Search Results (23)

This study examines consumer acceptance of genetically modified foods (GMFs) by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), brand equity dimensions, and sociodemographic factors within a configurational framework. Drawing on a sample of 405 Spanish consumers, the research combines correlational analysis with fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify the causal paths leading to both purchase intention and purchase non-intention. The findings show that the traditional TPB constructs and brand equity dimensions are positively associated with purchase intention, whereas belonging to older generations is negatively associated with it. However, the configurational analysis reveals a more nuanced picture. Purchase intention is explained by four configurations, grouped into two main profiles: one based on favorable subjective norms among younger consumers, and another centered on the joint presence of brand trust and brand familiarity. In contrast, purchase non-intention is explained by seven configurations, mainly characterized by the absence of favorable TPB conditions and weak brand equity, especially lack of trust and familiarity. The results confirm the causal asymmetry between acceptance and rejection of GMFs, as the configurations leading to purchase intention are not the mirror image of those leading to purchase non-intention. These findings challenge the assumption that GMF acceptance and rejection are symmetrical phenomena, and demonstrate that brand trust and familiarity complement attitudinal factors and constitute relevant conditions in several configurations associated with purchase intention. From a managerial and policy perspective, the findings suggest that promoting GMFs’ acceptance requires not only improving attitudes and perceived social approval, but also fostering trustworthy and familiar brand environments that may contribute to reducing uncertainty, alongside credible scientific information and effective institutional oversight. Full article

As green consumption becomes mainstream, deceptive marketing in the food industry poses a significant threat to the sustainability of food systems. This study aimed to investigate how consumers’ psychological decision-making mechanisms and food choices are influenced by corporate greenwashing. This study utilized a quantitative cross-sectional design, integrating environmental cognition, greenwashing perception, and brand trust into an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. Survey data collected from 445 respondents in Taiwan, using a fictional plant-based food (oat milk) brand as a scenario stimulus, were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings reveal that environmental knowledge and awareness significantly enhance greenwashing perception, which significantly diminishes brand trust, thereby diminishing positive sustainable food choices. Notably, environmental awareness positively moderated the relationship between greenwashing perception and brand trust. Furthermore, the interaction between perceived behavioral control and attitude toward food choices was not significant, demonstrating that emotional rejection substantially outweighs rational evaluation when faced with food-related deception. This study re-examines the rational assumptions of the traditional TPB, revealing that moral defense mechanisms play a central role in consumer food choices. From a practical perspective, the findings urge food enterprises to shift from symbolic green marketing to high transparency, which is essential for restoring brand trust and avoiding consumer boycotts. Full article

Responsible sourcing certification is a sociotechnical governance system that links brands, suppliers, third-party auditors, and review mechanisms. This study examines how this system is distorted when a corrupt auditor extorts genuinely compliant suppliers. Unlike collusion, where noncompliant suppliers bribe auditors to enter the sourcing system, extortion threatens genuinely compliant suppliers with erroneous rejection unless they pay. We develop a game-theoretic model in which the brand chooses a certification standard and a purchase price, while an extorted supplier either pays or enters review. Review success depends jointly on procedural effectiveness and factual verifiability. The analysis identifies four contract regimes: partial extortion, premium payment, standard contraction, and a no-extortion benchmark. Review intensity has a nonmonotonic governance effect because it both reduces erroneous rejection after refusal and compresses the corrupt auditor’s extortable surplus. We further show that eliminating observable extortion does not remove distortion but relocates it among standard exclusion, erroneous review rejection, and monetary burden. Extensions on endogenous review governance, review cost, and collusion–extortion coexistence show that certification systems may rely on incomplete review governance rather than fully restore the no-extortion benchmark. Full article

Fill level control is one of the strict checks required when inspecting industrially packaged products. The purpose is both to ensure the content conformity according to the declared label information and to preserve the reliability of brand trust, strongly influenced by the customer’s evenness perception of the marketed items. To this aim, choosing the right technology is not an easy task: content and packaging material properties are essential to establish the suitability of a product to the fill level machine type. In this paper, we propose a novel approach, based on microwaves, to address this issue. The designed microwave inspection system consists of two Vivaldi antennas working between 1 and 18 GHz. We show its applicability to water, oil and alcohol-based products moving on conveyor belts at production speed. The performed experiments demonstrate good accuracy and efficiency of level classification and fault rejection in real-time processing. Full article

Masstige fashion brands present a promising alternative to both luxury and fast fashion in the context of sustainability, offering an affordable yet prestigious option. However, these brands face the challenge of leveraging digital transformation tools while balancing prestige and accessibility. With its visual appeal, interactive features, and daily usage, Instagram Stories is a highly engaging communication tool for masstige brands. Despite its importance, ephemeral brand communication remains an underexplored area. This study investigates how young consumers interpret and decode Instagram Stories featuring human models from masstige fashion brands that represent identitary values Sexuality and Seduction, Seasonality, and Renewal. Using mind mapping and focus group discussions with 75 frequent Instagram users, findings reveal that audiences actively reinterpret brand messages, sometimes reshaping their intended meaning. Highly stylized celebrities led to skepticism or disengagement, while authentic, everyday portrayals fostered positive engagement. Sexualized imagery was often reframed as functional rather than aspirational. The study reveals that while brands aim to communicate identitary values such as Sexuality and Seduction, these are usually reinterpreted or even rejected by users in favor of values like comfort, simplicity, or emotional authenticity. Conversely, values like Seasonality, Renewal, and Quality were more consistently recognized and positively decoded, suggesting a more substantial alignment between brand encoding and audience perception in those domains. Full article

(1) Background: Loyalty programmes are business strategies aimed at increasing customer fidelity to brands. One of the most promising technologies of the 21st century is blockchain, whose application to the management of loyalty programmes can increase transparency and reliability, enable interoperability, and facilitate centralised management. (2) Methods: This study evaluates the antecedents of the acceptance of blockchain-based loyalty programmes (BBLPs) using a model grounded in the technology acceptance model UTAUT2. The four basic constructs of UTAUT, which we call the UTAUT-baseline, are considered explanatory factors: performance expectancy (PER), effort expectancy (EFF), social influence (SOC), and facilitating conditions (FAC). Additionally, we consider the constructs introduced in UTAUT2: hedonic motivation (HED) and perceived price value (PRI), to which we add innovativeness (INN) and trust (TRU), and we refer to these as UTAUT-extended, along with the moderating variables of UTAUT and UTAUT2: gender, age, and experience. The analytical approach used is complexity theory, which aims to capture the configurations that lead to both acceptance and rejection positions regarding BBLPs. This analysis is performed via fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). (3) Results: Eight explanatory configurations of the acceptance of BBLPs have been obtained, in which the presence of all UTAUT-baseline and UTAUT-extended constructs is a condition in at least three prime implicates. The constructs with the greatest presence as core conditions are PER, EFF, and TRU. On the other hand, nine configurations leading to the rejection of BBLPs have been identified. The absence of all UTAUT-baseline and UTAUT-extended variables is a condition in at least three configurations. The core conditions with the greatest presence in the rejection of BBLPs are the lack of FAC, HED, and PRI. (4) Practical implications: The results obtained are of great interest to business owners, as they allow for the characterisation of different profiles of people potentially engaged with BBLPs, as well as the profiles of consumers reluctant to adopt them. Full article

Every interaction between a brand and its consumers can shape their brand attitudes and purchase decisions. Brand rejection is the rejection or neglect that consumers experience when trying to connect with a brand, and it may have far-reaching effects on consumer psychology and behavior. Against this backdrop, consumer response to brand rejection has become a concern in interactive marketing. This study investigated how consumers cope with brand rejection by satisfying their need to reduce uncertainty based on the uncertainty–identity theory. This study examined the effect of brand rejection on consumers’ in-group brands (e.g., local brands) preference and the corresponding mediating mechanism and boundary condition through four experiments. The results demonstrated that consumers who experienced brand rejection were less likely to purchase products from that brand and showed a greater preference for other in-group brands than out-group brands (foreign brands). This relationship was mediated by consumers’ sense of control. Moreover, brand familiarity moderated the relationship between brand rejection and sense of control, affecting consumers’ in-group brand preference. These findings expand the research area of brand rejection and in-group brand preference and provide a practical reference for the development of local brands. Full article

Contamination caused by fungi stands out as a significant microbiological issue in the food industry, particularly leading to premature spoilage across various food segments, including the dry-fermented meat industry. The emergence of undesired fungi on product surfaces results in substantial economic losses. Once microorganisms infiltrate the food, contamination ensues, and their subsequent proliferation can adversely impact the product’s appearance, odor, flavor, and texture. This, in turn, leads to consumer rejection and negatively affects the commercial brand. Additionally, concerns persist regarding the potential presence of mycotoxins in these products. Given the detrimental effects of spoilage fungi in the food industry, practices such as thorough cleaning and sanitization become crucial to prevent contamination and subsequent premature deterioration. These measures play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and safety of food, while also extending the shelf life of products. This review delves into the advantages, disadvantages, and factors that may influence the efficacy of commonly used sanitizers in the dry-fermented cured meat industry, including substances like sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid, and benzalkonium chloride. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the extant literature to explore if Australian consumers are ready to reuse clothing as a pathway to sustainability. In this study, sustainability aspects such as collaborative consumption, apparel disposal methods, acquisition of used clothing, consumer concerns and attitudes towards reuse, and sellers’ readiness to offer sustainable solutions to clothing consumption have been explored in the context of the Australian market. The most important research contribution of this paper is the answer to whether Australia is ready to adopt the reuse of clothing through remaking and repurposing as a sustainable approach for the consumption of clothing at its end-of-life (EOL). Facilitators and challenges for the secondhand clothing sector have also been discussed. The findings highlight challenges including consumer awareness, an unwillingness to use secondhand clothing, limited recycling facilities, the availability of brand-new cheaper clothing, and the limited range of secondhand clothing. The facilitators include government policies towards recycling, fashion brands’ initiatives, and high-quality rejected clothing with the potential for reuse. It has been established that creating consumer awareness of secondhand clothing is essential to penetrate the market. Furthermore, there are ample opportunities to research consumers and the clothing reuse and recycling sector in Australia. Full article

Background: One of the most frequent malignancies of the digestive system is stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Recent research has demonstrated how cuproptosis (copper-dependent cell death) differs from other cell death mechanisms that were previously understood. Cuproptosis regulation in tumor cells could be a brand-new treatment strategy. Our goal was to create a cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature. Additionally, in order to evaluate the possible immunotherapeutic advantages and drug sensitivity, we attempted to study the association between these lncRNAs and the tumor immune microenvironment of STAD tumors. Methods: The TCGA database was accessed to download the RNA sequencing data, genetic mutations, and clinical profiles for TCGA STAD. To locate lncRNAs related to cuproptosis and build risk-prognosis models, three techniques were used: co-expression network analysis, Cox-regression techniques, and LASSO techniques. Additionally, an integrated methodology was used to validate the models’ predictive capabilities. Then, using GO and KEGG analysis, we discovered the variations in biological functions between each group. The link between the risk score and various medications for STAD treatment was estimated using the tumor mutational load (TMB) and tumor immune dysfunction and rejection (TIDE) scores. Result: We gathered 22 genes linked to cuproptosis based on the prior literature. Six lncRNAs related to cuproptosis were used to create a prognostic marker (AC016394.2, AC023511.1, AC147067.2, AL590705.3, HAGLR, and LINC01094). After that, the patients were split into high-risk and low-risk groups. A statistically significant difference in overall survival between the two groups was visible in the survival curves. The risk score was demonstrated to be an independent factor affecting the prognosis by both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Different risk scores were substantially related to the various immunological states of STAD patients, as further evidenced by immune cell infiltration and ssGSEA analysis. The two groups had differing burdens of tumor mutations. In addition, immunotherapy was more effective for STAD patients in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, and risk scores for STAD were substantially connected with medication sensitivity. Conclusions: We discovered a marker for six cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs linked to STAD as prognostic predictors, which may be useful biomarkers for risk stratification, evaluation of possible immunotherapy, and assessment of treatment sensitivity for STAD. Full article

Liu Kang (1911–2004) was a Chinese artist who settled in Singapore in 1945 and eventually became a leading modern artist in Singapore. He received academic training in Shanghai (1926–1928) and Paris (1929–1932). Liu Kang’s frequent visits to China from the 1970s to the 1990s contributed to a special artistic subject—the Huangshan and Guilin mountains. This subject matter triggered an uncommon painting approach for his oeuvre. In this context, this study elucidates the artist’s choice of materials and methods for the execution of 11 paintings, dating between 1977 and 1996, depicting Huangshan and Guilin landscapes. The paintings belong to the collection of the National Gallery Singapore. They were investigated with a combination of non- and micro-invasive techniques, supplemented by a wealth of documentary sources and art history research. The obtained results highlight the predominant use of hardboards resembling Masonite^® Presdwood^® without the application of an intermediate ground layer. Commercially prepared cotton and linen painting supports were used less frequently, and their structure and ground composition were variable. This study revealed the use of a conventional colour base for the execution of the paintings—a consistent colour scheme favouring ultramarine, yellow and red iron-containing earths, viridian and titanium white. Less commonly used pigments include Prussian blue, cobalt blue, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, naphthol red AS-D, umber, Cr-containing yellow(s), cadmium yellow or its variant(s), Hansa yellow G, lithopone and/or barium white and zinc white and bone black. The documentary sources indirectly pointed to the use of Royal Talens, Rowney and Winsor & Newton, brands of oil paints. Moreover, technical and archival findings indicated the artist’s tendency to recycle rejected compositions, thereby strongly suggesting that the paintings were executed in the studio. Although this study focuses on the Singapore artist and his series of paintings relating to China, it contributes to existing international studies of modern artists’ materials. Full article

Decision making is vital for the management of all organizations. For this reason, data analysis has become one of the fastest-growing technologies when it comes to generating information and knowledge about data generated by organizations. However, data generation is not limited to traditional sources. On the contrary, emerging technologies and social networks have become non-traditional sources that provide large volumes of data that can be exploited using different data analysis methods. Here, the objective is to determine the feelings of the population toward a brand, a product, or a service and to even identify the reactions of people to events and trends generated in their environment. Sentiment analysis, for organizations and social groups, has become a necessity that must be covered to identify the acceptance of an idea or its management. Therefore, this work proposes a method for the analysis of sentiment in social networks in such a way that it adapts to the needs of organizations or sectors, and the acceptance or rejection of the population can be efficiently identified from what is exposed in a social network. Full article

The polarized initial reception of Philip Pullman as a “new atheist” has gradually yielded to more nuanced scholarly positionings of his work as inspired by a heterodox, even “heretical,” Christianity. But in his new series, Pullman responds decisively to both “new atheist” and “heterodox Christian” interpretations, while widening the scope of his critical representations beyond Christian—indeed, beyond Abrahamic—religion. What emerges in the completed books of the incomplete new series, The Book of Dust, is a “secret commonwealth” of supernatural beings inhabiting multiple universes. These are all manifestations of Dust, the spiritual sentience of matter itself, which provides the basis for mystical visions and shamanistic beliefs, as well as religious orthodoxies. Rejecting the latter for the former, the second book in particular, The Secret Commonwealth, suggests an endorsement of spiritual quest. To motivate acceptance of this interpretation, we begin by reviewing the critical reception of His Dark Materials, especially in relation to its theological implications. After that, we turn to the representation of reductionist positions in The Book of Dust, especially the authors presented in The Secret Commonwealth, Gottfried Brande and Simon Talbot. Then, we investigate the representation of the Abrahamic religions in that work, intrigued less by the obvious parallels between Pullman’s imaginary religions and Christianity and Islam, than by his positive representation of mysticism. Finally, we examine his representations of shamanism and animism, soul belief and hermetic doctrines, and his allusions to Zoroastrianism, before summing up. Pullman is an a-theist in the sense of being without a god, not in the post-Enlightenment sense of a rejection of the supernatural/spiritual. His imaginary universe celebrates spiritual quest and ontological multiplicity, against all forms of speculative closure. Full article

Food fortification in low-income settings is limited due to the lack of simple quality control sensing tools. In this study, we field validated a paper-based, smartphone-assisted colorimetric assay (Nu3Px) for the determination of iron in fortified flours against the gold standard method, atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Samples from commercial brands (n = 6) were collected from supermarkets, convenience stores, and directly from companies in Mexico and characterized using both Nu3Px and AES. Nu3Px’s final error parameters were quantified (n = 45) via method validation final experiments (replication and comparison of methods experiment). Qualitative pilot testing was conducted, assessing Nu3Px’s accept/reject batch decision making (accept ≥ 40 μg Fe/g flour; reject < 40 μg Fe/g flour) against Mexico’s fortification policy. A modified user-centered design process was followed to develop and evaluate an alternative sampling procedure using affordable tools. Variation of iron content in Mexican corn flours ranged from 23% to 39%. Nu3Px’s random error was 12%, and its bias was 1.79 ± 9.99 μg Fe/g flour. Nu3Px had a true mean difference from AES equal to 0 and similar variances. AES and Nu3Px made similar classifications based on Mexico’s policy. Using simple, affordable tools for sampling resulted in similar output to the traditional sampling preparation (r = 0.952, p = 0.01). The affordable sample preparation kit has similar precision to using analytical tools. The sample preparation kit coupled with the smartphone app and paper-based assay measure iron within the performance parameters required for the application to corn flour fortification programs, such as in the case of Mexico. Full article

Economics has been trying to understand market functioning for a long time. However, the neoclassical approach does not satisfy the understanding of the mechanisms that operate in the construction, stabilization, and transformation of markets. For this reason, economic sociology proposes to provide subsidies from causal pluralism, rejecting explanatory theories of purely rational choices. Therefore, the use of sociological theories in the understanding of agri-food markets is also necessary. In this sense, this work aimed to compare the market for agri-food products with a geographical indication (GI) between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, based on the performance of brands and supermarkets in both regions. For this, we used a data survey of thousands of products and respective GI registrations in the most prominent online markets of countries in both regions. We applied analyses that differentiated the economic blocs and used field theory to explain the phenomena found in the findings. The results indicated the formation of relevant bands in the GI market, a little voluminous, but capable of crossing borders, a second, with the majority of GIs found that are only commercialized locally, and a third invisible, where most products are located, which do not exist in these markets. Furthermore, supermarkets’ own brands have great relevance and are decisive in building the market. Full article