Thesis advisor: Juliet B. Schor / Thesis advisor: Danielle Hedegard / To date, consumption and culture scholars have not considered the impact of occupations that require workers to perform the desire for an elite, moneyed lifestyle through conspicuous consumption. I use participant observation and interviews among a lifestyle brand's producers and consumers to address this fissure. The analysis considers the lifestyle clothing brand Island Outfitters as it is created for and employed by the young male finance community aspiring to the top 1% of wage earners on Wall Street. I document how this brand is both created and consumed cynically by the cultural intermediaries responsible for its formation and the status-savvy consumers who perform loyalty to its goals of affluence. The argument is set in a homogenous high-status American occupational group within which many of the preconditions that motivate conspicuous consumption in a traditionally Veblenian sense still exist. The lived experiences of these workers are far more nuanced than this utilitarian goal suggests, yet informants express their complicity with the profit prescriptive by employing recognizable aesthetic scripts that are read for whiteness, conservatism, and wealth. Because it is too problematic for these young men to embody the goals of global finance in their everyday decisions, they texturize their professional identities with textiles. / Thesis (MA) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Sociology.

The worldwide gap between rich and poor is widening. Status seeking and status keeping are fueled by the conspicuous consumption of luxury goods. These bright shiny objects are staples in a restricted economy in which only the wealthy participate. The notion of gaining riches for the purpose of helping the poor is fading. Materialism, luxury and riches have been the subject of religious and secular inquiry. In this quest, wealth has been condemned and applauded. Prestige-obsessed consumers are becoming blind to worsening social conditions.

In the past, luxury goods only a few privileged people who can have, such as the nobility. However, due to the economic development made from the upgrading of the consumption patterns change, market liberalization, the Western to the East luxury wave of popular, people are willing to spend money to buy so-called high-priced luxury goods. In other words, the luxury goods consumption is a demand that has nothing to do with the survival of consumer behavior. However, why people are willing to buy luxury goods? What is the motive behind the demand of luxury goods? What are conditions to constitute a luxury market? If the above issues at a different time and space, we might have different answers. Obviously, the formation of a luxury market that behinds a very complicated message, and through observation of the luxury market, perhaps also to reflecting the political, economic or social and cultural meaning. This study attempted to take the rapid economic rise of China as an example, the luxury market with its observation of objects as a source of information, China's luxury market can produce, first, for the luxury goods industry, to see China's consumption why this market have the prospects for development to provide a favorable supply for the industry that can make growth to the industry. Second, as a observer to see, what are the purposes by consumers to buy the luxury goods. In addition, this study is expected to achieve these results. From China's special national characteristics and cultural values of fairness, such a luxury consumer behavior is the consumption of their special meaning. Between producers and consumers posed by the Chinese luxury goods market will show a positive development complement each other.

Background: Since the early 1990s, the market for luxury goods has been growing at an unprecedented pace (Granot et al., 2013). Formerly exclusively targeting the richest of the rich, nowadays luxury products are aiming at a broader and considerably younger customer base, the Generation Y (Truong, 2010). Current studies suggest that luxury goods consumption is driven by a need to signal prestige (Grotts & Widner-Johnson, 2013; Nelissen & Meijers, 2011). However, this need can only be fulfilled when a signal is interpreted in the intended way. Nelissen & Meijers (2011) among others believe that a reliable signal can yield “fitness benefits”. Although researchers agree on the outcome of the signaling game, there appears to be no consensus on “what” a product should look like in order to serve as a reliable signal. Purpose: This thesis investigates the impact of brand prominence on perceived “fitness benefits” among Generation Y consumers in the context of luxury fashion clothing. Method: To meet the purpose of this thesis a quantitative study was conducted. The data was collected through a social experiment among students at Högskolan i Jönköping. The participants were randomly presented with one of three visual cues, capturing Brand Prominence by a person wearing t-shirts with differently sized brand logos. An oral survey was then conducted by which the attributed social "fitness" of the depicted person was assessed. Conclusion: The overall results of this study suggest that Brand Prominence has not as much impact on Generation Y consumers than suggested by previous research. Empirical evidence is provided that the signaling process is not as straight forward as proposed by Nelissen & Meijers (2011) or Veblen (1899). The signaling process among Generation Y consumers is (a) influenced by the recipient’s characteristics and (b) by the subtlety of the signal. Furthermore, current studies suggest in accordance with the obtained results a shift form Luxury Consumption to the phenomenon of Luxury Experience. This implies the necessity for luxury manufacturers to adapt to new levels of complexity created by a demographically and geographically heterogeneous consumer landscape, characterized by a new way of Costly Signaling.

The role that brands play in the lives of consumers has changed dramatically over time, from purely functional to instrumental, symbolic and hedonic in nature. Literature supports that brands are major contributors to, and reflections of, consumer identities. Despite this, literature referring to adolescents, brands and identity is lacking. Adolescents are emerging as the most brand-orientated, consumer-involved and materialistic generation in history. This research sought to understand the role of brands in adolescent identity through: i) sourcing literature to understand the role of brands in the formation and manifestation of adolescent identity, and ii) empirically deepening our understanding of how adolescents use brands to form and manifest their identities in an emerging market context. In a qualitative research study using focus groups, the views of four high- and low-income groups of female adolescents were investigated, compared and contrasted. Differences and commonalities were evident among groups around current brands owned versus brands aspired to, whether brands are consumed for the self or for others, and the role of reference groups. The findings showed differences between the high-income groups, suggesting that variances exist due to differing social standings. The findings further suggested commonalities between the low- and high-income adolescents from a lower social standing. These findings suggest the importance and need for further research in understanding the adolescent consumer psyche and proposes ethical considerations on the part of marketers. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Young Black professionals (Buppies) have taken the South African market by storm. These individuals and their parents come from suppressed and poverty-stricken pasts. Since the abolishment of the Apartheid regime, they have been provided with remarkable prospects and have been given the opportunity to participate in the economy. They are a vastly growing consumer segment. However, very little information is available on their needs, desires and motivation. With their newfound wealth and higher-paying professional positions they are now able to spend money on luxury items and in so doing, express how far they have come to the outside world. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe this dynamic market’s motivations to consume. In order to provide more insight, research was done on their motivation to engage in conspicuous and or status consumption. Previously, these constructs were used interchangeably. However, later research conducted by O’Cass and McEwen (2004) proved these constructs to be empirically different. By determining Buppies’ motivation to engage in conspicuous and or status consumption; this study contributes to the fields of consumer motivation, marketing and retail. It provides insight into the driving force behind the purchasing decisions of this emergingmarket. The theoretical background to the study comprises of a literature review providing detail on conspicuous consumption and status consumption. Some additional information is also provided on studies conducted in the past relating to the motivation to engage in these forms of consumption. The information gathered on conspicuous and status consumption is then used to formulate a conceptual framework and the research objectives in which all of the key concepts and their relationships are clearly outlined. Exploratory survey research design was employed in this study to provide insights into Buppies’ conspicuous and status consumption of clothing brands. The sample consisted of 246 (n=246) Black urban consumers between the ages of 24 and 36, living in Gauteng and currently working in a professional position. Non-probability sampling methods were employed, which included purposive and snowball sampling. Respondents completed an online self-administered questionnaire. To further ensure an appropriate sample, the online questionnaire was also distributed in paper-based format. Since a quantitative research approach was utilised the questionnaire was structured in such a way as to obtain descriptive and inferential statistical data. The questionnaire was then distributed to Buppies, after which descriptive and inferential statistics were used to accurately describe the phenomena. The results of the study indicated that Buppies are more inclined to be motivated by aspects of status consumption than that of conspicuous consumption. Buppies proved to be very aware of the image that they project and how they are seen by others thus indicating that they are motivated by high self-monitoring. The results also indicated that although Buppies do enjoy being part of a group, they do not necessarily desire to communicate their belonging to a specific reference group by utilising clothing as a social cue. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Consumer Science / MConsumer Science / Unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to explore a phenomenon known as pexing that is prevalent in South Africa‟s Black youth. The study aimed to explore the nature of pexing in relation to other conspicuous consumption behaviours and understand the drivers for this behaviour. The study interviewed a sample of 10 participants. Findings of the study indicated that pexing is similar to conspicuous consumption but also has aspects that are distinct to it and the researcher proposes a framework and term (destructive conspicuous consumption) for this noted consumption activity. The study also shows that although different to anti-consumption pexing has some anti-consumption behaviours. The study also identifies antecedents that lead to the noted behaviour and these range from a low income environment to adult modelling. Relationships and links between antecedents; coping strategies and the resultant consumption activity (Pexing) was demonstrated. The research then concludes by making recommendation to both government and marketers in light of the findings of this research. The research also highlights some socio-economic considerations of pexing and also suggests other variables to be researched that are key to further understanding of pexing. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Syftet men denna studie är att förklara om tidskonsumtion som uttryck för Conspicuous Consumption kan påverkas av en människas personlighet utifrån The Big Five”. Studien baseras på en kvantitativ forskningsmetod samt en enkätundersökning genom ett bekvämlighetsurval som genererade 478 svar. Insamlade data analyserades i statistikprogrammet Jamovi. Resultatet visar att hypotes 1, 3 och 4 korroboreras medan 2 och 5 falsifieras. Utöver hypoteserna framkom det att neuroticism är positivt relaterat till tidskonsumtion samt att personer med höga poäng på openness inte lägger någon vikt vid en upptagen eller ledig livsstil eftersom båda anses generera status. Slutsatsen visar att trots att lyxkonsumtion och tidskonsumtion båda genererar status och är en del av Conspicuous Consumption styrs utövandet inte av samma personlighetsdrag. Studiens teoretiska bidrag syftar till att komplettera den begränsade forskningen angående Conspicuous Consumption och tidskonsumtion. Studiens praktiska bidrag har som syfte att öka personers medvetenhet kring hur de konsumerar sin tid samt vad de konsumerar sin tid på eftersom tidskonsumtion kan leda till negativa konsekvenser. Vidare forskning bör undersöka om samtliga personlighetsdrag är positivt relaterade till tidskonsumtion. Det vore även intressant att se om en mer detaljerad The Big Five-undersökning resulterar i starkare kopplingar till tidskonsumtion. / The purpose is to explain whether time consumption as an expression Conspicuous Consumption can be affected by a human ́s personality based on The Big Five. This study is based on a quantitative research method and a online survey based by a convenience samplet that generated 478 responses. Collected data were analyzed in the statistical program Jamovi. The results show that hypotheses 1, 3 and 4 are corroborated while 2 and 5 are falsified. In addition to the hypotheses, it was found that neuroticism is positively related to time consumption and that people with high scores on openness doesn ́t care if it ́s a busy or a free lifestyle because both are considered to generate status. Although luxury consumption and time consumption both generate status and are within Conspicuous Consumption, the use is not determined by the same personality traits. The theoretical contribution of the study aims to supplement the limited research on Conspicuous Consumption and time consumption. The purpose of the study's practical contribution is to increase people's awareness of how they consume their time and what they consume their time on as time consumption can lead to negative consequences. Further research should investigate whether all personality traits are positively related to time consumption. It would also be interesting to see if a more detailed The Big Five survey results in stronger links to time consumption.

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Materialism has an ugly face. The dominant view of materialism regards materialists as self-prioritizing individuals who oppose collective and prosocial goals in favor of a lifestyle led by money, possessions, and status. The present research argues that there is a side of materialism that is concerned with collective-oriented interests. We examine the nature and consequences of collective-oriented materialism - the belief system that ascribes importance to possessions for their symbolic and signaling capacities to construct desirable social attributes. Drawing from cultural and consumer theories, we find considerable support that materialists espouse a collective-oriented quality to an otherwise self-oriented interest towards possessions.