Online food delivery habits and its environmental impact during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian and Polish study
ISSN: 0007-070X
Article publication date: 28 April 2023
Issue publication date: 2 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate, through a quantitative research, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online food delivery in Italy and Poland, as well as to ascertain whether or not, under a consumer perspective, respondents consider such method as impacting on the environment and on food waste.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical survey of consumers at Italian and Polish Universities was conducted using the online survey computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method.
Findings
Results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has modified consumer habits in both Italy and Poland, though the researched sample does not have full knowledge of these changes. Moreover, the study has proved once again that online food delivery may impact negatively on the environment and the food waste issue.
Originality/value
This paper fills a gap in literature since, by the authors' knowledge, it is the first quantitative study analysing Italian and Polish young consumers as to online food delivery habits and their approach to sustainability aspects of this purchasing method.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Editors and the anonymous Referees for their comments and helpful suggestions, Dr. Davide Pinna for his support in the questionnaire administration in Italy, and all respondents who made this investigation possible by their answers.
Citation
Varese, E., Cesarani, M.C., Kabaja, B., Sołtysik, M. and Wojnarowska, M. (2024), "Online food delivery habits and its environmental impact during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian and Polish study", British Food Journal, Vol. 126 No. 1, pp. 191-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1120
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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