Treat yourself: food delivery apps and the interplay between justification for use and food well-being

Capito, Sabrina; Pergelova, Albena

Treat yourself: food delivery apps and the interplay between justification for use and food well-being

Author

Capito, Sabrina

Pergelova, Albena

Date

2023

Keywords

food delivery apps, food well-being, justification, licensing effect

Abstract (summary)

This study examines the relationship between justification for use and well-being in respect to mobile food delivery apps (FDA). Adopting an interpretivist qualitative approach, the study offers contributions to the FDA and food well-being literature by uncovering four groups of licensing effects that consumers use in justifying FDA use. Those licensing effects can have either positive or negative influence on consumers' wellbeing depending on the degree to which consumers engage in self-regulation, awareness, and conscious managing of their relationship with food. The study also unravels the importance of dealing with the tensions between FDA use and well-being by shedding light on feelings of guilt and financial anxiety related to FDA use.

Publication Information

Capito, S. & Pergelova, A. (2023). Treat Yourself: Food Delivery Apps and The Interplay Between Justification for Use and Food Well-being. The Journal of Consumer Affairs. 57(1), 479-506. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12507