Italian and U.S. Consumers of Local Foods: An Exploratory Assessment of Invariance

Abstract

The exploratory study reviews locally produced foods and sustainable retailing via\ud grocery outlets across two distinct consumer groups, Italian and U.S. consumers. Survey\ud methodology and structural equation modeling were used to test for measurement and structural\ud invariance across the groups. Results suggested that groups varied across measures of perceived\ud consumer effectiveness and purchase intentions; and constructs of subjective norms, perceived\ud consumer effectiveness, connectedness, and purchase intentions reflected factor mean differences\ud across groups. Tests of structural paths were found to be partially invariant. Implications to retail\ud grocers who source sustainable products are provided, as well as future research directions for\ud academics

Understanding the use of Local Food Through the Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour

“…Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the six factors vary between .676 and .853 and it is possible to say that all factors except for one are above the recommended values (Hair et al, 1998). EFA results show similarities to the studies of Kang and Rajagopal (2014) and Campbell et al (2015). The study results differentiate from others as ATB dimension in this study is formed as two different dimensions, namely ATLFP and ATLFN.…”

“…On the contrary, Cambell (2013a) states that CONP is not an important determinant of purchase intentions. However, Campbell et al (2015) found that connectedness related to local products is related to purchase intention. In summary, it is believed that the more local food consumers see themselves connected to farmers' markets and local producers, the more likely they are to purchase local food (Hinrichs, 2000).…”

“…Similarly, in the study conducted by Shah Alam and Mohamed Sayuti (2011) using TPB, it was concluded that individuals' intention to purchase halal food was explained by the ATB variable. There are many studies (Kang & Rajagopal, 2014;Campbell et al, 2015) that…”

“…Although CONP is thought to have an impact on purchasing and consuming local food, the effects of connectedness perception on behavioural outcomes remain mixed and underexplored (Campbell et al, 2015). In one of the limited number of studies on connectedness perception (Green & Dougherty, 2008), the main connectedness obstacles between customers and local producers were identified as delivery and service quality, inconsistency in prices and lack of connectivity.…”

Believing That We Can Change Our World for the Better: A Triple-A (Agent-Action-Aim) Framework of Self-Efficacy Beliefs in the Context of Collective Social and Ecological Aims

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