Food waste is a global problem, which necessitates addressing. A pilot (N = 56) and main study (N = 124) used online survey research to explore the expected negative relationship between viewing a...Show moreFood waste is a global problem, which necessitates addressing. A pilot (N = 56) and main study (N = 124) used online survey research to explore the expected negative relationship between viewing a food waste reduction-poster and food waste intentions, the expected negative relationship between self-efficacy and food waste intentions and the expected moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between poster and food waste intentions. In the main study, participants were randomly allocated to a poster (N = 31) or control condition (N = 30) without a poster. Repeated measures ANOVA showed no differences between groups nor within participants when comparing food waste intentions between two measurement points. Regression analyses showed neither a main- nor a moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between seeing the poster and food waste intentions. Limitations, suggestions and implications were discussed and the importance of future research into this subject was highlighted.Show less
Food waste is a global problem with a large environmental and financial impact. This study aims to investigate whether people who are shown an informational poster on reducing food waste are less...Show moreFood waste is a global problem with a large environmental and financial impact. This study aims to investigate whether people who are shown an informational poster on reducing food waste are less likely to waste and if this is moderated by the extent to which people are concerned about their health. An online questionnaire was conducted to determine health concern and food waste intention which was measured before and after seeing the poster. 60 participants were included in the study. A MANOVA was conducted, after which a moderation model was run. No significant effect was found for viewing the poster as well as for health concern as a moderator. The study did yield limitations such as the small sample size and broadness of the concept of health concern. In the future it would be useful to look into underlying factors that influence food waste behavior, such as health concern.Show less
Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
closed access
This thesis examined factors that influence citizens’ food waste separation intentions through an extended norm activation model (NAM). Extensions comprised the incorporation of anticipated guilt,...Show moreThis thesis examined factors that influence citizens’ food waste separation intentions through an extended norm activation model (NAM). Extensions comprised the incorporation of anticipated guilt, anticipated disgust, and biodigester information in the model. Citizens of the municipality of Leiden, the Netherlands (N = 168) participated in an experimental survey study. One group of participants completed the survey while keeping their current waste separation options for food waste in mind, other participants received information about small-scale biodigesters and imagined a small-scale biodigester in their neighborhood. Results confirmed that the original NAM is a suitable model for explaining food waste separation intentions. In addition to previous studies, results supported our hypothesis that citizens’ outcome efficacy is positively associated with personal norms. Findings concerning extensions of the NAM were not in line with expectations. Anticipated guilt and anticipated disgust did not mediate the positive relationship between personal norms and behavioral intentions. Furthermore, outcome efficacy was not higher in participants that imagined a small-scale biodigester in their neighborhood in comparison to participants that did not. Implications regarding these findings are discussed.Show less
Research master thesis | Asian Studies (research) (MA)
open access
One third of the food worldwide goes to waste. This has an impact on natural resources such as water and energy resources. Research on underlying processes of food waste in specific contexts are...Show moreOne third of the food worldwide goes to waste. This has an impact on natural resources such as water and energy resources. Research on underlying processes of food waste in specific contexts are important as it will give insights on how to resolve this issue. Singapore is a country with an high GDP for its region. Because of this developed status, it may be an predictor for other surrounding countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia. In Singapore, approximately 158 kg per capita per year of food was wasted in 2014. In comparison to Malaysia, which wastes 177 kg food per capita per year, this is a lot: Malaysia is producing food itself, where food is lost. Singapore produces almost nothing itself yet almost equals the amount of food waste. The reasons behind food waste in Singapore come from the love for food and abundance from wealth, in combination with the reflection of government policies on clean and green Singapore. Through fieldwork and literature research, it is found that the Singaporean government is aware of the food wastage problem in Singapore. Not only because of the global impact, but also for reasons of local impact. First, as Singapore is small, limited space is available to use as landfill. Second, the government has, since independence in 1965, sought to show an image of clean and green Singapore, and food sustainability is seen as green. Paradoxically, this image of a clean and green Singapore may also be the pitfall for food waste in Singapore: as Singapore is promoted by the government to be clean and green, this may have its effect on the quality of food consumers want: high quality and no blemishes. However, the Singaporean government has recently started to introduce measures against food waste, in educational campaigns, but also at hawker centres by educating hawkers and introducing food waste recycling machines. The government stimulates other businesses in Singapore to also reduce food waste. Supermarkets and in the service sector have introduced measures to reduce food waste as well. Not only measures in existing business, new business opportunities and charities are found as well through reducing food waste. Rooftop farming, advice business on being green, but also charities. Willing Hearts, Food from the Heart and Food Bank are leading charities that reuse food waste to provide needy with food.Show less
