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Integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Norm Activation Model to Investigate Organic Food Purchase Intention: Evidence from Vietnam

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  • Manh Hung Le

    (Trade Union University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Phuong Mai Nguyen

    (International School, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Ample research has been conducted in the organic food market and researchers have investigated factors affecting the purchase behavior of consumers in many countries. However, the studies on organic food that integrate the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Norm Activation Model (NAM) in a transition country like Vietnam are limited. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate factors affecting the organic food purchase intention in the Vietnamese context. We combined the TPB and the NAM to propose an integrated research framework with attitude and personal norms as two mediators. Through a self-administered questionnaire survey, we collected 611 valid responses from the three biggest cities in Vietnam. Data were put into SPSS 22.0 and SmartPLS 3.0 for analysis. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was employed to test both direct and indirect relationships among factors of TPB and NAM in the research model. Our findings indicated that attitude plays the most critical role in explaining the organic food purchase intention of Vietnamese consumers, followed by social norms and personal norms. Notably, attitude also remarkably mediated the impact of environmental awareness and knowledge of organic food on purchase intention. Meanwhile, personal norms played the mediating role in the NAM that intervene the connection between social norms and purchase intention. Based on our analysis, we suggested policymakers, manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of organic food change their actions for the growth of the organic food market in Vietnam.

Suggested Citation

  • Manh Hung Le & Phuong Mai Nguyen, 2022. "Integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Norm Activation Model to Investigate Organic Food Purchase Intention: Evidence from Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:2:p:816-:d:722706
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thi Tuyet Mai Nguyen & Thanh Hung Phan & Hoang Linh Nguyen & Thi Kim Thoa Dang & Ngoc Diep Nguyen, 2019. "Antecedents of Purchase Intention toward Organic Food in an Asian Emerging Market: A Study of Urban Vietnamese Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Le Van Huy & Mai Thi Thao Chi & Antonio Lobo & Ninh Nguyen & Phan Hoang Long, 2019. "Effective Segmentation of Organic Food Consumers in Vietnam Using Food-Related Lifestyles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-16, February.
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