Tarek Mady

Can Sentiment Toward Advertising Explain Materialism and Vanity in the Globalization Era? Evidence From Dubai

ABSTRACT This report presents the first study to address sentiment toward advertising, materialism, and vanity in the globalized city of Dubai. A conceptual model is developed and subsequent hypotheses are tested via structural equation modeling. The main research findings suggest that consumers in Dubai exhibit positive perceptions of advertising as well as higher levels of materialism and vanity. Sentiment toward advertising is found to positively influence materialism levels, while materialism strongly influences views, concern for physical appearance, and personal achievement. Sentiment toward advertising, however, has no direct effect on any vanity trait, suggesting that vanity is more an internal personal trait.

Does It Pay to Be First? A Cross-National Comparison of Mature and Emerging Market Consumer Attitudes toward Pioneer and Follower Brands

ABSTRACT A number of hypotheses examining the underlying beliefs, attitudes, and purchasing intentions of mature- (American) and emerging- (Indian) market consumers as they relate to pioneering versus follower brands were developed and tested. The results indicate that while consumers in both countries have favorable attitudes toward the pioneer, Indian consumers tend to exhibit more positive perceptions in terms of both global and multi-attribute-based attitudes. The notable attitudinal difference between the markets reflects a significantly more positive preference for the pioneer brand on the part of Indian consumers. As such, being first in an emerging market and communicating pioneer status is more important than in a mature market.

When does a candidate’s inconsistency matter to the voter?: An experimental investigation

A review of the literature indicates that there is little research on how voters respond to candidates’ inconsistency on issues. Our study addresses this gap. We investigate whether voter response in terms of trust, attitude towards the candidate and intention to vote for the candidate is negatively influenced by a candidate’s inconsistency on an issue and by the voter’s attribution of the candidate’s motive to a genuine desire to benefit the voter or to a ruse to garner their vote. Further, it is investigated whether this negative impact is stronger when the issue is relevant to the voter; and whether the effect of inconsistency depends on the attribution and issue relevance. The hypotheses are tested by conducting an experiment with 242 subjects. Results indicate that there is a three-way interaction and the effects of inconsistency depend upon the attribution and relevance. The effects of inconsistency are found only in certain conditions based on relevance and attribution. Attribution, however, is found to have an impact on all three aspects of voter response regardless of relevance of the issue and voter attribution. Thus, many candidates who might be tempted to argue that they have been ‘not inconsistent’ might be better off explaining the reasons for their change in position. Limitations and suggestions for future research are provided.

From Sentiment Towards Advertising to Materialism and Vanity: An Assessment from the Middle Eastern Perspective

This paper presents the results of a study conducted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and aims to analyze the relationships between the concept of sentiment towards advertising, vanity and materialism. A conceptual framework is developed and analyzed via structural equation modeling.

Procurement performance and manufacturer-supplier relationships: A multivariate analysis in Kuwaiti manufacturing companies

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to report and contrast manufacturer–supplier relationships, supplier selection and procurement performance of two manufacturing sectors in Kuwait. The effect of supplier relationship and selection on the performance of the procurement function was also investigated. Design/methodology/approach – Surveys of supplier selection, supplier relationship and procurement performance are taken from 62 plants operating in 2 competitive manufacturing sectors in Kuwait (foods industry and refractors industry). The study utilizes multivariate and multi-regression analyses in understanding the effect of supplier relationship and selection on the performance of the procurement function. Findings – Findings indicate a significant effect of supplier relationship and supplier selection on a plant’s procurement performance. However, variance in plant size and/or industrial sector was found to not affect this relationship. Originality/value – Despite the significance of the Gulf states ...