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    Place, provenance, protection : alignments, challenges, and opportunities for Māori future foods : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Massey University, Manawatū o Turitea, Palmerston North
    (Massey University, 2025-07-08) Wright, Summer Rangimaarie
    This thesis examines key alignments, challenges, and opportunities for Māori future foods, conceptualised as food production processes and outcomes that positively impact Māori and kinship networks. Beginning with a focus on plant-based future foods, a scoping interview study with Māori enterprise revealed strong alignment with Māori aspirations, including fulfilling kinship responsibilities, bringing together multiple forms of value, advancing collective wellbeing, and protecting and expressing Māori rights and interests - particularly in cultural and intellectual property. Participants identified place branding as a promising avenue to protect and develop cultural landscapes and enable future foods. The second study developed a content analysis protocol to explore the branding of Māori food and beverage packaging, with a focus on the prevalence and potential functions of place elements. Findings show that place branding is widely used by Māori enterprises, affirming its relevance to Māori future foods, while also highlighting a need to understand perceptions of Indigenous place elements. The third study used means-end chain laddering interviews to examine how critical consumers in Aotearoa New Zealand and Singapore perceive Māori place elements. It found a range of positive and negative perceptions across both contexts, which suggest viable approaches to place branding by Māori food enterprise. The thesis presents three key messages: plant-based future foods are relevant to Māori on multiple levels; Māori future foods can be enabled through place branding; and Māori place branding can support enterprise development and the protection of Māori rights and cultural property. These findings have implications for advancing Māori future foods and for growing the research and practice of decolonial Māori and Indigenous place branding. By exploring these interconnections, the thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of how Māori aspirations can shape and benefit from future food systems. It also critiques the ongoing appropriation of Māori culture by government and industry to advance broader agricultural and economic agendas. This research offers a transdisciplinary approach, addressing gaps at the intersection of Māori enterprise, future foods, Indigenous place branding, and consumption studies.
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    Green banking : an exploration from the perspectives of banks, and retail bank customers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Banking at Massey University, Manawatu Campus, School of Economics and Finance, New Zealand. EMBARGOED UNTIL JULY 2027.
    (Massey University, 2024-11-11) Kalu Kapuge Dona, Lilani Randika Kapuge
    This study explores green banking adoption from the perspectives of banks, and retail bank customers. Our aim is to contribute to banks’ adoption of green banking. This is achieved by examining banks’ green practices and proposing a constructivist framework for banks to transform from conventional banking into green banking. As banks are driven by a profit motive, if banks’ environmental performance positively connects with attaining their profitability objectives, there may be a motivation to apply green banking practices. In Essay One, we examine the impact of banks’ green performance and disclosures on their financial, market, and risk performance. We employ Bloomberg’s environmental disclosure scores and Refinitiv’s environmental performance scores as proxies to measure banks’ green performance and disclosures. As an addition to ESG literature, we use Yale’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) to examine the extent to which the home country’s environmental performance moderates the links between the impact of banks’ environmental performance and disclosures on their financial, market and risk performance. Data was drawn from 189 of the world’s largest banks for the period 2009 to 2019, and the analysis incorporates two-step system GMM models. To check the robustness of our results, we removed banks that are major financiers of fossil fuels and EU banks from the main sample. We find no evidence to support Bloomberg’s environmental disclosure scores or Refinitiv’s environmental performance scores impacting banks’ financial, market and risk performance. In addition, EPI does not moderate the links between the impact of banks’ environmental performance and disclosures on their financial, market and risk performance. The findings confirm that environmental performance and environmental disclosures do not matter to big banking players’ prosperity. Overall, this study establishes the need for a commonly agreed banking-industry-oriented environmental rating scale to measure banks’ green performance correctly to avoid misleading green-conscious stakeholders and identify banks’ true green efforts. In Essay Two, in response to the absence of an agreed or standard performance measurement mechanism for green banking, we develop a green banking scorecard (GBS) from a new perspective. First, we use the updated version of the Planetary Boundaries Theory (PBT) to broaden the green banking measurement scale. Second, we employ a Fossil Fuel Index (FI) to assess banks’ true commitments towards green banking, because banks are often criticised as major financiers of fossil fuels. Third, as a new addition to banks’ green performance measurement, we use Yale’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) which brings international differences in measuring banks’ green performance into a common platform. We apply the GBS to 37 of the world's largest banks to measure their green performance. We find that European banks achieve higher green banking scores compared to Asian and American banks. In Essay Three, following Stakeholders' Theory, stakeholders’ positive behavioural change towards green banking is essential for banks to adopt green banking. Employing Behavioural Response Theory (BRT), we examined retail bank customers’ intention to adopt green banking in New Zealand using 254 online survey responses. To extend this study, we examine whether retail bank customers’ environmental knowledge moderates the association between attitude towards green banking and intention to adopt green banking. The study finds retail bank customers prefer green banking although some of them do not yet intend to adopt green banking. The findings confirm that environmental knowledge has a weak negative moderating effect on the association between attitude towards green banking and intention to adopt green banking. The responses from this study indicate there are specific factors that affect and limit retail bank customers’ intentions to adopt green banking. In summary, this study concludes environmental disclosure scores, or environmental performance scores do not impact banks’ financial, market and risk performance. We proposed a green banking scorecard (GBS) from a new perspective to measure banks’ green performance and we find that European banks achieve higher green banking scores compared to Asian and American banks. Finally, the study finds retail bank customers also prefer green banking and intend to adopt green banking.
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    A risk-benefit approach to the purchase and consumption of conventional vegetables in wet markets
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2022-09-01) Ha TM; Hansson H; Abu Hatab A; Darr D; Shakur S
    The purchase and consumption of conventional vegetables from wet markets in Vietnam are like two sides of a coin: perceived food safety risks and perceived benefits. Drawing on a sample of 463 Hanoi consumers, this study employed a risk-benefit approach to analyze the purchase intention and consumption frequency of conventional vegetables at traditional markets. A confirmatory factor analysis examined the links among risk perception, perceived utilitarian benefits, perceived hedonic benefits, and trust. Finally, generalized ordered and Poisson regressions were performed on these psychological constructs and their identified links. We found that perceived hedonic benefits, trust in wet market actors, and the presence of homegrown vegetables determined purchase intention and consumption frequency. The joint influence of perceived hedonic and utilitarian benefits on purchase intention implies that consumers considered both benefit dimensions when thinking of their future purchase of conventional vegetables. The significant interaction between perceived risk and perceived hedonic benefits on consumption frequency supports the risk-benefit approach. The effect of perceived hedonic benefits and income on purchase intention and consumption frequency are evidence of wet markets' social and cultural relevance.
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    Evaluating temporal multiple sip approaches to characterise product experience : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North Campus, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Weerawarna N. R. P., Maheeka
    As consumers become ever more demanding, methods that capture detailed insights into consumer product experiences are much needed. Adapting temporal sensory and affective measures to cater this demand beyond single time points and small sample sizes is one such approach, and of a recent interest in the sensory and consumer science research area. Firstly, this research compared single and multiple sip sensory approaches using static and time-dependent sensory methodologies with an expert panel. Multiple sip evaluations were designed to represent the consumption of a whole product serving, in this case vanilla milkshakes. Generalised linear models with Analysis of Deviance were employed as a novel approach to analyse naturally correlated temporal data. Additionally, the impact of milkshake sipping method and panel type on multiple sip temporal profiles of the milkshakes was investigated. In addition, temporal methods were adapted to investigate consumer affective responses, both hedonic and emotional response, over multiple sips. Temporal drivers of product acceptance and rejection were identified in analyses combining sensory and affective data. Finally, the impact of individual differences in sweet liker and PROP (6-n-propylthiouracil) taste phenotypes across multiple sip temporal emotion profiles of the milkshakes was investigated. Multiple sip evaluation of both static and temporal methods (Temporal check all that apply (TCATA) and Temporal dominance of sensation (TDS)) provided further discrimination of products than on a single sip of milkshakes. The use of static and temporal methods as complementary approaches, rather than as alternatives, was valuable in obtaining holistic temporal profiles of products. Specifically, the use of generalised linear models and Analysis of Deviance allowed to investigate the dynamics of within-sip and between sip which was a novel addition to the knowledge of temporal data analysis. However, temporal sensory product profiles varied depending by sipping method and emphasised the importance of adapting product evaluation protocols based on intended consumption methods of the beverages. Moreover, temporal sensory profiles were affected by panel type, i.e. experts or consumers, and the insights obtained from the two panel types were not interchangeable. Using expert panels, even on multiple sip evaluations did not provide closer insights into actual consumer product experience. The research highlighted that choice of panel type needs to be aligned with any respective project objectives. Temporal sensory responses of consumers were associated with temporal liking and emotions over multiple sips. Furthermore, dominant emotions reported depended on sweet liker status and PROP taster status. The research findings highlighted the importance of investigating temporal affective responses, i.e. both liking and emotions, and individual differences alongside temporal sensory responses in consumer research to obtain closer insight into actual product experience. Generally, findings were attribute and product specific and hence wider research using additional products and different food matrices are required to validate the findings. Overall, the research outcomes emphasised the importance of multiple sip sensory evaluations to represent the consumption of whole product servings, using appropriate sipping methods, and panels. Investigating the affective responses and individual differences were important to capture different insights according to respective project objectives.
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    An exploratory analysis of the factors impacting on Chinese consumer trust in lactic acid bacteria preserved beef and its mediation impact on purchase intention : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree Masters in Agricommerce, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Chen, Jinya
    Every year, worldwide, millions of people die and many are hospitalized due to food-borne diseases and illnesses caused by the consumption of contaminated food. Food safety has continued to be a concern for consumers, the food industry, and regulatory agencies. In China, there is almost a constant stream of reports about various food safety issues. Chinese consumers are concerned about the need for healthier and safer food. The development of science has provided more opportunities and possibilities to change the way we live. However, consumers’ overall confidence in Chinese food is not high and they are increasingly skeptical about new food. This research focuses on a new and not yet launched biological food, Lactic Acid Bacteria preserved vacuum-sealed chilled beef (LAB beef), as an example to examine what factors would have a significant correlation with consumers’ trust in this product and to examine if trust is the key factor impacting on consumers’ purchase intention. In order to complete the study objectives, a self-completed social survey was conducted in Shanghai City and Chengdu City, totaling 514 respondents. The analysis methods used included a measure of correlation, Gamma, principal component analysis and structural equation modeling. SPSS, Excel and Amos software were used. One outcome of this research was the finding that a number of socio-demographic factors were not strongly correlated with consumer trust in LAB beef, unlike some previous research that found such relationships with trust in new food technologies. Personal beef consumption habits, consumers’ past purchase experience with current used beef, products, product knowledge and food safety concerns based on their awareness, experience and media exposure were found to be important in establishing trust in LAB beef. The second outcome of this research is the confirmation of the importance of trust in determining consumers’ willingness to buy LAB beef, as well as the confirmation of the mediation effect of trust in explaining the underlying causal relationship between a number of independent variables and the dependent variable, willingness to buy.
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    Impact of airline service quality on overall and female passengers' satisfaction : a case study of Tonga's domestic aviation market : a 190.893 (120 credit) research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Siu, Analena Talikimuli
    The primary objectives of this thesis are to determine the direct impact of airline service quality on passengers’ satisfaction in Tonga’s domestic aviation market. The determinants of airline service quality were identified by using the SERVQUAL dimensions (assurance, empathy, reliability, responsiveness and tangibles) as measurable indicators. A survey was conducted and 205 questionnaires were collected and analysed. Empirical results obtained via the structural equation modelling (SEM) approach revealed that airline service quality has a direct impact on overall and female passengers’ satisfaction. Furthermore, both overall and female passengers were mostly satisfied with the responsiveness dimension. The tangibles dimension was the dimension with the lowest level of satisfaction for overall passengers and the reliability dimension was the dimension with the lowest satisfaction for female passengers. Importantly, the research highlights the different levels of satisfaction among airline passengers in the monopolistic Tongan domestic aviation market. The findings have implications for the airline management.
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    Usability of disaster apps : understanding the perspectives of the public as end-users : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Emergency Management at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2020) Tan, Marion Lara
    Multiple smartphone applications (apps) exist that can enhance the public’s resilience to disasters. Despite the capabilities of these apps, they can only be effective if users find them usable. Availability does not automatically translate to usability nor does it guarantee continued usage by the target users. A disaster app will be of little or no value if a user abandons it after the initial download. It is, therefore, essential to understand the users’ perspectives on the usability of disaster apps. In the context of disaster apps, usability entails providing the elements that effectively facilitate users in retrieving critical information, and thus enabling them to make decisions during crises. Establishing good usability for effective systems relies upon focussing on the user whereby technological solutions match the user’s needs and expectations. However, most studies on the usability of disaster context technologies have been conducted with emergency responders, and only a few have investigated the publics’ perspectives as end-users. This doctoral project, written within a ‘PhD-thesis-with-publication’ format, addresses this gap by investigating the usability of disaster apps through the perspectives of the public end-users. The investigation takes an explicitly perceived usability standpoint where the experiences of the end-users are prioritised. Data analysis involved user-centric information to understand the public’s context and the mechanisms of disaster app usability. A mixed methods approach incorporates the qualitative analysis of app store data of 1,405 user reviews from 58 existing disaster apps, the quantitative analysis of 271 survey responses from actual disaster app users, and the qualitative analysis of usability inquiries with 18 members of the public. Insights gathered from this doctoral project highlight that end-users do not anticipate using disaster apps frequently, which poses particular challenges. Furthermore, despite the anticipated low frequency of use, because of the life-safety association of disasters apps, end-users have an expectation that the apps can operate with adequate usability when needed. This doctoral project provides focussed outcomes that consider such user perspectives. First, an app store analysis investigating user reviews identified new usability concerns particular to disaster apps. It highlighted users’ opinion on phone resource usage and relevance of content, among others. More importantly, it defined a new usability factor, app dependability, relating to the life-safety context of disaster apps. App dependability is the degree to which users’ perceive that an app can operate dependably during critical scenarios. Second, the quantitative results from this research have contributed towards producing a usability-continuance model, highlighting the usability factors that affect end-users’ intention to keep or uninstall a disaster app. The key influences for users’ intention to keep disaster apps are: (1) users’ perceptions as to whether the app delivers its function (app utility), (2) whether it does so dependably (app dependability), and (3) whether it presents information that can be easily understood (user-interface output). Subsequently, too much focus on (4) user-interface graphics and (5) user-interface input can encourage users to uninstall apps. Third, the results from the qualitative analysis of the inquiry data provide a basis for developing guidelines for disaster app usability. In the expectation of low level of engagement with disaster app users, the guidelines list recommendations addressing information salience, cognitive load, and trust. This doctoral project provides several contributions to the body of knowledge for usability and disaster apps. It reiterates the importance of investigating the usability of technological products for disasters and showcases the value of user-centric data in understanding usability. It has investigated usability with particular attention to the end-users’ perspectives on the context of disaster apps and, thus, produces a theoretical usability-continuance model to advance disaster app usability research and usability guidelines to encourage responsible design in practice.
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    Cutting edge : consumers' attitudes towards advertisements portraying female models who have undergone cosmetic surgery : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Marketing at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Tipgomut, Pornchanoke
    Advertisers portray idealized female models who have gained attractiveness from cosmetic surgery in their advertisements without knowing the effects of this decision. This thesis aims to address this unknown point about the portrayal of idealized female images in advertisements. It is a controversial topic, but an important topic, given the prominent use of cosmetic surgery in contemporary society. Two exploratory studies and five quantitative studies were conducted in Thailand to investigate: female consumer’ reactions to models that underwent cosmetic surgery, male consumers’ reaction to such models and the influence of cosmetic surgery on Asian beauty types. The results show that cosmetic surgery only enhances perceived attractiveness when the model underwent many cosmetic surgery changes and if female consumers do not perceive these surgery changes. However, both male and female consumers can detect surgery changes when the model has undergone many changes. In sum, cosmetic surgery only affects attractiveness if many procedures have been conducted. But then the probability of detection is high, and detection overrides the positive effect of cosmetic surgery on perceived model attractiveness. This dark side does not occur amongst male participants in the reported experiments. We found that males believe in the negative news of claiming that the model has undergone cosmetic surgery, but such claims do not affect perceived model attractiveness. However, a claim of no surgery on model’s face provides benefit, as it increases perceived model attractiveness amongst male experiment participants, and consequently increases advertising effectiveness. Concerning the third topic, previous classifications of female models’ beauty types are based on a Western perspective. However, we have shown that Asian model beauty types are classified differently from Western perspectives. From an Asian perspective female model beauty types are classified into three main groups: Natural Cuteness (cute, natural, sweet, and local beauty), Non-Local/Surgery (Western look, Korean style, and surgery beauty), and Sexy Beauty (sexy, cool, and sharp beauty). Our results indicate that cosmetic surgery enhances Non-Local/Surgery beauty and Sexy beauty. However, the most effective beauty type in terms of advertising effectiveness is Natural Cuteness, which cosmetic surgery cannot enhance.
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    Muslim and non-Muslim consumer perceptions of halal at supermarkets in a non-Muslim country : a thesis submitted to Massey University in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Studies in Marketing
    (Massey University, 2017) Omar Farouk, Riaz Fathima
    The role of spiritual beliefs and religiosity on consumers’ buying decisions is increasingly gaining the attention of consumer researchers and practitioners (Maclaran et al. 2012). However, its role in consumer behaviour is not yet well established, particularly in the area of Muslim’s purchasing behaviour when shopping for produce/meat at local supermarkets in non-Muslim countries. This research explore the influence of whether religious beliefs on consumer’s shopping behaviour at New Zealand supermarkets. Specifically, this research is investigates whether, the religious beliefs around dietary restrictions for Muslims, in terms of halal consumption, influences their shopping behaviour at New Zealand supermarkets and whether there is scope for supermarkets to adopt Halal food practices. This research is also interested in determining New Zealand non-Muslim perceptions of Halal and whether New Zealanders of various religious beliefs and faiths are willing to accept the practice of segregation of halal produce in supermarket, as well as explore their knowledge and tolerance towards Halal produce. An online questionnaire was completed by 215 participants including 33 Muslim respondents and 182 non-Muslims of various religions. The results of this study confirm that religious and spiritual beliefs among consumers of certain faith (Islam, Christian and other religious groups) have an impact on their supermarket shopping behaviour, particularly Muslim consumers. Specifically the results shows that Muslim consumers would support the segregated display of halal and non-halal produce at local supermarkets in New Zealand. This research contributes to retail and consumer behaviour literature by exploring the influence of religious and spiritual beliefs on supermarket shopping behaviour, especially, in the area of Halal produce displayed and sold at supermarkets in non-Muslim countries. The managerial implications of this research may guide supermarkets in New Zealand in term of catering for consumers religious beliefs and consider adopting the suggested method of Halal display, which in return could enhance the Muslim consumers’ shopping experience. Future research could explore further on other variables, such as ‘self-identity’, halal logo and commitment could add to the body of knowledge.
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    An examination of the effect of asymmetrically dominated decoys on consumer choice behaviour by using judgments and choice : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies in Marketing at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2008) Xu, Xiaozhen
    The Purpose of this research was to test assumptions underlying the three asymmetrically dominated decoy effect (ADE) models described by Wedell and Pettibone (1996): the Weight Change Model, the Value Shift Model, and the Emergent Value Model. Of particular interest was whether there is support for an alternative interpretation of the Weight Change Model, as proposed by Bonaccio and Reeve (2006). Wedell (1991). Wedell and Pettibone (1996) conducted a series of studies on the three models. Their results found no support for the Weight Change Model but support both the Value Shift Model and the Emergent Value Models. These results have been widely accepted (see Highhouse, 1996; Pettibone & Wedell, 2000; Tenbrunsel & Diekmann, 2002). However, Bonaccio and Reeve (2006) proposed a different interpretation of the Weight Change Model. They argued that the lack of the supporting evidence for the model is a result of misinterpretation of the original Weight Change Formulation derived from Huber. Payne and Puto (1982). They suggested that the Weight Change Model might be a viable explanation for the ADE. This study examined this issue by replicating the analysis of both Wedell and Pettibone (1996) and Bonaccio and Reeve (2006). using both a choice task and judgment tasks from their study, but with a different set of products and attribute values. The research used a mail survey of 960 New Zealand residents selected from the Electoral Roll of a median size New Zealand city. The research demonstrated strong ADD effect in both choice and judgment tasks and found a strong relationship between choice and judgment. The study also found little support for either of the Weight Change Models (i.e.. that of Wedell and Pettibone's, 1996. or that of Bonaccio and Reeve, 2006). but strong support for the Value Shift Model and some support for the Emergent Value Model. The use of No-decoy comparison with the decoy condition in current study also provides evidence that Wedell and Pettibone's (1996) analysis is a weak test of the ADE and should not be used to support the decision of whether to use ADD in a choice set.