Many consumers are now considering the effects of general corporate behavior (e.g., political views, charitable contributions, environmental disasters) and of the product's manufacture, consumption or disposal (e.g., animal testing, ecological harm) on society's overall well-being. These situations involve the issue of individual social responsibility and are good examples of complex decisions that are not readily explained by traditional decision theories. Abstract attributes (e.g., product "greenness" or lack of harm to the environment) and the active role of the decision maker's values, principles, and ethics are problematic. The primary purpose of this research is to develop a conceptual framework for consumer decision making in the presence of a social responsibility issue. The secondary purpose of the study is to assess the value of image theory for explaining the decision process. Image theory (Beach and Mitchell 1987; Beach 1990), a relatively recent development in decision making, provides a compatible decision framework for these types of decisions due to its emphasis on an individual's values and on the screening of alternatives using value-laden attributes. Survey methodology and consumer preference tasks are utilized, and the hypothesized models are tested by structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that image theory provides a credible explanation of socially responsible consumer choice. In terms of this study's context, a consumer who has a strongly held social responsibility principle, values a clean environment, has a high level of environmental concern, and believes that his/her actions make a difference, is more likely to be committed to a pro-environmental plan of action and to use certain decision processes. These specific processes are screening alternatives to eliminate those that are not environmentally friendly and weighting the greenness attribute heavily in evaluating options. Using image theory's terminology and structure, social responsibility and environmental value form the value image. Environmental concern and perceived consumer effectiveness form the trajectory image. The strategic image is reflected in the plan (commitment to pro-environmental behaviors) and tactics (using the social responsibility attribute in the decision process). This research demonstrates that enduring values and principles guide consumer behavior involving social responsibility issues.

This thesis considers the economics of preferences in two different contexts. First it examines damages from climate change. I argue that our ignorance of the welfare implications of higher levels of warming, as well as scientific uncertainty in precisely what might trigger these scenarios, imply that our tastes and beliefs are incomplete (in the sense of Galaabaatar and Karni, 2013). That is, there are many 'plausible' ways to evaluate a given scenario. In Chapter 1, then, I develop this theory, and use it to formally separate climate impacts into three sorts: those understood well, those understood badly, and those representing the worst possible scenario. I provide a generalisation of the 'dismal theorem' of Weitzman (2009a), and address the question of policy choice: prices versus quantities (cf. Weitzman, 1974). Chapter 2 is an example of the analysis propounded in Chapter 1. I explore the sensitivity of the social cost of carbon to assumed damages from 4C warming, to the assumed extent of CO2 emissions, and to the modelling of the climate and carbon cycles. The analysis shows that differing prior assumptions can alter our evaluation of policy by orders of magnitude. The second part of this thesis regards preferences for indivisible goods. In Chapter 3, which is joint work with Paul Klemperer, I introduce to this field the 'tropical hypersurface', being those prices at which an agent's demand changes. Simple geometric features of this set tell us the precise trade-offs that interest the agent. Thus we develop a new taxonomy of valuations, `demand types'; familiar notions such as substitutes and complements are examples. Finally, we provide a necessary and sufficient condition on these `demand types' for existence of competitive equilibrium, which implies several existing results, as well as new and quite different examples.

Writers as diverse as Oscar Wilde (1915), Matthew Arnold (1960), Erich Fromm (1997) and a proliferation of contemporary self-help gurus, variously assert that it is preferable for people to focus on “being”, or to value “who you are”, instead of emphasising “having” or the material possessions you have acquired. These discourses assert that individuals content with “being” are happier and more fulfilled than those involved in the constant (and alienating) motion of acquiring material goods as representations of themselves (de Botton, 2004; Fromm, 1997; James, 2007). This thesis provides an in-depth critical exploration of one of these ideal “ways of being”: authenticity. It does not seek to discover what authenticity is in an empirical sense, nor to define what it should be in a normative sense, but to map the cultural work done by changing and often contradictory discourses of personal authenticity. More specifically, this study uses a qualitative research design, social constructionist theoretical framework, and discourse analytic method to critically discuss the discursive constructions of subject authenticity in South African brand culture. The sample consisted of (1.) ten marketing campaigns of several large, mainstream brands, which were popular in South Africa from 2015 to 2017, and (2.) fifteen smaller South African “craft” brands popular in the “artisanal” context. The analysis is presented in two distinct, but interrelated, sections (namely, Selling Stories and Crafting Authenticity), where the relevant discourses of authenticity for each data set are explored in depth. Through this analysis the thesis provides a critical discussion of the ways in which these discourses of authenticity work to produce and maintain, (or challenge and subvert), subject positions, ideologies, and power relations that structure contemporary South African society.

xv, 145 p. : ill. (some col.) / This dissertation examines the role of affect in consumer judgments in two essays. The first essay explores the use of affect as a heuristic basis for judgments of the risks and benefits associated with new products. Current perspectives regarding the processes by which consumers make decisions about the adoption of innovations maintain that it is largely a cognitive process. However, the four studies that make up the first essay suggest that consumer assessments of the risks and benefits associated with product innovations are often inversely related and affectively congruent with evaluations of those innovations. The results support and extend previous research that has investigated the affect heuristic in the context of social hazards. The findings further indicate that more affectively extreme evaluations are associated with increasingly disparate assessments of risk and benefit. The results indicate that this relationship is consistent across a variety of products and product categories. Together, these findings challenge traditional conceptualizations of innovation adoption decision making and suggest that cognitive models alone are insufficient to explain innovation adoption decisions. The second essay investigates if processing fluency - the difficulty associated with processing information - may serve as an input to the affect heuristic and subsequent judgments of risk and benefit. Recently, Song and Schwarz investigated the relationship between differences in fluency and perceptions of risk. Their results suggested that fluency experiences influence risk perception through differences in familiarity and not as the result of fluency-elicited affect. The three studies included in the second essay re-examine those results in an effort to clarify the role of affect as a basis for perceptions of risk. The findings document a previously unreported reversal in preference for less fluent stimuli and suggest that fluency-elicited affect can explain the relationship between processing experiences and perceptions of risk. The results have important theoretical implications for our understanding of how people derive meaning from fluency experiences and for the role of fluency-elicited affect as a basis for judgments of risk and benefit. / Committee in charge: David Boush, Chairperson; Robert Madrigal, Member; Joan Giese, Member; Paul Slovic, Outside Member

Thesis (MTech (Business Administratiom, Marketing Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / The dynamic nature of modern organisations, characterised by hyper turbulence, necessitates that organisations remain receptive to the plethora of internal and external forces driving changes in strategy. One such organisation is that of Engen Petroleum Limited which operates in an everchanging, highly competitive environment. In order to remain the market leader, Engen needs to revisit its strategy to contend with market forces, bearing in mind that globalisation, as well as international ownership of competitor companies, play a role. In order to maintain a competitive advantage, the role of brands in the context of convenience is important, as brand recognition makes decision-making simpler for consumers who are in a rush. It is hence deemed expedient for forecourt retailers to understand customer satisfaction drivers, such as quality, service and convenience (Molefi, 2007). The current research focuses on the Engen Western Cape Quick Shop network, and in particular, investigates the possible reasons, namely growth rates, product offering, location, and customer service, for performance compared to the national average. A questionnaire/survey was conducted to determine the demographic characteristics of customers as well as the factors that influence their propensity to utilise Engen Quick Shops. This research was intended to provide Engen Petroleum Limited with data and information to enable the Western Cape Convenience dealer network to not only grow at the national average, but also to position itself at the forefront of the Convenience Store market.

Thesis (Masters Diploma (Technology) -- Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 1993 / This research was undertaken in order to investigate the problems relating to consumers' food buying practice in respect of private households, since it is clear that high food prices are one of the major causes of a decline in the quality of life of the family. The researcher's involvement in Home Economics education and specifically consumerism and in post-school education prompted the hypothesis that training for responsible buying practice may afford a solution to the problem of buying practice in respect of private households. Such training needs, although already identified, have not yet received any real attention. A literature study was undertaken as a point of departure in order to give background knowledge. This information was used to put into perspective buying practices for private households and to define a profile of the buyer. However, it was necessary to further define this field in order to ensure that validity and applicability of the findings arising out of this research. An empirical study was undertaken to test the literature against the reality found in a Cape Town suburban supermarket. Details of this study will be set out in Chapter 4 of this research. In order to establish criteria for the training programme above, curriculum design had to be based on didactically sound principles. At the outset a suitable model for adult-learners was selected. This model consisted of an analysis phase, design phase, implementation phase and evaluation phase.

Thesis (MTech (Education))--Cape Technikon, 1993. / Hierdie studie is onderneem om die probleme rakende die aankooppraktyk van voedselverbruikers in private huishoudings te ondersoek, want dit is duidelik dat duur voedselpryse een van die hoofoorsake vir die afname in lewenskwaliteit van die gesin is. Die navorser se betrokkenheid by Huishoudkundeopleiding en spesifiek die verbruikerswese, asook by naskoolse opleiding, het tot die hipotese gelei dat opleiding tot verantwoordelike aankooppraktyk in 'n besondere mate In oplossing vir die aankoopprobleem vir private huishoudings kon bied. Sodanige opleidingsbehoeftes, hoewel reeds geïdentifiseer, het nog nie daadwerklik aandag geniet nie. As 'n vertrekpunt is 'n literatuurstudie onderneem om agtergrondkennis oor die aankooppraktyk in die algemeen te bekom. Hierdie inligting is benut om die aankooppraktyk vir private huishoudings in perspektief te plaas en om 'n profiel van die aankoper te bepaal. Dit is nodig om die terrein verder af te baken om sodoende die geldigheid en toepaslikheid van bevindinge te verseker.

Desenvolver e manter a lealdade dos consumidores em relação à marca é requisito estratégico para negócios bem-sucedidos. No atual contexto competitivo o consumidor não está mais interessado em comprar produtos ou serviços apenas pelos seus benefícios funcionais, mas, sobretudo pela decorrência dos valores simbólicos e afetivos que este sente em relação aos mesmos ou à marca. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar o impacto dos construtos Qualidade Percebida, Consciência da Marca, Personalidade da Marca e Amor à Marca como determinantes da Lealdade à Marca dos consumidores. Assim sendo, o cerne desta investigação foi desenvolver um Modelo Teórico acerca dos determinantes da Lealdade à Marca. Para atingir este objetivo, inicialmente foi feito um levantamento teórico sobre estes construtos, propondo um modelo teórico, que foi testado e validado. O estudo foi realizado sobre a perspectiva de consumidores da marca de refrigerante Guaraná Jesus, na cidade de São Luís, no Estado do Maranhão (MA), no Brasil. Portanto, para avaliar o Modelo Teórico proposto, contemplando os determinantes da Lealdade à Marca, foi considerado como contexto de pesquisa a marca de refrigerante Guaraná Jesus, mediante o acesso a consumidores deste produto, pelo fato de terem um forte vínculo com a marca e o produto. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente utilizando técnicas de análise multivariadas, mais especificamente a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais, que auxiliou na explicação do fenômeno estudado. Os resultados validaram o modelo teórico proposto a partir dos índices obtidos e da confirmação de todas as suposições (hipóteses) iniciais. Dessa forma, conclui-se que há uma relação positiva e significativa entre os construtos Consciência da Marca e Qualidade Percebida. Igualmente, atesta-se que o construto Personalidade da Marca influencia de forma significativa e direta a Consciência da Marca, a Qualidade Percebida e o Amor à Marca. Ficou demonstrado, ainda, que o construto Amor à Marca tem forte influência sobre a Lealdade à Marca, e que a frequência de consumo pode agir como um moderador significativo desta relação. Este estudo, portanto, contribui para uma maior compreensão sobre a temática com uma gama de argumentos de âmbito acadêmico e gerencial, que podem ser explorados em pesquisas futuras para o amadurecimento dos construtos bem como o próprio modelo teórico validado, no âmbito da gestão empresarial no que se refere ao gerenciamento de marcas. / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq / Developing and maintaining consumer loyalty towards the brand is a strategic requirement for successful business. In the current competitive context, the consumer is no longer interested in buying products or services only for their functional benefits, but mainly because of the symbolic and affective values that he or she feels in relation to them or to the brand. In this sense the present study aimed to analyze the impact of the constructs Perceived Quality, Brand Awareness, Brand Personality and Brand Love as determinants of consumers' Brand Loyalty. Thus the core of this research was to develop a Theoretical Model on the determinants of Brand Loyalty. To achieve this objective, a theoretical research was initially made, proposing a theoretical model, which was tested and validated. The study was carried out on the perspective of consumers of the Guaraná Jesus soft drink brand, in the city of São Luís, State of Maranhão (MA), Brazil. Therefore, in order to evaluate the proposed Theoretical Model, considering, the determinants of Brand Loyalty, the Guaraná Jesus brand of soft drink was considered as a research context by accessing these consumers of this product because they have a strong bond with the brand and the product. The data were analyzed statistically using Multivariate Analysis techniques, more specifically the Modeling of Structural Equations (SEM), which aided in the explanation of the studied phenomenon. The results validated the theoretical model proposed from the indexes obtained and from the confirmation of all the initial assumptions (hypotheses). Thus, it is concluded that there is a positive and meaningful relationship between the constructs Brand Awareness and Perceived Quality. Likewise, it is confirmed that the Brand Personality construct influences in a significant and direct way the Brand Awareness, the Perceived Quality and the construct Brand Love. It has been demonstrated that the Brand Love has a strong influence on Brand Loyalty and that the level of consumption can act as a significant moderator of this relationship. This study therefore contributes to a greater understanding of the thematic and with a range of arguments of academic and managerial scope, which can be explored in future research for the maturation of constructs as well as the validated theoretical model itself and in the Business management in terms of brand management.

No description available.

The main objective of this study was aimed at determining whether young urban consumers' choice of interior soft furnishings is based on extrinsic characteristics with the intention of gaining social acceptance and conveying positive attributes to others. It is argued that, when consumers buy products, they in fact purchase the total product that includes everything that adds value to a seller's offering. As such, consumers may use extrinsic and\or intrinsic variables to conclude the most suitable purchase decision in terms of the outlet and brand of product. Intrinsics refer to the tangible, core characteristics of the product, such as the raw materials it consists of and are usually easy to imitate. Extrinsics on the other hand, are used and even manipulated to make products more appealing to a specific target group in a crowded market place and include differentiating features such as packaging. Since the research was focused on describing and understanding, qualitative methods were used for data collection. Focus group discussions, projective techniques and product comparison tests were included for the purpose of triangulation. Participants were allowed to respond spontaneously to various tasks and intrinsic features were accommodated to objectively reflect on the collective influence of both intrinsic as well as extrinsic variables and whether extrinsic characteristics dominate choice or not. Intrinsic characteristics were found to seldom form the basis of differentiation and extrinsic characteristics seem to playa determining role in young urban consumers' choice and use of soft furnishings such as towels and sheets. The evidence suggests that several retailers have succeeded in not only value engineering their product offerings to satisfy buyers' and users' minimum requirements for expected extrinsic attributes, but that they have also succeeded in augmenting their offerings through the addition of further extrinsic benefits. The findings strongly suggest the use of potential extrinsic attributes such as brand names, especially retail brands, to differentiate products. The evidence however also suggests that the outcome of past purchase decisions can alter perspectives of these attributes and that the acquisition of consumption related knowledge is a lifelong learning process. A conclusion drawn from the data collected, is that retailers have succeeded in creating store images that reflect the relationship between consumers and reference groups to which they (want to) belong. These findings underpin the importance of social acceptance and the relevance of the social dimension of brands. The relevance of the mental dimension of brands is supported by evidence that suggests that a relationship between the young urban consumer's self-image and the image of a specific outlet of soft furnishings is likely to occur. The findings coincide with the symbolic interactionist perspective that human society demands and depends on symbolic life. It appears as if interior products are purchased from certain outlets to serve as symbols to define/ represent realities, initiate responses, provide cues and organize behaviour in terms of what is considered appropriate. The study shed some light on young urban consumer's approach to the choice of interior soft furnishings, which could be extended to other product categories and consumer groups for use by the marketing sector in terms of consumer facilitation as well as the evaluation and development of marketing strategies. / Dissertation (MSc (Interior Merchandise Management))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Consumer Science / unrestricted