In search of a model explaining organic food purchase behavior

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the domain relevance of a comprehensive yet almost overlooked theoretical framework for studying organic food purchase behavior in a global context. This conceptual paper argues that there exists an apparently powerful model in health behavior domain that may readily be brought into organic food purchase behavior research. The paper argues for domain relevance and proposes that Montano and Kasprzyk’s integrated behavior model may readily be used in organic food behavior studies with some relevant modification. Design/methodology/approach The paper follows an exploratory approach and shows how variables used in the past may be aggregated to the model in question. The challenge is addressed by following both the inductive and the deductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning calls for investigating whether such behavior may be classified as health behavior. Inductive reasoning calls for proving relevance of all the variables in the aforesaid model to the organic food research context. Findings The paper concludes that the Montano and Kasprzyk’s model is theoretically relevant to the organic food behavior domain. However, it is observed that the domain-specific operationalization is necessary for further empirical studies. Research limitations/implications Since the model was rarely tested empirically in predicting organic food purchase intention, the variable-specific relevance may not warrant the relevance of the whole model with intertwined relationships at the same time. Practical implications The paper may pave a way toward further empirical research and may also explain the apparent intention-behavior gap as often reported in literature. Originality/value The paper may provide a useful direction in future organic food purchase behavior studies by showing the domain relevance of an apparently powerful model, along with addition of some newer variables that may enrich the existing model.

The Potential Determinants for Smartphone Recycling Behaviour Sustainability in UAE

“…Studies conducted in the health sector, for example, those done by [17,19], found that to ensure changes in patients' behaviours, it was essential to ensure there were no severe environmental constraints faced by the patients. These included transportation and limited clinic hours, particularly for patients who wished to do a mammogram.…”

“…Rahman and Noor [19] proposed that habit was one of the critical factors influencing purchase behaviour. This factor was also considered an essential determinant for repeating the intention to purchase.…”

“…This factor was also considered an essential determinant for repeating the intention to purchase. Conventionally, habit is defined by scholars as the automatic behavioural reaction caused by situational stimuli [19,36]. A habit usually occurs due to an experience or past behaviour.…”

“…These factors-which will be examined by this paper-affect the behaviour directly, as this model has been applied in the medical and health sectors to analyse the consistency of patients' behaviour when it comes to taking medication. The knowledge and skills to perform the behaviour of smartphone recycling can be defined as the knowledge about mobile device waste and ways to identify the actions required for recycling mobile devices [19]. For salience of behaviour, if an individual intends to perform a behaviour (mobile phone recycling/reuse) but is unaware of the importance of such behaviour, it is likely they will not perform this behaviour [20].…”

“…Environmental constraints or restrictions refer to the external or socio-environmental challenges that might block or restrict individuals from performing a behaviour [17]. Finally, habit is defined as a repeated past behaviour; for mobile phone recycling or reuse behaviour, it should be associated with the individual's memory as a repeated experience [19]. There is a shortage of attention on examining the factors associated with IBM and determining if they contribute to behaviour continuity.…”