A survey of 200 consumers found that unemployed people and those concerned about nutrition and dietary guidelines are more likely to use nutrition labels while shopping or at home. Other influences included education, time spent shopping, and special diet status. (SK)

Presents a straightforward method for evaluating lease versus borrow (buy) decisions illustrated with actual financing cost data reported to new car purchasers. States that individuals should consider after-tax cash flows associated with alternative arrangements, time in which cash flow occurs, and opportunity cost of capital to identify the least…

Household meal planners (n=1,498) were surveyed. Characteristics of those who perceive nutrition to be important in food shopping were as follows: black, female, higher education level, nonworking, and/or urban. Results could guide design of nutrition information and food marketing programs. (SK)

Some of a group of 143 consumers were given a choice between higher-priced, higher-quality items and items with lower price and quality but higher value index (benefit/cost tradeoff); others were given price and quality information only. Consumers were more likely to choose lower-priced, higher-value options when the index information was…

Data from 310 Korean college students (77.5 percent), when compared to a U.S. sample, revealed that (1) overall consumer decision-making styles are similar; (2) Brand Conscious and Perfectionist styles were in the top 3 in both groups; and (3) construct validity of most scales of the Consumer Style Index was confirmed. (SK)

Using a 2x2x2 factorial design, data from 282 respondents illustrate that people with more product knowledge ("experts") are more likely to be persuaded by complex than simple product information. "Novices" reacted similarly to simple and complex information. The type of information provided influences purchasing decisions. (SK)

Interviews with 48 consumers found that they desired moderate to high levels of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Precontemplators (n=16) did not base purchasing on CSR and contemplators (n=11) only moderately. The action group (n=8) had stronger beliefs about CSR but did not always purchase accordingly. Maintainers (n=9) practiced socially…

This study surveyed news sources and participants in an effort to understand consumer boycotts that occurred in the United States in the 1970-1980 period. Findings indicate that boycotts have involved an unusually wide variety of protest groups, target organizations, and social concerns in cities and states throughout the U.S. (Author/CT)

A study investigated the relationship between selected consumer and marketplace characteristics and consumers' prepurchase allocation of search time among information sources (product test reports; dealer sales representatives; advertisements; family and friends). The household production model proved useful; written educational materials appeared…

Responses from 547 of 2,000 consumers indicated consumer support for socially responsible purchasing. For 16%, "No-Sweat" labels indicating the working conditions of apparel makers were a strong purchasing influence. Women, especially unmarried females with lower educational attainment, were most likely to purchase clothing with No-Sweat…

The Secondary Learning Styles Inventory and the Consumer Styles Inventory were administered to 501 secondary home economics students. Factor analysis of the learning style characteristics from the sample of 482 found significant correlations between 21 of the 48 pairs of learning and decision-making characteristics. (SK)

This study examines the search for nutrition information from a broad group of sources, because prepurchase label reading appears to be only a small part of consumers' total search. The use of different information sources was analyzed using a cost-benefit model for search. (Author/CT)

Causal modeling of data from 406 college students who completed the Money Attitudes Scale showed that power-prestige, distrust (price sensitivity), and anxiety were significantly related to compulsive buying. Credit card use strengthened the relationship between these attitudes and compulsive buying. (SK)

The behavior variables in 67 studies of marketing and consumer behavior were analyzed; significant variables relevant to satisfying the needs of older consumers were identified. Meta analysis revealed such factors as price consciousness, use of information sources, habituated shopping, and age-related concerns useful in predicting the consumer…

Adolescents (n=353, 55% female) described their use of product levels and exposure to marketplace-related communication. Females used labels more and had greater exposure to communication, which influenced label use. Parents and peers were important sources of consumer learning. (SK)