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Recent changes to the National Collegiate Athletic Association policy on name, image, and/or likeness and transfer policies have transformed how college athletes may market themselves as human brands. Above all, branding success depends on consumer perceptions. Using a national survey of U.S. consumers and an experiment, we test how transfer behavior impacts consumer purchase intentions for a collegiate athlete's brand. We find that transferring to a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I or Division II school decreases purchase intentions by lowering consumer identification with the athlete through perceived profit motive or perceived athlete quality, respectively. These findings contribute to branding theory and provide insight to players and schools, as they navigate the changing landscape of college athletics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that consumers respond differently to decisions made by humans versus algorithms. Many tasks, however, are not performed by humans anymore but entirely by algorithms. In fact, consumers increasingly encounter algorithm-controlled products, such as robotic vacuum cleaners or smart refrigerators, which are steered by different types of algorithms. Building on insights from computer science and consumer research on algorithm perception, this research investigates how consumers respond to different types of algorithms within these products. This research compares high-adaptivity algorithms, which can learn and adapt, versus low-adaptivity algorithms, which are entirely pre-programmed, and explore their impact on consumers' product preferences. Six empirical studies show that, in general, consumers prefer products with high-adaptivity algorithms. However, this preference depends on the desired level of product outcome range—the number of solutions a product is expected to provide within a task or across tasks. The findings also demonstrate that perceived algorithm creativity and predictability drive the observed effects. This research highlights the distinctive role of algorithm types in the perception of consumer goods and reveals the consequences of unveiling the mind of the machine to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the experiential advantage, three studies were conducted with online clothing rental service users and potential consumers to assess how material and experiential framing impact consumer happiness and word of mouth (WOM) intentions, moderated by consumer materialism, across different consumption (i.e., buying and renting fashion products) and product types (i.e., renting instrumental vs. terminal products). The findings indicate that material framing enhances consumer perceptions of rented fashion products as reflective of their self-identity and increases product-self connections, thereby boosting happiness and WOM intentions. In contrast, experiential framing proves advantageous with instrumental products. This research expands our understanding of the boundary conditions and psychological processes of material vs. experiential framing and provides practical guidance for access-based fashion businesses to effectively communicate and present their services, aiming to achieve positive customer buzz and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does it pay to appear unbiased in an attention-based economy where bias sells? We study this question in light of increased consumer partisan polarization and biases alongside greater technology usage and partisanship in journalism. Using a game-theoretic framework that captures the essential properties of the online news market, we show that polarization with biases may constrain neutral and partisan news websites' engagement-enhancing strategies differently; and online news providers can strategically exploit consumer perceptions to maximize engagement-driven revenues. Our analysis suggests that neutral news outlets depend on polarization imbalance and perceptions of neutrality. Moreover, increased search costs and consumer bias toward partisan outlets can lessen the echo chamber effect in online news consumption. Our work advances discussions on online news neutrality, providing fresh insights into the "marketplace of ideas" view and source versus content neutrality in the face of increasing affective polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has indicated that consumers' decisions are significantly influenced by online reviews. However, existing research has focused mainly on attributes (e.g., average ratings) that are not fully controlled by firms; only limited research has investigated how controllable attributes (e.g., review display formats) affect consumers. Drawing on visual perception research, the authors examine the effectiveness of two prominent graphical display formats used by major e-commerce platforms: one that displays rating distributions in a proportional format (e.g., Amazon) and one that does so in a simple format (e.g., Google). The results indicate that due to the changes in graphs' reference points caused by the shrunken x-axis in simple bar graphs, consumers respond more positively to an item when its rating distribution is displayed in a graphically simple (vs. proportional) format. This effect is moderated by the distribution's peak value (i.e., the share of the most frequent rating) and imbalance score (i.e., the difference between the share of positive and negative ratings). Furthermore, even an item's future ratings are influenced by the graphical format in which its prior ratings are displayed. The contributions to the marketing literature are discussed, and insights that can aid managers in making more informed decisions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article extends the literature on consumers' responses to green claims and their intentions to buy green products. We used an experimental approach based on three complementary studies. The first compares the effects of two claims regarding different levels of a company's environmental commitment. The second examines whether consumers can recognize exaggerated claims. The third analyzes consumers' perceptions of a company's environmental commitment and intentions to buy the advertised product when an institutional methodology is used to substantiate the message. Surveys were administered online in January 2020 to samples of the Italian population aged 18 to 75. The results suggest that consumers positively perceive the commitment that lies behind all the conditions tested, strongly influencing intentions to buy. However, consumers have either little or no understanding of differences among green claims and are also easily deceived by exaggerated claims (such as "zero impact"). Using multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM), we highlight the important role of education. Consumers with a higher level of education are more receptive to claims that imply a higher commitment and appreciate the presence of an institutional methodology as a credibility signal. However, even highly educated consumers are likely to be deceived by exaggerated claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although professional women's football has benefitted from recent surges in popularity, challenges to progress and distinguish the sport persist. The gender-schema theory explains the tendency for individuals to hold female sports to male standards, a phenomenon that leads to negative outcomes in areas such as media representation and consumer perception. One area in which schemas have a more discreet effect is player and team performance, where the assumption that technical metrics developed in men's football are transferable to women's football remains unfounded. Using expected goals, a metric synonymous with the probability of a shot being scored, we highlight how variables important to shot quality and shot execution differ across gender, and how attempts to evaluate female footballers with models built on men's data increase estimation errors. These results have theoretical and practical implications for the role they play in reframing schemas and improving the methods used to evaluate performance in women's sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emojis are being increasingly used in different types of communications, including in advertising campaigns. One emoji, the smiley face, has been an important part of consumers' informal communications. Interestingly, smiley faces now also appear in marketing communications, advertisements, and brand logos. The present research examines the role of smiley faces in restaurant logos as a form of marketing communication. A set of five studies—conducted in a lab and at a middle school—demonstrates that communication associated with restaurant logos including smileys is perceived as lower in healthfulness, which in turn leads to lower price expectations. These effects are caused by a visual association with a fast-food restaurant category, whereby consumers link the presence of smiley faces with fast-food restaurants. The authors conclude that including a smiley face logo in a restaurant's marketing communication can have unintended consequences on consumers' perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many US consumers wanting a healthy lifestyle are interested in cannabidiol (CBD) products, but these products remain somewhat controversial. This study investigates how product factors, consumer knowledge, and external cues to action influence the perceived benefits of, and barriers to, CBD, driving adoption intention. Study 1 explores important factors influencing CBD adoption. Study 2, which relies on experimental studies, reveals that certification labels, subjective knowledge, usage experience, and external cues to action influence the perceived benefits and barriers, further impacting adoption intention. The impact of the perceived benefits and barriers on adoption intention is stronger in consumers with greater concerns about their overall health. Insights into factors influencing consumer perceptions and adoption of CBD extend our knowledge of consumer responses to CBD and highlight valuable implications for marketers and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant studies of corporate hypocrisy have largely overlooked its implications for employees until recently. Drawing upon social information processing theory, we theorize the impact of corporate hypocrisy on employee silence—an employee behavior potentially detrimental to both organizations and society, as well as the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms. We empirically tested our hypotheses with two studies. In Study 1, we found that corporate hypocrisy was positively related to employee silence through both employee cognitive trust and employee prosocial motivation. In Study 2, we revealed that consumer pressure weakened the mediating roles of employee cognitive trust and prosocial motivation, while regulatory pressure strengthened these roles. Overall, this study sheds light on whether, how, and when employees remain silent when they perceive corporate hypocrisy. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Flavor is a crucial aspect of the eating experience, reflecting evolving consumer preferences for fruits with enhanced quality. Modern fruit breeding programs prioritize improving quality traits aligned with consumer tastes. However, defining fruit‐quality attributes that significantly impact consumer preference is a current challenge faced by the industry and breeders. This study proposes a data‐driven approach to statistically model the relationship between fruit‐quality parameters and consumers' overall liking. Our primary hypothesis suggests that the interplay between fruit‐quality attributes and consumer preferences may reach a critical value, serving as new empirical benchmarks for fruit quality. Using extensive historical datasets accounting for sensory, biochemical, and genomic information described in blueberry, we first demonstrated that multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) could be used to identify specific values of fruit‐quality traits that significantly affect consumer perception by using nonlinear spline regressions on estimating threshold points. We harnessed genomic information and carried out genomic selection (GS) for five fruit‐quality traits evaluated on the original scale and after classified via the MARS approach. This study provides a pioneering consumer‐centric and data‐driven approach to defining fruit‐quality standards and supporting molecular breeding that has broad applications to breeding programs from any species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Society 5.0, building its foundation on industry 4.0, defines the concept of super smart cities as places where humans can adapt novel technologies such as augmented reality (AR) in their daily lives. AR brought its consumers an immersive and hybrid experience, blurring the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. This study explores the user adoption of AR, an interactive technology, in the e‐commerce domain in the present era of Society 5.0. This study seeks to address the question of what factors drive the consumer's adoption of AR while shopping online and how security concern and technostress (TS) impact their intention towards its use and its actual usage behaviour. This research offers a novel perspective and fills a gap in the existing literature by integrating consumers' security concerns and TS, previously unexplored factors, in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The ability of the UTAUT model, over the earlier technology adoption models, to incorporate context‐specific factors makes it significantly relevant for studying AR adoption, a technology blending the virtual and real world. A modified UTAUT‐based questionnaire assessed relevant factors influencing this behaviour. This study employed a quantitative, cross‐sectional survey design to apprehend a broad range of users and to investigate consumer perceptions and adoption of AR in online shopping. Purposive sampling ensured that respondents were aligned with the research context and were knowledgeable about the use of AR in the e‐commerce domain and its relevant applications, thereby strengthening the validity of the study findings. A two‐staged partial least square structural equation modelling–artificial neural network (PLS‐SEM–ANN) data analysis approach was used to determine the study's findings. The meaningful responses collected from 457 respondents were analysed using this targeted approach for in‐depth insights. The synthesis of the study's analysis suggests that personal innovativeness towards information technology and security concerns are critical drivers of intention and actual usage. Interestingly, TS and social influence emerged as non‐significant, indicating a nuanced view of the UTAUT model in this context. A possible explanation for their insignificance lies in the present generation's ability to rapidly adapt to new technologies and make autonomous decisions, reducing reliance on peer influence. By understanding these factors, the research seeks to pave the way for the efficacious integration of AR within the e‐commerce domain. It further emphasizes the significance of consumer resourcefulness, a gap in current research, for bridging the intention‐usage gap. This focus on consumers’ personal innovativeness towards IT, security concerns and consumer resourcefulness provides valuable insights for e‐commerce platforms seeking to drive successful AR adoption. The study explores how well AR will be accepted and used, informing scholarly researchers and businesses on making AR‐integrated online shopping successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sobriety approach is gaining traction in the market, with many brands seeking to address new environmental challenges by adopting zero-waste manufacturing processes and promoting moderate product usage. This positioning raises major questions for brands related to the coherence of this strategy with their initial brand image and consumer reactions to this strategy. Through an experiment conducted with 241 participants in Canada, this study examines the coherence effect (strong vs. weak) and its interaction with the communications tone (optimistic vs. pessimistic) on consumers perceptions and responses to brand sobriety. The results show that strong coherence reduces perceptions of brand hypocrisy and increases perceptions of brand relevance, as well as emotional attachment and purchase intention. The study also shows that reactions are reinforced or diminished based on the communicational tone chosen; only the optimistic tone enhances consumers perceptions and responses when the coherence is weak. The theoretical and managerial implications of this study will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dealcoholization technique has gained more attention in the wine industry as it can significantly influence wine compositions and quality beyond alcohol level reduction. However, the changes occurring in the various processes of dealcoholization are not fully understood yet. This work summarizes the literature published in the last 10 years (2013–2023) about changes in color, sulfur dioxide (SO2), phenolic composition, losses of desirable volatile aroma compounds, and sensory characteristics of wine after the removal of ethanol by different processes/techniques. Several factors can influence the final characteristics of wine during the process, including physico-chemical parameters such as the initial alcohol level, the retention properties of the wine non-volatile matrix, and the characteristics of aroma components. Additionally, the quality of dealcoholized wine can be affected by the choice of dealcoholization techniques, distillation temperature, operating pressure, and membrane properties, including filtration and pore size. Low- and zero-alcohol products have the potential to expand the market and cater to diverse consumer segments. This comprehensive review would help winemakers in choosing the best techniques to produce dealcoholized wine, limiting the adverse effects, and meeting the needs of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to characterise gluten‐free breads formulated with alternative flours through technological and sensory (ultra flash profiling, hedonic tests) properties, and to correlate both methodologies for holistically understanding how these variables affect the consumer preference and product quality. Gluten‐free breads formulated by replacing 20% with brown rice, lupine, millet, quinoa, sorghum, teff, buckwheat, rice bran and carob flours were evaluated. The dough hydration and fermentation times were optimised. The formulations presented differences in centesimal composition, specific volume, texture and colour. Significant correlations were established between fermentation time, specific volume, centesimal composition, texture (hardness, gumminess), alveolar structure (porosity, uniformity, cell density), colour (L*), sensory descriptors and overall acceptability. The ultra flash profiling test confirmed different sensory profiles, showing that some descriptors have a high impact in overall acceptability. Multiple factor analysis contributed to understand the interrelationships between technological and sensory properties, identifying the relevant technological parameters that affect the consumer preferences and the final product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plant‐Based Milk (PBM) alternatives have been a hype recently, drawing the high focus of investors, developers, and researchers. However, despite this surge in interest, the market size and potential of these products remain unclear. While several studies explored consumer perspectives on these alternatives, the variability in findings remains poorly understood. This systematic review aims to investigate consumer perceptions of PBM and to identify the factors associated with higher acceptance. Adhering to the PRISMA‐P methodology, searches on two major databases – Scopus and Web of Science – were conducted. Research papers published between 2019 and 2024 were screened to capture the most recent insights, resulting in thirty‐one articles. Among these studies, 71% were surveys, 50% were conducted in Europe and 46% in America. Additionally, 78% of the studies had a sample size of 500 participants or fewer, 71% assessed the perception of PBM alternative in general, while equally, 12.9% focused on soy‐based milk and 12.9% on coconut‐based milk. Overall, the studies evaluated preference for PBM over dairy milk, motives for consumption and other relevant factors. The research describes the socio‐demographic criteria associated with the high adoption rates of these products, the reasons for choosing dairy substitutes (such as curiosity, health benefits, or social influence), and the perceived advantages and barriers to their use. The expected outcomes of this study can provide valuable insights for designing effective marketing strategies for PBM and fostering the development of sustainable and healthy food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study investigated the perception of Uruguayan consumers towards hybrid dairy‐like products, including beverages and yogurts made with a mix of milk and plant proteins from canola, hemp, or soy. The study was conducted online with 261 participants, using a 2 × 4 experimental design to analyse consumer responses to product type and protein source. Results showed that dairy yogurt was the most preferred. Among plant protein ingredients, canola and hemp were the most and least preferred, respectively. Consumers rated each product on purchase intention, environmental friendliness, and other attributes through a comprehensive questionnaire. Findings indicated significant variation in purchase intentions based on product and protein type. Canola‐based products were seen as more environmentally friendly compared to soy. Attributes such as 'Healthy', 'Contains calcium', and 'Contains proteins' positively affected purchase intentions, while negative perceptions about flavour impacted intentions adversely. Cluster analysis revealed significant differences across clusters regarding protein preferences and product types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Globally, consumers continue to seek out novel foods and ingredients from different cultures and regions. Shio‐koji is a fermented seasoning that is usually made by fermenting rice with koji (Aspergillus oryzae). It has been proposed that shio‐koji can be used as a flavour enhancer of foods. This study investigated consumers' (n = 96; generally unfamiliar with koji) liking (hedonic scales), emotional response (using the EsSense25 profile in check‐all‐that‐apply format), as well as their sensory perception (generalised Labelled Magnitude Scales and free comment) of shio‐koji additions to food items. Participants evaluated three different soups (chicken, vegetable and tomato), a familiar food product, with and without the addition of shio‐koji. The shio‐koji increased the consumers' liking of the vegetable soup and increased their perception of saltiness in the vegetable and tomato soups. The bitterness and sourness intensity of the chicken soup decreased with the addition of shio‐koji, while the sweetness increased. However, the umami taste of all soups was not impacted. The soups with shio‐koji were also associated with positive emotions. During the free comment task, shio‐koji led to an increased mention of meaty attributes to describe the vegetable soup, but the inverse occurred when the participants evaluated the chicken soup. The results indicate that shio‐koji impacted consumer perceptions of both animal‐ and plant‐based soups. Future studies should continue to investigate the use of shio‐koji to enhance the flavour of different food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Packaging is crucial in attracting consumer attention, conveying product identity, influencing product perception and affecting approach‐based consumer behaviours. The present exploratory study aimed to gain insights into the effects of packaging on consumer experiences and the factors driving willingness to buy different orange juice products based on packaging. Eye tracking and facial expressions were used to capture the consumer perception journey, from the initial interaction to the final product evaluation. The study also examined hedonic liking, explicit emotions and different label attributes in the evaluation stage, and the importance of texture, price and the New Zealand (NZ)‐made logo in the validation stage. Results showed that the packaging's physical features significantly affected consumer's attention during the initial interaction stage. Implicit emotions provided deeper insights into consumers' preferences in the orientation stage. Nutritional information gained maximum visual attention (fixation counts = 0.40) in the evaluation stage, while the NZ‐made logo (odds ratio = 15.62) drove purchase intention. The study revealed that the packaging that attracted the maximum attention was not necessarily the one with the highest liking score. Moreover, consumers may not pay much visual attention to attributes (price, r = −0.22) that they reported to be important. By advancing our knowledge in this field, marketers and product designers can refine their strategies and create packaging that captures visual attention and evokes positive emotional responses, ultimately influencing consumer behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of four visual elements, namely text, colour, image, and shape, on the visual perception of Chinese consumers when observing nutrition labels, as well as to enhance their attention towards nutritional information, this study examines the visual effects of nutrition labels incorporating these elements through eye movement experiments, questionnaire surveys, subjective evaluations, and other research methods. The aim is to determine the optimal design solution. The results revealed that participants displayed the highest level of attention towards the round x image group, followed by the colour group. Thus, exceptional image design and a suitable colour scheme can significantly enhance consumers' attention during browsing. This study offers valuable references and guidance for the redesign of food nutrition labels, while also presenting research insights for the application of visual perception in other domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To bridge the knowledge gap relating to consumers' efforts to distinguish fake from authentic online reviews, this study explores the impact of different forms of address for P2P accommodation hosts (formal address vs. nickname) on consumers' perceptions of review authenticity. Through three experiments, the results revealed that using a host's nickname acted as a noteworthy social cue, notably enhancing consumers' perceptions of authenticity, confirming the mediating role of inferred relationship closeness. This study offers a fresh perspective on online review authenticity literature and reveals a new research direction for tourism and hospitality, i.e. the novel concept of "inferred relationship closeness." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of sport scandals on consumer perceptions of the associated sponsors and sport and to provide a typology of sport celebrity scandals to guide management response tactics. Design/methodology/approach: The study conducted four focus groups that were followed by social media data mining. A total of 8,289 consumer comments were collected from 147 websites, and a total of 224 comments were analyzed in terms of themes and frequency. Findings: The research found the impact of sport scandals on consumer perceptions of sponsorship evaluations depended on whether the scandal was gender related scandal, recreational drug use, gender violence, unplanned and planned on-field scandals. Gender violence and planned on-field scandals can have an overwhelmingly negative impact on sponsorship evaluations, while unplanned on-field scandals may result in positive effects. Consumer empathy may influence the impact of recreational drug use, and the gender of the sport celebrity can influence the impact of unplanned on-field scandals. Research limitations/implications: This study contributes to sponsorship theory by indicating the type of scandal affects consumer perceptions of associated sponsors and sport. Practical implications: The findings may guide management to develop response tactics to sport scandals. The response tactics may be based on consumer perceptions of the impact of the scandal on the associated sponsors and sport. Sponsor and sport management response tactics may be perceived as a differentiation of the sponsor and sport brands. It may be necessary that sponsorship agreements included pre-determined response tactics that contribute to value formation in the local community. Originality/value: This study contributes to sponsorship theory by indicating the type of scandal affects consumer perceptions of sponsorship evaluations. Two additional factors may impact these influences: consumer empathy and the gender of the sport celebrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence Japanese consumer purchase intention toward products bearing animal welfare (AW) certification labels. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual model was developed with the constructs of informativeness, trust, consumer perception, health consciousness, moral norms and purchase intention and tested using a sample of 513 Japanese consumers. Data were collected using an online panel with the direct effects analyzed using regression while the mediation analysis was performed using Hayes PROCESS macro. Findings: The findings have confirmed that informativeness, consumer perception and trust contribute to consumer purchase intention of products with AW certification labels. Moral norm has a significant indirect effect on the relationship between consumer perception and intention to purchase. However, health consciousness did not demonstrate any indirect effect on the relationship between consumer perception and intention to purchase. Originality/value: This study contributes significantly to our understanding of Japanese consumers' perception toward AW certification labels, especially considering the limited discussion surrounding this topic in Japan. By highlighting the importance of informativeness, it sheds light on how enhancing consumer knowledge can potentially boost the demand for AW foods. Moreover, it challenges the conventional belief in the impact of health consciousness and consumer behavioral intention, thereby expanding the discourse on the role of health consciousness in consumer choices. Through this exploration, the study not only enhances consistency in discussing consumer behavior but also strengthens the coherence and argumentation of the research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Consumers consider the wastefulness of brands and are predisposed to exhibit aversion to those perceived as wasteful. However, there is a lack of consensus on how consumers associate wastefulness with brands and how this impacts downstream consumer brand responses. Integrating conceptualisations in the literature with original consumers' insights, we conceptualise consumer perceived brand wastefulness (CPBW) as a multidimensional construct comprising perceptions of (1) unnecessary consumption, (2) inefficient utilisation, and (3) tangible waste. A multi-phase scale development process validated a CPBW scale measuring each dimension. The scale distinguished between consumer perceptions of more vs less wasteful brands and demonstrated CPBW as conceptually distinct from perceptions of brands' environmental friendliness and corporate social responsibility (CSR). CPBW was related to unfavourable consumer brand responses, including a reduced purchase likelihood, lower willingness to pay a price premium, negative self-conscious emotions, and lower perceptions of brand quality and credibility. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Art has been successfully positioned as a promotional tool inside marketing settings. This research examines various relationships between vintage products and art. Three studies investigated whether (a) consumers perceived vintage products as more art‐like than modern versions of the same products; (b) vintage products positively affected consumers' evaluations of nearby products by inducing art‐infusion‐like spillover effects; and (c) the observed effects emerged from the ability of vintage products to engage consumers' social‐self perceptions. This research extended the theoretical and practical utility of art‐infusion effects to a new product type (vintage) and marketing function (promotions). Consumers were more likely to view vintage products, as opposed to contemporary goods, as works of art. This research was the first to position vintage products as art, to elicit art‐like infusion effects from vintage products, and to reveal positional consequences ensuing from art‐infusion effects without utilizing art as a promotional tool. Positioning value instead emerged from placing contemporary offerings physically near vintage products in promotional contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines how sponsored user‐generated content influences consumer engagement on TikTok across three studies. In the first study, we demonstrate that when content creators endorse brands through sponsorship, they are perceived as less authentic. This perceived lack of authenticity, in turn, reduces consumer engagement with brands. In the second study, we show that the influence of sponsorship on consumer engagement is moderated by the content creator's popularity, as reflected by their follower count. Specifically, the negative effect of sponsorship on consumer engagement is observed only among popular creators with large followings, while less popular creators do not experience the same negative impact. In the third study, we show that for popular creators, sponsorship can enhance consumer engagement when the endorsed brand is perceived as small, compared to when it is perceived as large. Together, these findings extend our theoretical understanding of how sponsored user‐generated content shapes consumer engagement on TikTok. Additionally, our research provides valuable insights for brand managers aiming to develop effective digital marketing strategies and for content creators looking to optimize engagement with their audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain can help reduce fraud and improve visibility and traceability in supply chains. It has attracted significant investments in commercial practices, especially in the luxury industry. With the recent upgradation of consumption worldwide, consumers care more about the source of information and the value of products. Will tracing products using blockchain technology help competing luxury brands gain consumer trust and cultivate new competitive advantages? This paper proposes a supply chain model comprising two competing manufacturers selling online through retail or direct channels. It also explores whether and how manufacturers implement traceability strategies, including building traceability systems or joining third‐party blockchain platforms, considering blockchain's traceability. The results show that, when only one party adopts the traceability strategy, being the first mover to join a third‐party blockchain platform with high traceability is always beneficial for improving the profits of all parties. In this scenario, the blockchain platform should adopt as high traceability as possible. When both parties choose to trace the product source, a win–win strategy for them is to join third‐party blockchain platforms with low traceability. In this scenario, the untraced party is motivated to implement a traceability strategy. Furthermore, if consumer perceptions of traceability are high, an untraced manufacturer can obtain higher profits using the traceability strategy. Otherwise, low consumer perception of traceability leads to low‐price competition, which is harmful to luxury brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the influence of CEO attire formality on consumers' perceptions of corporate image, drawing on first impression theory and spillover effect theory. Design/methodology/approach: Four experimental studies were conducted to test the proposed effect, the underlying mechanism and the boundary condition. Findings: The formality of CEO attire significantly influences consumers' perceptions of corporate image. Specifically, formal CEO attire creates a stronger perception of corporate authority among consumers, mediated by perceived rule-following of the CEO. In contrast, informal CEO attire leads to a stronger perception of corporate friendliness, mediated by perceived psychological distance of the CEO. Moreover, a matching effect exists between the type of industry and CEO attire formality, where consumers perceive a greater match between authoritative industries and formally dressed CEOs, and between friendly industries and informally dressed CEOs. This alignment strengthens consumers' corporate attitudes. Practical implications: The findings offer valuable insights for CEOs aiming to foster a positive image through their attire, providing strategic guidance for aligning corporate image with industry characteristics. Originality/value: This research extends the understanding of how consumers' perceptions of CEO attire can spill over to affect the corporate image, offering a novel perspective on corporate image communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overall, chicken consumption has increased substantially in recent decades due to farming and processing intensification as well as the consumer perception of its benefits. Although organic chicken is perceived to taste better, support higher animal welfare and have benefits for the environment, it is unclear to what extent the organic attribute in chicken carries a premium in the eyes of consumers. The purpose of this paper is to estimate this robustly. This is done by estimating a hedonic pricing model using a comprehensive dataset. The model's endogeneity is corrected using consumer characteristics as instruments. When making this correction, the value of the organic attribute is two to five times larger than without it (depending on the estimation method used). This leads to an average premium in relation to conventional chicken of 135% for the organic attribute in chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical store atmospherics make up an important dimension of retailing. They shape consumer perception, cognitive and affective reactions, and a variety of behaviors. The literature on exterior atmospherics is scant. However, recent trends suggest that exterior atmospherics can provide value-added services and play a role in providing phygital touchpoints that contribute to consumers' perceptions of safety, seamlessness, and entertainment. This article seeks to examine the strategic potential of exterior atmospherics in shopping experiences and their role in providing competitive advantage in physical retailing in the post-COVID era. This paper is the first to provide a systematic literature review of exterior brick-and-mortar atmospheric variables. The results show that the theoretical frameworks in the extant literature are insufficient in explaining the complex interrelationships that make up a shopping experience. In response to this shortcoming, this paper provides a managerially oriented research agenda through complexity theory and the 'customer journey' framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study clarifies the pathway to sustainable local food consumption highlighting ethical branding. Literature suggests that ethical brands promote continuous local food consumption, however, the structure of purchasing factors and impact has not been fully elucidated. A model is constructed in which empathy‐based social responsibility and self‐identity drive the purchase of local food, and ethical brand purchasing influences consumers' perception of retailers' ethics. The model is tested using a questionnaire survey and three years of actual purchase data on consumer purchases of ethically branded local foods. Results show that purchasing local food products, especially ethically branded ones, is mediated by consumers' self‐identity toward social responsibility based on empathy, and self‐oriented purchasing enhances consumers' perception of retailers' ethics. Theoretical implications of the validated model for the studies on local food and ethical consumption, and the practical implications of ethical branding for organizations striving for sustainable development, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the potential of virtual fitting rooms (VFRs) to enhance the consumer experience, their adoption is in the preliminary stages. Little is known about inherent reasons why consumers would adopt VFRs. As consumers' attributional processes can be influenced by their enduring chronic traits, this study aims to investigate the influence of chronic regulatory focus on consumers' VFR adoptions via consumers' perceptions of value provided by VFRs. Additionally, the mediating effects of perceived functional and experiential values were examined. Further, the moderating effect of prior VFR experience was tested to allow for variations in consumer experiences. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected via an online survey of 480 consumers who have at least heard of VFRs via convenience sampling. Established measures were utilized to develop the survey questionnaire. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling to test the main model with mediation effects as well as multi-group comparisons to test the moderating effect. Findings: Empirical results revealed that respective chronic regulatory foci, as preconceived factors that drive consumers' differences in processing, exerted significant influences on consumers' perceptions of VFRs, which, in turn, positively influenced their adoption intention. Also, perceived values mediated the relationship between regulatory foci and consumers' adoption intention. Further, prior VFR experience moderated the relationship between regulatory focus and perceived value. Originality/value: The paper empirically tested the importance of chronic regulatory foci in understanding consumers' cognitive and affective attributional processes, explaining inherent psychological reasons why consumers would (not) adopt VFRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated how corporate social responsibility, adherence to social missions, organisation–public relationships outcomes, and corporate reputation influence the purchase intentions for social enterprises' products. Through a survey of Taiwanese consumers (N = 507) in online channels, results suggested that corporate social responsibility and adherence to social missions indirectly influenced purchase intentions through organisation − public relationships and corporate reputation. However, the direct effect of corporate social responsibility on organisation–public relationship outcomes was nonsignificant. Adherence to social missions acted as a more important factor than corporate social responsibility in generating purchase intentions, indicating the importance of social missions in the social enterprise context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air taxis, a core service within urban air mobility (UAM), have the potential to enhance user satisfaction and address societal challenges such as traffic congestion and environmental pollution. However, the success of this service is often hindered by various concerns. To ensure successful implementation, we investigate the factors influencing public acceptance of air taxis. This study distinguishes itself from previous research in three key aspects. First, it introduces a novel classification of the factors into individual and societal dimensions. Second, it is among the first to apply a value‐based adoption model to understand the intention to adopt air taxis, including UAM. Third, it uniquely considers the Korean perspective, unlike most existing studies that focus on Western cultural contexts. To identify the consumers' perceptions, we conducted interviews with experts and surveyed a sample of 1,000 members of the general public in Korea. Our findings suggest that perceived value for society, as well as perceived value for individual users, significantly influences adoption intention. We discuss both academic insights and practical implications for policy and industry, supporting the commercialization of Korean UAM (K‐UAM) promoted by the Korean government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can Building-Integrated Nature-based Solutions (BI-NbS) reach their full potential in the Global South? In the Egyptian context, BI-NbS are relatively new with an identified gap between the high potential in theory and low implementation rates in practice. To bridge this gap, the study conducts an in-depth investigation of BI-NbS market conditions to reveal the current trends in the residential buildings market in Egypt. It also identifies the gaps and overlaps in the perceptions of the suppliers and consumers of BI-NbS. Results reveal that the residential sector sales mainly target high-income groups yet very limited and dominated by rooftop systems. Suppliers advocate for high-tech systems over low-tech systems, whereas consumers prefer the latter. The perceptions of suppliers and consumers mostly align regarding the basic aspects such as the production and operation preferences as well as the anxieties and concerns about the relatively new BI-NbS in this regional context. However, they diverge in key aspects affecting market penetration such as implementation conditions, aims, and barriers. Accordingly, the study identified the gap between suppliers and consumers, and outlined recommendations, directed to suppliers and policymakers, for improved market development and local implementation of BI-NbS in emerging markets of the Global South, such as Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian realists argue for the unique claim that universals are perceptible. The possibility of allowing perceptual access to universals puts pressure on the Nyāya theory of perception. The Nyāya philosophers introduced the notion of nirvikalpaka pratyakṣa (non-conceptual perception) to accommodate the perceptibility of universals. Since there is no direct introspective evidence for non-conceptual perception, it is difficult, if not impossible, to specify the content of nirvikalpaka pratyakṣa or non-conceptual perception. This paper addresses this concern by turning to Ned Block's work in contemporary philosophy of perception. Using Block's arguments, I propose that we have an independent empirical route to specify the content of a non-conceptual perception which is not subject to the ‘myth of the given’ objection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study examines consumer perceptions of revenue distribution among authors, publishers, and retailers for physical and digital book formats, along with perceived price fairness and purchase intentions. Study1 reveals that consumers attribute higher revenue to authors and less to publishers for digital books (compared to physical ones). Higher attribution is associated with perceived outcome price fairness for digital books. However, physical books still command a higher willingness to pay and willingness to buy. Study 2 demonstrates that explicit cues about high author compensation significantly increase purchase likelihood and WTP for digital books but do not significantly affect perceived price fairness. Consumers with higher authorial remuneration concerns and those who perceive higher value in digital books are more influenced by these cues. These findings suggest that transparent communication about author compensation could effectively enhance purchase intentions for digital books, especially among digital reading enthusiasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Allium is a prominent member of the Amaryllidaceae family and encompasses approximately 1,063 species worldwide. These diverse species vary in appearance and flavor but they share biochemical similarities. Underutilized Alliums present a promising alternative to onion and garlic in various Indian regions, given their adaptability, versatile utility, and nutraceutical properties. Their adaptation in the plains of India is a great opportunity to add medicinal and nutraceutical value to Indian cuisine. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the underutilized raw Allium leaves for their sensory perception by hedonic test (n = 60), consumer perceptions and willingness to purchase (n = 180), and the development and validation of value chain model (n = 30) to popularize these species in plains. For the various sensory attributes evaluated, Allium tuberosum Kazakhstan CGN-1587 emerged out to be the most suitable for its advancement into the consumer survey. The consumer perception study recorded 74.44% willingness to purchase of total respondents and a majority preference for consuming it in cooked form (38.30%). A value chain model of Allium tuberosum Kazakhstan CGN-1587 with supply chain agencies was subsequently developed. Validation of this value chain model was done with a panel of different stakeholders. Panelists perceived the value chain as highly valid, particularly in terms of economic feasibility (4.30 ± 0.70) and sustainability (4.20 ± 0.81). Thus, the present study provides valuable insights that can support and promote the use of underutilized Alliums in non-traditional areas of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-commerce live streaming is becoming increasingly popular in China, attracting great interest from practitioners and researchers. From an IT affordance perspective, this study explores how IT affordances (guidance shopping, triggered attending, and social interaction) impact consumers' purchase intention in e-commerce live streaming. Moreover, gender is viewed as a moderator between IT affordances and consumers' perception of trust, and its moderation effect is tested. Data were collected through an online survey in China (n = 266) and analyzed using structural equation model. The analysis results show that guidance shopping, triggered attending, and social interaction can influence consumers' purchase intention through consumers' trust and presence. In addition, guidance shopping exerts a greater impact on males' trust in streamers than females', while triggered attending exerts a greater impact on females' trust in streamers than males'. The research conclusion makes a theoretical contribution by highlighting the impact of IT affordance such as triggered attending on purchase intention in e-commerce live streaming and the moderating effect of gender, and also makes practical contributions by guiding sellers or streamers to promote consumers' purchases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tenderness of meat influences consumers' perceptions of its quality. Meat tenderness is a key quality characteristic that influences consumer satisfaction, repeat purchases, and willingness to pay higher prices for meat. Muscle fibers, connective tissues, and adipocytes are the main structural components of meat that contribute to its tenderness and texture. In the present review, we have focused on the role of connective tissue and its components in meat tenderness, specifically perimysial intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) and its concept as an immutable "background toughness." The collagen contribution to cooked meat toughness can be altered by animal diet, compensatory growth, slaughter age, aging, and cooking. As well, progressive thickening of the perimysium leads to a progressive increase in shear force values in beef, pork, chicken, and this may occur prior to adipocyte formation as cattle finish in feedlots. Conversely, adipocyte accumulation in the perimysium can decrease cooked meat shear force, suggesting that the contribution of IMCT to meat toughness is complex and driven by both collagen structure and content. This review provides a theoretical foundation of information to modify IMCT components to improve meat tenderness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Flavour, texture, and extended shelf life are key quality traits for blueberries. Studies have used trained panelists and texture analysers to evaluate frozen blueberries. However, more studies are needed to investigate consumer perception and acceptance of frozen blueberries' texture. This study used word association, hedonic scales, and rate‐all‐that‐apply to evaluate how consumers perceive the texture of frozen blueberries.Consumers were interested in the firmness of frozen blueberries, as well as crunchiness, softness, juiciness, and smoothness. They also identified the textural descriptors mushy, tough, chewy, squishy, and mealy. The participants separated the wild blueberries from the cultivated blueberries when evaluating their liking. Textural attributes were correlated with the consumers' overall liking (juicy, firm, crunchy, smooth positively and mushy, tough, squishy negatively).This study identified which textural attributes influence consumers' liking of frozen blueberries. Consumers preferred frozen blueberries that were firm, juicy and crunchy. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea drinks have always been a consumer favorite beverage because of the variety of product types that appeal to a wide customer base. In recent years, with the continuous expansion of China’s beverage market, some brands are looking to expand into overseas markets. They determine the brand’s overseas development strategy by investigating the factors that impact consumer brand loyalty to identify the local target market and group. This study investigates the impact of demographic factors, consumer perception in 7ps, and consumer satisfaction on brand loyalty. An online questionnaire was used to survey Chinese tea drink consumers who lived in Bangkok for over a month. Four hundred valid data were selected and analyzed using SPSS software. The research results show that most consumers will have different degrees of consumer brand loyalty based on consumer perception of the 7ps and consumer satisfaction. Products incorporating cultural attributes were found to be more attractive to consumers. Each of these factors, demographic, consumer satisfaction, and consumer perception in 7ps, impact consumer brand loyalty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the effect of adding nuts to a regular breakfast on blood glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels, and to evaluate participants' opinions by sex as a preliminary study for future studies. Data and biochemical parameters were collected through face-to-face interviews with Acibadem Hospital employees (n = 12) between April and September 2023. Participants consumed 30 g of nut-supplemented breakfasts for 4 weeks while maintaining their regular lifestyle. Blood tests and visual analog scale (VAS) parameters were assessed on intervention days. VAS scores indicated differences in meal taste, post-breakfast well-being, satiety, and meal adequacy, and for "feeling better after breakfast", and "providing better satiety", were significantly higher for the nut-supplemented breakfasts (p < 0.05), especially walnut-supplemented. Under the control of age, sex, and BMI variables in the participants, women responded better to peanut butter consumption than men in terms of blood insulin and triglyceride regulation (p < 0.05). However, triglyceride regulation in men was better managed by walnut consumption than in women. Understanding how nut-supplemented breakfasts impact blood glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels, as well as consumer perceptions, is crucial for promoting healthier dietary choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food fraud presents a growing threat globally, impacting consumer health; food safety; and brand credibility. The key motivation for food fraud is usually an economic or financial advantage. Economically motivated food fraud (EMA) is the illegal deception, deliberate and intentional substitution or addition of a substance in a food product, which may pose a possible health risk to unsuspecting consumers. This study aims to assess the awareness and attitudes of Nigerian consumers towards food authenticity and the regulatory measures in place to combat food adulteration. The study comprised 2160 respondents who were asked about their knowledge of high-profile food fraud incidents, frequently adulterated products, and their opinions of the effects of food fraud and preventative measures. The findings of this study revealed that more than a third of respondents were unfamiliar with the term "food fraud". However, they were aware of local high-profile cases, such as "plastic rice" and counterfeit dairy products. Most participants relied on point-of-sale information for assessing food authenticity, with street vendors being viewed as potential sources of food adulteration. The study also found that more than half of the respondents were concerned about food fraud regardless of whether it involved local or imported products. A wide variety of food items were identified as prone to adulteration or fraudulent activity. These included alcoholic drinks, dairy products, honey, rice, and tomato paste, amongst others. These findings highlight the need for improved consumer awareness, regulatory effectiveness, and remediation efforts to combat food fraud in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been significant research on plant-based meat as a substitute for animal meat. However, developing meat analogues with suitable techno-functional properties and a meat-like texture presents several challenges. In lieu of animal meat, plant-based meats offer a sustainable and healthy alternative. The nutritional and textural properties of meat analogues are mostly influenced by the specific type of proteins utilized and the various processing techniques implemented. Despite this, alternative proteins sourced from various plants such as legumes, pulses, and cereals, continue to be underutilized, with limited research done on their use in meat analogue development. The sustainability of production technologies and the selection of proteins can have a direct impact on both cost effectiveness and consumer of meat analogues. The challenges associated with the development of gluten-free meat analogues are currently being examined. Moreover, the extraction techniques employed in the isolation of plant proteins are of paramount importance, as they contribute to the organoleptic and textural attributes of meat analogues. By utilizing advanced technologies to sustainably utilize diverse plant proteins, it is feasible to conquer the challenges encountered in the production of plant-based meat products that are palatable to both consumers and the food industry. In this review we have discussed the functional roles of various ingredients and additives for enhancing nutritional and textural properties of meat analogues and current technologies used for texturizing plant-based meat analogues. Further we have discussed various analytical methods for testing the quality attributes of meat analogues and technological and consumer perception/acceptability-related challenges and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers' perceptions of quality of food products increase their purchasing likelihood. This study provides a framework for exploring consumers' perceptions of food quality for food product development and food marketing strategies by providing vital information related to consumer behavior and food choice. It establishes a method for measuring food quality perceptions through a validated questionnaire. It was found that adult consumers in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, perceive intrinsic food characteristics higher than of extrinsic food characteristics. Characteristics related to product safety, nutritional value, and sensory attributes were the most highly valued aspects. Sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, education, occupation, income, and work/study in the food field were found to affect Saudi consumers' perceptions of food quality. Furthermore, marital status, education, occupation, and income were the major classification factors for perception trends. Food identity and processing, food health prosperity, food safety and presentation, and food sensory attributes were the major qualities perceived by Saudi consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy milk is a core food in many food‐based guides to healthy eating. However, plant‐based milk alternatives are becoming increasingly available as substitutes. While these products serve a subset of the population unable or unwilling to consume milk, plant‐based milk alternatives can be perceived by consumers as direct equivalents, or even more healthful alternatives to dairy milk. This commentary addresses the significant differences in nutrient content that may have implications for the intake of key nutrients in the case of direct substitutions. Furthermore, while there is a significant body of knowledge demonstrating the significant health benefits associated with dairy milk consumption and a small number of potentially negative associations, there is a paucity of data on the health benefits of plant‐based milk alternatives directly. A "health halo" may exist based on matching individual nutrients through fortification, lower energy levels, and the health properties of the unprocessed raw characterizing ingredients of plant‐based milk alternatives. This may mislead consumers regarding healthfulness. Similarly, environmental attributes based on volumes of production, without considering contribution to nutrients, may also skew consumer perception. Positioning of plant‐based milk alternatives in food‐based dietary guidelines, marketing, and personal recommendations should acknowledge the differences in nutritional, bioactive, and health properties between plant‐based milk alternatives and dairy milk to ensure appropriate adaptations are made to account for shortfalls in nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While numerous studies have examined consumer perceptions of food sustainability, their views on the United Nations defined dimensions (environmental, social, and economic) remain under‐researched. Furthermore, little research has investigated how consumers believe they could improve the sustainability of their food choices from a real‐life meal context. This study had three research objectives: To determine how consumers perceive sustainable and unsustainable foods (RO1), perceive differences among environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable foods (RO2), and perceive how they could improve the sustainability of their most recent meal (RO3). The study was executed using an online survey in the United Kingdom (n = 1522) with open‐ended questions. Results for RO1 showed consumers had a diverse understanding of sustainable/unsustainable foods. For RO2, most consumers had a similar perception of environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable foods. For RO3, many consumers indicated their most recent meal was already sustainable or were uncertain about to how to improve its sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis consumers' preference while selecting cannabis products, specifically dried flower, has been undergoing a drastic change as more consumers have begun considering the impact that flavor has on their purchasing intent of different cannabis species (including Indica, Sativa, and or hybrid varieties). As such, the objective of this study was to quantify consumers' sensory perceptions of cannabis strains currently on the market. The researchers used Natural Language Processing (NLP) and online North American cannabis retailers, cannabis user reviews, and other informative cannabis websites to identify 107 different descriptors. Cannabis consumers (n = 123) were asked to complete a free word sorting task on the 107 most frequently cited sensory descriptors identified using NLP, as well as identify which attributes they associated with high and low‐quality cannabis. The consumers sorted the descriptors into 10 different categories (fruit, berry/dried fruit, savory, floral, spices, spicy, potent, smoke, roasted, and confectionary). As the cannabis market continues to grow and mature in North America, this study presents a baseline of how consumers describe different cannabis varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]