The Influence of Location of Firm Ownership on Consumers

An increasing number of consumers are making consumption decisions based on perceptions of a firm\u27s social performance. In other words, many consumers take into account a firm\u27s impact on society and the environment when deciding where they will spend their money. Thus, it is important for firms to understand what these consumers perceive to be important indicators of a firm\u27s social performance. A potential element of social performance that has yet to be studied is local ownership as well as its influence on consumers\u27 store perceptions and consumption decisions. As large, national chains increasingly threaten the existence of smaller, locally-owned businesses, some consumers have shown an aversion to these national chains and buycott local businesses as a way of showing support for local firms and their communities. In this research, a local shopping preference (LSP) scale that measures one\u27s preference for shopping at locally-owned stores is proposed, developed, validated, and shown to be strongly related to consumer social responsibility. Next, localness, as a store selection criterion, is measured alongside other, more prevalent store choice determinants to evaluate the relative magnitude of localness\u27s influence. Potential antecedents of LSP are tested, and it is found that three consumer values (materialism, consumer ethnocentrism, and environmentalism) and household income are associated with the new construct. It is also demonstrated that consumers with a high LSP are willing to pay a premium over what similar merchandise would cost at a national chain. The average premium willing to be paid was 16%. The manuscript concludes with a discussion of the results, including contributions to the theoretical understanding of the socially responsible consumer and actionable insights for managers of locally-owned stores

Teaching and Doing Strategy as an Intentional Strategic Innovation Mindset

There are many important keys in learning, teaching, and doing strategy today. We propose rethinking the learning strategies employed at the MBA level to make the degree more relevant. Recent calls from academia and practice indicate the need to stress adaptability using soft knowledge and skills to make MBA courses more aligned with the realities of strategic decision-making in today’s business environments. We emphasize that while traditional strategic framework models and diagrams have their place, today’s professionals must be prepared to make decisions in unstructured and highly ambiguous situations that traditional models do not address

Building a Sports Marketing Program in a College or School of Business

The purpose of this paper is to serve as one roadmap for helping marketing and business faculty understand better how to build a Sports Marketing program within a college or school of business. Specifically, this paper lays out specific coursework that can comprise a robust and industry-relevant sports marketing program and provides connected sports business and sports analytics classes and content that can undergird and support a new or growing sports marketing program. This business education development solves a curriculum problem related often to the need for new, innovative, and industry-relevant business curriculum and new occupational pathways for business students. Finally, this paper lays out a blueprint for intentional collegiality and partnership amongst marketing and business faculty, alumni, advisory board members, and industry partners in helping a newly created sports marketing program not only grow, but be connected to strong industry internships, job placements, and newly related occupational pathways for business students

Crossing Cultures: Guides and Models for Development, Selection, and Application

Despite many calls for it, there has been little action toward an all-inclusive manuscript that is practical, empirically verified, and provides guidelines for becoming and remaining strategically culturally adaptive. Further, a tremendous number of current articles and books emphasize managing or leading in an era of globalization. To meet these calls to work, learn, and innovate across cultures, the goal must be to move from the mass of unrelated assertions to the weaving of co-created, manageable models that are useful in learning, teaching, and practice

Gospel-Centered Professionalism Standards for Christian Business Programs

Christian business programs exist not just to educate but to help students see their work and professional skills as forms of worship unto the Lord and witnessing to the world. This article demonstrates the need for Gospel-centered professionalism and puts forward five Gospel-centered professionalism standards along with professionalism assignment examples. These standards and assignments help train students in needed business and professional skills but more deeply, point students back to Jesus Christ and his Gospel