British Food Journal

Buying decision-making process for poultry meat : Table of Contents

Tina Vukasovic — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – In 2006 the world global poultry meat market was developing under the influence of shocks caused by the outbreak of the avian influenza which spread to the poultry meat market at the end of 2005. The virus affected the entire world poultry meat industry and thus visibly marked the world trade in poultry meat in 2006. This paper aims to investigate these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The paper concentrates on the results of the primary quantitative research which was carried out by using a method of individual personal interviews in a sample of n=2,452 poultry meat consumers, aged between 18 and 65 years and in the selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia). A positive perception of poultry meat was determined since the consumers in all three analyzed countries perceived it as tasty and healthy. Special attention was devoted to studying the importance of meat origin in a buying-decision-making process. Findings – The trends in poultry meat consumption which were determined in the study of the European poultry meat market were thus confirmed with the quantitative research carried out in the selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Originality/value – The positive perception of poultry meat and the importance of its origin in the buying-decision-making process are evident in all the analyzed countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

How “green” are small wineries? Western Australia's case : Table of Contents

Abel Duarte Alonso — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – In the wake of growing concerns about environmental issues in rural areas, some studies present environmental stewardship as a positive way for food producing businesses to benefit from consumer groups receptive to environmentally friendly growing practices. However, very little is reported on how winery operators, including those of small wineries, go about addressing environmental sustainability. The present exploratory study seeks to broaden the understanding of this area from a group of small winery operators from emerging Western Australian wine regions. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach in the form of face-to-face and telephone interviews among 42 participating wineries was chosen for this exploratory study. Findings – While participants' comments suggest they are currently involved in different ways to be environmentally sustainable, the study also identifies environmental threats affecting some winery operators severely. Such issues include latent water concerns and government agencies' action in the form of forest fires near vineyards that can cause great losses to winery entrepreneurs. Research limitations/implications – Despite several useful insights identified in this study, with an excess of over 200 small wineries in Western Australia, the limited number of participating businesses may not allow for making generalisations about the state's or nation's wine industry. Practical implications – Some of the issues identified in this study illustrate that it is not only up to wineries to follow environmentally friendly initiatives. Moreover, such issues need to be addressed to guarantee support for the industry in areas where climatic issues or human action pose potential threats. Originality/value – The study examines environmental sustainability from small winery operators' perspective, a dimension that to date has been under researched, particularly in Western Australia.

Traceability as part of competitive strategy in the fruit supply chain : Table of Contents

Maurizio Canavari, Roberta Centonze, Martin Hingley, Roberta Spadoni — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The paper aims to focus on traceability as part of information management in the fruit supply chains of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. A review of the rules in use for traceability distinguishes between baseline traceability and traceability plus (T+), which encompasses many further embedded value attributes. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with key informants in the Italian fresh produce chain. Findings – Findings are discussed in terms of different themes including identification of three distinct types of supply chains and the impact upon them and categorisation of traceability systems across the different chains. Identified are the impact of information systems management; purchasing management; product management transaction costs; and co-ordination issues. Research limitations/implications – The study's findings are based on Italian fresh produce traceability context only. Practical implications – Elements of competitive strategy are considered in the analysis of fruit supply chains of Emilia-Romagna, to demonstrate that not only strategic, but also operative choices determine the way a single firm or supply network manages traceability and information issues. Applications of such elements to buyer and seller selection as well as to competing retailers of the fruit supply chain, verify the hypothesis. Originality/value – The paper adds to the body of knowledge surrounding prior studies on the development of traceability systems and develops further the analysis of legal and value-adding dimensions of traceability.

Food fraud – a current issue but an old problem : Table of Contents

Peter Shears — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the topic of food fraud which has been so widely and variously reported over recent months and years. Its purposes are to set current experience into an historical context and to illustrate the tension between the science of deception and the science of detection. Design/methodology/approach – This is a desk study of published literature and historical documentation, together with interviews with those professionally concerned with detection and enforcement. Findings – The piece concludes that with all the scientific developments and analytical techniques that seem so mind-bendingly sophisticated, there remains the basic problem of a lack of resources. Practical implications – It is asserted that more is owed to the memories and the reputations of those who pioneered the effort to combat food fraud. Without a considerable increase in the resources made available for the appliance of the science currently available and that being developed, the battle will never be fully engaged, yet alone won. Originality/value – This review is unique in that it seeks to take a long view of current concern, and even scandal, showing that the situation is not new and lessons should have been learned from past experience.

Buying behaviour of consumers for food products in an emerging economy : Table of Contents

Jabir Ali, Sanjeev Kapoor, Janakiraman Moorthy — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a marketing strategy for a modern food/grocery market based on consumer preferences and behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 101 households having sufficient purchasing power were personally surveyed with a structured questionnaire. These households are spread across the well-developed Gomtinagar area of Lucknow city. Simple statistical analysis such as descriptive statistical analysis, frequency distribution, cross tabulation, analysis of variance, and factor analysis to assess the consumers' preferences for food and grocery products and market attributes were carried out. Findings – The preferences of the consumers clearly indicate their priority for cleanliness/freshness of food products followed by price, quality, variety, packaging, and non-seasonal availability. The consumers' preference of marketplace largely depends on the convenience in purchasing at the marketplace along with the availability of additional services, attraction for children, basic amenities and affordability. Results suggest that most of the food and grocery items are purchased in loose form from the nearby outlets. Fruits and vegetables are mostly purchased daily or twice a week due to their perishable nature, whereas grocery items are less frequently purchased. Research limitations/implications – This paper analyses the buying behaviour of the consumers under survey with respect to food and grocery items. These consumers are in a relatively advantageous position in terms of purchasing power and awareness of health and nutrition. Practical implications – The results may help the food processors and outlet owners to understand a diversified set of preferences for products and market attributes, so that they can make better decisions in the emerging organized food and grocery retail environment. Originality/value – The topic is relatively less researched in emerging markets especially where organized retail is still in its early stages.

Human campylobacteriosis and bird-pecked milk : Table of Contents

John E. Moore, Paul J. Rooney — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the correlation between rates of food-poisoning in England and Wales due to the bacterium, Campylobacter, and the frequency of doorstep delivery of milk. Thermophilic campylobacters, particularly C. jejuni continue to be the most common cause of acute bacterial enteritis in the Western world. Design/methodology/approach – Data relating to the frequency of milk doorstep delivery in the UK were compared to data on laboratory reports of Campylobacter isolated from faecal material in England and Wales and expressed graphically. Findings – There does not appear to be any visible correlation between a falling rate of doorstep delivery of milk and Campylobacter food-poisoning. Originality/value – These data may indicate that although bird-pecked milk is a recognized epidemiological risk factor for the acquisition of campylobacteriosis, the frequency and significance of this means acquiring the infection may not be as common as has been previously suggested.

Implementing traceability: practical challenges at a mineral water bottling plant : Table of Contents

Kine Mari Karlsen, Petter Olsen, Kathryn Anne-Marie Donnelly — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine where product, process and traceability information is systematically lost at a mineral water bottling plant. It aims to highlight areas where traceability could be improved and to suggest changes that could be made to improve traceability. It also aims to examine the implications of these changes for the current system. Design/methodology/approach – Process mapping was carried out at a mineral water bottling plant to investigate the flow of material and information. The results were analyzed to identify the critical traceability points (CTPs) in the production process where information is lost. Findings – One of the CTPs at the mineral water bottling plant was the lack of a link between product, process and traceability information for the screw caps. Research limitations/implications – This is a study of an individual case, which limits the generalizations that can be made. Practical implications – Procedures need to be established at the mineral water bottling plant in order to achieve traceability. All the information about the resources used in production could be linked to a “best before” date on each mineral water bottle. Originality/value – The authors have found few similar case studies in the published literature. This case study can be of value to other research institutes and industries where the focus is on traceability. It could also be of interest to researchers working with information technology systems, ontology/metadata schemes, cost/benefits analyses and the impacts of traceability. The implications of traceability highlighted in this paper can be of use to regulatory authorities in their decision making processes.

Evaluation of food purchasing behaviour of consumers from supermarkets : Table of Contents

Nevin Sanlier, Suzan Seren Karakus — Sat Jan 30 08:00:17 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose – This study was conducted with the aim of determining the food purchasing behaviour of consumers from supermarkets. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 430 consumers, 194 males and 236 females, with an average age of 29.96 ±10.99 were included in this study, and was conducted to find out the criteria which consumers took into account while purchasing food. Findings – A significant relationship was determined between the scores the consumers received from nutrition, the reliability and all of the shopping criteria, and their level of education (p < 0.05) between the percentage of income spared for nutrition (p < 0.01) and between the cost (p < 0.05) and the total scores received from all of the shopping criteria (p < 0.01). It was also determined that women paid more attention to the nutrition and reliability criteria than men did (p < 0.05). Research limitations/implications – The research is restricted in so far as it only considers consumers in the big city and as it is an exploratory study the research is limited in so far as the number of participants is only 430. Further research needs to include other big and small cities. Practical implications – The study has concluded that consumers need effective and versatile education in the subjects of label reading and buying the right kind of food for their budgets. It is revealed that consumer education is essential in the process from cradle to grave in creating the awareness of consumers to buy food. Originality/value – The paper is useful to both practitioners and academics in the fields of relationship consumer and marketing. Informing and training consumers will help increase the awareness of consumers and make them behave more rationally in their shopping. It will lead the studies to be carried out in the future to activate the control of the consumers on their shopping, instead of losing the control of consumers.