To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: The Survey of Consumer Finances.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'The Survey of Consumer Finances'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'The Survey of Consumer Finances.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Lee, Yun Doo. "Retirement Planning Decisions Using the 2013 Survey of Consumer Finances." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2015. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2093.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract
This dissertation consists of two essays. The first essay analyzes financial preparation for retirement of American men and women, using the 2013 Survey of Finances. Specifically, for retirement plan, income is an important factor for men and women aged 35-45 because of their insufficient income, health (excellent) for men and women aged 46-59 because of continuing work, number of weeks worked per year for men and women aged 60-67 because they have already retired or will retire and many of them are participating in a part time job. Also, health has significantly positive effects on the share of the financial wealth invested in the stocks while age has significantly negative effects in the analysis.
The second essay analyzes the differences between the hippie cohort and the X and Y cohorts for the adequate preparation for retirement. In the hippie cohort, using the Internet or online for getting information to make decisions about investments and saving has positive effects on satisfaction of the retirement income from pensions and Social Security even if it’s statistically insignificant in the X and Y cohorts. In the responses regarding the question of how rate the retirement income from job pensions and Social Security, the findings show that the hippie cohort is more likely than the X and Y cohorts in satisfaction of the retirement income from pensions and Social Security income. The results show that the hippie cohort is better than the X and Y cohorts in preparation for retirement.
2
Lyons, Angela Christine. "Household liquidity and financial innovations : evidence from the Survey of consumer finances /." Digital version, 2001. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/fullcit?3008384.
Full text
3
Grable, John E. "Investor Risk Tolerance: Testing The Efficacy Of Demographics As Differentiating and Classifying Factors." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/30762.
Full textAbstract:
This study was designed to determine whether the variables gender, age, marital status, occupation, self-employment, income, race, and education could be used individually or in combination to both differentiate among levels of investor risk tolerance and classify individuals into risk-tolerance categories. The Leimberg, Satinsky, LeClair, and Doyle (1993) financial management model was used as the theoretical basis for this study. The model explains the process of how investment managers effectively develop plans to allocate a client's scarce investment resources to meet financial objectives.
An empirical model for categorizing investors into risk-tolerance categories using demographic factors was developed and empirically tested using data from the 1992 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) (N = 2,626). The average respondent was affluent and best represented the profile of an investment management client.
Based on findings from a multiple discriminant analysis test it was determined that respondent demographic characteristics were significant in differentiating among levels of risk tolerance at the p < .0001 level (i.e., gender, married, single but previously married, professional occupational status, self-employment status, income, White, Black, and Hispanic racial background, and educational level), while three demographic characteristics were found to be statistically insignificant (i.e., age, Asian racial background, and never married). Multiple discriminant analysis also revealed that the demographic variables examined in this study explained approximately 20% of the variance among the three levels of investor risk tolerance.
Classification equations were generated. The classification procedure offered only a 20% improvement-over-chance, which was determined to be a low proportional reduction in error. The classification procedure also generated unacceptable levels of false positive classifications, which led to over classification of respondents into high and no risk-tolerance categories, while under classifying respondents into the average risk-tolerance category.
Two demographic characteristics were determined to be the most effective in differentiating among and classifying respondents into risk-tolerance categories. Classes of risk tolerance differed most widely on respondents' educational level and gender. Educational level of respondents was determined to be the most significant optimizing factor. It also was concluded that demographic characteristics provide only a starting point in assessing investor risk tolerance. Understanding risk tolerance is a complicated process that goes beyond the exclusive use of demographic characteristics. More research is needed to determine which additional factors can be used by investment managers to increase the explained variance in risk-tolerance differences.Ph. D.
4
Pelletier, Lou Allan. "Accounting for the male-female earnings differential : results from the 1986 survey of consumer finances." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28264.
Full textAbstract:
This study seeks to explain the observed differences in the earnings of individual Canadians by sex. The study uses data from the micro data file of the 1986 Survey of Consumer Finances of individuals age 15 and over, with and without income. To a large extent, the study follows the examples presented in other Canadian studies conducted by Holmes (1974), Robb (1978), Gunderson (1980), Goyder (1981) and Ornstein (1983).
Employment earnings account for an overwhelming proportion of the total income received by individuals. Thus, the examination of the earnings differential attempts to address the root causes of many of the problems faced by nontraditional families. Canadian society is no longer largely composed of the traditional family with a working father and the homemaking mother. The growing number of dual-earner couples, single and childless adults, and households headed by women presents a difficult challenge for social policy. The male-female earnings disparity is a key component in exacerbating problems that include the availability of credit for women, the feminization of poverty, access to affordable and adequate housing, and adequate incomes for retirement. To effectively address the problems that have resulted from the interaction of greater female participation in the labour force and the formation of alternate household types, planners and policy makers need to address the root problem of sexual inequality in the labour force, and not solely the symptoms. In the context of changing family structure and the economic position of women, the focus of this study is to identify the size of the male-female earnings gap, and to determine the extent to which the earnings gap can be explained by personal, work and productivity-related characteristics. The impact of these factors are analyzed from two points of view. First, the impact of individual factors on the level of earnings are analyzed through a simple comparison of mean earnings of men and women across a variety of characteristics. Second, the influence of these factors on earnings, and the degree of inequality between the earnings of men and women, is analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.
Regression analysis is used to estimate separate earnings equations for men and women. From the separate earnings equations, the wage gap can be partitioned into three parts, due to differences in (1) constant terms, (2) mean levels of the independent variables, and (3) the returns of the independent variables. Further, to assess the impact of occupational and industrial segregation on the earnings gap, a second set of earnings equations are calculated that do not include measures of occupational and industrial segregation.
The calculations of separate earnings equations for men and women, for the selected sample, produced an unadjusted earnings ratio of 0.66. After adjustments were made for the ten productivity and productivity-related factors considered in the analysis, including occupational and industrial distributions, the ratio increased to 0.79. This left an earnings gap of $5,985 (1985 dollars) that could not be assigned to any of the measured variables. While part of the unexplained residual may be explained by variables not included in the analysis, or by more careful measurement of existing variables, it seems likely that at least 20 percentage points of the earnings gap is attributable to "an amalgam of different forms of discrimination which, taken together, disadvantage women relative to men", (Denton and Hunter, 1982). Discrimination is defined as different returns in earnings for equal productivity characteristics, as given by the regression coefficients. Of the total earnings gap of 34 percent, approximately 60% of this is attributable to wage discrimination, and approximately 40% is due to differences in productivity-related characteristics
Occupational and industrial segregation account for a large proportion of the earnings gap. The adjusted earnings ratio, when occupational and industrial segregation are not considered endowments, is 0.69. Thus, the difference between the full-regression equation and the partial regression equation indicates that occupational and industrial segregation accounts for approximately 30% of the earnings gap.Applied Science, Faculty of
Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of
Graduate
5
Amrelle, Kevin A. "Have Homeownership Rates Transitioned Since the Financial Crisis? Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances Data." Thesis, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10607538.
Full textAbstract:
Since 1989, significant mortgage finance innovation and federal policies with the intent of increasing homeownership participation particularly amongst minorities were implemented until the 2007 recession. This paper uses the Survey of Consumer Finances to analyze the lasting effectiveness of the mortgage finance innovations and federal policies on owner-occupancy rates leading up to and after the financial recession in 2007 until 2013. The results indicate that policy and macroeconomic factors offer temporary shifts in homeownership participation while household attribute changes have long lasting impact. Trends in the savings patterns of renters work as an effective measure for transitioning into homeownership. Shift-share analysis reinforces the idea that the model coefficients effectively capture household sentiment and macroeconomic conditions. Homeownership participation, especially amongst minorities, improved in 2013 relative to 1989 but the homeownership gap between minorities and white households has grown.
6
Topoleski, John. "Behavioral Aspects of Retirement Savings: How do 401(K) Plans Affect Household Asset Accumulation?" ScholarWorks@UNO, 2005. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/313.
Full textAbstract:
The nature of employee retirement plans has changed dramatically over the past fifteen years as employers have been replacing traditional defined benefit retirement plans with defined contribution plans like the 401(k) plan. This dissertation is focused on the impact that 401(k) plan have on household asset accumulation. The first essay looks at how much asset accumulation can be attributed to 401(k) plans as opposed to other factors such as demographics and saver type characteristics. Overall, the conclusions are consistent with recent research that says these plans induce a reshuffling of assets rather than being funded through a reduction in consumption. Controlling for cohort effects reduces the amount of wealth attributable to 401(k) eligibility to a negligible (and statistically insignificant) amount. The second essay considers the impact that borrowing against the assets in 401(k) plan might have on household asset accumulation. Most personal finance advice warns against borrowing against a retirement plan because of the potential negative impact on retirement wealth. This is especially true for borrowers who are also undisciplined savers and do not or cannot maintain their retirement plan contributions during loan period or who separate from their employers before the loan is repaid. For good savers a retirement plan loan only has a modest impact on retirement wealth. Only modest make-up contributions would need to be made to mitigate the impact of a retirement plan loan. It seems that many borrowers may be using retirement loans because they are in financial difficulty. It also appears that borrowers are trying to maintain their retirement savings, but their asset accumulation within broader measures of wealth is below that of households that do not have outstanding 401(k) loans.
7
Wilson, Theresa M. "The Effects of Gender, Age, Education, and Risk Tolerance on Credit Card Balances." Miami University Honors Theses / OhioLINK, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=muhonors1209148205.
Full text
8
Heckman, Stuart J. "A Comparison of Two Savings Measures: An Application of Institutional Theory Among Low-Income Households." The Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343753078.
Full text
9
Lee, Jonghee. "Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Household Debt Repayment." The Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1244055120.
Full text
10
Kim, Kyoung Tae. "The Impact of the 2007 Recession on the Retirement Decisions of U.S. Households: Evidence from the 2007-2009 Survey of Consumer Finances Panel Dataset." The Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406072629.
Full text
11
Hong, Eunice Oh. "Just Before the Great Recession, Who Could Have Expected a Substantial Income Decrease? Were They Prepared for Emergencies?" The Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429724807.
Full text
12
Jacobs, Glenda. "Materialism and indebtedness of low income consumers : a survey based on South Africa's leading catalogue retailer." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1022.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MDevF (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the realm of consumer behaviour research, discussions regarding materialism – commonly defined as the desire to consume – indebtedness and low-income consumerism have become almost unavoidable. This is to be expected in a society where spending patterns are constantly evolving, levels of indebtedness are steadily increasing and interest in the so-called ‘bottom of the pyramid’ consumers has been heightened. In South Africa, studies have found changes in consumption and credit usage to not only be significant, but also particularly relevant amongst low-income consumers. While this changing culture of consumption has been widely acknowledged, there has been little empirical research on consumer behaviour in South Africa and even less on low-income consumerism. For this reason a study was developed, which sought to explore the relationship between materialism and indebtedness among a sample of low-income, instalment paying consumers of South Africa’s leading catalogue retailer. Through use of a mailed self-completion survey questionnaire, consumers of the targeted retailer were asked to indicate their level of materialism, as measured using a materialism scale, and to report their level of indebtedness, measured as the number of retail store accounts held. In addition, key demographic data, consisting of the respondents’ age, gender and monthly income, was drawn from the retailer’s database. Using this data the study assessed whether (i) the sampled consumers displayed strong characteristics of materialism and (ii) whether materialism is a significant variable in predicting the sampled consumers’ propensity for incurring debt. Data analysis techniques applied in this study included tests to measure the reliability of the materialism scale as well as a variety of descriptive and inferential statistical tools, designed to identify relationships in the collected data. Using these techniques, this study found that sampled low-income consumers are indeed highly materialistic, with levels of materialism observed in this study being significantly higher than in a previous materialism study where a low-income earning consumer sample was used. Regarding levels of indebtedness, regression and correlation analysis performed suggested the presence of statistically significant relationships between consumers’ levels of indebtedness and each of the demographic variables of age and gender. However, materialism and monthly income was not found to be significant variables in determining a consumer’s level of indebtedness. While the decision to delineate this study based on the consumers of one particular retailer limits the extent to which findings can be generalised to the larger South African population, the results do provide a number of important insights, which contributes to the scant body of literature on low-income consumer behaviour in this country.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Op die navorsingsveld oor verbruikersgedrag het die gesprek rondom die voorkoms van materialisme (wat gewoonlik gedefinieer word as die behoefte om te verbruik), verbruikersdruk en die skuldlas onder lae inkomstegroepe byna onvermydelik geword. Dit is te verwagte in ’n samelewing waar bestedingspatrone voortdurend ontwikkel, skuldlasvlakke aan die groei is en die belangstelling in verbruikers op die onderste vlak van die sogenaamde piramide verskerp het. Studies in Suid-Afrika dui aan dat, onder lae inkomste verbruikers, die verskille in verbruikersgedrag en kredietgebruik nie net opvallend nie maar ook besonder ter saaklik is. Hoewel die verandering in verbruikerskultuur rondom besteding reeds wyd beskryf is, is daar nog nie veel empiriese navorsing oor verbruikersgedrag gedoen nie – en nog minder onder lae inkomstegroepe. Dit is om hierdie rede dat ’n studie ontwerp is om die verhouding tussen materialisme en skuldlas te ondersoek onder ’n steekproef van lae inkomste huurkoopverbruikers van Suid-Afrika se grootste kataloguskleinhandelaar. Daar is gebruik gemaak van ’n vraelys vir die opname, wat aan die verbruikers gepos is en deur hulle ingevul is. Verbruikers is gevra om die vlak van hul materialisme aan te dui, soos gemeet volgens die gebruik van ’n skaal of maatstaf vir materialisme; en om hul skuldlas weer te gee, gemeet aan die aantal rekeninge wat hulle by kleinhandelwinkels het. Belangrike demografiese data, soos die respondente se ouderdom, geslag en maandelikse inkomste, is verkry uit die kleinhandelaar se databasis. Hierdie data is gebruik om te bepaal, (i) of die steekproefverbruikers ’n sterk neiging tot materialisme toon, en (ii) of materialisme ’n beduidende rol speel in die voorspelbaarheid van die mate waartoe die steekproefverbruikers hulle aan skuld sal blootstel. Tegnieke wat in die studie gebruik is vir data-analise sluit toetse in wat die betroubaarheid van die maatstawwe vir materialisme meet, asook ’n aantal beskrywende en afleibare statistiese metodes wat ontwerp is om verhoudings in die versamelde data te identifiseer. Deur die gebruik van hierdie tegnieke het die studie gevind dat hierdie steekproef van lae inkomste verbruikers inderdaad hoogs materialisties is, en dat die vlakke van materialisme wat waargeneem is, beduidend hoër is as wat gevind is in ’n vorige studie onder ’n steekproef van lae-inkomste verbruikers. Met betrekking tot skuldlasverpligtinge, het die regressie- en korrelasie-analise wat gedoen is die bestaan van statisties beduidende verhoudinge tussen verbruikers se skuldlasvlakke en die demografiese veranderlikes van ouderdom en geslag aangedui. Daar is egter gevind materialisme en maandelikse inkomste is nie beduidende veranderlikes in die bepaling van ’n verbruiker se skuldlas nie. Hoewel die ontwerp van hierdie studie om verbruikers van slegs ’n enkele kleinhandelaar in te sluit ’n beperking plaas op die toepasbaarheid van die bevindinge op die wyer Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking, het die resultate ’n aantal belangrike insigte verskaf wat bydra tot die klein hoeveelheid bestaande literatuur oor lae inkomste verbruikersgedrag in die land.
13
Bi, Lan. "The influence of uncertainty and liquidity constraints on liquid asset holdings of credit card revolvers." Connect to resource, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1127153217.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005.Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 174 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes bibliographical references (p. 154-160). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center
14
Son, Jiyeon. "Factors Related to Choosing between the Internet and a Financial Planner." The Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343423126.
Full text
15
Nam, Youngwon. "Three Essays on Behaviors related to Life Insurance Holdings and Financial Capability." The Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu158516471207651.
Full text
16
Lee, Jae Min. "Households Saving and Reference Dependent Changes in Income and Uncertainty." The Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1408967943.
Full text
17
Evans, David A. "The Predisposition of Women to Use the Services of a Financial Planner for Saving and Investing." The Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259767469.
Full text
18
Alia, Hayyan. "Microfinance Consumer Research : Diaries, Surveys and Experiments." Thesis, Besançon, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015BESA0004.
Full textAbstract:
La thèse comporte sept chapitres. Nous présentons, dans le premier chapitre, une étude qui montre les traits particuliers des pauvres et la façon dont ils perçoivent leur propre pauvreté. Le second chapitre est consacré à une revue de la littérature sur l'utilisation d'agenda de gestion du temps comme outil de collecte de données en recherche qualitative. Le troisième chapitre propose une version modifiée du "modèle de portefeuille économique du ménage” (HEP) de Chen et Dunn (1996). Le modèle modifié (M-HEP) permet une évaluation non expérimentale de 1’impact de la microfinance. Nous l’avons mis en place via la collecte d’informations simples auto-déclarées sur 1’utilisation quotidienne du temps et de l’argent auprès d'un échantillon de femmes pauvres du Caire (Egypte). Le quatrième chapitre propose une étude testant ce modèle (M-HEP) auprès de personnes en situation de handicap. Le cinquième chapitre s'attache à une étude qui souligne une limite des journaux combinés "non stylisés" ou "non-directifs". Le sixième chapitre expose l’utilisation de jeux expérimentaux sur un échantillon de population du Caire en comparant le comportement des clients de la microfinance à celui de non-clients. Le dernier chapitre expose une étude d’évaluation d’impact de la microfinance sur le genre au Mali, utilisant une méthode quasi-expérimentale. Enfin, en guise de conclusion, nous préconisons 1’utilisation du modèle M-HEP dans l’étude de l’évaluation de I’impact de la microfinance. Nous avons effectué’ une étude comparative des trois méthodes utilisées dans la thèse à savoir la méthode qualitative non-expérimentale et les méthodes quantitatives expérimentales et quasi-expérimentalesThe thesis is built on seven chapters. In chapter 1, we explore the views on poverty of a sample of poor women. In chapter 2, we review the literature on the use of time-diary in research. Chapter 3 develops and investigates the diary method as a qualitative non-experimental impact evaluation tool. For this objective, we study "the household economic portfolio model (HEP)“ a comprehensive impact evaluation model designed by Chen and Dunn (1996) that overcomes the obstacle of fungibility of money. We propose a modified version (M-HEP), a simplified framework for non- experimental evaluation of impact with clear assessment units and efficient measurement tools. The collection of simple self-reported information on the daily use of time and money is suggested for implementing the model. We test our proposition with a case study from Cairo. In chapter 4, we provide another test of the combined diaries through a case study on two poor single mothers one of whom is handicapped. In chapter 5, we present a fina1 example on the combined diary of a poor woman. The study highlights one limitation in the non-stylized combined diary approach. In chapter 6, we use experimental games in Cairo to study two aspects of behavioral microfinance by comparing microfinance clients to non-clients. In chapter 7, we present an impact evaluation study on microfinance in Mali, using the quasi-experimental statistical technique. Finally, we conclude the thesis suggesting applications of the M-HEP, and comparing the three methods used in the thesis. This comparisons aims to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods when used for evaluating microfinance impact
19
Letkiewicz, Jodi Christie. "Households’ Propensity to Meet the Capital Accumulation Ratio Over Time: Evidence from the 1992-2007 Surveys of Consumer Finance." The Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282056704.
Full text
20
Khubchandani, Shaun. "How Are Inflation Expectations Formed by Consumers, Economists and the Financial Market?" Scholarship @ Claremont, 2010. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/48.
Full textAbstract:
Inflation expectations have been of great interest to economists because they predict how agents in an economy set prices and react to changes in various macroeconomic variables. The existence of Keynesian liquidity traps in Japan and the United States have helped emphasize the importance of inflation expectations, especially when monetary policy is rendered ineffective and there is almost perfect substitutability between money and bonds due to the zero bound condition of interest rates. Given the canonical theories of rational and adaptive expectations, this paper will use a simple model of the economy to measure the effect of various macroeconomic variables on the formation of inflation expectations. It will test to see how consumers, economists and the market measure and forecast inflation both in the short and in the long run.
21
Feit, Tori L. "Customer satisfaction survey development and evaluation model for local business." Online version, 2002. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2002/2002feitt.pdf.
Full text
22
Gedusevs, Janis. "Smartphone sustainability assessment using multi-criteria analysis and consumer survey." Thesis, KTH, Hållbar utveckling, miljövetenskap och teknik, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-233401.
Full textAbstract:
Sustainability is a fairly new emerging business concept for manufacturing industry and this thesis will focus on smartphone manufacturing industry. In 2015 there were 1.86 billion smartphone users and it is estimated to increase to 2.87 billion in 2020. Currently the average lifetime of a smartphone is 21 months and According to Consumer Technology Association the technical life expectancy of a smartphone is 4.7 years. The European Commission approximated that from 17–20 kg of electronic waste is produced per person per year and that smartphones are contributors for increase of electronic waste. Also the smartphone manufacturing process has an impact on the people who are involved with manufacturing and resource extraction process. Related social problems include conflict minerals, issues in manufacturing campuses, health problems and excessive worktimes. There has been suspicion that large manufacturing companies use labour market in areas that have a high risk of poverty or lack of national authority that can protect labour rights. To investigate these emerging issues that has an impact on smartphone manufacturing sustainability, a sustainability ranking criteria for individual smartphones devices and their manufactures was developed. Furthermore, the aim of the research is to develop a ranking system using life cycle perspective and to evaluate sustainability of a smartphones upcycling, recycling, and social aspects. This aim will be accomplished by the following objectives: Develop evaluation system for smartphones using Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) to evaluate sustainability; Comparing sustainability of smartphones Fairphone 2, iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5, using developed Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA); Conducting general sustainability- focused survey about consumer demand for sustainable and ethical electronics. The method used in this research to assess smartphone sustainability was Multi-Criteria Analysis(MCA), based on eco-design trends and three pillars of sustainability, – economic, environmental and social. Eco-design will be supported using EcoDesing Roadmap by Conrad Luttropp and Göran Brohammer. In parallel with MCA method a survey was developed to briefly assess consumer’s behaviour in terms of choosing sustainable electronics. For better understanding about the consumer value on purchase decision, a survey was made considering the technical and sustainable aspects. The results of this survey will be used as indicator. Furthermore, results from this research (Table 1 MCA evaluation results) revealed that majority of chosen smartphones where lacking sustainable products aspects. This MCA ranking system also confirm that for sustainable designed smartphone it is equally important to have well established environmental management system for overall manufacturing process and afterlife of smartphone. Continuing, after conducting deeper analysis with combined results from MCA, survey revealed that general public are willing to pay more for sustainable products, but consumers lack information about the overall manufacturers` sustainability, as well Indicating that communication between manufacturers and consumers are very weak or even one way. The conclusion of the study about Smartphone sustainability assessment using multi-criteria analysis and the consumer survey has provided better understanding about the lack of transparency and complex logistics manufacturing process of smartphone. The lack of qualitative data and transparency from the manufactures side is a major issue that creates lot of uncertainties about smartphone manufacturing process and social issues for workforce that is involved in this manufacturing process.
23
Tung, Wei-Chia. "A customer perception and satisfaction survey for a Chinese buffet." Online version, 2003. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2003/2003tungw.pdf.
Full text
24
Taylor, A. "Consumer perceptions of maternity care in one health district." Thesis, University of Bath, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.383618.
Full text
25
Hartoyo. "Selected factors associated with consumers' perceptions of family finances, business, and buying conditions /." This resource online, 1991. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11298-22160/.
Full text
26
Arneill-Py, Ann. "Measurement invariance of the Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program Consumer Survey /." For electronic version search Digital dissertations database. Restricted to UC campuses. Access is free to UC campus dissertations, 2004. http://uclibs.org/PID/11984.
Full text
27
Vangvanitchyakorn, Titima. "A survey on consumer perception Southeast Asian restaurants in Minneapolis, Minnesota /." Online version, 2000. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2000/2000vangvanitchyakornt.pdf.
Full text
28
Davis, G. Scott. "Customer satisfaction for professional Services Group, Inc. development of an online customer satisfaction survey /." Online version, 2003. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2003/2003davisg.pdf.
Full text
29
Petric, Milica. "ON THE EFFECTS OF THE FOLLOW-UP IN THE STATISTICS SWEDEN SURVEY OF HOUSEHOLD FINANCES." Thesis, Örebro universitet, Handelshögskolan vid Örebro universitet, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-16540.
Full text
30
Gray, Daniel. "Household finances, well-being and subjective financial situation : an empirical analysis of household survey data." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2013. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/5142/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis aims to contribute to the existing literature relating to household finances and well-being by considering three related, yet distinct, topics. Recently, household finances and well-being have received increasing academic attention for numerous reasons, including the recent economic downturn. This thesis aims to explore household finances, well-being and the relationship between them. Chapter 2, the first empirical chapter, investigates the determinants of household financial portfolio allocation in the U.S. by exploring the proportion of total financial assets allocated to four distinct asset categories. The chapter employs a variety of econometric techniques to ascertain whether accounting for the proportional nature of the dependent variables influences the estimated coefficients. The analysis shows that it is important to separate decisions over holding different asset types and the proportions held. Chapter 3 explores the relationship between the household’s financial position and well-being in Britain, Australia and Germany. Building on the existing literature by employing panel data techniques, the analysis suggests that subjective financial position is an important determinant of well-being, while monetary levels of the household’s financial situation have a limited direct impact on well-being. Chapter 4 aims to ascertain the determinants of the subjective financial position and further explores the relationship between the head of household’s subjective financial position and overall life satisfaction in Australia and Germany. It is found that assets and net wealth are positively related to the subjective financial position, whereas debt levels are inversely related. In addition, risk attitudes are found to be an important determinant of subjective financial position. For Australia, once a joint modelling approach is implemented, there is no statistical relationship found between the head of household’s subjective financial position and overall life satisfaction. In Germany, the subjective financial position appears to mediate the relationship between monetary financial measures and overall life satisfaction.
31
Groppo, Virginia Elizabeth. "AN EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF LEGGINGS BASED ON A CONSUMER SURVEY." UKnowledge, 2019. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/mat_etds/17.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this research was to identify the legging features that athleisure consumers desire and the performance problems they frequently encounter. A non-probability sample (n=133) of college students who identified as female and wore leggings for non-athletic purposes were surveyed. The questionnaire was designed based upon examination of online product reviews and current complaints with legging products. The results of the survey were used to design and complete a laboratory evaluation. Laboratory samples and methods were then chosen to assess the performance qualities desired when purchasing leggings and the problems encountered when wearing leggings by the surveyed consumers. Three brands were identified by the survey as regularly consumed legging brands and included: Lululemon, Nike, and 90 Degree. All laboratory samples were a nylon, spandex blend fabric. Garments were laundered and evaluated after one, five, ten, and twenty washes. All evaluations were completed in a Textile Testing Laboratory according to AATCC and ASTM standard test methods.
32
Van, Heerden Nicolene. "Corporate social responsibility : a consumer survey at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/43269.
Full text
33
Latif, Nidhal Abbas Abdul. "Trihalomethane compounds in the drinking water of Kuwait : a survey from source to consumer." Thesis, Brunel University, 1991. http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/4973.
Full textAbstract:
A comprehensive survey of the presence of trihalomethane (THM) compounds, as chlorination by-products, in drinking water in Kuwait have been performed. The survey covers the whole drinking water treatment cycle, starting with sea water and ending with the consumer tap. The data generated by the survey was all derived from actual water treatment plants, operating under normal conditions. All four trihalomethane compounds, namely; chloroform (CHCI3), bromodichloromethane (CHBrCI2), dibromochloromethane (CHBr2CI) and bromoform (CHBr3) were covered. The study clearly showed that, although considerable amounts of THM compounds did form as a result of chlorination of sea water entering the multi-stage flash (MSF) distillation plants, these plants were highly efficient in removing these compounds. The average removal efficiency, based on THM compounds mass load in the sea water feed, was around 95%. Factors which were found to have an influence on the degree of formation of these compounds, include, chlorination practice (continuous vs. shock), sea water temperature, level of organic precursors and contact time. Of much more important consequence, as far as the presence of these compounds in drinking water is concerned, was the degree of THM compounds formation as a result of the chlorination of drinking water before it is pumped to the consumer. Here, not only all the compounds formed remain in the water but there is a definite tendency for continuous formation well after the actual chlorination process has taken place. Factors which were found affecting this formation include water temperature, contact time and chlorination dosage. Although, all samples collected showed that the presence of THM compounds was always below the United States Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level of 100 ~g/L, a need exists for the optimization of all chlorination processes with particular emphasis on the chlorination of drinking water. In almost all kinds of water encountered in this study, bromoform was found to be by far the most dominant compound.
34
Suarez, Robles Pablo. "Gender disparities in Africa's labour markets : An analysis of survey data from Ethiopia and Tanzania." Phd thesis, Université Paris-Est, 2012. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00909494.
Full textAbstract:
The main objective of this thesis is to contribute to our better understanding of the main factors behind large and persistent gender disparities in Africa's labour markets. This work looks at three key dimensions of labour market gender inequality in Africa: (i) the gender wage gap, (ii) gender inequalities in allocating time to market and household work, and (iii) the gender-differentiated income effect of informality. Chapter 2 shows that, in Ethiopia, progress towards gender equity in education is important to improve women's wages but not enough to close most of the gender wage differential. Other interventions would be needed as, for instance, information campaigns and other awareness-raising efforts in support of the anti-discriminatory provisions of Ethiopia's own constitution and legislation, to compensate for the adverse impact of unobservable factors (discriminatory practices, social and cultural norms...), that directly contribute to the gender wage gap and indirectly, through job selection. Chapter 3 highlights the coexistence of two phenomena in Ethiopia, a strong gender-based division of labour and a double work burden on women. The country would benefit from pursuing and intensifying its efforts to ensure better access to education at all levels for women, and from providing better information and enforcement of the law in support of women's economic and social well-being, as it would help changing mentalities and attitudes that impede women to take full advantage of their abilities and that keep them subordinated to men. Finally, in Chapter 4 we observe that, in Tanzania, women face a significantly higher informal employment wage penalty than men. To explain this result, we conjecture that the exclusion hypothesis, according to which individuals are denied access to formal jobs due to the disproportionate constraints they face (burden of household responsibilities, lack of adequate infrastructure...), is more acute among women.JEL classification : J16, J22, J24, J31, J42, J71
35
Swart, Magdalena Petronella. "Service quality a survey amongst convention consumers at the CSIR International Convention Centre /." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2006. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07062007-160628.
Full text
36
Svedberg, Petra, Bodil Ivarsson, Ulrica G. Nilsson, Åsa Roxberg, Amir Baigi, David Brunt, Margareta Brännström, et al. "Psychometric evaluation of a Swedish version of Krantz Health Opinion Survey." Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för hälso- och vårdvetenskap, HV, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-22376.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psy- chometric properties of a Swedish version of The Krantz Health Opinion Survey (KHOS). A conven- ience sample of 79 persons (47 men and 32 women) was recruited from The Heart and Lung Patients’ National Association at ten local meeting places in different areas in Sweden. The questionnaire was examined for face and content validity, internal con-sistency and test-retest reliability. The findings showed that the Swedish version of KHOS is accept- able in terms of face and content validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability over time among 79 individuals >65 years of age and with a cardiac disease. In conclusion, wider evaluations of the psy- chometric use of KHOS for other populations and settings are recommended.SAMMI
37
Siswopranoto, Hartoyo. "Selected factors associated with consumers' perceptions of family finances, business, and buying conditions." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44311.
Full text
38
Ali, Husam Mukhtar. "Predicting the overall perceived value of a leisure service a survey of restaurant patrons in Pretoria /." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2007. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07252007-113203/.
Full text
39
Olsson, Karin. "Brand gap and the effect of country-of-origin : A consumer survey in Rhone-Alps." Thesis, Mälardalens högskola, Akademin för hållbar samhälls- och teknikutveckling, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-15465.
Full textAbstract:
Research questions: What are the brand images and brand identities of Renault Trucks, Novembal/Tetra Pak and IKEA? Is there a brand gap? How does country-of-origin have an effect on the perception of the brands? How does the respondent’s sex have an importance in the perception of the brand and the effect of country-of-origin? Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to describe, compare and analyze the existence of brand gaps and the effect of country-of-origin with the final intention to provide management recommendations for the studied companies. Method: A quantitative consumer survey of 42 subjects was collected and analyzed. In addition, interviews were conducted with three Swedish companies, as well as an interview with the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Lyon. Aaker’s (1997) Big Five model was used in the analysis. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the brand identities and brand images of the companies. A brand gap is widely present. Aaker’s (1997) model had to be modified and includes new dimensions and traits. Country-of-origin (COO) plays a role in 100% of the consumers’ perception and purchasing process. COO bias, ethnocentrism and animosity are present and play a role in the 42 consumers’ attitudes and purchase decisions in Rhone-Alps. Men and women have different attitudes and degree of ethnocentrism towards the effect of country-of-origin (COE).
40
Mueller, Stacy Layne. "In-home consumer evaluations of individual muscles from beef rounds subjected to tenderization treatments." Texas A&M University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/4659.
Full textAbstract:
An in-home evaluation of beef value cuts from the round was conducted to
determine ways to improve palatability attributes for steaks prepared by consumers. The
M. vastus lateralis, M. rectus femoris, M. semimembranosus, and M. adductor (n = 266)
muscles were either blade tenderized, enhanced with a salt and phosphate solution, or
served as a control. Consumers (n = 261) cooked these steaks as they normally would
and were asked to document cooking method and degree of doneness, as well as
palatability ratings for overall like, tenderness, juiciness, flavor intensity, and flavor
desirability for each steak. Enhancing round muscles with a salt and phosphate solution
improved most palatability traits compared to those that were blade tenderized or not
treated. For M. semimembranosus and M. vastus lateralis, the enhanced steaks received
higher (P < 0.05) ratings for all palatability traits. For the most part, cooking method
and degree of doneness had little influence on consumer palatability ratings. Where
differences occurred, they were muscle specific, which may allow limited
recommendations for certain muscles with respect to the most appropriate cooking
method and degree of doneness.
41
Elliott, Jane E. "The colonies clothed : a survey of consumer interests in New South Wales and Victoria, 1787-1887 /." Title page, contents and introduction only, 1988. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phe462.pdf.
Full text
42
Anderson, Olivia. "A survey of gender differences in technophobia and in the adoption of high-technology consumer products." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/24407.
Full textAbstract:
Despite the advent of technology into consumers’ daily lives, many consumers are plagued by feelings of fear towards complex technology-related products. Feelings of anxiety and fear often lead to the avoidance of technology; in other words, so-called ‘technophobia’. This study aims to establish whether gender differences in technophobia and the adoption of high-technology consumer products continue to exist in this digital age, or whether they have indeed changed over time. Further, this study also aims to uncover the main social reasons that gender differences in technophobia can occur. The results of this study provide new insight into gender differences towards technology purchases. The findings should assist marketers by providing a clearer understanding of how men and women adopt new technology products in the 21st century. By understanding gender differences in attitudes towards technology, marketers are better able to target and communicate technology benefits that consumers can relate to and appreciate. Following a review of the available literature, the theory of the diffusion of innovation was presented as a foundation to studies of gender differences in technophobia. The Technology Readiness Index (TRI) was introduced as a sound means of measuring technophobia, based on an in-depth study of the available measurement scales to measure for technophobia. The study included men and women, aged between 25 and 35 years, of higher socio-economic classes, residing in the Northern Johannesburg regions of South Africa. Gender differences in levels of technophobia are studied in relation to three different technologies (computers, DSLR cameras and home automation technology) in order to compare gender differences towards technologies at different stages of the diffusion curve. Future research avenues regarding studies in to technophobia are also presented. The results indicate that traditional differences between genders towards technology still exist amongst South African consumers. Women continue to experience higher levels of technophobia towards new technology than men. However, the degree of these differences changes, depending on the technology used. Regarding why these gender differences may occur, levels of optimism, risk taking and cognitive involvement between genders were measured. In general, the results indicate that traditional gender differences towards technology continue to exist in South Africa. Thus, although marketers may assume that in the modern digital age, men and women are consuming electronics in the same manner, this study shows that this is not necessarily the case, and as a new product is introduced to the market, marketers need to employ differentiating strategies in order to target both men and women successfully. By tailoring the manner in which technology is advertised and shared to the female consumer, marketers are better able to capture this more ‘technophobic’ consumer. The advertising of technologies exasperates the gender divide by confirming established sex role stereotypes, and managers need to learn to differentiate and cater for both genders when advertising technology products. This study illustrates that the degree of technophobia women possess towards technology depends on the technology and its ‘inherent gender bias’ and marketers need to adapt their communications according to the technology being sold. Marketers in the electronics industry cannot have a ‘one-hat-fits-all’ assumption of women and technology, and need to analyse the ‘technology fit’ and communicate it to the market accordingly. By uncovering the social reasons why gender differences continue to exist, advertisers can use these inherent gender differences to test and design advertisements that improve female beliefs about the technology. Marketers are encouraged to experiment with different communication strategies that improve inherent beliefs based on social norms. This study found that women are less optimistic than men, exhibit higher levels of risk aversion, and higher cognitive-processing than men when considering technology purchases. The greatest challenge in stimulating the adoption of high-technology products is the perceived risk that a consumer undergoes when making a purchasing decision. Increasing levels of consumer resistance are also attributed to the sheer volume of new information in the digital era and managers thus need to employ simplifying strategies in order to help break through the messaging clutter and alleviate the information overload that the consumer is experiencing. Managers need to find a balance between being seen as innovative market leaders, and successfully introducing the technology at a pace that invites consumer adoption and acceptance. This study provides strong empirical support for managers attempting to successfully target technology products to men and women. By uncovering gender differences in the way that one reacts to technology, one is better able to understand the consumer and marketing efforts are strengthened. This study not only sheds some light on consumer attitudes, feelings and reactions to new technologies, but it also provides important insight into how men and women accept technology in the market.Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Marketing Management
MCom
Unrestricted
43
Heckman, Stuart J. "Consumer Risk Preferences and Higher Education Enrollment Decisions." The Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1404299902.
Full text
44
Wang, Xin. "USING LINKED HOUSEHOLD-LEVEL DATASETS TO EXPLAIN CONSUMER RESPONSE TO BSE IN CANADA." UKnowledge, 2011. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/199.
Full textAbstract:
Household-level Canadian meat purchases from 2002-2008, a Food Opinions Survey conducted in 2008 at the national level and household-level egg purchases from 2002-2005 in Alberta and Ontario were used to explore consumer responses to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada.
The opinions survey focused on nutritional priorities, general and specific food safety concerns, and trust in government and food industry decision makers. The egg data set contained specific product information allowing us to distinguish purchases of conventional eggs from those of value-added eggs with perceived health attributes. Thus, the egg purchase data appeared to be an interesting proxy of revealed willingness-to-pay for health attributes and animal welfare attributes in products other than meat, and it served as a proxy of awareness and concern for farm-level production practices. Three measures of beef purchases were used to understand consumers‘ reaction to food risk. A random effects logit model was applied to test whether any beef was purchased during a given month. Consumption in terms of unit purchases was measured with a random effects negative binomial model, and consumption in terms of beef expenditure was measured with a standard random effects model. Regional differences appeared, with consumers in eastern Canada reacting most negatively to BSE. Consumers responded more to the perception that food decision makers are honest about food safety than to the perception that they are knowledgeable, in maintaining beef purchases during BSE events. Consumers who purchased value-added eggs reacted significantly more negatively to the second and third BSE events, as did those who reported increasing food safety concerns in the opinions survey. Their negative responses to BSE were stronger than those of consumers who purchased conventional products which indicated a relationship exists between concern for health and nutrition attributes and food safety. This study extends previous research by enlarging the time periods and more data sources which can be helpful to identify individual heterogeneity and the application of panel random effects models which also targets on controlling the unobserved and constant aspects of households.
45
Abdel-Mohsen, Tawfik Mohamed. "Marketing and competitiveness : a survey of current practice and performance in the UK textile machinery industry." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 1986. http://oleg.lib.strath.ac.uk:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=23761.
Full textAbstract:
In common with many other branches of engineering in the UK, the textile engineering industry has lost its competitiveness in international markets. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the reasons underlying this decline. In particular, the research focused on understanding the role that marketing factors have played in the declining competitiveness of the industry and the means by which British management and the government may be able to overcome this problem and improve the competitive situation of the industry. A thorough examination of the literature dealing with competitiveness was carried out and based upon this, specific hypotheses were formulated and tested. The empirical investigation was carried out during the period between March and June 1986. A questionnaire was mailed to 128 firms in the British textile machinery industry. The subsequent analysis is based on a total sample of 31 companies which is considered to be reasonably representative of the industry as a whole. The findings of the field work revealed that the steady decline of the UK textile machinery industry international competitiveness is linked to a lack of marketing orientation. Many British companies are production or sales-oriented rather than marketing oriented. By contrast, the in-roads being made into the UK market by foreign textile machinery manufacturers were largely based on a strategy aimed at satisfying customer needs and wants. To improve the performance of this industry in the UK, it is recommended that a marketing oriented approach should be adopted by British management and the government should take steps to remove the obstacles which impede the performance of the industry, such as inadequate investment, lack of qualified R&D personnel and the proliferation of bureaucratic practices.
46
Kleist, Kyle A. "A survey of transportation availability and consumer satisfaction among elderly and disabled individuals in Pierce County, Wisconsin." Online version, 2004. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2004/2004kleistk.pdf.
Full text
47
Alsup, Michael. "A Survey of the Utilization of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Guidelines for Playgrounds in Tennessee." TopSCHOLAR®, 1990. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2109.
Full textAbstract:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's A Handbook For Public Playground Safety was published in 1981 in response to a petition to develop a mandatory set of safety standards. The National Recreation and Park Association and the National Bureau of Standards were selected to work on the project. As the study developed, the Commission realized that a set of standards was needed instead of mandatory requirements.
Because there has not been any improvement in injury statistics nation-wide to date, the purpose of this study was to determine the degree of utilization of the guidelines in Tennessee. This was seen as being important to public agencies due to the liability of operating playgrounds and the rising expense of judgments against agencies in lawsuits.
A survey instrument was developed, with the aid of a jury of experts, to serve as the data gathering tool. It was mailed to ninety-four city and county departments in Tennessee. The survey included questions concerning the possession of the Handbook, inspections and maintenance, playground design, ground surfaces, and playground equipment. It was analyzed by tabulating percentages, simple frequencies, and numerical ranking.
Surveys were completed and returned by sixty-four departments; only half responded that they had copies of Handbook. The tabulations indicated that all of those who were familiar with the Handbook reported that they believed utilizing them would reduce injuries. The majority of those responding to the survey indicated that the guidelines were being followed and that inspections and maintenance were being conducted regularly. Moreover, the tabulations indicated that the types and placement of equipment were usually within the guidelines.
The researcher, based on the findings of the study, the recommended: all departments should obtain a copy of the Handbook and use it as a guide for any aspect of their playgrounds; documentation and inspection of playgrounds should be carried out at least weekly by employees who are assigned to the task and trained; any playgrounds that do not conform to the guidelines should be renovated or removed: and ground surfaces should be used in recommended depths to aid in cushioning falls.
48
Simmons, Jennifer. "The relationship between consumer debt and mental health." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/910.
Full textAbstract:
Consumer debt is a growing phenomenon in the US and throughout the world. The beginning of the 21st century has been defined by such an incredible growth in consumer debt that American families have increased their debt relative to personal income four times faster than in the 1990s. Since the Federal Reserve began measuring the amount of American consumer debt and consumer income in the 1980s, consumer debt never exceeded consumer income until 2004 when it reached 104.8% of income. In the last two decades, researchers have observed a significant correlation between debt and mental health. The purpose of this thesis is to examine a comprehensive sample of previous quantitative research conducted on the relationship between debt and mental health. This thesis discusses the research in the following categories: 1) increased debt as a contributor to decreased mental health; 2) decreased mental health as a contributor to increased debt; 3) high correlation between debt and mental health risks.B.S.W.
Bachelors
Health and Public Affairs
Social Work
49
Newcomb, Ellyn Margaret. "Effects of GM Disclosure Statements on Consumer Perceptions of Selected Food Products in Survey and Sensory Panel Settings." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2017. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6699.
Full textAbstract:
The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (PL 114-216) will require nearly all foods sold in the U.S. to bear a statement disclosing whether they contain genetically modified (GM) material. Past studies suggest the presence of such a statement could have profound effects on consumers; however, research comparing consumer response towards different GM-disclosure statements is scarce. PL 114-216 states that GM foods shall not be considered more or less safe than their non-bioengineered counterparts, nevertheless it would benefit regulators and food manufacturers to be aware of the possible effects such disclosures might have on consumers. In a nationwide survey, multiple disclosure statements with varying degrees of public familiarity were compared to evaluate consumer perceptions and attitudes associated with each statement. Average consumer knowledge level of GM processes was also measured. The statements were then paired with actual food items to determine whether specific product categories influenced consumer responses. A select few of these statements and foods were included in a taste panel, allowing researchers to analyze if disclosure statements affected a consumer's sensorial experience. Results suggested that consumers were most favorable towards statements indicating the absence of GM-material, however they also responded less negatively towards new disclosure statements that do not have negative connotations. Additionally, consumers may react differently depending on the food accompanying a particular disclosure, although the taste panel data found no evidence that statements affected actual eating experience. Importantly, data from both surveys and taste panel suggested a disclosure statement may affect consumer willingness to buy a product.
50
Nicolson, Moira Lindsey. "Using behavioural science to increase consumer adoption of time-of-use electricity tariffs : evidence from survey and field experiments." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2018. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10044460/.
Full textAbstract:
A challenge for realising the benefits of smart meters, promoting energy security and decarbonising electricity is encouraging domestic consumers to switch from flat-rate electricity tariffs to a new generation of time of use (TOU) tariffs. However, a greater challenge is how to ensure that the right consumers sign up and that consent is informed: not all consumers will save money on a TOU tariff and evidence shows that a sizeable minority could be financially worse off. In a marked departure from the existing literature, this thesis argues that opt-out enrolment (a type of ‘nudge’) is unlikely to be a suitable method of recruiting consumers onto TOU tariffs, even though it could achieve almost universal enrolment. The first study shows that half of British energy consumers are unable to make informed choices about the cost-effective tariff for them, particularly those in low socio-economic grades. Consumers are therefore unlikely to opt-out of being switched onto a TOU tariff, even when unsuitable. Results from three further studies covering a collective sample size of 16,000 participants, show that tailoring the marketing of TOU tariffs towards electric vehicle (EV) owners could increase demand for TOUs amongst EV owners whilst reducing demand amongst non-EV owners, who pose less of a burden to the electricity network and are less likely to save money from switching. Unlike opt-out enrolment, tailored marketing is an ‘effective and selective’ nudge (Johnson, 2016). Unlike personalised defaults, tailored marketing can achieve informed consent. The results have implications for multiple ‘smart’ energy programmes, from signing up to TOU tariffs or direct load control contracts to participating in vehicle-to-grid services. In each case, a decision will need to be made about whether consumers will be left to opt-in or opt-out of such services, and to what extent it matters that consent is informed.