The spillover effect of incidental social comparison on materialistic pursuits

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 1107-1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoying Zheng ◽  
Ernest Baskin ◽  
Siqing Peng
Keyword(s):  
Social Comparison ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Social Comparisons ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Material Goods

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether social comparison in a prior, nonconsumption circumstance (e.g. in an academic setting) affects consumers’ materialism and subsequent spending propensity, and explores the incidental feeling of envy as the underlying mechanism. Design/methodology/approach Four experiments have been conducted to test these hypotheses. Study 1 manipulated social comparison in an academic domain, and measured undergraduate students’ materialism after they compared themselves to a superior student or to an inferior student. Study 2 used a recall task to manipulate social comparison and examine the mediating role of envy. Study 3 examined which of the two types of envy (benign or malicious) affected materialism. Study 4 examined the downstream consequences on spending propensity in both public and private consumption contexts. Findings The results suggest that consumers place greater importance on material goods and are more likely to spend money on publicly visible products after making upward social comparisons than after making downward social comparisons or no comparisons. Furthermore, envy acts as the mediator for the observed effect of incidental social comparison on materialism. Originality/value First, this study improves our understanding of the consequences of social comparison and envy by demonstrating that incidental envy (both benign and malicious) experienced in a prior, unrelated social comparison can motivate materialistic pursuits. Second, the present research contributes to the compensatory consumption literature by revealing that, in a social comparison context, envy is the affective underpinning that gives rise to the motivation to engage in compensatory consumer behavior. Third, the findings also enrich materialism research by exploring an important situational antecedent in driving materialistic orientation.

The more envious the consumer, the more impulsive? The moderating role of self-monitoring and product type

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinsheng Cui ◽  
Mengwei Zhang ◽  
Chaonan Yin ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Jianan Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Social Comparison ◽  
Product Type ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Comparison Theory ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Purpose This paper aimed to explore the influence of envy on impulsive consumption from aspects of the internal psychological mechanism and boundary conditions.Design/methodology/approach Based on social comparison theory, four studies were conducted in this research: The first study explored the effect of envy on impulsive consumption; the second study explored the moderating effect of self-monitoring and the mediating effect of materialism; the third study explored the moderating effect of product type and the fourth study explored the effectiveness of social comparison contexts on the arousal of envy.Findings Study 1 showed that envy could significantly trigger consumers' impulsive consumption. Study 2 indicated that participants experiencing self-monitoring had a higher level of materialism and a stronger propensity to consume impulsively once the emotion of envy emerged. Study 3 suggested that when participants were more envious, their levels of materialism increased with more impulsivity to buy material products. Study 4 revealed that upward comparisons led to a higher level of envy and re-validated the mediating role of materialism between envy and impulsive consumption.Research limitations/implications This study provides evidence for the association between envy and consumer behaviour and clarifies the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between envy and impulsive consumption.Practical implications Marketers could take advantage of consumers' envy after social comparisons without damaging brand image.Originality/value First, this study extended the effects of envy on consumer decisions, suggesting that envy stimulates impulsive consumption by increasing consumers' materialism. Second, this study revealed the boundary condition of product type, namely, material and experiential.

The relationship between empowering leadership and volunteers' service capability: intention to share knowledge as mediator

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-235
Author(s):  
Evangelia Siachou ◽  
Panagiotis Gkorezis ◽  
Faith Adeosun
Keyword(s):  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Empowering Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Service Capability ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between empowering leadership and volunteers' service capability in the context of nongovernmental organizations. In doing so, the mediating role of intention to share knowledge was highlighted.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from volunteers from two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Greece through a web-survey tool. To test our hypotheses, we used bootstrapping analysis.FindingsOur study provides support for the positive effect of empowering leadership (EL) on volunteers' service capability. In addition, we highlighted volunteers' intention to share their knowledge as an underlying mechanism that explains the above relationship.Originality/valueThe present study highlights the important role of EL in increasing service capability in the context of NGOs. Even more, the mediating role of intention to share knowledge provided new knowledge into why EL affects employees' extra-role behavior and more specifically, service capability.

An integrated understanding of academics knowledge sharing behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sabbir Rahman ◽  
Fadi Abdel Muniem Abdel Fattah ◽  
Hasliza Hassan ◽  
Tayeenul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Comparative Investigation ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Positive Effects

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the underlying functions of sense of spirituality (SS), emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived work environment (PWE) towards knowledge sharing behaviour (KSB) among the academic staff of higher learning institutions (HLIs) through a comparative investigation. This study extends the investigation by examining the relationship between SS and KSB through the mediating role of EI. The moderating role of PWE between SS and KSB was also tested. Design/methodology/approach The sample comprised 300 responses from 150 Bangladeshi and 150 Malaysian academic staff of public and private HLIs. Convenient sampling tools were used. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the proposed model and hypotheses. The study explains the differences and similarities in KSB practices concerning SS, EI and PWE of the academic staff from the two countries’ HLIs. Findings The results support the direct positive effects of SS on KSB. The two data sets also support the indirect effects of SS on KSB through the mediation of EI. However, the results indicate that SS only promoted KSB among individuals with high levels of PWE in their respective institutions. For individuals with low levels of PWE, SS did not affect KSB. Practical implications The management of HLIs should engage their experiences and those of newly hired academic staff in the KSB process. However, in facilitating KSB culture among the academic staff, HLIs need to foster the staff’s SS, which ultimately improvises the EI to strongly influence KSB. The management of HLIs understands that SS may be inefficient in promoting KSB among employees with low PWE. Authorities of HLIs need to facilitate a quality work environment to enhance the association between SS and KSB. Originality/value This study is one of the initial attempts to investigate KSB by considering SS, EI and PWE in the context of Bangladesh and Malaysia HLIs. The findings of the study can serve as inputs to HLIs in developing best practices across KSB dimensions and improving academic staff performance.

Examining the mediating role of learning engagement, learning process and learning experience on the learning outcomes through localized real case studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathews Nkhoma ◽  
Narumon Sriratanaviriyakul ◽  
Hiep Pham Cong ◽  
Tri Khai Lam
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Learning Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of real, localized case studies on students’ learning engagement, the learning process and learning experience and the role of such case studies in influencing students’ learning outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 400 undergraduate students through an online questionnaire immediately after discussion of the case in Business Information Systems classes. Student learning from the case study was measured by two components consisting of case knowledge and case perceptions. The student course engagement questionnaire was used to examine engagement in skills, emotions, participation and performance while the study process questionnaire was administered to assess students’ learning approaches. Additionally, the seven predominant roles of the feedback were used to analyse students’ learning experience. Finally, students’ learning outcomes were assessed both in group performance and individual performance. Structure equation modelling was applied to test the causal model. Findings – The results revealed that the case study had a positive influence on students’ engagement in skills and emotions. Moreover, case perceptions led students to surface approach in their learning. Furthermore, case knowledge had a positive impact on the learning experience. Research limitations/implications – The study suggests that localized case studies should be designed cautiously. Furthermore the method of instruction regarding the method must be clearly explained for undergraduate students. Future research should consider a way of evaluating academic achievement as a result of using localized cases. Originality/value – The findings reported in the paper contributed to an area of educational research by emphasizing on the mediating role of learning engagement, the learning process and the learning experience.

scholarly journals In-store interactive advertising screens: the effect of interactivity on impulse buying explained by self-agency

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Moes ◽  
Marieke Fransen ◽  
Bob Fennis ◽  
Tibert Verhagen ◽  
Harry van Vliet
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Impulse Buying ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Interactive Advertising ◽  
Impulse Purchases ◽  
Mediating Factor ◽  
Insight Into

PurposePhysical stores are increasingly dependent on impulse visits and the impulse purchases of passers-by. Interactive advertising screens in store windows could help retailers increase impulse-visit urges and impulse-buying urges. However, the effects of interactive screens in physical surroundings have not been studied before. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of interactive screens on impulse urges and gain insight into the underlying mechanism that explains the possible effect.Design/methodology/approachAn interactive screen was placed in a store window. Using three field experiments, we studied the effect of interactivity-level (high vs low) on the impulse-visit and impulse-buying urges of passers-by, and the mediating role of self-agency in these effects.FindingsHighly interactive (compared to less interactive) advertising screens in store windows positively affect impulse-visit and impulse-buying urges through self-agency. Retailers can therefore use interactive advertising screens to increase the number of impulse purchases if feelings of self-agency are activated.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the extent to which interactive screens in a store window enhance the impulse-visit and impulse-buying urges of passers-by and the mediating factor of these effects. By conducting three field experiments, we achieved a high external validity and managed to share very reliable results owing to the replication of the findings.

Organisational justice and innovative behaviour: Is knowledge sharing a mediator?

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-91
Author(s):  
Jnaneswar K. ◽  
Gayathri Ranjit
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Organisational Justice ◽  
Innovative Behaviour ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Encouraging employees to exhibit innovative behaviour at the workplace is the need of the hour. Prior studies reported the impact of organisational justice on innovative behaviour; however, the majority of these studies are from the Western context. Moreover, the underlying mechanism linking these variables, namely, the role of knowledge sharing, is sparse. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship between organisational justice and innovative behaviour through the lens of social exchange theory in the Indian context. Design/methodology/approach Mediation analysis using PROCESS macro was performed on a sample of 288 employees using three structured questionnaires. Participants were recruited from various manufacturing organisations in India. The validity of the hypothesised model was established using AMOS software. Findings Organisational justice impacted both knowledge sharing and innovative behaviour. It was also illustrated that knowledge sharing influenced employees’ innovative behaviour. The most important finding is the partial mediation of knowledge sharing in the organizational justice–innovative behaviour relationship. Originality/value This study tries to demystify the organisational justice–innovative behaviour relationship by highlighting knowledge sharing as an underlying mechanism. The existing theoretical framework that describes the effects of organisational justice is enriched.

The impacts of evaluation duration and product types on review extremity

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 694-709
Author(s):  
Huawei Zhu ◽  
Rungting Tu ◽  
Wenting Feng ◽  
Jiaojiao Xu
Keyword(s):  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Purchase Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Attitude Certainty ◽  
Product Service ◽  
Hedonic Products

Purpose Extreme online reviews can have great impacts on consumers’ purchase decisions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate when users are more likely to provide extreme ratings. The study draws inference from attitude certainty theory and proposes that review extremity is influenced by the interaction of evaluation duration and product/service types: for hedonic products/services, shorter evaluation duration can foster attitude certainty, leading to higher review extremity; in contrast, for utilitarian products/services, longer evaluation duration can increase attitude certainty, resulting in more extreme reviews. Design/methodology/approach Three studies were conducted to test the hypotheses: Study 1 is an empirical analysis of 3,000 reviews from an online retailing website; Studies 2 and 3 are two between-subject experiments. Findings Results from three studies confirm the hypotheses. Study 1 provides preliminary evidence on how review extremity varies in evaluations of different durations and product/service types. Results from Studies 2 and 3 show that for hedonic products/services, the shorter the evaluation duration, the more likely users are to give extreme ratings; however, for utilitarian products/service, the longer the evaluation duration, the more likely users are to give extreme reviews; and attitude certainty plays a mediating role between evaluation duration and review extremity. Originality/value Findings from this study provide understandings on when a fast rather than a slow evaluation can lead to more extreme reviews. The results also highlight the role of users’ attitude certainty in the underlying mechanism.

The spillover effect of greenwashing behaviours: an experimental approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Wang ◽  
Baolong Ma ◽  
Rubing Bai
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Brand Attitudes ◽  
Green Products ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Influencing Mechanism ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of greenwashing behaviour of one brand on purchase intention of green products from other brands. Further, this study tests the mediating role of greenwashing perception of the entire industry and the moderating role of brand attitudes towards other brands in the industry for the above-mentioned relationship. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 377 participants was utilised in three studies. The study analysed the data using SPSS 18.0 to test the research hypotheses. Findings The study suggests that greenwashing behaviour of one brand negatively affects consumers’ purchase intention of the green products from other brands in the industry. It is also indicated that the greenwashing perception of the entire industry partially mediates the relationship between greenwashing behaviour of a brand and purchase intention of green products from other brands. In addition, the study shows that the relationship between greenwashing perception of the entire industry and purchase intention of the green products from other brands is negatively moderated by brand attitudes towards other brands in the industry. Practical implications This study provides useful insights for the managers that firms can learn the way to alleviate greenwashing spillover effect through the brand attitudes to enhance green purchasing behaviour. Originality/value The study is perhaps the first one to study the existence of the spillover effect of brands’greenwashing behaviour. The study also reveals the influencing mechanism of greenwashing spillover effect of a brand.

Exploring entrepreneurial intention’s mediating role in the relationship between self-efficacy and nascent behaviour

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce M.K. Mwiya ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Bernadette Kaulungombe ◽  
Maidah Kayekesi
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Public University ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Start Up

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of entrepreneurial intention (EI) in relation to the influence of the five dimensions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) on nascent behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe study relies on a quantitative approach where primary data were collected from 294 final year undergraduate students at a public university in Zambia. The data were examined by using correlation, logistic regression and mediation analyses.FindingsThe findings indicate that each of the five dimensions of ESE is positively and significantly related with EI. Additionally, each of the ESE dimensions, except the financial aspect, is positively correlated with nascent behaviour. Finally, the results show that the influence of ESE dimensions on nascent behaviour is significantly mediated by intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe study took place in a public university in Zambia; more universities could be involved to improve the generalisability of the study conclusions.Practical implicationsThe study shows that the five ESE dimensions positively influence not only business start-up intention but also nascent behaviour. To motivate graduates’ involvement in business start-up, there is a need to tailor training and practical pedagogical approaches on entrepreneurship that are focussed on developing the five ESE dimensions.Originality/valueThis paper extends an emerging body of knowledge which has not been fully investigated in terms of the mediating role of intention on the relationships between dimensions of ESE and nascent behaviour. The study also makes a valuable contribution to the under-researched context of Zambia and African entrepreneurship.

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