IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i11p4902-d1665144.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Readiness to Change and the Intention to Consume Novel Foods: Evidence from Linear Discriminant Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Mirko Duradoni

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy)

  • Marina Baroni

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy)

  • Maria Fiorenza

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy)

  • Martina Bellotti

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy)

  • Gabriele Neri

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy)

  • Andrea Guazzini

    (Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy)

Abstract

The challenges associated with climate change have led to the need for pro-environmental behaviors, including the consumption of sustainable novel foods. Despite the importance of sustainable food for the environment, there is still a need to further investigate the psychological determinants of consumer behavior change putatively able to promote the use of novel foods. In line with this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of readiness to change (RTC) in shaping the intention to consume sustainable foods (e.g., chia seeds and edible insects). RTC refers to a valuable construct composed of seven different dimensions, namely perceived importance of the problem/change, motivation, self-efficacy, effectiveness of proposed solution, social support, action and involvement, and perceived readiness. In keeping with this, a cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting from 1252 participants through an online and anonymous survey. In line with the aim above, a linear discriminant analysis was performed to explore potential non-linear relationships between RTC and novel food consumption. The results highlighted certain RTC dimensions (e.g., perceived importance of the problem, action, and self-efficacy) able to positively support the intention to consume novel foods (e.g., chia seeds and spirulina algae). In conclusion, the study pointed out evidence regarding psychological determinants in terms of RTC able to improve sustainable behaviors, namely the use of novel foods. In the context of sustainability, the present study represents a groundwork for the implementation of future studies in this field of research as well as the development of future policies aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging the adoption of sustainable eating behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirko Duradoni & Marina Baroni & Maria Fiorenza & Martina Bellotti & Gabriele Neri & Andrea Guazzini, 2025. "Readiness to Change and the Intention to Consume Novel Foods: Evidence from Linear Discriminant Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4902-:d:1665144
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/4902/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/4902/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thøgersen, John & Noblet, Caroline, 2012. "Does green consumerism increase the acceptance of wind power?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 854-862.
    2. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/61ih2qtadc8g1894enmudd2f09 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Giovanni Sogari & Diana Bogueva & Dora Marinova, 2019. "Australian Consumers’ Response to Insects as Food," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    5. Arnold Tukker & Bart Jansen, 2006. "Environmental Impacts of Products: A Detailed Review of Studies," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 10(3), pages 159-182, July.
    6. Mirko Duradoni & Giulia Valdrighi & Alessia Donati & Maria Fiorenza & Luisa Puddu & Andrea Guazzini, 2024. "Development and Validation of the Readiness to Change Scale (RtC) for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-27, May.
    7. Anne M. van Valkengoed & Linda Steg, 2019. "Meta-analyses of factors motivating climate change adaptation behaviour," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(2), pages 158-163, February.
    8. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/61ih2qtadc8g1894enmudd2f09 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Anthony Fardet & Stefan Gold & Amélia Delgado & Nikolaos Kopsahelis & Vasiliki Kachrimanidou & Lovedeep Kaur & Francesca Galli & Edmond Rock, 2024. "How can food processing achieve food and nutrition security?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 4172-4185, August.
    10. Coley, David & Howard, Mark & Winter, Michael, 2009. "Local food, food miles and carbon emissions: A comparison of farm shop and mass distribution approaches," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 150-155, April.
    11. Jingjing Zeng & Meiquan Jiang & Meng Yuan, 2020. "Environmental Risk Perception, Risk Culture, and Pro-Environmental Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-18, March.
    12. Jenny Doorn & Peter Verhoef & Tammo Bijmolt, 2007. "The importance of non-linear relationships between attitude and behaviour in policy research," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 75-90, 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. Mirko Duradoni & Marina Baroni & Giulia Valdrighi & Andrea Guazzini, 2025. "Readiness to Change and Pro-Environmental Transportation Behaviors: A Multidimensional and Gender-Sensitive Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-24, March.
    2. Jana Hojnik & Mitja Ruzzier & Tatiana S. Manolova, 2020. "Sustainable development: Predictors of green consumerism in Slovenia," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1695-1708, July.
    3. Chad M. Baum & Christian Gross, 2017. "Sustainability policy as if people mattered: developing a framework for environmentally significant behavioral change," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 53-95, April.
    4. Odou, Philippe & Schill, Marie, 2020. "How anticipated emotions shape behavioral intentions to fight climate change," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 243-253.
    5. Jana Hojnik & Mitja Ruzzier & Maja Konečnik Ruzzier, 2019. "Transition towards Sustainability: Adoption of Eco-Products among Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-29, August.
    6. Mohammed Laeequddin & Waheed Kareem Abdul & Vinita Sahay & Aviral Kumar Tiwari, 2022. "Factors That Influence the Safe Disposal Behavior of E-Waste by Electronics Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
    7. Gokhan Aydin, 2025. "Thresholds of Sustainability: Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Green Buying Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, May.
    8. Organ, Kate & Koenig-Lewis, Nicole & Palmer, Adrian & Probert, Jane, 2015. "Festivals as agents for behaviour change: A study of food festival engagement and subsequent food choices," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 84-99.
    9. Busse, Maria & Siebert, Rosemarie, 2018. "Acceptance studies in the field of land use—A critical and systematic review to advance the conceptualization of acceptance and acceptability," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 235-245.
    10. Sedighe Pakmehr & Masoud Yazdanpanah & Masoud Baradaran, 2021. "Explaining farmers’ response to climate change-induced water stress through cognitive theory of stress: an Iranian perspective," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 5776-5793, April.
    11. Nauges, Céline & Wheeler, Sarah Ann, 2017. "The Complex Relationship Between Households' Climate Change Concerns and Their Water and Energy Mitigation Behaviour," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 87-94.
    12. Bouw, Kathelijne & Noorman, Klaas Jan & Wiekens, Carina J. & Faaij, André, 2021. "Local energy planning in the built environment: An analysis of model characteristics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    13. Philippe Odou & Marie Schill, 2020. "How anticipated emotions shape behavioral intentions to fight climate change," Post-Print hal-02929920, HAL.
    14. Micael-Lee Johnstone & Lay Tan, 2015. "Exploring the Gap Between Consumers’ Green Rhetoric and Purchasing Behaviour," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 132(2), pages 311-328, December.
    15. Tan-Soo, Jie-Sheng & Li, Jun & Qin, Ping, 2023. "Individuals' and households' climate adaptation and mitigation behaviors: A systematic review," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    16. Jana Lorena Werg & Torsten Grothmann & Michael Spies & Harald A. Mieg, 2020. "Factors for Self-Protective Behavior against Extreme Weather Events in the Philippines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-25, July.
    17. Sai Leung Ng, 2023. "The role of risk perception, prior experience, and sociodemographics in disaster preparedness and emergency response toward typhoons in Hong Kong," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(1), pages 905-936, March.
    18. Xu Hartling, 2020. "The Contribution Of Farm Stand, Farmers Market, And Community Supported Agriculture To The Community And Environment," Economy & Business Journal, International Scientific Publications, Bulgaria, vol. 14(1), pages 316-328.
    19. Kreft, Cordelia & Huber, Robert & Wuepper, David & Finger, Robert, 2021. "The role of non-cognitive skills in farmers' adoption of climate change mitigation measures," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    20. Hoolohan, Claire & McLachlan, Carly, 2015. "Consumers and energy demand in food supply chains: Synthesising insights from the social sciences," 143rd Joint EAAE/AAEA Seminar, March 25-27, 2015, Naples, Italy 202743, European Association of Agricultural Economists.

    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:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4902-:d:1665144. 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.