Katalin Tóth

This study investigated consumer perspectives on lab-grown muscle cells in Italy, Germany, Serbia and Hungary. A quantitative consumer study was conducted, yielding a total of 1615 responses. Results show notable differences in awareness and acceptance between Western (Italy, Germany) and Eastern European (Serbia, Hungary) respondents. Italian and German consumers demonstrated higher familiarity and more favourable attitudes, whereas Serbian and, especially, Hungarian respondents expressed greater scepticism and reluctance. Willingness to try lab-grown muscle cells was highest among German respondents and lowest among Hungarians. Higher income was linked to lower willingness to consume, while younger consumers were more willing to pay a premium price for lab-grown muscle cells. Support for marketing lab-grown muscle cells was low; only 39%, 31%, and less than 20% of Italians, Germans, and Eastern Europeans supported. Almost 50% of Germans and 40% of Italians supported labelling them as “meat”, compared to 75–80% opposition in Serbia and Hungary. Half of German, one-third of Hungarian and Serbian, and one-fifth of Italian respondents believed lab-grown muscle cells have lower carbon footprint than meat. Taste and nutritional value were top priorities, while appearance resembling meat mattered least. Only 4–9% believed lab-grown muscle cells were more nutrient-dense than meat. These findings show that cultural and historical context significantly influences perceptions, even when identical information is provided. This highlights the need for further research into how social, cultural, and economic environments influence consumer opinions on novel food products. Insights could be valuable for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers in navigating the challenges of consumer acceptance.

The assessment of consumer behavior regarding the choice of financial instruments may be extremely important in the near future, since the fight between cash and electronic money has reached a turning point, and electronic payments are slowly defeating cash. On one hand, in the long term, this possible separation threatens sustainable development goals, and on the other hand, financial awareness can affect the number of purchases and savings. In a survey of 499 people, we examined the reasons behind their decisions, with a particular focus on financial awareness. The result shows that the vast majority of Hungarian consumers are not yet ready to fully accept electronic payments. It can be stated that financial awareness is not present at all in one-fifth of respondents, and one-third are influenced by habituation in everyday shopping situations, which indicates a lack of financial awareness. Based on our results, we have concluded that our consumers still find it difficult to abandon cash payments. Financial awareness needs to be improved in parallel with the Hungarian government’s strategy to reduce the use of cash.

The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between overspending and the method of payment, to highlight its causes. The non-representative survey was conducted between 2020 and 2021 in Hungary (n = 499) using the snowball sampling of data collection. They examined the relationship between age, education, place of residence, and payment methods, and analyzed the impact of internal and external factors on cash consumption and sustainability. The results showed that the use of cash as a method of payment is characteristic with advancing age, and higher education has a higher willingness to pay electronically according to the examined sample, and the existence of electronic access is not related to the size of the settlement. It can be stated that the majority of respondents have no choice when choosing a payment method. The answers reflect confidence in electronic payment solutions (a value of 2.21 on a six-point scale). Each group believes that they can consciously plan their budget (alternative budget). With proper communication and awareness of these influencing factors, financial awareness can be strengthened.

The main focus of the paper is the investigation of the social potential of local renewable energy utilization in a rural peripheral region in Hungary. Public acceptance of biomass-based renewable energy sources can be crucial for rural communities in realization of their sustainable development strategy. The research area was Koppany Valley Natur Park 2000, a microregion of 10 settlements located in the South Transdanubian region. This microregion is characterized by poor and depressive socioeconomic and demographical conditions, despite its significant natural resources. The microregion’s complex development strategy includes the utilization of local resources of renewable energy. Local population survey (n = 310) was conducted (in May 2018) on local biomass potential, knowledge, and attitudes of the local stakeholders in the microregion. Multinomial logistic regression model estimates the acceptance of population, explanatory variables are categorical demographical (personal) factors and specific factors (based on answers of respondents). Trust in local authorities, knowledge on biomass in general and on specific technologies, as well as the education level of rural inhabitants are significant factors in supporting biomass plant establishment. Further, the group and characteristics of acceptance groups that the local development strategy may consider were defined.

The phenomenon of food waste and food loss at any stage of the supply chain is significant in developed economies. The purpose of this article is to highlight the areas of milk processing where milk loss occurs, and, after quantifying the data obtained, reveal the extent of the losses. To achieve the goals, we conducted on-site visits to one of Hungary’s milk processors. The methodology is based on the Food Loss and Waste (FLW) standard, accordingly we determined the extent of milk loss at the company level, supplemented with loss values by each dairy product. During the analyzed processing stages (receiving of raw milk, skimming, pasteurization, Extended Shelf-Life (ESL) milk, cheese milk, sour cream, yoghurt, and kefir) 1203.4–1406.8 L of raw material per day can be accounted as losses, which makes up 0.9–1% of daily production. A Milk Production-Milk Losses (MPML) model was created where six factors (technology and automation, design of the plant aspects, quantity of orders, expertise of employees, number of product variants, optimal storage capacity) were methodized that significantly influence the rate of milk losses over different time periods. Our paper highlights how areas of the production stage can be developed to decrease milk loss.

The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and opinion in the Hungarian population about the consumption of insect-based food. The questionnaire was filled in by 414 respondents. Their knowledge of edible insect consumption in different countries was average (score 4) or above on a scale of 1 (totally disagree) to 7 (totally agree). Their willingness to consume insect-based food was low, usually below average. Significantly higher scores were attained by men than women, by respondents with a university degree than those who graduated from secondary school, and the highest scores were attained by people of 30–39 age group. However, the effects of residence (town or village) and income were not significant. As Hungarians are not traditional insect consumers, there is a significant emotional response of disgust regarding food made from insects and, as insect food is not commercially available, no significant increase in insect consumption is expected in the near future.

Employee turnover is a current challenge of human resource management in organizations. Staff turnover is regarded as a key performance indicator for Human Resources departments, and a serious rise in its level points to events, issues or problems which may severely hamper the successful and efficient operation of any organization. Hence, in such cases immediate measures should be taken to curtail turnover. The paper reviews briefly current trends of labor market and specific HRM challenges of public services. In this study an empirical research is also introduced. Employees with adequate professional experience represent outstanding value for operational efficiency, a turnover index compiled by on a sectoral basis, highlights the fact that turnover is highest among blue collar workers in the private sector. Surprisingly, within the same group in the public sector turnover is typically low. At the same time, however, our 2017 results show that astonishingly high levels of turnover (even 40%) may also occur in public sector organizations. Public sector in Hungary has provided life long employment but the new labor regulation and labor shortages have drastic changed the particular traits.