Examining the Moderating Role of Reasons in Masstige Luxury Buying Behavior

This study proposes a new model derived from Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT) to examine the purchasing behavior of masstige jewelry consumers. The suggested model provides a more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of purchasing masstige products by considering values and reasons in addition to the global motives and intention. The study also examines, for the first time, the moderating role of reasons. It explores how reasons may strengthen or weaken the impact of perceived values on global motives. The proposed model was empirically tested using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with survey data on the consumption of masstige jewelry brands in Türkiye. To provide a more complete understanding of the moderating role of reasons, submodels were constructed for different value-reason combinations. The results demonstrate notable differences in the goodness-of-fit measures between the moderated and non-moderated models. Specifically, reasons contributed to enhanced explanations of global motives and intention, both directly and indirectly. However, not all submodels yielded significant results in terms of the moderator effect. Thus, the empirical tests supported the hypotheses regarding the moderating effect only partially. Overall, the current findings further extend the existing frameworks and provide valuable insights into masstige jewelry purchasing behavior, which can be used by marketers to develop more effective strategies.

Organic food purchase decisions from a context-based behavioral reasoning approach

While the burgeoning development of organic foods has received great interest from academicians, the green gap has been posing challenges to the understanding of the inconsistency between consumers' actions and their positive intentions towards organic foods. The latest marketing literature has pointed to the potential of the cognitive and reasoning process taking into account context-specificity as the answer to the problem. Applying the novel Behavioral Reasoning Theory, this study sets out to bridge this gap by providing insights into the context-based reasoning process of Vietnamese consumers. PLS-SEM method was employed to test the proposed hypotheses between values, reasons, attitudes, behavioral intention, and actual purchase behavior among 300 consumers from two big cities (i.e., Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh) in Vietnam. The mediation analysis was conducted for reasons and attitudes. The model was also extended using trust and knowledge factors. Overall, the results suggested the strong cognitive routes originated from values onto reasons and attitudes, whereas attitudes and reasons (for and against) positively influenced purchase intentions. Additionally, the mediational effects of both reasons and attitudes were not established. Trust was found strengthening reasons for and attitudes while mitigating reasons against. Consumers' knowledge rendered impacts on intentions but not attitudes. Useful implications for academicians, marketers, and policymakers were also discussed.

Enhancing safety competencies of young adults: A randomized field trial (RCT)

INTRODUCTION

Young workers are exposed to various occupational hazards, often with limited experience and skills. In this study, we investigated the effects of the Attitude to Work Program on the safety competencies of young workers. Based on the social cognitive theory, the intervention was developed to help young people adopt an active role in preventing occupational hazards and overcoming barriers to safe work.

METHOD

The program was implemented in eight upper secondary-level vocational schools in Finland during 2015. A total of 464 students participated in the cluster randomized field trial. Those in the intervention group (n = 229) participated in the Attitude to Work Program. During the program, students identified and practiced behavioral strategies to prevent occupational hazards. Students in the control condition (n = 235) received written material about the same safety-related topics.

RESULTS

The short-term follow-up showed that the intervention significantly increased safety preparedness and the internal safety locus of control among the students in the intervention condition in comparison to those in the control condition. Students in the intervention condition also showed reduced risk-taking attitudes relative to those in the control condition. Furthermore, those who benefited most from the program were high conscientiousness students. The sensation-seeking level or vocational track did not moderate any of the intervention effects.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that safety competencies can be modified by intervention techniques based on a social-cognitive framework.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study provides tools for school-based safety training and future intervention development. Further research is needed to study the relationships between cognitive factors, safety behavior, and accidents.

Specific Factors Underlying Reemployment Self-Efficacy

This study compared two methods for assessing the specific factors underlying people’s reemployment self-efficacy (RSE). The first method used control belief measures, which assessed the specific factors perceived to make reemployment easy or difficult. The second method used motivational reason measures, which assessed the specific (nonhypothetical) factors people use to explain their overall RSE. Measures from both methods were applied to the same attribute categories, such as job availability, work qualifications, and job-listing information. An ethnically diverse sample of 815 unemployed individuals (mean age 37.2 years) registering for unemployment benefits in New York City participated. As hypothesized, results indicated that both control belief and motivational reason variables were related to RSE. In line with expectations, motivational reason variables explained substantial variance in RSE and scheduled interviews beyond that explained by the control belief variables. Moreover, the motivational reason method identified several variables influencing RSE that the control belief method was unable to identify as significant (e.g., having needed qualifications and job-listing knowledge). When results from both methods were presented to executive management at the New York City Department of Labor, motivational reason results had the strongest impact on subsequent policy decisions.

The reasons behind change recipients’ behavioral reactions: a longitudinal investigation

Purpose

– At the heart of organizational change lies the extent to which individuals cope with the uncertainties and complexities that change introduces into their work lives. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the behavioral reactions of employees to change and their associated reasons for or against a large-scale technological change implemented in a bank.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 146 bank employees located in 40 bank branches participated two times in providing critical incidents regarding their initial and midcourse reactions to this change.

Findings

– Results showed that anticipated benefits associated with change initiate positive reactions to change. These reactions are maintained positive due to supervisory support. Resistance is activated by perceived high cost-low benefit change at hand and it is shifted to active support when there is open communication and supervisory support.

Originality/value

– Until now the majority of research studies on reactions to change do not investigate the duration and/or continuity of a behavior, assuming that once the reasons behind and the behaviors are formulated these will persist over time.

Antecedents of injury among youth in agricultural settings: a longitudinal examination of safety consciousness, dangerous risk taking, and safety knowledge

PROBLEM

Injuries are the leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States.

METHODS

This study longitudinally examined three psychological mediators of injury among 3,081 youths in agricultural settings: (a) safety consciousness, (b) dangerous risk taking, and (c) safety knowledge. These variables are examined within a nomological network of contextual variables.

RESULTS

Cross-sectional results revealed that safety consciousness and dangerous risk taking were the strongest predictors of reported injury at Time 1 and Time 2. Safety knowledge had an unexpected negative association with injury, albeit weak. As predicted, participating in safety activities was positively associated with safety consciousness, and time spent working was strongly associated with safety knowledge. Furthermore, self-esteem had both positive and negative safety outcomes, suggesting a more complex functioning. Males exhibited fewer safety cognitions than females as predicted. Longitudinal data also revealed that injury at Time 1 and dangerous risk taking were the strongest predictors of Time 2 injury.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY

Results from this study emphasize the importance of assessing dangerous risk-taking perceptions when attempting to predict future injuries.