I love the product but will you? The role of interpersonal attachment styles in social projection

Individuals often have a need to predict the preferences of others (e.g., offering a recommendation, gift giving). In doing so, it is not uncommon that individuals project their attitudes and preferences onto others. Extant consumer research literature related to social projection focuses largely on particular situational variables that influence social projection. The current research adds to a smaller body of consumer research which focuses on specific characteristics of consumers’ selves that may drive an individual's tendency to project his/her attitudes onto others. Specifically, the present paper explores an individual‐level moderator of social projection, namely, interpersonal attachment style. Across five studies, interpersonal attachment style, and attachment anxiety, specifically, is shown to influence social projection. In addition, the mechanism underlying this relationship is demonstrated. The results show that high (vs. low) anxious attachment individuals tend to naturally consider more counter‐valence attributes of a product, that is., liked attributes of a disliked product and disliked attributes of a liked product, and this availability of counter‐valence attributes lowers social projection. Important theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Household Tree Planting in Tigrai,Northern Ethiopia: Tree Species,Purposes, and Tenure Security

Trees on farms have multiple roles in rural livelihoods, providing significant economic and ecological benefits. Trees on farms also constitute vital components in mixed crop-livestock-tree systems. In this paper, we analyze household tree planting and tenure security and explore the most important determinants that enhance the propensity to plant trees, using a cross-sectional household-level dataset from a sample of 200 households in the highlands of Tigrai, northern Ethiopia. Specifically, we employ a sample selection model that simultaneously takes into account the two decisions of tree growers (whether or not to plant tree and how many) to analyze the effect of tenure security on tree planting. We also use a multinomial logistic regression model to analyze the most important determinants contributing to a household’s decision of planting of particular tree species. We find that, among other things, tenure security enhances the propensity to plant trees as well as the amount of tree planting. Findings also suggest that households consider a diversity of attributes in making decisions to plant specific trees. These results can be used by policymakers to promote on-farm and homestead tree cultivation of private households in the study area by strengthening tenure security and considering households’ choices of specific tree species based on their attributes.     

Luxury shopping abroad: What do Chinese tourists look for?

Considering rapid economic development, rising household income, and the emergence of middle-class consumers in mainland China, a growing number of Chinese consumers are traveling to other countries and regions for tourism and shopping. Studies have shown that Chinese customers often express intentions to engage in luxury shopping, driven by factors such as brand consciousness, social comparison, and innovative fashion (Zhang & Kim, 2013). Although the trend of Chinese outbound tourism aimed at luxury shopping continues to expand, little is known about Chinese luxury shoppers' behavior when abroad. This study attempts to investigate Chinese luxury shoppers' preferences in shopping destinations, relevant attributes of preferred luxury shopping destinations, and potential underlying dimensions among identified attributes. Results revealed an attribute list comprising 3 dimensions (human touch, prestige, and good value) and 17 items. These findings reflect Chinese luxury shoppers' concerns and preferences about shopping overseas. Implications and future research directions are also discussed.     

How do green attributes elicit pro-environmental behaviors in guests? The case of green hotels in Vietnam

This study aims to identify green-hotel attributes and determinants that contribute to guests’ intention generation for visiting a green hotel and practicing pro-environmental actions during their hotel stay. The study’s results find five dimensions (Customer benefit, Energy efficiency, Water efficiency, Recycling policy and Green characteristic) that underlie 24 green-hotel attributes. Out of the five dimensions, Customer benefit, Energy efficiency, and Green characteristic are found to positively affect pro-environmental value and attitude that in turn enhance intention to practice environmentally friendly actions and visit a green hotel, while pro-environmental value does not trigger pro-environmental attitude. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.     

What skills and attributes does an accounting graduate need? Evidence from student perceptions and employer expectations

For some years there has been much debate between various stakeholders about the need for accounting graduates to develop a broader set of skills to be able to pursue a career in the accounting profession. This study uses mixed methods to examine perceptions and expectations of two major stakeholders: students and employers. Findings indicate that students are becoming aware of employers’ expectations in terms of communication, analytical, professional and teamwork skills. Although employers are still expecting a good understanding of basic accounting skills and strong analytical skills, they are also requiring ‘business awareness’ and knowledge in terms of the ‘real world’. Both students and employers report that many of the ‘essential’ non‐technical and professional skills and attributes are not being developed sufficiently in university accounting programmes.     

Simulated financial dealing room: learning discovery and student accountability

This paper identifies the effectiveness of a simulated treasury dealing room for teaching and learning. It uses a presurvey and a postsurvey to establish student perceptions of learning effectiveness. It concludes that students believe that the dealing room: (i) improves their opportunities to apply theory; (ii) provides better learning than lectures; (iii) is more effective than individual learning; (iv) improves student monitoring of learning effectiveness; and (v) improves student abilities to recognize ethical issues, develop alternative solutions to ethical problems, and evaluate solutions to ethical problems from a moral point of view. Student motivation is enhanced by: (i) the high value they place on dealing room learning; (ii) their preparedness to participate; (iii) rapidly reduced levels of anxiety about trading; and (iv) the learning resources provided.     

Impact of an Airline Merger on Customer Satisfaction

ABSTRACT

Given the radical changes in the airline industry where many airlines struggle to sustain their financial viability, consolidation appears to be one viable option for airlines. While airlines guarantee that consolidation will bring better customer service, the traveling public fears the effects of mergers that result from less competition. Using the AA/TWA merger, this article presents the results of an empirical study that provides both the airline public and airlines with insight into the real impact of an airline merger on airline service and customer satisfaction.     

The Asian Perspective

Abstract

The following paper investigates the use of unusual venues as conference facilities within the United Kingdom and identifies the current and future management issues. Unusual venues include such diverse properties as castles, visitor attractions, boats, sports stadiums, and galleries able to accommodate from ten to one thousand delegates. Reduced government funding has encouraged many of these venues to diversify their revenue generation activities, with conference activity providing lucrative and innovative opportunities. This paper provides a market analysis of this sector within the United Kingdom, with particular reference to market demand, the motivations for investment, and future influences on their management.     

我国住房公积金的法律属性及其管理模式研究

住房公积金始终被理所当然地看作是公司对职工所要履行的义务,原因在于《住房公积金管理条例》中的规定是与税收征缴管理类似的行政法,其规定住房公积金算不算公共财产,需不需要公权力的强行介入,这些问题一定要从住房公积金的法律属性入手。论文旨在研究我国住房公积金的管理模式。