Consumer decision-making for animal-friendly products: synthesis and implications
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2011 |
Authors: |
P. T. M. Ingenbleek, V. M. Immink |
Publication/Journal: |
Animal Welfare |
Keywords: |
animal welfare, animal-friendly brands, animal-friendly products, consumer concerns, consumer decision-making, marketing schemes |
Abstract:
Understanding how consumers’ concerns affect the consumer decision-making process is important for developing a market for animal-friendly products. This paper presents a synthesis of research on the role of animal welfare in consumer decision-making. Drawing on basic models and concepts from consumer behaviour literature, we present the findings along the lines of five phases of the consumer decision-making process: (i) need recognition; (ii) information search; (iii) information evaluation; (iv) purchase decision; and (v) post-purchase evaluation. Consumer decision-making about animal-based food products is routine, situational and sometimes irrational, instead of based on complete information. Consumers associate animal welfare with a higher quality perception and labels and high prices further increase the perception of quality. The findings have implications for stakeholders that aim to develop a market for animal-friendly products, like (coalitions of) governments, animal interest groups, retailers and brand manufacturers.