Social Sciences

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Consumers’ Perceptions on Packaging of Processed Food Products in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania

Received: 25 May 2015    Accepted: 06 June 2015    Published: 23 June 2015
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Abstract

Packaging performs important functions of containing, promoting and facilitating the storage and use of products, and could be treated as one of the most important factors influencing consumer’s purchase decision. However, packaging of processed food by small scale entrepreneurs is often insufficient to enhance competitiveness in the market. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess consumers’ perceptions on packaging attributes and (ii) to examine the influence of packaging related attributes on purchase decision of processed cereal products. The study enrolled 300 randomly selected consumers of food processed by women groups in Dodoma Municipality in 2014. A four-point Likert scale was used to rate food packaging attributes and the factors influencing purchase decision. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program version 16. Results show that consumers acknowledge the benefits of packaging particularly in terms of product protection (mean score 3.4), hygiene (3.3), product information (3.1) and branding (3.1). These functions are considered important along with specific characteristics of packaging materials which include durability (3.0), good shape for grip (3.0), attractiveness (2.8), easy to open and close after use (2.6) and recyclability and degradability (1.8). On the other hand, the factors influencing buying decision span from the perceived value of the product to nutritional content and taste, product information and safety related attributes and appearance of the packaging materials. In conclusion, packaging affects preferences of food products and significantly influences purchase decision of the products. The findings from this study underscore the importance of packaging and packaging design for fulfilling the many functions related to logistics and marketing of food products. The main implication drawn from the study is that entrepreneurs need to be cognisant of consumers' specific packaging preferences for which they can use as a strategic marketing tool.

DOI 10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11
Published in Social Sciences (Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2015)
Page(s) 77-81
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Packaging Attributes, Perceived Value, Purchase Decisions

References
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Author Information
  • Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP), Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP), Dodoma, Tanzania

  • Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP), Dodoma, Tanzania

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  • APA Style

    Sarah Mmari, John Safari, James Lwelamira. (2015). Consumers’ Perceptions on Packaging of Processed Food Products in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania. Social Sciences, 4(4), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11

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    ACS Style

    Sarah Mmari; John Safari; James Lwelamira. Consumers’ Perceptions on Packaging of Processed Food Products in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania. Soc. Sci. 2015, 4(4), 77-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11

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    AMA Style

    Sarah Mmari, John Safari, James Lwelamira. Consumers’ Perceptions on Packaging of Processed Food Products in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania. Soc Sci. 2015;4(4):77-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11,
      author = {Sarah Mmari and John Safari and James Lwelamira},
      title = {Consumers’ Perceptions on Packaging of Processed Food Products in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania},
      journal = {Social Sciences},
      volume = {4},
      number = {4},
      pages = {77-81},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20150404.11},
      abstract = {Packaging performs important functions of containing, promoting and facilitating the storage and use of products, and could be treated as one of the most important factors influencing consumer’s purchase decision. However, packaging of processed food by small scale entrepreneurs is often insufficient to enhance competitiveness in the market. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess consumers’ perceptions on packaging attributes and (ii) to examine the influence of packaging related attributes on purchase decision of processed cereal products. The study enrolled 300 randomly selected consumers of food processed by women groups in Dodoma Municipality in 2014. A four-point Likert scale was used to rate food packaging attributes and the factors influencing purchase decision. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program version 16. Results show that consumers acknowledge the benefits of packaging particularly in terms of product protection (mean score 3.4), hygiene (3.3), product information (3.1) and branding (3.1). These functions are considered important along with specific characteristics of packaging materials which include durability (3.0), good shape for grip (3.0), attractiveness (2.8), easy to open and close after use (2.6) and recyclability and degradability (1.8). On the other hand, the factors influencing buying decision span from the perceived value of the product to nutritional content and taste, product information and safety related attributes and appearance of the packaging materials. In conclusion, packaging affects preferences of food products and significantly influences purchase decision of the products. The findings from this study underscore the importance of packaging and packaging design for fulfilling the many functions related to logistics and marketing of food products. The main implication drawn from the study is that entrepreneurs need to be cognisant of consumers' specific packaging preferences for which they can use as a strategic marketing tool.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Consumers’ Perceptions on Packaging of Processed Food Products in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania
    AU  - Sarah Mmari
    AU  - John Safari
    AU  - James Lwelamira
    Y1  - 2015/06/23
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20150404.11
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    AB  - Packaging performs important functions of containing, promoting and facilitating the storage and use of products, and could be treated as one of the most important factors influencing consumer’s purchase decision. However, packaging of processed food by small scale entrepreneurs is often insufficient to enhance competitiveness in the market. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess consumers’ perceptions on packaging attributes and (ii) to examine the influence of packaging related attributes on purchase decision of processed cereal products. The study enrolled 300 randomly selected consumers of food processed by women groups in Dodoma Municipality in 2014. A four-point Likert scale was used to rate food packaging attributes and the factors influencing purchase decision. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program version 16. Results show that consumers acknowledge the benefits of packaging particularly in terms of product protection (mean score 3.4), hygiene (3.3), product information (3.1) and branding (3.1). These functions are considered important along with specific characteristics of packaging materials which include durability (3.0), good shape for grip (3.0), attractiveness (2.8), easy to open and close after use (2.6) and recyclability and degradability (1.8). On the other hand, the factors influencing buying decision span from the perceived value of the product to nutritional content and taste, product information and safety related attributes and appearance of the packaging materials. In conclusion, packaging affects preferences of food products and significantly influences purchase decision of the products. The findings from this study underscore the importance of packaging and packaging design for fulfilling the many functions related to logistics and marketing of food products. The main implication drawn from the study is that entrepreneurs need to be cognisant of consumers' specific packaging preferences for which they can use as a strategic marketing tool.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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