Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures can enhance a company鈥檚 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听Vivek Astvansh听found that while these disclosures attract customers, they may also discourage new suppliers.
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The American elections are upon us and polls suggest it is going to be a tight race between the two听candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
These experts from 缅北强奸 are available to share their insights:
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鈥檛 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.
The words a speaker chooses communicate more than just ideas and opinions. Language reveals much about a speaker鈥檚 personality. In the recent U.S. presidential debate, two very different personalities were on display鈥攖hat of Democratic candidate and Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
In 2023, product recalls in Canada hit an all-time high 鈥 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. 鈥淛ournalists鈥 praise about safety in a manufacturer鈥檚 products leads to increased disclosure of product safety defects, while their criticism curbs such disclosure,鈥 writes Vivek Astvansh in an article in The Conversation.
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鈥檚 taste. But uptake for in-store data collection has been slower in North America than it has been in Europe. 鈥淭he assumption is that if I enter a retail store, cameras are recording. That is an established norm.
Despite being a lucrative revenue source for the government, the Soci茅t茅 des Alcools du Qu茅bec (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鈥檛 stock a particular brand, it won鈥檛 be available in Quebec's retail outlets.
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. ().听
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.
A recent video sharing one woman鈥檚 New Year鈥檚 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 鈥 like drive-thru windows and even deli counters. Referred to as 鈥渢ip-flation鈥, this phenomenon has sparked debate.
Buy now, pay later technology offers loans to consumers to pay for purchases in instalments over time. A soft credit check verifies eligibility, and can extend credit to users who might not otherwise have access to credit products. These loans claim to improve the financial inclusion of lower-income young people, but should be approached with caution, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation.
Christmas is just around the corner, and even with inflation slowing down, gift prices are higher than ever. Canada鈥檚 Consumer Price Index is at an all-time high of nearly 160 points, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh tells CTV News Montreal. 鈥淐onsumers are feeling the pinch, and while they want to buy stuff, they are resisting purchases,鈥 says Astvansh. Holiday spending will still be higher than it was last year, but not because people are actually buying more gifts. 鈥淭he prices of everything have gone up.
Tipping has gotten out of control in Canada. Not only are restaurants鈥 automated payment systems prompting patrons for tips of up to 30%, there are even some tip prompts at self-serve kiosks. More than half of Canadians say they鈥檇 prefer a no-tip, service-included model that ensures higher base wages for employees. For now, shoppers should be reminded that tipping is discretionary, says Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh in an article for The Conversation.
It has been a challenging few years for supply chains. After pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, many retailers increased their inventory for the 2022 holiday season. After all, demand was still booming at the time. But demand has come down off its peak, and that presents an entirely different problem for retailers in 2023. Some major retailers have reduced inventory so as to not be left with products they can鈥檛 sell.
Scouring for holiday gifts at bargain prices is a savvy way to cut costs, but the allure of Black Friday deals sometimes masks potential pitfalls. In an article for BNN Bloomberg, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh emphasizes the need for caution among bargain hunters to ensure they're fully informed about any unforeseen conditions.