A STUDY IN UNDERSTANDING THE CONSUMER PERCEPTION FACTORS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING IN FOOD INDUSTRY
1Dhileepan. D., 2Lakshmidevi S.
1Student, Department of MBA logistics and Supply Chain Management2Assistant Professor (Research Guide), School of Management
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Padur, Chennai, India
ABSTRACT: Within the context of the food sector, this research explores the complex aspects of customer perception about environmentally friendly packaging. Within the context of today’s environmentally aware society, businesses are being subjected to an increasing number of requests to embrace sustainable practices, which may include the use of environmentally friendly packaging solutions. A thorough examination of consumer behaviour and preferences is the means by which the researchers want to accomplish their goal of determining the underlying elements that influence consumers’ attitudes on environmentally friendly packaging in the food industry. For the purpose of ensuring that full data was collected, the methodology used a mixed-methods approach, which included both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Comprehensive interviews were conducted in addition to questionnaires that were sent to a diverse group of customers. The purpose of these interviews was to give more in-depth insights into the attitudes and behaviours of the participants about sustainable packaging. Through the use of data obtained from a wide variety of sources, the research endeavoured to improve the reliability and validity of its conclusions. The results of the research highlight a number of critical aspects that influence and influence the impression that buyers have of sustainable packaging. One of the most important factors that influences consumer behaviour is the increased knowledge of the effect that packaging materials have on the environment. According to the findings of the research, the recyclability, biodegradability, and decreased waste output of the packaging have a substantial impact on the preferences of customers for environmentally friendly packaging solutions. In addition, it was discovered that the customers’ perceptions of the product’s quality and freshness had a major impact on their willingness to accept different packaging materials on the market. On the other hand, the report also draws attention to considerable obstacles that stand in the way of the broad adoption of environmentally friendly packaging options. Among these concerns are the possible cost repercussions of environmentally friendly alternatives, the availability of these options, and the potential difficulties that they may provide. As an additional point of interest, the researchers are firmly in favour of the concept of fostering efforts within the food business that promote more openness and knowledge-sharing. Specifically, they highlight the role of education and the transmission of information in the process of moulding the viewpoints of consumers.
KEYWORDS: Perceived Quality, Environmental Friendliness, Convenience of the Consumers, Food Industry, Knowledge-Sharing