Sales and Merchandising Commons^™

Job Shadowing Experiences As A Teaching Tool: A New Twist On A Tried And True Technique, Fred H. Mader, Deanna R. D. Mader, Elizabeth C. Alexander

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This article reports an innovative twist on the use of the job shadowing experience as a means not only to provide real-world exposure for the student, but also as a way to generate real-time data from the professionals to be utilized as a basis for class discussion. Reaction from both students and professionals has been overwhelmingly positive.

Field Trip! Assessing Business Student Interest In Plant Tours And Their Product Categories, Mark Mitchell, Gregory Turner, Robert Montgomery, Mark Hartley

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Business educators are challenged daily to provide fresh ideas in the classroom and to use new methods to stimulate active learning. One option is to use manufacturing plant tours, company museums, and company visitor centers to supplement traditional classroom activities. This manuscript details this growing type of tourism (known as Consumer Experience Tourism) and identifies the product categories of greatest interest to today’s students in Business and Economics. Business educators are encouraged to more fully embrace this under-utilized resource to promote active student learning and to select those destinations of greatest interest to their particular student audiences.

Controlling And Informational Planned Behavior: Self-Determination Theory And The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Jonathan P. Leavell

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The purpose of this non-empirical paper is to explore the theoretical value of introducing constructs of self-determination theory (SDT) into the framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Deci’s and Ryan’s (1985) formulation of SDT maintains an intrinsic focus while much of Ajzen’s (1985) TPB framework maintains an extrinsic focus. The incorporation of constructs based on an internal locus of causality may enhance the predictive power of TPB. Applications for practitioners and opportunities for further research are presented.

Dynamic Pricing In Major League Baseball Tickets: Issues And Challenges, John T. Drea, Andrew Nahlik

Atlantic Marketing Journal

With its origins in the airline industry, dynamic pricing has recently been extended to the area of Major League Baseball tickets in both the primary and secondary markets. The present study examines similarities in the application of dynamic pricing in the airline and MLB industries, as well as the key differences, which include the interactive effects of competitors in the airline industries and the presence of a secondary ticket market for MLB tickets. The “zone of reasonableness” concept used in freight pricing provides a useful framework for understanding the self-imposed upper and lower price limits for MLB primary market ticket …

An Exploratory Comparison Of Private And Hbcu Marketing Student Study Abroad Program (Sap) Participation Intentions, Omar Woodham, George W. Stone, Kathryn Cort, Michael A. Jones

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The current research compares two demographically diverse universities regarding their respective awareness of the study abroad programs (SAPs) offered by their school. The study focuses on each sample’s awareness of SAP opportunities (i.e., as offered by their own institution) as well as each group’s opinion of the level of university administrator effort aimed at promoting the SAP offerings at each school. The authors analyzed whether student perceptions of the level of administrator support affected student expectations regarding SAP participation prior to graduation. Given the different socio-economic characteristics of the two student samples used in the study, the authors provide additional …

Students' Attitudes Towards Textbook Types: Are Students Really Ready For E-Textbooks?, Diane R. Edmondson, Cheryl Ward

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Abstract - This study examines students’ attitudes and preferences to the four primary textbook types currently on the market. These types include hardback, paperback, loose leaf, and E-textbook. Two hundred twenty-three students currently taking Principles of Marketing from a large public university in the southeastern United States completed the survey. Results found that students still prefer paperback textbooks, even when this textbook is at a higher price than other alternatives. When students were asked their opinions on the various textbook options, it was clear that price, ease of use, health concerns, and ownership desires were the primary reasons why they …

Cueing The Customer Using Nudges And Negative Option Marketing, Clarence W. Vonbergen, Courtney Kernek, Martin S. Bressler, Lawrence S. Silver

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Abstract

Nudges—subtle, covert, and often unobtrusive interventions that take advantage of individuals’ mental shortcuts and biases—frequently change the context of people’s choices and in so doing influence individual and societal behavior. They have become fashionable in recent years, and the ability of such phenomena to bring about significant change for relatively little cost has captured the imagination of governments and businesses. One simple yet potent nudge empowered by the status-quo bias that has received increased attention involves default rules which specify the condition imposed on persons when they fail to make a decision or choice. Marketers have used default options …

Motivations In The Fine-Art Market: A Self-Determination Theory Approach, Jonathan P. Leavell

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the theoretical value of incorporating constructs from self-determination theory (SDT) into the analysis of the motivations within the fine-art market. The motivations of buyers and artists are examined in light of a controlling-informational event gradient. Moureau’s and Sagot-Duvauroux’ (2012) artist business-model framework is used to provide the context for marketing’s role in facilitating communication along the various motivational interactions of the gradient. Opportunities for further research are presented.

How Customer Shopping Motivation Influences Perceived Design Of The Retail Environment, Julie C. Steen

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This research proposal extends the Mehrabian-Russell stimulus-organism-response framework to examine how two different hedonic shopping motivations—adventure and gratification—influence a customer’s perceptions of the retail environment. Specifically, the paper examines perceived design of the retail environment. The paper also examines how perceived design of the retail environment influences pleasure and arousal. Since there is not an accepted measure for perceived design, the paper offers a comprehensive list of potential items to measure perceived design.

College Students Use Social Networking Sites For Sharing With Friends, But Guess Who Else Is Looking?, Elizabeth C. Alexander, Fred Mader, Deanna Mader

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Abstract - Jobvite, a recruiting platform for the social web, reports from their annual 2012 survey of recruiters that 92% of U.S. companies are using social networking sites (SNS) for hiring purposes (Jobvit, 2012). Career Builder reported in 2009 that 45% of employers were using SNS to screen and research applicants (CareerBuilder, 2009). It is important that faculty and support staff working to place students, and the students themselves, understand the developments and practices in the use of social networking sites for job search and recruiting and the best methods, as well as detriments when marketing themselves. This study examines …

Using Focus Groups And Correspondence Analysis To Explore The Relationship Between Millennials’ Online Behavior And Their Opinions Of Online Reviews, James E. Stoddard, Michael Dotson, Neel Das

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This paper explores the relationship between millennials’ online behavior and their opinions of online reviews via the use of focus groups and correspondence analysis. The proposition was that millennials’ online behavior (including search behavior) is likely to have an effect on how they view online reviews. The correspondence analysis results suggest that millennials who spend more time online peruse a greater number of products. Further, relationships were found between millennials’ time online and factors influencing review trustworthiness as well as millennials’ time online and factors affecting review memorability. It is noteworthy to suggest that focus group analysis can be enhanced …

The Effect Of Advertorial Format And Copy Length On Attitudes Of Female (Target) And Male (Non-Target) Audiences, Cynthia B. Hanson

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This study investigates the effect of the advertorial format and ad copy length on ad and brand attitude. Results of a 2 (advertorial versus non-advertorial) by 2 (light versus moderate copy length) study indicate that the advertorial format generated more favorable ad and brand attitudes for the female (target) subjects, but less favorable attitudes for the male (non-target) subjects. A marginally significant gender by copy length interaction suggests a differential effect of copy length for the male sample, as well: ad and brand attitudes were higher for lighter copy ads for the female sample but lower for the male sample. …

The Scent Of Change: A Case Study, William K. Foxx, Melissa C. Northam, Corlette S. Burns

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Decisions about entering into a new business venture involve a variety of considerations, despite the level of experience an entrepreneur has. This case presents the story of a business owner Bennett Gage and his decisions concerning whether or not he should enter into a business where canines are used to detect bed bugs in hotels. This case study gives the reader an opportunity to wrestle with some of the many questions that are part of entering into the creation of a new service.

Impact Of Country Personality On Attitude Toward Foreign Products : Self-Congruity As A Mediator, Murat Aktan, Paul W. Chao

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This research examines the direct effect of country personality (CP) on consumer product attitude and indirect effect through consumer self-congruity between CP and his/her own self-concept on product attitude in an emerging country- Turkey. We propose an integrated structural equation model to examine the relationships. Measurement scales for CP, self-congruity and attitude are developed whose validities and reliabilities are confirmed by exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses with data collected from a sample of consumers in Turkey on two countries: USA and China.

The results reveal that four out of the original six dimensions of CP remain after a …

A Further Empirical Investigation Into “Up To” Advertising Claims: The “As Low As” Claim, Jeffrey S. Gutenberg, James M. Quinn

Atlantic Marketing Journal

For many years the Federal Trade Commission has sought to prevent deceptive advertising under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The FTC’s focus has encompassed not only false advertising claims, but also advertising claims that, while literally true, tend to deceive consumers. “Up to” claims fall under this scrutiny since they can be misunderstood as promising consumer benefits (e.g. “up to 50% savings”) that might not be realized by all consumers. This paper presents the results of research conducted with 600+ members of a commercial consumer panel to evaluate a variant of this type of claim, the “As …

Investigating The Ichthus (Fish) Christianity Symbol On Perceived Source Credibility Of Service Providers Under Different Service Evaluation Contexts, Jeri L. Jones, Mahmood Shandiz

Atlantic Marketing Journal

ABSTRACT

This study investigated potential consumer responses to the display of the Christian fish symbol (Ichthus) used in mock advertisements of services high in credence, experience and search attributes. Discussions from earlier research propose consumers may exhibit different reactions to Christian symbolism displayed in the marketplace and that purchase intentions and consumer perceptions of the seller may be influenced by the strength of the consumer’s religious beliefs. This study adds to previous research proposing consumers display different purchase intentions due to differing perceptions of the seller’s credibility, trustworthiness and expertise influenced by the consumers own religious beliefs which is influenced …

Consumer Preferences Among Low-Price Guarantee Offers, Stephen Baglione, Louis A. Tucci, James A. Talaga

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The competitive realities of the marketplace forces retailers to consider implementing low-price guarantees. Given that retailers will use low-price guarantees, which of the multitude of guarantees should be used? This paper examines the nature of low-price guarantees from the perspective of how consumers make trade-offs in different low-price guarantee designs. Using conjoint analysis, buyers indicate their preference for different low-price guarantee designs. Not all consumers respond to low-price guarantees the same. There are several segments of consumers with regard to low-price guarantees. The study was done with young adults (MBA students) who may be more sophisticated than the population as …

The Role Of Consumer Susceptibility To Interpersonal Influence In Predicting Green Apparel Consumption Behavior Of American Youth, Amrut Sadachar, Arpita Khare, Srikant Manchiraju

Atlantic Marketing Journal

In recent years, considering that consumers are giving more importance to their role and consequence with regards to social and environmental implication of their consumption decisions, there has been increase in ethical consumption research. However, to date, the role of individual susceptibility to interpersonal influence and other relevant factors (e.g., environmental apparel knowledge) have not been studied. Therefore, the present study explored several critical constructs related to green apparel consumption including consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence (CSII). The present study focused on American youth (n = 1,049). Based on extant literature review, a hypothesized model was proposed. To test …

The Investigation Of Product Involvement In Shopping Behaviors Among Male College Students, Jung-Im Seo, Grace W. Namwamba

Atlantic Marketing Journal

We investigated the clothing shopping behaviors of male college students. This study is significant because there is limited published research on the shopping behavior of male college students in the area of two correlative product involvement and store type and yet, there is a large increase in market share of male apparel products. Male college students (n=285) were surveyed via questionnaire. MANOVA and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. This research revealed that male college students are highly concerned about their physical appearance and clothing. The findings of this study demonstrate that male college students have unique …

A Sound Idea: A Theory-Based Synthesis And Explanadum Supporting The Use Of Music In Marketing Strategy, Anthony H. Kerr, Neel Das

Atlantic Marketing Journal

A review and synthesis of research literature regarding the role and influence of music on advertising effectiveness and in-store shopper moods and behavior is presented. A conceptual model is presented, with strong theoretical support found in classical conditioning, information processing, involvement, and mood states literature. The authors posit that a retailer should use a dual, concomitant music strategy as a component of an overall advertising and in-store marketing promotion plan. This strategy is presented in what the authors refer to as the Music Affect Model. While using the positive affects of music on consumer purchasing behavior as its core source …

The Influence Of Social Networking Sites On Buying Behaviors Of Millennials, Sharon S. Pate, Melinda Adams

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Social media sites have become an important part of many individuals’ lives. According to the Pew Research Center (2010), Millennials, also known as Gen Y, are living their lives on the internet where 75% of them have a profile on a social networking site. When compared with only 50% of Gen Xers and 30% of Boomers, this gives them the distinct identity that they are more technologically advanced.