Genetic engineering,genetic modification,or agricultural biotechnology: does the term matter?

The risk perception and communication literature appears to use terms such as genetic engineering (GE), genetic modification (GM), and agricultural biotechnology (agbiotech) almost interchangeably. The present research therefore seeks to compare the effect of these three terms on consumers’ cognitive, affective and behavioral component of attitude. The variables under investigation are consumers’ perceptions of risk, benefits, personal control over technology, support and promotion of the development of technology, dread, labeling, and purchase intentions. The study draws on the equivalency framing literature in conducting two question wording experiments whereby participants are randomly assigned to receive a version that uses just one of the three different terms. The first experiment found that the framing effect of food technology as either GE or GM may be contingent on source of information. When the technology was framed as GE and the information source was a consumer organization, respondents reported higher perceived personal control over the technology compared to when the information source was government, newspaper, or no source. Therefore, framing food as GE may be a somewhat beneficial for those who seek to promote the technology while framing the technology as GM might help those who oppose the technology. The second experiment found that using the terms agbiotech and GE were associated with higher perceived benefits, positive feelings, and purchase intention compared to GM. The ‘agbiotech’ term garnered the most relative support for the technology. Implications are discussed.     

The halo effect created for restaurants that source food locally

This research investigated inferences consumers make about restaurants that market their use of locally sourced food (LSF) ingredients using the halo effect as a theoretical foundation. Food produced and sold within a certain geographical radius (typically under 400 miles) is considered LSF. Hypothesized was that simply labelling a restaurant as using LSF would create a positive halo effect (a positive perceptual bias) and promote beliefs about the restaurant’s attributes that were unrelated to LSF. The results of an experiment with 313 participants suggest that LSF labeling in restaurants produces a positive halo effect. Participants assumed that a restaurant using LSF was more environmentally friendly, served a healthier/more nutritious menu, was more conveniently located, and was more likely to use natural/organic ingredients than was a similar restaurant that did not use LSF. Additionally, participants’ food-related lifestyles were significant moderators, with those most concerned about (1) the healthiness of the food they eat, and (2) the joy they get from eating and socializing over food, being most strongly influenced by the positive LSF-halo. Overall, the results indicate that restaurants may benefit from the positive glow created from the halo effect of sourcing food locally.     

Looking at the brain: Neural effects of “made in” labeling on product value and choice

International business research posits that, under certain circumstances, consumers prefer goods manufactured in their own country regardless of their country of origin image. Yet the psychological origin of such Domestic bias remains unknown. This study presents a neuroimaging experiment developed in Spain. The task combined low and high involvement goods marked with Domestic “Made in Spain” and Foreign “Made in USA” (similar culture) and “Made in China” (different culture) labels. The findings reveal that Domestic goods always convey neural rewarding sensations. Neural aversive biases toward Foreign goods occur only when the products are culturally different and high involvement. These findings help improve business retailing strategies.     

Factors determining the use of nutrition labels: The case of Malaysia

The rising prevalence of diet-related illnesses, the most visible of health problems, in both developed and developing countries has become a serious public health concern. Nutrition labeling plays an important role in promoting healthy diet and, thus, in improving population health. The objective of the present study is to investigate how socioeconomic factors—age, income, gender, education, marital status, house locality and employment status—affect the use of nutrition labels among Malaysian adults. The Third National Health and Morbidity Survey of Malaysia, which consisted of 34,539 respondents, is used for analysis. A logit model is developed to examine the probability of using nutrition labels. Evidence from the present study shows that age, income, gender, education, and marital status are significantly associated with the use of nutrition labels. In particular, age reduces the likelihood of using nutrition labels, while high income earners, females, the well-educated, and married individuals are more likely to use nutrition labels. The findings of the present study suggest that differentiated targeted efforts should be used on the various population groups identified when implementing programs and activities promoting the use of nutrition labels.     

Refining estimates of air conditioning energy consumption in Asian countries: stock volume and energy efficiency labeling and standard

In order to evaluate how the standard and labeling program for energy efficiency reduces energy demand in an economy, we must know how many appliances work and the total energy consumption capacity developed before and after the introduction of the program. This paper calculates the stock of air conditioners and its total electricity consumption capacity based on GfK market survey and collected data by authors. The results show that Japan has experienced a substantial reduction of electricity demand from air conditioning overall in the economy. However, Thailand and China maintain their average electricity consumption levels, but are unable to reduce total demand. A study of the energy efficiency standard-labeling mechanism development and market outcomes reveals that Thailand and China fail to continuously improve energy efficiency, although the mechanism curbed the increasing inefficiency. This implies that China’s and Thailand’s mechanisms need to raise the upper bound of the distribution of energy efficiency.     

Does shelf-labeling of organic foods increase sales? Results from a natural experiment

Can a simple point-of-purchase (POP) shelf-label increase sales of organic foods? We use a random-effects׳, random-coefficients׳ model, including a time adjustment variable, to test data from a natural experiment in a hypermarket in Gävle, Sweden. Our model incorporates both product specific heterogeneity in the effects of labeling and consumer adjustment to the labels over time. We find that the introduction of POP displays leads to an increase in sales of organic coffee and olive oil, but a reduction in sales of organic flour. All targeted products became less price-sensitive. The results reveal that product specific differences have to be accounted for, and in some cases consumers adjusted to labeling over time.     

香港转基因食品标签制度剖析

转基因食品标签是个有争议的问题。虽然绝大多数香港民众和公益组织赞成强制性标签,香港政府基于商业和经济考虑,采取了自愿性标签制度。业界可自愿在转基因食品包装上增加"含有转基因成分"的正面标签或"不含有转基因成分"的反面标签。这种自愿性标签制度没有重视消费者权利和食品安全,引致消费者和公益组织的批评。     

欧美碳标签对我国制造业出口影响路径探究——基于ADF实证检验

发展低碳经济已经在全球达成基本共识。文章基于《中国低碳经济年度发展报告(2011)》及《2012年中国对外贸易发展报告》数据,运用ADF—格兰杰因果检验证明碳标签对我国制造业出口产生影响:发达国家率先推出的碳标签制度,作为一种新型隐性技术壁垒,将显著增加我国产品出口成本,降低出口量。对此,我国制造企业需认真研究国外碳标签发展情况,制定出产品出口的对策。     

The effects of physical activity calorie equivalent labeling on dieters' food consumption and post-consumption physical activity

Effective body weight management requires dieters to engage in healthy eating and physical activity. This research explores the influences of physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labeling on dieters' food consumption and post-consumption physical activity. PACE indicates the amount of physical activity required to burn off food energy intake. This labeling aims to raise awareness on energy balance by highlighting an immediate link between food intake and exercise. This research shows that when exposed to PACE labeling, dieters (but not non-dieters) reduce their food consumption, increase their post-consumption physical activity, and are considerably motivated to achieve energy balance. This occurs because PACE labeling active energy balance-goal for dieters and influences their food consumption and subsequent physical activity. Implications for consumer well-being and policymakers are discussed.     

Consumer reactions to unfamiliar technologies: mental and social formation of perceptions and attitudes toward nano and GM products

Abstract

Using focus groups, the research analyses the mental and social processes through which consumers form perceptions and opinions about unfamiliar technologies and the derived products, taking the perception of nanotechnology and nano-products, GM and GM products as example. Our findings suggest that limited understanding of the technological principles and lack of (visible) products prevent the formation of experience-based attitudes and behavioral intentions. In this context, consumers interpret and assess cognitive interventions such as product labels or product information, as well as the trustworthiness of unfamiliar information sources, based on heuristic clues, association, mutual reassurance and previous attitudes. The established determinants of technology risk perception (e.g. knowledge, social norms, perceived risks and benefits and controllability) were the subject of constant deliberation and negotiation among participants. Consequently, the perception of risk and technology communication interventions might vary greatly across different locations and segments of the public, complicating risk communication and trust-building.