Consumer Theory Research Articles

Pork Consumption Patterns among Rural Residents in China: A Regional and Cultural Perspective (2000–2020)

Pork is a principal component of the food supply for residents in China, acting as a primary source of animal protein. Analyzing the factors affecting pork consumption among rural Chinese residents is critical for understanding trends in the pig market and the direction of price control. China encompasses an immense geographical area (ranked third in the world) and is home to a globally acknowledged cultural diversity. This results in China having a diverse range of regional and cultural characteristics. These factors may profoundly influence the meat consumption habits of rural residents in China in a real-world context. In econometric decision making, traditional fixed effects models are incapable of estimating regional and cultural factors as these come under individual effects. In this study, leveraging a distinct fixed-effect filter model recently developed, we estimate these regional and cultural variables to verify whether they are statistically significant. This approach adds a fresh perspective to traditional consumption theory. This study uses panel data from 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions registered in national data as the research object. The detailed findings include: (1) Rural residents in coastal provinces show a stronger inclination towards pork consumption compared to those in inland areas. (2) The ethnic feature of provinces also presents a significant impact, with provinces reflecting Mongolian, Zhuang, Tujia, and Yi ethnic characteristics pointing to higher pork consumption. This contrasts with provinces characterized by Yao, Li, and Muslim ethnicities, which tend towards the opposite. Based on these empirical findings, this paper provides policy suggestions for optimizing the layout of the pig industry, which will offer multi-dimensional regulatory directions for optimizing the pig industry layout in China.

Revealed statistical consumer theory

We provide a microfoundation to use aggregates (e.g. mean purchases) to evaluate consumer choice data. We study statistical consumer theory where an individual maximizes a preference over distributions of bundles when constrained by a statistic of the distribution (e.g. mean expenditure). We show statistical consumer theory is observationally equivalent to an individual whose preferences depend only on the statistic of the distribution. This means that despite working with distributions, the empirical content of the model only depends on a finite-dimensional statistic. This approach generalizes random quasilinear utility with random income and mean-variance preferences.

A Consumer Behavior Theory of Tutoring

The paper aims to explore the behavior of consumers in the tutoring market in China, in which consumers perspectives would be divided into two parts: parents and students. Parents and students would consider and focus on different factors to maximize the utility based on their own standpoint, which is the reason why they usually make different decisions in reality. The paper would build a theory of consumer behavior in tutoring market based on the neoclassical consumer theory. There are several essential features that should be noticed in the paper: (1) for simplifying, the commodities consumed in the market are the average scores that are estimated to increase based on the original average scores; (2) the consumers decisions are subject to two resource constraints of money and time; (3) the utility is not only a function of goods but also of the time that is required to finish consuming it, in other words, the time a student needs to spend for earning one more score.

How conspicuousness becomes productive on social media

Increasing attention has been paid to social media influencers and their self-branding strategies; yet, a perspective that specifically focuses on such practices in terms of social status has still to be fully developed. This paper analyses how Instagram micro-influencers use self-branding practices as ways to construct and display social status and, secondly, contributes to shed light on the contemporary changes in status gaining and signalling. Moving from Veblen’s theory of conspicuous consumption, I contend that conspicuousness represents the main cultural logic underpinning micro-influencers’ practises, and it's characterised by a productive display of consumption. Departing from Veblen’s theorisation, the display is not an expression of wastefulness, but a productive element in the construction of social status. Employing a methodological approach comprising digital methods and qualitative interviews, the research shows how the logic of conspicuousness unfolds and becomes productive through consumption practices characterised by accumulation, access, and circularity. Furthermore, the results highlight how micro-influencers follow the logic of conspicuousness to construct social status by seeking exclusivity or negotiating belongingness.

Theory of sustainable consumption behavior (TSCB) to predict renewable energy consumption behavior: A case of eco-tourism visitors of Bangladesh

Purpose The purpose of this study is to exploring the factors influencing renewable energy consumption intentions and behaviors among eco-tourism visitors in Bangladesh, developing theory of sustainable consumption behaviors (TSCB).Design/methodology/approach Based on review of previous empirical studies and other literatures, and collection of 399 usable responses, the study is conducted through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) by using Smart PLS3.3.3.Findings The study results divulge that renewable energy consumption intentions significantly influence renewable energy consumption behavior; and the carbon mitigation norms and energy saving norms significantly impact on renewable energy consumption intentions among eco-tourists in Bangladesh.Practical implications The findings imply that availability of renewable energy consumption options may attract tourists towards eco-tourism in Bangladesh.Originality/value This study is one of the first attempts to developing the theory of sustainable consumption, exploring the integrated impacts of carbon mitigation norms, energy saving norms and renewable energy consumption intentions on eco-tourists’ renewable energy consumption behaviors in Bangladesh.

Analisis Pengaruh Sikap, Norma Subjektif, Kontrol Perilaku, dan Kemaslahatan Terhadap Perilaku Mengonsumsi Makanan Halal

This study aims to analyze the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, behavioral control, and maslahah on the intention to consume halal food and their implications for consumer behavior. Currently, the consumption of halal products in Indonesia continues to increase yearly, including in the province of West Sumatra, which has a majority Muslim community. For this reason, it is necessary to conduct research related to the consumption behavior of a consumer because the research results can affect economic growth. The distinguishes this research from previous research is the modification of TPB by adding the Maslahah variable. This study uses Islamic consumption theory, Islamic consumer behavior theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. This study uses survey data by distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents. Hypothesis testing uses SEM analysis with Smart PLS 4.0 software. The results of the hypothesis testing show that the attitude variable has no significant effect on intention. In contrast, the variables of subjective norm, behavioral control, and maslahah have a significant effect on consumption intention. The consumption intention variable also has a positive and significant influence on the consumption behavior of halal food among Muslim students in Padang city. Based on the results of the research, the implications of this research are the need for an understanding of religion to form a good attitude in carrying out consumption activities to avoid harm, besides that community cooperation, especially public figures, and scholars provides an example and encourages the community to carry out halal and good consumption.
 Keywords: Consumer Behavior, Islamic Consumption, Halal Food, Maslahah

Theoretical Perspectives on the Role of Parents in Shadow Education

Scholarly interest in the topic of shadow education has increased in the past three decades, as evidenced by the number of publications in education journals. Alongside teachers, students, and tutors, shadow education scholars have considered parents as key actors and have explored their role using different theories. The purpose of this article is to investigate the existing literature on parental perspectives of shadow education and to identify several commonalities and differences among these perspectives. More specifically, this review includes theories about parents' socioeconomic backgrounds and parental decision making. We found that the commonly used concepts about parental backgrounds stem from Bourdieusian theories of social capital, class, and socioeconomic background. Decision-making theories are most frequently borrowed from economics (e.g., rational choice theory and consumer theory) and from psychology (e.g., Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory of human development). This article considers existing theories employed in the study of parental perspectives of shadow education that are currently at the forefront of this field, but it also identifies gaps. The article concludes with a suggestion of topics and perspectives for future research related both to new forms of parental involvement and to more conventional aspects of understanding parents that have been largely overlooked by shadow education scholars.

Consumer society and consumer behavior: The evolution of concepts and modern understanding.

The article presents the results of a theoretical analysis of significant sociological, economic, psychological and related concepts of consumer society and consumer behavior. It is shown that the evolution of these concepts has a pronounced division into stages corresponding to the historical trends of the emergence and development of consumer society as a socio-economic phenomenon. Organically interconnected with the formation of consumer society was the formation of typed consumer behavior practices, which today is characterized by a complex structure, and its specific forms depend on a significant number of factors of the most diverse nature. These forms need to be comprehensively studied in order to use the acquired knowledge in the activities of both commercial enterprises and public administration. Consumption within the framework of this stage was considered most often as a derivative of class or estate, and its most prominent representatives were K.Marx (consumption as belonging to a class), M.Weber, T.Geiger, T.Veblen (theory of prestigious consumption), G.Simmel (theory of fashion), V. Sombart (theory of luxury). Further studies of consumer behavior began to be conducted mainly within the framework of economic theory, behavioral economics and marketing at the beginning of the XX century. The Marxist idea of "commodity fetishism" was continued in the writings of J.Baudrillard (criticism of consumer society), and the concept of M. Weber – in the so-called "class factions" of P. Bourdieu, and the ideas and J.Baudrillard and P. Bourdieu (habitus as an "acquired system of generative schemes") are quite popular today in sociological, socio-cultural and socio-philosophical concepts of human behavior in general and consumer behavior in particular. The "new" theory of consumption was proposed by G. Becker, K. Lancaster and J.Stigler, and M. Friedman and J.Dusenberry formulated the concepts of permanent income and sustainable consumer practices, respectively, to explain "advanced consumption".

EverBloomBags: Menghadapi Tantangan Lingkungan dengan Gaya, Inovasi, dan Kesadaran Berkelanjutan.

The issue of plastic waste has become an urgent global concern, with its negatve impacts on ecosystems and the environment becoming increasingly apparent. In an effort to address this issue, the United Nations has established 17 aspects of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, the innovative environmentally friendly bags from EverBloom Bags present an intriguing solution as part of achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Through the theory of sustainable consumption, we emphasize the importance of environmentally friendly products in fostering sustainable consumption patterns. By choosing eco-friendly bags, individuals can actively participate in reducing plastic waste and creating a better environment. The innovation of eco-friendly bags from EverBloom Bags represent a tangible step towards tackling the plastic waste issue. We illustrate the significance of adopting environmentally friendly product in achieving SDG 12, while providing practical solutions that contribute to environmental protection. With collective awareness and action, we can create positive changes in addressing current environmental issues and achieve sustainable development goals for a better future. 
 Keyword : Plastic Waste, SDGs, Eco-Friendly Bags, Sustainable Consumption.

The Influence of Platform E-commerce UGC Mode on the Consumption Willingness of "Generation Z"

With the rapid development of the Internet, the interactive performance of the network has been further developed. Sharing makes the value of goods or services transferred and improved. The Internet community has developed based on this. Especially during the period of epidemic at home, the UGC mode of each major platform has been further developed, which will bring new challenges and opportunities to e-commerce platforms. The Internet community has developed based on this. Especially during the period of epidemic at home, the UGC mode of each major platform has been further developed, which will bring new challenges and opportunities to e-commerce platforms. Xiaohongshu provides a good example for other platforms. "Generation Z", as the main force of UGC's creation and future consumption, should be the focus of e-commerce platforms. This paper will use the methods of questionnaire survey, reliability and validity test, regression analysis, etc. to analyze the development history of Xiaohongshu. This paper will use the methods of questionnaire survey, reliability and validity test, regression analysis, etc. to analyze the development history of Xiaohongshu platform and e-commerce model. Combining the application of UGC model, consumer theory and basic e-commerce Combining the application of UGC model, consumer theory and basic e-commerce theory, this paper will explore the impact mechanism of UGC platform on the consumption behavior of "Generation Z" consumers.

From physical space to mental space: feelings of being physically constrained increase consumer preference for mind-expanding products

This research examines whether and how feelings of physical constraints can increase consumers’ preference for mind-expanding products, such as products that broaden perspectives and viewpoints. Three studies show that feelings of physical constraints (such as when consumers commute and buckle their seatbelts, which restricts their movement) motivate them to increase mental space and break free from mental limitations as an alternative way to compensate for the physical restrictions they experience. As a result, consumers prefer mind-expanding products more because the content of these products helps them expand their mental space. Together, the current research integrates and extends theories of fluid compensatory consumption and offers actionable managerial implications for marketers.

Energy consumption model of coal grinding based on energy dissipation fractal dimension

Based on particle size distribution characteristics, this paper explored the energy dissipation law in the coal ultrafine grinding process. By studying the fractal dimension of coal particle size distribution under the multi-domain fractal rule, the truncated particle size was introduced to characterize the energy consumption changes of coarse, intermediate, and fine particles. Combined with macro-energy consumption laws and three-piecewise fractal dimensions, a micro-energy consumption theory considering lattice fracture and agglomeration of ultrafine particles was proposed. On this basis, the energy consumption fractal dimension DE was proposed, and its theoretical calculation value was 2.021. The energy consumption formula of coal ultrafine grinding was established, in which energy consumption was characterized by the DE th power of the added surface area of coal particles. The DE obtained by the specific surface area and the adsorption equilibrium constant of pores were 2.285 and 2.564, respectively, which confirmed the reliability of the above theoretical analysis.

Advertisements myth: commercialization of queer identity

The ever more frequent appearance of queer folk in advertisements may suggest a social recognition for queerness. Especially during the Pride months – international celebrations of queer life including protest, parades, and parties – queer ads fill western screens and billboards. This paper wants to explore the impact of queer visibility in advertising on the (re)construction of queer identities in consumer societies by bringing together Jean Baudrillard’s theory of consumption, Robert Goldman’s and Anne Cronin’s analysis of advertisements and Rosemary Hennessy’s findings about queerness in capitalisms. I will argue that the commodification of queers in western mainstream advertising, framed through the concept that consumption is closely tied to citizenship, is often mistaken as recognition. Furthermore, queerness is mystified in advertising through an attempt to maintain the fiction of a coherent queer identity that contributes to the construction of either an ‘abnormal’ queerness or aims to soothe derivations from the heterosexual norm. These findings will be put into perspective by a critical examination of an American advertising clip and reflection on the viewer’s position.

The role of implicit theories in consumer intertemporal preference

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the psychological process of intertemporal choices between larger-later and smaller-sooner monetary options. Prior research showed consumer impatience – a tendency to prefer a smaller-sooner option over a larger-later option. This research identifies an individual difference that predicts patience and mediators that explain the underlying mechanism.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies are conducted. Study 1 examines whether the implicit theory of intelligence consumers endorse (i.e. entity theory vs incremental theory) constitutes an antecedent of patience and whether their thoughts regarding anticipated purchase with the chosen monetary option (i.e. hedonic versus utilitarian purchase) mediate the relationship. Study 2 analyzes whether psychological reactance toward larger-later options is a mediator in this relationship using a perceived threat to freedom and affect as reactance indicators.FindingsEntity-oriented consumers exhibited less patience than incremental-oriented consumers, especially when anticipating a hedonic purchase. Moreover, entity-oriented consumers perceived a threat to freedom from larger-later options more strongly – this enhanced perception influenced patience through two routes. One route is that the perceived threat to freedom leads to more consideration of a hedonic purchase rather than a utilitarian purchase, thereby decreasing patience. The other route is that the perceived threat to freedom elicits a stronger negative affect, resulting in lower patience.Originality/valueFindings of this research shed light on the understanding of patience. They demonstrate that consumers’ implicit theory orientation is a crucial individual difference that can explain patience. Also, demonstrating the mediating roles of anticipated purchase using the hedonic/utilitarian classification and psychological reactance expanded literature by showing how they internally interact.

Theory of green consumption behavior (TGCB): a case of agro-tourism for sustainable communities and cities of future Bangladesh

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the antecedents and their impacts on behaviors toward agro-tourism by proposing a theory of green consumption behavior.Design/methodology/approachBased on a review of the literatures and collection of 471 usable responses, the study is conducted through partial least squares structural equation modeling method using SmartPLS 3.3.3.FindingsFindings of the study have revealed that carbon mitigation attitude, energy saving norms, perceived hygiene value and agro-tourist spot visit intentions significantly influence agro-tourist spot visit behavior. Furthermore, the study has suggested that agro-tourist spot visit intentions partially mediate the strength of the relationship between carbon mitigation attitude, energy saving norms, perceived hygiene value and agro-tourist spot visit behavior.Practical implicationsThe study findings may be useful to encouraging agro-tourism managers of understanding antecedents of customer’s behavior and formulating business strategies influencing behaviors toward agro-tourism, coping with competitive business environment and environmental sustainability.Originality/valueThe study has presented a unique case discovering what antecedents are influencing customers’ green consumption behavior (agro-tourist spot visit behaviors) and how that behavior contributes to sustainable communities and cities development. Furthermore, the study has provided important insights for industry professionals by integrating carbon mitigation attitude, energy saving norms, perceived hygiene value and agro-tourist spot visit intentions in examining agro-tourist spot visit behavior.

LAVISH WEDDING AMONG MUSLIMS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Spending huge amount of money during wedding ceremony among Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups who are predominantly Muslims in Northern Nigeria is a new phenomenon. There is a change in the trend at which potential husband and wife spend ostentatiously at pre and post wedding events to impress the friends, relatives and the general public. The study adopted a Theory of Conspicuous consumption by Thorsten Veblen to explain the behaviour of some bride and groom in spending money to impress others. Methodologically, qualitative data were elicited from ten IDI with some newly wedded couples in Kano and Katsina metropolises. The study found that in an attempt to demonstrate one’s social and economic class in the society, some people spend money uncontrollably during their wedding or that of their children or relatives. The result further showed that the essence of the wedding spending is not to impress the couples but it is targeted at the audience, spectators or guests at the wedding which contravenes the teachings of Islam which admonish Muslims to be modest in all their social interactions and activities. The paper concluded that spending huge amount of money during wedding deter young people from getting married which leads to delay marriage among people of child bearing age in Kano and Katsina. This is rampant because the neglect of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Benediction of Allah be upon him) in wedding rites.

FinTech development and commercial bank efficiency in China

The rapid development of financial technology (FinTech) is challenging the business of commercial banks. This research analyzes the impact mechanisms of FinTech on the efficiency of commercial banks in China, drawing from the principles of consumer theory, disruptive innovation theory, and technology spillover theory. We apply the DEA–Malmquist model to calculate the total factor productivity of 74 commercial banks from 2012 to 2019 and utilize the text mining method to construct the FinTech development index during the same period. Finally, this study investigates FinTech's effects on commercial bank efficiency in China through the dynamic panel-generalized model of moments. The results show the following. First, FinTech development reduces the commercial bank efficiency for the overall effect. Second, its development affects the debt side of commercial banks, which becomes less efficient because of the rising debt cost. Third, various types of commercial banks are impacted differently by FinTech; urban commercial and rural commercial banks are the most influenced by FinTech, while joint-stock banks are the least influenced. Fourth, regional commercial banks are impacted more by FinTech, with those in the east region more affected. The research conclusions offer theoretical and practical values for deepening the reform of commercial banks and for developing and applying FinTech.

Sensing privacy: Extending consumer privacy research through a consumer culture theory approach

Although a wealth of consumer research literature has examined privacy, the majority of this research has been conducted from a micro-economic or psychological perspective. This has led to a rather narrow view of consumer privacy, which ignores the larger socio-cultural forces at play. This paper suggests a shift in research perspective by adopting a consumer culture theory approach. This allows an in-depth look into the micro, meso and macro levels of analysis to explore privacy as a subjective, lived experience but also as a representation of cultural meanings that are further shaped by marketplace actors. The paper synthesizes how privacy has been conceptualized within consumer theory and advances three necessary shifts in research focus: from (1) prediction to experience, (2) causality to systems and (3) outcome to process. Specific theories or focus areas are explored within these shifts, which are then utilized to build a future research agenda.

A socio-technical transition perspective on positive tipping points in climate change mitigation: Analysing seven interacting feedback loops in offshore wind and electric vehicles acceleration

This paper engages with climate mitigation debates on positive tipping points, which attract increasing attention but remain divided between technological and social tipping point approaches. Building on recent attempts to overcome this dichotomy, the paper develops a socio-technical transitions perspective which shows how co-evolutionary interactions between techno-economic improvements and actor reorientations can significantly accelerate diffusion. Mobilising insights from political science, discourse theory, business studies, consumption theory, and innovation studies, we elaborate the Multi-Level Perspective to articulate seven feedback loops in tipping point dynamics. We illustrate and test our co-evolutionary perspective with two case studies, UK offshore wind and electric vehicles. These case studies not only demonstrate the importance of interacting feedback loops, but also show a contrasting sequence in tipping point dynamics, with substantial techno-economic deployment preceding major actor reorientations in offshore wind, while following them in the EV case. The cases also indicate the crucial roles of policymakers in low-carbon tipping point dynamics as well as the importance of policy learning and social, political, and business feedbacks in strengthening and reorienting policy support.

Critical Visual Analysis

The paper explained the use of critical visual analysis for understanding and contextualizing the images as well as applied the theories of visual consumption and social semiotics to analyze certain visual materials. Furthermore, this study examined the visual representations of refugees and immigrants who faced atrocities at the time of the partition of the Subcontinent along with the Mongol leader who was responsible for the largest empire in history. The research aimed at answering the question related to the significance of visual communication and critical visual analysis for comprehending those visuals. The paper used qualitative methods of research to answer the research question. Critical visual analysis helps not only in describing the physical features of the images but also in interpreting the notion and meaning behind the visuals. In todays technologically advanced world, visuals have gained prominence in the aspects of advertisement and meaning explanation. Therefore, critical visual analysis is paramount in this era.