Perceived quality in fresh peaches: an approach through structural equation modeling

Abstract

The quality requirements that consumers consider in their decision to purchase fresh fruit have garnered a great deal of attention from the actors in the fresh fruit productivity chain. This study seeks to identify attributes that could explain how a consumer of fresh peaches perceives quality. The focus on the peach was because of the limited knowledge of the signs of quality that the consumer is seeking in this fruit. As a result, the objective was to produce a model that explains the perception of the quality of fresh peaches by Spanish consumers. A theoretical model was created that explains quality using a set of intrinsic and extrinsic attributes. The information was from a survey of closed questions administered in person to a non-probabilistic sample of 192 Spanish consumers. The methodology used was structural equation modeling, with an analysis for goodness of fit using the indicators CMIN/ DF, RMR, NFI, RFI, RMSEA, and HOELTER. Thus, by adjusting the values recommended by the literature, a model was identified that explains the quality decisions of the consumers studied using two sets of attributes: intrinsic and extrinsic. Finally, significant and strong relationships were established between the perceived quality and the homogeneity of the fruit and between the perceived quality and the availability in supermarkets and fruit stores.

Preferences for Berries Among Consumers in Southern Chile: Blueberries Are Produced but Are They Consumed?

“…The great importance of the price for the whole sample and for the “price sensitive” segment reflects the importance of this attribute in the purchase decision for berries, confirming that price is an important factor influencing food choice (Jomori and others 2008) and fruit choice (Czernyszewics 2008; Mora and others 2011). This result agrees with that obtained by Behe (2006) in evaluating the importance of different attributes in the choice of asparagus among consumers in United States, where price had a relative importance of 42%.…”

“…Empirical research into the determinants of consumer franchise through the branding of fresh food products is still relatively scarce (Nijssen and Van Trijp 1998). The principal research done in this area includes studies of meat (Nijssen and Van Trijp 1998; Bredahl 2004; Reicks and others 2008; Froehlich and others 2009), vegetables, and fruit (Nijssen and Van Trijp 1998; Sulé and others 2002; Behe 2006, Mora and others 2011), all in developed countries.…”

Value chain performance improvement for sustainable mango industry development in Pakistan

“…Search attributes are those that consumers inspect and examine before making a purchase (Poole et al 2007;Mora et al 2011). Freshness, colour, size, variety and freedom from damage and blemishes are examples of search attributes identified in this study.…”

“…consuming the product (Poole et al 2007;Mora et al 2011). In this study, they include taste, aroma, ripeness, firmness, juiciness and freedom from fibre.…”

“…Based on previous studies, these attributes were classified as search (colour, size, freshness, variety, lack of damage and freedom from blemishes); experience (firmness, sweetness of taste, juiciness, ripeness, freedom from fibre, aroma); safety (mango cleanliness and production free from pesticides and chemicals for ripening); and marketing (price, retailer cleanliness, provision of information, packing and certification) (Poole et al 2007;Mora et al 2011;Wirth et al 2011). …”