Understanding the Antecedents of Organic Food Consumption in Pakistan: Moderating Role of Food Neophobia

Ahsan Akbar, Saqib Ali, Muhammad Azeem Ahmad, Minhas Akbar and Muhammad Danish
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Ahsan Akbar: International Business School, Guangzhou College of South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510080, China
Saqib Ali: Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (Sahiwal Campus), Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan
Muhammad Azeem Ahmad: Department of Management Sciences, Barani Institute of Sciences Sahiwal, Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan
Minhas Akbar: Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (Sahiwal Campus), Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan
Muhammad Danish: Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (Sahiwal Campus), Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-20

Abstract: Environmental and health problems have increased the interest of researchers and practitioners in investigating the factors that affect organic food consumption. However, little attention has been paid to the actual organic food buying behavior, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the actual buying patterns of consumers. For this purpose, a conceptual model based on green perceived value framework which predicts consumer’s purchase intention and purchase behavior has been empirically tested. Likewise, moderating role of food neophobia has also been explored. Data is collected from millennials that are under rated but constitute the most important consumer segment in Pakistan. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is employed to analyze the data. Results from 221 university students reveal that functional value, social value, emotional value, and conditional value positively influence the consumer purchase intention. Moreover, purchase intention is positively linked to the consumer purchase behavior of organic food. Furthermore, the study findings also confirm the moderating role of food neophobia between purchase intention and consumption of organic food. This paper depicts some noteworthy insights of consumer behavior for organic food producers, marketers, and researchers. At the end, limitations and recommendations for future research are elaborated.

Keywords: organic food; food neophobia; Green Perceived Value model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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