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China's rapid economic growth and population momentum have precipitated an environmental crisis on an unprecedented scale. Consequently, green consumerism is a hot topic leaving marketing managers looking for ways to influence green buying behaviors. One way to examine this problem is to compare the effect of social influence on green behaviors against countries that have experienced a similar spike in pollution owing to rapid development (e.g., the United States). Unfortunately, a gap exists in the literature with respect to how social influence impacts green purchasing behaviors. This research examines the issue across country and gender between China and the United States. The findings show that Chinese consumers are indeed more susceptible to social influence with respect to purchasing behaviors. The Chinese view social influence as a multidimensional construct with both cognitive and behavioral components. Chinese females were significantly different from other respondents with respect to cognitive and behavioral social influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study compares the dimensionality of consumer attitudes in China and the United States. Specifically, attitudes towards advertising in general were compared with advertising as an institution and advertising as an instrument. A two-study approach was used to address the research questions. Specifically, study one included three focus groups of 8-10 respondents. Study two included a self-report survey instrument with 209 U.S. and 315 Chinese consumers for a total of 524 respondents. Mean comparisons between the U.S. and Chinese consumers were conducted. Regression of general attitudes on institutional and instrumental attitudes were also performed. Results of the study show generally negative attitudes towards advertising in general and advertising as an institution with Chinese attitudes being significantly more negative. Attitudes towards advertising as an instrument were neutral in both samples, though differences in specific items were noted. Specifically, Chinese respondents valued advertising trustworthiness; whereas, U.S. respondents gravitated toward authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how materialism, brand engagement in self-concept (BESC), and status consumption influence clothing involvement and brand loyalty. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use data from a survey of 258 US college students to test a model using structural equation modelling. Findings – The results show that materialism, BESC, and status consumption positively influence clothing involvement and brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications – The study findings are bounded by the country and sample providing the data. The results strongly support hypotheses derived from the literature and provide important insights into the motives for clothing involvement and brand loyalty. Practical implications – The findings suggest that appealing to these three important motivators can influence some consumers to choose specific brands of clothing. Originality/value – This study is the first to demonstrate the influence of materialism, especially operationalized by Kasser's scale, and brand engagement in self-concept on these clothing behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to test hypothesized associations between market mavenism and consumer self-confidence (CSC). A survey of 190 US consumers provided the data. The results showed significant relationships between mavenism and several dimensions of CSC, and regression analysis emphasized the relationships with two of these: information acquisition (confidence in the ability to obtain and use marketplace information) and social outcomes decision making (confidence in obtaining positive reactions from others). These findings both enrich our knowledge of the psychology of market mavenism by suggesting some motivations for these behaviors and suggest marketing strategies can be fine-tuned to appeal more effectively to this important segment of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is the third in a series of web surveillance of police suicides (prior analyses conducted in 2008 and 2009). In this age of world web communications, a police suicide in even the smallest and most remote community is generally transmitted nationally and through police websites, forums, and blogs. 55,000 police suicide specific web articles were reviewed over the entire year 2012 data was then compared with 2008 and 2009 police suicide data. There were 141 police suicides in 2008. Suicides declined from 143 in 2009 to 126 in 2012 (an 11.9% decrease). Across the three time periods, male and female suicides appeared to occur at a similar rate, averaging 92% and 6% respectively. In 2012, (1) suicides appeared to cluster more in the 40-44 year age group more than in previous years among officers of lower rank; (2) an increase in suicide was seen among officers with 15-19 years of service; (3) gunshots remained the most prevalent means of suicide across all three years (91.5%), and (4) personal problems appeared to be prevalent (83%) with work associated legal problems ranking second (13%). Approximately 11% of suicides were military veterans. California (n = 10) and New York (n = 12) had the highest police suicide rates. Four murder-suicides were noted over the entire year. Suggestions for suicide preventive policies, improving police mental health, and future research are discussed.