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Consumer attitudes towards organic versus conventional food with specific quality attributes

Stolz, H.; Stolze, M.; Hamm, U.; Janssen, M. and Ruto, E. (2011) Consumer attitudes towards organic versus conventional food with specific quality attributes. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 58 (3-4), pp. 67-72.

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Document available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S157352141000031X


Summary

This paper describes the findings from a consumer survey conducted as part of the EU-funded research project QualityLowInputFood (QLIF). The objective was to segment occasional organic consumers with regard to their preferences for organic, conventional and conventional-plus products, i.e., conventional products with a specific attribute that also applies to organic products. In other words, these conventional-plus products are placed between organic and conventional food products. In addition, we aimed at analysing differences between consumer segments regarding their price sensitivity and attitudes towards food. The survey used choice experiments to investigate occasional organic consumer preferences for the different types of products. In subsequent standardized face-to-face interviews we collected data on consumer attitudes towards food that could explain the observed preferences. The attitudes were summarized in attitude factors, using factor analysis. The responses from the interviews and choice experiments were analysed by latent class models. These econometric models were used to identify segments within a group of individuals for their preference structure and to relate membership in each segment to consumer characteristics. Two segments of occasional organic consumers were identified. Consumers in segment 1 strongly preferred organic products and were less price sensitive. Furthermore, consumers in this segment showed a significantly higher level of agreement with most of the investigated attitude factors than consumers in segment 2. The latter consisted of consumers who were significantly more price sensitive and preferred conventional-plus and conventional products rather than organic products. Communicating quality attributes represents a promising marketing tool of product differentiation and information for both organic and conventional food marketers. The price sensitivity of parts of occasional organic consumers suggests that the perceived price-performance ratio of organic products needs to be increased by targeted pricing and communication strategies integrating product-relevant information. If not, conventional-plus products, representing a cheaper alternative, might be preferred by parts of the occasional organic consumers.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Choice experiment, Preference heterogeneity, Latent class model, Organic food, Sozioökonomie, Konsumentenverhalten, consumer, QLIF, FiBL 35001, Nachhaltigkeitsanalyse sustainability assessment
Subjects: Values, standards and certification > Consumer issues
Food systems > Policy environments and social economy
Research affiliation: Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Society > Economics & market
European Union > QualityLowInputFood > Subproject 1: Consumer expectations and attitudes
UK > Univ. Newcastle
Germany > University of Kassel > Department of Agricultural- and Food Marketing
ISSN:1573-5214
Related Links:http://www.fibl.org/en/switzerland/research/socio-economics.html
Deposited By: Stolz, Dr. Hanna
ID Code:20473
Deposited On:08 Feb 2012 12:37
Last Modified:16 Feb 2022 07:48
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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