Seeing is Believing

Images are frequently used in online reviews, yet little research explores the effects that images have on online consumer behavior. This two-study investigation examines the effects of images in electronic word of mouth (eWOM) for both hedonic and utilitarian products. Results show that images affect the relationship between review text and purchase intention as well as trust for both product categories. However, images were shown to be more effective for hedonic than utilitarian products. Interestingly, it was found that congruence between the image and text is not a significant predictor of trust or purchase intention in some conditions (i.e., the images may not have to perfectly reflect the text to facilitate these outcomes for utilitarian products).

Common neural value representations of hedonic and utilitarian products in the ventral striatum: An fMRI study

Hedonic goods are goods that people buy to obtain emotional experiences, such as joy or excitement, while utilitarian goods are bought to meet functional or instrumental needs. Although research in neuroscience suggests that the values of hedonic and utilitarian goods are similarly represented, it remains largely unknown how these values are mapped during purchasing decisions or task-irrelevant judgments. It has been suggested that people rely more on hedonic (vs. utilitarian) factors when making task-irrelevant judgments, and that this is amplified by trait-reward seeking. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can directly measure the mental processes involved in explicit or task-irrelevant value judgments. Using fMRI, we found that the explicit value of hedonic and utilitarian goods was commonly processed in the ventral striatum. In contrast, no significant results were obtained in common neural processing of task-irrelevant hedonic and utilitarian value. Additionally, we did not find any evidence that trait-reward seeking modulates task-irrelevant hedonic (vs. utilitarian) value processing. Our findings show that the value of both hedonic and utilitarian goods is commonly represented in the ventral striatum, and indicate that the value construct underlying consumer purchases is unidimensional.

Purchase decision and purchase delay of hedonic and utilitarian products in the face of time pressure and multiplicity of options

Purpose Time pressure may change how people behave. The multiplicity of options and the nature of the products, hedonic or utilitarian, might increase the complexity of the choice and alter the effects of time pressure. Combining both factors, the purpose of this paper is to verify the moderating role played by the nature of the products observing the relationship between interaction (time pressure × multiplicity of options) and choice delay. Design/methodology/approach A two-level factorial experimental design was applied (time pressure: with; without) × 2 (number of alternatives: two; six) × 2 (type of purchase: hedonic; utilitarian), with mixed design, considering the purchase delay a dependent variable. Findings The results signal that the nature of the products moderates the effects of the interaction between time pressure and choice overload in purchase delay. Utilitarian purchases are more susceptible to the effects of time pressure and options overload than hedonic purchases. Originality/value The interaction between time pressure and choice overload, researched in previous works, influences in different ways the purchase of utilitarian or hedonic products. This differentiation, taking into consideration the type of product, brings new perspectives on the purchase decision process and provides theoretical and practical information on the effects of information overload and time pressure over the consumer decision-making process.

Does It Pay to Be Real? Understanding Authenticity in TV Advertising

Marketing managers and creatives alike believe that authenticity is an essential element for effective advertising. However, no common understanding of authenticity in advertising exists, and empirical knowledge about its impact on consumer behavior is limited. In this study, the authors use a comprehensive literature review and qualitative studies to identify four dimensions of authenticity in an advertising context. By examining 323 television ads across 67 brands and four years, they investigate these dimensions’ effects on the sales performance of advertised products. Because the impact of authenticity may depend on brand or product characteristics, the authors also analyze how these effects vary with brand size or across hedonic and utilitarian products. The results suggest that authenticity influences consumer behavior in a more nuanced manner than previously recognized. For instance, whereas an ad congruent with the brand’s essence has a positive effect on sales in most cases, an overly honest advertising message can actually hurt performance; the latter is true especially for hedonic products, for which consumers rely more on subjective information when making purchase decisions.

Online or in-store: unravelling consumer’s channel choice motives

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to compare online and in-store shoppers motivations based on product type.Design/methodology/approachMeans-end approach was used to extract motivational factors that drive shoppers channel choice for hedonic and utilitarian products. A total of 100 respondents were interviewed using laddering technique. Hierarchical virtual maps were constructed to determine values associated with attributes and consequences identified by the consumer.FindingsShopping motivations differed for online and in-store shoppers based on product type. Variety, value for money and delivery were important attributes for online shoppers. In-store shoppers looked for social interaction and personalized attention. Convenience, affordability and gratification were unique online consequences, while nostalgia and loyalty benefits were specific to in-store hedonic purchases. Self-confidence, availability of wider choices and in-store shopping experience were the values sought for hedonic products. Control of shopping experience was the desired value for utilitarian purchases irrespective of channels.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to shopping motivation research by comparing motives of online and in-store shoppers for hedonic and utilitarian products.Practical implicationsRetailers need to enhance online trust and strengthen in-store customer service for hedonic products. They should also work on the online delivery capabilities and in-store personalized services for utilitarian purchases.Originality/valuePrior research on deconstructing channel choice motivations based on product type is sparse. This paper uses hierarchy of means-end elements to illustrate attributes and consequences that drive consumer motives and values.

Impact of vertical sequence on consumers' choice between hedonic and utilitarian products

Given that display patterns greatly impact consumers' product evaluations and choices, we investigated how vertical sequence influences consumers' self-control behavior regarding choosing between hedonic and utilitarian products. We first conducted a pretest to examine whether or not vertical display sequence influenced product preference when the products presented belonged to the same category. In Study 1, we then tested the basic effect of vertical sequence on the choice between hedonic and utilitarian products. Finally, we conducted Study 2 to examine the underlying mechanism of the impact of vertical sequencing on the choice between hedonic and utilitarian products. Results showed that when hedonic and utilitarian products were jointly presented and when the hedonic (vs. utilitarian) product was placed at the top (vs. bottom), consumers were more likely to realize the difference in experiential benefits between the hedonic and utilitarian products and, thus, were more likely to choose the hedonic (vs. utilitarian) product.