Carolyn Folkman Curasi

Older Consumers' Disposition of Special Possessions

This article explores precipitating events, emotions, and decisions associated with older consumers’ disposition of special possessions. Findings are based on analyses of semistructured interviews with 80 older consumers, complemented by depth interviews with seven informants. Cherished possessions and their disposition play a significant role in older consumers’ reminiscence and life review. Concerns about disposition of special possessions involve strong and ambivalent emotions. Older consumers voice concern over avoiding intrafamilial conflict, reducing uncertainty, and exercising control over the future life of special possessions. We emphasize the storied nature of the meanings consumers attach to their cherished possessions and the way in which these storied meanings are bundled with life review and disposition concerns. Many older consumers attempt to control meanings transferred with cherished possessions. They seek to pass on personal and familial legacies, achieve symbolic immortality, insure a ...

Patronage motives of mature consumers in the selection of food and grocery stores

We live in an aging society, thus, it is important for businesses to develop a solid understanding of the older consumer. The food and grocery store industry is no exception since mature consumers spend more money on the average at food stores than their younger aged counterparts. Because there are marked differences within the large, mature consumer market, different marketing strategies are required even within this market to ensure the greatest success. This research employs a random, nation‐wide, sample of 10,500 names of household heads drawn from seven age categories. The literature from a wide range of disciplines was examined to explore factors and events affecting preferences and motives in the selection of food stores. Using factor analysis, four gerontological segments resulted that best describe the mature consumer market. Marketing strategies are offered suggesting how to most effectively appeal to older consumers in general as well as more precise strategies for successfully appealing to the four gerontological segments.

From prisoners to apostles: a typology of repeat buyers and loyal customers in service businesses

Research in customer satisfaction over the past decade has lead to a much richer understanding of service quality and customer expectations. In trying to untangle the linkage between satisfied customers and long‐term success for the organization, however, attention has evolved from a focus on customer satisfaction to a realization that retaining customers and developing loyalty are essential for organizational success. This interpretive investigation focuses on customer retention and loyalty in an effort to understand better these variables in the context of service organizations. In so doing we review the rise of managerial concern for customer retention and loyalty and examine the definitions and relationships of these constructs. Then, to develop a richer understanding of repeat buyers, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with consumers identifying themselves as “loyal”. A typology of loyalty is offered consisting of five levels of repeat buyers, ranging from “prisoners” to “apostles”. Additionally, the managerial implications of this typology are discussed.

A Critical Exploration of Face-to Face Interviewing vs. Computer-Mediated Interviewing:

Since the early 1990s, the internet has dominated the attention of the media, academics and business organisations. It has the potential of being a revolutionary way to collect primary and secondary data, although much more research is needed to learn how to better harness its strengths. This project compares depth interviews collected online with depth interviews conducted face-to-face. Advantages and disadvantages are highlighted, as well as suggested strategies for successfully collecting online data. Major points are illustrated using data from a project in which both data collection techniques are employed. The online interview dataset included some of the strongest and some of the weakest interviews in the investigation. This paper argues that under some conditions online depth interviews can provide a useful complement to the traditional face-to-face interview. Sampling frame problems of non-representativeness, endemic in quantitative online data collection, is not problematic if the researcher is conducting an interpretive investigation. When the researchers goal is not to quantify or generalise but instead to better understand a particular population, online data collection can complement other datasets, allow data triangulation and strengthen the trustworthiness of the findings.

Patronage Motives of Mature Consumers in the Selection of Food and Alcoholic Beverage Brands

Abstract We live in an aging society with unprecedented demographic changes underway. Consumer product manufacturers will benefit by better understanding this growing and diverse segment of our population since mature consumers spend more money on the average on food and beverages than their younger aged counterparts. In this investigation we employ a random, nation-wide, mailed questionnaire sent to a sample of 10,500 head of households. Using factor analysis, four gerontological segments result that best describe the mature consumer market. Marketing strategies are offered for successfully appealing to the four gerontological segments.

The Relative Influences of Neutralizing Behavior and Subcultural Values on Academic Dishonesty

The author examined the influence of neutralizing techniques and subcultural values on academic dishonesty using a sample of 327 ethnically diverse business majors. Findings suggest that both neutralizing behavior and subcultural norms are correlated with academic dishonesty; however, neutralization techniques have a stronger association. Findings suggest the importance of clearly communicating behavior standards to combat neutralizing behavior, and the importance of implementing measures to increase the ethicality of the overall subcultural group.

Ritual desire and ritual development: An examination of family heirlooms in contemporary North American Households

Contents: C.P. Haugtvedt, Series Foreword. Contributor Biographies. C.C. Otnes, T.M. Lowrey, Preface. Part I: Consumer Rituals and the Media. J.M. Wolburg, D. Treise, Drinking Rituals Among the Heaviest Drinkers: College Student Binge Drinkers and Alcoholics. R.L. Grimes, Consuming Ritual: A&Es Sacred Rites and Rituals. Part II: Holidays and Consumption. W. Shrum, Ceremonial Disrobement and Moral Choice: Consumption Rituals at Mardi Gras. E.H. Pleck, Kwanzaa: The Making of a Black Nationalist Tradition, 1966-1990. M.A. McGrath, The Evolution, Transformation, and Demise of a Ritual: The Case of May Day. T.M. Lowrey, C.C. Otnes, Consumer Fairy Tales of the Perfect Christmas: Villains and Other Dramatis Personae. Part III: Wedding Rituals Across Cultures. M.R. Nelson, S. Deshpande, Love Without Borders: An Examination of Cross-Cultural Wedding Rituals. O. Sandicki, B.E. Ilhan, Dowry: A Cherished Possession or an Old-Fashioned Tradition in a Modernizing Society? Part IV: Gift Exchange. J.A. Ruth, Gift Exchange Rituals in the Workplace: A Social Roles Interpretation. D.B. Wooten, S.L. Wood, In the Spotlight: The Drama of Gift Reception. C.F. Curasi, E.J. Arnould, L.L. Price, Ritual Desire and Ritual Development: An Examination of Family Heirlooms in Contemporary North American Households. Part V: Pushing the Boundary of Ritual. J-S. Marcoux, Moving on to Something Else: The Social Relations of Women During Separation. J.F. Sherry, Jr., R.V. Kozinets, Sacred Iconography in Secular Space: Altars, Alters, and Alterity at the Burning Man Project. Part VI: Afterword. D.W. Rook, Interesting Stuff: A Commentary on Contemporary Consumption Rituals.