A New Hybrid Approach to Leverage Sensory Panel Data: How Can Expert Knowledge Add Value to Preference Mapping?

ABSTRACT Understanding consumer fragrance preferences is essential for successful product development, yet traditional external preference mapping often falls short when dealing with complex, multi‐dimensional perceptions. This study introduces an enhanced framework that integrates expert‐derived “meta‐variables” into preference mapping to capture higher‐order constructs beyond basic sensory attributes. The approach involves three steps: identifying relevant meta‐variables through expert input and literature, constructing them from sensory data, and assessing their predictive value. A case study on 15 skincare creams compares conventional sensory‐based mapping with the proposed meta‐variable approach. Results show that meta‐variables provide equal or superior explanatory power while offering a more interpretable and actionable representation of fragrance space. This approach bridges the gap between objective sensory measures and subjective consumer experience, enabling more strategic fragrance design.