Studies and media attention suggest that the number of vegetarians and vegans in Austria and other Western European countries is increasing. Because certain convictions act as triggers that change dietary patterns, vegetarianism and veganism seem to be connected with the concept of social innovation. Using a mixed-mode sampling strategy, a sample that included 508 vegans, vegetarians, omnivores and conscientious omnivores from Austria was evaluated. The trend toward vegetarianism and veganism was analysed using social innovations as the theoretical lens. The contributions and convictions expressed by the responding vegetarians and vegans indicated that their nutritional choices can influence their responses to social challenges raised by specific issues, such as climate change and animal welfare. We conclude that further research is needed to identify factors that promote the diffusion of vegetarian and vegan practices as a social innovation.

研究和媒体关注表明，奥地利和其他西欧国家的素食主义者和素食主义者的数量正在增加。因为某些信念是改变饮食方式的诱因，所以素食主义和素食主义似乎与社会创新观念有关。使用混合模式抽样策略，评估了一个样本，其中包括来自奥地利的508个素食主义者，素食者，杂食者和有责任感的杂食者。以社会创新为理论视角，分析了素食主义和素食主义的趋势。做出回应的素食主义者和素食主义者所做出的贡献和信念表明，他们的营养选择会影响他们对气候变化和动物福利等特定问题所引发的社会挑战的反应。