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The research aims to examine the influence of perceived value (PV) dimensions on brand loyalty of luxury car owners and to examine the mediating role of attitudinal loyalty (AL) between PV dimensions and behavioral loyalty (BL).

Primary data for the study were gathered from the luxury car owners in Kerala, India. The construct measurements have been adopted from previous research studies. Structural equation modeling with the partial least square (PLS) technique was used to analyze the measurements and conceptual model.

The findings show that out of four PV dimensions among luxury car owners, the hedonic value (HV) significantly influences their AL. Economic value influences BL, and social values have an impact on AL as well as BL, but the relationship of functional value with any is not supported by the results. AL is a strong predictor of BL, and it actively mediates the relationship of HV and symbolic value with BL.

The manufactures of luxury cars provide more importance to hedonic and symbolic elements while launching new models and consider the price perceptions of the targeted customers while making decisions related to brand attachment and brand loyalty.

This study contributes to the decision-making of the rapidly growing vehicle market by examining the perceptions and by providing the effects of perceived values among luxury car owners. Also, it extends the literature by developing a framework for PV dimensions on AL and BL and also incorporated the mediating role of AL.

Quiet quitting (QQ) has been around in academic and professional discussions for quite some time. Despite many definitions and reasons for QQ being proposed, no study has systematically undertaken exploratory research on the reasons and behavioral manifestations of employees who QQ.

Our study adopted an exploratory qualitative approach to understand the reasons for QQ without any prior judgment. We undertook interviews with 21 employees who have undergone QQ in their careers.

The qualitative inquiry brought out the reasons behind QQ. The three major reasons for QQ were identified by thematic analysis: personal, organizational politics and people dynamics. Further, overt and covert behaviors that employees undertake while QQ were framed with this study. Findings are discussed in the framework of existence, relatedness and growth (ERG) theory.

The theoretical implications include understanding QQ within the purview of ERG theory and the frustrated regression model. Practically, measures to be taken by organizations to mitigate the instances are presented, along with employee suggestions on what measures need to be taken to avoid QQ behaviors of employees.

This study is a pioneering work on the exploratory understanding of QQ. Empirically validated theory formulation of QQ is developed here for the first time.

Our nineteenth volume opens with this page in circumstances as unsettled and uncertain as any in the history of this or any other journal. In defiance of prophecy the European conflict drags its colossal slow length wearily along, bearing with it the hopes and fears of the whole human race. It is not to be wondered at that the aims for which we strive have not made great strides in the year that has just closed. Important as we recognize literature and its distribution to be, the pressing material needs of the people often cause them to lose sight of the invincible fact that the freedom of the human spirit, its intellectual and humane expansion, are, after all is said, the ultimate aims of the war. It will not be of abiding service to the British race if in conquering the Germans we sacrifice beyond redemption all those sources of sweetness and light which have been the outcome of centuries of British endeavour. We do not fear that such sacrifice will be demanded of us, but the logic of material facts demonstrates that all who care for schools, libraries, museums, art galleries, music, and all other agencies for the moral and spiritual uplifting of men, must be on their guard against the well‐meaning but ignorant encroachments of those who would rather “save money” by abolishing them, than, for example, by foregoing their own individual luxuries.

We offer our readers a special Norwich Conference Souvenir number of “The Library World” which we trust they will find of permanent interest. It contains several features to which we wish to draw their attention. With regard to our article “The Library Association: Old and New Councillors” we thank those who have so kindly sent us details of their career. It has unfortunately been impossible in the short time at our command to obtain portraits of more than a few of the Councillors, and we have therefore decided to omit them in the hope that at some future opportunity we may be able to get together a more complete collection.

Purpose – Women are more susceptible to specific health risks such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and risk during pregnancy and childbirth. These can affect women’s well-being and also need to be managed to avoid financial loss. Takaful operators in Malaysia have been offering special takaful products for women. Women can mitigate exposure to these risks through insurance. This study examines the risks faced by Malaysian women and the coverage they are offered by Islamic insurance.

Methodology/approach – The study used a qualitative methodology involving documentary evidence and interviews with four Islamic insurance agents and four product development officers from four Islamic insurance providers in Malaysia.

Findings – Among the risks faced by women are female-specific illnesses, the cost of expensive treatments, crime-related accidents or loss, social or career risks and privatisation policy. Due to these risks, women are in need of female-specific takaful products to reduce risk and protect themselves.

Originality/value – Specific takaful products for women are crucial to protect them from risks, improving their well-being and increasing their participation in the nation’s economic and social development.

Questions the general assumption that once known, market trends will guide marketing strategies and behaviour. Argues that if marketers seriously want to find opportunities for new products, they need two things: (1) insightful analysis and data interpretation, and (2) a willingness to break new ground, a determination to be different, and a commitment to be a winner. Examines a number of recent demographic and technological trends to demonstrate how they can mislead marketers.

Advertisements are the first point of contact a marketer has with a prospective consumer. It is at this stage that a marketer gets an opportunity to leave an impression in the minds of a reader and to differentiate a reader from a prospective customer. Marketers achieve this objective with the help of two tools of advertising i.e. attractiveness cues and information cues. Given the limitation of time, space and financial resources marketers have been forced into a tradeoff between information cues and attractiveness cues. This tradeoff has given rise to skepticism in the minds of customers and policy makers concerning the balance between the two cues and resulting ethical issues. This paper aims to carry out a content analysis of advertisements in magazines in order to study this tradeoff between information and attractiveness cues in advertisements.

To pursue the research objective, it was decided to collect data through content analysis of advertisements. To judge the level of informative and attractiveness cues in advertisements, classification by Resnik and Stern and Pollay along with imagery questions were used. The classification determines the level of advertising information based on 14 criteria or cues. The classification is an established baseline and has also been tested for reliability in other cultures. To collect data it was decided to use magazine advertisements as these are a preferred means for advertising OTC drugs. In order to select the sample various Indian and US magazines were reviewed. Indian magazines focusing entirely on health and women could not be found; therefore two popular women's magazines were chosen which discussed health topics. For interpreting the content of the advertisements two coders, who were trained in marketing research, were chosen. Data collection resulted in 170 unique advertisements across India and USA.

The results of the study highlighted that, although both US and Indian OTC advertisements were trading off in favor of attractiveness cues, Indian advertisements were more imbalanced. Indian advertisements on an average have 4.83 attractiveness cues out of 6.60 cues per advertisements while US advertisements have 4.55 attractiveness cues out of 7.54 cues per advertisement. Indian advertisements not only have on an average fewer information cues, but also fared badly in terms of the type of cues. The US marketers were found to be more socially responsible in terms of advertisements ethics as compared to Indian marketers in the context of the OTC drugs industry.

The study was limited to OTC drugs; a more detailed study should be carried out to compare advertising content by specific product categories. Difference in scope of magazines used in this study may have influenced the adequacy of sample, as profile of target customers in the two magazines was a little different.

The results indicated that the Indian OTC advertisers needed to re‐evaluate the industry standards and become more ethical and socially responsible to give the industry a global outlook and acceptance.

The paper highlights the need for companies to adopt a proactive and socially responsible attitude and improve information content of Indian OTC advertisements as per international industry standards.

The paper will be of value to corporate and social policy makers and also to marketers.