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Exploring Consumer Perceptions of the Value Proposition Embedded in Vegan Food Products Using Text Analytics

Author

Listed:
  • Kelly Cooper

    (School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia)

  • Ozgur Dedehayir

    (Faculty of Business and Law, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

  • Carla Riverola

    (Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, Australia)

  • Stephen Harrington

    (Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

  • Elizabeth Alpert

    (Digital Observatory, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4000, Australia)

Abstract

Given the increasing interest in sustainable food consumption and production, this study aims to understand how consumers perceive the value proposition of vegan food. Over 120,000 tweets relating to veganism were extracted from Twitter, which were then analysed using the text analytics tool Leximancer to ascertain the predominant themes of conversation taking place around vegan food. Our results show that, in light of the three main drivers for vegan food choice—ethical, personal health, and environmental—surprisingly, we see a limited number of environmental or sustainability motivated tweets. This is a significant finding, as, while vegan food consumption is reported to be sustainable, this is not a preferred topic of conversation for consumers. Value propositions communicated with respect to personal health attributes (e.g., dairy free, gluten free, and nutrition), and consumption benefits (e.g., tasty, delicious) are more likely to resonate with consumers and motivate increased consumption while concurrently delivering environmental benefits as a positive side-effect. Furthermore, the polarity of the attitudes and conversations taking place between vegans and non-vegans on Twitter underscores that a single value proposition is unlikely to reach both groups simultaneously and that different value propositions are likely to be required to reach these respective groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly Cooper & Ozgur Dedehayir & Carla Riverola & Stephen Harrington & Elizabeth Alpert, 2022. "Exploring Consumer Perceptions of the Value Proposition Embedded in Vegan Food Products Using Text Analytics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:4:p:2075-:d:747572
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adrian Payne & Pennie Frow & Andreas Eggert, 2017. "The customer value proposition: evolution, development, and application in marketing," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 45(4), pages 467-489, July.
    2. Van Loo, Ellen J. & Caputo, Vincenzina & Lusk, Jayson L., 2020. "Consumer preferences for farm-raised meat, lab-grown meat, and plant-based meat alternatives: Does information or brand matter?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    3. Deborah Goldring, 2017. "Constructing brand value proposition statements: a systematic literature review," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(2), pages 57-67, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wuxiang Chen, 2023. "Developing a Sustainable Business Model of Ecotourism in Ethnic-Minority Regions Guided by the Green Economy Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-25, January.
    2. Eduardo Borges & Susana Campos & Mário Sérgio Teixeira & Maria Raquel Lucas & Ana Teresa Ferreira-Oliveira & Ana Sofia Rodrigues & Manuela Vaz-Velho, 2023. "How Do Companies Communicate Sustainability? A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-25, May.

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