Introduction: Food well-being of the population is one of the priorities of the Togolese government, which relies on the agricultural investment and food security Programme to increase national food production. In addition, the country relies on food imports to make up the shortfall. At the same time undernourishment and malnutrition remain high among the country’s population. This research analyzes food supply and its implications for household consumption in Grand Lomé, Togo. [Methods] The methodology used documents, a survey of 963 heads of household randomly sampled households and semi-structured interviews with 10 households and with Togolese food safety agency (ANSAT). Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using Excel spreadsheets R and R-Studio, while content analysis was applied to the verbal applied to the verbal statements collected. Results: Firstly, the results show that domestic agricultural production contributed an average of 91% of food supply between 2014–2017. The deficit is made up by food imports, which rose from 13.5% in 2014 to 15.4% in 2017. This translated into an acceptable food energy consumption of 2337 Kcal/head/day in 2017. Secondly, 81% of respondents recognize a strong food presence at consumer markets, except that the chi-square test applied to the data at the 5% threshold shows (p-value < 2.2 × 10−16), indicates that this satisfaction is a function of place of residence. Despite this, persistent shortages affect more staple crops, livestock and dairy products, leading households to deprive themselves and buy food at affordable prices. Finally, we observe non-diversified diets marked by regular consumption of “cereals/legumes”, vegetables and beverages to the detriment of “tubers/roots”, “meat/fish”, “fruit” and “dairy products”. Conclusion: This research shows that food supply, although adequate, is not sufficient to ensure balanced, nutritious and culturally appropriate food consumption by urban households. Recommendations: To meet these challenges, the central government, in collaboration with urban communes and consumer advocates, must mobilize resources to create urban agricultural farms, strengthen food protection systems, distribute staple products directly to households and limit the importation of food that is hazardous to health.
Extensive research on pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) reveals a significant knowledge gap in understanding the influence of social class, perceived status and the middling tendency on pro-environmental behaviour. Using the International Social Survey Programme Environment dataset, and conducting multilevel mixed-effects linear regressions, we find that the middling tendency and biased status perceptions significantly influences pro-environmental behaviour. Those who deflate their social position have higher pro-environmental behavior and this reinforces the idea that pro-environmental behaviour is driven by a post-materialist effect rather than a status enhancement effect. Moreover, the objective middle class is still a stronger contributor to higher PEB levels compared to subjective middle class. We also find the relation between class, status and PEB vary by country. These findings provide vital insights into the intricate and heterogenous dynamics between class, status and pro-environmental behaviour among different countries and shed light on class and status as driving forces behind pro-environmental behaviour.
In recent years, China’s economy has undergone rapid development. Increased disposable income and the rapid expansion of Internet-based financial services have positioned China as the largest market for luxury goods. Gen Z, the youngest demographic within emerging markets, is expected to play a pivotal role as the primary driver of the luxury market. However, while China’s luxury market continues to exhibit a high growth rate, this growth has gradually decelerated in comparison to the previous two years according to researchers. This presents a significant challenge for the luxury industry, as maintaining and enhancing the global growth trend has become a pressing concern where consumer behavior is concerned. The second key issue addressed in this study revolves around the concepts of compulsive buying and brand addiction, which can lead individuals, particularly Gen Z, to develop an addiction to luxury consumption. This study is based on an integrated model of conspicuous consumption, social comparison, and impression management theory. The key variables are materialism, brand consciousness, status-seeking, peer pressure, and collectivism to predict the luxury consumption model with debt attitude introduced as a moderating variable to study consumer behaviour in this age group. A non-probability sampling method and 480 people were selected as research samples. Quantitative analysis was used in this study, and SPSS and Smart PLS were used as data analysis tools. Structural equation model (SEM) using partial least squares method was used to determine the relationship of the variables and the moderating effect of debt attitude. The results showed that brand consciousness, status seeking, debt attitude and materialism had the strongest relationship with luxury consumption. Debt attitude as a moderating factor has a significant impact on the hypothesized relationship of the model. This paper provides empirical evidence for research on Gen Z’s luxury consumption, which has practical implications to marketers, luxury companies, local luxury brands and credit institutions.
This research analyzes the relationship between political stability, renewable energy utilization, economic progress, and tourism in Indonesia from 1990 to 2020. We employ advanced econometric techniques, including the Fourier Bootstrap Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach and Fourier Toda-Yamamoto causality testing, to ensure the robustness of our results while accounting for smooth structural changes in the data. The analysis uncovers a long-term equilibrium relationship between tourism and its fundamental determinants. Our research reveals significant positive impacts of political stability and renewable energy consumption on tourism in Indonesia. A stable political environment creates a favorable climate for tourism development, instilling confidence in both domestic and international tourists. Promoting renewable energy usage aligns with sustainable tourism practices, attracting environmentally conscious travelers. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate a bi-directional causal relationship between these variables over time. Changes in political stability, renewable energy consumption, and economic growth profoundly influence the tourism sector, while the growth of tourism itself can also stimulate economic development and foster political stability. Our findings underscore the need for environmentally sustainable and politically stable tourism policies. Indonesia’s tourism sector can grow sustainably with renewable energy and stability. Policymakers can develop strategies with tourism, political stability, renewable energy, and economic prosperity in mind.
Private states (also referred to as “micronations”) are unique cultural and creative products that involve political, economic, and cultural factors tied to individuals, groups, and specific social contexts. From ancient settlers establishing overseas colonies to modern digital virtual state projects, the forms and operational methods of private states have continuously evolved and innovated. The successful marketing of private states is often accompanied by the creation of narrative elements, such as their histories, constitutions, national flags, and coats of arms, constructing a grand narrative that attracts consumers, in line with the theory of monogatari consumption. As symbolic cultural products, these states not only possess material attributes but, more importantly, also embody cultural experiences and emotional value. Therefore, the significance of studying private states lies in elucidating how they present and operate their unique worldviews and cultural atmospheres to attract participation.
Purpose: This study aims to identify the primary determinants of consumer behavior influencing customer satisfaction in the context of online mobile application (App) purchases of perishable products. Utilizing the well-established SERVQUAL (Service Quality) model, which has been extensively studied in various service-oriented settings, the research seeks to determine the factors with the greatest impact on customer satisfaction during online transactions of perishable products. Design: The investigation focuses on analyzing the five core dimensions of the SERVQUAL model: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The study employs a survey methodology administered through Google Forms, targeting the population residing in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. A total of 400 samples were successfully collected using a snowball sampling technique. Methodology: The study employs the SERVQUAL model as the theoretical framework to examine the dimensions of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The survey, conducted through Google Forms, targeted the population in the Klang Valley of Malaysia, with a sample size of 400 collected through snowball sampling. Findings: The study’s outcomes reveal the robust predictive capability of the overarching SERVQUAL model in the realm of online perishable product procurement. Notably, the assurance dimension emerges as the most influential factor, emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping and defining customer satisfaction for online retailers of perishable goods in the Malaysian market. Novelty: This research contributes to the understanding of consumer behavior in online perishable product purchases, by identifying determinants of consumer behavior; the study promotes sustainable production and responsible consumption within the perishable products category, offering insights beneficial for online retailers in the Malaysian market. This study aligns with United Nations sustainable development goals especially industry innovation, food security and responsible consumption.
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