Keywords
purchase motives
supporting the local economy
reflexive localism
How to Cite
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to assess the significance of organic food purchases by consumers in Poland – motivated by supporting the local economy – against the background of other factors shaping consumer behaviour. The empirical material consists of the results of a survey among 850 consumers of organic food in Poland. The empirical material was analysed using Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence and the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. The study shows that for a large group of organic food consumers, supporting the local economy appears to be an important motive for its purchase. The only factor significantly differentiating the two groups of consumers (motivated or not motivated by supporting the local economy) was the level of family income. The study allowed us to conclude that among consumers motivated by supporting the local economy, attitudes described as reflexive localism (the motive of supporting the local economy associated with concern for the natural environment) predominate.
References
Ajzen, J. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.
Al-Swidi, A., Huque, S. M. R., Hafeez, M. H., & Shariff, M. N. M. (2014). The role of subjective norms in theory of planned behavior in the context of organic food consumption. British Food Journal, 116(10), 1561-1580. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-05-2013-0105
Bojnec, Š., Petrescu, D. C., Petrescu Mag, R. M., & Rădulescu, C. V. (2019). Locally Produced Organic Food: Consumer Preferences. Amfiteatru Economic, 21(50), 209–227. https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2019/50/209
Bosona, T., & Gebresenbet, G. (2018). Swedish Consumers’ Perception of Food Quality and Sustainability in Relation to Organic Food Production. Foods, 7(4), 54, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods7040054
Bryła, P. (2016). Organic food consumption in Poland: Motives and barriers. Appetite, 105, 737–746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.07.012
Dean, M., Arvola, A., Vassallo, M., Lahteenmaki, L., Raats, M. M., Saba, A., & Shepherd, R. (2006). Comparison of elicitation methods for moral and affective beliefs in the theory of planned behavior. Appetite, 47, 244–252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2006.04.005
Dimitri, C., & Oberholtzer, L. (2005). Market – Led Versus Government – Facilitated Growth: Development of the U.S. and EU Organic Agricultural Sectors. WRS-05-05 Economic Research Service/USDA. www.ers.usda.gov
Ditlevsen, K., Denver, S., Christensen, T., & Lassen, J. (2020). A taste for locally produced food – Values, opinions and sociodemographic differences among ‘organic’ and ‘conventional’ consumers. Appetite, 147, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104544
DuPuis, E. M., & Goodman, D. (2005). Should we go “home” to eat?: toward a reflexive politics of localism. Journal of Rural Studies, 21, 359–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2005.05.011
Eagle, R., Jones, A., & Greig, A. (2017). Localism and the environment: A critical review of UK Government localism strategy 2010-2015. Local Economy, 17, 55–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094216687710
Essoussi, L., H., & Zahaf, M. (2008). Decision making process of community organic food consumers: an exploratory study. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 25(2), 95-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/07363760810858837
Ferguson, H., Kijas, J., & Wessel, A. (2017). Towards reflexive localism: exploring the diverse co-creators of alternative food across time in the Northen Rivers of New South Wales, Australia. Journal of Historical Geography, 56, 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhg.2016.12.005
Fonte, M. (2013). Reflexive localism: towards a theoretical foundation of an integrative food politics. International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food, 20(3), 397–402. https://doi.org/10.48416/ijsaf.v20i3.175
Govindasamy, R., Puduri, V., & Simon, J. E. (2010). Hispanic consumer’s perceptions towards organically grown ethnic produce: a logistic analysis. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(24), 3464–3469. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR10.199
Grzybowska-Brzezińska, M., & Grzywińska-Rąpca, M. (2018). Rynek żywności ekologicznej w aspekcie rozwoju zjawiska świadomej konsumpcji. Handel Wewnętrzny, 2(373), 168–177.
Ham, M. (2019). Beliefs about effects of organic products and their impact on intention to purchase organic food. Ekonomski vjesnik, 32(1), 69–80. https://hrcak.srce.hr/221720
Ham, M., Pap, A., & Stanic, M. (2018). What drives organic food purchasing? – Evidence from Croatia. British Food Journal, 120(4), 734–748. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-02-2017-0090
Hempel, C., & Hamm, U. (2016). How important is local food to organic-minded consumers? Appetite, 96, 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.09.036
Hjelmar, U. (2011). Consumers’ Purchase of Organic Food Products. A Matter of Convenience and Reflexive Practices. Appetite, 56(2), 336–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2010.12.019
Hole, D. G., Perkins, A. J., Wilson, J. D., Alexander, I. H., Grice, P. V., & Evans, A. D. (2005). Does organic farming benefit biodiversity? Biological Conservation, 122(1), 113–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2004.07.018
Honkanen, P., Verplanken, B., & Olsen, S. O. (2006). Ethical values and motives driving organic food choice. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 5(5), 420–430. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cb.190
Kesse-Guyot, E., Peneau, S., Mejean, C., Szabo de Edelenyi, F., Galan, P., Hercberg, S., & Lairon, D. (2013). Profiles of Organic Food Consumers in a Large Sample of French Adults: Results from the Nutrinet-Sante Cohort Study. PLoS ONE, 8(10): e76998, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076998
Krishnakumare, B., & Niranjan, S. (2017). Consumers’ buying behaviour towards organic food products in Tamil Nadu. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 30(1), 133–138. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0279.2017.00012.X
Kułyk, P., & Michałowska, M. (2018). Zachowania konsumentów na rynku żywności ekologicznej w świetle wyników badań empirycznych w województwie lubuskim. Handel Wewnętrzny, 2(373), 270–282.
Kushwah, S., Dhir, A., Sagar, M., & Gupta, B. ( 2019). Determinants of organic food consumption. A systematic literature review on motives and barriers. Appetite, 143, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104402
Lobley, M., Butler, A., & Winter, M. (2013). Local Organic Food for Local People? Organic Marketing Strategies in England and Wales, Regional Studies, 47(2), 216–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2010.546780
Massey, M., O’Cass, A., & Otahal, P. (2018). A meta-analytic study of the factors driving the purchase of organic food. Appetite, 125, 418–427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.02.029
Meas, T., Hu, W., Batte, M. T., Woods, T. A., & Ernst, S. (2015). Substitutes or Complements? Consumer Preference for Local and Organic Food Attributes. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 97(4), 1044–1071. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24476540
Milestad, R., Kummer, S., & Hirner, P. (2017). Does scale matter? Investigating the growth of a local organic box scheme in Austria. Journal of Rural Studies, 54, 304–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2017.06.013
Mitchell, A., & Lemon, M. (2019). Using the LM3 method to evaluate economic impacts of an on-line retailer of local food in an English market town. Local economy, 34(I), 51-67. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0269094219826569
Mulder, M. R., & Liu, R. L. (2017). Consumer Awareness and Motivation for Organic Food Consumption: Exploring the Environmental and Health Considerations Surrounding the Production of Organic Food; Understanding Perspectives on Organic Products from the Consumer, Producer and Retailer. In I. Kareklas & D. Muehling (Ed.), Deciphering Organic Foods: A Comprehensive Guide to Organic Food Production, Consumption, and Promotion (pp. 1–27). Washington State University, Carson College of Business.
Nesterowicz, R., Pilarczyk, B., Jerzyk, E., Rogala, A., & Disterheft, A. (2016). Raport z badań przeprowadzonych w ramach projektu „Postawy etnocentryczne konsumentów (w ujęciu lokalnym) a szanse i bariery rozwoju rynku żywności ekologicznej”. Poznań.
O’Hara, J. K., & Pirog, R. (2013). Economic impacts of local food systems: Future research priorities. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 3(4), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2013.034.003
Pelletier, J. E., Laska, M. N., Neumark-Sztainer, D., & Story, M. (2013). Positive Attitudes toward Organic, Local, and Sustainable Foods Are Associated with Higher Dietary Quality among Young Adults. Journal of Academic Nutrition and Dietetics 113(1), 127-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.08.021
Petrescu, A.G., Oncioiu, I., & Petrescu, M. (2017). Perception of Organic Food Consumption in Romania. Foods, 6(6), 42, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6060042
Rana, J., & Paul, J. (2017). Consumer behavior and purchase intention for organic food: A review and research agenda. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 38, 157-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2017.06.004
Ruiz de Maya, S., López-López, I., & Munuera, J. L. (2011). Organic food consumption in Europe: International segmentation based on value system differences. Ecological Economics, 70(10), 1767–1775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2011.04.019
Salleh, M. M., Ali, S. M., Harun, E. H., Jalil, M. A., & Shaharudin, M. R. (2010). Consumer’s Perception and Purchase Intentions Towards Organic Food Products: Exploring Attitude Among Academician. Canadian Social Science, 6(6), 119–129. http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/j.css.1923669720100606.013
Saraiva, A., von Schwedler, M., & Fernandes, E. (2018). Choosing local organic food: consumer motivations and ethical spaces. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Engineering, 12(3), 73–81.
Scalco, A., Noventa, S., Sartori, R., & Ceschi, A. (2017). Predicting organic food consumption: A meta-analytic structural equation model based on the theory of planned behawior. Appetite, 112, 235–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.02.007
Schleenbecker, R., & Hamm, U. (2013). Consumers’ perception of organic product characteristics. A review, Appetite, 71, 420–429. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.appet.2013.08.020
Seyfang, G. (2006). Ecological citizenship and sustainable consumption: examining local organic food networks. Journal of Rural Studies, 22(4), 83–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2006.01.003
Spillare, S. (2016). Agro-ecological consumerism between system response and glocal reflexivity: the example of organic food consumption. Quality – Access to Success (Supplement), 1(17), 580–584.
Tandon, A., Dhir, A., Kaur, P., Kushwah, S., & Salo, J. (2020). Why do people buy organic food? The moderating role of environmental concerns and trust. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 57, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102247
Thøgersen, J. (2009). Consumer decision-making with regard to organic food products. In T. de Noronha Vaz et al. (Eds.) Traditional food production and rural sustainable development. A European challenge (pp. 173–194). London: Ashgate.
Thomas, T., & Gunden, C. (2012). Investigating consumer attitudes toward food produced via three production systems: Conventional, sustainable and organic. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 10(2), 55–58. https://doi.org/10.1234/4.2012.2880
Torjusen, H., Lieblein, G., Wandel, M., & Francis, Ch. A. (2001). Food system orientation and quality perception among consumers and producers of organic food in Hedmark County, Norway. Food Quality and Preference, 12(3), 207–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-3293(00)00047-1
Ünal, S., Deveci, F. G., & Yldiz, T. (2018). Do we know organic food consumers? The personal and social determinants of organic food consumption. Istanbul Business Research, 48(1), 1-35.
Urban, J., Zvĕřinová, I., & Ščasnẏ, I. (2012). What Motivates Czech Consumers to Buy Organic Food? Czech Sociological Review, 48(3), 509-536. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23535000
Voon, J. P., Ngui, K. S., & Agrawal, A. (2011). Determinants of Willingness to Purchase Organic Food: An Exploratory Study Using Structural Equation Modeling. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 14(2), 103–120.
Wägeli, S., & Hamm, U. (2016). Consumers’ perception and expectations of local organic food supply chains. Organic Agriculture, 6, 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-015-0130-6
Winter, M. (2003). Embeddedness, the new food economy and defensive localism. Journal of Rural Studies, 19, 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0743-0167(02)00053-0
Yadav, R., & Pathak, G. S. (2016). Intention to purchase organic food among young consumers: Evidence from a developing nation. Appetite, 96, 122–128. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.09.017
Yue, Ch., & Tong, C. (2009). Organic or Local? Investigating Consumer Preference for Fresh Produce Using a Choice Experiment with Real Economic Incentives, HortScience, 44(2), 366–371. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.44.2.366
Zagata, L. (2012). Consumers’ beliefs and behavioural intentions towards organic food. Evidence from the Czech Republic. Appetite, 59(1), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.03.023
Żakowska-Biemans, S. (2009). Factors underlying consumption of organic food in the opinion of Polish consumers. Agronomy Research, 7, Special Issue II, 768–774.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2022 Ekonomia i Środowisko - Economics and Environment