Young children’s influence on family consumer behavior

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kátia Eloisa Bertol ◽  
Patricia Liebesny Broilo ◽  
Lélis Balestrin Espartel ◽  
Kenny Basso
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Decisions ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
The Media ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose This study aimed to understand young children’s influence on family consumer behavior by examining children's and parents’ points of view in the Brazilian context. Design/methodology/approach Through an exploratory approach, the study used focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Specifically, to elicit children’s perceptions, two focus groups were conducted, and to capture the perspective of the parents, 8 families, via 12 participants, were interviewed. Findings Children’s use of information provided by the media in their attempts to influence family decisions is perceived positively by parents because such behavior helps parents to fulfill their parental duties. Research implications This study examines how young children perceive their influential role in family consumer decisions and how parents perceive this influence, given the existence of child adultization and adult infantilization. Originality/value The findings extend the discussions regarding the adultization of children and the infantilization of adults, revealing positive aspects of such a trend in association with consumer behavior.

Love, money and ethnicity: money’s role in polygamous marriages among the Hui in Northwest China

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan NIU
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose This paper aims to understand the role that money plays in polygamous marriages among the Hui ethnic group in Northwest China. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observations based on snowball sampling of individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate from June to December 2010, and during the summer of 2011, in Qinghai in Northwest China. Follow-up interviews and observations were conducted in 2015. Findings This study examines how love and money intersect and work together to sustain the participants’ polygamous marriages. The study concludes that material desires unite love with money to make love consumable. With the help of money, love between the sexes is transformed into desirable consumption through economic activities associated with leisure, gift giving and religious beliefs to articulate individualism Originality/value This study is the first to explore money’s role in the experience of polygamy among the Hui ethnic group in China.

The anatomy of the inconspicuous luxury fashion experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Makkar ◽  
Sheau-Fen Yap
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Symbolic Consumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the following questions: how do consumers construct meaning around their inconspicuous luxury fashion experiences? What desires do inconspicuous consumers strive to fulfill? What sentiments do they associate with their inconspicuous luxury fashion consumption? Design/methodology/approach This exploratory research begins with a netnographic study of 11 online luxury blogs followed by in-depth interviews and home observations of ten luxury consumers with inconspicuous preferences in Dubai. Findings Inconspicuous choices are not simply for associative or dissociative motivations but several symbolic consumption schemas come into play. A typology of inconspicuous luxury fashion consumers has emerged: fashion influencers, trendsetters, fashion followers, and luxe conservatives. Practical implications The findings have potential to yield important managerial implications for fashion retailers and brand communications. The typology of inconspicuous consumers provides a basis for developing a more targeted relationship marketing program for luxury fashion brands. Originality/value This research advances luxury knowledge in fashion and consumer behavior research by unveiling how consumers construct meanings around their inconspicuous consumption. The typology developed in this study marks the starting point for further extensions to explore the complexities of inconspicuous luxury consumers, which are grounded in the roles they take on in society, how they plan their luxury consumption journey and how they eventually use these possessions for self-identification and communication to others.

Studying green consumer behavior through multiple lenses in a developing country

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aradhana Vikas Gandhi
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Family Influence ◽  
Purchase Behavior ◽  
Social Concern ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Concurrent Study ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe study aims to explore the parameters that affect the purchase behavior of green consumers.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodology concurrent study was adopted involving questionnaire-based empirical study along with a qualitative study to capture the lived experiences of the respondents. Inferences were drawn to understand green consumer behavior in a holistic way.FindingsWhile conducting in-depth interviews, many recurring themes emerged, such as environmentally friendly, health-conscious, price, government initiatives, youngsters' inclination, general awareness, family influence/traditions, quality, advertisement and social concern. A concurrent quantitative study was conducted, which established altruism, environmental awareness and social factor and influence as significant parameters, which had an impact on green consumer behavior.Practical implicationsWhile designing green products, this study will enable marketers to innovate their products and services based on the intricate insights that have come out of the study.Originality/valueThe study seeks to give deep insights into green consumer behavior that may help academics and marketers to understand the phenomenon better.

African innovations in harnessing farmer assets as collateral

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tendayi Chapoto ◽  
Anthony Q.Q. Aboagye
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Big City ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
One Year ◽  
Revolving Credit

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to document and appraise two innovations by which nontraditional forms of collateral are being used to make smallholder crop and livestock farmers bankable in Ghana and Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach The setup and operations of the warehouse receipt system (WRS) in Ghana were evaluated for the extent to which the WRS was meeting crop farmers’ expectations and the WRS’s own objectives. Owners of the WRS, a certified warehouse operator in a big city, and two operators of certified community warehouses in farming communities were interviewed. Two focus group discussions with crop farmers were also held. Information about the setup and operations of the Tawanda Nyambirai Livestock Trust (TNLT) Private Limited in Zimbabwe (TNLT) and extent of serving the credit needs of livestock farmers was obtained by telephone from the managing director. Data were gathered in April 2014 and were analyzed later. Findings Due to low output no smallholder farmer targeted by the WRS had been issued with a tradable certified warehouse receipts to serve as collateral to potential lenders. Grain aggregators (non-farmers) have aggregated enough grains from farmers to be issued warehouse receipts. Grain farmers report substantial reduction in post-harvest losses when they lodge farm proceeds with certified community warehouses. For the TNLT, more than 140 farmers had deposited 700 cattle and had been issued with tradable certificates of deposit within one year of TNLT to obtain revolving credit from one bank. Other benefits and challenges are highlighted. Originality/value Both approaches have potential of helping to solve liquidity constraints of farmers.

scholarly journals Contributing barriers to corporate social and environmental responsibility practices in a developing country

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Moazzem Hossain ◽  
Manzurul Alam ◽  
Angela Hecimovic ◽  
Mohammad Alamgir Hossain ◽  
Aklema Choudhury Lema
Keyword(s):  
Developing Country ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Environmental Responsibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Union Leaders ◽  
The Media ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the contributing barriers to corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER) practices. In particular, this study focuses on non-managerial stakeholders’ perceptions of the barriers to CSER practices in a developing country context. The study also investigates the current initiatives undertaken by the different stakeholders, such as government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and regulators. Design/methodology/approach The study takes a qualitative approach, undertaking semi-structured in-depth interviews with 26 participants from NGOs, the media, regulatory authorities, government departments, shareholders, trade union leaders and customers. Findings The views of stakeholder groups were analysed to identify the contributing barriers to CSER practices. The findings of the study reveal that corruption and politics, lack of coordination, lack of government initiatives and unsatisfactory implementation of laws are perceived as the major barriers that hinder CSER practices in Bangladesh. The study also found a lack of awareness amongst various stakeholder groups regarding the influential role CSER plays in promoting sustainable development. The current initiatives undertaken by various stakeholders to improve CSER practices were limited but growing. Research Limitations/implications The study utilises the stakeholder theory to examine the role of stakeholders, rather than managers, in relation to CSER practice in Bangladesh. The findings may provide impetus for mitigating CSER barriers in a developing country context. Originality/value This study is one of the few engagement-based studies to explore the non-managerial stakeholders’ views on CSER in a developing country context.

Examining user experience of eLearning systems implemented in two universities in Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-55
Author(s):  
Joel S. Mtebe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Hedonic Quality

Purpose This study aims to investigate the factors that influence user experience (UX) of eLearning systems implemented in two institutions in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted questionnaire consisting of Nielsen’s heuristics and didactic metrics as pragmatic metrics and hedonic metrics followed by focus group discussions with students. Findings The study found that the eLearning system of University of Dar es Salaam had 43 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 54 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. The eLearning system of the Open University of Tanzania had 50 UX problems related to Nielsen’s heuristics and 59 UX problems related to didactic heuristics. Moreover, the two systems provided positive UX hedonic quality on identification and evocation dimensions while stimulation was perceived to be neutral. Research limitations/implications The study has used learners as evaluators rather than expert evaluators. Learners are not particularly experienced in the learning domain, and therefore, it is difficult for them to identify many didactic violations of the eLearning systems. Originality/value The study contributes toward finding the underlying factors for non-use or underuse of the installed eLearning systems in various universities in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Academics’ perception of knowledge sharing in higher education

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1001-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenio Annansingh ◽  
Kerry E. Howell ◽  
Shaofeng Liu ◽  
Miguel Baptista Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
The Political ◽  
Constructivist Approach ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Higher education (HE) institutions create, disseminate, share and exchange knowledge through relationships among people, processes and technologies. Knowledge sharing (KS) in academia enables people within the institute to develop practices which allow them to collect and share what they know. This often leads to actions that improve services and outcomes. Despite the opportunities, this sharing is not without implications as it exposes the knowledge sharer and recipient to a number of vulnerabilities and risks, which hinders the knowledge-sharing process. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted a constructivist approach, which utilised focus group discussions within three UK universities. These were identified to improve the usefulness and effectiveness of the knowledge-sharing process. Findings The paper concluded by purporting that by developing an understanding of the risks and opportunities of sharing HE, institutions will continue to grow, regenerate and develop knowledge. The results highlighted the plethora of risks and opportunities resulting from KS. These were further grouped into the political, social and organisational culture. Originality/value This paper addresses the gap of risks perceptions of KS in HE institutions.

scholarly journals Parental interpretations of “childhood innocence”

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 580-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura McGinn ◽  
Nicole Stone ◽  
Roger Ingham ◽  
Andrew Bengry-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
General Recognition ◽  
Open Relationship ◽  
Thematic Network Analysis

Purpose Despite general recognition of the benefits of talking openly about sexuality with children, parents encounter and/or create barriers to such communication. One of the key barriers is a desire to protect childhood innocence. The purpose of this paper is to explore parental interpretations of childhood innocence and the influence this has on their reported practices relating to sexuality-relevant communication with young children. Design/methodology/approach In all, 110 UK parents and carers of children aged between four and seven years were involved in focus group discussions. The discussions were transcribed and thematic network analysis was subsequently applied to the data. Following the reading and re-reading of the transcripts for meaning, context and content, individual comments and statements were identified within the data set and grouped to generate themes. Findings Childhood innocence was commonly equated with non-sexuality in children and sexual ignorance. Parents displayed ambiguity around the conceptualisation of non-innocence in children. Parents desire to prolong the state of childhood innocence led them to withhold certain sexual knowledge from their children; however, the majority also desired an open relationship whereby their child could approach them for information. Originality/value UK parents have a strong desire to maintain the social construction of their children as inherently innocent. This discourse is affecting the way in which they communicate about sexually relevant information with their children.

scholarly journals How convenient!? Adolescents’ vistas on food competences in a convenience context

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 2828-2838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Wahlen ◽  
Hilje van der Horst ◽  
Roosje Pothoff
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
School Context ◽  
Participatory Approach ◽  
Classroom Context ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Convenience Food ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Education

Purpose Adolescents are at a stage in their life course in which they increasingly become choosers, buyers and preparers of food. Hence, they develop and employ required competences. Current food-related competences of adolescents are shaped in an environment with an abundance of convenience foods. Simultaneously food education has been limited in many western countries. The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize how young practitioners engage with the notion of convenience in a context with a strong presence of convenience foods. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data for this paper have been collected in a Dutch high school context following a participatory approach in focus group discussions. Data have been gathered from different food-related exercises within a classroom context. Findings The findings indicate that adolescents’ food competences and meanings are heavily shaped by the abundant presence of convenience foods. Adolescents perceive a nuanced picture of a skilful consumer that incorporates convenience foods in ways that minimize time efforts, preserves some preparatory tasks for fun cooking and has knowledge about health effects of fatty and salty foods. Originality/value The investigation takes a novel look on convenience food consumption from a practice perspective scrutinizing competences through the lens of adolescent practitioners. The authors make a plea for tapping into the potential of research on children and adolescents as novice performers of practices to understand how practices are shaped and changed and how practices recruit new practitioners.

An investigation into the major environment and climate change policy issues in southwest coastal Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjan Kumer Dev Roy
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coastal Bangladesh ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Management And Development

Purpose This paper aims to examine the issues of environment and climate change policy gaps and their impacts on the natural resources and ecosystems in southwest coastal Bangladesh. The effects of the increasing human activities as well as natural disasters due to the environment and climate change are analysed. The policy options as a response to mitigation, adaptation and possible human suffering as consequences are explored through discourse analysis. Design/methodology/approach This study applied focus group discussions, workshop and field visits to collect the data and information to explore environment and climate change policy-related problems. Findings It was found that there is a need for major policy reform to guide development interventions to reverse salinity, waterlogging, migration and groundwater recharging problems for sustainable environmental and ecosystem management in the region. Originality/value The paper then underscores the need for governments at all levels to adequately fund geo-information-based development interventions as adequate and proactive responses to environmental management and development to combat future environmental and climate change problems in the region.

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