Search Results (97)

The cage tilapia farming boom in Kenya’s Lake Victoria region underscores its role in food security and economic growth. Success depends on understanding producer and consumer behaviors within the value chain. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examines how attitudes (evaluations of farming/consumption), subjective norms (social pressures), perceived behavioral control (confidence in actions), environmental awareness, and moral obligation shape decisions. A survey of 66 producers and 169 consumers, analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM), reveals key drivers. Producers are driven by positive attitudes toward profitability, technical feasibility, and sustainability, reinforced by community norms and resource access, promoting sustainable practices. Consumers prioritize health, affordability, and accessibility of cage-farmed tilapia, with environmental and ethical factors less influential. These findings highlight opportunities for targeted interventions to enhance production, boost demand, and ensure sustainable aquaculture. Full article

Vietnam’s tourism sector has experienced rapid expansion, yielding significant economic gains, but also escalating environmental and socio-cultural challenges. This necessitates a shift toward sustainable tourism practices. This study develops and tests an integrative model combining the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory to investigate the Sustainable Consumption Behavior (SCB) of domestic travelers in Vietnam. Grounded in the country’s collectivist culture—characterized by a strong emphasis on communal values and social harmony—the research examines how rational decision-making and normative pressures jointly drive eco-friendly travel behaviors. Data were collected from 549 Vietnamese tourists through stratified sampling across three major regions, and were analyzed through a robust multi-step methodology, including Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), supplemented by regression analysis. The SEM results indicate that the proposed model accounts for 60.8% of the variance in SCB, underscoring its explanatory power. Within the TPB framework, Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control significantly predict Behavioral Intention, which, in turn, mediates their influence on SCB. In the VBN component, Environmental Awareness shapes Altruistic and Biospheric Values, fostering the New Environmental Paradigm and activating Personal Norms, which exert a direct effect on SCB. This direct influence of Personal Norms, bypassing Behavioral Intention, highlights the role of implicit moral obligations in Vietnam’s collectivist cultural context and challenges Western-centric behavioral models. Beyond these frameworks, Destination Attributes and Consumer Innovativeness emerge as critical direct predictors of SCB, with Destination Attributes showing the strongest effect. Mediation analyses confirm Behavioral Intention’s central role, while moderation tests reveal that gender and travel experience modulate TPB-based relationships, suggesting the value of targeted interventions. Theoretically, this study advances TPB–VBN integration by applying it to a collectivist setting, revealing how cultural norms amplify normative influences on sustainable behavior. Practically, it advocates for strategies such as community-driven initiatives leveraging Personal Norms, educational campaigns to enhance Perceived Behavioral Control, and sustainable destination management initiatives in locations like Da Nang and Ha Long Bay. While the cross-sectional design limits causal claims, the findings provide a foundation for future longitudinal studies and cross-cultural comparisons, particularly in other collectivist societies, potentially incorporating digital engagement and policy incentives as novel factors. Full article

This paper examines the narratives of consumers who aspire to adopt a simpler, less excessive, and more sustainable lifestyle but struggle to achieve this goal. The analysis reveals that one of the key barriers to downshifting consumption lies in a deep-seated ambivalence: material excess is experienced as both burdensome and evocative, cyclical consumption practices as simultaneously meaningless and pleasurable, and the omnipresent marketplace as both frightening and captivating. This ambivalence is sustained through key mechanisms, including the rationalization of consumption choices using self-care and care for others and hope for a tipping point. The discussion suggests that efforts to promote sustainable consumption cannot rely solely on moral prescriptions and rational appeals. Instead, a more nuanced approach is needed, one that acknowledges the emotional complexities of consumption and the deeply ambivalent nature of consumer–market relationships in affluent societies. Full article

The main objective of this study was to investigate European consumers’ intentions to purchase cosmetics and detergents with green ingredients made from recycled CO₂. Aiming to better understand both moral and practical criteria of consumers’ intentions, a combination of the Values-Beliefs-Norms and the Theory of Planned Behaviour models served as the basis of this study’s theoretical framework. The combination was extended with risk perception about global warming, scepticism and media influence. Online interviews were conducted with stratified samples based on gender and age distributions in France, Germany, Greece and Spain. Structural equation modelling and moderation analyses were employed to analyse the data. The results indicated that consumption intentions are generated by consumers’ biospheric values and a sequence of risk perception, awareness of consequences, and ascription of responsibility while they are directly determined (in declining order) by perceived behavioural control, personal norms, attitudes and subjective norms. Subjective norms indicated additional indirect impacts on consumption intentions through personal norms and ascription of responsibility. Moderation also indicated that the relationship between perceived behavioural control and consumption intentions is stronger in consumers, who are less sceptical towards ecological claims on packaging, while the relationship between personal norms and consumption intentions is stronger in consumers, who are less influenced by advertisements. Theoretical, managerial and social implications were derived from the results. Full article

Youth media consumption and disordered eating practices have historically been subjects of moral panics, often resulting in protective, deficit-based interventions like content removal. We argue for interventions which instead equip youth to evaluate and manage risks in their online environments, building upon their existing “information sensibility” practices. Drawing upon ethnographic research and intervention testing with 77 participants in the US and India, we analyze how youth (aged 13–26), including those with diverse political perspectives and those recovering from disordered eating (DE), engage with online news and health information. Participants generally algorithmically encountered (rather than searched for) information online, and their engagement was shaped more by social motivations—like belonging—than truth seeking. Participants interpreted online information collaboratively, relying on social cues and peer validation within their online communities. They demonstrated preference for personal testimonies and relatable sources, particularly those with similar social identities. We propose resilience-building interventions that build upon these youth online information practices by: (1) leveraging peer networks, promoting critical information engagement through collaborative learning and peer-to-peer support within online communities; (2) developing social media sensibility, equipping youth to critically evaluate information sources in situ; (3) providing pathways offline, connecting youth to desired in-person communities; and (4) encouraging probabilistic thinking. Full article

Background/Objectives: Health consciousness has emerged as a key driver of healthy food purchase decisions in the post-pandemic era. Despite growing interest in health-oriented products, the psychological mechanisms through which health consciousness influences purchase intentions remain understudied. This research examined how health consciousness impacts healthy food purchase intentions through multiple psychological pathways, integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior with additional constructs. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey of 573 Peruvian consumers. Healthy foods were operationalized based on their nutritional quality, including a high nutrient content, low saturated fats and added sugars levels, and minimal processing. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized relationships between health consciousness, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, self-identity, moral norms, and purchase intention. Results: Health consciousness demonstrated significant direct effects on all psychological mediators (attitudes: β = 0.643; perceived behavioral control: β = 0.593; self-identity: β = 0.638; moral norms: β = 0.613) and purchase intention (β = 0.163). However, only perceived behavioral control (β = 0.261) and self-identity (β = 0.107) significantly influenced the purchase intention, while the effects of attitudes and moral norms were non-significant. Conclusions: The findings challenge traditional assumptions about the primacy of attitudes in consumer decision making and highlight the importance of perceived behavioral control and self-identity in translating health consciousness into purchase intentions. Successfully promoting healthy food consumption requires strategies addressing both practical barriers and identity-related aspects of food choice, providing valuable insights for food marketers and public health initiatives. Full article

The complex interwoven crises of climate disruption and biodiversity loss demand not only rapid technological innovation for sustainable development but also major shifts in consumption and behaviour, implying a need for responses rooted in ethical values and a reorientation of attitudes towards the more-than-human world. In this context, given the global significance of faith communities and institutions as motivators and moral authorities, it is important that faith leaders state the challenges for sustainable development and suggest pathways forward to protect the environment and people that live in it. Building on his landmark encyclical of 2015, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis issued Laudate Deum, an apostolic exhortation on the climate crisis, and followed this up with a message to COP 28 for leaders to show leadership in facing up to the climate challenge. We argue that the interventions of Pope Francis point to the crucial importance of an approach to sustainable development that can integrate faith perspectives on social and ecological ethics with the knowledge generated by the natural sciences and by environmental systems science. The interdependence revealed by the emerging scientific understanding of human, animal, and ecosystem life implies the bioethics of care and stewardship, which have the potential to bring people together across religious and disciplinary divides. Unlike other analyses, we argue that it is important to understand how life was created if we are to care for it effectively and sustainably. We also put forward the case for more sustainable land use and the production of more sustainable foods. This article is written from the perspective of the Catholic Church, including its approach to moral theology, but we argue that the implications of the analysis are relevant to all faith communities and religious institutions seeking to promote sustainable development. Full article

This article offers a unique interdisciplinary theoretical examination of the stigmatisation of ‘drug addicts’ and its impacts on health and wellbeing. In the present conjuncture, drug addiction has become a metaphor for a ‘wasted’ life. The stigmatisation of addicts creates artificial monsters. They constitute matter out of place—addiction is dirt and the addict a form of symbolic pollution—as their excessive consumption means they are ostracised and branded as failures. Providing a tripartite framework—of failure, feast, and phoenix—this article will suggest that addiction occupies a contradictory social and conceptual space, at once cause, effect, and solution. It is in this context that the stigmatisation of addiction operates, despite the fact addicts constitute a consumer par excellence, solicited by the very system that seeks to punish, control, and cure them. Drawing on Girard’s generative scapegoat alongside the philosophical concept of the Muselmann, which parallels it, this paper will examine the hypocritical and contradictory portrayal, consumption and treatment of addiction; the social harm and stigmatisation arising from this portrayal; the systems of power and privilege that reproduce this; and how these systematically affect not only the health and wellbeing of addicts, but also their medical care and treatment. The health impacts arising from this framework will illustrate how scapegoating can lead to worsening mental and physical health, social isolation, and create barriers to treatment, which ultimately perpetuate the cycle of addiction that create public health challenges (e.g., drug-related deaths). The ensuing discussion will show how the addict is a symptom of capitalism and colonialism before it, sustaining it as well as serving as a convenient distraction from the systematic problems and illustrating the brutal realities of biopolitical power and its inherent contradictions. Only by understanding the broader socio-cultural and political implications of addiction within the context of late capitalism can we start to reduce stigma and scapegoating and focus on addiction as a medical issue rather than a moral and/or criminal one; a key to improving health outcomes. Full article

This study explores how consumers in developed and developing countries perceive sustainable food consumption and how these perceptions are shaped by local contexts. Using the theory of social representations, which frames sustainability as a system of values, ideas, and practices, we conducted a mixed-methods analysis of data from online focus groups in ten countries. The results reveal significant differences between sustainability frontrunners in developed countries and consumers in developing countries. Consumers in developed countries focus on immanent representations, linking sustainability to concrete practices such as recycling, buying organic products, and brand awareness. In contrast, consumers in developing countries adopt more transcendent views, emphasizing moral responsibility, tradition, and collective well-being, and often expecting government regulation to drive change. Barriers such as high cost, lack of knowledge, and skepticism reflect underlying socio-economic inequalities, particularly in developing contexts. The study highlights how global sustainability norms interact with local realities, revealing mismatches that limit the effectiveness of universal approaches. These findings underscore the need for context-sensitive policies and strategies that address local barriers while remaining consistent with global sustainability goals. More broadly, this research underscores the necessity of culturally tailored approaches to promote equitable and inclusive socio-ecological transformations. Full article

Avoiding food waste has become an important global issue. Given the global impact of food waste and the profound influence of Generation Z on future development, it is crucial to guide them in cultivating awareness and behaviors to reduce food waste, thereby promoting sustainable development. Considering young consumers’ specific characteristics and consumption environment, this study extended the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework by adding two constructs of moral self-identity and scarcity mindset. An online survey was conducted, receiving 417 valid responses, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. This study shows that subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control positively influence Generation Z’s intentions to avoid food waste. Meanwhile, moral self-identity remarkably positively influences attitudes and perceived behavioral control, which in turn affects intention to avoid food waste. Moreover, the positive moderating role of scarcity mindset is verified. This study refines the exploration of food waste within the realm of the Generation Z group, and the findings are beneficial for relevant stakeholders to further develop personalized promotion strategies for Generation Z. Full article

This study evaluated how healthy lifestyle motivators (MHLs) influence the Peruvian market’s willingness to consume healthy food (WCHBF). The main objective was to analyze the relationship of variables, such as attitude (ATT), perceived behavioral control (PBC), self-identity (SI), and moral norms (MN) with the WCHBF. This study adopted a quantitative, non-experimental, and cross-sectional approach, using a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. A total of 585 individuals participated. The participants were consumers of the Unión brand, which specializes in healthy food. A 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate the key variables. For the analysis, IBM SPSS Statistics 25 programs were used to examine the demographic data and SmartPLS 4.1.0.9 was used to assess the conceptual model using partial least squares (PLS-SEM). The results showed that healthy lifestyle motivators positively influence the willingness to consume healthy food and ATT, PBC, SI, and MN variables. In turn, these variables significantly impact the willingness to purchase healthy food. The findings suggest that marketing campaigns should highlight these motivators to encourage the consumption of healthy food. The implications of this study reinforce the importance of understanding psychological factors in consumer decision-making. Full article

In recent years, despite global improvements in development, food scarcity and waste remain critical issues impacting food security, human health, and environmental sustainability. China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reports that China’s food loss and waste rate is approximately 22.7%, amounting to 460 million tons annually, with the consumption and post-harvest processing stages facing the highest losses. To address these issues, China enacted the Anti-Food Waste Law in 2021, aiming to reduce food waste through clear responsibilities, incentives, and penalties for government agencies and relevant stakeholders. While scholars note that the law represents a significant shift from moral to legal governance in tackling food waste, some argue that its provisions lack sufficient specificity. This article assesses the effectiveness of China’s anti-food waste legislation using case studies and comparative analyses, highlighting the challenges in defining and implementing the law within China’s cultural framework, where food signifies abundance and prosperity. Additionally, the article explores successful international practices, including the 2030 Champions Program and similar efforts in Europe and Japan, to inform China’s strategy. The key recommendations for policy improvement include strengthening accountability and governance, establishing a food hierarchy for sustainable resource management, enhancing data collection on food waste, promoting food donation mechanisms, and transitioning from a solely government-led regulatory approach to a multi-dimensional co-regulation model. Full article

Through long-form, creative, high-quality stories, slow journalism seeks to counteract the effects of speed and immediacy in news production and consumption primarily driven by technological advancements. The advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism include generating and enhancing content, reducing workloads, and consequently giving journalists more time for non-routine and creative tasks. This raises the question of where AI fits into slow journalism. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners of slow journalism in Spain to explore their use, attitudes, and perceptions of AI in their work. The findings indicate that the interviewees make rudimentary use of AI tools, and their attitudes range from a slight lack of interest to a willingness to learn more about them, alongside concerns regarding ethical boundaries and the potential for job losses. They assert that they have a moral and human responsibility when producing stories that AI cannot enhance in terms of quality, creativity, and emotional depth. It can be concluded that AI offers little to ‘slow’ journalists due to the significant limitations in enhancing long-form reporting. At most, it may enable them to streamline repetitive and non-creative work, thereby allowing the depth required in slow journalism, at least in its current state of development. Full article

While environmental consciousness has gained global momentum, the influence of climate advocacy on consumer behavior within tourism has rarely been examined. The present study investigated the impact of climate advocacy on regenerative tourism intentions while examining the moderating effects of data privacy-conscious marketing and social moral licensing. Drawing on theoretical frameworks focusing on social psychology and digital marketing ethics, the present study employed a survey-based quantitative approach to collect online data from environmentally conscious tourists in Hawaii (N = 526). The findings highlighted that the positive impact of climate advocacy on regenerative tourism intention is significantly reinforced by data privacy-conscious marketing and social moral licensing. The present study extends theoretical implications by underscoring the integration of behavior change theories in understanding consumer decision-making processes in regenerative tourism. Importantly, the practical implications of this study advocate for ethical digital marketing strategies and climate advocacy initiatives to support regenerative tourism practices. Hence, the present study offers ground-breaking evidence on the nuanced interplay between climate advocacy, privacy-conscious marketing, social moral licensing, and regenerative tourism intention. These strategic insights can aid tourism marketers and destination managers in fostering a more environmentally responsible tourism industry amidst global environmental challenges. Full article

In health insurance, “moral hazard” describes the concept that coverage without an out-of-pocket cost to consumers could result in health care utilization beyond economically efficient levels. In response, payers in the United States (US) have designed pharmaceutical benefit plans with significant cost exposure (e.g., co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles). While substantial evidence links patient cost exposure to reduced drug spending, it remains unclear to what degree this translates into greater efficiency or an indiscriminate drop in overall consumption also reducing needed utilization. We conducted a systematic literature review to understand whether commonly implemented utilization management (UM) strategies and insurance designs with a behavioral or value-based (BID/VBID) component have been explored as tools to mitigate moral hazard and to assess how cost-sharing policies and innovative insurance designs impact consumer spending. Eligible studies compared conventional cost-exposure policies to BID/VBID, including tiered cost-sharing and other UM strategies. We found that broad implementation of patient cost exposure is not well supported by empirical evidence assessing efficiency—defined as the use of clinically appropriate services with value at or above the marginal cost of health care utilization in the contemporary US setting. As a result, payers and policy makers alike ought to explore insurance alternatives that more closely align health care consumption incentives to value of care. Full article