Financial Literacy 501

The articles in this special issue of The Journal of Consumer Affairs focus on financial literacy. The scope of the content spans conceptualization and measurement as well as factors influencing financial literacy and its impact. This editorial prelude suggests one way that educators might use this issue as well as a previous (Summer 2008) special issue of the journal that also focused on financial literacy.     

Corrective advertising information processing by teenagers

In this study teenagers' understanding of corrective advertisements was measured at three levels: beliefs, attitudes and behavioural intentions. The results support the use of beliefs rather than attitudes or behavioural intentions to detect deception.     

Telecommunications deregulation and rural consumers: the impact on decision-making

Deregulation of the U.S. telecommunications industry has made a major impact on the consumer decisions of both urban and rural telephone consumers. This article focuses on rural consumers and examines their relative satisfaction with local and long-distance service, attitudes toward and knowledge about deregulation, and use of information in specific local service and equipment decisions. Implications for consumer educators are identified.     

INFORMATION DISCLOSURE IN MAIL ORDER CATALOGUES

Catalogue mail order shopping has become a common mode of shopping for many consumers. Despite Federal Trade Commission rules as well as federal statutes designed to protect consumers in mail order transactions, consumers continue to experience problems with shopping by mail. Some problems may stem from limited availability or clarity of information in mail order catalogues. Resolution of problems is also more difficult when complete information is not available. In a survey of 139 catalogues distributed in the United States the authors found that, with the exception of refund policies, the majority contained no (or vague) information on the companies' policies. Additionally, when information was provided it was usually located on the order form rather than in the catalogue itself. Recommendations for improved information disclosure in mail order catalogues are discussed in the final section of this paper.     

Consumer acceptability of foods using low salt levels and salt substitutes

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect first of sodium reduction and second its substitution (using LoSalt) on the acceptability of eating quality of chilli con carne and ratatouille. Hedonic assessment tests were carried out to determine the lowest levels of sodium necessary to produce acceptable dishes. Triangle tests were carried out to investigate whether differences could be observed when table salt was replaced by a salt substitute. Total sodium content of the dishes was determined by flame photometry. In the case of both dishes the sodium concentration of the most preferred samples was found to be similar. However, the chilli con carne was found to be acceptable at all additions of table salt. It was also found to be acceptable without the addition of any salt. Total substitution of added table salt with LoSalt was also successful in both dishes with panel members being unable to differentiate between salt and LoSalt samples. Thus it would appear that successful dishes can be produced by reducing added table salt levels or by substituting LoSalt, without affecting overall acceptability of the products.     

Resident participation in a community-based garden/yard waste reclamation programme

Resident participation in a community-based garden/yard waste reclamation programme was investigated. A survey to determine if the participants in the programme exhibited traits as innovators was completed and the acceptance patterns of various aspects of the garden/yard waste reclamation programme were compared to established diffusion patterns for innovations. The results indicate that the diffusion of innovation theory can be used to describe resident participation in the programme evaluated in this study. Individuals with more education and higher incomes were more likely to participate than those with less education and lower incomes. The rate of adoption of the degradable bags at 27% was higher than the 16% projected by theory. However, rate of adoption of the degradable ties (11%) and reclamation products (11%) was somewhat lower. An effort to reduce the complexity of the issues surrounding the programme may increase the rate of adoption for all aspects of the programme.     

HOME MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE COURSES IN THE U.S.

The formats and learning experiences employed in home management experience courses in U.S. colleges and universities have increased greatly in diversity in the past decade. Many resident courses have been terminated and replaced with nonresident courses, while others continue to be taught in non-traditional formats. The overall objective of this study is the assessment of home management experience course formats and learning activities in 1979–80. Other aspects of experience courses such as types of residences used, instructors, and majors for whom the courses are required, are also described. Current questions regarding the choice of experience course format and objectives are discussed.     

Consumer perceptions of environmental marketing claims: an exploratory study

This paper reports the results of research which examined consumer perceptions of 10 environmental claims: degradable, biodegradable, no CFCs, safe for the environment, environmentally friendly, compostable, recycled, pre-consumer waste, post-consumer waste, and recyclable. Implications for policy makers and future research are identified.     

'Late Mobilization': Transnational Peasant Networks and Grassroots Organizing in Brazil and South Africa

In this paper, we analyze the political dynamics of the contemporary 'transnational peasant network' through a comparison of two movements: the Brazilian Movimento Dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST) and the South African Landless People's Movement (LPM). We argue that transnational visions of 'peasants' often obscure relations between or within rural movements. One tangible benefit of the transnational peasant network is the exchange of ideas, experiences and information, but this exchange does not happen in a vacuum, rather it happens in the historically-situated, power-laden context of an uneven world system. Organized in 1984, MST activists from Brazil helped to train, educate and inspire South African activists after the LPM formed in 2001, but key elements of the MST's success were inappropriate or unworkable in the South African context. Ultimately, the transfer of movement knowledge from the MST to the LPM may have worked against the long-term success of the latter.     

Perceptions of the discount retailer: an analysis of consumers' and managers' ideal discount store

Consumers' and managers' perceived images of three discount department stores and a hypothetical ideal discount store were compared in this study. Results indicate that managers and consumers possess significantly different overall impressions of each store. Significant differences were also identified between the ideal amount of each attribute and the amount offered by the retailer.