bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Recalls Matter: Factors Affecting Owner Response to Automotive Recalls
Authors: HOFFER GEORGE E. , PRUITT STEPHEN W. , REILLY ROBERT J.
Published: July 2010

This paper assesses the impact of recall‐specific variables on owner response rates to automotive safety recall campaigns under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. Using a multiple regression framework, the paper finds that owner response rates have been significantly higher for owners of American vehicles as compared to European and Japanese vehicles, for owners of newer model vehicles as compared to older ones, and for owners of vehicles with severe safety‐related defects as compared to vehicles with lesser problems. The paper concludes with the suggestion that, for vehicles with characteristically lower owner response rates, the issuance of multiple recall notices or the coupling of periodic safety inspections with recall compliance may be advisable.
Household Use of Open‐End Credit to Finance Risk
Authors: EISENHAUER JOSEPH G.
Published: July 2010

The use of open‐end consumer credit to finance risk is becoming increasingly popular, but has long been overlooked in the literature on household risk management. This paper derives explicit conditions under which credit financing is superior to insurance policies, product service plans, and self‐insurance as a means of financing risk. Implications for consumers, manufacturers, insurers, creditors, and public policymakers are discussed.
Consumer Interest and Health Reform: The Logic of Withdrawal from Managed Competition
Authors: SCHIFF GORDON D.
Published: July 2010

We propose six tasks Colston Warne would urge in addressing health care reform: (1) skepticism about advertised claims, (2) independent testing and appraisal, (3) minimizing barriers to consumer access and choice, (4) maximizing quality, (5) evaluation of fairness, and (6) assessing consumer empowerment potential. Such an exercise would likely have led him and should lead us to advocate single‐payer health reform. Consumers are the key to breaking through the grid‐lock blocking health reform, and single payer is the key for unlocking the democratic dialogue needed for moving forward. Thus we need to stop “fighting over the bill”and instead begin building a better health system.
Index of Consumer Expectations: Food Price Effects and Durable Goods Expenditures
Authors: KINSEY JEAN , COLLINS MICHAEL I.
Published: July 2010

The Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE), which includes expenditures on durable goods, has been adopted as a leading indicator of national economic activity. A rational expectations model of the ICE was developed and the economic determinants of consumers' expectations were estimated. Aggregate expenditures on durable goods were explained by an endogenous ICE and sentiment about current economic conditions. Consumers were more likely to purchase durable goods when they felt better off in the current period relative to the future.
Effects of Low Income Families' Ability and Willingness to Use consumer Credit on Subsequent Outstanding Credit Balances
Authors: ZHU LILLIAN Y. , MEEKS CAROL B.
Published: July 2010

This study investigates consumer credit use of 618 low income families selected from the 1983 and 1986 Survey of Consumer Finances. The low income family's ability and willingness to use credit along with selected interaction variables are tested in a hierarchical multiple regression model. Significant determinants of the amount of credit outstanding in 1986 were household head's employment status and age, credit balance in 1983, and two interaction variables: specific attitude toward credit with head's educational level and with debt balance in 1983. Implications of the use of consumer credit by low income families are discussed.
Usefulness of Economics in Explaining Consumer Complaints
Authors: KOLODINSKY JANE
Published: July 2010

Based on an economic model of consumer demand, a multinomial logit model is estimated to predict the probability of a consumer falling into one of four categories of complaint action: no action, private, public, or both private and public complaints. Automobile repair and medical services are used as examples of more and less competitive industries. There are differences across industries with regard to variables that explain variation in complaints. Once variables representing the cost/benefit, learning, restraints, and personality models are accounted for, most of the variation in complaint behavior for both industries is explained by the learning and restraints models. Characteristics of individuals are important in explaining complaint behavior for both auto repair and medical services, while supply side characteristics are important in explaining variation in complaint behavior for auto repair services.
Consumer Preferences for Safe Handling Labels on Meat and Poultry
Authors: TEAGUE JACKQUELINE L. , ANDERSON DONALD W.
Published: July 2010

In August 1993, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a rule requiring safe handling labels on meat and poultry to help prevent foodborne illnesses caused by improper food handling. The authors conducted focus groups with household food preparers to help USDA develop an effective label format. Most participants preferred labels with SHORT instructions, ICONS, and an explanation WHY it is important to follow the instructions.
Consumer Acceptance of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone: Interplay Between Beliefs and Perceived Risks
Authors: GROBE DEANA , DOUTHITT ROBIN
Published: July 2010

This study examines the role of consumer beliefs and perceptions in explaining apprehension toward milk from recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH) treated cows. Results support the notion that consumers overestimate risks associated with milk from rbGH treated herds. The study indicates the quantity of milk purchased, willingness to pay a premium for untreated milk, and gender positively influence risk perceptions, while income inversely influences risk perceptions.
Health Knowledge and Nutritional Adequacy of Female Heads of Households in the United States
Authors: RAMEZANI CYRUS A. , ROEDER CLAUDIA
Published: July 2010

Female‐headed households—consumer units with a female reference person, with or without children, and with no spouse—are a growing segment of the U.S. population. Data from a recent consumption survey (CSFII‐89) are used to identify the socioeconomic determinants of nutritional adequacy for this group. Nonparametric procedures are used to select a parametric model that best describes the data. The results indicate that education, health (nutrition) knowledge, income, and degree of urbanization are important predictors of the overall nutritional status of this population. Among these, health knowledge is the most significant, suggesting that improving such knowledge could lead to more informed decisions and an enhancement of diet quality. Perceptions, demographic variables, time use, and spatial indicators are found to be less important predictors of intake.
Consumer Preferences for Size Description Systems of Men's and Women's Apparel
Authors: CHUN‐YOON JONGSUK , JASPER CYNTHIA R.
Published: July 2010

This investigation of consumers' preferences for various size description systems includes a survey of 332 men and women who assessed various sizing systems for men's and women's apparel. Subjects, in general, prefer size labels (or tags) indicating body measurements as opposed to those that did not. Preferences among six size description systems differ significantly. Subjects strongly prefer the most informative size description system over the system currently used in the United States for women's ready‐to‐wear garments. Consumers prefer a sizing system that features both pictograms and key body dimensions rather than one that uses key dimensions alone.
Toward Consumer Efficiency: A Model for Improved Buymanship
Authors: CARSKY MARY L. , DICKINSON ROGER , SMITH MARY F.
Published: July 2010

This paper suggests that changes in the economic, marketing, and social environments call for alternative approaches to the traditional models of buymanship. The authors propose a shopping model that incorporates four main tenets: (1) search is conceived as a continuous process; (2) consumers take advantage of retail price competition at one point in time and over time; (3) an acceptable set of brands and stores is integral to purchase decisions; and (4) low price on an acceptable brand triggers purchase. Implications for consumer buying, research, and consumer education are identified.
Forecasting the Future of Consumer Programs in Higher Education
Authors: ZICK CATHLEEN D. , WIDDOWS RICHARD
Published: July 2010

Data from a recent survey of department chairpersons are used to identify factors that influence forecasts of departments' futures. The analyses indicate that consumer and family economics departments predict a rather bright future despite the fact that many have experienced recent enrollment declines and budget reductions. Multivariate analysis suggests that departments with increasing enrollments, increasing budgets, and strong political support are the most likely to forecast a bright future. Somewhat surprising were the findings that current enrollment, number of faculty, and presence of a graduate program did not influence chairpersons' forecasts.
The Frequency of Consumer Expenditure: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: NELSON JULIE A.
Published: July 2010

How does the observed pattern of household purchases vary, as we extend or shorten the period of observation? An empirical analysis of data from the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey, Interview Survey, from 1987–1989, reveals that there is considerable heterogeneity across disaggregate goods and across households in the frequency of expenditure. Issues of data quality and of the implications of the period of observation for Tobit analysis are also discussed.
Verbal Communication Between Complaining Consumers and Company Service Representatives
Authors: GARRETT DENNIS E. , MEYERS RENEE A.
Published: July 2010

Dissatisfied consumers are encouraged to complain directly to company service representatives. However, little is known about the verbal communication that actually occurs during these interactions. To address this research area, the content of 461 telephone calls between complaining consumers and service representatives was analyzed. Results showed that (1) consumers and service representatives perform distinct communication roles; (2) communication evolves from discussion of performance, to attribution, to equity issues during the course of these interactions; and (3) communication is not standardized across service representatives.
Informing Buyers of Risks: Analysis of the Marketing and Regulation of All Terrain Vehicles
Authors: FORD GARY T. , MAZIS MICHAEL B.
Published: July 2010

An examination of the marketing practices and the regulation of the all terrain vehicle (ATV) industry during the 1980s is presented. This review includes a content analysis of ATV advertising, an examination of the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) regulation of the ATV industry, a study of the consent decree regulating the marketing of ATVs, and an analysis of the costs and benefits to the ATV industry of providing additional information to consumers. The paper concludes that deaths and injuries from A TV‐related accidents might have been reduced substantially if the CPSC had been more aggressive in informing the public about the safety hazards associated with ATV use. Cost/benefit analysis reveals that the profit‐maximizing strategy for ATV manufacturers was to market ATVs aggressively even when faced with the prospects of lawsuits and regulatory action.
Comparison of Mexican‐American and Anglo‐American Attitudes Toward Money
Authors: MEDINA JOSÉ F. , SAEGERT JOEL , GRESHAM ALICIA
Published: July 2010

This study compared attitudes toward money of Mexican‐ and Anglo‐American consumers. Based on the Hispanic/Mexican‐American literature, hypotheses were generated for four dimensions of a money attitude scale (MAS) developed by Yamauchi and Templer (1982). Mexican‐Americans were found to have lower scores on a Retention/Time dimension that reflects willingness to delay spending money to achieve gratification. Contrary to previous studies, Mexican‐Americans were found to have lower scores on a Quality dimension, calling into question an assumption found in much of the literature that Hispanic consumers prefer high prestige goods/services. Hypotheses pertaining to Power/Prestige and Distrust/Anxiety dimensions were also not confirmed suggesting further reservations about Hispanic consumer characterizations found in the consumer behavior literature.
Reflections on Consumer Sophistication and Its Impact on Ethical Business Practice
Authors: TITUS PHILIP A. , BRADFORD JEFFREY L.
Published: July 2010

This paper investigates consumer sophistication and its role in the development of proactive public policy. Consumer sophistication is examined in light of several historical shifts in market structure and consumer lifestyles. These shifts create market conditions that foster the emergence of a “Corporate Dilemma” in which unsophisticated consumers reward unethical business practices and punish ethical business behavior. To reduce unethical business practices in the market, this paper proposes that the optimum level of interim government intervention should be based on the level of consumer sophistication in the market.
Tradeoffs Between Price and Quality: How a Value Index Affects
Authors: CREYER ELIZABETH H. , ROSS WILLIAM T.
Published: July 2010

The present research examines how the availability of information about the value of a product, expressed as a ratio of the quality received per dollar, influences preference formation. This index, similar to unit price which provides information about how much quantity is received per dollar, presents consumers with information regarding the quality received per dollar. An experiment that compares consumers' preferences inferred from a choice task with their preferences inferred from a conjoint task was conducted. In the choice task consumers selected the most attractive alternative from a set of options, while in the conjoint task the attractiveness of each option was rated. Consumers, presented with an index of quality received per dollar paid (the value index), are more likely to choose a lower priced, higher value option rather than a higher priced, higher quality option compared to consumers presented with only price and quality information. Clearly, how a consumer chooses to “get the best for his or her money” depends on the ease with which information about the choices can be processed.
The Nature and Social Uses of the Internet: A Qualitative Investigation
Authors: MAIGNAN ISABELLE , LUKAS BRYAN A.
Published: July 2010

Despite the rapid growth of the Internet population, very little is known about consumers' perceptions and uses of this new medium. As a result, much uncertainty remains regarding the nature of marketing activities most appropriate on the Internet. The present paper proposes to clarify these issues on the basis of in‐depth interviews of Internet users. Findings highlight four main descriptions of the Internet which are associated with different social uses. Implications of these findings for both marketing practitioners and consumer researchers are outlined.
Consumer Vulnerability to Fraud: Influencing Factors
Authors: LEE JINKOOK , SOBERON‐FERRER HORACIO
Published: July 2010

Using the 1993 Survey of Older Consumer Behavior commissioned by the American Association of Retired Persons, consumer vulnerability to market fraud was investigated. Consumer vulnerability was determined based on consumers' market knowledge and awareness of unfair business practices. Using an ordered logit analysis, it was found that consumers were more susceptible to fraud if they were older, poor, less educated, and/or living without spouse. Neither gender nor race was found to be a significant predictor of consumer vulnerability. Implications for consumer educators and policy makers were drawn.
Comparing Alternative Question Forms for Assessing Consumer Concerns
Authors: HERRMANN ROBERT O. , STERNGOLD ARTHUR , WARLAND REX H.
Published: July 2010

Studies of consumer concerns frequently ask “how concerned are you about…?” This question form assumes both concern and knowledge about the issue. Using split‐sample experiments, this study examined the effects of alternative question forms utilizing initial filter questions to deal with these two problems. The questions dealing with Salmonella and Listeria bacteria were administered to a national sample of adult women and men. The alternative forms produced lower percentages of “very concerned” responses and higher percentages of “unaware” responses. The use of the awareness filter form was found to improve correlations between expressed concern and information use behaviors.
Disabled Elders' Out‐of‐Pocket Home Care Expenses: Examining Financial Burden
Authors: STUM MARLENE S. , BAUER JEAN W. , DELANEY PAULA J.
Published: July 2010

Questions regarding the extent to which home care expenses are financially burdensome for disabled elders and who is most at risk of financial burden were examined using data from the 1989 National Long‐Term Care Survey. Three of the four definitions of financial burden (expenditures relative to ability to pay) suggest that fewer than 11.2 percent of home care users have burdensome costs. Potential public and/or private options for protecting consumers at risk of burdensome home care costs are discussed. Discussion of how to understand home care financial burden focuses on current expectations and policy issues regarding the use of household income, assets, and home equity to pay for long‐term care.
Influence of Client‐Based Subsidies on the Market for Child Care
Authors: MUESER PETER R. , WEAGLEY ROBERT O.
Published: July 2010

Federal support for child care subsidies targeted to poor households has grown dramatically in recent years. The analysis presented here examines the impact of such subsidies on child care fees charged to all clients using Missouri data on provider fees and subsidy payments. It is found that patterns for fees and subsidies across providers imply that child care markets are largely competitive. Growth in subsidies observed over the period 1991–1993 increased fees and, by inference, improved quality for subsidized clients. Subsidies also induced an increase in fees for clients not covered by subsidies, an increase most likely due to the cost of expanding the child care market.
Geographic Variation in Consumer Prices: Implications for Local Price Indices
Authors: WALDEN MICHAEL L.
Published: July 2010

Previous research has established that considerable variation exists in consumer prices both between states and within states. This paper extends that research by specifying and implementing a procedure for estimating price indices in localities within one state, North Carolina. The paper makes a number of improvements over previous work, including examining geographic variation in the prices of individual products and services, estimating the association between local prices and national prices, and testing the potential capitalization of local taxes and public output into local prices.
Consumer Satisfaction with a Managed Health Care Plan
Authors: KOLODINSKY JANE
Published: July 2010

This study estimates the effects of four categories of variables hypothesized to influence patient satisfaction with a managed care health benefits plan. Ordinal probit is used to include the full spectrum of information available on the satisfaction measure. Results indicate that personal experience, expectations, and judgments about services covered influence overall satisfaction with the plan. Individual differences have little effect on satisfaction.
Consumer Preferences for Health Care Reform Options
Authors: HONG GONG‐SOOG , WHITE‐MEANS SHELLEY I.
Published: July 2010

This study uses the 1992 Health and Retirement Study to examine consumer preferences for four health care reform options: tax‐financed national health insurance, personally subsidized Medicare extensions, publicly subsidized nursing home insurance, and tax credits for health insurance purchases. Males, non‐Caucasians, the self‐employed, those in excellent health, and those who reside in the Northeast favor national health insurance, while those with high levels of liquid and non‐liquid assets tend to disfavor it. Males and those with higher expectations of living in nursing homes tend to favor personally subsidized Medicare extensions to cover nursing homes and home health care. Those with higher expectations of living in nursing homes also favor publicly subsidized nursing home insurance. Relatively little support for subsidized nursing home insurance is found among males and those with high levels of liquid and non‐liquid assets. The self‐employed tend to support tax credits for health insurance premiums.
Do the Poor Pay More for Food? An Analysis of Grocery Store Availability and Food Price Disparities
Authors: CHUNG CHANJIN , MYERS SAMUEL L.
Published: July 2010

Do the poor pay more for food? To answer this question, this study was conducted to provide an empirical analysis of grocery store access and prices across inner city and suburban communities within the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. The comparison among different types of grocers and geographic areas is drawn from a survey of approximately fifty grocery items for fifty‐five stores. Results indicate that the poor pay only slightly more in the Twin Cities grocery market. More significantly, those who shop in non‐chain stores pay a significant premium, and the poor have less access to chain stores. This study reveals that the biggest factor contributing to higher grocery costs in poor neighborhoods is that large chain stores, where prices tend to be lower, are not located in these neighborhoods.
Factors that Influence Adolescents to Smoke
Authors: SMITH KAREN H. , STUTTS MARY ANN
Published: July 2010

Predictor variables previously examined in separate studies (prior beliefs, peer pressure, family smoking, advertising, and antismoking information) were combined in a single study, surveying 246 adolescents. The variables were found to be significant predictors of smoking level, but the importance of each predictor varied by grade level, gender, and ethnicity. Overall, family smoking behavior, peer pressure, and prior beliefs were more important in predicting smoking level than were advertising and antismoking information. Public policy implications are discussed.
The Structure of São Paulo Street Markets: Evolving Patterns of Retail Institutions
Authors: ZINKHAN GEORGE M. , FONTENELLE SUZANA de M. , BALAZS ANNE L.
Published: July 2010

Development in emerging economies leads to a cohabitation of traditional and modern forms of retailing. This diversity allows for centuries' old consumer behavior patterns to continue along with new options. The street markets or Feira Livres1 of São Paulo, Brazil demonstrate how consumption patterns are culturally determined. Participant observation, both in supermarkets and at feiras, and interviews with consumers and vendors are used to investigate consumer shopping patterns, along with evolving patterns of retail structure. We find that informal markets, such as the feira, are able to coexist with modern, Western‐style retail institutions, partly because of ingrained food preparation habits and deep‐seated consumer impressions about superior qualities offered by feiras (e.g., the perceived freshness of the produce). Our findings support the Natural Selection Theory of retail development in that we find evidence of adaptation. Specifically, the supermarkets in Brazil have evolved to include departments that imitate some of the popular characteristics of the feiras.
Alternative Measures of Health Information and Demand for Fats and Oils in Japan
Authors: KIM SAM‐RYANG , CHERN WEN S.
Published: July 2010

This study investigates the major factors affecting the demand for fats and oils under the possible influence of health information on fat and cholesterol in Japan. The fat and cholesterol information indexes based on diminishing effect schemes provide better measures of the changing health information on fat and cholesterol than the ad‐hoc cumulative index. This study shows that increasing consumer health information appear to have reduced the consumption of hog grease, tallow, and palm oil, and increased the use of fish oil, but it has had no major impact on other vegetable oils yet.
Welfare to Well‐Being Framework for Research, Education, and Outreach
Authors: BAUER JEAN W. , BRAUN BONNIE , OLSON PATRICIA D.
Published: July 2010

The proposed framework is intended to serve as a model for understanding the comprehensiveness of welfare assistance policies that contribute to the economic well‐being of individuals and families. The framework uses a systems approach to move thinking from a narrow focus on welfare assistance as welfare for the few to well‐being of the many. Such an approach provides a new way to understand policies and language related to welfare reform.
The Tax Incidence of Lotteries: Evidence from Five States
Authors: HANSEN ANN , MIYAZAKI ANTHONY D. , SPROTT DAVID E.
Published: July 2010

The nature of revenue generation for state‐sponsored lotteries has been an issue of public debate for quite some time. Although most studies have found lotteries to have a regressive tax incidence, several have concluded otherwise. Unfortunately, the vast majority of academic studies address this concern by examining the tax incidence of only one state's lottery and/or by using only one time period's data. In addition, many assessments of the tax impact of lotteries fail to consider other demographic variables that may influence purchase patterns and, thus, be of interest to policymakers. To remedy this, the current paper assesses the incidence of the lottery excise tax for five states using county level data spanning multiple years. Also assessed are changes in incidence across demographic groups as the lotteries matured. Lottery tax incidence is assessed with multiple regression estimates of the income elasticity of demand for lottery products. The predominant finding is that the lottery tax for these states had a regressive incidence. Otherwise, few consistencies in either change in lottery tax incidence or purchase patterns across demographic variables were found.
Perceptions and Attitudes of Singaporeans towards Genetically Modified Food
Authors: SUBRAHMANYAN SAROJA , CHENG PENG SIM
Published: July 2010

This study examines the perceptions and attitudes of Singaporean residents who attended the first public lecture on genetically modified (GM) food in the country. Scales were developed for the underlying consumer concerns, and their relationship with one another and with demographic variables were examined. Slightly more than half of those who attended the talk (n= 417) indicated that they were worried about GM foods and 86 percent agreed or strongly agreed that GM foods should be labeled. Issues relating to health, ethics, and perceived benefits were the major underlying concerns. These were related to several demographic variables and also to perceived knowledge about biotechnology. Women were more concerned about the ethical and health aspects compared to men. Those with post‐graduate education were the least concerned about health and ethical issues and more likely to buy GM foods if consumer benefits are shown. Married respondents were less concerned about health issues compared to single ones. Also, those with children under fifteen years of age were less concerned about health issues compared to others and more likely to buy GM foods if consumer benefits are shown. Respondents subscribing to the Hindu religion were more likely than others to buy GM foods If benefits are shown. Also, those who considered themselves vegetarians were more concerned about the ethical aspects of GM foods compared to others.
Consumer Perceptions of Privacy and Security Risks for Online Shopping
Authors: MIYAZAKI ANTHONY D. , FERNANDEZ ANA
Published: July 2010

Government and industry organizations have declared information privacy and security to be major obstacles in the development of consumer‐related e‐commerce. Risk perceptions regarding Internet privacy and security have been identified as issues for both new and experienced users of Internet technology. This paper explores risk perceptions among consumers of varying levels of Internet experience and how these perceptions relate to online shopping activity. Findings provide evidence of hypothesized relationships among consumers’ levels of Internet experience, the use of alternate remote purchasing methods (such as telephone and mail‐order shopping), the perceived risks of online shopping, and online purchasing activity. Implications for online commerce and consumer welfare are discussed.
Money Attitudes, Credit Card Use, and Compulsive Buying among American College Students
Authors: ROBERTS JAMES A. , JONES ELI
Published: July 2010

The consumer culture has evolved into one of the most powerful forces shaping individuals and societies (Roberts and Sepulveda 1999 a, b). The desire to become a member of the consumer culture appears to be universal (Droge and Mackoy 1995). Changing attitudes toward money are an important catalyst behind the spread of the consumer culture. Money is important—especially to American college students who have been raised in a credit card society where debt is used freely (Ritzer 1995). Schor (1998) believes that access to easy credit is one of the causes of overspending. Using a causal modeling approach, the present study investigated the role money attitudes and credit card use play in compulsive buying within a sample of American college students (see Figure 1). Findings suggest that the money attitudes powerprestige, distrust, and anxiety (Yamauchi and Templer 1982) are closely related to compulsive buying and that credit card use often moderates these relationships. Study results have important public policy, marketing, and research implications.
Smoking Behavior, Information Sources, and Consumption Values of Teenagers: Implications for Public Policy and Other Intervention Failures
Authors: ALBAUM GERALD , BAKER KENNETH G. , HOZIER GEORGE C. , ROGERS ROBERT D.
Published: July 2010

This paper uses a hierarchical decision process model, uses of information, and a theory of consumption values as a strategic framework for evaluating the general failure of intervention strategies for teenage smoking initiation. Extremely high smoking consideration‐to‐trial rates and rapid cessation by occasional smokers provide narrow but unused strategic opportunities for intervention. Use of information sources varies by stage of model with interpersonal sources dominating consideration, trial, and cessation stages and mass media showing only a slightly increasing use in cessation compared to the earlier stages. The decision process model and consumption values are necessary for planning strategic interventions. Existing intervention programs are not appropriately targeted in the decision process. Programs should be developed to reduce the smoking consideration to trial rates in younger children and to encourage rapid cessation in older teenagers. The use of either print or broadcast mass media intervention programs is not supported.
Dilution and Negation of Consumer Information by Antifactual Content: Proposals for Solutions
Authors: PRESTON IVAN L.
Published: July 2010

Following identification and analysis of antifactual content and the tendency of information researchers and regulators to ignore it, this article continues the discussion by presenting proposals to incorporate the concept into research and public policy on the quantity and quality of marketplace information available to consumers. Proposals are offered for information researchers, for regulators and policymakers such as the FTC, for advertisers, and for consumers and consumer advocates.
The Information Content of Mutual Fund Print Advertising
Authors: JONES MICHAEL A. , SMYTHE TOM
Published: July 2010

The mutual fund industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. During this time period mutual funds have become somewhat of a commodity with many funds using advertising to attract investors. The current study uses content analysis to determine the informational content of fund advertising. The results indicate that while the average number of informational cues increased during the time period 1979 to 1989, there was no significant increase in the information content of mutual fund advertising between 1989 and 1999. Relatively few funds include information such as loads, 12b‐1 fees, and expense ratios in their advertisements, and fund ads rarely discuss risk.
Minorities in Children's Television Commercials: New, Improved, and Stereotyped
Authors: BANG HAE‐KYONG , REECE BONNIE B.
Published: July 2010

Mass media is one means by which consumers learn how to behave as consumers. Consumers’ beliefs about minorities as consumers are also influenced by mass media, and the impact is likely highest among young children. A content analysis of 813 commercials in children's television programming reveals that while Caucasians continue to be the predominant models in terms of numbers and in the types of roles they play, the numerical representation of minorities, especially Blacks, has improved. However, the study found that minorities are more likely than Caucasians to have minor roles and to be portrayed in certain product categories, settings, and relationships. Societal impacts and implications for minority consumers are discussed.
Contributing to the Delinquency of Borrowers
Authors: GETTER DARRYL E.
Published: July 2010

What contributes most to borrower delinquency—“excessive”borrowing that results in greater financial stress or unforeseen negative income and wealth shocks? Using data from the 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances, this paper provides evidence that consumer delinquency problems are mainly the result of unexpected negative events that neither the lender nor the borrower could have anticipated at the time the credit request was evaluated. The size of the household payments burden has an insignificant effect on delinquency risk and very little effect on default risk. Finally, household financial assets that can be used as a buffer against negative shocks also serve as a very important predictor of delinquency risk.
REVIEW ESSAY
Authors: MAYER‐BLACKWELL KOSHLAN
Published: July 2010

Nader: The Life of the Party A Review of Crashing the Party by Ralph Nader
Willingness to Pay for Non‐biotech Foods in the U.S. and U.K.
Authors: MOON WANKI , BALASUBRAMANIAN SIVA K.
Published: July 2010

This study uses closed‐ended and payment card formats to elicit willingness to pay for breakfast cereals made from non‐biotech ingredients. U.S. consumers were willing to pay a 10%∼12% premium to avoid biotech breakfast cereals, whereas U.K. consumers were willing to pay a 19%∼35% premium. Risk perceptions about agrobiotechnology proved to be an important factor shaping willingness to pay a premium for non‐biotech breakfast cereals. If consumers perceived risks to human health or environments from the use of biotechnology in crop/food production, or affiliated biotech foods unfavorably with morality or multinational corporations, they were more likely to pay a premium. Conversely, if consumers associated agrobiotechnology with various benefits (i.e., reduction in chemical use in crop production, mitigation of world food shortages, and improved nutritional content), they were less likely to pay a premium.
Consumer Interests and the Ethical Implications of Marketing: A Contingency Framework
Authors: CUI GENG , CHOUDHURY PRAVAT
Published: July 2010

The increasing efforts by marketers to target diverse groups of consumers call for a closer examination of the ethical implications of market segmentation and differentiated marketing. Previous research suggests that marketers and consumers often differ in their perceptions of marketing ethics. Based on contingency theory, this research proposes an integrated framework—which includes the nature of the product, consumer characteristics, and market selection—to analyze the ethical complexities of the marketing exchange. Interactions among these factors lead to various contingencies with different ethical implications for marketing managers and public policy makers. Marketers should assess consumer interests and the ethics of marketing programs before their implementation
The Influence of Moral Philosophy on Retail Salespeople's Ethical Perceptions
Authors: DUBINSKY ALAN J. , NATARAAJAN RAJAN , HUANG WEN‐YEH
Published: July 2010

The relatively minimal literature on ethics in a retail selling context indicates that retail sales personnel perceive that their job creates ethical dilemmas. However, what drives those beliefs is virtually unknown. Investigations in non‐retailing venues have found that employees’ moral philosophy (or ideology) influences whether they view a particular situation, action, or behavior as unacceptable (ethically inappropriate). The present study extends previous retail sales ethics research by examining the impact of retail salespersons’ moral philosophy on their perceptions of situations that are potentially ethically troublesome. Findings reveal some evidence that moral philosophy does indeed have an effect on retail salespeople's ethical beliefs. The impact of these results on the consumer is brought out through a discussion of the various implications from the vantage point of consumer welfare.
Consumers’ use of information intermediaries and the impact on their information search behavior in the financial market
Authors: Lee Jinkook , Cho Jinsook
Published: July 2010

An information intermediary is a human or a nonhuman party designed to assist consumers in information processing. The current study identifies factors determining the likelihood of using human information intermediaries and the effects of using information intermediaries on the amount and the pattern of overall information search. The proposed model is built based on a value‐intention framework and tested in the context of financial investment decisions. The results indicate that a low level of perceived expertise in financial management, a large amount of total financial assets, and a high opportunity cost of time enhance the perceived value of information intermediaries, thus increasing the likelihood of using information intermediaries. We also find that the use of information intermediaries is positively associated with the overall extent of information search and influences the likelihood of using other information sources.
Understanding the impact of employer‐provided financial education on workplace satisfaction
Authors: Hira Tahira K. , Loibl Cäzilia
Published: July 2010

The present study examines the linkage between workplace financial education and workplace satisfaction. Data gathered from a national sample of employees of an insurance company favor the hypothesis that employees who participate in workplace financial education more fully understand personal finances and recognize how financial literacy impacts their future financial expectations. In addition, employees who gain considerable literacy in financial matters and confidence in their future financial situation are also more likely to be satisfied with and supportive of their company. Implications of these results for nonwork settings and for consumers in general have also been developed.
Genetics of Human Aging: The Search for Genes Contributing to Human Longevity and Diseases of the Old
Authors: SLAGBOOM P. ELINE , HEIJMANS BASTIAAN T. , BEEKMAN MARIAN , WESTENDORP RUDI G.J. , MEULENBELT INGRID
Published: July 2010

Abstract: An aging population of humans reflects early‐onset morbidity and mortality as well as late‐onset disease in the phase when the mortality rate doubles and, finally, longevity of extremely long‐lived subjects. Genetic influences have been reported to be relevant for each of these three phases. A growing field in genetic research is aimed at the identification of genes involved in multi‐factorial diseases of the old and in longevity. Important issues in these studies include the definition of phenotype, which maximally highlights the genetic contribution, whether earlier and later onset phenotypes have loci in common, and how to rank or reject the many candidate disease loci found in different studies. These issues will be illustrated from research on cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis.
Calorie Restriction and Age‐Related Oxidative Stress
Authors: MERRY B. J.
Published: July 2010

Abstract:Calorie restriction (CR) in mammals has been recognized as the best characterized and most reproducible strategy for extending maximum survival, retarding physiological aging, and delaying the onset of age‐related pathologic conditions in mammals. The overwhelming majority of studies using CR have used short‐lived rodent species, although current work using rhesus and squirrel monkeys will determine whether this paradigm is also relevant to manipulating the rate of primate aging. The mechanism by which restricted calorie intake modifies the rate of aging and pathology has been the subject of much controversy, although an attenuation in the lifetime accumulation of oxidative damage appears to be a central feature. Although the majority of studies have focused on the ability of cells from calorie‐restricted animals to scavenge free radicals to explain the slower accrual of oxidative damage with age, it is not established that CR has a consistent effect to upregulate the activity of these enzymes in all tissues. A major effect of calorie‐restricted feeding now appears to be on the rate of production or leak of free radicals from the mitochondria. The details of the adaptation and the signaling pathway that induces this effect are currently unknown.
Development of Novel Medications for Drug Addiction: The Legacy of an African Shrub
Authors: GLICK STANLEY D. , MAISONNEUVE ISABELLE M.
Published: July 2010

Abstract:Ibogaine, one of several alkaloids found in the root bark of the African shrub Tabernantheiboga, has been claimed to be effective in treating multiple forms of drug abuse. Problems associated with side effects of ibogaine have spawned a search for more effective and safer structural derivatives. 18‐Methoxycoronaridine (18‐MC), a novel iboga alkaloid congener, appears to have substantial potential for broad use as an anti‐addictive therapy. Like ibogaine (40 mg/kg), 18‐MC (40 mg/kg) decreases the intravenous self‐administration of morphine and cocaine and the oral self‐administration of ethanol and nicotine in rats; unlike ibogaine, 18‐MC does not affect responding for a non‐drug reinforcer (water). Ibogaine and 18‐MC appear to reduce the reinforcing efficacies, rather than the potencies, of drugs of abuse. Both ibogaine and 18‐MC decrease extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens while only ibogaine increases serotonin levels in this brain region. Both ibogaine and 18‐MC block morphine‐induced and nicotine‐induced dopamine release in the accumbens; only ibogaine enhances cocaine‐induced increases in dopamine levels. Ibogaine produces whole body tremors and, at high doses (at least 100 mg/kg), cerebellar damage; 18‐MC does not produce these effects. Ibogaine, but not 18‐MC, causes bradycardia at high doses. Ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine have low μM affinities for κ and μ opioid receptors, NMDA receptors, 5HT‐3 receptors, sigma‐2 sites, sodium channels and the serotonin transporter. 18‐MC has low μM affinities at all three opioid receptors and at 5HT‐3 receptors but much lower or no affinities for NMDA and sigma‐2 receptors, sodium channels, and the 5HT transporter. Both 18‐MC and ibogaine are sequestered in fat and, like ibogaine, 18‐MC probably has an active metabolite. 18‐MC also has (+) and (−) enantiomers, both of which are active. Considered together, all of the data indicate that 18‐MC should be safer than ibogaine and at least as efficacious as an anti‐addictive medication.
Neurobiology of Addiction: Toward the Development of New Therapies
Authors: KOOB GEORGE F.
Published: July 2010

Abstract:Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by neurobiological changes that lead to a compulsion to take a drug with loss of control over drug intake. The hypothesis outlined here is that knowledge of the neurochemical systems involved in the transition from drug use to the compulsive use of addiction will provide the rational basis for development of pharmacotherapies for drug addiction. Much evidence has been obtained in identifying the midbrain‐basal forebrain neural elements involved in the positive reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse and more recently in the neural elements involved in the negative reinforcement associated with drug addiction. Key elements for the acute reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse include a macrostructure in the basal forebrain called the extended amygdala that contains parts of the nucleus accumbens and amgydala and involves key neurotransmitters such as dopamine, opioid peptides, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate. Withdrawal from drugs of abuse is associated with subjective symptoms of negative affect, such as dysphoria, depression, irritability and anxiety, and dysregulation of brain reward systems involving some of the same neurochemical systems implicated in the acute reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. In addition, acute withdrawal is accompanied by recruitment of the brain stress neurotransmitter system, corticotropin‐releasing factor. Animal models of craving involve not only conditioning models but also models of excessive drug intake during prolonged abstinence, post‐acute withdrawal, that may reflect continued dysregulation of drug reinforcement that could lead to vulnerability to relapse and represent an important focus for pharmacotherapy. Such changes have been hypothesized to involve a change in set point for drug reward that may represent an allostatic state contributing to vulnerability to relapse and re‐entry into the addiction cycle. Elucidation of the specific neuropharmacological changes contributing to this prolonged functional dysregulation will be the challenge of future research on the neurobiology of drug addiction.
Dendritic Cell Development from Common Myeloid Progenitors
Authors: MANZ MARKUS G. , TRAVER DAVID , AKASHI KOICHI , MERAD MIRIAM , MIYAMOTO TOSHIHIRO , ENGLEMAN EDGAR G. , WEISSMAN IRVING L.
Published: July 2010

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen‐presenting cells which both initiate adaptive immune responses and control tolerance to self‐antigens. It has been suggested that these different effects on responder cells depend on subsets of DCs arising from either myeloid or lymphoid hematopoietic origins. In this model, CD8α+ Mac‐1− DCs are supposed to be of lymphoid while CD8α− Mac‐1+ DCs are supposed to be of myeloid origin. Here we summarize our findings that both CD8α+ and CD8α− DCs can arise from clonogenic common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) in both thymus and spleen. Therefore CD8a expression on DCs does not indicate a lymphoid origin and differences among CD8α+ and CD8α− DCs might rather reflect maturation status than ontogeny. On the basis of transplantation studies, it seems likely that most of the DCs in secondary lymphoid organs and a substantial fraction of thymic DCs are myeloid‐derived.