Celebration of the School of MPO PhD Success

PhD Graduate

Title: Cultivating Consumption of Biobased Product

Summary: The overarching aim of this PhD was to examine consumer perspectives on biobased products and fill the attitude-use behaviour gap by understanding how consumers make decisions on biobased products and what factors encourage or hinder their acceptance. For this purpose, an in-depth literature review was conducted to gain a better understanding of biobased products. Using the results of this review study, a comprehensive behavioural model was developed to explain how awareness progresses into actual use behaviour. The PhD focused on two bioplastics applications (biobased apparel and packaging) while emphasising consumer involvement and exploring how consumers in the Republic of Ireland make decisions regarding these products. To test the model and later for two applications, the study employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) at different stages. Generally, the results of this research allowed us to understand how consumers make decisions and what factors influence them at each stage. This study delved deeper into understanding the role of product attributes and demand-side policy interventions in their decision-making. It also went further into behavioural differentiation between applications, considering consumer involvement. The research helps to bridge the attitude–behaviour gap, advances understanding of the behavioural drivers influencing consumers' decision-making, and offers recommendations for businesses and policymakers to support informed decisions regarding biobased products.

Awards & Scholarships:

Walsh Scholarship, Teagasc – Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (2020-2024).

Peer-Reviewed Publications:

Nejadrezaei, N., Henchion, M., & O’Neill, E. (2024). Consumers Perspectives on Biobased Products: A Scoping Review. Cleaner Production Letter, 7(100073). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clpl.2024.100073

Conferences & Presentations:

· 31st Annual Conference of International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS), Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary (July 2025).

· Bioeco Congress, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France (June 2025).

· Agricultural Economics Society Ireland (AESI), UCD, Ireland (June 2025).

· BiOrbic Away Day Presentation, Teagasc, Ashtown, Ireland (February 2025).

· Bioeconomy Forum Ireland, UCD, Ireland (February 2025).

· BiOrbic Research Day Presentation, UCD, Ireland (June 2024).

· Agricultural Economics Society Ireland (AESI), Teagasc, Ashtown, Ireland (February 2023).

· Bioeconomy Research Symposium Ireland (BRSI), UCD, Ireland (December 2022).

· Pint of Science, Dublin, Ireland (October 2021).

Other Activities:

· Member of Organising Committee, Bioeconomy Research Symposium Ireland (BRSI) (December 2022).

· Academic Tutor, Bioeconomy Policy & Social (BSEN40630), UCD, Dublin, Ireland (July 2021, August 2022, July 2023, November 2023).