Main Factors that Explain Organic Food Purchase Intention: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This study sought to understand the factors behind the intention towards buying organic products mentioned in the existing literature and provide conceptual and theoretical guidelines for future research on the subject. A systematic revision of original research papers included in Scopus and Web of Science databases during the period 2011-2021 was conducted, resulting in a sample of 162 articles. The results show that the attitude, values, and confidence of the consumer were the main factors in the intention to buy organic foods. Moreover, it was found that the theory of planned behavior was the most used theoretical framework in the analysis of organic foods purchasing. The changes brought by the covid-19 pandemic are manifested in consumers’ values and their implications to the sale of this type of foods. We propose to consider consumers’ values as variables that intertwine the rational and motivational approaches to consumption analysis. It is also proposed to understand the purchase intention underlying the stimulation of attitudes and the confidence of consumers due to their values. Finally, it is suggested to consider the analysis of the mediating effect of attitudes and trust in the relationship between values and purchase intention.