�山ǿ�� News - Vivek Astvansh

Corporate social responsibility disclosures have benefits, but also come with costs

webfull — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:00:21 +0000

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures can enhance a company’s public image and contribute to increased sales. However, these benefits may come at a cost. In a study analyzing CSR disclosures from companies in China, where such reporting is mandatory, Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh found that while these disclosures attract customers, they may also discourage new suppliers.

Published: 6 November 2024

Experts: U.S. presidential election

webfull — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:23:05 +0000

The American elections are upon us and polls suggest it is going to be a tight race between the two candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

These experts from �山ǿ�� are available to share their insights:

Published: 4 November 2024

Automotive safety recalls are usually free – but many owners of older vehicles still don’t participate

webfull — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:58:55 +0000

Automotive safety recalls are commonplace, and, most of the time, the required changes are performed for free at your local dealership. Yet, many owners of older vehicles don’t bring in their vehicles when there is a recall. Inertia is part of the problem, according to Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh.

Published: 15 October 2024

Presidential candidates’ choice of words reveals aspects of their personalities

webfull — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:39:24 +0000

The words a speaker chooses communicate more than just ideas and opinions. Language reveals much about a speaker’s personality. In the recent U.S. presidential debate, two very different personalities were on display—that of Democratic candidate and Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Published: 25 September 2024

Journalists and social media users exert influence over product recall decisions

webfull — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 22:24:26 +0000

In 2023, product recalls in Canada hit an all-time high – there were well over 2,000 of them. Manufacturing companies are typically the ones to issue these recalls, and their decisions are affected by journalists and social media users. “Journalists’ praise about safety in a manufacturer’s products leads to increased disclosure of product safety defects, while their criticism curbs such disclosure,” writes Vivek Astvansh in an article in The Conversation.

Published: 27 August 2024

Better data protections in Europe could encourage participation in retail data collection programs

webfull — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:22:59 +0000

In-store data collection can help retailers provide shoppers with a personalized experience that includes perks like lower prices or options tailored to a shopper’s taste. But uptake for in-store data collection has been slower in North America than it has been in Europe. “The assumption is that if I enter a retail store, cameras are recording. That is an established norm.

Published: 3 June 2024

SAQ monopoly pads government revenues but isn’t necessarily in shoppers' best interest

webfull — Thu, 09 May 2024 16:52:53 +0000

Despite being a lucrative revenue source for the government, the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) monopoly is under scrutiny for limiting consumer choices, especially for premium spirits like high-end bourbons. Exclusive distribution rights mean that if SAQ doesn’t stock a particular brand, it won’t be available in Quebec's retail outlets.

Published: 9 May 2024

Experts: Valentine’s Day | Heart Month 2024

webfull — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:58:43 +0000

February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health and an opportunity to focus on what we can do to improve our heart health. Heart disease is the second leading cause of death for both men and women in Canada. (Government of Canada).

Published: 7 February 2024

E-commerce vehicle acquisitions face hurdles due to existing laws

webfull — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:44:29 +0000

During the 2023 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai and Amazon revealed plans to enable vehicle purchases on their e-commerce platform by 2024. However, this option is not currently available. Since 2018, it has been possible to browse a digital showroom of Hyundai vehicles, but not to complete the purchase. Even when the company introduces the capability to buy vehicles online, widespread availability is unlikely.

Published: 6 February 2024

The pandemic pushed tipping too far, but customers can push back

webfull — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:41:54 +0000

A recent video sharing one woman’s New Year’s resolution to no longer tip has gone viral, proving that, for many consumers, tipping has become excessive. Just a few years ago, diners often ponied up 15% on a restaurant bill or bar tab. As restaurants were forced to close during the pandemic, tip prompts creeped up to 18%, 20%, or even 30%. Tip prompts were also added to many other services where tipping had never been customary – like drive-thru windows and even deli counters. Referred to as “tip-flation”, this phenomenon has sparked debate.

Published: 11 January 2024