An Exploration of User Behavior Mechanisms in Sustainable Diet Applications: An Empirical and Configural Analysis of the Value Perception Mediation Model

This study uses a mixed-methods approach to investigate how sustainable-diet applications translate value perceptions into user behavior. Grounded in value-driven behavior theory, it identifies five motivational value antecedents—honor, hedonic, knowledge, utilitarian, and relationship—and four perceptual mediators: perceived usefulness, enjoyment, interactivity, and belonging. A mediation-based structural model was tested using 367 valid questionnaires through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). Results show that hedonic, knowledge, utilitarian, and relationship constitute dominant value drivers, and all four perceptual variables significantly mediate the value–behavior linkages. fsQCA further reveals three effective configurations for achieving sustainable dietary behavior, with perceived belonging emerging as a necessary condition across all configurations. The findings highlight the specific value dimensions and perceptual design attributes that sustainable-diet applications should prioritize to facilitate the digital translation of sustainable dietary practices.