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Consumer attitudes and sociodemographic profile in purchasing organic food products : Evidence of a Greek and Swedish survey.

Diagourtas, Georgios LU ; Kounetas, Konstantinos and Simaki, Vasiliki LU (2023) In British Food Journal 125(7). p.2407-2423
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores Greek and Swedish consumers' attitude towards organic food consumption in order to demonstrate possible differences that can be identified based on health and ecological consciousness beliefs rather than demographic factors. The examination of an emerging and a more mature market allow the authors to provide more targeted marketing strategies that possibly increase organic food consumption in both countries.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt an econometric approach to the analysis of consumer behavior in relation to organic food consumption in Sweden and Greece. More specifically, the authors examine the motivations and postexperiences of organic food consumers of different... (More)
Purpose
This study explores Greek and Swedish consumers' attitude towards organic food consumption in order to demonstrate possible differences that can be identified based on health and ecological consciousness beliefs rather than demographic factors. The examination of an emerging and a more mature market allow the authors to provide more targeted marketing strategies that possibly increase organic food consumption in both countries.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopt an econometric approach to the analysis of consumer behavior in relation to organic food consumption in Sweden and Greece. More specifically, the authors examine the motivations and postexperiences of organic food consumers of different socioeconomic profiles in these two countries, one in northern and one in southern Europe. The authors apply an ordered logistic regression analysis model to map out the interaction between consumer attitudes and sociodemographic variables.

Findings
The authors results show that consumers in Sweden more frequently purchase organic foods than consumers in Greece. Environmental protection and ethical values increase the odds for Swedish organic food consumers to buy organic food products. Health consciousness and family well-being are perceived as factors that increase the odds for Greek organic food consumers to buy organic foods. Sociodemographic factors do not play a pivotal role for consumer behavior in relation to organic food in both countries.

Originality/value
This study distinguishes between organic food consumers in two countries with different levels of organic food production and export activity, size of organic market, national organic labeling system and legal definition and standards of organic food. Within these differences, the organic food industry could align its marketing efforts better rather focus on simplistic demographics. The current view unfolds the fact that there are limited studies comparing two European markets at different stages of development and the factors that influence organic food consumer behavior. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
consumer behavior, organic food, socio-economic factors, logit model
in
British Food Journal
volume
125
issue
7
pages
2407 - 2423
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:85142874336
ISSN
0007-070X
DOI
10.1108/BFJ-03-2022-0196
project
Language as a tool for understanding consumer attitudes and improving the social impact of sustainable products
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
0aa7152c-4974-476d-ace5-6b2d9c1eebde
date added to LUP
2022-11-29 08:25:08
date last changed
2023-10-26 14:56:13
@article{0aa7152c-4974-476d-ace5-6b2d9c1eebde,
  abstract     = {{Purpose<br/>This study explores Greek and Swedish consumers' attitude towards organic food consumption in order to demonstrate possible differences that can be identified based on health and ecological consciousness beliefs rather than demographic factors. The examination of an emerging and a more mature market allow the authors to provide more targeted marketing strategies that possibly increase organic food consumption in both countries.<br/><br/>Design/methodology/approach<br/>The authors adopt an econometric approach to the analysis of consumer behavior in relation to organic food consumption in Sweden and Greece. More specifically, the authors examine the motivations and postexperiences of organic food consumers of different socioeconomic profiles in these two countries, one in northern and one in southern Europe. The authors apply an ordered logistic regression analysis model to map out the interaction between consumer attitudes and sociodemographic variables.<br/><br/>Findings<br/>The authors results show that consumers in Sweden more frequently purchase organic foods than consumers in Greece. Environmental protection and ethical values increase the odds for Swedish organic food consumers to buy organic food products. Health consciousness and family well-being are perceived as factors that increase the odds for Greek organic food consumers to buy organic foods. Sociodemographic factors do not play a pivotal role for consumer behavior in relation to organic food in both countries.<br/><br/>Originality/value<br/>This study distinguishes between organic food consumers in two countries with different levels of organic food production and export activity, size of organic market, national organic labeling system and legal definition and standards of organic food. Within these differences, the organic food industry could align its marketing efforts better rather focus on simplistic demographics. The current view unfolds the fact that there are limited studies comparing two European markets at different stages of development and the factors that influence organic food consumer behavior.}},
  author       = {{Diagourtas, Georgios and Kounetas, Konstantinos and Simaki, Vasiliki}},
  issn         = {{0007-070X}},
  keywords     = {{consumer behavior; organic food; socio-economic factors; logit model}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{7}},
  pages        = {{2407--2423}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{British Food Journal}},
  title        = {{Consumer attitudes and sociodemographic profile in purchasing organic food products : Evidence of a Greek and Swedish survey.}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2022-0196}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/BFJ-03-2022-0196}},
  volume       = {{125}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}