will shape the food waste scenario of the future, it is important to implement educational paths about it and to raise consumer awareness. The findings might provide interesting insights on how to develop educational campaigns for specific target groups, such as students. In fact, the results underline that local institutions and retailers should be involved in educational campaigns aimed at both addressing the motivations behind food waste and improving the actions people take to prevent it. Originality/value – The paper revisits the issue using a relatively large sample of Italian students (youths aged 16–18 years). The results provide valuable insights on how to approach hypothetical Italian students in view of the potential development of new strategies for reducing food waste

    The Educational Civic Path in Southern Italy: What Determines Behaviors Toward Food Waste Among Students in Campania Region?

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    Food waste prevention has become an issue of international concern, with Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 aiming to halve per capita global food waste by 2030. Students are most inclined to waste food, and thus they need to be investigated. The study focused on students’ behavior toward food waste in Campania region (Southern Italy) to address the educational civic path expected by the Ministry of Education. A web survey involving 409 students was used to investigate the food waste behavior within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. The findings suggest that concern about food waste, moral attitude and perceived behavioral control influence individuals’ intentions to act and this in turn, translates into correct behavior toward food waste. The recognition of the factors that affect students’ behavior toward food waste represents an important starting point to develop and implement different anti-waste strategies at national and regional levels
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