Koel Ghosh

Segmenting consumers for food defense communication strategies

Purpose – In the light of lessons learned from recent disasters (The London subway bombings, and Hurricane Katrina), it has become increasingly clear that supply chain partners as well as government agencies need to be prepared to communicate effectively to consumers and customers before, during and after a disaster. Effective communication can minimize confusion and harm to company reputations, to consumers, the economy and the nation. Incorporating consistent communications into supply chain management (SCM) plans used by all parties in the supply chain will enhance competitiveness of the whole chain and speed recovery from potentially disastrous events. Findings from a national survey of consumers attitudes about terrorism provide information about the development of targeted and effective communications.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a survey of more than 4,000 US consumers, this study used “predictive segmentation” which consists of a canonical factor analysis relating general consumer attit...

Relationship Between Attitudes and Indicators of Obesity for Midlife Women

This study uses segmentation analyses to identify five distinct subgroups of U.S. midlife women (n = 200) based on their prevailing attitudes toward food and its preparation and consumption. Mean age of the women is 46 years and they are mostly White (86%), highly educated, and employed. Attitude segments (clusters of women sharing similar attitudes) are a significant predictor of obesity indicators. Mean body mass index and percentage of body fat are lower for the “concerned about nutrition” attitude segment compared with the “guiltridden dieter” and “impulsive eater” attitude segments. Mean waist circumference is highest in “impulsive eater” compared with the “concerned about nutrition” segment. Those in the “busy cooking avoider” segment have a significantly higher energy intake compared with women in other attitude segments. Tailoring a weight management intervention according to attitude segments of midlife women may enhance effectiveness.

Consumer Response to a New Food Safety Issue: Food Terrorism

Publisher Summary Consumers generally consider their food supply to be safe, something they take for granted in most countries. If their food were to be contaminated deliberately, it would be considered a great loss. Being harmed by eating food deliberately contaminated is an involuntary risk and therefore more fearsome than a risk taken voluntarily. Consumers in the United States in 2005 would allocate 13% more total dollars to defending the food system than the airline system against terrorist attacks. Based on current spending by the U.S. federal government to protect airline travel, this implies that

CHAPTER 10 – Consumer Response to a New Food Safety Issue: Food Terrorism

5.65 billion should be spent to protect the food system compared to the

Consumer Response to a New Food Safety Issue

93 million allocated to protect the food supply chain in the federal budget year 2007. Private companies are increasing their expenditures and vigilance related to food defense as well. In deciding how to defend the food system and to recover after a potential attack, understanding the preferences and behavior of consumers is important.

Do Household Attitudes about Food Defense and Food Safety Change Following Highly Visible National Food Recalls

Publisher Summary Consumers generally consider their food supply to be safe, something they take for granted in most countries. If their food were to be contaminated deliberately, it would be considered a great loss. Being harmed by eating food deliberately contaminated is an involuntary risk and therefore more fearsome than a risk taken voluntarily. Consumers in the United States in 2005 would allocate 13% more total dollars to defending the food system than the airline system against terrorist attacks. Based on current spending by the U.S. federal government to protect airline travel, this implies that

Parent calcium-rich-food practices/perceptions are associated with calcium intake among parents and their early adolescent children

5.65 billion should be spent to protect the food system compared to the

Relationship between needs driving eating occasions and eating behavior in midlife women

93 million allocated to protect the food supply chain in the federal budget year 2007. Private companies are increasing their expenditures and vigilance related to food defense as well. In deciding how to defend the food system and to recover after a potential attack, understanding the preferences and behavior of consumers is important.

Defending the Food Supply Chain: Retail Food, Foodservice and their Wholesale Suppliers

Publisher Summary Consumers generally consider their food supply to be safe, something they take for granted in most countries. If their food were to be contaminated deliberately, it would be considered a great loss. Being harmed by eating food deliberately contaminated is an involuntary risk and therefore more fearsome than a risk taken voluntarily. Consumers in the United States in 2005 would allocate 13% more total dollars to defending the food system than the airline system against terrorist attacks. Based on current spending by the U.S. federal government to protect airline travel, this implies that

How Should America's Anti-Terrorism Budget Be Allocated? Findings from a National Survey of Attitudes of U.S. Residents about Terrorism

5.65 billion should be spent to protect the food system compared to the