Search Results (294)

Cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) has emerged as a critical mode of international trade; however, product uncertainty and transaction risk remain persistent barriers to purchase decisions. While digital platforms have developed various solutions, the role of offline experiential knowledge in shaping online purchase behavior remains underexplored. This study examines how tourism-derived information influences purchase intention in CBEC. Drawing on transaction cost theory and uncertainty reduction theory, we propose that tourism-derived information enhances product familiarity and perceived diagnosticity, which subsequently reduce product uncertainty and increase cross-border purchase intention, and further examine the moderating role of transaction uncertainty. A four-week survey in March 2026 collected data from 325 Chinese consumers who had visited Korea and encountered Korean cosmetics and beauty products; data were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Results show that tourism-derived information significantly enhances product familiarity and perceived diagnosticity while directly reducing product uncertainty; reduced product uncertainty, in turn, positively influences purchase intention. Transaction uncertainty strengthens the negative effect of product uncertainty on purchase intention. By reconceptualizing tourism experience as an experience-based informational resource in CBEC and providing a multidimensional perspective on consumer uncertainty, this study contributes to consumer behavior research in digital commerce and offers practical insights for CBEC platform operators and cross-border retailers. Full article

Small ruminant production in Kosovo is predominantly extensive, and biosecurity practices remain poorly characterized. The emergence of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Europe (beginning in 2024) and the first confirmed case in Kosovo (July 2025) highlight the urgent need for baseline biosecurity data to inform disease control. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on 63 small ruminant farms (53 meat-producing, 10 dairy-producing) across seven municipalities in Kosovo between September 2025 and February 2026. Biosecurity practices were assessed using the Biocheck.UGent™ questionnaire during direct on-farm visits. External (Ext) biosecurity scores (preventing pathogen introduction) were higher (p < 0.0001) than internal (Int) scores (limiting spread within farms). For external biosecurity, the highest scores were observed for purchase and reproduction (Ext A), intermediate scores existed for feed and water (Ext C) and visitors and farm workers (Ext D), and the lowest scores were found for transport and carcass removal (Ext B) and infrastructure (Ext E). For internal biosecurity, the highest scores were observed for lamb/kid management (Int H) and dairy management (Int I), followed by the management of adult animals (Int J); work organization (Int K) and reproduction management (Int G) formed an intermediate-low cluster, whereas disease management (Int F) scored the lowest. Benchmarking against the Biocheck.UGent™ worldwide database (predominantly intensive systems, thus not directly comparable) indicated that internal biosecurity and overall biosecurity levels were lower than the benchmark, while external biosecurity was comparable for some components. Given the convenience sample (36.4% response rate), findings are exploratory and are not directly generalizable. Larger herd size was positively correlated with external (ρ = 0.54, p < 0.0001), internal (ρ = 0.35, p = 0.005), and overall (ρ = 0.57, p < 0.0001) biosecurity scores. This first empirical biosecurity assessment of small ruminant farms in Kosovo reveals critical gaps in transport hygiene, disease management, and reproductive management pathways that enable PPR spread and perpetuate endemic zoonoses. The positive association between herd size and biosecurity may indicate structural barriers and/or knowledge gaps for small farms. Current biosecurity tools, designed for intensive systems, require adaptation for extensive production systems. These findings provide a baseline for targeted interventions, policy development, and validation of context-appropriate biosecurity instruments in Kosovo and similar extensive systems globally. Full article

This study introduces a comprehensive framework for understanding sustainable online shopping preferences, validated using survey data collected in Serbia and Slovenia in 2025 (n = 572), thereby enhancing its generalizability. The primary aim of this research is to examine the extent to which specific environmental, social, and economic indicators influence decision-making processes for online purchasing and delivery. A detailed quantitative analysis was conducted using a structured questionnaire that included a wide range of variables related to online shopping behaviors and delivery preferences. The findings indicate that preferences for sustainability are inherently complex and multifaceted, shaped by critical factors such as environmental concerns, social responsibility, trust, skepticism towards sustainability claims, willingness to pay (WTP), and price sensitivity. Demographic variables, particularly gender and age, show consistent links to preferences for environmental considerations and corporate social responsibility (CSR), while income impacts trust-related behaviors and WTP. Furthermore, the analysis distinguishes between two distinct decision-making approaches: a value-driven sustainability cluster represented by EcoIndex, SocialIndex, and WTPIndex, and a cost-minimization strategy focused on price sensitivity (PriceIndex), with trust acting as a related yet separate factor (CredibilityIndex). Overall, this study emphasizes that a range of interconnected dimensions significantly shape sustainable online shopping preferences. The study was conducted in two developing European countries. Additionally, the findings highlight the need to address universal market barriers, such as price sensitivity, information asymmetry, and consumer skepticism. In a business context, they underscore the importance of adopting advanced analytical methods to enhance decision-making and optimize sustainable business strategies. Full article

Green prepared dishes are an emerging food-consumption format that links convenience, food safety, and sustainable consumption. In this study, “green” denotes a sustainability-oriented product profile involving food-safety assurance, resource-conscious packaging or sourcing, and waste-reduction potential, rather than formal organic certification. However, existing studies have mainly relied on linear behavioral models and have paid limited attention to nonlinear and asymmetric consumer decision mechanisms. This study integrates the stimulus–organism–response framework with explainable machine learning to predict consumers’ sustainable purchase intention toward green prepared dishes. Based on 805 valid questionnaires collected in Jilin Province, China, predictors were organized into three dimensions: environmental and health cognition, socioeconomic and infrastructural conditions, and sustainable behavioral propensity. The sample represents a regional online consumer profile in Jilin Province rather than a national probability sample. Six classifiers were trained using SMOTE–Tomek resampling and Optuna-based hyperparameter optimization. XGBoost achieved the best predictive performance, with an F1-score of 0.894, an AUC of 0.934, and an MCC of 0.702. Unlike conventional black-box machine learning, the SHAP-based interpretation translated ensemble predictions into transparent feature-level and case-level explanations. Accordingly, the model interpretations are framed as predictive associations rather than causal mechanisms. The study reveals an asymmetric decision pattern in which core behavioral willingness functions as a non-compensatory barrier, while channel convenience, delivery efficiency, and after-sales support facilitate purchase intention among consumers who already show high behavioral readiness. The findings suggest that green prepared-dish strategies should prioritize trust-based advocacy and word-of-mouth, reliable channel design, low-risk trial experiences, and collaborative food-safety governance rather than relying only on short-term traffic acquisition. Full article

This paper examines the state of the academic literature on the development of after-sales and maintenance services for electric vehicles (EVs), highlighting their critical yet underexplored role in the transition to electrified mobility. Against the backdrop of rising EV sales, this study investigates how service ecosystems influence long-term adoption. A systematic review was conducted to identify recurring themes, barriers, and proposed solutions related to EV maintenance and after-sales systems. The findings indicate that, despite lower mechanical complexity compared to internal combustion vehicles, EVs generate new service demands due to their reliance on electronics, software, and high-voltage systems. Key barriers to EV adoption include high purchase costs, limited charging infrastructure, and shortages of skilled technicians, which collectively affect consumer confidence beyond the point of acquisition. The analysis shows that after-sales services constitute both a technical and economic bottleneck in large-scale EV diffusion. The existing literature predominantly emphasizes theoretical solutions, such as digitalized maintenance and data-driven business models, with limited focus on practical implementation strategies. This paper concludes that sustainable EV adoption depends not only on technological and infrastructural progress but also on workforce adaptation, proposing a transitional management framework to support independent workshops in shifting toward fully electric service operations. Full article

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides monthly cash-value benefits (CVBs) for fruits and vegetables. In addition to fresh produce, WIC agencies may allow households to purchase frozen and canned produce using CVBs. The use of these options may support benefit redemption for households who face inequitable barriers to accessing fresh produce, such as households living on tribal lands. This study examined (1) associations between frozen/canned food CVB purchases and overall CVB redemption and (2) predictors of frozen/canned food purchasing within a Tribal Organization using administrative data collected between November 2024 and April 2025 and a participant survey. Administrative data analyses included 4787 Inter Tribal Council of Arizona WIC-participating households; survey analyses included 1165 respondents. Mixed-effects models showed that households purchasing frozen and canned foods using CVBs, instead of only fresh, redeemed more of their CVBs. Further, higher frozen/canned purchasing predicted higher redemption rates. Households with multiple WIC participants were more likely to purchase frozen and canned foods using CVBs than single-participant households. The most commonly reported reason for purchasing frozen/canned foods in surveys was longer shelf life. Findings indicate that allowing and promoting frozen and canned food options may improve CVB utilization for American Indian families. Full article

The bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in the edible tissues of Oratosquilla oratoria, a seasonal delicacy in Shanghai, poses potential health risks to consumers. This study investigated Cd accumulation in the edible tissues (muscle, gonad, hepatopancreas, intestine, heart) of Oratosquilla oratoria purchased from Shanghai markets, focusing on cadmium content during gonadal development using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results revealed the hepatopancreas as the primary site of Cd storage, with concentrations in the intestine and hepatopancreas (10.64–58.27 mg/kg) being orders of magnitude higher than those in the gonads and muscle (0.01–0.48 mg/kg). Strikingly, Cd levels in the gonads remained consistently low throughout development and did not correlate with the gonadosomatic index. This indicates a biological barrier that sequesters Cd in the outer gonad membrane of Oratosquilla oratoria, thereby protecting germ cells from toxicity. Health risk assessment indicated that consumption of the intestine and hepatopancreas poses a potential carcinogenic risk, whereas the most commonly consumed tissues—muscle and gonads—present a low risk. Our findings clarify the differential bioaccumulation of Cd in Oratosquilla oratoria, reveal a potential biological mechanism for gonadal protection, and provide a scientific basis for targeted consumption guidance to mitigate public health risks. Full article

Independent community pharmacies serve as critical healthcare access points in rural areas, yet they consistently underperform chain pharmacies on contraceptive access measures. This narrative commentary draws on mystery caller studies, implementation research, and policy analyses to examine pharmacy-based contraceptive access in the United States (US). Using emergency contraception (EC) as a case study, we show that independent pharmacies stock EC at dramatically lower rates than chains (e.g., 14.6% vs. 76.3% in West Virginia), provide less accurate information about purchase requirements and timing, and impose more barriers to access. Because independent pharmacies account for 76.5% of pharmacies in rural areas, this disparity concentrates contraceptive inaccessibility in communities already facing the highest rates of unintended pregnancy, maternal mortality, and maternity care deserts. This pattern extends beyond EC to pharmacist-prescribed contraception and over-the-counter daily oral contraceptives. These disparities reflect systemic barriers, such as inadequate reimbursement, limited training infrastructure, and absence of corporate support, rather than failures of individual pharmacies. Drawing on implementation research and the success of West Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccination model, this paper proposes coordinated, sector-specific strategies to transform independent pharmacies from barriers into bridges for rural women’s contraceptive access. Full article

The extant body of evidence pertaining to the acceptance of cultured meat in Sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. The present study examined the determinants of intention to adopt cultured meat among a sample of young, urban, meat-eating adults in Chad (n = 290, from a recruited sample of 304). This was achieved using a cross-sectional online survey. Hierarchical OLS with HC3-robust inference was estimated across five hypothesis blocks, complemented by dominance analysis, binary outcome sensitivity, and exploratory triangulation (Bayesian, elastic net, conditional random forest). Approximately half of the respondents expressed a willingness to try cultured meat (52.4%). The final model accounted for 30.6% of the intention variance (adjusted R² = 0.188). Following Holm’s correction for multiple comparisons, the conventional-meat and knowledge blocks did not demonstrate a significant difference. The product beliefs (ΔR² = 0.056, p = 0.022), affective risk barriers (ΔR² = 0.086, p = 0.004), and value fit (ΔR² = 0.039, p = 0.048) were found to be significant, with affective risk ranking first in dominance analysis (22.8%). Binary sensitivity analysis demonstrated acceptable discrimination (AUC = 0.744), although no block remained significant after correction. Exploratory analyses yielded convergent results, including notably robust Bayesian support for excluding the conventional-meat block (BF01 = 1.66 × 10¹²). Sensitivity power analysis confirmed adequate power (≥0.80) for the significant blocks, but indicated that the conventional-meat non-significance may partly reflect limited power (estimated power = 0.47). Cultured meat adoption intention was more strongly associated with affective risk and value fit appraisals than with conventional meat purchase priorities. This suggests that acceptance strategies should prioritise risk reduction, trust-building, and perceived value. The findings should be interpreted as applying to a digitally connected, young, urban, meat-eating, predominantly tertiary-educated early-adopter-like segment (90.5% with university-level education; 72.7% residing in cities of more than 500,000 inhabitants), rather than to the general Chadian population. Full article

Background and Objectives: Access to medicines is a fundamental determinant of health equity and a core pillar of universal health coverage, encompassing the timely availability, affordability, and appropriate use of essential medicines. Socioeconomic disparities may limit actual and timely access to pharmacological treatment, particularly in healthcare systems characterized by mixed public–private financing and significant out-of-pocket expenditures. This study aimed to evaluate socioeconomic determinants of access to medicines among Romanian patients with chronic diseases, focusing on income level, prescription reimbursement, perceived affordability, and substitution behavior during medicine shortages. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2024 using a structured online questionnaire administered to 200 adult patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic hepatitis B and C, or oncological conditions, recruited at the “Prof. Dr. D. Hociotă” Institute of Phonoaudiology and Functional ENT Surgery, Bucharest, Romania. Associations between income and access-related variables were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. Binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of perceived difficulty in accessing medicines (p < 0.05). Results: Lower income was significantly associated with greater reliance on reimbursed prescriptions (r_s = −0.241, 95% CI: −0.37 to −0.10, p = 0.001) and fully reimbursed prescriptions (r_s = −0.305, 95% CI: −0.43 to −0.17, p < 0.001). Income was strongly correlated with perceived affordability of treatment (r_s = 0.601, 95% CI: 0.50–0.69, p < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, income below 3000 RON/month (adjusted OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.05–3.58, p = 0.034) and insufficient affordability (adjusted OR = 4.12, 95% CI: 2.15–7.89, p < 0.001) were independently associated with perceived difficult access to treatment. Additionally, 80% of respondents reported purchasing substitute medicines when prescribed medicines were unavailable. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study indicates that socioeconomic status and perceived affordability are significant determinants of access to medicines among Romanian patients with chronic diseases attending a tertiary ENT centre. Financial vulnerability remains a major barrier despite existing reimbursement mechanisms. Policy interventions aimed at strengthening income-sensitive reimbursement strategies and ensuring consistent pharmaceutical availability may improve equitable access and therapeutic continuity. Full article

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis endemic in Madagascar, threatening human and animal health as well as the economy. Trade-related livestock movements are a major factor in the spread of RVF virus. While previous RVF research in Madagascar has focused on farmers or general ecology, this study is the first to specifically target livestock traders, the primary drivers for long-distance viral spread, in the Alaotra Mangoro endemic hotspot. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, prevailing attitudes and current practices regarding RVF among people engaged in livestock trade in the Alaotra Mangoro region, as well as the factors associated with these KAPs. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted among 406 livestock traders in five districts of the Alaotra Mangoro region, using a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling approach was employed, utilising purposive selection of markets followed by snowball sampling to reach informal traders often missed by traditional surveys. Generalised linear mixed models were used to analyse factors associated with KAPs regarding RVF. Awareness of RVF was very low (only 18.5% respondents had heard of it), with significant regional disparities (0% in Anosibe An’Ala versus 51.6% in Moramanga). Veterinarians (15.5%), family (12.8%), radio (9.6%) and neighbours (9.6%) were the main sources of information. Understanding of symptoms and modes of transmission (particularly mosquito bites) was limited. Higher levels of education (OR = 181.6; 95% CI: 29.9–1123.7; p < 0.001) and older age (50–60 years) were associated with better knowledge. Proactive attitudes were scarce (21.4%), although more than half (53.4%) believed that RVF is a real disease. Perception of personal risk and the contribution of livestock trade to the spread of the disease was low. However, confidence in animal vaccination was relatively high (60.3%). Preventive practices were highly inadequate. The majority did not wear protective equipment when handling sick animals (94.6%) and rarely avoided touching aborted foetuses (12.6%). Less than half (48.3%) expressed a willingness to report sick or dead animals, and nearly half admitted to having sold or purchased sick livestock (49.5%). Cooking meat (95.1%) and using mosquito nets (74.1%) were the only well-established practices. More than half of respondents (57.9%) lived more than 5 km from veterinary services, and cost was the most frequently cited barrier to consultation. Participation in awareness campaigns was virtually non-existent (5.4%). Results revealed critical gaps in KAP that may contribute to the persistence of RVF. A “One Health” approach is imperative, integrating human, animal and environmental health. Full article

Second-hand clothing is increasingly promoted as a sustainable alternative to reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact, yet evidence on why consumers purchase second-hand apparel remains fragmented across disciplines. This literature review synthesizes prior research to identify the main motivational drivers and inhibitors of second-hand clothing purchasing and to translate them into a coherent conceptual explanation. We reviewed and conceptually integrated the academic literature on second-hand apparel consumption, focusing on how studies define, operationalize, and relate sustainability concerns, economic value, uniqueness and identity motives, and socio-cultural influences to purchase intention and behavior. The reviewed evidence indicates that pro-environmental values often coexist with utilitarian and symbolic motives, while barriers frequently involve perceived risk (e.g., quality and hygiene), effort, and access constraints. Building on this synthesis, we propose an integrative model that organizes key antecedents and mechanisms leading to purchase intention and repeat purchasing, highlighting enabling conditions and boundary factors that may strengthen or weaken these relationships. This review consolidates dispersed findings, clarifies theoretical gaps, and provides a testable framework to guide future empirical research and managerial interventions aimed at scaling circular fashion adoption. Full article

This study examines how heritage-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) cope with economic shocks and institutional constraints in a semi-urban context. The study focuses on identifying context-specific barriers that shape SME growth and sustainability in heritage-based, semi-urban settings. Using a mixed-methods design, survey data from 200 SMEs were analyzed with PLS-SEM, and 20 semi-structured interviews were examined through thematic analysis, collected in Kashan, Iran (March–May 2025). We find that inflation and limited access to finance are the primary barriers to firm growth, followed by regulatory delays and administrative complexity. Qualitative findings reveal five recurring adaptive routines, short-cycle cash management, cooperative input purchasing, product simplification/micro-pivoting, reliance on local networks, and minimalist digitalization, that operate in a discernible temporal sequence to sustain firm continuity. By integrating resource-based and institutional perspectives, the paper advances meso-level theorizing on SME resilience and proposes a set of low-cost, actionable policy measures (e.g., streamlined e-licensing, targeted mobile microfinance, and buyer–supplier matchmaking) for local authorities and development practitioners. Full article

Edible insects are recognised as a sustainable, high-protein food source, yet consumption in Western diets remains limited due to cultural barriers and concerns about taste, appearance, and safety. This study explored the factors affecting the acceptance of familiar products where insects have been added as ingredients, and how purchase intent is influenced by label information. During sensory evaluation, 59 participants tested pasta-only and pasta-with-sauce samples that were presented with and without insects (controls). Results showed no significant differences in preference between insect and control samples (pasta only: p = 0.150; pasta with sauce: p = 0.193). Open-ended feedback highlighted flavour, texture, and familiarity as key drivers. Label design strongly shaped purchase intent, with participants preferring labels that combined clear allergen and ingredient information with credible nutrition and eco-certification logos. Benefit-focused price framing (protein and sustainability) significantly increased willingness to pay (p < 0.001), while prior insect consumption, age and gender had no effect. Overall, the findings show that adding insects into a well-known ready-meal format, supported by transparent labelling and benefit-based communication, has the potential to improve acceptance. This approach highlights a practical way to bring insect proteins into mainstream food systems while contributing to nutrition and sustainability goals. Full article

Despite growing interest in sustainability, many consumers hesitate to purchase green sports products. This study investigates the reasons behind such hesitation by identifying and quantifying consumer-perceived barriers to purchasing green sports products using conjoint analysis. Four major barriers—price premium, quality concerns, lack of information, and credibility issues—were identified through a multi-stage process involving preliminary consumer surveys, an extensive literature review, and expert consultation. Data were collected from 294 consumers who evaluated 12 orthogonally designed product profiles representing different combinations of these barrier attributes. The results indicate that price premium is the most influential barrier overall and among consumers with low environmental involvement, whereas credibility concerns, particularly greenwashing, constitute the primary source of purchase hesitation among consumers with high environmental involvement. Further analysis of perceived purchase barrier configurations indicates that a 10% price premium, limited product variety, distrust of environmental certifications, and insufficient product information are jointly associated with higher perceived purchase resistance. These findings reveal that the prioritization of perceived purchase barriers differs systematically across consumer groups defined by environmental involvement. By clarifying the decision-making barriers that drive consumer hesitation, this study contributes to sustainability research by advancing the understanding of sustainable consumption from a behavioral decision-making perspective. The findings also provide practical insights for sporting goods brands seeking to reduce purchase resistance through strategies tailored to different levels of consumer environmental involvement. Full article