Purchase intention of local food within the frameworkof consumption value theory and the mediating role ofauthentic cultural experience: A study on Poland andTürkiye

The aim of this study is to investigate the purchase intentions of individuals consuming local foods specific to Turkish cuisine in Türkiye and Poland within the framework of the theory of consumption values and the mediating role of authentic cultural experience. In this study, the effects of consumers' perceptions of functional, social, emotional, epistemic, and conditional values on their attitudes towards local foods were tested, and the mediating effect of authentic cultural experience on these relationships was evaluated. The study adopted a quantitative research design; data were collected via surveys from a total of 800 participants in Türkiye and Poland, and structural equation modeling analyses were conducted using the SmartPLS statistical program. The results revealed that functional, emotional, and epistemic values significantly affect consumers' attitudes toward local foods in both countries. Emotional value emerged as a stronger determinant in Türkiye, while epistemic value stood out in Poland. Social value had a significant impact in Türkiye but was weaker in Poland, whereas conditional value showed no significant effect in either country. Furthermore, authentic cultural experience was found to mediate the relationshipbetween consumption values and purchase intention. The findings confirm the validity and explanatory power of the theory of consumption values in the context of local food consumption and demonstrate that authentic cultural experience functions differently across cultures. These results contribute to both academic literature and marketing practices, highlighting the importance of strategies centered on authentic cultural experience.