Kimball P. Marshall

Has Technology Introduced New Ethical Problems

Drawing on William F. Ogburns cultural lag thesis, an inherent conflict is proposed between the rapid speed of modern technological advances and the slower speed by which ethical guidelines for utilization of new technologies are developed. Ogburns cultural lag thesis proposes that material culture advances more rapidly than non-material culture. Technology is viewed as part of material culture and ethical guidelines for technology utilization are viewed as an adaptive aspect of non-material culture. Cultural lag is seen as a critical ethical issue because failure to develop broad social consensus on appropriate applications of modern technology may lead to breakdowns in social solidarity and the rise of social conflict. Reasons for cultural lag between technology and ethics include the social structural and market conditions under which each are developed. The thesis is illustrated by reviews of technological trends involving computer-telecommunications electronics and bio- genetic engineering, and the implications of these and other technologies for privacy rights, electronic commerce, control of essential resources and social definitions of life are discussed.

SERVPERF Utility for Predicting Neighborhood Shopping Behavior

ABSTRACT Marketers addressing customer perceptions of service quality have developed the SERVQUAL and SERVPERF scales and have shown these to be correlates of perceived service quality in a variety of consumer industries including retail shopping. This study applies SERVPERF items to urban community development issues by considering the utility of the SERVPERF items in predicting a propensity to shop neighborhood stores as compared to a propensity to shop in areas outside the neighborhood. The results suggest specific SERVPERF issues that may influence neighborhood shopping.

Stimulating Government Technology Commercialization: A Marketing Perspective for Technology Transfer

ABSTRACT Federal legislation in the United States mandates that technology developed by federal government agencies must demonstrate socioeconomic benefits to justify the expenditure of funds as part of their fiduciary capacity. The mandate is operationalized by requiring federally funded agencies to seek socioeconomic benefits for the nation by developing programs designed to transfer government sponsored or developed technologies to the private sector. This mandate has led to substantial increase in the amount of technology transfer efforts by agencies, with limited results. Challenges include both the recruitment of firms to participation in technology transfer programs and weak efforts by recruited firms to fully commercialize products. This article posits that a marketing exchange approach to technology transfer will facilitate successful technology transfer and commercialization. A conceptual framework is presented from which to view government technology transfer efforts.

The Myth of the Monolithic Minority: The Renewed Call for Effective Segmentation of African American Consumers

While effective segmentation strategies have been developed for targeting the majority market, African American consumers have either been included in general market segmentation, or regarded as a separate, monolithic whole. This paper utilizes an historical/sociological approach to examine diversity among African Americans, and advocates research that explores the diverse segments among African American consumers.

Developing a Model for Government Technology Transfer Programs

United States legislation mandates that technology developed by federal government agencies demonstrate socioeconomic benefits to justify the expenditure of taxpayer funds. This mandate has led to substantial increase in the amount of technology transfers, with limited results. This paper suggests that the application of marketing-exchange will facilitate successful technology transfer.

Manufacturing Executives’ Views of Competitive Challenges That Affect International Trade

United States competitiveness programs emphasize production, finance, and worker training but neglect marketing. This paper reviews data from 544 manufacturing executives regarding the challenges that face their companies and the impacts of these challenges on international sales. The findings validate current policies but also reveal marketing issues that should be addressed in international competitiveness policies.

Viewpoint: Preparing for Change in Computer Education for Business

Abstract To adequately prepare students to take advantage of the changing world of computing, we must encourage students to become technological innovators and risk takers. This article reviews the characteristics of innovators and early adopters of technologies and suggests challenges and opportunities that anticipated changes in computing offer business educators.