Canadian university consumer studies courses: a content analysis

This study entailed a content analysis of Canadian university consumer courses offered in 14 human ecology, home economics or related programmes using the Classification System for Consumer Concepts (Classi)¹. Both the baseline data and the refined research methodology fill a gap in the literature as there has not been an examination of consumer studies university courses or curricula in Canada. The three aspects of consumer education (decision making, resource management and citizen participation) are evident in the collection of 58 courses. However, a small number of the 154 Classi concepts received an inordinate amount of coverage in the course outlines leading one to conclude, rightly so or not, that many relevant concepts are under or totally unrepresented. Focus seemed to be on: (a) consumer decision making and marketplace behaviour (especially consumer behaviour); then (b) family and household resource management (especially financial planning); rather than (c) activism, advocacy and protection. Preliminary analysis suggests that the courses seem to be preparing graduates for careers in consumer studies (applied science) and consumer science (basic science) more so than consumer affairs.     

Chronic consumer debtors: the need for specific intervention

Many studies of consumer debtors have identified risk factors associated with chronic consumer debt. Chronic consumer debtors exist in an environment of ongoing efforts to survive financially and meet their debt commitments. Despite otherwise favourable economic conditions for the community at large such as low interest rates and low levels of unemployment, the chronic consumer debtor remains continuously at peril of overcommitment. An analysis of financial counselling interviews in New South Wales (the largest state in Australia) has been used to identify the group that the authors believe to be most at risk of chronic consumer debt in Australia. Other independent studies are provided to support the choice of the identified group. The situation for chronic consumer debtors is contrasted to the situation for acute cases. While financial literacy and support programmes can be provided to the community, the ability to target programmes towards a specifically identifiable group concentrates activities on measures aimed to alleviate the distress caused by ongoing financial hardship for one particular consumer group. The challenge of reducing chronic consumer debt has the potential to raise awareness and understanding of risk factors for consumer debtors generally. Thus, concentrated efforts towards alleviating chronic consumer debt may lead to a reduction in consumer financial overcommitment.     

Developing a contemporary conceptualization for consumer sciences in higher education in the UK

Consumer sciences and consumer studies as a recent interdisciplinary degree area in higher education in the UK has had limited published research either on the subject heritage or its disciplinary identity. Since the major subject review was undertaken by the Council for National Academic Awards 17 years ago, the research investigation aimed to study how consumer studies and home economics had moved to consumer sciences and consumer studies. The research has therefore involved a survey over a 15‐year period of development and changes of institutions and degrees and a content analysis of programme outlines and national benchmarking to reveal changing trends in how the subject has been conceptualized. The comparison used data from 1992, 1999, 2003 and 2007 to map degree programme and institutional changes. External and internal political and economic factors influenced subject growth, decline and development. It was found that the number of degree programme titles had remained relatively stable, with still a balance between BA and BSc degrees but that this disguised many changes in institutions and degree titles. The content analysis of trends was undertaken, comparing 1992, 1999, 2003 and 2007. Subject benchmarking statements introduced in 2002, currently being revised in 2009, were compared with programme content themes in 2003 and 2007. The content analysis showed that the overall approach or principles, areas of study, context, perspectives and processes for degree programmes at the undergraduate level had developed noticeably over the last 15 years and had been clarified by benchmarking guidelines. Themes of behavioural change, consumer ethics, consumer services, skills and education, sustainability and well‐being had developed with applied contexts depending on programme orientation. A model has been proposed to illustrate the current conceptualization of the subject in the UK at degree level, and Chenoweth's definition of consumer sciences and consumer studies has been redefined for the UK. It is recommended that there should be more theoretical reflection on the interpretation and development of the subject.     

Factors involved in the learning of consumer studies

This study explored links between students’ psychological traits and their expressed preferences for learning approaches, and performance, on a consumer studies degree course. Measures to assess field independence, convergence–divergence and Perry position (a developmental classification based on students’ attitudes to knowledge and learning), and students’ preferences with regard to directed, group, project and practical learning approaches, were administered to 60 final‐year and 56 first‐year students on a consumer studies degree course. Perry position and a preference for a project learning approach were found to correlate most highly with overall performance. Field independence and convergence–divergence did not correlate at statistically significant levels with any element of final degree performance. As students proceeded through the course, they developed an enhanced view of a project learning approach and a diminished view of a group learning approach. On the basis of these findings, a number of recommendations for the teaching and learning consumer studies are put forward.     

Exploring the use of content analysis methodology in consumer research

Content analysis is a viable way to thematise consumer experiences. The purpose of this review study is to examine the use of content analysis in consumer research (1977–2017). The authors explore how content analysis has been used. The reviewed studies address consumer experiences. The results show that qualitative content analysis is not used as a method in its own right; it is more often applied as a supplement to quantitative testing. There is also a lack of rigorous reporting of methodologies in many studies. The systematic review provides four propositions, content analysis studies: 1) vary in execution and reporting; 2) have a tendency towards methodological vagueness; 3) do not apply content analysis as a sole method; 4) are versatile. The study can also serve as point of departure for novice researchers wishing to engage with content analysis research. We suggest that further research is needed to explore the use of qualitative methodologies in consumer research.     

Perceived consumer competence of college students: a qualitative exploratory study

Considering the large sums of money young people spend on goods and services and the huge importance marketers grant to them, it is easy to agree on the very important role they play in today's consumer society. Autonomous role enactment involves the attainment of a certain level of performance which implies certain socially desirable behaviours. However, studies about consumer skills are rather sparse. Consequently, we do not know if young people present the necessary abilities to make educated choices, protecting their own interests and exerting their responsibilities as citizens in the community and by this, contributing to balancing the market forces. The data presented are an extract from the qualitative part of a larger study about the consumer skills of French Canadian college students. Thirteen students, aged from 18 to 22 years old, were recruited in three colleges of the Quebec City area through personal contacts with academic members. They participated in semistructured interviews during the months of November and December 2001. During the discussions, they expressed their perceptions of the skills necessary for being an educated consumer, their own level of competence in this area, the general level of competence of people of their age and that of older adults. They identified the most significant agents in their consumer socialisation and detailed the nature and content of these influences. This information implements research in consumer behaviour from a non‐commercial perspective and has helped to plan the quantitative stage of the study which is presently under way. The study is financed by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.     

‘Better safe than sorry’: consumer perceptions of and deliberations on nanotechnologies

Although nanotechnologies are considered key technologies that can drive growth‐generating innovations in well‐saturated markets, worldwide investment in nanotechnologies has to date focused largely on technology‐related development programmes and little effort has been expended to research associated risks. As a result, even though prior discourses have sensitized western consumers to potential health‐related dangers, solid knowledge on, for example, the toxicological and eco‐toxicological risks and unintended side effects of nanotechnology are scarce. This paper therefore presents an overview of the current evidence on consumer knowledge and perceptions of nanotechnology and public engagement with it, with a focus on the US, the UK and Germany. Overall, even though survey data suggest that awareness of the term ‘nanotechnology’ has risen slightly, today's consumers are generally ill informed about its nature and its applications in consumer‐related products. Hence, based on our analysis of these data, we argue that early political engagement in the nanotechnology issue – for example, consumer policy options that support consumer interest in the marketing of ‘nanos’– would facilitate objective public discourse.     

Comparisons of factor structures in separate consumer behavior studies

Three methods of comparing factor structures among separate factor analytic studies are examined. Examples are developed for each of the three methods, illustrating typical uses in different research settings. Major characteristics of the methods are compared and summarized. The article is essentially a non-technical and nonexhaustive overview of comparison methods directed to researchers not fully acquainted with the function and utility of these comparatively new techniques. The examples used are developed from a large-scale consumer study, but applications obviously extend to a much broader group of business research situations.     

Sex ‘n’ shopping: A “novel” approach to consumer research

In recent years, several prominent consumer researchers have advocated the analysis of works of literature and art. Pathbreaking through these studies have proved, they are characterized by their focus on élite rather than popular literary forms. This paper extends the so‐called “marketing in Shakespeare” approach to works of romantic fiction, many of which are renowned for their brand name‐dropping. A content analysis of brand names in two “sex ‘n’ shopping” novels is undertaken and comparisons are made with an earlier study of mainstream popular fiction.     

Developing the conceptual framework of consumer sciences in higher education in the UK

Recent subject benchmarking statements by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2002) have included the subject of consumer sciences at bachelor's level. This is significant in that part of the aim of subject benchmark statements is to describe the nature and characteristics of specific degree level subject areas and to identify the ‘typical substantive core’. Consumer science/studies have therefore been defined as: ‘interdisciplinary subjects which seek to understand the relationships between the consumer and the economic, technical, social and environmental forces which influence the development and consumption of goods and services’ (QAA, 2002). If we are seeking, therefore, to encourage empowered consumers, we need to have an understanding of how the context of consumption and consumerism is positioned within current course structures. During the last five years developments and change in both the subject area and courses has made it increasingly necessary to explore the boundaries and development of degree level courses in the subject area in the United Kingdom. Research is therefore being undertaken to investigate the existence of a unique body of knowledge that currently defines the subject field, given its inter and multidisciplinary focus. This research has also aimed to track the changes and developments in courses and to map the forms of knowledge within the subject field between higher education institutions. This has been undertaken by comparing original studies of degree content areas, interviews and surveys of core academic staff and undertaking a recent follow up of this work. The results of this research will be available for presentation at the conference.     

Evaluating service quality and consumer satisfaction in emerging markets

Developing economies offer tremendous potential for future growth and organizations appreciating these consumers’ requirements stand to reap considerable returns. However, compared with more developed economies published consumer studies are few. In particular, there is a dearth of service quality research and hardly any from Africa. Furthermore, the little available research tends to apply Western methodologies, which may not be entirely appropriate. This research investigates East African consumer perceptions of retail banking using an approach that takes account of the research context. Qualitative research was undertaken to define the relevant service attributes. Performance along these was then investigated through a survey with over 2000 respondents. Principal component analysis identifies 13 core service dimensions and multinomial logistic regression reveals which are the key drivers of customer satisfaction. Comparison of the results with studies from other regions confirms that established standardized research instruments are likely to miss or under‐represent service attributes important in developing countries.     

Retailer corporate social responsibility and consumer citizenship behavior: The mediating roles of perceived consumer effectiveness and consumer trust

Retailers often face pressure from stakeholders to address social and environmental issues. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of retailer corporate social responsibility (CSR) on consumers' perceptions and behavior. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of social identity theory and signaling theory, this study presents and validates a unique model which examines the mediating effects of perceived consumer effectiveness and consumer trust on the relationship between retailer CSR and consumer citizenship behavior. Using a sample of 407 consumers in China, results of structural equation modeling show that retailer CSR is positively associated with consumer citizenship behavior. Additionally, perceived consumer effectiveness and consumer trust positively mediate this association. Taken together, these findings provide support for retailers to develop CSR programs that remind and reinforce consumers’ perceptions about socially responsible behaviors.     

On consumer trust and product loyalty

Using a multidimensional conceptualization and drawing on previous theoretical frameworks, this study identifies the dynamic relationships between consumer trust and product loyalty, and explores the mechanism, by which these constructs are formed. It further examines the nature and direction of the chain of effects related to the formation of consumer trust and loyalty and their links, all in the context of the core relationship between consumers and firms from the production to consumption, and back to production again. This analysis implies that blind consumer loyalty to a product may lead to the elevation of producer's power and give a blank card for setting prices, adjusting quality and altering services, and ultimately reversing consumer sovereignty. The analysis also implies that consumer satisfaction domain spans much more over and beyond the consumption of a product and the consumer–firm relationship extends way beyond having the product and paying for it.     

Finnish young people's narrative construction of consumer identity

This article examines how young Finns represent their consumer identity through narratives. Young consumers are easily seen as careless spenders and selfish hedonists in the contemporary consumer society. However, an empirical approach is required in order to find out whether this generation of young Finnish consumers is one of ‘raving hedonists’ or ‘ultimate materialists’, as their peers are often presented in public discussion in many western societies. The empirical data was collected in five upper secondary schools between the end of November 2001 and the beginning of January 2002. These schools are located in five different districts in Finland, varying from metropolitan to rural areas. The study focused on students aged 16–19 years and used essay writing as the method for collecting qualitative data. The data thus consists of 159 life stories as a consumer written by young Finnish people. Qualitative research methods, such as narrative analysis, were used in this study. It is argued that Finnish young people are representing their identities as consumers through a combination of various levels of consumer discourses besides hedonism and squandering: rationality and economizing are an essential part of their consumer identities. Some youngsters also present themselves as responsible consumers including ecological and ethical choices as part of their narrative. The way these youngsters combine discourses gives evidence of the various features of the present‐day young consumer. It is also suggested that their consumer identity develops and changes with age. Young people describe their identity changing through a hedonist/squanderer discourse to a rational and economical one or vice versa. They also combine hedonist, rational, economical and responsible discourses simultaneously.     

Prevalence of mortality in cannabis consumer motorcyclists: meta-analysis of international studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate prevalence of mortality in cannabis consumer motorcyclists across the world. A systematic review was conducted from publications PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar from August 2010 to March2019. The variances of each study were calculated using the binomial distribution formula and the heterogeneity among the studies was analyzed by Q-Cochran test with a significant level less than 0.1 and the index of changes attributed to I² heterogeneity. The prevalence of mortality in cannabis consumer motorcyclists was estimated 0.15 (95% CI = 0.08–0.22). Subgroup analysis based on country type showed that the mortality rate of cannabis consumer motorcyclists in developed countries is 16% (0.08–0.24) and in developing countries is 8% (0.04–0.10). These findings have implications for developing interventions through presenting appropriate solution, educating people and raising awareness to address the changing nature of drug use among motorcyclists in the world.     

The etiology of the frugal consumer

This study examines several psychological factors hypothesized as antecedents of frugality. Although external forces, such as downturns in economic activity, can promote frugal behavior, it is also likely associated with a syndrome of individual differences that are independent of economic conditions. These include values, personality characteristics, and other consumer characteristics. Our study used data from 256 U.S. consumers to test hypothesized relationships between frugality measured as a personality- or lifestyle-type construct characteristic embedded in the social psychology of consumption. We identified four key constructs as likely antecedents of frugality: materialism, status consumption, brand engagement, and consumer independence. The results showed that frugal consumers are less materialistic, less status conscious, and less involved with brands than other consumers, but are more independent from the opinions of others in their consumer decision making.     

A Facet metatheoretical approach to advance consumer behavior knowledge

This paper provides an overview of Facet Theory, a systematic approach to facilitate theory construction, research design, and data analysis for complex studies. Facet Theory is appropriate to marketing theories and particularly consumer behavior. In Facet Theory, the definition of the behavioral domain facilitates the rationale for hypothesizing structural relationships among variables employed in a research study. Examples are shown from various areas to illustrate the methods and results of structural analysis using Facet Theory data analysis techniques such as Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), Discrimination Coefficient (DISCO), and Partial Order Scalogram Analysis (POSA). The use of Facet Theory and conceptual tools like the “mapping sentence” and “universe of content,” is shown to provide new insights into existing consumer data. It allows for the diagnosis and discrimination of consumers' behavioral traits and makes the generalization and replication of findings easier. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hispanic consumer acculturation and food safety concerns

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Hispanic consumer acculturation on concerns about food safety and pesticide residues, and attitudes toward pesticide-related agricultural practices. Two 3-min bilingual, English and Spanish, videos presenting information on integrated pest management (IPM) farming practices were shown in controlled settings to Californian Hispanic consumers (n = 91). Findings reveal that acculturation among Hispanic consumers, language of use and length of residency in the United States, are significant factors associated with consumer concerns about the safety of domestic grown and imported produce at the supermarket. Overall, however the research suggests a substantial lack of information by Hispanic consumers regardless of level of acculturation. Pre- and post-video survey results show significant change in attitude among Hispanic consumers toward food safety, farming practices, and university efforts to help farmers control pests and assist with other management techniques. These findings suggest that bilingual educational programmes on food safety and the use of pesticides by farmers would be appropriate.