Organic food purchase behavior: In the light of the theory of planned behavior, does pro-social attitude matter?

Abstract

This research presents a conceptual framework for exploring the role of pro-social attitude in encouraging organic food purchase behavior. An extensive review of the 62 relevant articles downloaded from the Scopus database and purified by a cluster of specific requirements contributes to the development of the conceptual model. Based on the traditional theory of planned behavior, this proposed framework can determine the drivers of organic food purchase behavior. This paper provides a proposed conceptual framework for researchers to empirically test and understand the antecedents of organic food purchase intention of Vietnamese customers in particular and in customers in other developing countries in general. The relationship of pro-social attitudes, attitudes towards pro-environmental behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, pro-environmental intention, and organic food purchase behavior can be discussed. The study also gives a deep insight into the critical determinants for organic food in Vietnam, enhancing managers in assessing the condition and possible determinants that would lead to the successful adoption of customers. However, there are still some limitations. This paper makes progress in the stage of literature review and conceptual model development. Therefore, it is essential to have fundamental experimental research to evaluate the proposed conceptual framework and approve the consequences for the situation of developing countries.