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Most research on socially responsible consumer behavior has focused on consumer purchasing behavior; therefore, little is known about it during the product disposal stage. This study seeks an in-depth understanding of consumer disposal behavior in a used clothing donation setting. An interpretive analysis revealed that the primary motivation for participants' used clothing donation behavior is the need to create space in the closet for something new. The threat of feelings of guilt played a significant role throughout the process prior to donation, specifically in the decision whether to discard or donate a clothing item. Participants experienced both utilitarian and hedonic values regarding their donation behavior, and these values in turn affected future donation intentions. A conceptual model based on the study findings that integrates a theory of reasoned action framework with a consumer values perspective is proposed. Study implications and future research avenues are also discussed.

This qualitative study explored the motivations, goals, and experiences of 25 female apparel majors enrolled at two large Russian universities. Data were collected via in-depth interviews and a demographic questionnaire, and interpreted thematically to explore commonalities and differences across student narratives. Substantial reforms resulting from profound socioeconomic and political changes have affected both higher education and industry in Russia. Based on the analysis of student narratives, three topical areas are used to structure the thematic interpretation and to address key issues stemming from the students' perceptions regarding the relationship between Russian apparel programs and the country's apparel industry. The results establish the significance of apparel programs for facilitating Russian women's career aspirations and have implications for understanding the educational and employment goals of women from an international perspective. Further research is needed to understand the roles these Russian women take on within the industry after graduation.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of cognitive‐ versus chronological‐age factors in activewear apparel advertisements targeting female baby boomers in the USA.Design/methodology/approachA total of 50 female participants aged 41‐65 were asked to view two print advertisements: one showing activewear apparel worn by a cognitive‐age model and the other by a chronological‐age model. Participants then responded to a four‐part questionnaire that included a measurement of cognitive age, physical activity, response to the advertisements, and purchase intent.FindingsThe responses indicated that the participants view themselves as younger than their chronological age and were more inclined to respond favorably toward the advertisement using the cognitive age model.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this study focuses on only one consumer group – US baby boomers – it reveals their current attitudes toward advertisements of activewear apparel as well as their motivations for purchasing activewear apparel. More research on this age demographic and the impact of cognitive age vs. chronological age on their perceptions of advertising is needed.Originality/valueCurrently one of the largest age demographics in the USA, baby boomers are known for having higher amounts of disposable income as compared to other age cohorts and for their interest in physical fitness and leading active lifestyles. The results of this study point to the need to understand the age‐related perceptions of this consumer group in order to successfully market activewear apparel products directly to them.

This qualitative study explores recent textile and apparel industry dynamics from the point of view of the news media to understand how such dynamics are presented to the general public. North Carolina, having been home to many jobs in these industries, was used as a case study. Data were a total of 600 articles from two of the state's primary newspapers spanning the period from 1998 to 2003. Content of these articles was analyzed via a hermeneutic, interpretative framework to develop a thematic interpretation of the image of the two industries provided by the news media. Several themes were tied together through three broad topical areas—industry changes, strategic initiatives, and the impact of loss—and provide a multidimensional view of the industries as presented to the public. Further research is needed to understand the impact this image might have on public perceptions of the future of these industries.

In a consumption-driven society wherein material possessions are considered a reflection of the self (Belk 1988), it is not uncommon for consumers to become obsessed with buying things. At the extreme end of this obsession, compulsive buying behavior (CBB) has received increased attention over the past 25 years. CBB is defined as a form of excessive buying behavior that leads to negative consequences, such as personal distress, marital or family disruption, financial debt, and even legal problems (Black et al. 1998; Christenson et al. 1994; Goldsmith and McElroy 2000).

Approximately four million women become mothers every year in the United States alone (CDC 2013). Motherhood is often seen as a life changing experience, and one that carries with it a great deal of significance for a woman’s identity and self-concept (Michaels and Goldberg 1988). Indeed, according to Michaels et al. (1982), the transition to parenthood is likely the most universally-occurring adult developmental transition, and one that has psychological, sociocultural, and biological implications. Women in particular experience profound psychological and biological changes, including noticeable appearance-related changes such as an increased body size and/or different body shape. As a result, a new mother is faced with having to forge a new, postpartum identity, and consumption often plays an important role in this process (Prothero 2002; Thomsen and Sorensen 2006). This study examines how new mothers use consumption to establish identity and the importance of consumption in conveying this identity to others.

Making an appearance in the mid-1990s, blogs were first viewed primarily as “internet sites that served as a platform for open communication and detailed discussions” (Rocamora 2011, p. 408). Although blogs were promoted as a tool for everyone, at the time, the technology was mostly used for political and educational discourse. It was not until the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 that blog use achieved worldwide popularity (Rocamora 2011). As bloggers began to see the benefits of blogs as a communication tool, they started to expand beyond the topics of politics and education. Many researchers consider this moment in history to be the birth of personal blogging (Chittenden 2010; Rocamora 2011).

Clothing and textiles research is examined within a futuring framework to discuss potential avenues for development of thought within the field. A philosophical perspective linking ontology, epistemology, and methodology is posited as important to exploring assumptions that guide the research process. The material culture studies perspective, the feminist social science perspective, and the critical science perspective are discussed as three potential ways of approaching the subject matter in need of mainstreaming as we look to the future of knowledge production within clothing and textiles. Based on this discussion, ideas and implications for scenario-building in the traditional futures sense are presented.

Very few studies exist that explore what retirement means to male consumers and how they use products to navigate this life transition. Further, the South American consumer has been almost completely ignored in research on consumption. As life expectancies are increasing worldwide, examination of retirement as a life phase provides opportunities for contributing to theory as well as managerial practice. The purpose of this study is to understand how males perceive the transition from working to retired life and the role of favorite appearance-related possessions in this process.

Despite the growing popularity of music festivals, no studies have examined the consumption experience specifically within such contexts. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine Americana music festivals as a particular kind of experiential “consumptionscape” (Ger & Belk, 1996) whereby festivalgoers’ consumption of goods and services take place in a hedonic festival atmosphere crafted by festival organizers.

The purpose of this study was to examine consumers’ use of online fashion product rental services as communicated through social media and interpreted through the framework of Institutional Theory.

Purpose – To examine the impact of changes in the US textile and apparel industries on employment patterns at the state level compared with the nation as a whole during the period of 1997-2003. Design/methodology/approach – Secondary data sources were analyzed to develop an overall picture of changes happening in the North Carolina industries compared with the USA overall. A focus on North Carolina, a primary location of the industries within the USA, permits a micro-level examination of changes in employment trends for one state in comparison with those of the industries nation-wide. Three industries form the bulk of the data examined: Textile Mills (NAICS-313), Textile Product Mills (NAICS-314), and Apparel Manufacturing (NAICS-315). Findings – An overall decrease in employment and number of units for all three industries was found. The number of establishments in the North Carolina textile complex decreased by 25 percent and employment by almost 50 percent. The state losses resembled those of the nation as a whole. For the majority of industry groups, the trend in value of shipments mirrored the downward direction of employment from 1997 to 2001. Research limitations/implications – Although this study focuses on only one state in comparison with the USA as a whole, it reveals current trends in employment patterns and has implications for developing an in-depth picture of regional versus national industry performance during a period of decline. Originality/value – Within this study, industry change was interpreted at both the state and national level through employment patterns as a means to explore why some industry groups have remained relatively healthy compared with others and what this means for industry employment in the future.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the importance of motivation factors and the moderator for consumers’ adoption of SSTs and specifically within the apparel retail environment. Results indicate that individuals who perceive SSTs to be personally enjoyable are likely to display a favorable attitude toward using SSTs in the apparel retail environment. Findings indicate a significant moderating effect of familiarity with using SSTs on the relationship between technology anxiety and attitudes In other words, the influence of technology anxiety was weaker in high levels of familiarity toward technology usage conditions than in low levels of familiarity. Findings also reveal a significant relationship between attitude and intention to make purchases using SSTs in an apparel retail store. This study contributes to the growing knowledge base about consumers’ shopping behaviors in relation to SSTs, and fills a gap in the literature about the potential for SST use in the apparel retail shopping environment. Findings can aid apparel retailers that are looking to enhance their service offerings by offering an additional means for customers to purchase merchandise in the store, particularly important during busy shopping periods, such as Christmas and Black Friday.

The use of vouchers has great potential as a management tool for improving human service delivery options for individuals with complex service needs. The administration of voucher systems can radically change both the processes by which children are assigned to programs and the mechanism for funding and managing those programs. An evaluative survey compared a voucher payment system to the traditional contracting approach for early childhood intervention services. Parents, who have children with developmental delays or developmental disabilities from birth to three years, reported high satisfaction with the services their children received. Costs of services were lower using vouchers than under the traditional funding system, thus, providing the ability to serve more children without increasing the funding base. Children served through vouchers received substantially more individual therapy and other supportive services than their center-based peers.

Common issues related to conducting and reviewing qualitative research are examined. Questions of sample size, reliability, validity, generalizability and quality, along with the primary aim of qualitative approaches are addressed relative to the philosophical foundations and epistemological assumptions of qualitative inquiry.

Politicians in the United States are facing increasing levels of voter disengagement with the electoral process at all levels, including state and local elections (Smith and French 2009). At the same time, it has become increasingly common for voters to make decisions about a candidate based on more immediate and visual kinds of cues, in that elections have become increasingly focused on marketing the candidate as a brand (Guzman and Sierra 2009). Breaking through communication clutter to achieve voter awareness and recall is now essential to a successful campaign (Aaker 1996; Jackson 2003). Recent studies on popular national elections suggest that appearance, as a visual cue, is a powerful arbiter of campaign success (Lawson, Lenz, Baker and Myers 2011; Lenz and Lawson 2011). However, such studies do not consider the topic of appearance in political marketing when media coverage is less frequent, such as state or local elections, or from the perspective of the politician and those involved in political campaigns (Hoegg and Lewis 2011). Thus the purpose of this qualitative study is to address these gaps in knowledge by exploring the role of appearance management in political marketing from the point of view of local politicians and campaign workers.

Social media use by online retailers and marketers has typically focused on developing brand relationships with consumers (Baker 2012; Castronovo and Lei 2012; Kim and Ko; 2012), and increasing a brand’s online social presence as a way to build a brand-based consumption community (Hur, Ahn, and Kim 2011). Online retailers typically do not use social media to build business-to-business relationships or to create partnerships with others sharing a common consumer market. In the rare instances when online retailers do use social media to build relationships with others, it is often limited to those that are already supply chain partners (Brennan and Croft 2012; Sood and Pattinson 2012). In contrast, Etsy.com deliberately uses social media to create a marketplace designed to connect businesses together within a larger selling community. In light of this approach, the purpose of this study was to explore how Etsy uses social media to support business-to-business relationships and create its marketplace through a community of sellers.

According to the U.S. Census (2013), approximately 57 million people in the U.S. have at least one form of disability. Because of physical or mental limitations, disabled individuals may engage in behaviors that are unlike those of others in their society (Ittyerah & Kumar, 2009). One such behavior that may be affected by disabilities is dress behavior. For example, if an individual has a visual impairment, she/he may need someone to assist with clothing selection and need clothing with less complicated design. Because consumer behavior research has typically focused on the general population of consumers and assumed consumers’ normalcy (Miller, 1997), the population of those with special needs has been largely ignored by researchers.

Approximately four million women become mothers every year in the United States alone (CDC, 2013). According to Michaels, Hoffman, and Goldberg (1982), the transition to motherhood is the most universally-occurring adult developmental transition, and one that has implications for an individual’s psychological, sociocultural, and biological state. This transition also has implications for consumption, in that, “From the moment a woman finds out she is pregnant, the way she thinks, feels, and shops changes” (Eric Mower and Associates, 2013, para. 3).

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hedonic and utilitarian attitudes toward shopping for home furnishings case goods differed across generational cohorts. The generational cohorts included in the study were: Silent Generation (born between 1925 and 1942), Baby Boomers (born between 1943 and 1960), Generation X (born between 1961 and 1981), and Generation Y (born between 1982 and 2000).

The purpose of this study is to explore perceptions of corporate social responsibility among Indian apparel manufacturers. In last few decades, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has marked its importance in scholarly research as evidenced by an increasing number of articles and journals dedicated to the topic (Dirnach, 2008). This increase in popularity is a result of globalization and international trade (Jamali & Mirshak, 2006), as the era of globalization has meant that many apparel retailers do not own production factories, but have divested their manufacturing in favor of outsourced production. Availability of inexpensive labor and low production costs make developing countries attractive outsourcing locations. For this reason, India is emerging as one of the major players in the global apparel supply chain. The country's textile and clothing industry contributes significantly to its export earnings, comprising approximately 14% of its total industrial production (Ministry of Textiles, 2009). This sector employs about 35 million people, making it the second largest provider of jobs in India after agriculture (Ministry of Textiles, 2009). A qualitative research design was employed, and a multi-method approach, including depth interviews, observation and secondary data was used to collect data in India. Twenty-six industry professionals working in the Indian apparel industry were interviewed, including 20 males and 6 females. Participants' job titles ranged from merchandiser, designer, and production manager, to divisional merchandise manager. Five factories in New Delhi and the Neighboring Capital Region were observed and eleven Indian apparel manufacturers' websites were reviewed for CSR-related content. Data were analyzed for commonalities and differences that surfaced across participants' experiences, which were then used to structure a thematic interpretation. Seven key issues help to define CSR and articulate its role in the Indian apparel sector: (1) What is CSR?, (2) Benefits of CSR, (3) Challenges of CSR, (4) A Question of Responsibility, (5) A Matter of Size, (6) The Role of Auditing, and (7) Moving Forward with CSR. The Normative Stakeholder Theory and the Three Domain Model of CSR were used to guide the analysis and interpretation of results. Results indicate that Indian apparel firms are gradually moving toward implementing CSR, but that full integration is happening very slowly. India has emerged as a major hub of apparel production within the global supply chain. Despite the growing demands for corporate social responsibility, little research has been done to understand its role in developing countries such as India. This study is one of the first to focus specifically on the labor intensive Indian apparel industry as a context for CSR and to examine what CSR means in India today. As such, it provides a real-world understanding of the benefits and challenges involved in implementing CSR in a non-western country, while pointing to the need for more research on the importance of CSR throughout the entire supply chain.

This dissertation investigates the relationships between various aspects of self-concept (i.e., generalized self-efficacy, public self-consciousness, state hope, and self-esteem), clothing selection (i.e., clothing that expresses individuality, clothing that improves the emotional state, clothing that camouflages the body), and life satisfaction among disabled consumers. This study aims to examine the impact that such aspects of disabled consumers' self-concept have on the type of clothing they choose to wear and their life satisfaction. A two-step research design was employed. Step one consisted of a qualitative preliminary study. In step two, a survey questionnaire was developed based on a review of existing literature and the findings of the preliminary study. A total of five hypotheses were developed based on constructs defined in the literature on self-concept, life satisfaction and clothing selection. Existing measurements were selected from the literature to assess each construct and to test the hypotheses. The survey was disseminated at universities and community disability organizations. A total of 318 usable questionnaires were collected from 113 females and 199 males whose ages ranged from 18 to 81 years, with an average age of 38 years. Most of the respondents were Caucasian/White. The majority of the participants had a mobility impairment or a visual impairment, and have had their disabilities for over 10 years. Structural equation modeling was employed via Lisrel 8.8 to test the hypotheses. Results for the main effects of the conceptual model revealed a X2 of 2873.37 (df = 1023; p < .000), GFI of .72, CFI of .94, RMSEA of .076, NFI of .90, and X2/df = 2.80. Based on the inclusion of the two additional paths suggested by the modification indices, the adjusted model had a X2 of 2285.51 (df = 932; p < .000), GFI of .76, CFI of .95, RMSEA of .068, NFI of .91, and X2/df = 2.45. The model was deemed to be an acceptable fit for the data. Results indicate that for disabled consumers, self-esteem is related to two aspects of their multifaceted self-concept, public self-consciousness and state hope, and that self-esteem positively influences life satisfaction. Findings suggest that disabled individuals who are satisfied with their lives are more likely to choose clothing to express their distinctive identities. Positive relationships between state hope and life satisfaction and between public self-consciousness and the assurance dimension of clothing choice were identified. Additionally, significant relationships were found between generalized self-efficacy and self-esteem, and between self-esteem and the assurance dimension of clothing choice. This study provides a theoretical framework that describes the relationships between disabled consumers' self-concept, life satisfaction, and clothing choice. Results shed light on the social-psychological factors influencing clothing choices of disabled consumers and thereby address a gap in the literature by considering the use of clothing by this often overlooked consumer segment. More research is needed to provide further empirical support for the relationships between self-concept, clothing choice, and life satisfaction found in this study.

With over 800,000 sellers and total sales reaching $80 million, Etsy has experienced tremendous success since its introduction in 2005 (Hall, 2013). Bringing artists, crafters, collectors, and consumers together around handmade and vintage products as well as supplies, Etsy has developed into an online marketplace centered on the crafting community. Previous research on consumption communities has primarily examined communities formed through interest in brands (Cova, 1997; Muniz & O’Guinn, 2001).

Hispanics are currently the largest minority group in the United States, accounting for 16% of the total population of the country, with Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans comprising the largest subgroups (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Although there has been some progress in terms of defining consumption behaviors of Hispanics in general, the existing research tends to consider Hispanic consumers as a homogeneous market and therefore does not address the potential cultural differences that may exist (e.g., Chattaraman & Lennon, 2007; Seok & Sauls, 2007).

The purpose of this study was to explore how consumers use clothing to identify with fashion consumer groups and the role of brands in this process. To address this purpose, I examined the consumption behaviors of fashion leaders within the clothing swap environment. An emerging consumption phenomenon, clothing swaps involve the exchange of clothing items between two consumers to acquire "new-to-them" clothing without spending money. An increasingly popular means of acquiring clothing, swaps occur both in person at swap parties and online through swap websites. Although swaps have become popular among consumers, very little academic research exists on swaps as a particular consumption environment. Thus, this study addresses a major gap that exists within the consumer behavior literature. An ethnographic approach to research was used to address the purpose of the study. Specifically, consumption behaviors of fashion leaders were investigated relative to the clothing swap. Three methods of data collection were employed, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and netnographic observation. A total of five in-person swap parties were observed. Interviews were conducted with sixteen females aged 19 to 37. In addition, five clothing swap websites were observed over a one month period. Data were analyzed for similarities and differences which were then used in the development of the thematic interpretation. Three conceptual areas surfaced and are used to structure the interpretation: The Fashion Leadership Experience, Fashion Leaders and Group Membership, and The Clothing Exchange Experience. Within each area, themes that emerged through the analysis of data are interpreted and issues important to each theme are addressed. The broader relevance of the interpretation was then considered in relation to the existing literature on the topic. Findings indicate that fashion leadership reflects individual needs for uniqueness as well as group identification. Brands were not found to be a motivation for apparel consumption among fashion leaders, however, they are important to the expression of fashion leadership. Findings also shed light on the role of swapping in facilitating fashion leadership and the extent to which clothing swaps broaden traditional concepts of exchange and the consumption cycle. Although this study addresses major gaps in the literature, it also points to the need for further inquiry into fashion consumer group membership, brands, and consumer behavior within the clothing swap environment.

BRYAN, JAMES H., and WALBEK, NANCY H. The Impact of Words and Deeds concerning Altruism upon Children. CmnD DEVELOPMENT, 1970, 41, 747-757. 72 second-, third-, and fourth-grade girls were exposed to a video-taped adult model (M) who practiced either generosity or selfishness, and who either preached generosity or selfishness, or held a neutral conversation. For half of the Ss within each of these 6 groups, the M was the E (the high-powered M). The effect of M's practices upon S's donation behavior was marginally significant (p < .10), but donation behavior was unaffected by either the power or the exhortations of M. Attractiveness of the M was a function of the M's acts, while there was no interaction between M's words or deeds and either donation, response latencies, or attraction.