IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i17p13213-d1232060.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessment of Impacts and Resilience of Online Food Services in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Author

Listed:
  • Priyanka Mitra

    (Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa 252-0882, Japan)

  • Yanwu Zhang

    (Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa 252-0882, Japan)

  • Bijon Kumer Mitra

    (Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), 2108-11 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama 240-0115, Japan)

  • Rajib Shaw

    (Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa 252-0882, Japan)

Abstract

The expansion of the online food services (collectively referred to as ‘OFS’) sector has been accelerating at high rates worldwide over the last few years. This sector is widely acknowledged, especially by urban consumers, for making life more convenient. During the strict lockdown following the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OFS sector saw major growth, as many restaurants and grocery stores turned to the delivery format. Conversely, the sector has also been facing many challenges, which have lasting social, economic, and environmental impacts. Considering this situation, this study carried out a review of existing literature on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of OFS and explored the resilience gaps of this fast-growing food service business. To achieve this, relevant literature was collected through Elsevier’s SCOPUS database and other sources. The authors have documented specific social, environmental, and economic impacts of OFS on consumers and providers. Furthermore, various changes in this sector following the pandemic have also been underlined in this study. A combination of policy actions at the national, local, private sector, and individual levels is crucial to mitigate the adverse impact of OFS; hence, greater resilience will be ensured.

Suggested Citation

  • Priyanka Mitra & Yanwu Zhang & Bijon Kumer Mitra & Rajib Shaw, 2023. "Assessment of Impacts and Resilience of Online Food Services in the Post-COVID-19 Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13213-:d:1232060
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13213/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13213/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shankar, Amit & Dhir, Amandeep & Talwar, Shalini & Islam, Nazrul & Sharma, Piyush, 2022. "Balancing food waste and sustainability goals in online food delivery: Towards a comprehensive conceptual framework," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    2. Alison Gustafson & Rachel Gillespie & Emily DeWitt & Brittany Cox & Brynnan Dunaway & Lindsey Haynes-Maslow & Elizabeth Anderson Steeves & Angela C. B. Trude, 2022. "Online Pilot Grocery Intervention among Rural and Urban Residents Aimed to Improve Purchasing Habits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Matthew Keeble & Jean Adams & Gary Sacks & Lana Vanderlee & Christine M. White & David Hammond & Thomas Burgoine, 2020. "Use of Online Food Delivery Services to Order Food Prepared Away-From-Home and Associated Sociodemographic Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional, Multi-Country Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Charlene Li & Miranda Mirosa & Phil Bremer, 2020. "Review of Online Food Delivery Platforms and their Impacts on Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Ilyuk, Veronika, 2018. "Like throwing a piece of me away: How online and in-store grocery purchase channels affect consumers’ food waste," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 20-30.
    6. Yajia Liang & Taiyang Zhong & Jonathan Crush, 2022. "Boon or Bane? Urban Food Security and Online Food Purchasing during the COVID-19 Epidemic in Nanjing, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
    7. Rebecca Som Castellano, 2015. "Alternative food networks and food provisioning as a gendered act," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(3), pages 461-474, September.
    8. Ana Moragues-Faus, 2020. "Distributive food systems to build just and liveable futures," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(3), pages 583-584, September.
    9. Jinsoo Hwang & Hyunjoon Kim, 2019. "Consequences of a green image of drone food delivery services: The moderating role of gender and age," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 872-884, July.
    10. Gianluca Lo Coco & Ambra Gentile & Ksenija Bosnar & Ivana Milovanović & Antonino Bianco & Patrik Drid & Saša Pišot, 2021. "A Cross-Country Examination on the Fear of COVID-19 and the Sense of Loneliness during the First Wave of COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, March.
    11. Anh Kim Dang & Bach Xuan Tran & Cuong Tat Nguyen & Huong Thi Le & Hoa Thi Do & Hinh Duc Nguyen & Long Hoang Nguyen & Tu Huu Nguyen & Hue Thi Mai & Tho Dinh Tran & Chau Ngo & Thuc Thi Minh Vu & Carl A., 2018. "Consumer Preference and Attitude Regarding Online Food Products in Hanoi, Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-12, May.
    12. Steffen Hirth & Theresa Bürstmayr & Anke Strüver, 2022. "Discourses of sustainability and imperial modes of food provision: agri-food-businesses and consumers in Germany," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(2), pages 573-588, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Meena, Purushottam & Kumar, Gopal, 2022. "Online food delivery companies' performance and consumers expectations during Covid-19: An investigation using machine learning approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    2. Melián-González, Santiago, 2022. "Gig economy delivery services versus professional service companies: Consumers’ perceptions of food-delivery services," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    3. Reham M. Algheshairy & Raghad M. Alhomaid & Mona S. Almujaydil & Hend F. Alharbi & Woroud A. Alsanei, 2022. "Influence of Using Food Delivery Applications on Adult Saudi Female Dietary Habits and Preferences during COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions: Attitude Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Nurul Labanihuda Abdull Rahman, 2022. "A Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Online Food Delivery by Using Scopus Database ," GATR Journals jmmr303, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    5. Zhang, Shanqi & Luan, Hui & Zhen, Feng & Kong, Yu & Xi, Guangliang, 2023. "Does online food delivery improve the equity of food accessibility? A case study of Nanjing, China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    6. Jabeen, Fauzia & Kaur, Puneet & Talwar, Shalini & Malodia, Suresh & Dhir, Amandeep, 2022. "I love you, but you let me down! How hate and retaliation damage customer-brand relationship," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    7. Marvello Yang & Abdullah Al Mamun & Muhammad Mohiuddin & Noorshella Che Nawi & Noor Raihani Zainol, 2021. "Cashless Transactions: A Study on Intention and Adoption of e-Wallets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    8. Filippo Oncini, 2021. "Food support provision in COVID-19 times: a mixed method study based in Greater Manchester," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 1201-1213, December.
    9. Jinsoo Hwang & Kyuhyeon Joo & Joonho Moon, 2023. "Relationships among Experience Economy, Tour Quality, Tour Satisfaction, and Word-of-Mouth in the Senior Tourism Context in Korea: The Moderating Role of Tour Guiding Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, April.
    10. Jesús J. Cambra‐Fierro & J. Alfredo Flores‐Hernández & Lourdes Pérez & Guadalupe Valera‐Blanes, 2020. "CSR and branding in emerging economies: The effect of incomes and education," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(6), pages 2765-2776, November.
    11. Dey, Bikash Koli & Sarkar, Mitali & Chaudhuri, Kripasindhu & Sarkar, Biswajit, 2023. "Do you think that the home delivery is good for retailing?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    12. Aschemann-Witzel, Jessica & de Hooge, Ilona E. & Almli, Valérie L., 2021. "My style, my food, my waste! Consumer food waste-related lifestyle segments," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    13. Yongrong Xin & Muhammad Irfan & Bilal Ahmad & Madad Ali & Lanqi Xia, 2023. "Identifying How E-Service Quality Affects Perceived Usefulness of Online Reviews in Post-COVID-19 Context: A Sustainable Food Consumption Behavior Paradigm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    14. Burlea-Schiopoiu, Adriana & Puiu, Silvia & Dinu, Adina, 2022. "The impact of food delivery applications on Romanian consumers’ behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 82(PA).
    15. Richartz, P. Christoph & Abdulai, Awudu & Kornher, Lukas, 2020. "Attribute Non Attendance and Consumer Preferences for Online Food Products in Germany," German Journal of Agricultural Economics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Department for Agricultural Economics, vol. 69(1), March.
    16. Mortimer, Gary & Weeks, Clinton S., 2019. "How unit price awareness and usage encourages grocery brand switching and expenditure," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 346-356.
    17. Dalia Perkumienė & Rasa Pranskūnienė & Milita Vienažindienė & Jurgita Grigienė, 2020. "The Right to A Clean Environment: Considering Green Logistics and Sustainable Tourism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-23, May.
    18. Aqib Habib & Muhammad Irfan & Mohsin Shahzad, 2022. "Modeling the enablers of online consumer engagement and platform preference in online food delivery platforms during COVID-19," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 1-18, December.
    19. Carlos Hernández-Mejía & Delia Torres-Muñoz & Everardo Inzunza-González & Carlos Sánchez-López & Enrique Efrén García-Guerrero, 2022. "A Novel Green Logistics Technique for Planning Merchandise Deliveries: A Case Study," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-19, August.
    20. Jinkyung Jenny Kim & Antonio Ariza Montes & Heesup Han, 2021. "The Role of Expected Benefits towards Smart Hotels in Shaping Customer Behavior: Comparison by Age and Gender," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13213-:d:1232060. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.