Consumer Theory Research Articles

Role of Cultural Heritage in Luxury Fashion Branding in South Africa

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the role of cultural heritage in luxury fashion branding in South Africa. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The role of cultural heritage in luxury fashion branding in South Africa has become increasingly significant as brands seek to integrate local identity with global luxury standards. Cultural elements, such as traditional patterns, textiles, and craftsmanship, are being incorporated into luxury fashion, reflecting South Africa’s rich heritage and fostering a sense of authenticity and exclusivity. This approach not only strengthens brand identity but also appeals to both local and international consumers who value unique, culturally embedded products. However, challenges include ensuring respectful representation and avoiding cultural appropriation. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cultural capital theory, brand heritage theory, symbolic consumption theory may be used to anchor future studies on the role of cultural heritage in luxury fashion branding in South Africa. Fashion brands in South Africa can enhance their market positioning by leveraging unique cultural elements that resonate both locally and globally. Policymakers should create frameworks that ensure cultural elements are not exploited by global fashion brands without proper attribution and compensation to local communities.

Antecedents the adoption of tour itineraries from smart travel apps: an integration of experiential consumption theory and innovation resistance theory

Purpose The purpose of this study investigate the antecedents the adoption of tour itineraries from smart travel apps. Travelers are progressively expanding their smart travel planning applications to organize their trip-related activities. With the help of these apps, users achieve their favorite tour itineraries and choose their preferred destinations. Design/methodology/approach This study aimed to examine the results of smart tour itineraries on travelers and elucidate the motivations for their continual use and why travel experts are increasingly using smart tour itineraries. Innovation resistance and experiential consumption theories were used in this study. SmartPLS 3.2.8 was used to consider 682 valid samples using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings This analysis identified the following crucial factors: usage, value, risk and traditional barriers. Moreover, utilitarian and hedonic values significantly affected barriers. Finally, theoretical and practical suggestions are presented along with future research directions. Originality/value This study encompasses the tender of innovation resistance theory to travel itineraries by integrating experiential consumption theory in the context of smart tourism apps.

Navigating Technological Shifts: An Examination of User Inertia and Technology Prestige in Large-Language-Model AI Chatbot Transition

As large-language-model (LLM) AI chatbots create new pathways for problem-solving, they pose a challenge to the dominance of traditional search engines and knowledge sharing platforms. Utilizing theories of Status Quo Bias and Symbolic Consumption, this study investigates how user inertia and the perceived prestige of LLM AI chatbots influence the transition between platforms. A national survey comprising participants who have used LLM AI chatbots, knowledge sharing forums, and search engines (N = 800) within China was conducted. The findings obtained from structural equation modeling reveal that user inertia, rooted in habits and sunk costs, inhibits platform transition; however, the prestige of LLM AI chatbots can promote adoption and mitigate inertia; and entrenched media habits could, surprisingly, facilitate openness to new technologies. Implications on platform migration behavior amid technological advancements are discussed.

Marketing Research on Rural Agricultural Cultural Tourism Products under the Perspective of Symbolic Consumption

This study focuses on the marketing of rural agricultural cultural tourism products under the perspective of symbolic consumption, aiming to explore the application strategies and effects of symbolic consumption theory in the rural agricultural and cultural tourism industry. Firstly, the basic concepts of symbolic consumption theory and its value in marketing are outlined, and then the symbolic features of rural cultural tourism products and their influence on consumers' purchasing decisions are analysed. Through the field study, the practical effects of marketing strategies based on symbolic consumption theory in the marketing of rural cultural tourism products are discussed in depth. This study not only provides theoretical support for the sustainable development of rural cultural tourism industry, but also provides practical guidance for related practitioners.

Green consumption: the role of perceived symbolic value and personal innovativeness

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between personal innovativeness, perceived symbolic value and green purchase intentions within the context of sustainable consumption. Specifically, it investigates how personal innovativeness influences both green purchase intentions and perceived symbolic value and examines whether perceived symbolic value mediates the relationship between personal innovativeness and green purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach Using a survey-based quantitative approach, data were collected from a sample of Indonesian consumers using online panels via SurveyMonkey®. The study used Rogers’ diffusion theory to conceptualize personal innovativeness and drew on theories of symbolic consumption to frame perceived symbolic value. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses and explore the relationships among the constructs. Findings The results indicate that personal innovativeness positively affects green purchase intentions and enhances the perceived symbolic value of green products. Moreover, perceived symbolic value influences green purchase intentions and partially mediates the relationship between personal innovativeness and green purchase intentions. These findings underscore the critical role of symbolic value in the adoption of green products and highlight personal innovativeness as a key driver in sustainable consumer behavior. Originality/value This research contributes to the sustainable consumption literature by integrating personal innovativeness with symbolic value considerations in green purchasing decisions, offering a novel insight into how individual traits and product symbolism interact to influence consumer behavior in the context of environmental sustainability.

Determinants of Food Security in Tobacco and Sugarcane Production Zones, Migori County, Kenya

At 34%, food insecurity in Migori County is considered alarming while its measurement has posed challenges to academicians and researchers whilst many studies exist on food security determinants, none has been done in Migori entailing tobacco producers, sugarcane growers and non-growers in Kuria and Migori sub-counties. The study examined food security determinants guided by a consumer theory and measured by means of HFIAS modelled in ologit model. Data collection was done using an open data kit pre-loaded with a questionnaire and analyzed using stata software wherein results depicted 38.89% as severely insecure, 33.33% moderately insecure, 9.26% mildly insecure and 18.52% food secure while household size, off-farm income, capital sourcing was significant at p<0.001 in varying degrees and categories after ologit regression analysis. There is need for the national government to provide cash crop insurance and fixed contracts to prevent risks associated with price fluctuations as well as invest in innovative biotechnology research through formulation of policies to aid in ensuring capacity building through its stakeholders such as the national research institutes and other donor agencies.

The influence of upward social comparison on status consumption in clothing, eating, living, and travelling: The mediating effects of perceived self‐improvement and perceived superiority

AbstractCompensatory consumption theory posits that individuals tend to engage in status consumption as a response to experiencing upward social comparison. However, it is unclear whether upward social comparison can influence status consumption in four lifestyle domains: clothing, eating, living, and travelling. Therefore, we conducted two separate studies with a sample of Chinese consumers. In Study 1, we investigated the effects of upward social comparison on status consumption in four domains by comparing participants with a specific individual. In Study 2, we examined the effects of upward social comparison on status consumption in four domains by comparing participants with a group. Additionally, Study 2 examined the mediating role of perceived self‐improvement and perceived superiority. The results revealed that participants exhibited higher purchase intentions and preferences for status products and services in four consumption domains when exposed to upward social comparison. Furthermore, the results also indicated that perceived self‐improvement and perceived superiority mediated the positive effects of status consumption in four domains under upward social comparison. These findings contribute to the broader applicability of compensatory consumption theory.

Comparative Study of Consumption Theories: The Perspective of John Maynard Keynes and Monzer Kahf

This study aims to compare the consumption theories of John Maynard Keynes, a conventional economist, and Monzer Kahf, an Islamic economist. The main objective is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each approach while emphasizing how both theories contribute to economic growth and stability. This study uses a qualitative methodology, thoroughly analyzing primary and secondary sources on the works of both economists. Through comparative analysis, this study evaluates the core concepts and assumptions of each theory. The findings show that Keynes' approach is concerned with individual consumption and its impact on savings and economic growth, while Kahf's theory encourages consumption for the collective good in accordance with Islamic principles. The study concludes that combining elements of both theories can offer a more balanced approach, which at the same time enhances social welfare and economic stability.

Art museum visitors: how do they perform class distinction?

ABSTRACT Previous studies predominantly used sociodemographic factors to categorize art museum visitors, overlooking an in-depth exploration of the motivations guiding their museum experiences and relying heavily on aggregated data. Building upon Bourdieu’s (1984, Distinction: A Social Critique to the Judgment of Taste. Cambridge: Harvard University Press) theory of cultural consumption and Peterson’s (2005a. “Problems in comparative research: The example of omnivorousness.” Poetics 33:257–282. doi:10.1016/j.poetic.2005.10.002; 2005b. “Changing Arts Audiences: Capitalizing on Omnivorousness.” https://culturalpolicy.uchicago.edu/sites/culturalpolicy.uchicago.edu/files/peterson1005.pdf) omnivore/univore theory, this study aims to investigate the distinct segments of art museum visitors, considering their experience expectations and cultural preferences. Specifically, utilizing two-step cluster analysis, we explore the experiences sought by art museum visitors, considering their cultural preferences. Analyzing 411 questionnaires from visitors to Lyon’s premier fine arts museum, two distinct visitor groups emerge. Thus, the findings suggest that conventionally labeled ‘museum-goers’ represent diverse visitor types, emphasizing the holistic importance of considering a combination of factors. The results affirm Peterson's theory adding to the literature that these groups exhibit distinct cultural and culinary preferences, aligning with Bourdieu's social distinction theory. The study offers both theoretical and practical implications.

Consumer Theory-Based Primary Frequency Regulation in Multi-Microgrid Systems within a P2P Energy Management Framework

This paper presents a novel primary frequency regulation strategy for multi-microgrid (MMG) systems, utilizing consumer theory within a peer-to-peer (P2P) energy management framework. By coordinating photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage systems (ESS), the proposed method ensures a rapid and effective response to frequency deviations. Unlike conventional approaches, this strategy minimizes the curtailment of renewable energy sources by prioritizing the use of ESS, allowing excess energy to charge the ESS for later use during under-frequency events. This not only enhances energy efficiency but also maximizes renewable energy utilization. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves lower frequency deviations and faster stabilization compared to traditional droop and virtual inertia methods. These results highlight the potential benefits of integrating consumer theory-based models into primary frequency regulation, significantly enhancing system stability and efficiency in power systems with high levels of renewable energy penetration.

Energy consumption prediction of coal-fired unit boiler system based on different operating states

ABSTRACT The energy consumption of the coal-fired unit’s boiler system varies significantly when accommodating flexible peak shaving demands. To aid staff in comprehending the boiler’s operational status and optimize its performance, a prediction model of the energy consumption of the boiler system was established based on the different states of the unit operation. First, a dataset of boiler energy consumption under variable load was established based on theory of fuel-specific consumption, and the Mean Impact Value (MIV) algorithm was used to simplify the input features of the model. Second, the Aquila Optimizer (AO) with tent map, adaptive t-distribution, and opposites learning mechanism was introduced to determine the parameters in the prediction model. On this basis, the sliding-window method was used to classify the operating states based on the load of the unit, and the original dataset without operating state distinction, the steady state operating data, the load uplink data, and the load downlink data were used to establish Models 1–4, respectively. The result shows that Model 1 outperforms Model 2 with 24.45% and 18.22% lower aMAE and aRMSE, respectively. compared to Model 3, it shows a decrease of 24.07% and 16.98%. Compared to Model 1, Model 4 shows a reduction of 20.52% and 18.91% in aMAE and aRMSE, respectively. This indicates that distinguishing different operating states to establish boiler energy consumption prediction models can obtain better prediction accuracy.

Fenomena Penggunaan E-Commerce terhadap Perilaku Konsumsi Mahasiswa

The use of E-Commerce platforms has a significant impact on students' shopping patterns and consumption behavior. This article aims to analyze the factors that influence students in choosing to shop through E-Commerce and its impact on students' consumptive behavior from the perspective of consumption theory and modernization theory. The method used in this research is a qualitative approach, with sources collected through literature studies, data analysis, validity of analysis with data triangulation techniques. The results show that factors such as ease of use, price, product quality, availability of goods, emotional benefits, and tangible evidence influence students in choosing to shop through E-Commerce. The impact is a significant change in students' consumption patterns, which includes satisfaction with purchases, ease of product access, but also uncertainty about future needs and changes in shopping priorities. The implication is the importance of financial awareness and wise financial management skills for university students in dealing with the use of E-Commerce to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the benefits in improving their quality of life.

The impact of social globalization on domestic savings: a long-run macroeconomic analysis of advanced ageing economies in the Asia-Pacific Region

ABSTRACT The economics literature has extensively investigated the influence of demography and macroeconomic variables on domestic savings. However, another crucial aspect that needs to be considered in the literature is social globalization concerning conspicuous consumption, which may disproportionately impact savings behaviour in different countries. This paper aims to ascertain how social globalization affects domestic savings at the macroeconomic level in the long run, specifically focusing on countries that have reached advanced stages of ageing in the Asia-Pacific region. Cointegration analysis via the augmented autoregressive distributed lag (A-ARDL) bounds test is used in this paper. The main results show that social globalization and domestic savings are cointegrated in the long run for New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Long-run relationship estimates yield that social globalization intensification leads to a decline in savings, supporting Veblen’s conspicuous consumption theory. Specifically, more Western-oriented countries experience a much more substantial impact of social globalization on savings. To address conspicuous consumption, policymakers should embrace a holistic strategy that encourages savings and financial prudence while discouraging excessive and status-oriented expenditure.

Eating out: changing Bengali middle-class practices in Calcutta in the twentieth century

ABSTRACT Drawing on theories of consumption (Barthes 1972; Veblen 1898; Warde 2016) and taste (Bourdieu 2004), this paper analyzes the changing patterns of public consumption of food and beverages in the city of Calcutta (Kolkata) in the twentieth century. Food practices are guided by cultural traditions, geography, and social position, but are also acquired in the cosmopolitan milieu of a metropolitan city. Spaces of public consumption in the city often signify some other social practices and depending on the type of food and association concerned, specific spaces of consumption reflect the scalar taste of consumers across the social strata. While switching between different similar options, the middle class’s association with spaces of consumption shifts with the improvement of the economic condition of the consumer.

Consumption dynamics with law of small numbers

We propose an intertemporal consumption-saving model by exploring the implications of the Law of Small Numbers (LSN), a belief heuristic stating that any sample realization of a population should be representative of the population. First, the existence of the LSN reduces the precautionary savings demand. More importantly, we show that the LSN belief structure provides an alternative explanation for two fundamental anomalies in consumption theory: (1) excess sensitivity by showing that past changes in income predict future changes in consumption; and (2) excess smoothness by lowering consumption volatility and generating the empirical magnitude.

Analisis Preferensi Mall Culture Dalam Gaya Hidup Konsumtif

This research is entitled "Analysis of Mall Culture Preferences in the Consumption Lifestyle of Students", based on several factors that cause students to choose shopping centers or malls as a place to visit frequently. The purpose of this study is to find out how many students have high consumerism. Using qualitative research methods through a phenomenological approach, Baudrillard's sign value consumption theory. Consumerism and consumptive lifestyles among students are influenced by various factors, including social pressure, the desire to obtain a social image that wants to be recognized, and the influence of mall culture.

Montgomery Ward's Export Department: international orders and mail-order consumers in Latin America, 1890-1930

New primary source material documents the expansion of Montgomery Ward’s mail order through their export department to Latin American consumers from the end of the Spanish American War in 1898 to ca.1930, and the formative period of export advertising and mail order marketing for the first time. Chicago was the center of mail order and ready-made clothing; women’s ready-made suits provide a case study of merchandise. A Chicago clothier requested a U.S. State Department inquiry to study the viability of introducing American ready-made clothing in Latin America in 1899. This Government study provides significant details about ready-made clothing in Latin America previously unknown to scholars. U.S. mail order required international parcel post for growth, and a Ward employee championed its passage in 1919. New primary sources have been contextualized within the frameworks of business, advertising, postal, and dress history and political economy. Advances in export advertising led to growth, which has been traced using statistics from trade journals and an internal document about the history of the export department. The essay ends by examining the names and addresses of Latin American consumers from extant Montgomery Ward return envelopes that have been digitally mapped and interpreted. Latin American consumption theory will be examined apropos of consumers and the meaning of mail order goods.

ISLAMIC ECONOMIC REVIEW OF CONSUMPTION: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW APPROACH

This research analyzes consumption studies from an Islamic economic perspective and a literature review perspective. The research method uses a qualitative type with a systematic literature review approach. The research results obtained from this literature review found that consumption is human nature to maintain life and is a very vital part of economic activity for human life. Islamic consumption theory limits consumption based on the concept of wealth and various types of consumption by Sharia principles for sustainability and the welfare of the ummah. Rapid economic growth and technological developments are causing changes in people’s consumption patterns. The main difference in consumption patterns in Islamic and conventional economics lies in the intention and approach to meeting life’s needs. Intentions and consumption methods to meet needs are critical in the Islamic economic system. Islamic economics does not place materialism as a guide to human life. Islam does not recognize the principle of materialism as conventional economics places consumption in the perspective of mere worldly satisfaction.

How does the government's sustainable consumption policy enkindle sustainable consumption behaviors in the consumer public?

Sustainable consumption is increasingly considered critical for the sustainable growth of developing countries. Consequently, these countries exert significant efforts to foster sustainable consumption behaviors among the consumer public to maximize their sustainability outcomes. This research, while making appeals to the sustainable consumption theory and the stakeholder theory, aims to determine the role of a few critical antecedents, namely the attitude of consumers towards sustainable consumption, their overall satisfaction with the consumption of sustainable products/services, consumers' environmental knowledge and sustainable consumption promotions together with social media influence in engendering sustainable consumption behaviors among consumer publics, along with the role of governments' sustainable consumption policies in enabling such effects. After performing PLS-based structural equation modeling on 500 data points, we found a significant positive role in the consumers' attitude towards sustainable consumption, their sustainable consumption promotions, the impact of social media, and the environmental knowledge possessed by the consumers in inducing sustainable consumption behaviors. In addition, the mediating effects of sustainable consumption promotions and the instrumental role of the government's sustainable consumption policy have also been empirically substantiated. Besides contributing to advancing the body of knowledge encompassing sustainable consumption and sustainable growth/development, the study puts forward several practical implications for the consumers, practitioners, and public policymakers to transmogrify sustainable consumption behaviors by influencing consumers' attitudes, enhancing their environmental knowledge and social media enabled discourse enkindled by an efficacious sustainable consumption policy put in place by the government.

Why does mobile payment promote purchases? Revisiting the pain of paying, and understanding the implicit pleasure via selective attention.

The past years have witnessed a phenomenal growth of the mobile payment market, but how mobile payment affects purchase behavior receives less attention from academics. Recent studies suggested that lower pain of paying may not fully clarify the relationship between mobile payment and increased purchases (i.e., mobile payment effect). The current research first introduced price level in Study 1 and demonstrated that the pain of paying served as an underlying mechanism only in the high-price condition rather than the low-price condition. As such, Study 2 was conducted in a low-price context to address the uncovered mechanisms. We propose a new concept of "pleasure of payment" that is defined as an implicit and consumption-related hedonic response based on the cue theory of consumption. By tracking spontaneous attention to positive attributes (i.e., benefits) of products, Study 2 demonstrated this implicit pleasure as a psychological mechanism for the mobile payment effect when the pain of paying was not at play. These findings have important implications for mobile payment in research and practice by identifying price level as a boundary condition for the role of pain of paying and understanding the positive downstream consequences of mobile payment usage on consumer psychology.