Halo Effect Research Articles

The diminishing halo effect: Celebrities and negative events in marketing

Celebrities have long been utilized by brands to enhance their products and services, with the underlying assumption that the celebrity’s positive attributes and public image would transfer a halo effect to the endorsed products. However, recent years have witnessed a paradigm shift in this phenomenon, marked by a growing number of negative marketing events involving celebrities. We identify several key themes, including consumer attributions, psychological processes, social media amplification, consumer empowerment, and cultural shifts. Each contributes to a holistic understanding of why and how negative events involving celebrities can lead to a diminishing halo effect. Depending on whether consumers attribute the event internally or externally, their response can vary and, subsequently, affect the celebrity’s halo effect. Overlaying attribution theory provides deeper insights into the dynamics of consumer perception and response in the context of negative events in marketing. Understanding how consumers attribute causality to negative events and the psychological mechanisms that underpin their responses provides valuable insights for celebrities, brands, and marketers navigating the challenges of the digital age.

When green energy feels cozy: The interplay of protected values, the halo effect, and demographics in consumers’ renewable energies adoption

When green energy feels cozy: The interplay of protected values, the halo effect, and demographics in consumers’ renewable energies adoption

Mini-LED Backlight: Advances and Future Perspectives

Miniaturized-light-emitting diode (mini-LED) backlights have emerged as the state-of-the-art technology for liquid crystal display (LCD), facilitating the improvement in a high dynamic range (HDR) and power saving. The local dimming technology divides the backlight into several dimming zones. Employing mini-LEDs, whose size ranges from 100 to 200 μm, as the light sources can enlarge the number of zones in the local dimming backlight, fulfilling the requirement for HDR. However, the halo effect still acts as one of the primary technological bottlenecks for mini-LED backlights. In this review, packaging technology of LEDs, color conversion, and the driving scheme of mini-LED backlights have been discussed. The strategies to reduce optical crosstalk in adjacent areas by various improved optical structures or to suppress the halo effect of LCDs by mini-LED backlights are summarized. The development trends of mini-LED backlights are also discussed.

Eye-tracking study on the impact of 'EU organic' and 'sustainable irrigation' logos on consumer acceptance of olive oil.

This study investigates to what extent the presence of the EU organic (EU‑O) logo and a sustainable irrigation (SI) logo on extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) labels affects (i) consumers expectations and purchase intention based on label information and (ii) acceptance of olive oil when tasted under informed versus blind conditions. A panel of 94 consumers took part in the study. Attention paid to label components during the task designed to evaluate the logos' effect on expectations was recorded by means of an eye-tracker. Compared with the control (without logos), the presence of EU‑O and SI logos on the EVOO label significantly influenced participants' associations (i.e. price, sustainability, consumption occasions, etc.). A halo effect was detected, so that both logos led consumers to anticipate higher expected liking compared with the control. A synergic effect between both logos was detected. Eye-tracker data revealed that participants whose liking expectations were improved by the EU‑O logo paid more attention to it than those whose expectations did not improve. This relation between attention and expectation improvement was not observed with the SI logo, likely because participants were unfamiliar with it. Beyond expectations, the presence of logos on labels significantly increased the liking scores given by the participants when EVOOs were tasted, which resulted in a higher percentage of participants' willingness to purchase. Consumers perceived added value for the sustainable labeled food, which positively affected their liking and purchase intentions. This may encourage food production companies to adopt more sustainable practices. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Mosque Nearby: Visible Minorities and Far-Right Support in France

How is support for right-wing populist parties affected by exposure to Muslim visibility? Using an original database on French mosques, this article analyzes the relationship between the presence of mosques and support for the Front National at the polling station level in the late 2000s. It finds that the propensity to vote for the Front National increases in polling stations up to intermediate distances from mosques and then decreases, suggesting a spatial mechanism known as the halo effect. The analysis also shows that larger mosques and those with minarets are associated with an accentuated halo effect, suggesting the importance of the salience of minority groups rather than their relative size in influencing political behavior.

Going Green: Effect of green bond issuance on corporate debt financing costs

This paper investigates the influence of green bond (GB) issuance on the credit spread of non-green bonds (NGBs) issued by the same firm. Based on Chinese bond market data from 2013 to 2021, our results show that GB issuers experience a decline in NGB credit spreads after issuing GBs, indicating that “going green” can lower corporate debt financing costs. This beneficial effect is more salient among firms with lower bond liquidity, supporting the “bond liquidity story” that investors anticipate increased bond liquidity following GB issuance and thus charge lower credit spreads. In contrast, we find limited evidence for alternative explanations such as the “default risk story,” “halo effect story,” or “information asymmetry story.” Our research highlights the financial benefits of GB issuance and contributes to related literature on the economic implications of green finance. The findings also offer valuable insights for policymakers and corporate executives seeking to promote sustainable investment.

High-Visibility Edge-Highlighting Visualization of 3D Scanned Point Clouds Based on Dual 3D Edge Extraction

Recent advances in 3D scanning have enabled the digital recording of complex objects as large-scale point clouds, which require clear visualization to convey their 3D shapes effectively. Edge-highlighting visualization is used to improve the comprehensibility of complex 3D structures by enhancing the 3D edges and high-curvature regions of the scanned objects. However, traditional methods often struggle with real-world objects due to inadequate representation of soft edges (i.e., rounded edges) and excessive line clutter, impairing resolution and depth perception. To address these challenges, we propose a novel visualization method for 3D scanned point clouds based on dual 3D edge extraction and opacity–color gradation. Dual 3D edge extraction separately identifies sharp and soft edges, integrating both into the visualization. Opacity–color gradation enhances the clarity of fine structures within soft edges through variations in color and opacity, while also creating a halo effect that improves both resolution and depth perception of the visualized edges. Computation times required for dual 3D edge extraction are comparable to conventional binary statistical edge-extraction methods. Visualizations with opacity–color gradation are executable at interactive rendering speeds. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated using 3D scanned point cloud data from high-value cultural heritage objects.

Effect of business games on learning perception and satisfaction of students on technical courses in business administration integrated into high school

The research aims to investigate the effect of business games on learning perception and the satisfaction of students in technical courses in Business Administration integrated with high school from the analytical perspective of Experiential learning. To achieve this objective, a study was conducted using three different types of business games (online computerised, board, and gamebook), with students completing the technical course integrated into high school at the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (Ifes) in Brazil. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Two competing models were evaluated. In both cases, the experience of the game has an effect on learning perception and satisfaction. However, one considers that learning perception has an effect on satisfaction and another in which it is the satisfaction that has an effect on learning perception (i.e., the halo effect). The study's results demonstrated that experience in the business game has a positive effect on students' perception of learning and satisfaction and that the hypothesis of the existence of the halo effect was rejected. This suggests that business games can be adjusted to fit different levels of education, depending on how they are applied.

“There's just a lot of numbers and I just want to have a drink”: The challenge of communicating the energy content of alcohol products

Various governments are considering the implementation of energy labelling on alcohol products as one element of obesity prevention policies. However, little is known about the most effective ways to communicate energy information to consumers. The aim of the present study was to explore consumers’ reactions to different energy information provision formats to assist the development of effective energy labels. Nine focus groups (n=83 participants) were conducted with Australian adults who reported drinking alcohol at least twice per month. Participants were exposed to an energy-only information label and labels displaying full nutrition information panels. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify key issues. While few participants were overtly enthusiastic about the mandatory display of energy values on alcohol products, there was general support for the provision of this information to assist those drinkers who could benefit from it. Substantial confusion was apparent as participants attempted to distil meaning from the provided information, particularly where it was expressed in terms of serving sizes and standard drinks. Full nutrition panels were especially problematic in terms of creating a health halo due to the nil or low values for multiple nutrients listed. This was especially notable for information relating to sugar content. Overall, there appears to be inadequate public understanding of the concept of dietary energy in alcoholic beverages and the various terms used to quantify its presence, which is likely to limit the utility of mandatory energy information provision requirements unless they are accompanied by effective community education.

Dual effect of string cloud and dark matter halos on particle motions, shadows and epicyclic oscillations around Schwarzschild black holes

In this work, we study the particle dynamics, shadows and quasi-periodic oscillations around the Schwarzschild black hole with three different dark matter halos and string cloud parameters. The motion of particles is considered with the string cloud parameter α and investigated for massive and massless particles. The photon orbits and inner stable circular orbits of these black holes are obtained from the effective potential. The black hole shadows are calculated using three different dark matter halos. The shadow radius of these black holes increases compared to a pure Schwarzschild black hole for different values of the string cloud parameter. Further, quasi-periodic oscillations are also discussed in the current analysis. Our study examines how the radial profiles of orbital and radial harmonic oscillation frequencies change with the string cloud parameter. This study examines the major properties of test particle's quasi-periodic oscillations near stable circular orbits in the black hole equatorial plane. Our findings indicate that observational tests for black holes influenced by dark matter halos and cloud strings are also feasible and viable.

Financial development and environmental quality: Does the financial environmental Kuznets Curve Prevail in Australia?

It is crucial to evaluate the link between financial development and environmental quality in order to meet the environmental sustainability goals. Therefore, this scholarly work seeks to validate the of an inverted U-shaped relationship between financial development and environmental quality in Australia, which modifies the conventional theory of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. For the purposes of empirical analysis, we utilized the Autoregressive Distributed Lag bound test over the period from 1980 to 2021 for empirical investigation. Our findings confirm the existence of a Financial Environmental Kuznets Curve (FEKC) in the long-run, while the short-run results do not support its establishment. This means that achieving a financial development level of 0.0458 could help attain the environmental wellbeing in Australia. Similarly, the estimation outcomes affirm that the conventional Environmental Kuznets Curve exists in the long-run but not in the short-run. Our results also indicate that energy usage negatively impacts environmental quality, while foreign direct investments support the pollution halo effect in the long-run but do not exhibit this effect in the short-run. The roles of urbanization and trade openness are positive in enhancing quality of environment in the short-run. However, the effect of the carbon tax on determining environmental quality in Australia is deemed insignificant. In conclusion, this study offers vital policy recommendations to help achieve the Australian government's commitment to climate change.

Meat alternative adoption: How climate change concern drives perceived sustainability, naturalness, and taste

Conventional livestock production generates high amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributing to man-made climate change. Switching to meat alternatives has the potential to curb meat consumption but faces obstacles rooted in consumers’ concerns about unnaturalness, negative health implications, and excessive processing. Drawing on environmental psychology, heuristic processing, consistency theory, and the halo effect, this study develops a conceptual framework on how consumer’s climate concern, by activating climate commitment, not only directly motivates the adoption of meat alternatives, but also triggers perceptual processes, that have a favorable effect on the perception of the attributes of meat alternative products. The theoretical model was tested with an online survey of a US representative sample (N=800). Results show that climate concern positively affects meat alternative adoption by activating climate commitment. Climate commitment, in turn, through the drive for internal consistency and the halo effect, enhances the perceived sustainability, naturalness, and taste of meat alternatives, boosting their acceptance. Findings contribute to the literature by introducing a novel mechanism involving mental shortcuts based on consistency theory and the halo effect, which suggests that consumers align food product perceptions with their environmental goals. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and marketers to design effective interventions promoting more sustainable dietary choices.

Factors determining high academic attainment in primary school (based on the longitudinal study of year 2 and year 4 Russian schoolchildren)

Introduction. The study attempts to solve the problem of predicting academic attainment in primary school. The main emphasis in selecting factors to predict success in learning was on personal and contextual ones. Among personal factors, executive functions were considered, which are described by many authors as significant for successful learning. Among the contextual factors, the main focus is on marks given to schoolchildren in each subject by their teacher. An attempt is made to predict children’s academic attainment in Year 4 based on data on academic attainment in Year 2. Materials and Methods. 53 primary schoolchildren were examined first in Year 2 and then in Year 4. The following executive functions were studied: working memory (using the O. M. Razumnikova’s technique) and inhibitory control (using E. G. Vergunova and E. I. Nikolaeva’s inventory). In addition, final marks in all subjects were analyzed for each year. All schoolchildren were assigned to one of the following groups: ‘excellent students’, ‘good students’, ‘C students’. This parameter was called ‘academic attainment’. First, using factor analysis, correlations between the studied parameters were identified separately for Year 2 and Year 4, then a regression analysis was carried out, with the help of which the factors influencing high academic attainment in Year 2 and Year 4 for the same children were identified. Finally, a factor analysis was conducted in order to assess academic attainment in Year 4 based on data collected in Year 2. Results. Factor analysis revealed that marks given to primary schoolchildren by the main teacher in Year 2 correlate with each other, that is, a halo effect is noted when marks are given not for a particular student’s answer, but according to teacher’s general impression about them. As part of the regression analysis, it was shown that in Year 2, academic attainment is determined only by final marks in the Russian language. Only in Year 4 the influence of inhibitory control and working memory on academic attainment was found. An attempt to predict academic attainment based on the results of Year 2 showed that academic attainment in Year 4 can only be predicted on the basis of final assessment in the Russian language. It can be assumed that this subject is more difficult for children than others; therefore it requires maximum inclusion of executive functions. Conclusions. The study revealed that executive functions do not affect academic attainment in Year 2, but inhibitory control is a significant factor predicting academic attainment in Year 4. Inhibitory control at the behavioral level is assessed as the level of manifestation of volitional quality in a child. A significant relationship was found in Year 4 between high scores in Reading and high scores in Music, Art, and Science. This indicates that central processes that underlie activities in these subjects are interconnected. Finally, it was found that a significant factor predicting academic attainment in Year 4 is the mark for Russian language in Year 2.

Perceived Halo Effect in Referee Evaluations in Sport: A Scale Development Study

This study was conducted to develop a scale that can measure the relationship between the Halo effect and the evaluations made by referees about athletes' performances, who should make subjective evaluations in sport competitions. The population of the study consisted of 247 referees who were on duty in various sports and in different classifications and who were registered for the year 2023. The items of the scale were produced by the researcher with the support of the literature and it was determined that the items provided content validity (CVI=0.925). After the pilot study, reliability analysis was performed and Alpha=0.970 was found. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to reveal the construct validity of the scale and Alpha=0.972 was found. The fit statistics calculated by confirmatory factor analysis were found to be compatible with the previously determined factor structure of the scale at an acceptable level. In the results of the analyses, it was determined that factor loadings were high, standard error values were low, t values were significant and the construct validity of the predetermined factor structure was confirmed. In addition, as a result of the item discrimination test, it was determined that the scale was able to make a sensitive discriminative measurement (p<0.05). It was found that the scale provided convergent and divergent validity (CR>AVE>0.5), ICC values related to the agreement between test-retest measurements were high, there was no difference between test-retest correlation values, and the scale made reliable measurements based on short time (p<0.05). As a result, it was concluded that the "Perceived Halo Effect Scale in Referee Evaluations in Sport" is a valid and reliable scale.

Expertise and specialization in organizations: a social network analysis

ABSTRACT Organizations rely on their employees’ expertise (i.e. very high domain-specific competence relative to peers) and specialization (i.e. moderate to high competence in tasks for which no direct peers are responsible) to foster innovation and knowledge-sharing processes. While previous research demonstrated the pivotal role of experts and specialists, there remains scant knowledge on their skill profiles and embeddedness in organizational networks. Employing social network analysis (N = 344), we explore the relationships between the reception of advice requests – quantified by in-degree centralities – and self-assessed skills, expertise, and specialization. The results suggest a halo effect, as proficiency in one skill bundle is related to advice requests in other skill bundles. Furthermore, we use an exponential random graph model (ERGM) to provide evidence of similarities in skills, tenure, and leadership responsibility between advice-giver and advice-seeker. Finally, we use optimal matching analyses to compare skill profiles of individuals in our sample with theoretically derived ideal types of skill profiles for experts and specialists. The study underscores the need to further investigate expertise and specialization, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between diverse knowledge carriers and skill profiles within career development, talent management, and knowledge management.

Public attitudes toward stuttering and cluttering in Chinese and Japanese speech-language pathology students

PurposeThis study utilized the Chinese and Japanese translations of the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes-Stuttering (POSHA–S) and Cluttering (POSHA–Cl) to compare the differences in (a) attitudes towards stuttering versus cluttering in speech-language pathology (SLP) students in either China or Japan, (b) attitudes of SLP students in China versus Japan towards either stuttering or cluttering, and (c) attitudes of Chinese and Japanese students versus international databases for stuttering and cluttering. MethodThe POSHA–S and POSHA–Cl were both administered to 99 SLP students from six universities in China and 352 SLP students from two universities in Japan. ResultsAttitudes toward stuttering were markedly different for Chinese versus Japanese students. Overall, stuttering attitudes were slightly more positive than cluttering attitudes in both countries; however, compared to China, Japanese SLP students attitudes toward stuttering and cluttering were more disimilar. In addition, compared with the international database, the attitudes of Chinese and Japanese SLP students toward self-reactions to both disorders were more positive. ConclusionChinese and Japanese SLP students’ attitudes toward both stuttering and cluttering are likely to be influenced by geography, culture, education, and the “halo effect.” The attitudes of the SLP students in China and Japan are more negative than the attitudes as shown in the global data.

Towards environmental impact of inward foreign direct investment: the moderating role of varieties of democracy

PurposeThis paper aims to clarify the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI), democracy and carbon intensity. This study examines the influence of types of democracy on the relationship between inward FDI and carbon intensity. For this purpose, it uses five varieties of democracy, including a composite democracy indicator as moderating variables.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies the fixed-effects panel quantile regression approach that considers unobserved heterogeneity and distributional heterogeneity using panel data from 160 countries during 1990–2020. By taking into account sudden changes in the volume of inward FDI, an event study is conducted across various sub-samples of democracy to check the robustness of the results.FindingsThe results show that FDI has a significantly negative impact on carbon intensity of the host country in the upper quantiles. In general, different types of democracy have a significant positive impact on carbon intensity across different quantiles. After considering the other factors, including industry intensity, trade openness, green technology, fossil fuel dependency and International Environmental Agreements, there is evidence that all types of democracy moderate the relationship between FDI and carbon intensity, thereby supporting the halo effect hypothesis. In addition, the interaction effects have a significant negative impact on carbon intensity of low- and high-carbon-intensive countries.Originality/valueThis paper offers several contributions to the literature on the effect of FDI and democracy on carbon intensity. This study overcomes the limitations related to the conceptualization and measurement of democracy found in the literature. While prior research has predominately concentrated on how democracy promotes the selection of FDI host-country locations, this study seeks to answer the question of whether democracy type has any effect on inward FDI, thus contributing to improving carbon intensity. Furthermore, this paper analyses the interaction effect on carbon intensity in different countries with different carbon intensity levels separately.

Ethical deployment of cognitive biases in marketing a framework for responsible influence

This paper examines the intersection of cognitive biases and ethical marketing practices, highlighting how psychological principles can influence consumer behavior within ethical boundaries. Cognitive biases such as scarcity bias, authority bias, the halo effect, and confirmation bias significantly shape consumer perceptions and decisions. However, their application in marketing raises complex ethical concerns, particularly regarding consumer autonomy and the potential for manipulation. This study proposes a conceptual framework that integrates ethical guidelines with marketing strategies that utilize cognitive biases. Through a comprehensive literature review and theoretical analysis, this paper outlines the implications of these biases in marketing, develops a set of ethical guidelines, and discusses the broader impacts on consumer trust and brand integrity. The findings give marketers practical insights for ethically harnessing cognitive biases, ensuring that marketing practices drive business success and maintain consumer respect and loyalty.

Dairy milk: There are alternatives but no equivalents.

Dairy milk is a core food in many food-based guides to healthy eating. However, plant-based milk alternatives are becoming increasingly available as substitutes. While these products serve a subset of the population unable or unwilling to consume milk, plant-based milk alternatives can be perceived by consumers as direct equivalents, or even more healthful alternatives to dairy milk. This commentary addresses the significant differences in nutrient content that may have implications for the intake of key nutrients in the case of direct substitutions. Furthermore, while there is a significant body of knowledge demonstrating the significant health benefits associated with dairy milk consumption and a small number of potentially negative associations, there is a paucity of data on the health benefits of plant-based milk alternatives directly. A "health halo" may exist based on matching individual nutrients through fortification, lower energy levels, and the health properties of the unprocessed raw characterizing ingredients of plant-based milk alternatives. This may mislead consumers regarding healthfulness. Similarly, environmental attributes based on volumes of production, without considering contribution to nutrients, may also skew consumer perception. Positioning of plant-based milk alternatives in food-based dietary guidelines, marketing, and personal recommendations should acknowledge the differences in nutritional, bioactive, and health properties between plant-based milk alternatives and dairy milk to ensure appropriate adaptations are made to account for shortfalls in nutrients.

Cannabinoid Content and Label Accuracy of Various Hemp-Derived Haircare, Cosmetic, and Edible Products Available at Retail Stores and Online in the United States.

Aim: To evaluate the label accuracy and content of various hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products (cannabinoid products with ≤0.3% Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]), as well as evaluate advertised claims on product labels. Methods: Hemp haircare, cosmetics, and food/drink products that were advertised to contain CBD were purchased from retail stores in the Baltimore, Maryland area (purchased in July 2020) and online (purchased in August 2020). Cannabinoid concentrations were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Percent deviations between labeled and actual CBD concentrations were determined. Label information such as references to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), external testing claims, and other claims (i.e., cosmetic or beauty, therapeutic, health halo effect, or "other") were quantified. Results: Ninety-seven products were purchased (35 in-store, 62 online). Of the 71 products with a specific total CBD amount on the label, 35 (49%) were underlabeled (>10% more CBD than advertised), 27 (38%) were overlabeled (>10% less CBD than advertised), and 9 (12.7%) were accurately labeled (within ±10% of labeled CBD). The median (range) percentage deviations were -53% (-100%-76%) for haircare products, +18% (-100%-1076%) for cosmetics, and -1% (-100%-4468%) for food/drinks. CBD label accuracy did not differ significantly between products with external testing claims versus those without (t40 = 0.23, p = 0.82). Overall, 24% of the 97 (total) products made a cosmetic or beauty claim (e.g., "skin looks more youthful"), 40% made a therapeutic claim (e.g., "pain relief"), and 86% made a health halo effect claim (e.g., "paraben-free," "dye-free," etc.). Most products (63%) did not include a disclaimer that claims had not been evaluated by the FDA. Conclusions: Most of the products included in this sample were inaccurately labeled for CBD content, including those claiming to have been tested by third party laboratories. A notable finding was that 10 products did not contain any CBD. Many products made therapeutic claims or used marketing tactics to seemingly convey they were safe/healthy, but only about one-third included disclaimers that these statements had not been evaluated by the FDA. These findings highlight the need for proper regulatory oversight of cannabinoid-containing products to ensure quality assurance and deter misleading or unfounded health claims in product marketing.