Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Feasibility of Online Selling of Organic Produce


Affiliations
1 Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Purpose: The main objective of this study is to understand the buying behaviour of consumers towards organic food through online channel. The study aims to determine the factors influencing consumer behaviour towards organic food.

Design/methodology/approach: The method used for the data collection was the survey conducted among IT professionals, using a structured questionnaire, with closeended questions. In total, 110 respondents participated in the survey. For data analysis it was decided to use multivariate analysis like logistic regressions and structural equation modelling.

Findings: The results indicate that health conscious, accessibility and time are the major factors that positively influence the consumer's attitude towards buying organic food online.

Practical implications: This study suggests that retailers can develop effective marketing programme and strategies to influence consumers positively. They can emphasize the health benefits and quality of organic food. They can make these products easily available online to attract consumers to buy organic food.

Originality/value: This study provides valuable insight into consumer behaviour regarding organic food through online by examining the factors that influence consumers' intention to purchase organic food, within the Indian context.


Keywords

Organic, Logistic Regression, Structural Equation Modeling.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Alreck, P. L., & Settle, R. B. (2002). The hurried consumer: Time-saving perceptions of internet and catalogue shopping. Journal of Database Marketing, 10(1), 25-35.
  • Arvanitoyannis, I., & Krystallis, A. (2004). Current State of the Art of Legislation and Marketing Trends of Organic Foods Worldwide" in: Baourakis, G. (Ed.)
  • Marketing Trends for Organic Food in the Advent of the 21st Century, World Scientific Publishing, Co. Pte Ltd, 94-114, ISBN: 981-238-768-4
  • Baker, S., Thompson, K., & Engelken, J. (2004). Mapping the values driving organic food choice: Germany vs. the U.K. and the U.K. vs. Germany. European Journal of Marketing, 38(8), 995-1012.
  • Bhama, T. & VedhaBalaji (2012). Consumer Perception towards Organic Food Products in India. Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Management & Information Systems.
  • Brown, E., Dury, S. & Holdsworth, M. (2009). Motivations of consumers that use local, organic fruit & vegetable box schemes in Central England and Southern France.Appetite, 53, 183-188.
  • Cerjak, M., Mesic, Z., Kopic, M., Kovacic, D. &Markovina, J. (2010). What motivates consumers to buy organic food: Comparison of Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Slovenia? Journal of Food Products Marketing, 16, 278-292.
  • Chakrabarti, S. (2010). "Factors influencing organic foodpurchase in India-expert survey insights", British Food Journal, 112, 8, 902-15.
  • Chinnici, G., D’Amico, M., & Pecorino, B. (2002). A multivariate statistical analysis on the consumers of organic products. British Food Journal, 104(3/4/5). 187-199.
  • Crutchfield, S., & Roberts, T. (2000). Food safety efforts accelerate in 1990’s. Food Review.
  • Dipeolu, A. O., Philip, B. B., Aiyelaagbe, I. O. O., Akinbode,S. O., & Adedokun, T. A. (2009). Consumer awareness and willingness to pay for organic vegetables in S. W. Nigeria. Asian Journal of Food and Agro-Industry, S57-S65, Special Issue.
  • Ebrahimi, M. (2007). Global appetitite for organic drives organic market. http://persianroad. wordpress.com/2007/11/30 global-appetitite -for-organic-drives-organic-market.
  • Gil, J. M., Gracia A., & Sanchez, M. (2000). Market segmentation and willingness to pay for organic products in spain. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 3(2), 207-226.
  • Grant, J. (2007). Green Marketing Manifesto, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.
  • Hammit, J. K. (1990). Risk perception and food choice: an exploratory analysis of organic versus conventional produce buyers. Risk Analysis, 10(3), 367-374.
  • Greene, W. H. (2000). Econometric Analysis. Prentice Hall, USA.
  • Glaser, L., & Thompson, G. D. (2000). Demand for organic and conventional Beverage Milk. Selected paper presented at Annual Meeting of Western Agricultural Economics Association, Vancouver, British Columbia.
  • Hammit, J. K. (1990). Risk perception and food choice: an exploratory analysis of organic versus conventional produce buyers. Risk Analysis, 10(3), 367-374.
  • Harper, G. C., & Henson, S.J. (2001). The level of consumer concerns about animal welfare". Department of Agricultural and Food Economics, The University of Reading.
  • Hill, H., & Lynchehaun, F. (2002). Organic milk: attitudes and consumption patterns. British Food Journal, 104(7), 526-542.
  • Huang, C. L. (1996). Consumer preferences and attitudes towards organically grown produce. European Review of Agricultural Economics, 23(3/4), 331-342.
  • Hutchins, R. K., Greenhalgh, L. A. (1995). November/ December Organic confusion: sustaining competitive advantage. Nutrition & Food Science, 6, 11-14.
  • Jolly, D. A. (1991). Determinants of organic horticultural products consumption based on a sample of California consumers. Acta Horticulture, 295, 41-148.
  • Lin, W. T., (2009). The business value of information technology: evidence from country level data, Decision Support Sstem, 46, 865-74.
  • Lockeretz, W. (2007). What Explains the Rise of Organic Farming. CAB International.
  • Magesh, R. (2011). Preferences towards online shopping among urban population with special reference to Chennai city, Advance in management, 4(1) Jan 2011.
  • Makatoumi, A. (2002). What motivates consumers to buy organic food in UK? Results from a qualitative Stdy, British Food Journal, 104 (3) 345-352.
  • Mintel, (1991). The Green Consumer, Mintel, London, Mintel (1991), "Organic food", Market Intelligence. London, January.
  • Mintu-Wimsatt, A. & Bradford, M. (1995). "In search formarket segments for green products", AdvancesinEnvironmental Marketing: New Developments in Practice, Theory and Research, Haworth Press, New York, NY, 293-303.
  • Nielsen, N. A., Bech-Larsen, T. & Grunert, K. G. (1998). "Consumer purchase motives and product perceptions: a laddering study on vegetable oil in three countries", Food Quality and Preference, Vol. 9, 455-66.
  • Ott, S. L. (1990). Supermarkets shoppers' pesticide concerns and willingness to purchase certified pesticide residue-free fresh produce. Agribusiness, 6(6), 593-602.
  • Padel, S., & Foster, C. (2005). Exploring the gap between attitudes and behavior. British Food Journal, 107( 8), 606-625.
  • Kasteridis, P., & Yen, S. T. U.S. demand for organic and conventional vegetables: A Bayesian censored system approach. The Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 56, 405-425.
  • Paul, J., & Rana, J. (2012). Consumer behavior and purchase intention for organic food. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 29/6 (2012), 412-422.
  • Pauri, V., & Zanoli, R. (1996). Indaginesulconsumo di prodottibiologicinella provincia di Ancona. Bioagricoltura, 38, 32-6.
  • Hughner, R. S., McDonagh, P., Prothero, A., Shultz, C. J., & Stanton, J. Morrison School of AgribusinessQ1 and Resource Management, Arizona State University, 7001 E.Williams Field Rd., Wanner Hall, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA.
  • Richter, T. (2008). Trends in the organic retailing sector inEurope 2007", in Willer, H., Yussefi-Menzler, M. andSorensen, N. (Eds), (pp. 140-170.), The World of Organic Agriculture - Statistics and Emerging Trends, Earthscan, London,
  • Schifferstein, H. N. J., & Oude Ophuis, P. A. M. (1998). Healthrelated determinants of organic food consumption in the Netherlands. Food Quality and Preference, 9(3), 119-133.
  • Smed, S., & Andersen, L. M. (2012). Information or Prices, Which Is Most Powerful in Increasing Consumer Demand for Organic Vegetables?International Business Research, 5(12).
  • Solar, F., Gil, J.M., & Sanchez, M. (2002). Consumers’ acceptability of organic food in Spain: Results from an experimental auction market. British Food Journal, 104, 670-687.
  • Stevens-Garmon, J., Huang, C. L., & Lin, B. - H. (2007). Organic demand: A profile of consumers in the fresh produce market. Choices, the magazine of food, farm and resource issues, 2nd Quarter, 22(2).
  • Kumar, S., & Ali, J. (2011, June, 20-23). Analyzing the Factors Affecting Consumer Awareness on Organic Foods in India". 21st Annual IFAMA World Forum and Symposium on the Road to 2050: Sustainability as a Business Opportunity, Frankfurt, Germany during
  • Thompson, G. D., & Glassen, L. (2001). National Demand for Organizational and Conventional Baby Foods, Selected paper presented in Western Agricultual Economics Association, Logan, Utah, USA.
  • Tregear A., Dent J. B., & McGregor, M. J. (1994). The demand for organically grown produce. British Food Journal, 96(4), 21-25.
  • Wandel, M., & Bugge, A. (1997). Environmental concern in consumer evaluation of food quality. Food Quality and Preference, 8(1), 19-26.
  • Williams, C. M. (2002). Nutritional quality of organic food: shades of grey or shades of green? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 61(1), 19.
  • Williams, P. R. D., & Hammit, J. K. (2001). Perceived Risks of conventional and organic produce, pesticides, pathogens and natural toxins. Risk Analysis, 21, 319-330.
  • Wilkins J. L., & Hillers, V. N. (1994). Influences of pesticide residue and environmental concerns on organic food preference among food cooperative members and non-members in Washington state. Journal of Nutrition Education, 26(1), 26-33.
  • Yiridoe, E. K., Bonti-Ankomah, S., & Martin, R. C. (2005). Comparison of consumer perceptions and preferences toward organic versus conventionally-produced foods: a review and update of the literature (PDF, 339 kb). Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 20(4), 193-205.
  • Yussefi, M., & Willer, H. (2002). Organic Agriculture Sustainability, Markets and Policies: Sustainability...OECD, USA.
  • Zanoli, R., & Naspetti, S. (2002). Consumer motivations in the purchase of organic food. British Food Journal, 104(8), 643-653.

Abstract Views: 400

PDF Views: 2




  • Feasibility of Online Selling of Organic Produce

Abstract Views: 400  |  PDF Views: 2

Authors

Rajat Kumar
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Rohit Pandey
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Purba Halady Rao
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract


Purpose: The main objective of this study is to understand the buying behaviour of consumers towards organic food through online channel. The study aims to determine the factors influencing consumer behaviour towards organic food.

Design/methodology/approach: The method used for the data collection was the survey conducted among IT professionals, using a structured questionnaire, with closeended questions. In total, 110 respondents participated in the survey. For data analysis it was decided to use multivariate analysis like logistic regressions and structural equation modelling.

Findings: The results indicate that health conscious, accessibility and time are the major factors that positively influence the consumer's attitude towards buying organic food online.

Practical implications: This study suggests that retailers can develop effective marketing programme and strategies to influence consumers positively. They can emphasize the health benefits and quality of organic food. They can make these products easily available online to attract consumers to buy organic food.

Originality/value: This study provides valuable insight into consumer behaviour regarding organic food through online by examining the factors that influence consumers' intention to purchase organic food, within the Indian context.


Keywords


Organic, Logistic Regression, Structural Equation Modeling.

References