Search Results (241)

This study aims to bridge the research gap emerging from the relationships between Visual electronic Word-of-Mouth (VeWOM) and brand factors, and their impact on consumers’ behavior by exploring the causal effects of eWOM attributes on hotel brand factor spreading through Brand Awareness (BA) and Brand Perceived Value (BV) and its consequences on Purchase Decisions (PD) in the hospitality context. Attribution Theory was extended to incorporate brand-mediated effects and crisis-specific factors. The study investigates the impact of VeWOM on consumer Purchase Decisions (PD) in terms of hotel room bookings in the British hospitality market, emphasizing the mediating role of brand-related constructs. Drawing on Attribution Theory, the research proposes a structural model to assess both direct and indirect pathways through which VeWOM influences behavioral outcomes. A stratified, non-probability sampling approach yielded 443 valid responses from hotel bookers who engaged with user-generated visual content prior to booking. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that VeWOM significantly influences Brand Value (BV), eWOM Credibility, and Information Quality, which in turn shape consumer purchase behavior. Crucially, Brand Value emerges as a key mediating variable, bridging VeWOM and Purchase Decisions, while VeWOM alone does not directly affect booking behavior. Moreover, Brand Awareness showed no significant mediating effect. The study underscores the indirect attribution process in visual review contexts, demonstrating that the influence of VeWOM is channeled primarily through brand perception mechanisms rather than direct persuasion. These insights extend Attribution Theory by highlighting the distinct cognitive pathways activated by visual content compared to text-based reviews. Practically, the research suggests that hoteliers should focus on enhancing Brand Value via bundled offerings and relationship-based marketing rather than relying solely on visual appeal or awareness to drive bookings. The study contributes to the growing body of VeWOM literature by clarifying its nuanced effects on decision-making in digital hospitality environments. Full article

The specificity of the business of agro-food companies is that their products have little or no impact on the environment. However, environmental pollution of these products is caused by the use of packaging. Therefore, it is necessary to apply the principles of the circular economy in the business of companies. Applying green packaging that has little or no impact on the environment helps in preserving the environment. Companies usually purchase packaging from suppliers and therefore, it is necessary to choose the right supplier from which to purchase green packaging to support the implementation of the circular economy. The aim of this research is to select a green packaging supplier for company X in order to influence the development of a circular economy in the company’s business. Based on this, the following research question is considered in this paper: how can the selection of a green packaging supplier influence the implementation of a circular economy at company X? The research covers ten criteria used in this selection, with which eight suppliers were observed. Because every decision-making process in the economy is characterized by risk and insecurity that affects the uncertainty in decision-making, an intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) was used. Determining the importance of weights was performed directly based on the ratings of the decision-maker (DM) and the steps of the SiWeC (Simple Weight Calculation) method, as well as using the Entropy method. The compromise results of these methods showed that the most important criteria for assessing the life cycle of packaging are transparency and ethics in business. The ranking of suppliers was carried out using the TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method and its results showed that supplier 5 is the first choice for establishing long-term cooperation in the procurement of green packaging. Full article

In today’s fierce market competition, enterprises must quickly attract consumers’ attention to products and prompt them to make purchases. Based on regulatory focus theory, this study examines the impact of the congruence between different types of goal framing in advertising (promotion vs. prevention) and product types (hedonic vs. utilitarian) on individual consumer decision-making, as well as the underlying psychological mechanisms. The findings are as follows: (1) A goal-framing effect was observed, such that individuals allocated more attention and exhibited higher purchase intentions toward products presented with promotion-framed advertising. (2) A matching effect between goal-framing type and product type was identified: promotion framing increased purchase intentions for hedonic products, whereas prevention framing increased purchase intentions for utilitarian products. (3) Processing fluency mediated the effect of goal–product matching on consumer decision-making. (4) The presence of time pressure amplified the goal-framing effect, leading to stronger preferences under promotion-framed advertisements, as reflected in both longer fixation durations and higher purchase intentions. By integrating regulatory focus theory with product type matching, this study leverages eye-tracking data to reveal the cognitive processes underlying consumer decision-making and the moderating role of time pressure on goal-framing effects. The findings enrich the motivational perspective in consumer behavior research and provide empirical guidance for designing differentiated advertising strategies and optimizing advertising copy. Full article

The aim of this study is to analyze the factors that influence consumer referents or reference points and their interaction during the decision-making process, along with the principles of prospect theory in the metaverse with market and retail examples. We conducted an integrative literature review. Consumers’ preference for reference points is determined and structured during the buying process, which can be affected by potential signals and biased decisions. To guide consumers’ shopping experiences and purchasing behavior in the most effective way, marketers and organizations must investigate the factors that influence consumer reference points beyond physical or tangible attributes. Businesses must be adaptable and adapt their strategies to changing consumer preferences based on reference points. Our findings can advance discussions about how reference points are being used in the market by using consumer decision-making claims in the discursive construction of the metaverse. By comprehending this, developers can create better experiences and assist users in navigating virtual risks. Our research aids us in better comprehending the influence of referents on consumer purchasing decisions in the marketing communications field. Numerous opportunities for academic research into consumer reference points have arisen, in which individuals as digital consumers are influenced by the same biases and heuristics that guide their behavior in reality. Full article

This work presents a parallel agent-based framework designed to analyze the dynamics of vegetable trade within a metropolitan area. The system integrates agent-based and discrete event techniques to capture the complex interactions among farmers, vendors, and consumers in urban agricultural supply chains. Decision-making processes are modeled in detail: farmers select crops based on market trends and environmental risks, while vendors and consumers adapt their purchasing behavior according to seasonality, prices, and availability. To efficiently handle the computational demands of large-scale scenarios, we adopt an optimistic approximate parallel execution strategy. Furthermore, we introduce a credit-based load balancing mechanism that mitigates the effects of heterogeneous communication patterns and improves scalability. This framework enables detailed analysis of food distribution systems in urban contexts, offering insights relevant to smart cities and digital agriculture initiatives. Full article

The present study adopts the social constructivism theory and consumer decision-making process model with the aim of examining the social identity that consumers build through the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) in line with their income, age, gender, and education. The study’s findings indicate that this social identity, shaped by income, age, gender and education, exerts a significant influence on consumer decision-making behavior. This identity is shaped not only by the make and model of EVs chosen, but also by their preferences for vehicle performance and technical features. The adoption of EVs by consumers is driven by dual objectives: the fulfilment of practical needs and the shaping of social identities in social interactions that correspond to their income, age, gender, and education. The study’s findings are of significant value in understanding the social identity aspirations of consumers in the electric vehicle consumer market, and provide a theoretical foundation for future electric vehicle companies to create products and corporate cultures that meet their target customers, thereby effectively promoting the popularization of electric vehicles. Full article

Front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) have been identified as a potential key tool to enable consumers to make healthier and more sustainable food choices. The simplification of complex nutritional, environmental, and processing data into clear and immediate formats is an essential function of FOPLs, which facilitates a more efficient connection between detailed product information and real-world purchasing decisions. This review critically evaluates the three main categories of FOPL—nutritional (e.g., Nutri-Score), environmental (e.g., Eco-Score) and processing-based (e.g., NOVA)—and examines emerging efforts to weave these dimensions into unified labelling frameworks. A bibliometric analysis of 1803 publications from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted, using VOS viewer to identify co-occurrence networks and thematic clusters. A narrative synthesis of label design methods, regulatory steps and consumer impact research followed this. Despite the considerable maturation of individual FOPLs, their combined application remains ad hoc. Establishing harmonized, multidimensional criteria is therefore essential to ensure consistent labelling that informs consumers and promotes public health and sustainability goals. Full article

Industrial parks are well-known as a critical intervention point for global carbon emission reductions due to the high carbon emissions emitted. Conducting carbon accounting research in these parks can provide more precise foundational data for carbon reduction initiatives, promoting low-carbon industrial park development. However, industrial parks, positioned as non-independent accounting units between provincial and industry levels, face severe challenges due to ambiguous boundaries, complex accounting entities, and data selection difficulties that significantly impact the carbon accounting accuracy. This study employed the IPCC emission factor method for industrial parks, taking its management structure as the accounting boundary. Additionally, we constructed a carbon accounting method and representation system by considering the carbon emission flow path and integrating the correlation between pollutant and carbon emissions. By categorizing carbon emissions into five groups, this study obtained emissions from fuel combustion (E1), industrial processes (E2), purchased/sold electricity (E3), purchased/sold heat (E4), and carbon-sequestering products (E5). Between 2016 and 2021, the industrial park’s carbon emissions fell from 15.0783 to 6.7152 million tons, while the intensity dropped from 4.86 to 1.91 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per CNY 10,000. The park achieved dual control targets for the total carbon emissions and intensity, with E2 being the main reduction source (70% of total). Meanwhile, total atmospheric pollutants decreased from 9466.19 to 1736.70 tons, with C25 and C26 industries contributing over 99%. In particular, C26 achieved significant reductions in nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), aiding pollution mitigation. A strong positive correlation was found between pollutants and carbon emissions, especially in C26, SO₂ (0.77), and NO_x (0.89), suggesting NO_x as a more suitable carbon emission indicator during chemical production. These findings offer a theoretical framework for using pollutant monitoring to characterize carbon emissions and support decision-making for sustainable industrial development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Beef is a significant dietary component, and the concept of food quality is inherently complex and multidimensional. This study addresses this complexity within the context of beef products by examining four key attributes: price fairness, freshness, portion size, and packaging. It further investigates the structural relationships among food quality, consumer trust, and revisit intention, with particular attention to the moderating role of price fairness in the link between trust and revisit intention. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey administered via the Clickworker platform, targeting 415 U.S. consumers selected for their cultural relevance and substantial beef consumption. Structural equation modeling using maximum likelihood estimation was employed to test the hypotheses, and Hayes’ process model 15 was applied to assess the moderating effects. Results: The results show that consumer trust is positively influenced by all four quality attributes, and that freshness, portion size, packaging, and trust are positively associated with revisit and repurchase intentions. Moreover, price fairness demonstrated a significant moderating effect, framed within the heuristic decision-making perspective. Conclusions: This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the determinants of consumer trust and repeat purchasing behavior in beef consumption. It underscores the heuristic role of price fairness and the interplay between perceived quality attributes and trust, offering practical insights for businesses seeking to enhance consumer perception and foster brand loyalty. However, this work is limited to the selection of the sample. Full article

Social media influencers (SMIs) have become pivotal stakeholders in digital marketing. This study examines how SMIs influence consumer decision-making and investigates the role of trust in this process. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), we developed a research model with testable hypotheses. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we analyzed survey data from 232 social media users in Greater London, UK. Our results indicated that SMIs significantly enhance purchase intentions, yet these intentions exhibited only a weak conversion into actual purchasing behavior. Contrary to expectations, trust in SMIs demonstrated a significant negative relationship with purchase intention, suggesting that higher trust may paradoxically diminish purchase likelihood. This counterintuitive finding underscores the complexity of trust dynamics in influencer marketing, where perceived commercialization or consumer skepticism may counteract its positive effects. Furthermore, while SMIs strongly foster trust, our analysis reveals that trust does not mediate the relationship between SMIs and actual purchases. These findings contribute to literature by elucidating the nuanced role of trust and highlighting the intention–behavior gap in influencer marketing. Future research could explore contextual and psychological moderators to deepen our understanding of trust dynamics. Full article

In the context of the evolving energy landscape, the need to harness renewable energy sources (RESs) has become increasingly imperative. Within this framework, hydrogen emerges as a promising energy storage vector, offering a viable solution to the flexibility challenges caused by the inherent variability of RESs. This work investigates the feasibility of integrating a hydrogen-based energy storage system within an energy community in Barcelona, using surplus electricity from photovoltaic (PV) panels. A power-to-power configuration is modelled through a comprehensive methodology that determines optimal component sizing, based on high-resolution real-world data. This analysis explores how different operational strategies influence the system’s cost-effectiveness. The methodology is thus intended to assist in the early-stage decision-making process, offering a flexible approach that can be adapted to various market conditions and operational scenarios. The results show that, under the current conditions, the combination of PV generation, energy storage, and low-cost grid electricity purchases yield the most favourable outcomes. However, in a long-term perspective, considering projected cost reductions for hydrogen technologies, strategies including energy sales back to the grid become more profitable. This case study offers a practical example of balancing engineering and economic considerations, providing replicable insights for designing hydrogen storage systems in similar energy communities. Full article

Liangshan Semi-fine Wool Sheep (LSWS, Ovis aries) are widely raised in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China. To provide a scientific basis for LSWS meat processing, our study investigated various parameters across six meat parts of LSWS including the neck, chuck roll, thin flank, outside flat, eye of round, and hind shank. Our findings revealed that thin flank displayed a higher pH₂₄ compared to outside flat (p < 0.05), as well as greater lightness than outside flat and hind shank (p < 0.05), along with higher redness than eye of round (p < 0.05). Hardness among six meat parts ranked in descending order as chuck roll, hind shank, outside flat, eye of round, neck, and thin flank. Meanwhile, the odor activity value decreased in the order of thin flank, eye of round, hind shank, neck, chuck roll, and outside flat. In terms of the nutritional composition, hind shank exhibited the highest protein content (p < 0.05). Thin flank also contained elevated levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs, 4977 μg/g), Σn-3 (1859 μg/g) and Σn-6 (2962 μg/g) fatty acids (p < 0.05). Regarding human health implications, thin flank showed a lower thrombogenicity index (p < 0.05). This study undertook a comprehensive analysis of meat quality and nutritional attributes across six LSWS meat parts, providing a scientific foundation for LSWS meat industry development and assisting consumers in making informed purchasing decisions. Full article

This research aims to investigate, using the C-A-B theory, the buying decision-making processes of Gen Z consumers in the United States when exposed to fast fashion brand advertising messages including greenwashing elements. Responses of 345 valid participants from the Amazon Mturk platform were analyzed through Mplus 8.11 and SPSS 29. Two-step, structural equation modeling was implemented to test the hypothesis. Additionally, 5000 bootstrapping iterations were used to examine the indirect effects. Study findings indicated that Gen Z consumers responded positively and negatively to fast fashion brands’ product promotional messages. Despite feeling skeptical and betrayed over the greenwashing assertion, they intend to purchase the goods. A contributing factor to this unforeseen purchasing intention may be their indifference towards environmental concerns. Moreover, when greenwashing assertions are infused with product advantages through strategic ingenuity and aligned with the specific demands of certain generations, the perception of positive emotional reaction supersedes the negative, hence facilitating the purchase of the green product. Furthermore, there is evidence of optimism biases, a cognitive bias where they exaggerate their capacity to identify instances of greenwashing, prioritize more on their certain needs, and underestimate the associated environmental risk for others. This clarifies the paradoxical buying patterns of Gen Z consumers. Although Gen Z is the youngest demographic, their tastes for fast fashion apparel may alter as they develop and their lifestyles adapt, influenced by both positive and negative emotional reactions to fast fashion brands. Consequently, the fast fashion business must retain this customer by utilizing sustainability messaging instead of misleading greenwashing assertions in the future. Full article

Background: Plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs) have attracted attention as alternatives to traditional meat. Methods: In this study, three beef products (BPs; BP-1, BP-2, BP-3) and three PBMA products (PPs; PP-1, PP-2, PP-3) purchased from a Korean market were evaluated for nutritional profile-based nutritional facts, such as proximate composition, total calories, and levels of mineral, cholesterol, sugar, fatty acids, and amino acids, and for sensory characteristics. Results: Cholesterol and vaccenic acid were detected only in the BP samples. The levels of crude lipids, zinc, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, threonine, and lysine, and the score for taste and flavor were higher for the BPs than for the PPs (p < 0.05). By contrast, the levels of carbohydrates, calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, glucose, sucrose, total sugar, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and glutamic acid were higher for the PPs than for the BPs. The levels of protein, potassium, phosphorus, copper, aluminum, valine, leucine, histidine, and arginine did not differ significantly between the BPs and the PPs. Multivariate analysis indicated that palmitic acid influenced the differences in nutritional profiles between the BPs and the PPs. Additionally, discrepancies were observed between the measured and labeled values for total sugar in PP-1 and PP-3. Conclusions: These findings offer valuable insights for the development of processed meat products using beef and PBMAs and may help consumers make informed purchasing decisions through the provision of accurate and reliable nutritional information. Full article

Influencer marketing has emerged as a crucial element in digital marketing, significantly shaping consumer behavior and online shopping preferences. This study examined the multidimensional impact of influencer marketing by analyzing engagement metrics, marketing effectiveness, and consumer decision-making processes, based on consumers in the Greek sector. Through a structured methodological framework, the research employed a questionnaire-based survey, statistical modeling, and Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) scenarios to assess consumer interactions with influencer-driven content. Findings highlight that while influencer marketing enhances brand engagement and sales, its effectiveness varies based on content authenticity, transparency, and user trust. Additionally, consumer purchasing decisions are influenced by social media visibility, personalized marketing strategies, and digital platform usability. This study underscores the need for strategic influencer selection and information-driven marketing optimization to sustain long-term consumer engagement. These insights provide practical implications for businesses aiming to enhance digital marketing strategies and contribute to the ongoing discourse on social commerce and consumer-centric marketing models. Full article