Online and In-Store Compulsive Buying Among Metrosexuals and Other Male Consumers

This paper presents an exploratory study of compulsive buying behavior among males, specifically metrosexual consumers. These men represent significant purchasing power, but to date they have not been studied in both online and in-store environments. The current research has significant importance for public policy, consumer behavior and marketing. The literature has largely ignored male compulsive shopping behavior, especially how this behavior manifests itself in different shopping environments and among different subsets of male consumers. For the current research, data was gathered via an online survey of 193 males. The study discusses both online and in-store compulsive buying by various product categories. The results of this study show that metrosexuals have higher levels of compulsive behavior than other males, but these differences do not seem to vary significantly by shopping environment

Using Product Positioning Strategies to Establish National Images: An Exercise Using Current International Events in the Marketing Classroom

This article introduces a novel method of demonstrating product positioning in the classroom through discussions of current events on an international scale by creating and managing national images. Existing national images in the minds of students are assessed and then used to discuss national strategies from the framework of traditional product positioning strategies, the various tools that can be used to influence these images, and alternative national imaging strategies. Nations, viewed as products, are promoting ideology, credibility, physical goods and services, technology, and military cooperation using the entire gamut of promotional options, including advertising, public relations, sales promotion, and personal selling. Potential buyers include investors, political allies and opponents, military allies and opponents, tourists, and trade partners (particularly consumers of the nation\u27s physical products, services, and technology). Various tools for creating and managing national images are presented, ranging from terrorism to the exploration of space. This exercise is illustrated with data provided by Hong Kong students

Dementors in Our Midst: Managing the Highly Productive but Morale-Killing Employee

While most discussions of incivility in the workplace focus exclusively on deviant behavior and its negative consequences, this paper introduces the behavior of a particular type of employee who has a powerful negative impact on morale, yet remains highly productive on measures of task performance. This employee type is labeled Dementor (adapted from a recurring type of character found in J. K. Rowling\u27s series of Harry Potter books). Dementors are high-knowledge, high-skill employees driven to overachieve by low self-esteem and other personality influences that can be exacerbated by situational characteristics. The highly productive Dementor deliberately attempts to lower the productivity of coworkers to alleviate the Dementor\u27s own performance anxiety. This paper offers an overview of Dementor behavior, discusses individual and organizational influences on Dementor behavior, describes the impact of the Dementor on the organization and on individuals within the organization, and offers practical strategies for managing the Dementor in the workplace

eWOM Watchdogs: Ego-threatening Product Domains and the Policing of Online Product Reviews

Suspicion regarding dishonest electronic word-of-mouth is a growing concern for consumers online. Individual consumers are occasionally seen acting as product review forum “watchdogs” within the websites they visit, posting vigilante comments against reviews they perceive to be fraudulent. This multimethod set of studies investigates consumer “watchdog comments,” and the way in which ego-threatening product categories themselves may actually induce a prosecutorial mindset, leading to greater levels of suspicion toward positive online product reviews and the impulse to prosecute potential fraudsters. In Study 1, laboratory-induced ego threat increased punitive severity against the act of falsifying online product reviews. In Study 2, a content analysis of actual Amazon.com reviews and consumer commentary indicates that the occurrence of watchdog comments is more common within ego-threatening product categories

Food Selection and Consumption in Chinese Markets: An Overview

As much as any other ethnic group, the Chinese people are preoccupied with food. The norms that govern food selection and consumption in China are quite different from those encountered in the West. This analysis examines the role of food in Chinese society from its historical, medical, social, and cosmological perspectives (Anderson, 1988). After considering food in China from each of these four perspectives, this paper then examines the role that food plays in Chinese festivals, and regional patterns of food consumption. Implications are offered for those businesses interested in Chinese food-related markets, businesses conducting operations in China, and researchers interested in understanding Chinese culture

Merchant Vessel Chartering and Operation in International Trade: Ethical and Safety Issues

The global economy is highly dependent upon international ocean shipping and important related industries, such as vessel brokerage and chartering. Maritime safety in today\u27s international economic environment presents policy, management, and ethical dilemmas for global business managers, including those not directly involved with managing marine transportation. This paper presents some of these issues, calls for managerial attention to the ethical problems raised, and adapts an existing framework for ethical decision‐making for this purpose

Cross Cultural Experiential Simulation in the Global Marketing Classroom: Bafa-Bafa and Its Variants

This paper reviews the use of the Bafa-Bafa Cross-Cultural Simulation in the Global Marketing classroom. Bafa-Bafa is a powerful experiential cultural simulation designed to encourage exploration of cross-cultural interaction. Its primary strength is its ability, in an artificially manipulated safe and fun environment, to engender the strong feelings associated with being part of one culture and then being forced to interact with another. Variants of the simulation are presented that reduce the time requirements, simplify the simulation, and accommodate large classes

National Stereotypes and Product Evaluations about Japan and the United States: A Hong Kong Perspective

As competition between Japan and the United States for international market leadership becomes more intense, it becomes vitally important for both parties to stay abreast of their current country stereotypes and product evaluations in international markets. Perhaps the best side for conducting such an evaluation is a neutral trading nation that is familiar with products from either country. Such an analysis was conducted in one such market, Hong Kong, which has been described as possessing a “Westernized Chinese” culture. Using an expanding on a research design and instrument designed by Papadopoulos, Heslop, and Beracs (1990), this analysis finds that both Japan and the United States (as nations) as well as products from both countries (in terms of quality) are highly regarded by Hong Kong respondents. However, products of Japanese origin were evaluated more positively along dimensions related to promotion and distribution