SUBJECT GROUP CONSUMER SCIENCES
Research
The research of Consumer Sciences focuses exclusively on the South African consumer.Consumer behaviour is investigated inside the three main components of Consumer Sciences (Foods, Clothing and Consumer resource management, which includes housing and Interior design). The aim of the research is to develop and implement educational programmes to the advantage of the South African consumer. These three main components also leave room for capacity building, which concentrates on the development of life skills, to better the quality of life of consumers.
At the moment the following consumer research projects are undertaken:
South-African consumers’ purchase behaviour in the retail environment
The amount of time and money consumers spend in shops, emphasizes the need for research on the influence of marketing strategies of retailers and the influence thereof on consumer behaviour. Retailers are interested in ways to persuade consumers to make purchase decisions. The purpose of this project is to understand consumers’ needs, perceptions and behaviour towards the retail environment and to enable the retailer to better satisfy consumer needs. Simultaneously the retailer obtains better consumer support. This project is being finalised.
Enhancing consumer interests and well-being in South Africa
Research in Consumer sciences focus on a project entitled “Enhancing consumer interests and well-being in South Africa” (CON-WELL). The diversity of the South African consumer population and the functioning of these consumers in an emerging economy motivate research that aims to ensure their well-being with regard to their most basic needs, namely food, clothing and housing (interior). Consumer well-being and interests will be addressed by empowering them to maintain or increase their quality of life in a unique multicultural environment. Research in this project is undertaken from a consumer perspective with consumer behaviour being the keystone of all research. Central to this project is the project, “South African Consumer and Labelling Behaviour / Suid-Afrikaanse Verbruiker en Etiketteringgedrag” (SAVE). This project focuses on the way in which food – and textile labels influence South African consumers’ behaviour. The aim of the project is to enhance consumer interests and well-being by gaining a better understanding of their behaviour in response to food and textile labels. This will be achieved by developing training or education programmes to assist them in improved decision-making based on food and textile labels, thereby improving their quality of life.
Recently completed Post Graduate projects:
Ph.D.-students:
Dicks, E. 2008. A model of consumers’ perceptions of food additives and consequent purchasing behaviour. Ph.D. Consumer Sciences. Promotor: Dr M. van der Merwe
Simela, L. 2005. Meat characteristics and acceptability of chevon from South African indigenous goats.Ph.D. (Animal Science - Univ. of Pretoria) Promotor: Prof E.C. Webb Co-promotor: Prof M.J.C. Bosman
Scholtz, S.C. 2003. The sensory, lipid and haemostatic profile evaluation of a potential functional food using red palm olein. Ph.D. Promotor: Prof M.J.C. Bosman Co-promotor: Dr W. Oosthuizen
Masters degree students:
Spangenberg, S. 2009. The influence of the packaging of cold chain food products on consumers' purchasing decisions: an exploratory investigation. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr M. van der Merwe Co-supervisor: Dr H. de Beer Venter, K. 2009. An exploratory investigation of consumers' perceptions and perceptual process regarding food packaging. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr M. van der Merwe Co-supervisor: Dr H. de Beer Thomas, M. 2009. Describing the brand wearing male consumer and his searching and evaluating behaviour in the retail environment. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr M.D. Venter Co-supervisor: Dr M. van der Merwe Assistant supervisor: Mrs SD van Zyl Makhanya, B. 2008. Hospitality industry consumers’ behaviour towards textile products on offer by rural women entrepreneurs in the Vredefort dome. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Mrs L. van Niekerk Co-supervisor: Mrs M. Larney
Ndwandwe, K. 2008. A study of students’ perceptions of textile labels and their consequent purchasing behaviour. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Mrs M. Larney Co-supervisor: Dr M.D. Venter
Schutte, S.E. 2008. Student consumers’ decision-making process regarding food products containing limited label information. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr M. van der Merwe Co-supervisor: Dr H. de Beer
Van Niekerk, L. 2006. Investigating women’s income-generating activities in a disadvantaged farming community: Towards sustainability. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr A. Kruger Co-supervisor: Mrs M. Larney
Botes, X. 2005. A South African study of the influence of shelf-edge labeling on urban consumers’ grocery shopping. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Mrs N. Sonnenberg Co-supervisor: Dr M. van der Merwe
Botha, E. 2005. Die ontwikkeling van ‘n opvoedkundige intervensieprogram vir vroulike plaasbewoners gerig op die herstel en herwinning van klere en tekstielartikels. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Mrs M. Larney Co-supervisor: Dr M.D. Venter
Harmse, N. 2005. South African Consumers' perception of soy and soy products. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr S.C. Scholtz Co-supervisor:Prof M.J.C. Bosman
Klein, R. 2005. A South African study of consumers’ perceptions of food labels and its relevance to their purchasing behaviour.M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr S.C. Scholtz Co-supervisor:Prof M.J.C. Bosman
Kolanisi, U. 2005. A South African study of consumers’ perception and household utilization of a rural water service. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr E.L. Kempen Co-supervisor: Mrs M. Larney
Meiring, C. 2005. Die liggaamsmates van 10 tot 14-jarige Indiërkinders in Noordwes vir gebruik in patroon- en klerekonstruksie. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Mrs M. Larney
Mokobori, P. 2005. A South African study of consumers’ perceptions of textile labels and their consequent purchasing behaviour. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Mrs M. Larney Co-supervisor: Dr M.D. Venter
Sithole, S. 2005. nutrition security of farm worker households in the North-West Province, South Africa. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr S. Lemke Co-supervisor: Dr M. van der Merwe
Du Plessis, T. 2004. ‘n Opvoedkundige intervensieprogram vir vroulike plaasbewoners gerig op inkomstegenerering: Vervaardiging van interieurprodukte. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr M.D. Venter Co-supervisor: Mrs M. Larney
Matsetloa, L.S. 2004. An educational intervention program for female farm dwellers focusing on resource management. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Dr M.D. Venter Co-supervisor: Mrs M. Larney
Mbhenyane, C.M. 2004. Body measurements of black children. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Mrs M Larney
Rikhotso, T. 2004. Personal characteristics, perception of store image attributes and store choice of black female clothing shoppers. M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Prof A.M. van Aardt
Davel, M. 2003. Effect of electrical stimulation on consumer acceptance of mutton from Class –AB sheep carcasses M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Prof M.J.C. Bosman Co-supervisor: Prof E.C. Webb
Van Wyk de Vries, A. 2003. South African consumers’ opinion of the potential health benefits of soy and soy products as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). M.Consumer Sciences. Supervisor: Prof M.J.C. Bosman Co-supervisor: Dr S.C. Scholtz
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