Search

Despite the growth in self-service technology (SST) usage in service settings, SST-centric service is difficult for some customers. Thus, this paper addresses how voluntary use of SST influences customers' SST behavior based on a cognitive-affective-conative framework. Questionnaire data were collected from customers with difficulties using SST in the United States. Hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling with SmartPLS. The model sample comprised 218 retail service customers. Results showed that voluntary use positively impacts customer attitudes toward both SST and the service provider, which directly affects recommendation and repurchase intentions. Also, customer demographic characteristics were examined and indicated that the impact of voluntary use of SST on customer attitude is stronger among male, young, and low-income customers. This study highlights the importance of not forcing customers to use SST, especially when they have difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Moving Between the Immaterial and the Material: A Book Historian's Perspective on Global Enlightenment" by Trude Dijkstra explores the interconnectedness between Asia and Europe in the early modern period. It delves into the role of Chinese knowledge traditions in shaping European Enlightenment thinking and debates about progress. The article highlights the dissemination of Chinese thought in Europe through translations and the impact of publishers and translators on the presentation of this information. It also discusses the availability and popularity of Confucius' teachings in Europe through French translations, shedding light on the broader themes of intellectual engagement and cross-cultural dialogue during the Enlightenment. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the potential benefits of allowing non-EU countries to join the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to address climate change. It highlights the efficiency gains and development opportunities that could arise from integrating less developed countries into the ETS. The text also explores the challenges and opportunities of implementing emissions trading systems globally, emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of such initiatives. The article suggests that emissions trading could lead to a more effective and efficient approach to achieving global climate goals. [Extracted from the article]

Complaint processing is of great importance for companies because it allows them to understand customer satisfaction levels, which is crucial for business success. It allows them to show the real perceptions of users and thus visualize the problems, which are regularly processed from oral or written natural language, derived from the provision of a service. In addition, the treatment of complaints is relevant because according to the laws of each country, companies have the obligation to respond to these complaints in a specified time. The specialized literature mentions that enterprises lost USD 75 billion due to poor customer service, highlighting that companies need to know and understand customer perceptions, especially emotions, and product reviews to gain insight and learn about customer feedback because of the importance of the voice of the customer for an organization. In general, it is evident that there is a need for research related to computational language processing to handle user requests. The authors show great interest in computational techniques for the processing of this information in natural language and how this could contribute to the improvement of processes within the productive sector. This work searches in indexed journals for information related to computational methods for processing relevant data from user complaints. It is proposed to apply a systematic literature review (SLR) method combining literature review guides by Kitchenham and the PRISMA statement. The systematic process allows the extraction of consistent information, and after applying it, 27 articles were obtained from which the analysis was conducted. The results show various proposals using linguistic, statistical, machine learning, and hybrid methods. We find that most authors combine Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) to create hybrid methods. The methods extract relevant information from complaints of the customers in natural language in various domains, such as government, medical, banks, e-commerce, public services, agriculture, customer service, environmental, and tourism, among others. This work contributes as support for the creation of new systems that can give companies a significant competitive advantage due to their ability to reduce the response time of the complaints as established by law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers markets and public health organisations aim to improve access to fresh produce for low-income consumers. While recent efforts to expand the use of food assistance benefits at farmers markets support this goal, persistent barriers related to transportation, convenience, price, exclusivity, and administrative burden still limit low-income participation at these venues. Mobile farmers markets, which bring produce directly to the customer, aim to address these barriers. But research on the effectiveness of mobile markets, especially from the customer perspective, is limited. Our project, a partnership with a local non-profit, explores if and how a mobile farmers market in the Rust Belt Midwest reduces barriers to farmers market access for low-income and minority consumers. Our data demonstrates a strong tie between market activities and customer wellbeing. Staff and customer interviews and participant observation show that the mobile market effectively alleviates many entrenched barriers to farmers market access for low-income and minority customers. Like many venues, though, this market also still struggles with the logistics of administering food assistance benefits. Our findings illuminate strategies for improving fresh food access for low-income and minority consumers that are relevant for other programmes and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frugal innovation (FI) is a recently emerged phenomenon that is increasingly gaining importance to serve a set of customers in developing countries. Frugal entrepreneurship (FE) based on frugal innovations is emerging from different regions. FI mainly emerging from resource-constrained environments with institutional voids shows how to serve low-income customers with affordable solutions. Yet, we know little about this phenomenon. The objective of this study is to explore how frugal entrepreneurs embrace institutional voids in a developing country to identify and execute business opportunities targeting low-income customers. Using six start-up cases from Pakistan, this qualitative study contributes to the existing literature on FI and FE in several ways. We reveal certain underlying mechanisms that entrepreneurs utilize in their attempt to undertake FI. We find that the entrepreneurs' strong aspirations to tackle societal needs trigger them to develop FIs and pursue FE. Constructive cobbling and leveraging appropriate technologies in a frugal manner, in particular, are two key enablers for FE, which results in novel outcomes. Based on the findings, we provide implications and future research avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing research targeting poor consumers has been developing recently. The specific characteristics of these consumers make it difficult to conduct empirical research. This difficulty has raised the question of how to adapt the methods and techniques usually used in marketing. This article provides a multidisciplinary review of the difficulties encountered in addressing people living in poverty and enables researchers to assess this population and anticipate their needs. In addition, based on a literature review of the methods used in 83 empirical marketing studies published between 1990 and 2021, our study provides researchers with a vade-mecum to guide them in their choice of research design. Concrete and detailed recommendations are provided to facilitate their involvement in the field of poor consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Cuixiang' kiwifruit are usually hard when purchased and need to be stored to soften before they can be eaten. However, kiwifruit are respiratory leaps that are prone to concentrated ripening, and the uncontrollable evolution of kiwifruit fruit quality during home storage can lead to a poor consumer experience and a reduced desire to buy. In this paper, the evolution of fruit quality of 'Cuixiang' kiwifruit under home storage conditions was systematically analyzed based on the dimensions of physicochemical characteristics, organoleptic quality, and aroma characteristics. In terms of physicochemical characteristics, titratable acid content and hardness of kiwifruit decreased significantly during home storage, while the content of total soluble solids, sugar-acid ratio, and weight loss tended to increase significantly. Based on the correlation of the above indexes, hardness was chosen to establish a zero-level kinetic shelf-life prediction model, and the model had good accuracy and reliability. Meanwhile, the artificial sensory evaluation showed that, except for the appearance score, which continued to decrease during the storage period, the scores of other sensory indexes, such as color, aroma, taste, texture, etc., increased significantly and peaked on the 11th day. Therefore, the total artificial sensory scores of 'Cuixiang' kiwifruit were the highest on the 11th day of home storage, which was the most suitable for consumption at this time. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the aroma profile of kiwifruit, and a total of 513 volatile organic compounds were detected, with ester concentrations accounting for the highest percentage of kiwifruit samples at different stages of home storage, and terpenes showing the highest percentage of species. On the 1st day and the 7th day, the volatiles were more abundant and the aroma was more complex, with the highest content of aldehydes and a prominent herbaceous note. On the 11th day, the proportion of esters in the total volatiles was significantly higher than that on the 1st day and the 7th day, and the fruity and sweet flavors were more intense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to investigate the welfare effects of multiple meat price shocks, due to the price liberalization policy, in different consumers' income- and age-groups. This is achieved by using Compensating Variation welfare index (CV) and Hicksian price elasticities, based on the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) and the cost-income data of 17931 urban households in Iran. The results showed that the difference in meat's ownprice elasticity for consumers of different ages decreases with the improvement of consumers' income status. The absolute own-price elasticity of poultry varied between 0.072-0.559%. The highest sensitivity of poultry meat demand to price changes was observed in high-income consumer groups. As well as the red meat demand sensitivity to price changes for all age-groups declines along with the raised income. The fish own-price elasticity for all consumers was more than one, and their differences were more significant for low-income consumers. The CV index of consumers varied between 29% and 78% and confirmed the hypothesis of difference in the consumers' vulnerability in different age and income groups. Separating the welfare effect by consumer groups based on income and age indicated that low-income and younger consumers experienced a higher welfare loss compared to low-income and older consumers. Finally, to accurately target the subsidies, the government can pay a certain amount of subsidy to each person according to the economic and social characteristics to prevent the wastage of resources and reach the desired goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed consumer preferences and consumption patterns for prawns in Bangladesh, underscoring the economic and nutritional significance of prawns in the local diet. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed following a random sampling technique from four districts. The data analysis employed descriptive statistics alongside mathematical and statistical methods. The findings indicate a strong preference for fresh and large-sized prawns among the consumers. Income level substantially influenced the prawn purchases, with the high-income consumers more likely to buy premium prawn products, while the low-income consumers showed sensitivity to price changes. The primary concerns that significantly influenced the consumers' purchasing decisions were found to be size, freshness, taste, price, market availability, and income. Additionally, the consumers' perceived value and willingness-to-pay for prawns were significantly driven by size, freshness, environmental sustainability, and income levels. Policy recommendations include promoting sustainable prawn farming and improving accessibility for low-income consumers to enhance both nutritional intake and economic resilience. This research offers valuable insights for stakeholders in the prawn industry, facilitating the development of targeted marketing strategies and informed policymaking for sustainable industry growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study aimed to provide an understanding of the roles of community-based financial service organizations (i.e. rotating savings and credit associations [ROSCAs] as institutional pillars in facilitating low-income, unbanked consumers' access to informal financial services). Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 39 low-income, unbanked consumers participating in ROSCAs in Pakistan, where only 21% of adults have a bank account and almost four out of five individuals live on a low income. The obtained data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. Findings: ROSCAs' regulatory, sociocultural and cognitive aspects facilitate low-income, unbanked consumers' utilization of informal financial services owing to their approachability by, suitability for, and fairness to such consumers. Thus, they promote such consumers' financial inclusion. Practical implications: Low-income consumers are mostly unable to access formal financial services due to the existing supply- and demand-side impediments. Understanding ROSCAs' institutional functioning can help formal financial service providers create more transformative financial services based on the positive institutional aspects of ROSCAs to enhance poor consumers' financial inclusion and well-being. Social implications: The inclusion of low-income, unbanked consumers in formal banking services will help them better control their finances. Originality/value: Many low-income, unbanked consumers in developing countries utilize informal financial services to meet their basic financial needs, but service researchers have rarely investigated how informal financial institutions function. The present study showed that ROSCAs, as informal institutions, meet low-income, unbanked consumers' personal, social and financial needs in a befitting manner, which encourages such consumers to use the financial services offered by ROSCAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using retailer scanner data, we investigate how a sharp and abrupt depreciation of the exchange rate affects consumers' cost of living. We find that the marginal cost of imported goods increased, whereas their retail markups decreased compared to domestic products. There was also a surge in the entry and exit of both foreign and local product varieties post‐depreciation. Wealthier consumers, who spend more on imports, are hit harder by higher marginal costs but benefit from reduced markups and increased product diversity, unlike their less affluent counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Low-income consumers' perceptions of access and inclusion in financial services, remain underresearched. To fill this gap, the purpose of this study, is to investigate elements of low-income consumers' informal and formal financial service experiences, from their personal experience. Design/methodology/approach: Mixed methods using data collected from low-income consumers in Latin America, reveal a spectrum of consumer perceptions making up access, inclusion and social dependence within financial service experiences. Scales, grounded in the consumer experience, are developed, validated and used to test a model of consumers' service inclusivity perceptions. Findings: Service costs, information and documentation difficulty, convenience and social dynamics influence low-income consumers' perceptions of financial service inclusivity. Research limitations/implications: Analysis reveals differentiation in the impact of aspects of low-income consumers' experiences between formal and informal financial services. Working directly with this unique population exposes the nuance of their financial service experiences. Practical implications: This research provides a more holistic perspective on low-income consumers' financial service experience and provides contextually relevant scales with robust psychometric properties. Services marketers can use this research to inform design and evaluation of financial service offerings for low-income consumers. Originality/value: This research contributes to study of the wellbeing of low-income consumers by providing understanding of their financial service experiences from their point-of-view and providing contextually-relevant, empirically validated tools for future inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the billions of euros used as subsidies over recent decades, Portugal's water sector continues to struggle, being characterized by significant inefficiencies and differences between high- and low-performing water and sanitation services (WSSs). Current subsidy policies lack transparency and are not linked to performance results, undermining efforts to promote efficiency and sustainability in both environmental and financial dimensions. To address these issues, this article highlights relevant aspects to be taken into account in the redefinition of funding allocation in the Portuguese WSS sector. By implementing performance-based criteria for subsidy allocation and prioritization, regardless of the identity of beneficiaries or providers, we aim to instigate accountability and efficiency in this process. The analysis draws on empirical data to highlight the shortcomings of existing practices and demonstrates the potential benefits of adopting the "user-pays" principle. This principle is able to improve the definition of tariffs aiming for full cost recovery, while still providing for disadvantaged and vulnerable customers through social tariffs or assistance programs. Key findings indicate that coordinated efforts among government agencies, regulators, public and private utilities, and municipalities are essential to develop and promote effective financing strategies. This stakeholder's cooperation is essential for managing the urban water cycle sustainably and addressing the sector's long-term challenges. This research implies that a strategic shift in subsidy allocation is required, to develop accountability, efficiency, and equity in the WSS sector. The allocation of financial resources must be better justified to enhance overall performance in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document explores the potential of alternative food networks (AFNs) in creating sustainable and just food systems. It acknowledges the challenges faced by AFNs, such as negative perceptions of farming and limited resources, but emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts and community support in overcoming these barriers. The document calls for a shift in discourse towards principles like sufficiency, fair distribution, and care. It concludes by suggesting the need for further research to assess the effectiveness of AFNs and identify successful strategies for expanding and transferring these models. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: India is one among the high burden countries for smokeless tobacco use. Hence, cancer burden is large, among which cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are important public health problems. The mortality rates for these cancers are high and this burdens the health system. Screening the high risk population can avert this. Aim: The study aimed to develop and validate a risk factor model for detection of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) among the general population of a town in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipality, Pune. Materials and Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional study was planned and sociodemographic characteristics and oral examination of representative sample of 625 participants from general population was done through the systematic random sampling residing in Alandi for Phase 1 of the study. Phase 2 which was validation of the model was carried out at general population residing in Chakan. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to obtain the effect estimates of the potential risk factor on OPMD. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to produce a cutoff point considered as highest Youden's index for the presence of OPMD. Each risk factor was scored and a total cutoff score was obtained above which screening for OPMD was indicated. Risk factor model validity was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results: Males in the age group of 46–60 years who belonged to low socioeconomic status and smoked ≥4 cigarettes/bidis per day, used smokeless tobacco >20 years and was slaked lime user and alcohol consumer with poor oral hygiene had higher odds of developing OPMD. ROC curve plotted produced a cutoff of 15 with a sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 68.5% and was thus selected as the cutoff score for the risk factor model. On validation of the risk factor model, the sensitivity, specificity, and the negative predictive value of the model for the detection of OPMD was found to be good. Conclusion: The model is considered good for the early detection of OPMD in districts of Maharashtra and can be used is other states of India by validating the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown millet and millet bran are rich in nutrients. After stabilization treatment, they are easy to store and transport. However, it is difficult for them to be accepted as food ingredients by consumers due to their poor texture and taste. Micronization can alter chemical and functional properties of materials, potentially improving quality of brown millet and millet bran, as well as their taste. This study investigated the effects of micronization on morphology attributes (particle size distribution, microstructure and color), functional attributes (oil binding capacity, water binding capacity, water solubility index, swelling capacity and bulk density), and digestion and release of free polyphenols and flavonoids in fresh and radio frequency (RF) stabilized brown millet and millet bran. The results showed that micronization treatment effectively reduced particle size of the samples, increased particle surface area, significantly improved powder color, and affected their microstructure. Micronization treatment also increased bulk density of brown millet and millet bran. When the particle size was reduced to pass through a 150-mesh sieve, the bulk density of fresh and RF stabilized brown millet and millet bran increased by 13.68%, 38.77% and 22.50%, 25.33%, respectively. Micronization reduced oil binding capacity and water binding capacity of the samples, and both indicators continuously decreased with the decline of particle size. Micronization also improved the release of antioxidant substances (free polyphenols and free flavonoids) from brown millet and millet bran. When digestion for 120 min, the release of free flavonoids in intestine of 150-mesh fresh brown millet powder increased by 70.89% compared with 50-mesh powder, and the release of free polyphenols in stomach increased by 12.22%. This study indicates that micronization can improve functional and nutritional attributes of brown millet and millet bran, offering valuable reference and guidance for the development of micronized raw materials from brown millet and millet bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Recherche et Applications en Marketing (Sage Publications Inc.) is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article is a book review of "North Korea’s Mundane Revolution: Socialist Living and the Rise of Kim Il Sung, 1953–1965" by Andre Schmid. The book explores the socio-economic and cultural transformations in North Korea during the 1950s, focusing on the everyday lives of its people and the public discourse surrounding mundane issues. The author analyzes primary sources such as newspapers, magazines, and personal memoirs to understand how North Koreans were able to influence their society and how the Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung fit into this process. The book challenges the conventional view of North Korea as a monolithic entity and offers a fresh perspective on its development. [Extracted from the article]

Fission marketing is important for e-commerce platforms to import new consumers from social media platforms. However, fission marketing may bring social pressure, resulting in consumer loss and poor platform reputation. We study fission marketing decisions under reputation-based and discount-based models, considering three fission marketing degrees of non-fission, moderate fission, and extensive fission. Our findings demonstrate that the platform can adopt fission marketing with a high sales price. Extensive fission can be the most effective in improving profits when with either more fission marketing preference consumers or a high sales price, and a small cost coefficient of fission marketing. Otherwise, moderate fission is the best choice. Specifically, by employing reputation-based marketing, extensive fission can always generate more demand, while adopting discount-based marketing, owing to consumer's aversion sentiment, extensive fission may lead to less demand than moderate fission. Extending models to consider endogenous price, we find deceptive marketing behavior may exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the history of Dutch credit unions (credietvereenigingen). Launched to provide SME credit, these credit unions gradually drifted away from their original aims, hereby increasingly targeting a wealthier echelon of clients at the expense of their poorer customers. In the end, they were squeezed out of business by new, government-supported SME banks and the big commercial banks. This study is devoted to understanding why this drift occurred and how this ultimately determined the development of these institutions. Thereby, it deepens our understanding of the similar challenges faced by present day social enterprises (most notably microcredit institutions) which may also succumb to mission drift, and hints to possible solutions in which such drift may be prevented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motivation for this research was the need for scientific elaboration on the issues of managing the flexibility of the financial system to ensure its sustainable development. The purpose of the article is to develop a counter-cyclical approach to change management in banks for the sustainable development of the financial system. Based on data of 2020 and post-crisis economic recovery in 2021, the article reveals the positive effect of managing changes in banks in the form of sustainable development of the financial system. Alternative scenarios for managing changes in banks are compared in terms of advantages to enhance the resilience of the financial system. This serves as a justification for the fact that the contribution of banks' flexibility to this positive effect varies significantly depending on the phases of the economic cycle. The authors' SAP-LAP model has provided a qualitative interpretation of change management in banks in the context of the economic crisis to enhance the resilience of the financial system on the example of the credit services market. The theoretical impact consists in revealing the status quo that determine the flexibility of banks and their contribution to the sustainable development of the financial system. These conditions are the development of mobile money services and the expansion of ATM network, as well as specialization in the segments of the richest 60% and the poorest 40% of consumers of credit services. The practical significance of the results obtained in the article is that the developed new approach to the organization of banks' activities makes it possible to increase the flexibility of banks and thereby enhance their adaptability to the cyclical economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, there is a high prevalence of diet-related diseases in low-income communities that lack access to fresh produce. Greater access to local farmers’ markets may affect individual and household intake of fruits and vegetables. However, barriers to farmers’ market access remain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the differences between participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) who regularly shop at farmers’ markets and those who do not. We found that regular farmers’ market shoppers tended to consume on average more fruits and vegetables than WIC participants who did not regularly shop at farmers’ markets. Differences in the importance of various store or market characteristics, barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption, and fruit and vegetable procurement methods were also found.

This paper enquires into the travels of low‐cost varieties of marine fish in the context of Ghana, distinguishing flows that move toward coastal cities versus those destined for distant, inland cities. It derives data from field research on the Ghanaian small fish food system through surveys, FGDs and interviews conducted in Accra and Tamale. It is argued that although both coastal and inland cities partake in small fish food systems, they experience different flow patterns and FSN outcomes. These are partly related to the fact that Ghana relies on the confluence of local and imported sources for the delivery of low‐cost fish varieties to the population, especially in urban regions where such demand is high. We recommend that policies should focus on investing in infrastructure, especially transport and distribution systems linking cities to fishing communities, to enhance low‐cost fish distribution and improve FSN outcomes for low‐income urban consumers in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Share: Journal of Islamic Economics & Finance / Jurnal Ekonomi dan Keuangan Islam is the property of Share Jurnal Ekonomi dan Keuangan Islam and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper theoretically and empirically studies the interaction of search and application approval in credit markets. Risky borrowers internalize the probability that their application is rejected and behave as if they had high search costs. Thus, "overpayment" may be a poor proxy for consumer sophistication since it partly represents rational search in response to rejections. Contrary to standard search models, our model implies (1) endogenous adverse selection through the search and application approval process, (2) a possibly non‐monotone or non‐decreasing relationship between search and realized interest, default, and application approval rates, and (3) search costs estimated from transaction prices alone are biased. We find support for the model's predictions using a unique data set detailing search behavior of mortgage borrowers. Estimating the model, we find that screening is informative and search is costly. Counterfactual analyses reveal that tightening lending standards and discrimination through application rejection both increase equilibrium interest rates. This increase in realized interest rates is in part due to strategic complementarity in bank rate setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter gourd has numerous health-promoting effects on the human body. However, its use has been greatly limited due to its poor acceptance by consumers, resulting from its strong bitterness. This study investigated the effects of five wall materials, namely, soybean protein isolate, gum arabic, maltodextrin, resistant starch, and a soybean lecithin calcium caseinate mixture, on the physicochemical properties of spray-dried bitter gourd powders. The results showed that all five wall materials reduced the moisture content, water activity, browning degree, agglomeration, and bitterness of the spray-dried bitter gourd powder. Maltodextrin was found to be the most effective at reducing water activity, while soybean protein isolate was best at protecting the colour, and the soybean lecithin calcium caseinate mixture was best at reducing hygroscopicity and masking bitterness. Additionally, all five wall materials improved the preservation of flavonoids, saponins, and vitamin C, with soybean protein isolate being the most effective in improving the total flavonoid retention ratio and the soybean lecithin calcium caseinate mixture being the best in improving the retention ratios of total saponins and vitamin C. The spray-dried bitter gourd powder prepared with soybean protein isolate had the highest antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These results are significant for understanding the relationship between wall materials and the physicochemical properties of spray-dried powder. Additionally, these materials provide bitter gourd product manufacturers with useful guidance for producing high-quality products. Furthermore, the results could provide useful insights for processing fruits with similar product characteristics, thus contributing to the enrichment of food processing knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to identify factors influencing the consumption preferences of packaged and unpackaged milk among consumers in Kahramanmaraş province. A face-to-face survey was conducted with 400 consumers selected through proportional sampling in 2020. Tobit regression was employed for data analysis. Results indicate that women prefer packaged milk more than men, and as age increases, consumers tend to prefer packaged milk. Moreover, consumers in higher income groups are more likely to consume packaged milk. Conversely, there is a negative correlation between university education level and unpackaged milk consumption. Additionally, a higher number of family members and the perception of open milk as healthy influence open milk preferences. Advertising campaigns and having children in the family were found to be ineffective in influencing packaging preferences. Thus, decision makers should develop policies to promote open milk consumption among low-income consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effectiveness of social holidays by examining, how the objectives of state-driven Finnish social tourism are met in practice and how the benefits of a social holiday differ between disadvantaged families with children and adult groups. Among both groups, the results of a quantitative survey (N = 796) and six qualitative interviews of four highly experienced holiday instructors foreground benefits related to emotional and mental well-being, participation and activeness, and an opportunity to escape mundane responsibilities and difficult life situations. Our results suggest that in some areas (social interaction, life management, peer support) outcomes of a holiday vary between customer groups, which foregrounds the need to match social tourism objectives and services to their variable needs and motives. Regarding methodological aspects, this study demonstrates that when a respondent directly evaluates the benefits of a holiday, the results may differ from those gained via two-stage quantitative analyses applying general-level scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many development programs rely on the idea that increasing profitability of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) could increase availability of nutritious foods among low‐income consumers. We designed a randomized controlled trial in which we made a specific nutritious product produced by an SME exhaustively available in low‐income local markets. We find that compared to control markets, consumers in treated markets purchased and consumed more of this product and less of competing brands with added sugar and fat. However, overall consumption for the product category was not increased and there was no change in the consumption of other related but potentially less nutritious foods. Our findings suggest the need for alternative policies to increase consumption of nutritious foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brokers are an under‐studied channel of enrollment in the affordable care act (ACA), having grown to support nearly 80% of active federally facilitated marketplace (FFM) enrollment during the 2024 Open Enrollment Period. Brokers enroll a disproportionately low‐income and new‐to‐market consumer base compared to the core exchange websites, and have contributed to the record‐breaking growth in the ACA Marketplace in recent years. Understanding the role brokers play and the technological and policy changes that have enabled their work may help state‐based marketplaces improve stagnant enrollment growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety is a critical public health issue worldwide as the consumption of unhygienic food causes millions of illnesses annually. The contaminated food is primarily unsafe due to the presence of microorganisms (i.e. bacteria and viruses), chemicals (i.e. pesticides and heavy metals), and physical hazards (i.e. glass, metal and plastic). Foodborne illnesses such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, listeriosis, E. coli infection, botulism, cholera, norovirus infection, and others are commonly caused by the problems associated with food hygiene. From the modest beginnings rooted in basic hygiene practices to the sophisticated frameworks of the modern era, the journey of food regulatory bodies has been marked by a commitment to protect consumers from the hazards associated with foodborne illnesses. In India, the 'Food Safety and Standards Authority of India sets standards, inspects food businesses, and acts against food safety violators. However, there is still more work to be done, including the effective enforcement of regulations, and thoroughly educating the consumers about food safety. The need of the hour is a multi-dimensional collaboration among different stakeholders to ensure that everyone has access to safe and nutritious food. In developing countries, the hurdles in preventing food adulteration include poor consumer awareness and insufficient resources for the enforcement of food regulations. Despite complications, the 'Food Safety and Standards Authority of India' is committed to improving food safety for consumers through cooperation with other agencies, increased enforcement, and public awareness initiatives. Developing countries face lots of challenges in regulating the safety of loose milk and street foods; including the problems of traceability, resource limitations, variety of techniques, cultural acceptance, and financial concerns. A multifaceted strategy that includes infrastructural development, consumer education, regulatory strengthening, and technological acceptance is needed to overcome all these problems linked to the safety of street foods and loose milk. Food regulators must set strict guidelines, conduct regular inspections, and licenses and training for various stakeholders involved. Proper education for customers should increase awareness and provide them with the latest information related to food safety. Access to clean water, sanitary facilities, waste management, and technological adoption should be the main priorities of infrastructure development. Challenges of traceability and labelling in loose milk and street foods include the threats of adulteration, inability to determine the origin, and improper labelling. Vendor registration, uniform labelling, stringent enforcement of food safety regulations, improved supply chain monitoring, consumer education, and technological adoption are all necessary to fully address these problems of food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]