Consumer Behaviour Attributes and Consumer Acceptance of Pasta from Blended Finger Millet Flour in Restaurants in Nairobi, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2445Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of consumer behavior on the acceptability of pasta made from blended finger millet flour, guided by Consumer Perception Theory. Consumer acceptance was evaluated among 356 respondents drawn from a target population of 15,840 customers, purposively sampled across 8 restaurants in Nairobi. Data on consumer acceptance was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression. The analysis revealed that consumer behaviour attributes of finger millet flour pasta (FMFP) significantly explained 79.9% of the variation in pasta acceptability. Results showed that contextual and intrinsic attributes had a significant impact on consumer acceptability, while psychological attributes had insignificant effect consumer acceptability. Thus, the study concludes that consumer behavior, particularly contextual and intrinsic behaviour attributes, plays a crucial role in shaping the acceptability of finger millet pasta. These findings emphasize the importance of aligning product development and marketing strategies with the identified consumer behavior attributes to enhance acceptance. Furthermore, the study holds important policy implications, suggesting that educational programs should be supported to raise awareness of the nutritional benefits of millet, positioning it as a key component in food security and sustainable agriculture efforts. Collaborations with health professionals to conduct awareness workshops could further promote millet’s role in a balanced diet.
Keywords: Consumer Behavior, Acceptability, Pasta, Finger Millet Flour, Contextual, Intrinsic, Psychological Attributes
References
Ali, T., Alam, A., & Ali, J. (2021). Factors affecting consumers’ purchase behaviour for health and wellness food products in an emerging market. Global Business Review, 22, 151-168.
Alkhadim, G. S. (2022). Cronbach’s alpha and semantic overlap between items: A proposed correction and tests of significance. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 171.
Baker, M. T., Lu, P., Parrella, J. A., & Leggette, H. R. (2022). Consumer acceptance toward functional foods: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 1217.
Balasubramanian, S., & Viswanathan, R. (2010). Influence of moisture content on physical properties of minor millets. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 47, 279-284.
Bangsa, A. B., & Schlegelmilch, B. B. (2020). Linking sustainable product attributes and consumer decision-making: Insights from a systematic review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 245, 118902.
Bhatt, S., Ye, H., Deutsch, J., Ayaz, H., & Suri, R. (2020). Consumers’ willingness to pay for upcycled foods. Food Quality and Preference, 86, 104035.
Brečić, R., Mesić, Ž., & Cerjak, M. (2017). Importance of intrinsic and extrinsic quality food characteristics by different consumer segments. British Food Journal, 119(4), 845-862.
Chakraborty, D., & Dash, G. (2023). Using the consumption values to investigate consumer purchase intentions towards natural food products. British Food Journal, 125, 551-569.
Chakraborty, D., Siddiqui, A., Siddiqui, M., & Alatawi, F. M. H. (2022). Exploring consumer purchase intentions and behavior of buying Ayurveda products using SOBC framework. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 65, 102889.
Coderoni, S., & Perito, M. A. (2021). Approaches for reducing wastes in the agricultural sector. An analysis of Millennials’ willingness to buy food with upcycled ingredients. Waste Management, 126, 283-290.
Deliza, R., & Ares, G. (2018). Consumer perception of novel technologies. In Fruit Preservation: Novel and Conventional Technologies (pp. 1-20).
Dhaliwal, A., Singh, D. P., & Paul, J. (2020). The consumer behavior of luxury goods: A review and research agenda. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 1-27.
Feldmann, C., & Hamm, U. (2015). Consumers’ perceptions and preferences for local food: A review. Food Quality and Preference, 40, 152-164.
Grimmer, K., Kay, D., Foot, J., & Pastakia, K. (2015). Consumer views about aging-in-place. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1803-1811.
Harris, H. A., Staton, S., Morawska, A., Gallegos, D., Oakes, C., & Thorpe, K. (2019). A comparison of maternal feeding responses to child fussy eating in low-income food secure and food insecure households. Appetite, 137, 259-266.
Hoffmann, N. C., Symmank, C., Mai, R., Stok, F. M., Rohm, H., & Hoffmann, S. (2020). The influence of extrinsic product attributes on consumers’ food decisions: review and network analysis of the marketing literature. Journal of Marketing Management, 36(9-10), 888-915.
Jaeger, S. R., Prescott, J., & Worch, T. (2022). Food neophobia modulates importance of food choice motives: Replication, extension, and behavioural validation. Food Quality and Preference, 97, 104439.
Just, D. R., & Goddard, J. M. (2023). Behavioral framing and consumer acceptance of new food technologies: Factors influencing consumer demand for active packaging. Agribusiness, 39, 3-27.
Khayeka-Wandabwa, C., Choge, J. K., Linnemann, A. R., & Schoustra, S. (2024). Linking fermented foods to microbial composition and valorisation: Blueprint for Kenya. Food Reviews International, 1-21.
Kusumowardani, N., Tjahjono, B., Lazell, J., Bek, D., Theodorakopoulos, N., Andrikopoulos, P., & Priadi, C. R. (2022). A circular capability framework to address food waste and losses in the agri-food supply chain: The antecedents, principles and outcomes of circular economy. Journal of Business Research, 142, 17-31.
Le‐Anh, T., & Nguyen‐To, T. (2020). Consumer purchasing behaviour of organic food in an emerging market. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 44, 563-573.
Lu, P., Parrella, J. A., Xu, Z., & Kogut, A. (2024). A scoping review of the literature examining consumer acceptance of upcycled foods. Food Quality and Preference, 105098.
Mazurek, A., Palka, A., Kowalski, S., & Skotnicka, M. (2024). Acceptance of muffins (sweet and savory) with the addition of T. molitor, A. diaperinus, A. domesticus, R. differens, considering psychological factors (Food Neophobia Scale, Consumer Attitude). Foods, 13, 1735.
Oladunjoye, A. O., Eziama, S. C., & Aderibigbe, O. R. (2021). Proximate composition, physical, sensory and microbial properties of wheat-hog plum bagasse composite cookies. LWT, 141, 111038.
Piqueras-Fiszman, B., & Spence, C. (2014). Colour, pleasantness, and consumption behaviour within a meal. Appetite, 75, 165-172.
Raimondo, M., Spina, D., Hamam, M., D'Amico, M., & Caracciolo, F. (2024). Intrinsic motivation strongly affects the readiness toward circular food consumption: Evidence from the motivation–opportunity–ability model. British Food Journal, 126, 715-737.
Ratchford, B. T., & Andreasen, A. A. (1974). A study of consumer perceptions of decisions. Advances in Consumer Research, 1, 1-12.
Raudenbush, B., & Capiola, A. (2012). The effects of food neophobia and food neophilia on diet and metabolic processing. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 3(10), 1397.
Reddy, R., & Patel, D. (2023). A study on consumers’ awareness and preference towards millets and its products in Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 41, 9-16.
Rondoni, A., Asioli, D., & Millan, E. (2020). Consumer behaviour, perceptions, and preferences towards eggs: A review of the literature and discussion of industry implications. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 106, 391-401.
Rossi, C., & Rivetti, F. (2023). Young consumers’ purchase behaviour of sustainably-labelled food products: What is the role of scepticism? Food Quality and Preference, 105, 104772.
Sadiq, B. D., Nkama, I., & Esther, O. C. (2022). Effect of processing on the antinutrient content of extruded snacks from cocoyam–Bambara groundnut flour blends. Asian Food Science Journal, 21, 19-27.
Sangamithra, A., Gabriela, J. S., Prema, R. S., Nandini, K., Kannan, K., Sasikala, S., & Suganya, P. (2016). Moisture dependent physical properties of maize kernels. International Food Research Journal, 23, 109.
Shah, P., Mehta, N., & Shah, S. (2024). Exploring the factors that drive millet consumption: Insights from regular and occasional consumers. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 76, 103598.
Steg, L., & Vlek, C. (2009). Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: An integrative review and research agenda. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(3), 309-317.
Stern, P. C. (2000). New environmental theories: Toward a coherent theory of environmentally significant behavior. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 407-424.
Tejada, J. J., & Punzalan, J. R. B. (2012). On the misuse of Slovin’s formula. The Philippine Statistician, 61, 129-136.
Torrico, D. D., Fuentes, S., Gonzalez Viejo, C., Ashman, H., Ashman, H., & Dunshea, F. R. (2021). Cross-cultural effects of food product extrinsic cues on consumer acceptance: A review. Foods, 10(11), 2590.
Tuorila, H. and Recchia, A. (2014). Sensory perception and other factors affecting consumer choice of olive oil. Olive oil sensory science: 55-80.
Valero‐Cases, E., Frutos, M. J., & Pérez‐Llamas, F. (2023). Development of synbiotic vegan beverages: probiotic viability, sensory profile,
consumers' acceptance and functional stability. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 58(5), 2325-2335.
Vining, J., Linn, N., & Burdge, R. J. (1992). Why recycle? A comparison of recycling motivations in four communities. Environmental management, 16, 785-797.
Wee, C.S., Ariff, M.S.B.M., Zakuan, N., Tajudin, M.N.M., Ismail, K. and Ishak, N. (2014). Consumers perception, purchase intention and actual purchase behavior of organic food products. Review of integrative business and economics research. 3: 378.