Michael J. Dotson

Major influence factors in children's consumer socialization

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to first provide an overview of childrens spending power, media exposure, and identification with brand names in the usa along with an updated overview of the major findings in the consumer socialization literature, and to then provide an empirical explanation of how the consumer socialization process works with todays children.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a survey administered to 663 children, a factor analysis was performed on items designed to measure young peoples attitudes toward, and interaction with, the various consumer socialization agents and marketplace factors, including shopping and media usage behavior.Findings – Five major consumer socialization influence factors emerged: irrational social influence, importance of television, familial influence, shopping importance, and brand importance; and were used as dependent variables in subsequent analyses looking at the effects of a number of independent variables. Results indicate that the relativ...

Perceptions of real-estate brokers and buyers: A sales-orientation, customer-orientation approach

Abstract This study evaluated the extent to which real-estate brokers adhere to the marketing concept by engaging in customer-oriented selling. The 24-item SOCO scale and samples of 425 real-estate consumers and 190 real-estate brokers were used to find that conflicting perceptions exist relative to the degree to which the brokers and the buyers of residential real estate assess brokers as being customer oriented.

A comparison of parents' and children's knowledge of brands and advertising slogans in the United States: implications for consumer socialization

Research in the area of consumer socialization suggests that parents act in an agent–learner relationship with their preadolescent children and have the greatest influence on their young childrens purchase behaviour. The present study examines this assumption in light of changes in family roles and composition, media exposure and marketing efforts aimed at children. A cognitive recognition test of advertising slogans drawn from recent television commercials is used to determine knowledge levels of a sample of preadolescent children and their parents. Results suggest that children, beginning at age nine, have as much knowledge of advertising slogans as do their parents, even in product categories targeted at adults.

Consumer Perceptions of Department Store Service: a Lesson for Retailers

Reports on the difficulties currently faced by department stores. Argues that a return to a true service orientation is needed. Discusses consumer attitudes towards the service offered in such stores via the results of a focus group interview, ranking and perceptual mapping of store services. Offers managerial guidelines for implementing a successful service strategy.

The impact of intrinsic motivation on satisfaction with extrinsic rewards in a nursing environment

Abstract Nurses in a hospital located in Southern US were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the reward structures existent in their hospital. Reward structures were divided into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. The cluster analysis procedure partitioned the sample into two clusters based on their level of satisfaction with the hospitals reward structure. The analysis of variance procedure comparing scale responses on comfort, challenge, financial reward, relation with coworkers, resource adequacy, and promotion suggest nurses with a high degree of intrinsic motivation are more satisfied with extrinsic rewards.

The Allocation of Effort by Marketing Faculty Members: Teaching, Research, Service, and Consulting

Much evidence suggests that academicians consider research to be more important than teaching or service. The authors investigate (1) how marketing faculty members allocate their effort among teaching, research, service, and consulting, (2) differences in effort allocation patterns among marketing faculty members in various groups defined by individual and work environment variables, and (3) the relationship between marketing faculty members’ teaching effectiveness and job satisfaction and their effort allocation patterns. They offer specific administrative recommendations to enhance marketing education effectiveness.

An Empirical Analysis of Nurse Retention: What Keeps Rns in Nursing?

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effects of stress, economic factors, altruism, and value congruence on intentions to leave jobs and the nursing profession. BACKGROUND: Retaining nurses will be critical for healthcare organizations as the demand for nurses increases. Regulation and cost pressures are changing the nursing work environment. METHODS: We surveyed 861 RNs in the southeastern United States. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the survey. RESULTS: Results confirm the importance of stress and salaries and underscore the impact of both value congruence and altruism. Evidence shows a correlation between altruistic desires and intentions to leave the profession. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to retain nurses should include matching nurse and organizational values. Initiatives need to be undertaken to increase professional autonomy and provide opportunities for the expression of altruism. Further research is indicated to investigate the unexpected result that highly altruistic nurses are leaving the profession.

Should I stay or should I go?: Motivators, decision factors, and information sources influencing those predisposed to medical tourism

Abstract This exploratory study, employing a national sampling of persons in the USA, focused on a group of respondents who self-identified as willing to consider seeking medical care abroad, otherwise known as medical tourism. To learn more about how such individuals approach the decision of whether to engage in medical tourism, they were surveyed regarding their motivations to do so, the decision factors they would consider important, and the information sources they would consult. In addition, the study sought to determine if these responses differed across several variables, such as: (a) the nature of the medical condition for which treatment is sought (life threatening, serious but not life threatening, medically optional or life enhancing), (b) prior international travel experience and prior receipt of care abroad, (c) confidence that their health insurance was sufficient to cover current and future medical needs, (d) risk aversion, and (e) a number of basic demographic variables. The results contribute to limited empirical research on the consumer decision-making process of those considering medical tourism. Findings provide tentative guidance to countries and healthcare providers marketing their services to medical tourists, as well as to domestic healthcare providers either competing against or referring patients to medical tourism options.

Addressing the Nursing Shortage: A Critical Health Care Issue

This article explores factors that influence a nurses choice between working in a rural and an urban area. Understanding how nurses make the choice of which type of environment is critical to addressing this shortage, especially in these hardest hit rural areas. A comprehensive literature review suggested a number of factors worthy of investigation. These factors were assessed through six focus groups and a survey. Results suggest that native geographic preferences dominate, but that value congruence, economics, work facilities and stress all play a significant role in the decision when choosing between an urban and rural work environment.

Traveling with the Family Dog: Targeting an Emerging Segment

More Americans currently consider their dogs as part of their families and are more frequently including them in their travel plans. This study examines this phenomenon and the implications for the marketers of travel-related products and services. Empirical findings show that while over half of those surveyed report traveling with their dogs, many are unaware of the increasing dog-friendliness of the hospitality industry. Also, those traveling with their dogs are more likely to be risk takers, perceive that traveling with dogs is more convenient, and are more likely to see dogs as members of the family.