Personal values underlying ethnic food choice: Means-end evidence for Japanese food

• Main Authors: Yeong S. Tey, Poppy Arsil, Mark Brindal, Su Y. Liew, Chi T. Teoh, Rika Terano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018-03-01
• Series: Journal of Ethnic Foods
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352618117301877

Background: Ethnic cuisines are increasingly popular in global food markets. This study identifies the personal values underlying Malaysian consumers' decision making with respect to Japanese food. Methods: A total of 134 Malaysian consumers were interviewed and analyzed using means-end chain methodology. Results: Our findings indicate that Japanese food is chosen for the values that the attribute “tasty” can help achieve, not for that attribute per se. Conclusion: Identified values primarily related to longevity, meaningful life-style and sense of accomplishment. The identification of these connections is an important step in understanding why a particular ethnic food is favored by foreign consumers. Our findings could be helpful to restaurateurs in meeting marketing strategies with consumer values and policymakers when designing health campaigns. Keywords: Attributes, Japanese food, Means-end chain, Personal values, Product attributes, Cognition