W. Wayne Talarzyk

Retailing and Online Consumer Information Services (OLCISs)

Based on the attitudes, opinions, predictions and insights provided by the USA and global key informants in the study, as well as recent activities in the marketplace, it seems likely that retailing and distribution will be impacted by growing consumer interest in, adoption of, and involvement with OLCISs. Around this premiss focuses on three questions: (1) where are we at the present time with OLCISs?; (2) where does a sample of key informants think we are headed?; and (3) what will need to happen to help us get there? On the basis of information and suggestions from informants and the authors′ personal experiences and insights, offers recommendations for needed changes in areas such as industry and systems, perceived price/value, service and product, marketing and education, and ease of use.

Profiling bankamericard (visa) and master charge holders

Recently, legislation affecting the granting of credit, and the desire of many banks to become dual issuers of the two national bank cards (Bank Americard (Visa) and Master Charge), have created a need for more information about bank credit cards and the holders of either or both of these two national cards. Both bankers and retailers are interested in knowing more about the market segments holding one or both of these cards, and whether or not there is any difference in theusage of credit between holders of either or both cards. This paper compares the socioeconomic characteristics, attitudinal response, and credit usage of a nationwide probability sample of Americans who possess one or both of these two national bank credit cards.

Profiling Consumer Communication of Complaints About Clothing Performance

Consumer propensity to communicate complaints about clothing performance to the retailer was investigated in relation to a variety of consumer characteristics including demographics; activities, interests, and opinions (AIOs); textile product knowledge; and product experience. Data were obtained from questionnaires completed by 543 women over 18 years of age residing in the Colum bus, Ohio, area. Data were analyzed using factor analysis, stepwise multiple regression analysis, multiple discriminant analysis and correlations. Communicators and noncommunicators of complaints about clothing performance differed in their personal characteristics. Noncommunicators disliked taking complaint action, were shy and lacking self confidence, lacked knowledge of textile selection and care, and were willing to overlook defects. In addition, communicators had higher incomes than noncommunicators. Thus the research gave additional support to the premise that many consumers do not complain to the retailer when products fail to perform satisfactorily.

Applying the marketing concept to design new products

Abstract This article is an empirical application of the marketing concept in the design of new product offerings in the area of religious instructional materials. The general approach and methodology of this research should be appropriate for many types of consumer products and organizations. The marketing concept was applied to the design of religious instructional materials in this study through an empirical investigation of the values, attitudes, and perceived needs of key market populations. The study consisted of determination of perceived needs for alternative topics, identification of educational themes around which specific topics could be integrated into instructional packages, and assessment of the importance of these themes across alternative market segments. A total of 1161 respondents (464 pastors and 697 lay members) completed a mail questionnaire which solicited their perceptions of themselves and the domain of the church in their lives. Respondents also indicated the level of importance they placed on alternative instructional topics. The data were analyzed through the use of multivariate techniques to provide understanding and interpretation of the perceived needs of alternative market segments. Results of the analyses were very useful in determining which instructional packages to develop and the target markets for each package.

A Model for Researching Computer Assisted Cutoff Processes: An Exploratory Study

A computer-assisted cutoff model is presented. The model is positioned as an inexpensive/ flexible, and theoretically justified tool for studying cutoff based decision aids. Examples of screen displays and a discussion about how the model can be used to track decision processes are provided. Finally, an exploratory study addresses problems researchers might face when using the model and recommendations for future applications are detailed.