Carol Felker Kaufman

Exploring More Than 24 Hours a Day: A Preliminary Investigation of Polychronic Time Use

The present exploratory study investigates the concept of polychronic time use through the development and preliminary testing of a proposed scale, the Polychronic Attitude Index (PAI). Polychronic time use is defined and reviewed in relation to role overload and household demographic characteristics. When a sample of consumers in New Jersey was surveyed, both the PAI and role overload were found to be related to different types of polychronic time use. Overall, this research demonstrates that the concept of polychronic time use contributes to our understanding of consumer behavior and raises questions worthy of future research. Copyright 1991 by the University of Chicago.

Time congruity in the organization: A proposed quality-of-life framework

The present paper examines the importance of matching thetime styles of individuals with thetime styles established by organizations. The authors introduce the notion oftime congruity to represent such a matching process. While time use has been studied in both organizational and individual contexts, lesser attention has been given to such multi-level analysis. When the individuals self time preferences are matched to the time use methods of the organization, a fit is thought to exist, potentially leading to satisfactory performance and enhancement of quality of work and general life. A framework is proposed for identifying and exploring such congruity, leading to several research propositions. Managerial implications are developed for human resource issues and business combinations, such as joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions.

A new look at one‐stop shopping: a TIMES model approach to matching store hours and shopper schedules

One‐stop shopping has been identified as a major goal of many contemporary shoppers in today’s society. One‐stop shopping tends to imply that all of a shopper’s needs can be filled in one step, all at one time, suggesting that the proper assortment in each store is a must, and a desirable mix of stores should be assembled at one convenient location. A recent study conducted for the International Council of Shopping Centers revealed that the concept of one‐stop shopping is also related directly to the match of store hours with shopper schedules. Examines the hours and schedule matching aspect of one‐stop shopping within a framework called the TIMES model, which considers specifically the relation between shoppers’ resources and their choice of shopping centers. Presents the results of a study of perceived shopping‐center problems and gives managerial recommendations for targeting consumers who seek one‐stop shopping opportunities.

Shop ′til you drop: tales from a physically challenged shopper

Consumer behavior is the behavior of people – at home, in the store, on the street – just about everywhere people are thinking about, purchasing, using and being satisfied or dissatisfied with their products. Consumer researchers have captured the experiences and perceptions of such real people in the study of decision processes, feelings, and reactions as individuals and as part of families and other groups. Some of those everyday shoppers, however, may be challenged by disabilities, affecting the products which are purchased and where these purchases take place. The study of consumer behavior can be further enriched by developing a program for conceptual evaluation and actual research focussing on the special and everyday needs of such challenged shoppers. Such a perspective leads to the possibility for uncovering product, advertising, and retail opportunities which better meet the needs and wants of such customers.

Understanding consumer information needs: the impact of polychronic time use

Abstract Consumers in the Telecommunications Age want information now: they want it fast; they want it simple; they want it cheaply; and, more importantly, they often want it while doing something else. How they will obtain that information, however, is a matter of intense debate. Design questions must take into account how people use their time, how they process and combine information gathering methods, and how they arrange their living space. A simple fact remains: people want information available through the appliances they use every day in the mainstream of their daily lives. In the present paper, we examine the results of three studies on polychrnic, or simultaneous, time use to offer suggestions to the consumer electronics industry.

In Pursuit of the Nomadic Viewer

Points out that numerous studies have attempted to understand the behavior of television viewers. Gone are the days when the entire family gathered around the television, paying rapt attention to the programming. Suggests that the television as “family hearth” has been replaced, as viewers are more aptly characterized as “nomadic”, wandering from channel to channel, from room to room, and from activity to activity. Reports on an in‐depth study of the activities, patterns of behavior, locations of viewing, and attitudes of everyday consumers toward television in the 1990s. Multiple observational methods were used, ranging from unobtrusive observation of viewing, sketches made by viewers of their television viewing location, and focus group interviews. Findings suggest that advertising not only competes with other television shows for the consumer′s attention, but also competes with a multitude of activities, interruptions, and even other televisions within the same or adjacent rooms. Such findings pose a m...

Psychological Time Perspective Differences: A Look at Young Malaysians and Americans using the Fast Scale

Research was conducted on the psychological time perspectives of Malaysian and U.S. students to better understand the differences between the two groups and to provide the bases for a discussion of consumer behavior and future research implications. The “FAST” test, suggested by Settle and Alreck (1991), was the four dimensional measurement tool used. It was found that differences in psychological perspective exist in such areas as future/past orientation, sense of boredom, activity levels, need to plan/schedule and staying with a task until done. Consumer behavior and future research implications are offered.

Finding TIMES in Household Technologies

Practitioners and researchers have sought an understanding of tradeoffs and uses of consumer resources. It is a challenge throughout the product lifecycle and the whole consumer buying and consumption process. Combinations of methodologies are explored to broaden the knowledge of how technologies in the home are used within the context of multiple consumer resources.