Apparel Consumption and Embodied Experiences of Gay Men and Transgender Women in India: Variety and Ambivalence, Fit Issues, LGBT-Fashion Brands, and Affordability.

The purpose of this study was to explore Indian LGBT individuals' apparel consumption practices and embodied experiences related to fashion, style, and the body. Specifically, our research questions were these: What are Indian LGBT individuals' experiences like when navigating the fashion system, and how do they experience their own embodiment in what they wear and how they appear? A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used to answer the research questions. Three gay men and seven transgender women responded to a solicitation for participation and completed a semistructured interview. In our data analysis, we established four themes that relate to two larger areas of emphasis: embodiment and the fashion system. Regarding embodiment, participants related many experiences with their bodies, including (a) variety and ambivalence with bodily practices and (b) difficulty with clothing fit. The other themes centered around knowledge and desires related to the fashion system. Within the fashion system, participants expressed (a) fashion brand awareness and a need for LGBT-centered brands and (b) affordability as a barrier to clothing purchase. Overall, the essence of fashioning one's body as a transgender woman or gay man in India is that, while there has been a significant amount of gender oppression in India, these participants were interested in and desired gender-neutral or LGBT-focused brands.

Determinants of organic food consumption. A systematic literature review on motives and barriers.

During the last few decades, interest in organically produced food has steadily risen around the world. Consequently, academic interest in better understanding the different motives and barriers underlying organic food consumption has also increased. But, the scope of these published studies is both broad and fragmented. There is a lack of research that systematically examines and presents a comprehensive review of the different motives and barriers and their association with purchase decisions. The current study shows a systematic literature review of different motives and barriers and their association with purchase decisions in context to organic food. A total of 89 empirical studies was considered in the review. Two popular theoretical frameworks, namely the theory of consumption values and innovation resistance theory, were used to categorize the identified motives and barriers. The primary outcomes of this systematic literature review are: a) descriptive statistics on the selected studies; b) comprehensive summary of motives and barriers mentioned in selected studies using theory of consumption values and innovation resistance theory; c) classification of motives and barriers on consumer involvement, research design and country status; d) framework on the association between motives, barriers and purchase decisions; e) implications for scholars, managers, and policymakers interested in better understanding issues related to organic food consumption.