Raffaele Zanchini

Bio: Raffaele Zanchini is an academic researcher from University of Turin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Business & Product (mathematics). The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 7 publications receiving 27 citations.

Testing consumer propensity towards novel optional quality terms: An explorative assessment of "mountain" labelled honey

Abstract: The present study provides some preliminary reflections of the honey market and explores Italian consumer attitude towards the “mountain” quality term. Moreover, it also takes the organic and PDO labels into consideration, in addition to the generic “local” label, evaluating the relationships that exist between mountain honey and other products. Data were obtained through questionnaires using a face-to-face method and the econometric study was carried out using correlation analysis as a first step and then the one-way ANOVA and t-test, based on the socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics; moreover, interactions among the characteristics mentioned above were evaluated using a two-way ANOVA with interaction. The results show that Italian consumers have a positive attitude towards “mountain” honey; however, their response changes according to the socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. An appreciable relationship was observed between mountain product and local product, suggesting that the mountain quality label could be a useful tool for the valorisation of honey.

Do consumers care about antioxidants in wine? The role of naturally resveratrol-enhanced wines in potential health-conscious drinkers’ preferences

Abstract: The initial hypothesis of the exploratory paper lies in the fact that there exists a demand for healthier wines due to the higher presence of natural compound which potentially bring benefits to the consumer’s health. To satisfy this hypothesis, the research questions that paper tried to answer are the following: Do there exist a demand for naturally resveratrol-enhanced wine? What variables do influence the preference of consumers toward a naturally resveratrol-enhanced wine? As a consequence, the purpose of this paper is to explore what variables naturally influence resveratrol-enhanced wine consumption.,A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews to a sample of 250 regular wine consumers which were randomly selected to achieve balanced socio-demographic characteristics. Subsequently, an econometric analysis was performed to estimate the effects that selected attributes, extrapolated from the literature, have on resveratrol-enriched wine consumption. With this aim, a logistic regression model was developed through the assessment of willingness to consume naturally resveratrol-enhanced wine.,The findings of this paper suggest that respondents consider wine as source of beneficial and healthy properties and they are willing to consume enriched-resveratrol wine. The study found a direct correlation between resveratrol and wine extrinsic attributes (organic label, brand) as well as any intrinsic attributes (tannins content). In addition, solely female consumers expressed to consider label information in their preference for resveratrol-enhanced wine. Among socio-demographic factors, only age and gender have an interaction effect on the consumption of these wines.,Since this study has some limitations due to the limited number of observations and to the specific regional geographical context, the findings should be generalized in theoretical terms with a certain caution. Before to extend the results to all Italian consumers, future research should test the robustness of the findings by assessing the effect of the attributes that the authors have examined in this study in other environmental contexts, e.g. in other wine regions.,The results have important implications for wine producers, since the adoption of production practices explicitly related to the higher natural content of resveratrol can lead to a value augmentation and enhance business income of companies. Moreover, there exists implication also for wine managers, given the knowledge of factors affecting consumers’ attitudes toward naturally resveratrol-enhanced wines can lead to an increase in wine demand that should allow to reach a focused differentiation strategy in specified market segments. This suggests the need to indicate on the label the content of resveratrol as a distinctive signal of the “additional health information” of a wine.,While a substantial body of research has analyzed the healthy attributes that affect purchasing process of wine, no other known study has examined the effects of attributes on consumers’ willingness to purchase naturally resveratrol-enhanced wine. The study is the first that explores the consumers’ willingness to buy wine naturally enriched with resveratrol. Previous works took into account only resveratrol-enriched wines. The authors believe that in the eye of consumers there are significant differences between a natural enhancement and a simply technological enrichment, since the concepts and the technological aspects behind the two processes are strongly different. To fill this gap, the authors explored for the first time what variables can influence the preference of a naturally resveratrol-enhanced wine.

The role of intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of honey for Italian millennial consumers

Abstract: This study aims to examine the importance that different intrinsic and extrinsic attributes represent for young Italian consumers of honey, analysing how these aspects influence the quality perceived during consumption. In addition, demographic and lifestyle aspects have been considered as possible discriminants influencing millennial generation honey consumers.,The authors performed a non-parametric rank-based test (Mann–Whitney U test) to analyse which attributes millennials value most, relating these to gender, sports activity or rural and urban origin. Then, to identify consumption patterns, principal component analysis, applying Kaiser normalisation and varimax rotation, was used.,This study confirms the remarkable sensitivity of the millennials towards environmental sustainability aspects. This attribute of choice seems particularly important for a clearly identifiable segment of the sample examined, represented by women who regularly practice sports and who come from urban areas. This result makes it possible to identify a type of consumer who, from early adulthood, is mindful of their lifestyle and ecological footprint. Moreover, it emerges that the most important attributes during purchasing are those related to label information, local product and origin, highlighting the awareness of young people and their maturity in the consumption of agro-food products.,The authors identified a trend in consumption that diverges from the classic patterns based on brand and the intrinsic characteristics of honey, but which forges new pathways more closely intertwined with the aspects of sustainability and the relationship with the territory, in addition to food safety.

Understanding the Role of Purchasing Predictors in the Consumer’s Preferences for PDO Labelled Honey

Abstract: In recent years, honey consumption has attracted an increasing interest among consumers, due to its beneficial properties for health and to the multiplicity of its use. Given the high importance th...

Credence and the effect on consumer liking of food

Abstract: While credence cues cannot be accurately evaluated by consumers, the expectations they generate have an effect on consumers' perceived quality and sensory experiences. This paper reviews relevant literature from the period 2003-2012 and summarises research concerning the effect of credence cues on consumers' hedonic liking of food. A conceptual model based on a framework of consumers' quality perception process is presented and applied. Seven main categories of credence characteristics can be identified in the literature: (a) health; (b) organic food; (c) origin; (d) brand; (e) production methods; (f) ethics; and (g) descriptive food names and ingredients. Theoretical and practical limitations and possible trajectories to future research are discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Consumer Perception and Understanding of European Union Quality Schemes: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract: Food, agriculture, and labeling, affecting the environment are well connected concepts, the balance between them being determined not only by pedological and climatic factors or the development level of agricultural techniques, but also by national governments and international organizations’ food processing, trade policies and regulations. In this context, the European Union (EU) encourages the use of different food quality schemes: “Protected Designation of Origin” (PDO), “Protected Geographical Indication” (PGI), and “Traditional Specialty Guaranteed” (TSG) to protect producers of special-quality foods and assist consumers in their purchasing decisions. This review examines existing studies on the impact of these labels on customers behavior. A total of 32 studies were found and systematized. The papers were selected if they featured unique empirical research on consumer perceptions of any of PDO, PGI and TSG labels. Using the search strategy, a literature analysis was performed based on papers extracted from Web of Science, Springer Link, Emerald Insights, and Science Direct. Although these papers highlight quite diversified findings, the internationally used labels play an increasing role in contemporary society and pandemic conditions caused by COVID-19, thus making the quality schemes relevant in consumer decision-making processes.

Testing consumer propensity towards novel optional quality terms: An explorative assessment of "mountain" labelled honey

Abstract: The present study provides some preliminary reflections of the honey market and explores Italian consumer attitude towards the “mountain” quality term. Moreover, it also takes the organic and PDO labels into consideration, in addition to the generic “local” label, evaluating the relationships that exist between mountain honey and other products. Data were obtained through questionnaires using a face-to-face method and the econometric study was carried out using correlation analysis as a first step and then the one-way ANOVA and t-test, based on the socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics; moreover, interactions among the characteristics mentioned above were evaluated using a two-way ANOVA with interaction. The results show that Italian consumers have a positive attitude towards “mountain” honey; however, their response changes according to the socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. An appreciable relationship was observed between mountain product and local product, suggesting that the mountain quality label could be a useful tool for the valorisation of honey.

Market-oriented Development of Plant-based Food and Beverage Products: A Usage Segmentation Approach

Abstract: This study examined plant-based product (PBP) consumption, related motivations and barriers, and PBP attributes of importance. An online survey collected responses (n = 456) from PBP consumers and ...

The role of intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of honey for Italian millennial consumers

Abstract: This study aims to examine the importance that different intrinsic and extrinsic attributes represent for young Italian consumers of honey, analysing how these aspects influence the quality perceived during consumption. In addition, demographic and lifestyle aspects have been considered as possible discriminants influencing millennial generation honey consumers.,The authors performed a non-parametric rank-based test (Mann–Whitney U test) to analyse which attributes millennials value most, relating these to gender, sports activity or rural and urban origin. Then, to identify consumption patterns, principal component analysis, applying Kaiser normalisation and varimax rotation, was used.,This study confirms the remarkable sensitivity of the millennials towards environmental sustainability aspects. This attribute of choice seems particularly important for a clearly identifiable segment of the sample examined, represented by women who regularly practice sports and who come from urban areas. This result makes it possible to identify a type of consumer who, from early adulthood, is mindful of their lifestyle and ecological footprint. Moreover, it emerges that the most important attributes during purchasing are those related to label information, local product and origin, highlighting the awareness of young people and their maturity in the consumption of agro-food products.,The authors identified a trend in consumption that diverges from the classic patterns based on brand and the intrinsic characteristics of honey, but which forges new pathways more closely intertwined with the aspects of sustainability and the relationship with the territory, in addition to food safety.