Journal of Consumer Affairs最新文献

Is Social Media the New Retirement Advisor? Assessing the Impact of Social Media Influence on Retirement Planning

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-03-07 DOI: 10.1111/joca.70005

Zefeng Bai, Shuxin Zheng, Jinglin Hu

{"title":"Is Social Media the New Retirement Advisor? Assessing the Impact of Social Media Influence on Retirement Planning","authors":"Zefeng Bai, Shuxin Zheng, Jinglin Hu","doi":"10.1111/joca.70005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.70005","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigates the impact of social media adoption on individual retirement planning, as indicated by borrowing from retirement accounts. Utilizing the latest 2021 cohort of the National Financial Capability Study, we find that greater reliance on social media is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of retirement borrowing, which may lead to long-term financial instability. A follow-up causal analysis using the propensity score matching (PSM) and instrumental variable (IV) design confirms this positive relationship. Moreover, we find that job loss positively moderates the relationship between social media reliance and retirement borrowing. While the traditional framework of information asymmetry suggests that increased transparency and accessibility benefit individuals, our findings highlight the need to consider the complexity of information processing in the era of big data, which requires greater financial knowledge and literacy. Additionally, our results underscore the critical role of financial education in effectively processing the complex information available on social media, particularly during market stress.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47976,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Consumer Affairs","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143565027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The Negative Effects of Tipping Suggestions From Non-Human Agents: Consumer Dislike of Manipulative Intent Perceptions

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-03-04 DOI: 10.1111/joca.12615

Amin Attari, Frank G. Cabano, Elizabeth A. Minton

引用次数: 0

Enhancing Consumer Satisfaction in Complex Choices Through a Sequential Elimination Approach

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-02-25 DOI: 10.1111/joca.70000

Olga Poluektova, Martina Barjaková, Peter D. Lunn

{"title":"Enhancing Consumer Satisfaction in Complex Choices Through a Sequential Elimination Approach","authors":"Olga Poluektova, Martina Barjaková, Peter D. Lunn","doi":"10.1111/joca.70000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.70000","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Consumers often face challenges in making choices when their preferences are unclear, the number of alternatives is high, and information is complex. This can result in reduced engagement and satisfaction with the process and result of choice. These negative effects can be countered by sequentially eliminating choice alternatives via a series of more manageable trade-offs. We applied this approach to private health insurance choices, designing a product comparison tool that splits this complex decision into a sequence of simpler trade-offs. In a pre-registered online study with 801 participants, we compared the sequential tool to a regulator's existing comparison tool. Results showed higher satisfaction and a clear preference for the sequential tool across sociodemographic groups. The sequential tool also positively influenced satisfaction with chosen health insurance plans. Our findings support the potential of simplified, sequential elimination to enhance choice satisfaction, suggesting opportunities for developing consumer decision aids in complex product markets.</p>","PeriodicalId":47976,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Consumer Affairs","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joca.70000","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143481536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Consumer Confusion About Product Names Commonly Used to Describe Hemp-Based Oils

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-02-22 DOI: 10.1111/joca.70004

Brandon R. McFadden, Kawsheha Muraleetharan, Benjamin Campbell, Adam Rabinowitz, Tyler Mark, Michael Popp

{"title":"Consumer Confusion About Product Names Commonly Used to Describe Hemp-Based Oils","authors":"Brandon R. McFadden, Kawsheha Muraleetharan, Benjamin Campbell, Adam Rabinowitz, Tyler Mark, Michael Popp","doi":"10.1111/joca.70004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.70004","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Consumers can now purchase cannabinoid <i>Cannabidiol</i> (CBD) oil from retailers. Product names are often used to communicate the differences in the contents of CBD oils; for example, “CBD isolate” only contains CBD, whereas “full spectrum CBD” contains terpenes, flavonoids, and some delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The names used to describe CBD oil could cause consumer confusion about actual product contents. We conducted an online survey with two product selection tasks to examine confusion associated with CBD oil names. Products in one selection task displayed names used to describe products, whereas the other selection task presented the attributes associated with the products. This design allowed us to conduct within-subject tests to determine consumer confusion associated with the product names commonly used to describe CBD oils. This study provides valuable insights into consumer confusion and preferences regarding CBD products, and findings suggest that more detailed product attribute information can help reduce consumer confusion.</p>","PeriodicalId":47976,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Consumer Affairs","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joca.70004","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143466231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Distinguishing Between Recovery and Transformation: A Systematic Review of Purchasing and Consumption During Crises

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-02-20 DOI: 10.1111/joca.70003

Eimante Survilaite, Vilte Auruskeviciene, Žilvinas Židonis, Dalius Misiunas, Justina Sidlauskiene, Nerijus Maciulis

{"title":"Distinguishing Between Recovery and Transformation: A Systematic Review of Purchasing and Consumption During Crises","authors":"Eimante Survilaite, Vilte Auruskeviciene, Žilvinas Židonis, Dalius Misiunas, Justina Sidlauskiene, Nerijus Maciulis","doi":"10.1111/joca.70003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.70003","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Global crises significantly disrupt established consumption patterns, requiring consumers to adapt their behaviors and routines in response to market system changes. Despite the critical importance of understanding consumer resilience during such disruptions, academic research remains fragmented. Through a systematic review of 126 articles, this study develops a novel conceptualization of consumer resilience encompassing two distinct pathways: recovery-oriented adaptation, where consumers strive to restore pre-crisis consumption patterns, and transformation-oriented adaptation, involving fundamental shifts in consumption structures and practices. By distinguishing between recovery and transformation pathways, this framework advances the theoretical understanding of consumer resilience beyond simple successful versus unsuccessful adaptation. The study concludes with an integrated research agenda addressing theoretical, methodological, and contextual priorities for advancing scholarly understanding of consumer resilience.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47976,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Consumer Affairs","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143447008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Utilization of Alternative Financial Services and the Role of Financial Capability

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-02-19 DOI: 10.1111/joca.12614

Swarn Chatterjee, Yunhee Chang

引用次数: 0

Digital Vulnerability: Exploring the Mediating Role of FoMO in the Relationship Between Dark Triad Personality and Social Media Addiction

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-02-18 DOI: 10.1111/joca.70002

Chien-Po Liao, Chi-Cheng Wu, Eva Chia Hua Chiu

{"title":"Digital Vulnerability: Exploring the Mediating Role of FoMO in the Relationship Between Dark Triad Personality and Social Media Addiction","authors":"Chien-Po Liao, Chi-Cheng Wu, Eva Chia Hua Chiu","doi":"10.1111/joca.70002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.70002","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study underscores the necessity of assessing well-being concerns in online environments through the lens of individual differences, going beyond simply addressing external vulnerabilities. It examines the relationships among dark personality traits, fear of missing out emotions, and social media addiction. The stability and identifiability of these traits are essential for formulating practical policies and interventions. Structural equation modeling reveals the varied influences of dark personality traits on social media addiction. Specifically, while Machiavellianism has a direct effect on SMA, its indirect influence through FoMO is not significant. Additionally, narcissism influences SMA both directly and indirectly, and psychopathy impacts SMA indirectly through FoMO. Based on these findings, we recommend that platforms and businesses adjust their algorithms and content strategies based on the personality-driven mechanisms identified, to enhance consumer welfare and promote more effective management practices.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47976,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Consumer Affairs","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143431260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

COVID-19 Labor Market Shocks and Withdrawals From Retirement Accounts: Understanding the Moderating Role of Financial Knowledge

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-02-04 DOI: 10.1111/joca.12616

Sunwoo Lee, Kyoung Tae Kim, Sherman D. Hanna

引用次数: 0

Reducing Food Waste Behavior for Sustainable Consumption: The Effect of Food Consumption Values on Food Waste

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2025-02-04 DOI: 10.1111/joca.70001

Hyesun Hwang, Su-Jung Nam, Yu Lim Lee

引用次数: 0

In tech we rely: How technology dependence fuels consumer vulnerability 我们依赖科技：技术依赖如何助长消费者的脆弱性

IF 2.5 3区经济学

Journal of Consumer Affairs Pub Date : 2024-12-09 DOI: 10.1111/joca.12610

Kristin Stewart, Rebeca Perren, Charles Chambers, Ryley Zulauf

{"title":"In tech we rely: How technology dependence fuels consumer vulnerability","authors":"Kristin Stewart, Rebeca Perren, Charles Chambers, Ryley Zulauf","doi":"10.1111/joca.12610","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12610","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Understanding and mitigating consumer vulnerability is critical in an age of pervasive misinformation and deception. This research examines how technology dependence can heighten consumer vulnerability by elevating the risk of being deceived in the marketplace. Drawing from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research and Media Systems Dependency Theory (MSD), we propose that high technology dependence depletes cognitive resources, reduces consumer skepticism, and increases susceptibility to deception, an essential element of consumer vulnerability. Through three empirical studies, we show that technology dependence heightens consumers' vulnerability to deceptive information, primarily through reduced skepticism. Furthermore, we found that consumers' moods moderate this relationship, with negative moods mitigating and positive moods amplifying the adverse effects of technology dependence on skepticism. Our findings reveal mechanisms driving consumer vulnerability in the digital age, offering valuable insights for marketers and policymakers to enhance consumer protection, as well as marketplace and digital literacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":47976,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Consumer Affairs","volume":"58 4","pages":"905-945"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142868409","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0