A MULTI-ATTRIBUTE MODEL OF PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

Using Fishbein's multiattribute model as a theoretical background, this paper develops an empirical model to assess and identify attributes of agrobiotechnology and individual characteristics determining public acceptance of biotech foods. This paper uses a database collected in the United States and United Kingdom in November, 2000.Consumer/Household Economics, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Role of Demographics and Health Attitude in Consumers' Nutrition Consideration in Food Selection

A nationwide on-line survey of 3,000 households was conducted. Households were randomly selected from the database of 400,000 households who make up Ipsos-NPD marketing research panel. The purpose of this study is to examine how a household meal planners perception of the importance of various dietary components in selecting food items is influenced by the persons or the households socio-demographic factors and health attitude. Annual household income affected fat, calcium, and cholesterol considerations significantly but did not make any impact on the consideration of salt when consumers selected food items. Hence, the result implies that as income level increases, household meal planners are more likely to be concerned about fat, calcium and cholesterol. Older household meal planners were more likely to consider salt, calcium and cholesterols than their younger counterparts. Health attitude of the household meal planners significantly influenced their nutritional concerns. Thos meal planners who read nutritional labels on food products and changed diet to reduce the risk of disease were concerned about all four types of nutritional factors included in the study.Nutrition consideration, health attitude, socio-demographical factors, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Health Economics and Policy,

AN EVALUATION OF CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD: WILLINGNESS-TO-PAY (WTP) VS. WILLINGNESS-TO-ACCEPT (WTA).

Using Heckman's sample selection model, consumer willingness-to-pay (accept) premium (discount) for non-GM (GM) cereals was analyzed. Results showed that consumers who were indifferent to the risk of consuming GM foods behaved differently compared to those who were willing-to-pay (accept) premium (discount) for non-GM (GM) cereals.Consumer/Household Economics,

Soyfood Consumption Patterns: Effects of Product Attributes and Household Characteristics

Effects of perceived attributes of soyfoods on the consumption patterns for six different soyfood products are evaluated. Perceived attributes include convenience, health benefits, and taste. The soyfood products are tofu, vegetable burgers, soy milk, soy supplements, meat substitutes, and soy cheese. This study uses a conceptual model that highlights the role of perceived attributes in a demand model by combining Lancaster’s characteristics model with Fishbein’s multi-attribute model. A binary-choice model and a zero-inflated negative binomial model (ZINB) are used as empirical specifications to address the zero consumption of soyfood products. Results show that perceived health attributes of soyfood have differential effects across the six soyfood products. Convenience of preparation and consumption as well as taste have strong effects across soyfood products. The study identifies several socio-economic characteristics of consumers that have a significant influence on soyfood consumption patterns. Implications for the food industry are discussed in relation to the differential effects of health attributes and socio-demographic variables.Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Estimating the Effect of FDA Allowed Health Claims on the Consumption of Soy-based Foods

The study evaluated the influence of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s regulatory action regarding the health benefits of soy-based foods on soy consumption. The results indicated that frequent users of soyfood products who were exposed to the FDA's decision would be more inclined to increase their consumption of soy-based foods as compared to those who were not exposed to such information. Yet the information about FDA's decision did not influence the behavioral intentions of infrequent-or non-consumers. In addition, effects of perceived attributes of soyfoods on the consumption pattern for soy-based food products were evaluated. Perceived attributes included convenience, health benefits, and taste. This study used conceptual model that highlights the role of perceived attributes in a demand model by combining Lancaster's characteristics model with Fishbein's multi-attribute model. Zero-inflated negative binomial model (ZINB) was used as an empirical specification to address the zero consumption of soyfood products. Results show convenience of preparation and consumption, and tastefulness had strong impacts on the consumption of soy-based food products.Health Economics and Policy,

Perceived Health Benefits and Soy Consumption Behavior: Two-Stage Decision Model Approach

A two-stage decision model is developed to assess the effect of perceived soy health benefits on consumers' decisions with respect to soy food. The first stage captures whether or not to consume soy food, while the second stage reflects how often to consume. A conceptual/analytical framework is also employed, combining Lancaster's characteristics model and Fishbein's multi-attribute model. Results show that perceived soy health benefits significantly influence both decision stages. Further, consumers' negative perceptions regarding soy (unappetizing taste and inconvenience) have a substantially greater impact on soy consumption behavior than their perceptions about soy health benefits. This finding carries significant implications for the soy industry. Additionally, this health benefit perception mediates the effect of general health-related factors such as knowledge, motivation, and awareness on soy consumption behavior. Our results also underscore the importance of current FDA-regulated health claims in stimulating consumer demand for soy foods.health benefits from soy food, Lancaster's characteristics model, multiattribute model, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

UK Consumers' Willingness-to-Accept (WTA) GM Food

Our study uses contingent valuation survey data (WTA and WTP) collected in the UK to examine consumers' behavioral intention with regard to GM food. In particular, we characterize respondents who selected "Don't Know" and "Protest" options in WTP questions in terms of what they would do when offered discount for GM food.Contingent valuation, WTA, WTP, genetically modified food, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Method of measuring cross-flow vortices by use of an array of hot-film sensors

The invention is a method for measuring the wavelength of cross-flow vortices of air flow having streamlines of flow traveling across a swept airfoil. The method comprises providing a plurality of hot-film sensors. Each hot-film sensor provides a signal which can be processed, and each hot-film sensor is spaced in a straight-line array such that the distance between successive hot-film sensors is less than the wavelength of the cross-flow vortices being measured. The method further comprises determining the direction of travel of the streamlines across the airfoil and positioning the straight-line array of hot film sensors perpendicular to the direction of travel of the streamlines, such that each sensor has a spanwise location. The method further comprises processing the signals provided by the sensors to provide root-mean-square values for each signal, plotting each root-mean-square value as a function of its spanwise location, and determining the wavelength of the cross-flow vortices by noting the distance between two maxima or two minima of root-mean-square values

Health Concerns and Consumer Preferences for Soy Foods: Choice Modeling Approach

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,