Consumer Intention to Use Mobile Applications for Buying Surplus Food: A Research Model

Commercial digital platforms are being developed today to address the global food waste problem and increase the amount of food rescued. This paper develops a research model to help map out and investigate potential reasons underlying consumers’ intention to buy surplus food on a mobile application (app). Previous studies have found a variety of potential variables, but no study has fully captured them in a model. Furthermore, and importantly, the model suggests that consumer attitude towards ecological aspects of food consumption is positively affected as a result of buying surplus food. Scales to measure each variable in the model are also developed and presented. Next steps for testing the model are also discussed.