scholarly journals Fair trade consumption from the perspective of US Baby Boomers

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 364-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebony Benson ◽  
Kim Y. Hiller Connell
Keyword(s):  
Baby Boomers ◽  
Fair Trade ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive ◽  
Fair Trade Organizations ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to expand the knowledge base of Baby Boomers’ attitudes, behaviours and perceived barriers related to fair trade purchasing. Design/methodology/approach – This study included 168 Baby Boomers. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. Data analysis included a combination of both quantitative (descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests and correlation analysis) and qualitative techniques. Findings – Findings indicated that the participants exhibited positive attitudes towards fair trade but were minimally engaged in fair trade purchasing. Furthermore, the participants perceived numerous barriers to purchasing fair trade products including the incompatibility of fair trade merchandise with lifestyles, the inability to touch and see fair trade products prior to purchase and difficulty in identifying fair trade items. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of this study is that the sample was well-educated university faculty and it is not representative of all Baby Boomers. Practical implications – Fair trade entities need to be more effective in marketing the advantages of the fair trade. Fair trade organizations should consider targeting marketing strategies specific to the unique demographic and psychographic characteristics of Baby Boomer consumers. Originality/value – This research expands understanding of the consumer behaviours of US Baby Boomers related to fair trade. An additional contribution is the comparison of differences in fair trade knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Early vs Late Baby Boomers. It also has potentially important implications for fair trade organizations, as the paper discusses marketing strategies specific to Baby Boomers.

Social media and consumer buying behavior decision: what entrepreneurs should know?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramo Palalic ◽  
Veland Ramadani ◽  
Syedda Mariam Gilani ◽  
Shqipe Gërguri-Rashiti ◽  
Leo–Paul Dana
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Buying Behavior ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Know How ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Consumer Buying Behavior

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impacts of social media on the Pakistani consumers' buying behavior, which could be reflected in either complex buying, variety seeking, dissonance reducing or habitual buying. Entrepreneurs need to know how their loyal and prospective customers feel, think and how do they decide on purchasing certain products and services.Design/methodology/approachThe self-administered online questionnaire is used to collect feedback from consumers in order to analyze the data and come up with the findings. A sample size of 396 respondents was used to analyze and find a relationship between social media and consumer buying behavior.FindingsSocial media is found to have a partially significant impact on Pakistani consumers' buying behavior; word of mouth and content credibility are the two factors that influence Pakistani consumers' buying behavior. Pakistani consumers, below the age of 40, possess more complex buying behavior, which alerts entrepreneurs to consider it for their future marketing strategies.Practical implicationsEntrepreneurs should make an effort to be differentiated from others while keeping customers aware of the products they provide. In addition, customers should not spend too much time when comparing brands; rather, businesses should make it more captive.Originality/valueThis paper provides different results in comparison to the previous studies, in terms of the factors influencing consumers' buying behavior.

Examining the influences of perceived exclusivity and perceived rarity on consumers' perception of luxury

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xujia Wang ◽  
Billy Sung ◽  
Ian Phau
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Theoretical Support ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Luxury Market ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how exclusivity and rarity (natural versus virtual) influence consumers' perceptions of luxury. Further, it examines whether exclusivity and rarity can function as distinct marketing strategies in today's luxury market environment.Design/methodology/approachOnline questionnaires were administered by adapting developed scales from prior research. Research stimuli were chosen from three luxury categories including bags, wine and cruise. Confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regressions were used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results confirmed that exclusivity, natural rarity and virtual rarity were perceived as relatively distinct constructs among our sample. Findings also highlighted that perceived natural rarity (PNR) has consistently emerged as a positive and significant contributor to consumers' perceptions of luxury across all three luxury categories. The influence of perceived exclusivity (PE) on perceptions of luxury has also shown to be significant for two product categories (luxury bag and luxury wine), whereas perceived virtual rarity (PVR) did not show any significant effects across all three categories.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that consumers perceive natural rarity, virtual rarity and exclusivity as relatively distinctive marketing strategies. This suggests that luxury businesses can adopt each strategy independently to achieve desired marketing outcomes.Originality/valueThis study offers theoretical support for the proposition that exclusivity and rarity may have different functions in luxury marketing implementations. It provides empirical evidence showing the distinctiveness of perceived exclusivity and perceived rarity, which have not be done in previous research.

An evaluation of public policy student placements: outcomes of a Malta-based study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Marie Thake
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Mandatory Requirement ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate short-term, unpaid placements offered to students reading for a degree in public policy. They provide added value to their tertiary education experience. Elective placements were offered in 2012 and became a mandatory requirement for students reading for a three-year bachelor of commerce degree in public policy in 2018. To date, no research has been carried out on these placements and this may serve as a model for a post-evaluation assessment.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from students who undertook placements, embedded in the public policy undergraduate programme. A document analysis of selected student and placement provider's reports was carried out to complement the students' responses to an online questionnaire.FindingsPlacements are of value to students as they served as an introduction to the working world. They enable students to establish connections with the course content and carry out research. They were exposed to real-life situations, developing their knowledge, acquiring soft skills and learning new tools, sought after by employers. These placements were valued as a route to graduate employment tailor-made to the degree's requirements. Students were able to embark on a soul-searching, introspective discovery and journey which made them mature and shed light in the direction of future work prospects.Research limitations/implicationsPlacements give students the opportunity to gain insights into real-work environments and are able to link theories learnt in the class-room with real-life situations. Placements have positive implications on students adjusting to their work life easily after graduation. The limitations are that the sample size was small and that the reflective reports which were randomly selected may not have necessarily been representative of the full complement.Practical implicationsThe practical implications are that the placements system and process can easily be implemented and replicated in other academic disciplines and universities as a compulsory component of their studies.Social implicationsPlacements gave students the opportunity to reflect on their learning, develop non-technical skills and enhance their confidence levels. They were also able to network and communicate with different employees.Originality/valuePlacements provided exposure to relevant organisations and personal enrichment in terms of acquiring skills, autonomy and independence. Students with placement experience are also more likely to secure future employment, relevant to their undergraduate degree.

Gender differences in Taiwan’s hypermarkets

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung-Sheng Chang ◽  
Hsiaoping Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Customer Behavior ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Traditional Markets ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Hypermarkets face a very competitive environment, as their rivals also include traditional markets, convenient stores and supermarkets. In addition to offering innovative services, hypermarket managers must also pay attention to customer shopping patterns and behaviors in order to gain market share. The purpose of this paper is to posit that there will be significant differences between male and female hypermarket customers in terms of both shopping time and categories of goods purchased. Design/methodology/approach To investigate actual shopping behaviors, this study observed customers in hypermarkets and recorded how long they spent shopping and what they purchased. Findings The results of this study implied that gender is a key factor that affects both shopping time and the goods purchased in Taiwanese hypermarkets. The empirical findings also indicated that customers favor certain goods categories. Practical implications The results of this study provide details of the differences between male and female hypermarket customers, with which managers can use to develop better marketing strategies. Originality/value The purpose of this study is to show hypermarket retailers how gender differences affect customer behavior in this context. It also presents a consumer product categories list for hypermarkets, and this can be used as a reference for follow-up studies.

Opentable as a marketing strategy for modern Muslim funeral product in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Witanti Prihatiningsih ◽  
Ninis Agustini Damayani ◽  
Asep Suryana ◽  
Susie Perbawasari
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Marketing Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Funeral Home ◽  
Potential Customers ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The Opentable strategy is considered a taboo because of its ability to take advantage of peoples’ grief. Therefore, this study aims to explore the Opentable (Exhibition) as a marketing strategy for modern Muslim funeral products, considered a luxury by most people in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative research with a phenomenological approach used to collect data from six Memorial Advisors (MAs) through interviews. Findings The result showed that the Opentable strategy was carried out to introduce the concept of a modern Muslim funeral home and its products. Furthermore, MA does not encourage sales during Opentable, rather, it uses the process to obtain complete data from potential customers. Practical implications This research serves as a guidance for MA and other similar professions to socialize products uncommon or considered taboo in society. It also provides a repertory of new marketing strategies, especially for targeted and uncommon products. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this is the first research to explore Opentable (Exhibition) as a marketing strategy for modern Muslim funeral products in Indonesia. Therefore, future research is needed on other marketing strategies.

Antecedents and consequences of online buying behavior: a mediation study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhail Bhat ◽  
Sheikh Basharul Islam ◽  
Umer Mushtaq Lone
Keyword(s):  
Formation Process ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Buying Behavior ◽  
Online Retailing ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Online Buying ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe study is aimed to identify the determinants of online buying behavior and their associations with the consequences of online buying behavior. The study adopted an e-loyalty framework and investigated causal links among functionality, usability, trust, commitment and loyalty. In addition, the study also attempted to investigate the mediating role of trust and commitment between online buying determinants and online purchasing outcomes. The demographic variables of age, gender and income are used as control variables.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire survey was conducted on Internet users by adopting purposive sampling technique. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed for measurement development, SEM was used for testing causal links, and percentile bootstrap with 95% confidence interval was used for mediation analysis.FindingsSignificant positive relationships were found among functionality, usability, trust, commitment and loyalty. Trust was found to fully mediate the effect of functionality and usability on loyalty. It was also found that commitment fully mediates the effect of functionality on loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsHowever, caution is advised while generalizing results of this study. The study was conducted on online retailing only. The authors recommend future studies to extend the research in other e-commerce sectors and also to perform a comparative study between online and offline retailing.Practical implicationsThis study provides some practical implications to website developers in designing a web page that caters the functionality and usability aspects in understanding e-loyalty formation process so that appropriate marketing strategies and tactics can be established to accommodate customized loyalty of each customer.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates the customer loyalty formation process in online retailing. Scanty literature has witnessed mediating role of trust and commitment in the relationships among functionality, usability and loyalty along with age, gender and monthly family income as controls in Indian sub-continent.

Continuing professional development and special librarians in Jamaica

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marsha-Gay Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Information Network ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
The Government ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the continuing professional development (CPD) activities undertaken by special librarians in Jamaica, their motivation, the challenges faced and the areas of interest for professional development. Design/methodology/approach Special librarians working in Jamaica were surveyed using an online questionnaire which was disseminated via e-mail. Findings The study indicates that special librarians in Jamaica were engaged in both formal and informal CPD activities. They were motivated by factors such as keeping up to date with changes in librarianship and personal satisfaction. Challenges to participating in CPD include, lack of funding, time constraints and lack of worthwhile options. Areas of interest for CPD were mainly information technology-based. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to the contact lists of the special libraries section of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA) and the Government Library and Information Network of the Jamaica Library and Information Network (JAMLIN). Practical implications The results have implications for the planning and implementation of continuing professional activities for Jamaica’s special librarians. It also fills a gap in library literature regarding the continuing professional activities of special librarians. Originality/value The paper is one of few studies focusing on the CPD activities of special librarians undertaken in a developing country.

Examining attitudes on pay for low level workers: do consumers care?

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Moran
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Firm Reputation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper examines whether decisions to improve pay for low-level employees lead to more positive attitudes toward firms, depending on firm’s service reputation. Design/methodology Four experiments examine whether information on compensation decisions for employees affects consumer attitudes toward firms. Findings Results show attitudes toward firms providing raises are more positive when firms are known for high quality (vs average) service. This occurs because individuals use information about firm reputation as a cue to make inferences about employees, and fairness of firm pay procedures. Moderators are introduced to show how these effects can be altered. Research limitations/implications Drawing from research on the representativeness bias, this work extends theories on justice and equity and contributes to the literature on corporate social responsibility. Practical implications This research provides firms with insight on how to promote their efforts to improve employees’ financial welfare. Social implications Findings provide guidance on how to increase public support of initiatives to improve financial well-being for low-wage workers. Originality/value This research is the first to examine how specific firm factors affect reception of initiatives to improve employee financial welfare and to delineate the process.

Status quo bias and shoppers’ mobile website purchasing resistance

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1433-1466
Author(s):  
Jacques Nel ◽  
Christo Boshoff
Keyword(s):  
Positive Influence ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Shoppers ◽  
Alternative Attractiveness ◽  
Channel Environment ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Shopping statistics indicate that online shoppers prefer purchasing products using the desktop website of the retailer, rather than using the mobile website on a mobile phone to purchase products (mobile website purchasing). Therefore, using status quo bias theory, this study aims to investigate mobile website purchasing resistance of those customers using only desktop website purchasing. Design/methodology/approach To test the conceptual model an online questionnaire was used to collect data from customers purchasing products using only the desktop website on a computer (n = 484) and not the retailer’s mobile website. Findings Due to cognitive dissonance, customers using only desktop purchasing trivialize mobile website purchasing perceived attractiveness while perceiving more cognitive effort in mobile website purchasing to maintain consonance with their inertia. Further, relative advantage perceptions of mobile website purchasing lead to more trivialization of mobile website purchasing attractiveness perceptions. Desktop purchasing inertia enhances resistance through alternative attractiveness and cognitive effort perceptions, respectively, and cognitive effort and alternative attractiveness perceptions in serial. Desktop purchasing habit has the strongest positive influence on desktop purchasing inertia. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted in a high-involvement product context. Replication in a low-involvement product context is necessary to confirm the robustness of the results. Practical implications Retailers can use the findings to develop strategies to lower mobile website purchasing resistance in an online-mobile concurrent channel environment. Originality/value The study provides novel insights into mobile website purchasing resistance in an online-mobile concurrent channel environment. Further, the study addresses the gap in research on inertia and switching costs in the adoption of concurrent channels.

Generation Y consumer online repurchase intention in Bangkok

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Zhu ◽  
Suwanna Kowatthanakul ◽  
Punnaluck Satanasavapak
Keyword(s):  
Generation Y ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Repurchase Intention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Retailers ◽  
Promotional Campaign ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The rapid growth of e-commerce has encouraged online retailers to adapt to the purchase behaviour of Generation Y consumers. For this purchase, the purpose of this paper is to investigate Generation Y online consumer repurchase intention in Thai context based on Stimuli-Organism-Response (SOR) model. Design/methodology/approach Data were used to test the hypotheses that Generation Y consumer online response is influenced by online environment cues and organism. In total, 401 questionnaires were collected in Bangkok through judgemental sampling and convenient sampling. SPSS 24 was used to analyse Generation Y consumers’ demographic information and reliability test. Amos 24 was utilized to examine measurement model and structural equation model. Findings The findings finally revealed that website security presents the strongest influence on Generation Y consumers trust. Also, online promotion possesses the weakest association with Generation Y consumers trust. More importantly, Generation Y consumer online repurchase intention is positively influenced by the degree of trust they have towards websites. The implications of the findings for marketers are discussed. Research limitations/implications The empirical data are limited to generate findings from a limited number of Generation Y consumers in Bangkok only. Also, the study limits itself to explore only inter-relationship in the scope of SOR. Practical implications It is suggested that in order to draw attention from and retain Generation Y consumers, online retailers should aim at strengthening trust-building in the online buyer–seller context as well as a dynamic promotional campaign. Moreover, a constellation of relevant marketing strategies is recommended. Originality/value Since there is a lack of implementation of SOR model based on the Thai context, this paper fills the gap by illustrating how SOR works in Thailand with updating findings.

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