Authors : Bongane Debese; Tlali Zechariah Mosoeunyane

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yzwma58c

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/4w7dfxkj

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24JUL601

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The study examines the spending habits of final-year accounting students towards fast-food, focusing on socioeconomic and psychological variables. Data was collected through structured questionnaires sent via WhatsApp group and emails to 32 students. The research found that desire and individual attitudes significantly influence students' decisions to spend money on fast food, with peer pressure, parental income, and personal preferences being the main factors. Economic factors like promotions and discounts had less impact on overall fast- food purchasing. Bread and potato chips were found to be the most popular and often chosen foods among students, reflecting the trend of university students favouring ready-made meals due to their convenience and fit into busy schedules.

Keywords : Promotions, Discounts, Psychological Factors, Convenience, Food Preference, Consumer Behavior.

References :

1. Acland, h. M. U. a. S. D., 2012. Peer influence and college spending. American Economic Journal; Applied Economics, 4(3), pp. 152-181.
2. Ajzen, I., 1977. The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), pp. 179-211.
3. Bester, G. a. P. R., 2021. Food Insecurity in University Students. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 34(1), p. 1.
4. Bona, J. T., 2017. SPENDING BEHAVIOR AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS. Science International, 10(3s), pp. 142-152.
5. Brown, 2014. An Empirical examinination of the influence of peer group on students consumption attitdes and behavior. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 24(2), pp. 169-189.
6. Cici, M., 2016. The effects of Parental Income on the university students spending. Journal of family and economic issues , 37(2), pp. 150-165.
7. Collins, J. a. H. R., 2019. A practical Guide for Undergraduate and postgraduate Students. 5th ed. London: Routledge.
8. Creswell, J. W., 2015. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Approach methods Approaches. 4th ed. Califonia: Sage Publications.
9. Esteban-Guerrero, C. B.-I., 2018. Food Choices and dietary choices and diatary quality in college students. The Spanish HELENA-CSS study, 10(11), p. 1758.
10. Garrido, J. A. M. T. &. M. C. J., 2015. Food Insecurity Among Postsecondary Students and Their Eating Patterns.. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2(57), pp. 162-167.
11. Gulati, S., 2017. Impact of Peer Pressure on Buying Behaviour.. International Journal of Research, 5(6), p. 280.
12. Gunter, J. L. B. H. M. P. L., 2013. ood environment and college student diet quality: A cross-national comparison. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113(2), pp. 177-185.
13. Hanson, M., 2022. Education Data Initiative. [Online] Available at: www.educationsata.org/average-monthly-food-spend-collage-student [Accessed 11 August 2023].
14. Hart, C., 2019. The Literature review; A step by Step guide for students. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: CA: Sage.
15. Hayhoe, C. R. M. J., 2000. Difference in spending habits and credit use of Collage Students. Journal Of Consumer Affairs , 34(1), pp. 113-133.
16. Heck, R., 1984. Relations of family and employment exoerience to student finance and collrge persistence. Journal of College Student Personnel, 3(25), pp. 242-252.
17. Johnson, K. E. a. B. C., 2018. Exploring College Student's Use of and attitutes towards food pantries. Collage Student Journal, 52(2), pp. 178-188.
18. Jorgernsen, B., 2010. Financial Literacy for Young Adults; The importance of Parental Socialization. Family Relations, 59(4), pp. 465-478.
19. Kahle, E. A. R. M., 2017. A snapshot Food Insecurity and use of food pantries among postsecondary Student.. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavioor, 45(4), pp. 285-290.
20. Kumar, A., 2022. GETUPLEARN. [Online] Available at: getublogplearn.com/blog/consumer-behaviour Accessed 03 August 2023].
21. Kurukillam, C., 2019. High number of youth in financial difficulities. New Straits Times, 192(29269).
22. Lowe, M. H. S. a. M. L., 2008. Application of the Theory of Planned behaviour to understanding healthy eating in University Students. Appetite, 50(2), pp. 388-396.
23. Mchiza, C. N. &. V. Z. M. A., 2014. Perceived peer influence on students' food choices at a selected South African university. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development,, 14(3), pp. 10220-10237.
24. Miller, S. M. a. G. V., 2020. Assessing College students spending habits and Financial Behaviours. Journal of Financial Councelling and Planning, 31(1), pp. 32-44.
25. NANO, D., 2015. Does Student Spending differ Based on their family Income?. European Journal of Economics and Business studies, 1(1), pp. 76-82.
26. Otieno, O., 2015. Theoretical and Practical Implications of Applying Theory of Reasoned Action in an Information Systems Study. Open Access Library Journal, 12(1), pp. 1-2.
27. Rakotsoana, 2019. Reily, L., 2009. Science Direct. [Online] Available at: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012374235300008X [Accessed 03 August 2023].
28. Remund, D., 2010. Financial Literacy Explicated; the case for a clearer defination in an increasingly complex economy. Journal Of Consumer Affairs, 44(2), pp. 276-295.
29. Riehle, B. a. V.-D., 2017. Financial literacy,Financial Knowledge and student spending. Journal of family and economic Issues, 38(4), pp. 307-332.
30. Saunders, M. L. P. a. T., 2019. Research Methods for Business Students. 7th ed. Harlow, England: Person Education.
31. Schmeiser, M., 2012. Consumer Spending and the Economic Stimulus payment of 2008. Contemporary Economic Policy, 30(2), pp. 137-151.
32. Sharpe D, R. A., 2009. Financial knowledge and debt among college college students. Chigaco(Ilinois): SAGE.
33. Siebie, R. K. S. &. S. N. P., 2014. Peer influence and culture shape student food choices and eating behaviours.. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 14(3), pp. 9478-9488.
34. Smith, K. A. K. M. a. D. C., 2019. Do University Students have the skills, knowledge and confidence to eat healthy. s.l.:s.n.
35. Smith, L. J. T., 2017. Fast food consumption patterns among collage students. Journal of Nutrition and Education , 10(49), pp. 798-801.
36. Tite, L., 2015. Does the students financial behaviour differ based on their parental income?. European Journal of Economics and Business Studies, I(1), pp. 76-82.
37. United States Department of Agriculture, 2018. Econimic Research Services. [Online]  Available at: https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=94021[Accessed 11 August 2023].
38. Van Zyl, M. A. &. M. C. N., 2015. Financial literacy and its influence on the food choices and the health of South African university students.. South African Journal of Higher Education,, 29(3), pp. 537-553.
39. Volpe, R., 1998. Analysis of Personal Financial Literacy Among Collage Students. Financial Service Review, 7(2), pp. 107-128.
40. Walstad, W. B. M. R., 2010. How Financial Literate are youths todAY. Journal Of Consumer Affairs, 44(2), pp. 358-380.
41. Webster, J., 2020. College students and mid-month eating adjustment: balancing budgets through low food secure behaviour, s.l.: Trellis Research.
42. Worthington, M. J. R. a. A. K., 2013. Theory of planned behavior. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association (APA).
43. Younis, H., 2018. Fast food consumption and associated factors among undergraduate students. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicene, 62(3), pp. 258-265.