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The objective of the article is to examine whether relationship quality in the Spanish pig-to-cured ham supply chain positively influence small and medium enterprise (SME) stakeholders' competitiveness. A structural equation modeling approach has been used with information from a survey conducted on farmers, processors, and retailers in the pig-to-cured ham chain located in the Spanish region of Aragon. Results indicate that the quality of the relationship positively influences stakeholders' competitiveness in the supply chain. Second, improvements in communication also positively affect the quality of the relationships. Then, the quality of communication has also a positive effect on stakeholders' competitiveness through the relationship quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of nutrition and health information on food labels is increasing as an industry and regulation answer to the growing consumer concern with diet–health relationships. Prior research has shown that the presence of this information on food labels is valued by consumers; however, there is still no clear pattern on which labelling options are more valued and how different consumers value the different options. This paper analyses the results of a choice experiment conducted to identify the effect of multiple health and nutrition information sources on consumer food choice, taking into account preference heterogeneity using a latent class approach. Results show that different consumer groups can be identified with clearly distinguishable valuation and behavioural patterns. A minority of consumers attaches high willingness to pay (WTP) to the provision of additional information in the nutrition facts panel, however, this is not shown for a vast majority who value claims. Moreover, not taking into account this preference heterogeneity can lead to policies that do not maximise consumer welfare. Based on the characteristics of consumers identified in each group, recommendations are made as to how both industry and public administration can move forward with the development of nutritional labelling guidelines or policies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Changes in household income, wife's labour force participation, household size, and other demographic factors influence purchasing meals away from home in Spain. Spanish household expenditure on lunch, breakfast and snacks away from home were investigated within the household production theory context. The Becker's model states that consumers maximize their utility subject not only to the budget constraint but also to a time constraint. Moreover, this model assumes that consumers demand not only the food product itself but also the associated convenience to save time in food preparation. Therefore, the relation between the value of time and food away from home has a high relevance. Data come from the Spanish Continuous Household Survey for 1996. Due to the large number of zeros in the dependent variable, different dependent variable censured models (Double Hurdle, Infrequency of Purchase, etc.) have been specified and estimated. These studies found that food purchasing behaviour away from home of Spanish consumers differ by type of meal. Income, household characteristics and the opportunity cost of woman time are important factors determining food consumption patterns away from home. Moreover, income and opportunity cost of woman time present a positive effect on away from home consumption for type of meal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to analyze retailers' attitudes toward region of origin labeling in fresh meat and the factors influencing retailers' decision to sell these quality labeled meats. Data come from a survey conducted with retailers in Spain (Aragon) in 2002. Firstly, retailers' attitudes toward region-of-origin labeled meat are investigated. Secondly, factors affecting the probability to sell region-of-origin labeled for two meat products (beef and lamb) and the level of sales are determined. To do this, a probit model has been specified to analyze the probability to sell region-of-origin labeled beef/lamb and an ordered probit, to study the level of sales for beef/lamb. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The evolution of food consumption in Spain is described in this paper. The Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) has been used to analyse the food demand structure with pooled data for the October 1989-September 1992 period. Socioeconomic variables have been introduced. Results provide the estimated parameters for prices, total expenditure and demographic variables. Particular emphasis has been placed on analysing changes for the typical products which are part of the Mediterranean diet. Policy and marketing considerations are provided to correct unhealthy dietary trends. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]