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Regional Products and Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Haid

    (Division for Management in Health and Sport Tourism, UMIT TIROL—Private University for Health Sciences and Health Technology, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Julia N. Albrecht

    (Department of Tourism, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand)

  • Pascal Tangl

    (Division for Management in Health and Sport Tourism, UMIT TIROL—Private University for Health Sciences and Health Technology, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Alexander Plaikner

    (Department of Strategic Management, Marketing and Tourism, Universität Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

The production, sale, and consumption of regional products can positively influence a region’s sustainable development. Despite this significance, there is little research on how consumers perceive regional products using a sustainability lens. This study investigates the perception of regional products in terms of sustainability and related customer purchasing behaviour. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants in Tyrol, Austria. Data analysis employs a deductive-inductive coding approach and shows a high awareness of sustainability among respondents. The main reasons for purchasing regional products are supporting the local economy and regional agriculture. Shorter transport routes or the cultural landscape maintenance are also important factors due to environmental concerns. Most participants report that sustainability was a decisive factor in their purchase decision pertaining to regional products. Regional products and sustainability are thus intertwined from a customer perspective and are shown to have decisive roles in related purchasing behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Haid & Julia N. Albrecht & Pascal Tangl & Alexander Plaikner, 2024. "Regional Products and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:628-:d:1316960
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Peter M. Fischer & Katharina P. Zeugner-Roth, 2017. "Disentangling country-of-origin effects: the interplay of product ethnicity, national identity, and consumer ethnocentrism," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 189-204, June.
    3. Sama, Celia & Crespo-Cebada, Eva & Díaz-Caro, Carlos & Escribano, Miguel & Mesías, Francisco J., 2018. "Consumer Preferences for Foodstuffs Produced in a Socio-environmentally Responsible Manner: A Threat to Fair Trade Producers?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 290-296.
    4. Konrád Kiss & Csaba Ruszkai & Katalin Takács-György, 2019. "Examination of Short Supply Chains Based on Circular Economy and Sustainability Aspects," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-21, September.
    5. Nadine Waehning & Raffaele Filieri, 2022. "Consumer motives for buying regional products: the REGIOSCALE," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 215-236, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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