Business Commons^™

The Psychodynamic Limits Of Fractured Relationships: When Emotional Tensile Strength Is Broken, Mary F. Mobley, Micheal C. Mobley

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The Special Session will address factors that lead to the disintegration of once strong partnerships and alliances and outline the psychodynamic limits that lead to fractured relationships. Behavioral constructs employed in a psychiatric medicine setting will be discussed relative to their heuristic value in strategic relationship management setting. Further, the concept of emotional tensile strength will be explored.

The Effect Of Culture On Consumers’ Attitude Towards Online Shopping, Atefeh Yazdanparast

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Consumers' attitude towards online shopping is the key to survival and profitability of online retailers in today's competitive market. The purpose of this exploratory research is to provide a deeper understanding of the role of culture on the adoption of online shopping. To this end, the Technology Acceptance Model(TAM) is adopted and then extended by examining the effect of trust and perceived e-vendors' reputation on consumers' attitude toward online shopping using US and non-US samples. The results indicate that culture plays a moderating role in the relations among antecedents and consequences of attitude toward online shopping. It can be concluded …

Spirituality: A Multidimentional Construct And Its Implications For Marketing, Emna Zouari

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The present paper deals with the spiritual value that controls the brain activity of many thinkers as well as with the various definitions and characteristics tied up with it. The ultimate scope throughout this essay is to point out the multi-facets aspect of spirituality. Indeed, spirituality encompasses a personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal context. It revealed thus to be a multidimensional construct, entailing four dimensions namely meaningfulness of life (the goal of one’s living), interconnectedness with people (the various relationships that one nourishes with others), transcendence (feeling of an inexplicable supernatural and divine power) and self-renewal (the relationship with one’s self)

Organizational Ethics: The Ethical Beliefs Of Marketing Managers In Trinidad And Tobago, Mohammed Y. A. Rawwas

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

As a result of the recent corporate scandals involving Bernard Madoff, AIG, Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, Health- South, Martha Stewart, and the Wall Street analysts and the accounting firms (such as Arthur Andersen) that supported them, a growing concern has emerged about the quality of today's marketing managers' ethical beliefs. Epistemologists contend that belief is an ethical process that is susceptible to the intellectual virtue or vice of one's own life and personal experiences. Open-mindedness, curiosity, careful thinking, creativity, and intellectual courage are the foundations of epistemic virtues. Closed-mindedness, intellectual overconfidence, intellectual conformity, and wishful thinking are among epistemic vices. The …

Revolutionizing The Market: Electronic Branding Strategies Within Ncaa Fbs Athletic Departments, Coyte G. Cooper, Richard M. Southall, Matthew Cooper

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Increasing competition for the discretionary dollar of sport consumers has created an environment where sport organizations are forced to find strategies to differentiate themselves from the competition (Mullin, Hardy, and Sutton, 2007; Ross, 2007). One rapidly growing platform that sport organizations are now utilizing is e-branding. However, segments of the sport industry are in the infancy stages of developing long- standing practices for communication via new technology (de Chernatony & Christoudoulides, 2004). The purpose of this study was to explore the technologies that Division I FBS athletic departments (N = 64) implement to build their brand image with consumers. The …

A Fighting Chance: The Struggle Of A Historically Black College Athletic Program, James W. Satterfield

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the social dynamics surrounding a Historically Black College and University and its local community. The following research questions helped guide this study. What is the perception of South University’s athletic program in the local community? And What is the Community's relationship with South University Three focus group interviews were conducted, each with seven participants as well as semi-structured interviews. It became clear through the course of focus groups and individual interviews that the sociological nature of the relationship between South University and its local community was institutionalized along racial …

Business Programs In Study Abroad: A Reconsideration, Susan Carley, Randy S. Stuart, M. P. Dailey

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

In acknowledgement of the importance of fostering a global perspective in their students, business educators stress the role that international study can play in increasing interpersonal skills and also broadening knowledge of global business practices. Traditionally offered as semester- or year- long programs, today’s study abroad programs are more often short-term in nature, raising questions about student outcomes of abbreviated study tours. This longitudinal study of students who participated over a nine-year period examines the benefits and limitations of short-term study tours. Results suggest that schools of business may want to think again about desired student outcomes and learning objectives …

Gift Cards And Gift Giving: Research Notes From The Field, Melek Meral Meral Anitsal, Ismet Anitsal, Sara E. Taylor

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Gift cards are rapidly emerging as a trend in the retail marketplace. However, this emerging phenomenon of consumers’ preference of gift cards has not been explored thoroughly yet. The objective of the current study is to understand consumer reactions to gift cards in terms of their impact in gift giving and gift receiving relationships. Specifically, this research seeks to answer the following research objectives: (1) How gift givers and receivers perceive gift cards; (2) What roles of gift cards play in gift giving rituals; and (3) What meanings gift cards communicate for receivers and givers.

Dimensions Of Event Quality Associated With High School Football Games: Scale Development, Kevin K. Byon, Matthew Ziemnik, Eddie Lam, James J. Zhang

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The current study was the first attempt to develop a scale that measures high school football event quality that could lead to sport consumption. With continued improvement of the scale, the EQS-HSF has great potential to be a valuable marketing tool to examine sport consumption behavior associated with high school football games.

Sporting Change: Greening The Ballpark, Steve Greenberg, Anthony Taormina, Robert Sroufe

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Sustainable construction achieves the dual aim of reducing building carbon emissions while reducing lifecycle maintenance and long-term operating costs of the facility. This exploratory research aims to address the gap between the growing development of commercial LEED real estate buildings and sports and entertainment venues, while developing a framework for LEED Certification in New Ballparks. Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, located in State College, Pennsylvania, opened in 2006 as the first LEED certified stadium in the world. Sustainable design features include automatic plumbing fixtures, a gray water system, automatic lighting, public transportation hubs, and use of recycled and local construction …

The Portrayal Of Native American Stereotypes: A Semiotic Analysis Of Sports Logos Overtime, May Aung, Jordana King, Kyle Kivimaki, Ryan Kolten, Scott Mccreary, Kevin O'Doherty, Alyssa Rodrigo

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Mascots and logos play a crucial role in the branding of sports teams. When establishing a logo, organizations want a sign or symbol that is meaningful and widely recognizable. This study examines the portrayal of Native American Indian stereotypes within sport team logos of the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves, the Washington Redskins, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Syracuse Orange, and the Illinois Illini over a 90 year period. The study consists of a semiotic analysis of six major sports team logos, their logo changes and a review of external factors over time. Practical implications as well as future research are …

Student Evaluations Of Academic Integrity And Business Behaviors In Private And Public Universities, Stephen S. Batory, Anne H. Batory, Dean Frear

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

This article investigates the potential influence of college environment on student attitudinal and behavioral development. The influence of academic integrity issues is compared between students attending private and public universities. Student attitudes toward ethical business behaviors and academic issues such as the likelihood of academic dishonesty detection, the perceived effects of academic cheating, peer norms and past behavior are examined. The two groups report a very different pattern of responses. Students at private universities report lower cheating, plagiarizing, and committing other acts of dishonesty compared to students in public universities. Students in private universities are more aware of students being …

Retiring Workers Could Present A Problem For Marketers, Even In A Recession, Eileen D. Weisenbach Keller, Doris M. Shaw

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Today's workforce is aging fast. The tacit knowledge held by those approaching retirement is necessary for firms to compete in the increasingly competitive marketplace. While some research has been devoted to how older workers view their retirement will impact the workplace, minimal attention has been given to how younger workers view this issue. As companies strive to remain market-driven, this paper examines how younger personnel view the impact of retirement on their employers and the impending brain drain. A discussion of implications for the marketing function within firms also is provided.

An Investigation Of The Relationships Among Market Power, Industry Concentration And Industry Share, Rick Mathisen, Tom Miller

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

In a previous study the authors investigated the relationship of market power to advertising investments, R&D investments and industry concentration. The findings revealed that although there was a positive correlation between market power and both advertising and R&D investments, there was a negative correlation to industry concentration.

The current study investigates the relationships between market power, industry concentration and industry share. Market power indicates the ability of a firm to have higher gross margins in a firm macro measure. Traditional market power measures at the micro level indicate the ability to increase the difference between price and marginal cost. This …

Why Hispanic Women Wear What They Wear, Maria-Gracia Inglessis

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

This paper is an exploration of how Hispanic women communicate their identity through clothing and how cultural values affect how they shop for clothes. Based on in-depth interviews with Hispanic women in Florida, this study demonstrates that Latinas retain overtime a set of values characteristic of the traditional Hispanic culture. This study also reveals that Hispanic women are high self-monitors and enjoy the experience of discovery when they shop. Specific implications for marketers are offered.

The Role Of Recovery Marketing To Recapture A Sport Market Over The Past Decade: From Travel And Tourism To Professional And Amateur Sport Business, Eric C. Schwarz

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Recovery marketing can be defined as the actual or possible regaining, restoration, or improvement of something lost or taken away as a result of a significantly negative situation or event through the transfer of goods and services from producers to consumers. This article seeks to elaborate on the concept of recovery marketing historically and in terms of the sport industry, and how sport marketing efforts can be utilized in various situations to recuperate from negative scenarios. In addition, suggestions will be presented to aid sport marketing professionals in the creation of a recovery marketing plan for their organization.

Assessing Sport-Sales Training Effectiveness: Development Of A Baseline Sample, Richard M. Southall

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The majority of entry-level positions within the sport industry fall in the area of sales. Yet, only recently have sport-management programs begun to offer courses devoted to sales education and training. The discipline of sales provides an ideal opportunity to incorporate experiential-based learning. While several recent articles have examined the application of experiential-learning based learning to courses focused on ticket sales, this article presents the results of the first systematic assessment of such courses’ effectiveness. Specifically, this paper presents the results of evaluation of sales-training programs that incorporate Southall, Nagel, LeGrande, and Han's (2003) metadiscrete experiential learning model and the …

Collegiate Basketball Season-Ticket Holders’ Purchasing Motivation And Interests, Steve Shih-Chia Chen, Jennifer Mark

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

This study examined the ticket purchasing motivation and interests of 334 season-ticket holders (199 males, 135 females) from two NCAA Division-I regional state institutions. The participants’ purchasing motivation and interests were surveyed onsite in the 2008-9 season by utilizing a12-item self-created instrument with a high level of internal reliability. The results indicated that the participants’ ticket purchasing motivation was mainly influenced by the competition and psycho-social related factor (CPR) and price and promotion (P&P) factor. The researchers further addressed the unique aspects in promoting regional Division-I basketball programs, and limitations and directions for future studies.

Expert To Matrix Learning: A Comparison Of Graduate Versus Undergraduate, Renee Fontenot

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The process use of expert-to-matrix learning is explained and then exampled across undergraduate principles of marketing classes and a graduate foundations of marketing course. Through expert-to-matrix learning students practice teamwork, presentation, and critical thinking skills. The technique is an example of cooperative learning, where students discuss concepts, seek explanations, and develop a common response to objectives that they present to others. They gain positive learning benefits like empowerment and responsible association. Matrix learning maximizes performance, morale, and well being of students. Teams are evaluated on the thoroughness and quality of their shared understanding of daily course objectives through class presentations. …

Rebates And Reward Programs: Conflicting Drivers, Michael Mccall, Clay Voorhees, Carol L. Bruneau, Aimee Dars Ellis

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Rebate programs and customer reward programs have evolved almost side by side within the hospitality, tourism, services and retailing sectors. Interestingly, they both share a common theme of delaying rewards for consumers. In each case consumers are motivated to purchase a good or service contingent upon a reward that is delayed until a later time. At present there has been little research that examines how these programs function together and whether when implemented in tandem that they might actually be in conflict. An online survey was completed by 68 members of a shopping blog that asked about their participation and …

Provider And Customer Response To The Service Environment: A Field Experiment, Kendra Fowler, Eileen Bridges

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

This research extends service theory by examining the relationship between providers and customers in an actual retail setting. Findings indicate that employee evaluations of the service environment improve in the presence of a pleasant, congruent ambient scent; providers are also more courteous and customers more friendly. Most importantly, provider mood states act as moderators of the relationships between the service environment and employee attitude as well as customer perceptions of employee behavior. Implications for managers include careful consideration of whether it is desirable to introduce ambient scent, and how to reduce the impact of negative employee mood states.

Loyalty Cards: A Review Of The Research And Suggestions For Future Research, David J. Burns

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Several larger retailers have adopted loyalty cards as a means to acquire information to better serve their customers. To participate in a loyalty card program, consumers must provide a significant amount of personal information to the retailer. How aware are consumers of the data which they are providing retailers by using loyalty cards? How aware are they of how their information is being used? The purpose of this paper is to begin to raise these issues.

Business Consulting: A Marketing Strategy For The Entrepreneur, Anne Marie Klein

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The purpose of this study is to propose a framework of a marketing strategy for business consulting entrepreneurs. Although research related to entrepreneurial marketing for business-consulting firms is minimal, the intent is to create a foundation for additional research. With a case study research methodology and a review of the literature on entrepreneurial marketing, this study synthesizes this research into a framework for entrepreneurs to create a marketing strategy for their business consulting firms. Albeit in its infancy, entrepreneurs of business-consulting firms may be able to glean important marketing elements for the creation of a marketing strategy.

Sample Frames Vs. Data Quality: When Research Panels Are From A Client And A Research Firm, Michael Latta

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Clients, academics, and marketing research practitioners are concerned about sample frames and their relationships to data quality. In addition, clients sponsoring marketing research surveys are concerned about data collection period length. Typically, brand managers pressure research suppliers to quickly find solutions to the research problem. This study provides real world data on a survey among 504 female consumers. Two sample frames were involved: 1) a Volunteer Access Panel (VAP) and 2) a Non-Volunteer Access Panel (NVAP). The use of two sample frames reduced the field time for the client, provided lower costs, and added value in meeting rapid response requirements.

At The Intersection Of Politics & Consumption: A Review Of Ethical Shopping In America, Julie M. Pharr

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

This paper condenses the existing literature on ethical shopping in the United States with the goal of providing an up-to-date review of the topic. It profiles the ethical shopper and distinguishes the various institutions and instruments of political consumerism evident in the Fair Trade movement. It also provides recommendations for more rigorous study of moral consumer behavior and implications for implementing fair trade marketing strategies.

College Students' Choice Criteria Of Retail Banks, Charles Blankson, Trang Phuc Tran

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

The purpose of this research is to develop a scale identifying American college students’ choice criteria of retail banks. It is an exploratory study that complements extant studies on retail bank selection. The reliability of the scale was assessed using exploratory factor analysis and serves as a prelude to further empirical validation analysis. The results present four distinct factors important in the selection of retail banks, namely, "convenience", "competence”, “recommendation by parents" and "free banking - no bank charges". It concludes by discussing managerial contributions, limitations and future research directions.

A Tale Of Two Worlds: A Second Life For Higher Education?, Daniel Demaiolo, Donna Walsh

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

This exploratory research investigates the virtual world industry, explanations for its growth and emerging trends for entrepreneurial ventures and marketing communications. It then explores the effectiveness of operating and promoting higher education in Second Life. Results illustrate consumers 17-24 years old still rely on traditional media for information related to higher education. Developing a business model and marketing mix in Second Life, that often features uncensored content, may not be an appropriate method of connecting with the target demographic. Benefits of utilizing virtual worlds are considered; further research is recommended; suggestions are offered to increase Second Life’s viability in higher …

Municipalities And University Athletic Departments: The Collaborative Funding Of Capital Improvement Projects, James W. Satterfield, Tony Franklin, Jennifer Horace, April Flint, Mike Godfrey

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

This panel takes three papers and details how municipalities and universities can collaborate, develop, and market policies that subsidize collegiate athletic capital improvement projects and improve both groups. Each paper uses either resource dependency theory or interpretive policy analysis as theoretical frameworks to explore how local governments and universities can add value to their environments, while improving the lives of their constituents. While this kind of community project is not new the difficulties rest in getting people to agree to an additional tax levy. Each paper on this panel communicates the multiple advantages and disadvantages associated with approving and marketing …

The Perks And Problems Of Being Department Chair, David J. Burns, Stephen S. Batory, John Lanasa, Chris Manolis

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Many faculty members find the opportunity to serve as chair of their department at a point of their career. How does the chair position differ from a faculty position? Of what should a faculty member be aware before agreeing to serve as chair? Is it possible to prosper in the chair’s position? This special session will involve a candid discussion if the chair’s position – its perks and its problems. Four marketing faculty, both present chairs and former chairs, will present a clear picture of the chair’s position, and will address such issues as chair selection and appointment, dealing with …

Evidence Of Sustainability Communication In Major League Baseball: A Website Analysis, Dorene Ciletti, John Lanasa, Diane Ramos, Ryan Luchs, Junying Lou

Association of Marketing Theory and Practice Proceedings 2010

Based on a review of Major League baseball team websites, this study provides insight into team communication of sustainability principles and practices through an analysis of self-presented sustainability content. Websites for thirty-one (31) teams were examined for content. Elkington’s (1997) triple bottom line dimensions and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicator codes and definitions were constructs for the model and aligned to social, environmental, and economic principles for categories of sustainability practices. Researchers found that while teams are including sustainability information to some extent, the majority highlight social issues on their home pages and subsequent pages; communication about environmental factors varies …