| Abstract [eng] |
This doctoral thesis, written by Yufei Wang under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Mangirdas Morkūnas at Vilnius University, examines the non-financial barriers to responsible food behavior, particularly the impact of cultural factors on food waste. The thesis questions the hegemony of economic and rational choice approaches, suggesting that cultural factors, social norms, and operational inefficiencies are understudied yet fundamental causes of food waste. The thesis adopts a sequential mixed-methods design, consisting of four published articles. The thesis argues that any successful waste reduction strategy must be culturally attuned and context-specific, going beyond the economic paradigm to address the entrenched cultural and operational environments that define our relationship with food. |
