An overview of means-end theory: potential application in consumer-oriented food product design

This paper presents an overview of the means-end chain theory and associated techniques, and discusses the virtues and shortcomings of its potential application in consumer-oriented food product design. This overview, based on literature in the food area, presents also the process of conducting a means-end study by drawing on previous research on consumers' motivations regarding meal choice. Finally, the usefulness of means-end studies in the context of consumer-oriented food product design is evaluated and future research trends in this area are discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.