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Confined to samples of middle‐class consumers in the PRC (1981) and Thailand (1974) this comparative study included questions concerning awareness, attitudes and experiences of PRC Chinese, Thai‐Chinese and Thais in the area of perceived risk and search for and satisfaction with product information. A major finding is that in these regards the Thai‐Chinese are clearly closer to the Thai than to the Chinese consumers.

This is a very special issue of the International Marketing Review. It is, in effect, a sampler of the symposium on comparative research held under the auspices of Division 23, Consumer Psychology, of the American Psychological Association and the College of Business Administration of the University of Hawaii in Honolulu December 1984. The purpose of the issue is to emphasize five points, namely that:

The world's most populous nation has taken on the mission of a giant laboratory in political economy. This “thoughtpiece” describes the recent economic experiments in China, and analyses current and potential developments as approximating a society of market socialism, a hybrid variety of socio‐economic system never truly tested anywhere else. Some of the issues confronting such a society are raised. Implications to Western companies interested in doing business in the markets of the PRC are also briefly discussed.

Examines and reviews the roles of the principal types of consumer information services – these are: those which offer comparative testing; labelling; and quality certification in the interests of consumers. Proposes that the purpose here is to analyse points of intersect and interaction between the three types of consumer information programmes and to discuss the extent to which they may lend themselves to integration within an overall consumer information system. Sums up that consumer information programmes themselves thrive in systems where there is a perpetual interplay of competition and co‐operation, independence and co‐ordination.

Makes an attempt to compare the consumer market ecosystems of the less developed countries (LDC) and the more developed countries (MDC). Says that a so little research and analysis has been done of LDC markets from the consumers' perspective it is logical to set the stage for comparison using the Thai marketplace based on the study. Considers the problems and risks involved in LDC areas affecting both buyers and sellers. Examines in great detail the market system involving the largest and smallest types of Thai transactions in city and village areas. Gives out in great detail all the information within the available parameters and tabulates this is great style. Concludes that the observation of the LDC market systems were used even though these were not always of good repute.

The attitudes and perceptions of New Zealanders toward current consumerism issues are outlined and compared with four other countries. Many of the opinions expressed are critical of the existing practices of business and appear to be common in the other four countries. The theory of consumer product life cycle suggesting the development of national consumer movements was not supported by the data obtained in New Zealand.

The relative importance of country of origin, product warranty, and retail store image on consumers′ product quality perception, overall attitude toward the product, and purchase intentions is investigated. A 2x2x2 full factorial design with two levels (high and low) of country of origin, warranty and retail store image is utilised. ANOVA results show that country of origin and warranty cues have significant impacts on the three dependent measures. The interaction effects of all three independent variables are significant for the quality perception and overall attitude towards the product but are not significant for the purchase intentions. In addition excellent warranty terms combined with store reputation has a greater impact on the dependent variables than the country‐of‐origin cue. Managerial implications of the research findings are discussed.

The proposed approach to international segmentation capitalises on the inherent similarities across groups of consumers in different countries. By making the customers and not countries the basis of a firm's international marketing strategy, this approach not only facilitates increased consumer orientation, but also offers the potential to optimise the profits of a multinational firm at a global level.

Reviews briefly the history of management games and outlines the main parts of a game. Lists the best known international management games being utilized in the United States. Provides a complete description of the Multinational Management Game (MMG) along with case histories of management development experiences with MMG in Korea, the Pacific Asian Management Programme, The University of Hawaii, The Japan American Institute of Management Science, a programme in Hungary, and an Executive MBA Programme in the United States. Includes excerpts from student experiences within game play and a short review of research validating games as learning environments.

This study focuses on an inventory and typology of consumer dispositions towards “place” and relates it to the underlying theories, inputs and outcomes of place images and attitudes, aiming to unclutter a crowded research landscape by providing a holistic perspective of product/brand place associations.

The paper draws on extant literature to identify, analyze and discuss the consumer dispositions, theories and other elements related to place.

In total, 32 dispositions, 10 inputs to image formation, 28 permutations that complicate the understanding of place images, and 18 outcomes are discussed, providing a comprehensive perspective of the images of, and behaviours towards, various types of places from neighbourhoods to countries and beyond.

Of the large number of constructs and combinations among them that are discussed, some have been studied fairly extensively, but most comprise “the road(s) less travelled”. The paper identifies relevant research gaps and numerous opportunities for new research.

Managers are aware and act upon some of the inventoried dispositions but can benefit by considering the complete array of constructs and concepts that are discussed.

Individuals’ dispositions towards various places help to shape their self and social identities and are important in their daily life and consumption behaviour.

The study brings together for the first time a complete inventory of place-related dispositions alongside a wide range of related theories and concepts, thus advancing our knowledge of the nature and role of the country and other place-related images of products and brands.