Analyzing organic food purchase intentions: eco-literacy and innovation resistance

• Published in: British food journal (1966) Vol. 126; no. 4; pp. 1633 - 1653
• Main Authors: Bhutto, Muhammad Yaseen, Rūtelionė, Aušra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 15-03-2024; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Consumer behavior; Consumer groups; Consumers; Data collection; Decision making; Demographics; Expenditures; Food; Hypotheses; Image contrast; Influence; Innovations; Literacy; Mathematical models; Natural & organic foods; Per capita; Purchase intention; Statistical models; Sustainable consumption; Sustainable use; Traditions; Austria; Sweden; Lithuania; United States > US; Europe; Baltic economy; Eco-literacy; Organic food; Purchase intention; Consumer resistance
• ISSN: 0007-070X; 1758-4108
• DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-08-2023-0756

Purpose This research examines consumer reluctance to purchase organic food using the theory of innovation resistance and also extends the theory by investigating the moderating influence of eco-literacy. In addition, the authors used a multigroup analysis to identify differences between consumer segments.Design/methodology/approach Data collection used computer-assisted web interviewing and a prior screening process to confirm engagement. Through stratified quota sampling, 1,000 useable responses were obtained from 2,887 recipients.Findings The findings reveal barriers are significant inhibitors to adopting organic food. Among these barriers, usage, risk tradition and image barriers have a significant adverse influence on purchase intention. In contrast, the value barrier has a nonsignificant influence on the purchase intention of organic food. However, the study found that eco-literacy significantly reduces the negative influence of risk and tradition barriers on consumers' intentions. In addition, a multigroup analysis examines notable differences between consumer groups based on education, age and income.Social implications This research has significant social implications for boosting sustainable consumption in Lithuania. It identifies key barriers to organic food adoption, emphasizing the need for strategic interventions. The study highlights eco-literacy as an essential tool in diminishing resistance to organic food, advocating for targeted educational initiatives. Additionally, it reveals the importance of tailored marketing strategies based on different consumer demographics. Overall, this study provides important insights to promote environmentally conscious consumer behavior and overcome resistance to innovation in the organic food sector.Originality/value This study expressively advances the understanding of intentional behavior by exploring organic food within Lithuania's Baltic economy. It authenticates the innovation resistance theory's applicability to organic food behavior in the region while emphasizing the moderating impact of eco-literacy in the link between barriers and purchase intention concerning organic food. Furthermore, using advanced methods such as partial least squares statistical modeling and multi-group analysis, the research reveals how barriers affect the purchase intention of organic food among different groups of consumers.