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Mindful Matching: Ordinal versus Nominal Attributes

Resource type
Date created
2019-08-29
Authors/Contributors
Author: Liu, Peggy
Author: Haws, Kelly
Abstract
The authors propose a new conceptual basis for predicting when and why consumers match others’ consumption choices. Specifically, they distinguish between ordinal (“ranked”) versus nominal (“unranked”) attributes and propose that consumers are more likely to match others on ordinal than on nominal attributes. Eleven studies, involving a range of different ways of operationalizing ordinal versus nominal attributes, collectively support this hypothesis. The authors’ conceptualization helps resolve divergent findings in prior literature and provides guidance to managers on how to leverage information about prior customers’ choices and employees’ recommendations to shape and predict future customers’ choices. Further, the authors find process evidence that this effect is driven in part by consumers’ beliefs that a failure to match on ordinal (but not nominal) attributes will lead to social discomfort for one or both parties. Although the primary focus is on food choices, the effects are also demonstrated in other domains, extending the generalizability of the findings and implications for managerial practice and theory. Finally, the conceptual framework offers additional paths for future research.
Document
Description
The full text of this paper will be available in August 2020 due to the embargo policies of Journal of Marketing Research. Contact summit@sfu.ca to enquire if the full text of the accepted manuscript can be made available to you.”
Published as
Liu, P. J., McFerran, B., & Haws, K. L. (2019). Mindful Matching: Ordinal Versus Nominal Attributes. Journal of Marketing Research. DOI: 10.1177/0022243719853221
Publication title
Journal of Marketing Research
Document title
Mindful Matching: Ordinal versus Nominal Attributes
Date
2019
Publisher DOI
10.1177/0022243719853221
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
Yes
Language
English
Member of collection

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