Title: Social responsibility in the food sector: consumer approach

Authors: Ligita Šimanskienė; Erika Župerkienė; Aurimas Župerka

Addresses: Social Science Faculty, Department of Management, Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Minijos str. 153, Lithuania ' Social Science Faculty, Department of Management, Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Minijos str. 153, Lithuania ' Social Science Faculty, Department of Management, Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Minijos str. 153, Lithuania

Abstract: Evidently, in view of high competition in the today's world, each organisation strives both to increase its sales and to listen to consumer needs. However, this task is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve; therefore, the striving to become a socially responsible organisation can be seen as one of the measures towards this goal. It is extremely important in the food industry what product is offered to consumers, as it also involves the issue of public health. A conducted consumer survey identified consumer expectations, i.e., what they expect from socially responsible food industry companies and to what extent they are willing to support the performance of companies that meet their expectations. The research findings suggest that socially responsible behaviour of food companies has become an element of quality expected by customers, but they are not necessarily willing to pay more for that.

Keywords: CSR; corporate social responsibility; food sector; consumer; Lithuania.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2017.088922

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2017 Vol.9 No.2/3, pp.168 - 184

Received: 01 Mar 2017
Accepted: 03 Jul 2017
Published online: 02 Jan 2018 *

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