This dissertation focuses on the importance that status has on society and the difficulties in adequately addressing its effect on consumption. The motivation to consume for status has not been adequately conceptualized or operationalized in the social science literature. The author suggests a new construct to address this issue: status consumption. Status consumption is defined as the motivational process by which individuals strive to improve their social standing through the conspicuous consumption of consumer products that confer and symbolize status both to the individual and to surrounding significant others. / To illustrate this, the author presents a model of the proposed six antecedents, three dimensions, and six consequences of status consumption presented in this dissertation. Based on the three dimensions, a three factor Status Consumption Scale, SCS, is created. Hypotheses are presented along with a proposed methodology to test the reliability and validity of the SCS in a series of five studies utilizing both students and adults. The results of the five studies illustrates that the fourteen item SCS is a reliable and valid measure with good factor structure having three unidimensional subscales (Sociability, An Interest in Consuming for Status, and Buying for Nonfunctional Reasons). / Thus, this individual difference variable of status consumption is demonstrated in this dissertation to be an explanatory variable that may explain and predict some aspects of consumer behavior. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-02, Section: A, page: 0600. / Major Professor: Ronald E. Goldsmith. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.

America's consumer society runs on desire. The mass media are instrumental in feeding this desire, transforming common objects and experiences from peanut butter to political candidacy into signs of things people covet most: security, health, beauty, love, and so on. They successfully commodity our most basic instincts in this way. With the current proliferation of mass media advertising, it seems appropriate that art education, dealing as it does in visual imagery, should prepare students to intelligently address advertising imagery. The purpose of this study, then, was to develop a conceptual framework and model to teach secondary students to understand commercial print advertising. It is thought that the value of this lies in helping students become informed participants rather than manipulated subjects within the larger social context. / A review of literature provided the data for the study. First, an overview of advertising theory and history established advertising's philosophical foundations and reasons for being, and advertising philosophy's relationship to the methods it uses to portray visual imagery in a printed format. Second, teaching and learning theories were examined that potentially provide qualitative thinking skills necessary for critically studying advertising imagery. Third, educational art criticism methods were reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated to determine their effectiveness and appropriateness in both addressing advertising imagery and in promoting critical thinking skills. A synthesis of the information led to the formation of a critical model composed of nine stages: receptiveness, reaction, contextual information (Option I), description, formal analysis, characterization, interpretation, contextual information (Option II), and synthesis. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-10, Section: A, page: 3429. / Major Professor: Tom Anderson. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1992.

This research utilized a pretest/posttest design to examine consumers' use of schema-based information processing and the potential influence it has on their perceptions of print advertising which positions brands with sporting events. More specifically, it explored the moderating influence of involvement with product categories and sporting events on the perceived congruence between events and brands in advertised sponsorship relationships. Ten hypotheses were formulated to test certain theoretical propositions regarding Fiske's (1982) theory of schema-triggered affect in explaining sponsorship advertising response. A total of 216 undergraduates viewed print ads manipulated to position known brands from three different product categories with three different major sporting events. The subsequent effects of sponsorship ad treatments were gauged using thought-listings, attitudinal, behavioral intention and memorability measures. / Of the study's ten hypotheses, eight resulted in a failure to reject the null. The research provides very limited support for Fiske (1982), in terms of explaining sponsorship advertising response. However, it does add to the growing body of literature on the general notion of consumer advertising schemas. The significant findings concerning the effects of manipulated ad schema congruence on measures of attitude-towards-the-ad, as well as the content of a number of thought-listing responses, suggests that consumers do have well defined schematic templates with regards to the structure and content of advertising (including relationships in event sponsorship). Moreover, it appears that sponsorship ad schemas may have public policy implications as subjects' attitudes towards sponsorship ads involving cigarettes were found to be significantly related to the perceived incongruence of positioning healthy activities with an unhealthy product. An increased understanding of sponsorship response may one day aid in the creation of health communication campaigns to help offset potential effects from sponsorships that "indirectly" promote alcohol and tobacco use by underage consumers. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-12, Section: A, page: 4597. / Major Professor: Gary Heald. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.

The purposes of this study were to investigate if fashion leaders and fashion followers differ in their attitudes toward buying imported and domestic clothing products, and if fashion leaders and fashion followers differ in their levels of ethnocentrism. The study was conducted through the use of a mailed questionnaire. The target population for this study was female consumers between 18 and 99 years of age living in the state of Florida, randomly selected from a commercially available list of consumers. Data were collected in February and March 1994. A total of 641 female consumers completed and returned useable questionnaires. / Results indicated that fashion leaders as well as fashion followers had a more positive attitude toward buying domestic clothing than toward buying imported clothing. Also, fashion leaders had a more positive attitude than fashion followers toward both domestic and imported clothing products. In addition, fashion followers, in general, were severe regarding imported products, whereas fashion leaders seemed to have a more "moderate" opinion toward them. / Concerning the level of ethnocentrism, no significant difference was found between fashion leaders and followers on this regard. It seems that the age of the respondent was a more determinant factor on ethnocentrism regardless of being a fashion leader or not. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-12, Section: B, page: 5549. / Major Professor: Mary Ann Moore. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.

The study investigates the moderating effects of environment on the relationships between: (1) perceived environmental uncertainty and strategy, and (2) strategy and performance, as well as the moderating effect of retail store type on the relationship between strategy and performance. The data is collected from department store managers and tested using moderated regression analysis. / The environment is conceptualized as consisting of five components which are measured along two dimensions: (1) simple-complex and (2) static-dynamic. / The findings indicate that the simple-complex and static-dynamic dimensions of the environment do moderate the relationship between perceived environmental uncertainty and strategy. The implication is that managers should implement strategies and organizational structures which allow the store to better interact with the environment. / The test of the moderating effect of the environment on the relationship between strategy and performance is a test of contingency theory. While the simple-complex dimension of the environment is found to moderate the relationship between strategy and performance, the static-dynamic dimension does not. The relationship in both cases is such that more proactive strategies are associated with lower performance. / Due to data collection problems the relationship concerning retail store type is unable to be tested. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-11, Section: A, page: 3825. / Major Professor: J. Joseph Cronin, Jr. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.

The main purpose of this study will be to examine whether, and to what extent, differences in the munificence of the environment moderate the effect of firms' strategic changes on performance. This study looks at the adaptation model of Shortell, Morrison, and Friedman (1990) and its effect on performance by introducing munificence in the environment as a moderating variable. This is the same methodological approach which has been used by contingency theorists (Galbraith and Kanzanjian, 1986; Venkatraman, 1989; Venkatraman and Prescott, 1990) in past studies of the organization-environment relationship. It is hoped that by combining strategic choice and environmental variables in this way we may acquire a better understanding of the moderating influence of the environment on the effects of strategic changes on organizational performance. / A sample of acute-care hospitals and census information from the 54 counties in the state of Florida in which the hospitals were located was acquired from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the United States Census Bureau. A regression analysis will be used to test the proposed model which hypothesizes an interaction effect between the strategic change variables and the environmental munificence variable on hospital performance. / The results suggest that organizations which make changes can significantly affect performance although the effect is moderated by the level of munificence in the environment. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-03, Section: A, page: 1216. / Major Professor: Jack Fiorito. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1996.

The necktie has remained throughout the twentieth century as an essential component of masculine attire evolving in shape, style, and meaning. To further understand the intricacies of this notable accessory, a thorough review of the years 1900 to 1983 was undertaken utilizing three types of resources; a fashion journal (Men's Wear), a catalog (Sears), and necktie collections (Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian, and Fashion Institute of Technology). / Qualitative and quantitative analyses were undertaken. Since each mode of inquiry exhibited inherent strengths and weaknesses, the combination of methodologies provided for the best, most accurate analysis. The quantitative investigation was based on the examination of 5,396 necktie samples obtained from the three resources. These examples were evaluated on date, length, width, fiber, context, source, pattern, motif, and construction. The qualitative data was extracted from all obtainable Men's Wear issues from 1900 to 1983. Semiotic analysis was also utilized to interpret changes in the meaning and symbolism of the necktie throughout various historical time frames. / The qualitative historical review determined that there were four common, tied neckwear styles at the turn of the century, Imperials, De Joinvilles, English Squares, and Four-in-Hands. Neckties were also knit or woven and had multiple blade terminations. Various novelty neckties also appeared. Quantitative analysis presented frequency and occurence seriations to the various features and forms of neckwear. This information in conjunction with the qualitative literature allowed for the development of a system for data classification. The dating process consisted of fiber identification, determinations of knit or woven, shape, length, width, and a review construction and design elements. / Semiotic interpretations were based on Peirce's triad of symbol, icon and index. The necktie as a sign system has changed markedly throughout the twentieth century. From the 1940's onward, the necktie has become the phallus of men's wear. It has also served as a billboard and as a symbol of wealth, belongingness, and rebellion. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-11, Section: A, page: 4444. / Major Professor: Carol Avery. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.

Geographic market definition has become increasingly important in many industries. This is due not only to its managerial implications, but also because of its importance in antitrust policy. The effect of different geographic definitions on market share and the systematic differences among them is the major focus of this research. The analysis is conducted at the store-level on five geographic market definitions, in twelve metropolitan areas, for two large retail grocery chains. Market share is measured on two dimensions. One measure is sales per week for each store. The second measure is square feet of selling area for each store. The sample consists of 9,420 supermarkets type five from the 1997 TradeDimensions database A pilot study and a complete research were conducted. Significant differences among the definitions were found but no evidence of systematic differences was proved in the pilot study and the complete study / acase@tulane.edu

To help close the gap between knowledge and practice in assessing customer evaluations of perceived value, this research develops a multiple-item scale for measuring perceived value in online services. To develop this scale, I followed the procedures suggested by Churchill (1979). I did a qualitative study (using focus groups and in-depth interviews) and a quantitative study, which included a pilot study and two collections of data to purify and confirm the structure of the scale. I tested the reliability and validity of the scale, including the criterion-related and construct validity. I used the traditional factor analysis method and the structural equations method (SEM). The resulting scale, e-Valuation, measures perceived value in online services through a 4-factor model with 33 items, where the dimensions are: (D1) Practical/Hedonic Benefits, (D2) Business Benefits/Transactions, (D3) Sociable/Communication, and (D4) Inconvenience/Undesirable Content. The first dimension can be subdivided into three categories: (D1.1) Efficiency/Responsibility, (D1.2) Attractiveness/Adaptability, and (D1.3) Hedonic Benefits. The scale demonstrates reliability and strong validity, including criterion-related and construct validity. This study will benefit research on Internet marketing and aid in the development of Internet services that are more valuable for the consumer, pointing businesses to success in the electronic marketplace / acase@tulane.edu

The most recent trends and research clearly show that the industrial markets have undergone a significant change. Manufacturers and dealers alike have switched their orientation and are nowadays more focused on relational than transactional marketing. Because relational marketing is based on long-term relationships, trust and commitment among the partners plays an important role. I defined factors that affect trust and relationship commitment and have considered the outcomes of these factors. Moreover, I combined preceding research in this area and added a new mediating variable into a model: technological interface adoption between the dealer's trust and relationship commitment. At the same time, I concentrated on the dealer to show that the characteristics of the manufacturer, as well as the market environment, positively affect developing trust in the dealer. This study also measures the influence of the control variables and the precursors on the relationship commitment. Finally I developed new scales to assess the influence of technological interface adoption; these scales were grouped as operational benefits, financial benefits, relational benefits, and accessibility. These predictions were tested using data supplied by a Colombian tire producer and independent dealers in this country. Trust and commitment building is time-consuming, but the positive results of this relationship in the future override the effort undertaken for its development / acase@tulane.edu