The Journal of Consumer Affairs articles from December 2005

The Journal of Consumer Affairs archives from December 2005

Vehicle acquisitions: leasing or financing?
December 22, 2005... In this study, we investigate household vehicle leasing versus financing behavior using the Interview Survey Portions of the 2001 Consumer Expenditure Survey. Two research questions are addressed in this study: (1) What are the demographics of...

Determinants of household expenditure on computer hardware and software.
December 22, 2005... This study investigated households' expenditure on computer hardware and software using the 2000 Consumer Expenditure Survey. Based on neoclassical consumer theory, a conceptual model of computer expenditure was developed that included economic...

Use of food pantries and food stamps in low-income households in the United States.
December 22, 2005... Using the Current Population Survey data for 1999, a bivariate probit model was estimated to determine food stamp and food pantries participation for low-income households. Household income, the level of food insecurity, household structure,...

Who is in control? The role of self-perception, knowledge, and income in explaining consumer financial behavior.
December 22, 2005... The current research examines the relationship between consumer financial knowledge, income, and locus of control on financial behavior. Ethnicity is included as a potential moderator of the effects of these three variables on financial...

The emergence of biometrics and its effect on consumers.
December 22, 2005... Biometric authentication systems are becoming increasingly common. Though their use offers important advantages to governmental agencies, business, and consumers, the widespread use of biometric technology has the potential for serious negative...

Your privacy is sealed: effects of Web privacy seals on trust and personal disclosures.
December 22, 2005... Online privacy is an issue of increasing national importance, and voluntary privacy seals provided by third-party organizations such as TRUSTe and BBBOnline have been proposed as a means of assuring consumer privacy. Few studies have examined...

Do consumers care about ethics? Willingness to pay for fair-trade coffee.
December 22, 2005... Consumers' buying behavior is not consistent with their positive attitude toward ethical products. In a survey of 808 Belgian respondents, the actual willingness to pay for fair-trade coffee was measured. It was found that the average price...

Leveraging FDA health claims.(Food and Drug Administration)
December 22, 2005... Although past research has investigated different aspects of various health claims, relatively little effort has been directed toward synthesizing the reasons why some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health claims are more successful than...

Portion distortion: a study of college students.
December 22, 2005... This study compared designated serving size to actual consumption (portion size). Forty-two college students estimated portion size and serving size of cereal, candy, and punch. Most (81%) refer to package labels, and over a third of women...

Consumer economics and family economics: the charge, the response.
December 22, 2005... A "timeless" charge to consumer economics and family economics is identified. In light of the charge, the area is examined with particular emphasis on scholarly activity. It is suggested that scholarship in the area is diffuse and often...

Impact, influence, and fame.(junior faculty)(Editorial)
December 22, 2005... Every summer and into the fall, academic department heads send e-mails or formal letters of inquiry to senior scholars at research universities requesting outside reviewers for their junior faculty's tenure or promotion applications. Journal...