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Social media as a useful tool in food risk and benefit communication? A strategic orientation approach

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  • Rutsaert, Pieter
  • Pieniak, Zuzanna
  • Regan, Áine
  • McConnon, Áine
  • Kuttschreuter, Margôt
  • Lores, Mònica
  • Lozano, Natàlia
  • Guzzon, Antonella
  • Santare, Dace
  • Verbeke, Wim

Abstract

Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the determinants of risk perception and in identifying the necessary components of effective food risk and benefit communication, this has not been matched with the development of efficient and appropriate communication tools. Little work has been done examining the implications of the explosion of new media and web technologies, which may offer potential for improving food risk and benefit communication. First, this study examines the views of stakeholders (n=38) and experts (n=33) in the food domain on the potential use of these emerging media for food risk/benefit communication. Based on in-depth interviews in six European countries (Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Spain and The Netherlands), strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of social media in food risk and benefit communication were identified. Second, a Strategic Orientation Round (SOR) was used to evaluate the relative importance of the SWOT components according to stakeholders (n=10) and experts (n=13). Results show that both stakeholders and experts confirm a future role of social media in food risk and benefit communication. Strengths as speed, accessibility and interaction make social media an interesting tool in crisis communication or issue awareness raising. Weaknesses as the lack of a filter, low trust, the risk of information overload and a communication preference for traditional media are acknowledged.

Suggested Citation

  • Rutsaert, Pieter & Pieniak, Zuzanna & Regan, Áine & McConnon, Áine & Kuttschreuter, Margôt & Lores, Mònica & Lozano, Natàlia & Guzzon, Antonella & Santare, Dace & Verbeke, Wim, 2014. "Social media as a useful tool in food risk and benefit communication? A strategic orientation approach," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 84-93.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:46:y:2014:i:c:p:84-93
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2014.02.003
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    3. Áine Regan & Monique Raats & Liran Christine Shan & Patrick G. Wall & Áine McConnon, 2016. "Risk communication and social media during food safety crises: a study of stakeholders' opinions in Ireland," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(1), pages 119-133, January.
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    7. Mustafa Emre Civelek & Murat Cemberci & Necati Erdem Eralp, 2016. "The Role of Social Media in Crisis Communication and Crisis Management," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 5(3), pages 111-120, April.
    8. Saeid Karimi & Genovaitė Liobikienė & Heshmatollah Saadi & Fatemeh Sepahvand, 2021. "The Influence of Media Usage on Iranian Students’ Pro-Environmental Behaviors: An Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-19, July.
    9. Jiayin Pei & Guang Yu & Xianyun Tian & Maureen Renee Donnelley, 2017. "A new method for early detection of mass concern about public health issues," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 516-532, April.
    10. Stevens, T.M. & Aarts, N. & Termeer, C.J.A.M. & Dewulf, A., 2018. "Social media hypes about agro-food issues: Activism, scandals and conflicts," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 23-34.
    11. Steils, Nadia & Obaidalahe, Zakia, 2020. "“Social food”: Food literacy co-construction and distortion on social media," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    12. Pratiwi, Santi & Juerges, Nataly, 2022. "Digital advocacy at the science-policy interface: Resolving land-use conflicts in conservation forests," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    13. Charry, Karine & Tessitore, Tina, 2021. "I tweet, they follow, you eat: Number of followers as nudge on social media to eat more healthily," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    14. Ventura, Vera & Iacus, Stefano & Ceron, Andrea & Curini, Luigi & Frisio, Dario, 2016. "Expo Milano 2015: Legacies in Tweets," 2016 International European Forum (151st EAAE Seminar), February 15-19, 2016, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 244534, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.

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