The dark side of place attachment: Why do customers avoid their treasured stores?

International audienceWhile there is extensive literature on consumers' attraction to their treasured commercial places, we have little understanding of the “dark side” of these close relationships within the retail context. Drawing on the notion of interdependent freedom and using the introspection methodology, this study demonstrates how customers lose their sense of interdependent freedom in the favored stores, and ultimately reduce, or altogether avoid their patronage over time. Specifically, the findings display the constraints and coping strategies customers use to protect their interdependent freedom in these venues by: (1) Creating occasions that enable giving back to the treasured place, (2) Carving their own territories therein, and (3) Calibrating the timing of their patronage. The results also identify two critical factors that influence perceptions of interdependent freedom in the retailscape: (1) Benevolent attention associated with weak relationships, and (2) Security associated with flexibility

Gender Effects on Relational and Core Service Dimensions of Hotel Choice Decisions: An Economics of Information Perspective

The study proposes and tests a model of hotel choice behavior based on the economics of information theory which incorporates relational and core service experiences as well as search attributes. The model expands the domain of inquiry beyond the initial level attributes to the higher order latent construct and composite levels. Results suggest that hotel choice behavior of male and female guests can be represented as a global construct with three viable components. Implications of the results are discussed

Modeling Consumers\u27 Choice Behavior: An Application in Banking

The study proposes and tests a model of consumer bank choice behavior in a south eastern city in the USA, based on the economics of information theory. The model expands the domain of inquiry beyond the initial level attributes to the first-order latent construct and the second-order (composite) levels. Results suggest that consumer bank choice behavior can be represented as a global construct with three viable components (search, credence and experience) and provide implications for bank managers

Bank Choice Behavior of Small and Medium-Sized Construction Firms

A model of bank choice behavior for small and medium-sized firms in the construction industry is developed and tested. The results suggest that bank choice behavior of homebuilders can be represented as a global construct with three viable components: search, credence and experience. The model allows for a comprehensive examination of the relationships between commercial banks and homebuilders. Implications for bank managers are discussed

Salesperson–brand relationship: main dimensions and impact within the context of private brand retailing

International audiencePrivate branding is considered one of the most effective and efficient influencers of retailers’ return on investment in their fiercely competitive industry. However, no study to date has examined these brands’ impact on salespeople's motivation and commitment to their own employer. This study, based upon extensive qualitative and quantitative research, shows that salespeople's relationships with their private brands can be influential in increasing their selling motivation and organizational commitment. Toward this end, our study first identifies the three important dimensions of salesperson–brand relationship (affect, trust, perceived customer recognition due to the brand) and develops their measures. Second, the findings show that salesperson–brand relationships, which exist between the retail frontline employees and retailers’ private brand, strongly influence sales motivation and firm commitment with a moderating influence of role clarity regarding management's expectations from its salespeople