Brand-Consumer Relationship And Corporate Social Responsibility: Myth Or Reality & Do Consumers Really Care?

Companies are claiming that they are being challenged to maintain profitability and behave in socially responsible ways. The question is how much “the social responsibility” is a real pressure. Do consumers really know what the companies, producing their favorite brands, are doing? Do consumers really care? How much of an effect do the company practices have on the consumer’s response to a brand? Or does the consumer-brand relationship have nothing to do with the company’s practices? Does the customer’s response change with the type of company practices (e.g. environmentally friendly or not, treats well or mistreats employees, relationship with suppliers, supports or doesn’t support social causes, etc.)? Does such response depend on who the customer is (e.g. different demographics, loyalty to a brand, or level of awareness of societal issues, etc.)? The study attempts to answer these questions and more. The survey included a random sample of 317 adult individual consumers in the Southern California region. Results of the survey are presented within a conceptual framework hypothesizing that the relationship between the consumer and the brand can be affected differently by the company’s different practices in regard to social responsibility; and by the consumer’s characteristics. The paper concludes with some recommendations that may benefit interested companies, social-action groups, and policymakers

A Non-Classical Marketing Approach For Classical Music Performing Organizations: An Empirical Perspective

In the last two decades, classical music performing art organizations have been eagerly searching for ways to attract younger audiences and enhance attendance at their live concerts. It seems that their classical marketing approaches are not achieving their goals, and a new and more aggressive approach is in order. The study surveyed a sample of 664 adult individuals in the Inland Empire region of Southern California regarding their attendance patterns to, attitudes towards, and preferences for classical music concerts in general and Riverside County Philharmonic performances in particular. Findings were analyzed and recommendations were made for classical music performing organizations to enhance their marketing strategies and tactics

National Versus Private-Label Brands: Dynamics, Conceptual Framework, And Empirical Perspective

Motivated by profits and their growing power in the marketplace, retailers have been expanding their private-label brands to include more categories of consumer products and differentiation on quality to reach different consumer segments. This global phenomenon is adversely impacting the performance of national brands, thus creating a conflict between two powerful parties – manufacturers of national brands and their large retailers who are supposed to be their helping hands in the marketplace.   In this paper, the authors develop a conceptual framework, which captures the complexity and multidimensionality of the situation – the stakeholders involved, the interest and power of each, the relationships among them, various strategies they employ, and the outcomes of the conflict. Several hypotheses were examined and tested through the empirical part of this study; for example, would the powers of these parties determine who is the loser and who is the winner or will the verdict be in the hands of the consumers? The study surveyed 281 consumers to assess their attitudes toward and preferences of store brands versus national brands across product categories and the underlying motivations. The paper concludes with recommendations for retailers and national brand manufacturers to win the hearts of consumers rather than exhaust their resources in the conflict

Consumptive Behavior, Promotional Preferences, And Shopping Patterns Of Hispanic Americans: An Empirical Perspective

Hispanic Americans are becoming a substantial purchasing force in the United States, thus creating as many opportunities as challenges for marketers in many companies. Although the literature is rich with studies of this sub-culture, new information is always welcome due to the extensive changes that this segment of society is experiencing, from population growth, increasing purchasing power and income, to shifting demographics, diversity, and acculturation. This study is designed to enhance understanding about Hispanic Americans via a survey of a random sample of 120 Hispanic American adult individuals in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. The data collected was analyzed and in this paper, the findings are reported and discussed as well as some marketing tactics recommended. At the strategic marketing level, the authors recommend the application of a theoretical marketing framework, one that matches the nature of the Hispanics’ market and its dynamics, to develop winning strategies and guidelines for marketers who are interested in this vital market segment

The Effects Of Calorie Count Display On Consumer Eating Behavior: Would It Solve The Obesity Problem? An Empirical Perspective

Obesity in the United States and around the world is getting to be of epidemic proportions, with major economic, social, and psychological impacts on society. Its impact is evident in cost of health care, opportunity cost of lower productivity, emotional and physical suffering, and shorter life expectancy. Although obesity is the result of individual behavior, efforts to reduce it are initiated by many concerned parties. The question is, how effective are these efforts? The researchers are interested in knowing individuals’ attitudes about these efforts, specifically, the latest regulation of displaying calorie counts on menus of restaurants and its effects on their behaviors. The survey also covered consumers’ opinions regarding obesity, its causes, and what can be done about it. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of calorie count display on consumers’ eating habits, consumers’ attitude towards obesity as a societal concern, and their views about who is to blame and who should do something about the obesity problem. The study surveyed 226 consumers in the Southern California area. Results are analyzed, discussed, and used as basis for making recommendations to all parties concerned (i.e., individuals and families, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and food companies and restaurants) regarding their role to reduce obesity and its adverse economic, social, and psychological impact on society.

TV Viewing Motivations Of Arab American Households In The US: An Empirical Perspective

The study surveyed a sample of 149 adult Arab immigrants in Detroit (MI) and Los Angeles (CA).  The findings indicate that the five primary television viewing motivations, in order of importance for these Arab American respondents were: entertainment, relaxation, social Interaction, habit and information. The study however showed that the primary motive for watching Arabic TV was to keep informed about what is happening in the country of origin and around the world. The place of birth whether in the US or in the country of origin, and the length of time in the U. S. appeared to have an impact on the TV viewing habits of Arab Americans. The implications of the findings are also presented

UNDERSTANDING STUDENT MOTIVATION: A KEY TO RETENTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

This paper explores what motivates college students at different stages of their academic studies. Using Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the researchers conducted a survey of 535 students in three south-western universities to determine if motivations changed throughout their academic careers. Results showed that students at different stages of their college careers have different concerns and, as such, different motivational strategies are needed to respond to their concerns. Implications are given to grow and retain enrolment.JEL Codes - M3

Preventive medical care in remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory: a follow-up study of the impact of clinical guidelines, computerised recall and reminder systems, and audit and feedback

Background Interventions to improve delivery of preventive medical services have been shown to be effective in North America and the UK. However, there are few studies of the extent to which the impact of such interventions has been sustained, or of the impact of such interventions in disadvantaged populations or remote settings. This paper describes the trends in delivery of preventive medical services following a multifaceted intervention in remote community health centres in the Northern Territory of Australia. Methods The intervention comprised the development and dissemination of best practice guidelines supported by an electronic client register, recall and reminder systems and associated staff training, and audit and feedback. Clinical records in seven community health centres were audited at regular intervals against best practice guidelines over a period of three years, with feedback of audit findings to health centre staff and management. Results Levels of service delivery varied between services and between communities. There was an initial improvement in service levels for most services following the intervention, but improvements were in general not fully sustained over the three year period. Conclusions Improvements in service delivery are consistent with the international experience, although baseline and follow-up levels are in many cases higher than reported for comparable studies in North America and the UK. Sustainability of improvements may be achieved by institutionalisation of relevant work practices and enhanced health centre capacity

Broad sialic acid usage amongst species D human adenovirus

Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are widespread pathogens causing usually mild infections. The Species D (HAdV-D) cause gastrointestinal tract infections and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). Despite being significant pathogens, knowledge around HAdV-D mechanism of cell infection is lacking. Sialic acid (SA) usage has been proposed as a cell infection mechanism for EKC causing HAdV-D. Here we highlight an important role for SA engagement by many HAdV-D. We provide apo state crystal structures of 7 previously undetermined HAdV-D fiber-knob proteins, and structures of HAdV-D25, D29, D30 and D53 fiber-knob proteins in complex with SA. Biologically, we demonstrate that removal of cell surface SA reduced infectivity of HAdV-C5 vectors pseudotyped with HAdV-D fiber-knob proteins, whilst engagement of the classical HAdV receptor CAR was variable. Our data indicates variable usage of SA and CAR across HAdV-D. Better defining these interactions will enable improved development of antivirals and engineering of the viruses into refined therapeutic vectors