Journal of Consumer Affairs, Volume 58, Issue 1, Page 1-2, Spring 2024 ..read more

Abstract In this editorial we outline why a call for more inclusive, conscientious approaches to studying gender/sex/ual diversity and intersectional identities is needed, and how the articles in this special issue answered this call. We summarize key takeaways from a review of the literature, noting significant under-representation of gender/sex/ual diversity and intersectional social locations. We also explore the history of the gender/sex binaries (e.g., female/male; women/men; femininity/masculinity) to help illuminate the premises upon which the popular trend of studying gender/sex differ ..read more

Journal of Consumer Affairs, EarlyView ..read more

Abstract We investigate whether targeting algorithms can improve the effectiveness of financial education programs by identifying ex-ante the most appropriate recipients. To this end, we use micro-data from around 3800 individuals who participated in a financial education campaign conducted in Italy in late 2021. First, we employ machine learning (ML) tools to devise a targeting rule that identifies individuals who should be primarily targeted by a financial education campaign based on easily observable characteristics. Second, we simulate a policy scenario, using a random sample of individual ..read more

Abstract Societal well-being requires immediate global action from individuals and governments to vote on and enact policies that slow down, stop, and reverse the effects of climate change. To pressure governments and motivate policymakers to act, individuals can engage in environmental activism; however, even if individuals consider the environment important, they often do not follow through with action. Using a unique, large-scale secondary data set from over 60,000 individuals in 48 countries, we examine the influence of social institutions on environmental activism among a nation's citizen ..read more

Abstract Financial access is used in practice and research as an important concept relevant to financial capability and financial well-being. This study examines the literature on individual financial access and develops a conceptualization, definition, domains, and proposed items. Following a systematic conceptual review method, the review is based on 171 articles published during January 2012–August 2022 retrieved from Scopus and Dissertation and Thesis Global. Using grounded theory, data were coded related to financial access definition, concepts, measurement, and associated content. The do ..read more

Abstract This panel discussion explores why marketing and consumer behavior has struggled to move beyond the binary, the importance of disrupting the conventional binaries to recognize gender/sex/ual diversity, and the challenges in so doing. It raises to the fore concerns about institutional pressures, sanitization of work, academic positionalities, everyday encounters of discrimination against gender/sex/ual diversity, and the emancipatory but oppressive dynamics of categories. Yet the panelists also reflect on ways to challenge binaristic thinking. Just being in the academy and doing (small ..read more

Abstract This study explores the drivers and consequences of consumers' voluntary information disclosure in the context of online consumer financing. Using unique secondary data from a Chinese online consumer financing company, we uncover a non-linear relationship between borrowers' credit ratings and the quantity of voluntary information disclosure, and an inverted U-shaped relationship between the amount of information disclosure and loan default. Specifically, low-credit borrowers who opt for more voluntary information disclosure manifest a higher likelihood of default than those who disclo ..read more

Abstract Unpredictable income poses a significant threat to economic stability for many U.S. households. While budgeting may help to mitigate some of the negative effects of unpredictable income, the process of budgeting can also be more challenging under such circumstances. This paper presents new descriptive evidence on the relationship between income predictability, financial wellbeing, and budgeting behavior using data from a nationally-representative survey of nearly 4000 U.S. adults. We document a strong negative relationship between income unpredictability and financial wellbeing. Howev ..read more

Abstract Drawing on incentive sensitization theory, our study focuses on loneliness coping as a goal pursuit or hedonic searching process through consumption of probabilistic goods. We propose that loneliness triggers liking (hedonic feelings) and wanting (desired outcomes), which lead to the repurchase intention of probabilistic goods. We adopt an interview study (N = 20) to explore facets of loneliness, clarifying how customers obtain hedonic feelings and desired outcomes from repurchasing. Follow-up quantitative studies including an experiment (N = 212) and a survey (N = 575) are employed t ..read more