This study employs grounded theory to identify key value drivers motivating users to reduce food waste and to construct a value-driven behavioral model for sustainable dietary practices. The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method is further used to examine the configurational effects of multiple factors. The results reveal three value-driven pathways that influence sustainable eating behavior: value identification and identity reinforcement; emotional engagement and social support; and cognitive empowerment and rational decision-making. These pathways encompass six key value-driving factors: responsibility awareness, economic interest, enjoyment and experience, social relations, knowledge demand, and honor motivation. The findings indicate that sustainable dietary behavior results from the interaction of multiple value dimensions, with no single factor constituting a necessary condition. Based on these findings, three design patterns—normative, emotional, and instrumental value orientation—are proposed, providing practical guidance for sustainable dietary app design and bridging the intention–behavior gap in sustainable interventions.
Liu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.