Consumer attitudes toward information displayed at food buffets in commercial restaurants

This study aimed to evaluate the attitude of consumers towards information about dishes in a commercial restaurant. This research was conducted from January to April 2009 in a restaurant in the city of Santa Maria (RS), Brazil. Food information including the name of the dish, ingredients, health benefits and warnings, and calorie value was displayed. After providing this nutritional information, a questionnaire was applied to 300 consumers at the restaurant to observe their attitudes towards the food information. It was found that 10.57% of the respondents reported allergy or intolerance to some kinds of food and that 10.98% of the respondents reported having diseases that require moderate consumption and/or total restriction on the consumption of those foods. However, 84.96% of the respondents did not restrict consumption of any food, even though those foods may have posed a risk to their health, and 58.54% of the respondents consumed some food due to the potential benefits to their health. With regard to the respondents' level of satisfaction concerning the food information provided, 72.76% considered the information provided as very good. The respondents had a tendency to change their behavior towards consumption after having access to information about the dishes displayed.

Effects of micronized sodium chloride on the sensory profile and consumer acceptance of turkey ham with reduced sodium content

The impact of sodium chloride reduction and its substitution for micronized salt on consumer acceptance of turkey ham was investigated. Five formulations - F1 (control - 2.0% NaCl), F2 (1.7% NaCl), F3 (1.4% NaCl), F4 (1.7% micronized NaCl), and F5 (1.4% micronized NaCl) - were evaluated with respect to sodium chloride content and by consumers using a nine-point hedonic scale for overall acceptability and CATA (check-all-that-apply) using 24 sensory descriptors. Trained panelists characterized the products using the flash profiling technique. Reductions in the salt content by up to 30% did not affect the overall acceptability of the samples by the consumers. However, the consumers characterized the formulations with lower salt content as "less salty and less seasoned" in comparison to the contents in the control. Products containing 1.7% NaCl were considered very similar to the control. The results obtained indicate that it is possible to reduce NaCl content by 30% without affecting consumer acceptance of the product. The use of micronized salt did not affect the sensory characteristics when compared with those of formulations containing the same level of sodium chloride indicating that micronized salt does not influence perception of salt.

Finnish perceptions on management accounting systems: towards an upgraded sophistication model

This study is based on a large survey study of over 1500 Finnish companies’ usage, needs and implementation difficulties of management accounting systems. The study uses quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods to answer the research questions. The empirical data used in the study was gathered through structured interviews with randomly selected companies of varying sizes and industries. The study answers the three research questions by analyzing the characteristics and behaviors of companies working in Finland. The study found five distinctive groups of companies according to the characteristics of their cost information and management accounting system use. The study also showed that the state of cost information and management accounting systems depends on the industry and size of the companies. It was found that over 50% of the companies either did not know how their systems could be updated or saw systems as inadequate. The qualitative side also highlighted the needs for tailored and integrated management accounting systems for creating more value to the managers of companies. The major inhibitors of new system implementation were the lack of both monetary and human resources. Through the use of mixed methods and design science a new and improved sophistication model is created based on previous research results combined with the information gathered from previous literature. The sophistication model shows the different stages of management accounting systems in use and what companies can achieve with the implementation and upgrading of their systems.

Digital Exhaustion in relation to Video Games – The Consumer Perspective

This thesis regards exhaustion of copyright’s distribution right in intangible transfers of video games. It analyses whether, under the current law of the European Union, the phenomenon of digital exhaustion, especially in relation to games exists. The thesis analyses the consumers’ position in the market for copyright protected goods. It uses video games market as an example of the wider phenomenon of the effect of latest technological developments on consumers. The research conducted for the thesis is mostly legal dogmatic, although also comparative analysis, law and economics and law and technology methods are utilised. The thesis evaluates the effects of the most recent case law of the European Court of Justice to analyse the current state of digital exhaustion. In the analysis of effects that the existence of digital exhaustion has, the thesis uses the consumers’ point of view. The thesis introduces the current state of technology in the field of video games from a legal perspective. Furthermore the thesis analyses the effects on consumers of a scenario that no digital exhaustion exists in the future. Such scenario under the recent European case law at the moment seems realistic. The conclusion of my research is most importantly that the consumer position in the market for digital goods has deteriorated and that the probable exclusion of the exhaustion for digital goods is another piece of evidence of this development. Most importantly however, the state of affairs where no certainty prevails on whether digital exhaustion exists, creates injustice from the consumers’ point of view. Accordingly, acts by EU legislators of the Court of Justice of the European Union are required to clarify the issue.

Cajá-flavored drinks: a proposal for mixed flavor beverages and a study of the consumer profile

Mixed flavor beverages represent a trend that is gaining the allegiance of potential fruit juice consumers. The present study proposed to prepare mixed flavor beverages and verify their consumer acceptance. Cajá beverage (sample A) was used as the standard. The other beverages were prepared by mixing the cajá-flavored product with other flavors: strawberry (B), pineapple (C), jabuticaba (D), mango (E) and cashew (F). The consumer profiles in the two regions studied were similar. Overall beverages B, A and F were the most accepted, with scores of 7.7, 6.4 and 6.2, respectively. Internal Preference Mapping showed that most of the consumers were located near beverages A, B and F, confirming the acceptance results. The consumers indicated appearance and flavor as the most appreciated characteristics in beverages A, B and F. Beverages A, B and F presented higher total soluble solids contents and viscosities than the other beverages. Consumer segmentation did not depend on the different levels of familiarity with the cajá flavor. Thus the preparation of mixed flavor beverages of cajá-strawberry and cajá-cashew is an excellent proposal because it presents flavors with good potential for marketing in different regions of Brazil.

Effect of Amaranth addition on the nutritional composition and consumer acceptability of extruded provitamin A-biofortified maize snacks

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding Amaranth leaf powder on the nutrient content and consumer acceptability of extruded provitamin A-biofortified (PVA) maize snacks. Flours of four varieties of PVA maize were composited with Amaranth leaf powder at 0, 1 and 3% (w/w) substitution of, respectively, and extruded into snacks. The ash content of the snacks increased from 0.53 g/100 g-0.58 g/100 g to 0.650 g/100g-89 g/100 g and protein content increased from 9.12 g/100 g-10.94 g/100 g when Amaranth was increased from 0% to 3%. Similarly, lysine content increased from 0.10 g/100 g to 0.17 g/100 g, whilst methionine increased from 0.14 g/100 g to 0.19 g/100 g. The provitamin A content of the snacks ranged from 1.29 µg/g to 1.40 µg/g at 0% Amaranth and 1.54 µg/g to 1.78 µg/g at 3% Amaranth. The acceptability of the snacks decreased with increasing Amaranth concentration, only a very small proportion (2-8%) of the panel liked the snacks extremely. PVA maize with added Amaranth leaf powder has a potential for use in nutritious and healthy extruded snacks, but the consumer acceptability of the snacks should be improved.

Maize flour parameters that are related to the consumer perceived quality of ‘broa’ specialty bread

Abstract A wide range of quality parameters have been used to describe maize flours for food use, but there is no general agreement about the most suitable parameters for breadmaking. The objective of this study was to identify the maize flour parameters related to the consumer perceived quality of Portuguese broa bread (more than 50% maize flour). The influence of eleven maize landraces was assessed and compared with commercial flour using baking tests. The broa were evaluated by instrumental (colour, firmness) and sensory hedonic analysis with a consumer panel of 52 assessors. The broa sensory analysis revealed similar assessments among landraces and the lowest scores for commercial flour. The flour particle size distribution is the major influence, with commercial flour showing the highest mean diameter and a large particle distribution range. Broa consumer panel linkage associations and specific sensory descriptors have been identified; age as an influence on colour, cohesiveness, and source region as an influence on appearance and texture.

Perceptions of corporate social responsibility: A case study of the perceived contents and outcomes

CSR has been subject of broad debate and research over the decades and has gained attention recently. The purpose of this thesis is to find out how companies perceive CSR. In addition this thesis is researching what is CSR in Finnish companies, how do companies measure CSR, what are the effects of CSR and how companies perceive those effects and what actors and factors support CSR. This research is a case study where altogether nine informants from seven companies were interviewed. This research is qualitative case study implemented with theme interviews. The analysis method is content analysis. Several interesting issues emerged from the empirical findings. CSR is playing pivotal role in companies values, vision and mission. CSR was perceived differently in companies but also mutual points emerged. The role of stakeholders is essential in CSR. In addition the communication with stakeholders was seen very important. Companies perceived that they can gain many benefits when acting responsibly for instance in issues related to cost reduction, reputation and personnel. However measuring these effects from CSR point of view was seen challenging. Other CSR related challenges are for example change and lack of resources. When considering empirical findings from a theoretical point of view, three interesting issues emerged. CSR reports play an important role in measuring and developing of CSR. However, this is not the case with all companies and some of them argued that reporting has too much attention nowadays when talking about CSR. The benefits of CSR are mostly related to responsive CSR. However maybe in a long-term follow-up strategic CSR related competitive advantage benefits could be more easily noticed. Many different issues supported CSR. Some issues are driven by outside of companies like NGO`s and media and some inside like the motivation of personnel and management. Vastuullista liiketoimintaa on tutkittu vuosien saatossa laajalti ja se on saanut viime vuosina erityisen paljon huomiota. Tämän pro gradu –tutkielman tavoitteena on selvittää, miten yritykset kokevat vastuullisen liiketoiminnan. Tämän lisäksi tutkimuksessa selvitetään, mitä vastuullinen liiketoiminta suomalaisissa yrityksissä tarkoittaa, miten yritykset mittaavat omaa vastuullisuuttaan, mitkä ovat vastuullisuuden vaikutukset, miten yritykset kokevat vastuullisuuden vaikutukset ja mitkä tekijät tukevat vastuullisen liiketoiminnan syntyä. Tutkimus toteutettiin haastattelemalla yhdeksää suomalaisen yrityksen yritysvastuusta vastaavaa tai sen kanssa työskentelevää henkilöä seitsemästä eri organisaatiosta loppuvuodesta 2014 ja alkuvuodesta 2015. Tutkimus on laadullinen, teemahaastatteluilla toteutettu haastattelututkimus. Aineisto on analysoitu teemoittain. Tutkimusaineiston perusteella vaikuttaa siltä, että vastuullinen liiketoiminta on tärkeässä roolissa yritysten arvoissa, visiossa ja missiossa. Yritysvastuu koettiin yrityksissä erilailla, mutta myös yhtäläisyyksiä on nähtävissä. Sidosryhmien rooli on erittäin tärkeä yritysvastuusta puhuttaessa ja myös kommunikointi sidosryhmien kanssa nousi tärkeäksi aiheeksi. Yritykset kokivat saavuttavansa monia hyötyjä vastuullisesta toiminnasta kuten kustannussäästöihin, maineeseen ja työntekijöihin liittyvissä asioissa. Näiden hyötyjen mittaaminen yritysvastuun näkökulmasta koettiin kuitenkin haasteelliseksi. Muita vastuullisuuteen liittyviä haasteita olivat esimerkiksi siihen liittyvä muutos sekä niukat resurssit. Tutkimuksen johtopäätöksistä nousi esille kolme merkittävää seikkaa. Vastuullisuusraportoinnin koettiin olevan hyödyllinen yritysvastuun mittaamisessa ja kehittämisessä. Kaikki yritykset eivät kuitenkaan olleet tätä mieltä ja osa koki raportoinnin saavan liian paljon huomiota nykypäivänä. Yritysten kokemat hyödyt vastuullisuuteen liittyen syntyivät pääosin reaktiivisesta vastuullisuudesta. Tässä kohdin on kuitenkin huomionarvoista mainita, että strategisen vastuullisuuden hyödyt olisivat saattaneet nousta paremmin esille pidemmän aikavälin tutkimuksessa. Yritysvastuun syntyä tukevia tekijöitä löytyi monia. Osa tekijöistä oli yrityksen ulkopuolisia kuten kansalaisjärjestöt ja media ja jotkut taas kumpusivat yrityksen sisältä esimerkiksi työntekijöiden ja johdon motivaatio.

Impact of Word-of-Mouth on consumer decision-making: An information processing perspective in the context of a high-involvement service

This doctoral study conducts an empirical analysis of the impact of Word-of-Mouth (WOM) on marketing-relevant outcomes such as attitudes and consumer choice, during a high-involvement and complex service decision. Due to its importance to decisionmaking, WOM has attracted interest from academia and practitioners for decades. Consumers are known to discuss products and services with one another. These discussions help consumers to form an evaluative opinion, as WOM reduces perceived risk, simplifies complexity, and increases the confidence of consumers in decisionmaking. These discussions are also highly impactful as WOM is a trustworthy source of information, since it is independent from the company or brand. In responding to the calls for more research on what happens after WOM information is received, and how it affects marketing-relevant outcomes, this dissertation extends prior WOM literature by investigating how consumers process information in a highinvolvement service domain, in particular higher-education. Further, the dissertation studies how the form of WOM influences consumer choice. The research contributes to WOM and services marketing literature by developing and empirically testing a framework for information processing and studying the long-term effects of WOM. The results of the dissertation are presented in five research publications. The publications are based on longitudinal data. The research leads to the development of a proposed theoretical framework for the processing of WOM, based on theories from social psychology. The framework is specifically focused on service decisions, as it takes into account evaluation difficulty through the complex nature of choice criteria associated with service purchase decisions. Further, other gaps in current WOM literature are taken into account by, for example, examining how the source of WOM and service values affects the processing mechanism. The research also provides implications for managers aiming to trigger favorable WOM through marketing efforts, such as advertising and testimonials. The results provide suggestions on how to design these marketing efforts by taking into account the mechanism through which information is processed, or the form of social influence.

Business models for Finnish biobanks

This study concentrates on developing a suitable business model for Finnish biobanks, with particular emphasis on value creation to stakeholders. The sub-objective of this thesis are to map the commercial possibilities of biobanks and potential barriers for business development. The study approaches the subject from the biobanks’ as well as the stakeholders’ point of view, integrating their hopes and needs considering current and future co-operation into the findings. In 2013 the Biobank Act came into effect, after which six biobanks have been established and several other pending biobank projects are in process. There is relatively little research in regard to the commercial opportunities of this newcomer of the biomedical industry, and particularly in the Finnish markets. Therefore, the aim of this study is to partially fill the research gap of the commercial potential of biobanks and particularly outline the problematic elements in developing business. The theoretical framework consists of a few select theories, which depict business modeling and value creation of organizations. The theories are combined to form a synthesis, which best adapts to biobanks, and acts as a backbone for interviews. The empirical part of the study was conducted mainly by seven face-to-face interviews, and complemented by two phone interviews and an e-mail questionnaire with four responses. The findings consist mainly of the participants’ reflections on the potential products and services enabled by consumer genomics, as well as perceptions on different obstacles for biobanks’ business development. The nature of the study is tentative, as biobanks are relatively new organizations in Finland, and their operation models and activities are still molding. The aim is to bring to surface the hopes and concerns of biobanks’ representatives, as well as the representatives of stakeholders, in order to transparently discuss the current situation and suggestions for further development. The study concludes that in principle, the interviewees’ agree on the need for development in order not to waste the potential of biobanks; regardless, the participants emphasize different aspects and subsequently lean on differing methods.

Logistics Cost Optimization of Road Freight Shipments in a Consumer Goods Company

In the industry of the case company, transportation and warehousing costs account for more than 10% of the total cost which is more than on average. A Finnish company has an understanding that by sending larger shipments in parcels, they could save tens of thousands of euros annually in freight costs in Finland’s domestic shipments. To achieve these savings and optimize total logistics cost, company’s interest is to find out which is the cost efficient way of shipping road shipments of certain volumes; in parcel boxes or on pallets, and what should be the split volume determining the shipment type. Distribution center (DC) costs affect this decision and therefore they need to be also evaluated to determine the total logistics cost savings. Main results were achieved by executing activity-based costing-calculations including DC and road freight costs to determine the ideal split volume with which the total logistics cost is optimal. Calculations were done for Finland’s DC, separately for two main road freight destinations, Finland and Sweden, which cover 50% of road shipment spend. Data for calculations was collected both manually and automatically from various internal and external sources, such as the company ERP system and logistics service providers’ (LSP) reporting. DC processes were studied in practice and compared to model processes. Currently used freight rates were compared to existing pricing models and freight service tendering process was evaluated by participating in the process and comparing it to the models based on literature. The results show that the potential savings are not as significant as the company hoped for, mainly because of packing work increasing DC labor cost. Annual savings by setting ideal split volume per country would account for 0,4 % of the warehousing and transportation costs of shipments in scope of this thesis. Split volume should be set separately for each route, mainly because the pricing model for road freight is different in each country. For some routes bigger parcels should be sent but for some routes pallets should be used more. Next step is to do these calculations for remaining routes to determine total savings potential. Other findings show that the processes in the DC are designed well and the company could achieve savings by executing tenders more efficiently. Company should also pay more attention to parcel pricing and packing the shipments accordingly.