Ian Hindmarch, Charles Reeves and Mrs. M. Mantek
With all the current discussion about the drug ‘problem’ in schools and colleges, aren't we in danger of creating an artificial problem, or of confusing different sorts of…
Alison Dunn reports from the international conference on alcoholism and drug dependence
The suspension of a North London Polytechnic head of department, Mr W. J. P. Jenkins, at the end of last term is thought likely to cause more trouble when staff and students…
Abstract
The suspension of a North London Polytechnic head of department, Mr W. J. P. Jenkins, at the end of last term is thought likely to cause more trouble when staff and students return this month. Relations between the student union—with the support of certain members of staff — and the polytechnic director, Mr Terence Miller, have never been good, and this latest incident is bound to be explosive. Mr Jenkins is very popular with students in his department of business studies.
Hannele Kauppinen-Räisänen, Johanna Gummerus, Catharina von Koskull, Åke Finne, Anu Helkkula, Christian Kowalkowski and Anne Rindell
Consumers gift themselves with luxury fashion brands, yet the motives for self-gifting are not well understood. Whereas traditionally, self-gifting is defined as self-orientated…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumers gift themselves with luxury fashion brands, yet the motives for self-gifting are not well understood. Whereas traditionally, self-gifting is defined as self-orientated in nature, luxury brands are seen as social statements, and self-gifting of luxury fashion brands that combine these two controversial areas is an interesting research topic. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue by exploring the self-gifting behaviour of consumers, in particular focusing on the personal motives of gifting oneself with luxury fashion brands.
Design/methodology/approach
The study takes a multi-qualitative approach involving a small (n=19) but rich sample. Data collection and analysis were triangulated to reduce researcher biases.
Findings
The study provides key dimensions for understanding consumers’ perceptions of luxury fashion brands and self-gifting motives (self and socially orientated). The findings reveal that reflections from others are part of the self-gifting phenomenon. It appeared that although self-orientated benefits and personally orientated motives trigger the self-gifting act, the act of actually purchasing explicitly luxury brands for oneself as a gift may be triggered by other-orientated benefits and socially orientated motives. The findings also imply that luxury holds a self-orientated aspect; luxury brands are not only purchased for socially orientated reasons but also for reasons related to oneself. In addition, the findings discuss the act of shopping, where the act can be perceived as a luxury experience and overrun the importance of the brand.
Practical implications
The findings provide insights to consumers’ gifting behaviour that may be valuable for retailers and fashion marketers as they plan for marketing activities related to their customers’ self-gifting.
Originality/value
Self-gifting represents a view of gifting that remains under-researched. This study uncovers the motives for gifting oneself with luxury fashion brands, a further sub-area in need for more investigation.
Details
Keywords
H. SPENCER, L. REYNOLDS and B. COE
Bibliographical materials are often produced on a low budget and against a deadline, and the design of the material often does not adequately represent the structure of the…
Abstract
Bibliographical materials are often produced on a low budget and against a deadline, and the design of the material often does not adequately represent the structure of the information or facilitate its use. Two studies concerned with optimizing the effectiveness of design given certain practical constraints are reported here. In the first study, ten coding systems suitable for distinguishing between entries in typewritten bibliographies were tested. Subjects were given sections of author index typed in different styles, together with lists of authors' surnames to be found in the test material within a set time. The most effective system made a clear distinction between entries, and between the first element of each entry and the rest of the entry, by indentation. In the second study, the effectiveness of six spatial and three typographic coding systems for distinguishing between entries and between elements within entries in typeset bibliographies was tested for two different search tasks. In Experiment I, subjects were given lists of authors' surnames to find in the test material; in Experiment 2 they were given lists of titles. Spatial coding was more effective than typographic coding in Experiment 1; the reverse was true for Experiment 2. The most effective spatial coding systems in both experiments were those which clearly distinguished the start of each entry by line spacing or indentation. The use of capitals for authors' surnames was the most effective typographic coding system in Experiment 1; the use of bold for titles was the most effective in Experiment 2. The best compromise for both search tasks is likely to incorporate line spacing between entries with elements within entries running on, and bold titles.
Eight libraries in the north‐east of England co‐operate to produce data which each can use in their own local government current awareness services. This scheme originated in the…
Abstract
Eight libraries in the north‐east of England co‐operate to produce data which each can use in their own local government current awareness services. This scheme originated in the wish by members to reduce duplication of effort and to enhance local services in the field of local government information. In attempting to reduce delay and increase coverage, but yet to retain local control and responsiveness, a unique system has been established which exhibits a high degree of flexibility and currency—one which could be used as a model for similar services. The planning and operation of this scheme are described, together with the comments of the participants concerning their use of the data. Some overall observations are made of issues and problems in the general area of co‐operative current awareness services and of how YADLOGIS (the co‐operative scheme discussed) copes with them. In conclusion, some thoughts are voiced on possible inter‐regional and national developments.