Consumer Perception of Corporate Social Responsibilityin the Vegan Food Industry

Abstract: The aim of this research was to investigate the consumer perception of corporate social responsibility initiatives of companies in the vegan food industry, considering the consumers’ dietary choice and socio-demographic characteristics. The study is based on primary, quantitative data which was collected through anonymous surveys (N = 816). A social media sampling strategy was adopted, and a questionnaire was distributed among Europeans above the age of 18. The data was analysed with descriptive statistics, Cronbach Alpha reliability tests, one-way analysis of variance, and independent sample t tests. The findings showed that vegans care significantly more about CSR in the vegan food industry than non-vegans, hence they should be the target audience for CSR advertisements. Socio-demographic characteristics did not have an influence on perceptions among vegans, and only the characteristic of gender showed to be of importance, as women care more about CSR than men among vegetarians and omnivores. Therefore, the second target audience for CSR advertisements should be non-vegan women. CSR in the vegan food industry was rated as more legitimate compared to the rest of the food industry by all consumers, and all-vegan companies were rated as more socially responsible than companies that recently introduced vegan products in addition to their non-vegan range.