Purchase intention of organic foods: are lifestyles of health and sustainability the reason for my purchase decision?

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of scarcity and the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) consumption tendency on the purchase intention of organic foods. The study used the protection motivation theory and the stimulus-organism-response theory to understand the impact of comparatively new variables like "perceived scarcity” and "perceived consumer effectiveness” (PCE) on the consumer's organic food purchase intentions.Design/methodology/approachThe study is using structural equation modeling with 402 organic food consumers. The participants are regular consumers who bought organic food from specialized shops and supermarkets in the previous few months. The data has been collected at organic food specialized shops and supermarkets that sell organic foods.FindingsThe results showed that LOHAS consumption tendency (LCT), scarcity and PCE positively affect attitude. Similarly, LCT and PCE direct affect trust. Scarcity and PCE directly positive impact on purchase intention of organic food products. Interestingly, LCT had no direct impact on the purchase intention of the product. Trust and attitude were found to be significant mediators impacting purchase intention.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the past theoretical literature on LOHAS consumption by analyzing new constructs like scarcity and PCE in the context of organic food consumption. These findings will be crucial for marketers planning to launch organic products in new markets.

An Exploratory Review of Potential Adjunct Therapies for the Treatment of Coronavirus Infections.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this exploratory review was to examine vitamin D, zinc, vitamin A, elderberry (Sambucus nigra), garlic (Allium sativum), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), N-acetylcysteine, quercetin, and selenium as potential adjunct therapies for the treatment of coronavirus infections. METHODS: A search of PubMed was performed for articles published from 2005 to 2021. Keywords searched were "zinc," "vitamin A," "vitamin D," "Sambucus nigra," "Allium sativum," "Glycyrrhiza glabra," "Urtica dioica," "N-acetylcysteine," "quercetin," "selenium," and "coronavirus." RESULTS: There were 47 articles selected for this review. Findings included that vitamin D, zinc, vitamin A, S. nigra, A. sativum, G. glabra, U. dioica, N-acetylcysteine, quercetin, and selenium have been shown to produce antiinflammatory, immunostimulatory, or antiviral effects that may enhance the actions of standard therapeutics for the treatment of coronavirus infections. Specific to effects against COVID-19, we found research articles related to the effects of only vitamin D, zinc, G. glabra, quercetin, and selenium. CONCLUSION: We identified nonpharmaceutical supplements (vitamin D, zinc, vitamin A, S. nigra, A. sativum, G. glabra, and U. dioica) which may have potential to provide support for those with coronavirus infections. However, rigorous clinical studies need to be performed before any clinical recommendations can be made.

The effects of crowdedness and safety measures on restaurant patronage choices and perceptions in the COVID-19 pandemic.

This paper investigates the effects of crowdedness and in-restaurant safety measures on consumers' restaurant patronage choices (eat-in vs. order takeaway vs. not patronize) and their perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an online experiment with 593 US consumers and 591 Australian consumers, we assess the effects of three levels of crowdedness (low vs. medium vs. high crowdedness) and four types of in-restaurant safety measures (none vs. partition vs. increasing distances between tables vs. not using in-between tables) by showing participants an image of the restaurant setting. Results show that US consumers are more sensitive to crowdedness, whereas Australian consumers are more sensitive to different types of safety measures, which greatly influence their patronage choices. In general, safety measures featuring social distancing are preferred over partitions, and there is no preferential difference between the measure of increasing distances between tables and the measure of not using in-between tables.