The Body

The popular media industry of spectacle with instruments of “seduction” produces “voluntary cosent” of man in acceptance, imitation and evaluation of distribution of corporate consumer culture. In this world man plays role beyond his ontological need and self-conscious realization of subject as thinking creature. The aim of this paper is to problematize socio-cultural phenomenology of body transfiguration, impressions and experiences in opticum of consumerist globalization. The new construction of “new” body is modeled on techniques of instrumentalisation, stereotyping and hybridization of narcissism as the primary reprezentational principle of such media experience.

Using Word Trees, Word Networks, and Tag Clouds to Provide Meaningful Insights

The combined use of data mining techniques and qualitative consumer reports can provide meaningful insights into service performance and relevant decision making. In several case studies, the authors combine qualitative comments from an online hotel feedback website about popular travel destinations, as reported by business, pleasure, and mixed-use travelers. After extracting 1,893 useable customer comments, using a web spider application, the study software produced summaries of qualitative comments in the form of tag clouds, word networks, and word tree images. This technologically enabled analysis of consumer-reported information provides consumer researchers with more objective ratings of qualitative consumer assessments of their experience across various units of analysis, with several applications for corporate and operational management. Furthermore, several implications inform consumer researchers and corporate consumer research departments about effective ways to investigate and serve industry. This study also has several limitations that suggest routes for further research.

Creating Crystal Experiences MIR talks to Alexander Linder, Director Corporate Consumer and Market Insights (CCMI), Daniel Swarovski Corporation AG

This issue’s interview leads us into the radiant world of crystals and glamour. For more than a century, Swarovski has been generating radiance through precision cutting technology and the virtuous handling of light. The company’s richness of expression is rooted in the cultural heritage of Central Europe and its flair for forging links between the arts, science, and business. Throughout the world today, the name Swarovski stands for craftsmanship, meticulousness, quality, and creativity. Alexander Linder, Director of Corporate Consumer and Market Insights, shares with us how the Swarovski company “adds sparkle to people’s everyday lives”, a promise Swarovski aims to deliver to its consumers.

Human Factors at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

The Human Factors Division at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an eclectic group, reflecting the multidisciplinary demands typically made upon an HF organization. The objective in these five presentations is to paint a picture of the full spectrum of human factors practiced in this unique government regulatory agency. The participants will each describe their work and illustrate the day-to-day characteristics of their human factors analyses. The range of discussions will address the overlay and integration of professional practice into policy, the regulatory environment, litigation support, and representation of the Agency to the interests of corporate, consumer, trade, and standards organizations.