Examinando preferencias, motivaciones y actitudes de los consumidores para mejorar la sostenibilidad de los sistemas agroalimentarios: una aplicación a los sistemas agropastorales extensivos
(English) In the context of global transformations in the agri-food system—marked by environmental pressures, biodiversity loss, market concentration, and dietary homogenization—a critical scenario for sustainability has emerged. Within this landscape, extensive livestock farming, based on grazing a...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis doctoral |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | español |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:upcommonspor::1836cf0a8507867a908c21ef8fc28dac |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/460407 https://dx.doi.org/10.5821/dissertation-2117-460407 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Sostenibilidad de los sistemas agroalimentarios Consumidores Ganadería extensiva Experimentos de elección discreta 502 - Natura. Estudi, conservació i protecció de la natura 636 - Explotació i cria d'animals. Cria de lbestiar i d'animals domèstics 338 - Situació econòmica. Política econòmica. Gestió, control i planificació de l'economia. Producció. Serveis. Turisme. Preus Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria agroalimentària |
| Sumario: | (English) In the context of global transformations in the agri-food system—marked by environmental pressures, biodiversity loss, market concentration, and dietary homogenization—a critical scenario for sustainability has emerged. Within this landscape, extensive livestock farming, based on grazing and traditional management practices, constitutes a viable alternative to intensive production by integrating ecological, economic, and sociocultural dimensions. Nevertheless, its long-term viability depends largely on consumer recognition, as purchasing decisions can drive the transition toward more sustainable systems. This thesis assumes that consumers operate as agents of change but face constraints linked to limited information, perceptions of high prices, and insufficient market differentiation. Accordingly, the general objective was to assess the economic and social viability of extensive livestock systems through an examination of consumer preferences, motivations, and attitudes toward sustainably produced lamb meat, generating evidence to inform differentiation strategies and public policies that support agri-food sustainability. The research employed a mixed-methods design developed in two complementary phases. The qualitative phase comprised semi-structured interviews and participatory workshops with sheep producers to identify sustainability drivers and market-valued attributes. The quantitative phase implemented Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) among consumers in Catalonia, carried out in two stages: an exploratory study (n = 396) to refine attributes and optimize the experimental design, followed by a larger study (n = 1,003) incorporating attitudinal measures through the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale. Data were analyzed using mixed logit and latent class models, enabling the identification of heterogeneous preferences, the estimation of willingness to pay, and the integration of environmental and ethical attitudes into consumer choice modeling. The findings reveal a complex interaction between knowledge, attitudes, and values in shaping preferences for sustainable meat. Results indicate limited consumer knowledge of production systems—particularly extensive livestock farming—despite the strong symbolic valuation of local origin, animal welfare, and territorial authenticity. Labeling and certification mechanisms emerge as essential tools for building trust and supporting informed decisions. The highest willingness to pay is associated with organic production and animal welfare, while sensory cues such as color and visible fat exert a complementary influence. The research confirms a persistent gap between stated attitudes and actual behaviors, shaped by economic constraints, purchasing routines, and information availability. However, it also identifies a segment of consumers who are informed and value-consistent, suggesting opportunities for differentiation through targeted communication, certification, and education initiatives. Overall, the thesis provides an integrated understanding of the relationship between consumer behavior and sustainability, advocating for a renewed appreciation of agro-pastoral systems as public goods that deliver not only food but also essential ecosystem and cultural services. Its results contribute to the development of agri-food policies and market strategies that acknowledge the role of consumer demand in advancing sustainable production models, reinforcing consumers as central actors in the transition toward an ethical, territorially grounded, and environmentally responsible agri-food economy. |
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