Consumer Behaviour, Food Choice and Sustainability
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Food".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 16 January 2027 | Viewed by 822
Editor
2. International School for Social and Business Studies, Mariborska cesta 7, 3000 Celje, Slovenia
3. DOBA Business School, Prešernova ulica 1, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Interests: sustainable consumer behaviour; food choice and decision-making; sustainable and ethical consumption; drivers and barriers of pro-environmental behaviour; sustainability-oriented marketing and communication; eco-labels and information effects on food choices; food waste prevention and reduction; circular economy in agri-food systems
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Consumer behaviour and food choice play a central role in the transition towards more sustainable food systems. As food production and consumption significantly contribute to environmental degradation, climate change, and public health challenges, understanding how consumers make food-related decisions has become a critical research priority. In recent decades, growing attention has been devoted to sustainable and ethical consumption, healthy and sustainable diets, food waste reduction, and the role of information, marketing, and policy instruments in shaping consumer behaviour. However, despite increased awareness, a persistent gap remains between positive attitudes toward sustainability and actual consumer practices.
This Special Issue aims to advance interdisciplinary research on consumer behaviour and food choice within the broader context of sustainability. It seeks to explore the determinants, mechanisms, and outcomes of consumer decision-making related to food, considering economic, psychological, social, cultural, and institutional perspectives. Particular attention is given to how sustainability-oriented marketing, communication strategies, labels, and digital tools influence consumer choices and contribute to more sustainable consumption patterns.
The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive platform for scholars to present theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions that deepen our understanding of sustainable food consumption and its implications for sustainable development. The topic closely aligns with the scope of Sustainability, as it addresses key challenges related to responsible consumption and production, environmental protection, social wellbeing, and sustainable economic development.;
In this Special Issue, original research articles and review papers are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- Consumer decision-making and behaviour in sustainable food systems;
- Food choice determinants related to sustainability, health, and ethics;
- Sustainable and ethical consumption patterns;
- Drivers and barriers of pro-environmental and sustainable consumer behaviour;
- Sustainability-oriented marketing, branding, and communication;
- Effects of eco-labels, certifications, and information disclosure on food choices;
- Food waste behaviour, prevention, and reduction strategies;
- Circular economy approaches in agri-food systems;
- Digitalization, innovation, and consumer engagement for sustainable food consumption.
This Special Issue aims to foster academic debate and provide insights relevant to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable food consumption and more resilient food systems.
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Tina Vukasović
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- sustainable consumer behaviour
- food choice and decision-making
- sustainable and ethical consumption
- drivers and barriers of pro-environmental behaviour
- sustainability-oriented marketing and communication
- eco-labels and information effects on food choices
- food waste prevention and reduction
- circular economy in agri-food systems
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