A case study on Impact of Consumer Attitudes towards hotdogs stands in Copenhagen
Authors
Mahat, Prajana ; Chhetri, Khum Bahadur
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-05-29
Pages
95
Abstract
This thesis investigates why the number of traditional hot dog stands in the Copenhagen area is declining and how consumer behavior influences them. The study uses a mixed qualitative approach: semi-structured interviews, ethnographic field observations in and around hot dog stands, and an online questionnaire with open-ended questions. Together, these methods provide insight into perceptions and everyday actions related to buying and eating hot dogs. The case study finds that several factors are reshaping consumer behavior: price, greater health consciousness, stricter hygiene regulations, the quality of service, and travelers’ eagerness to try new foods. Hot dogs are rarely the main reason to visit Copenhagen, but many people see them as something they should try while in the city. Eating a hot dog often increases overall satisfaction and leaves a positive impression of the destination, which supports Copenhagen’s branding—its public image and identity as a place to visit. The presence of street hot dogs is more than a snack: over a century on the streets has made them part of Danish street culture, offering a sense of authenticity in the tourist experience. According to the study, their contribution to the city’s attractiveness for both residents and international visitors is shaped by both top-down and bottom-up placemaking—decisions by authorities and initiatives by vendors and communities that together shape public spaces.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvorfor antallet af traditionelle pølsevogne i Københavnsområdet er faldende, og hvordan forbrugeradfærd påvirker dem. Studiet anvender en blandet kvalitativ tilgang: semistrukturerede interviews, etnografiske feltobservationer ved pølsevogne og et online spørgeskema med åbne spørgsmål. Tilsammen giver metoderne indblik i holdninger og daglige handlinger i forbindelse med at købe og spise hotdogs. Casestudiet peger på flere forhold, der ændrer forbrugernes adfærd: pris, øget sundhedsbevidsthed, strengere hygiejneregler, servicekvalitet samt rejsendes lyst til at prøve nye madoplevelser. Hotdogs er sjældent den primære grund til at rejse til København, men mange oplever dem som noget, man bør prøve, når man er i byen. At spise en hotdog øger ofte den samlede tilfredshed og efterlader et positivt indtryk af destinationen, hvilket understøtter Københavns branding—byens offentlige image og identitet som rejsemål. Tilstedeværelsen af pølsevogne er mere end blot en snack: Over et århundrede på gaden har gjort dem til en del af dansk gadekultur, som giver turister en følelse af autenticitet i oplevelsen. Ifølge studiet skyldes deres bidrag til byens attraktivitet for både lokale og internationale gæster en kombination af top-down og bottom-up placemaking—både myndigheders beslutninger og initiativer fra forhandlere og lokalsamfund, der tilsammen former byens rum.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords