...social norm for a society. Laws that govern recycling in the U.S. are not consistent from state to state and yet people still recycle according to their own personal values on the subject. Policies on recycling have a wide effect on how people decide to recycle. Viscusi, W., Kip; Huber, Joel; and Bell have collected information from many sources and analyzed this data to show the effects of recycling throughout various communities in the country. The information can be used for the project because it addresses the recycling aspects of a product and how consumerism impacts that decision. The article is written from information taken from a wide variety of sources that can each be verified because they are noted in the article. There has been a mathematical system made in the article to back up claims that are made and can be analyzed by the reader. Lambert, Jennifer R. (Spring 2005) Beyond the “good life”: mass consumerism, conflict, and the latchkey-kid. Human Architecture: Journal of the Sociology of Self-Knowledge; Fall 2004/Spring 2005, Vol, 3 Issue ½, p103-108,6p Lambert, Jennifer...
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...November 18, 2014 Consumerism: Gotta Buy ‘Em All It is the day after Thanksgiving, known colloquially to Americans as “Black Friday”. Hundreds of thousands of shoppers line up outside of department stores, anxiously waiting to get their hands on the latest of gadgets and gizmos to purchase for families, friends, and loved ones for the holiday season. Many of the retailers in America have offered attractive promotional sales on this day to attract high traffic and volume in their stores. Realizing this, consumers in America who take a part in Black Friday see this as a fight to the death. This “fight to the death” literally came true in the year 2013, as one death and fifteen injuries resulted from the madness of the shopping event, according to BlackFridayDeathCount.com. On the flip side for businesses, Americans spent an average of $407.02 from the Thursday through Sunday that bookends Black Friday, as stated by the National Retail Federation. This topsy-turvy day recognized by a vast majority of American culture has been seen by many as the yearly peak of the country’s ever-increasing trend towards consumerism. Consumerism, the belief that goods give meaning to individuals and their roles in society, has presented itself to Americans in both a positive and negative spirit. On the one hand, consumer spending drives the economy, gives consumers a vast myriad of retailers to choose from, and renders shopping as a social experience. On the other hand, consumerism can render...
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...Environmental Effects of Consumerism December 18, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment Over consumption of tangible, non-essential products is part of what defines the developed world, with America and Western Europe taking the top prize for consumerism. Unfortunately the rest of the world, including more and more developing countries, isn’t far behind. Consumerism is defined as the need to purchase goods and services that reflect or improve one’s status. Even though it creates jobs and keeps the economy moving, consumerism is taking a toll on the environment. Natural resources are being depleted and the ecosystems are being compromised by disposable plastic products, bottles, and shopping bags. Many items, which were once thought of as luxury items have become necessities. Products are made, quickly become obsolete and are replaced. Items that are disposable, are made to be used only once, or just for fun, flood our markets. The cost of producing products, the raw materials needed and the energy consumed, is not taken into account when cost is measured. Reliance on automobiles, even in countries such as China, where not long ago bicycles outnumbered cars, has made an enormous impact on the environment in the form of pollution and the dependence on fossil fuels. Another negative impact from consumerism is the over consumption of meat, processed food, and fast, ready-made food. Raising livestock to meet the demands of the consumer impacts the water supply, and produces the destructive...
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...discussing the ethics of consumerism, it is important to develop an- in depth understanding of the history of the subject before having the discussion of the moralistic opinions about. The video The Story of Stuff provided the background necessary to understand the reasons why there are so many issues with consumerism. The argument in the video is that the United States has become a consumerist society since the early 1900’s. A consumerist society is defined as one directed largely by the accumulation and consumption of material goods (O’Shaughnessy and O’Shaughnessy, 2002). This consumerism was said to have peaked during the 1950’s when it is said that happiness and contentment with life was at its greatest. Today, things have changed significantly. The adoption of modern marketing practices has led to the emergence of consumerist societies in the swelling middle classes (Chan and Cui, 2004). On one hand, this means that more people are earning enough money to spend. However, the increase in the spending power of the middle class had led to greater demand for consumer goods and thus the resources that are used to make them. The video discussed how much marketing has played a role in the way that people advocate for consumerism. Those who advocate against consumerism stated that social progress and economic development have caused contemporary marketing practice to contribute to a consumerist or materialistic society. The main issue with consumerism seems to be the fact...
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...Consumerism and the Impact of Social Class “People in a consumer society consume to improve their quality of life; there are costs associated with this practice (financial, time, ecological, societal and human) for the individual and the collective” (McGregor). Associated in this piece is the concentration in the belief of consumerism’s affect on the societal structure in terms of the social class standards, between lower, middle, and upper class sections. The dependent variable is consumerism; the rise in spending and its involvement and impact in the economy and social standards of today’s society. Independent variable is the focus of socioeconomic status and social class; concerning the idea that wealth allows greater amounts of consuming, however the lower class strives for similar status in the material and nonmaterial goods. Factors that provide consumerism in society and the economy are the buying of consumer goods, which has expanded in recent decades to national and global lengths. Consumerism is said to be the reason that the U.S. had turned citizens into shoppers, making Americans less free to the economy and the market. Globalization; the process of goods and services over national boundaries, is a rising factor, due to the buying, selling and networking of products globally. Countries like the U.S. China have benefitted by the globalization, but also have impacted their society and culture, from the influence of cultural differences, negatively and positively...
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...561 Economics in Health Care Business Proposal Project Paper ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Macroeconomic Policy & its Implications to Healthcare Providers ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care International Paper ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Cost & Consumerism ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Technology Proposal Presentation ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 1 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 2 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 3 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 4 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 5 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 6 DQs Activity mode aims to provide quality study notes and tutorials to the students of ECO/HC 561 COMPLETE CLASS in order to ace their studies. ECO/HC 561 COMPLETE CLASS To purchase this visit here: http://www.activitymode.com/product/ecohc-561-complete-class/ Contact us at: SUPPORT@ACTIVITYMODE.COM ECO/HC 561 COMPLETE CLASS ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Business Proposal Project Paper ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Macroeconomic Policy & its Implications to Healthcare Providers ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care International Paper ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Cost & Consumerism ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Technology Proposal Presentation ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 1 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 2 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week 3 DQs ECO/HC 561 Economics in Health Care Week...
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...2014 8/1/2014 Impact of Ethical Consumerism on Businesses; Sainsbury’s as case study Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 2 Ethical Consumerism Types or Categories 2 Sainsbury’s as a case Study 4 Opinion Survey on Consumerism 4 Conclusion and Recommendations 5 Bibliography 6 Executive Summary In a ethnicity of plenty, where organisation are selling very similar products at almost the same price, and of the same quality to even the similar consumers, These consumers are free of charge to make use of other, ethical criteria in making their choice between opposite options. There are definitely different levels of ethical consumption - with some people being highly morals determined, while some are just getting on a generally satisfactory bandwagon. The reality still that there is a rising crowd of ethical consumers which need to be taking seriously. Because now it is very easy to be an ethical consumer The Internet, press, and magazines are all spreading company’s information about where and how their products and services are being generated. Blogs and customer help desk are also help customers who by one way or the other had terrible experience or who have important inside information to obtain immediate international exposure. Exposing unethical conduct and practices is a definite title for journalists, so business organisation is under more enquiry than before. Businesses like Sainsbury’s are carefully but continuously examining how well they are...
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...MEANING OF CONSUMERISM Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts. The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Torstein Veblen. Veblen's subject of examination, the newly emergent middle class arising at the turn of the twentieth century, comes to full fruition by the end of the twentieth century through the process of globalization. In this sense, consumerism is usually considered a part of media culture. Consumerism is also used to refer to the consumerists movement, consumer protection or consumer activism, which seeks to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and advertising, product guarantees, and improved safety standards. In this sense it is a movement or a set of policies aimed at regulating the products, services, methods, and standards of manufacturers, sellers, and advertisers in the interests of the buyer. In economics, consumerism refers to economic policies placing emphasis on consumption. In an abstract sense, it is the belief that the free choice of consumers should dictate the economic structure of a society. It was first used in 1915 to refer to advocacy of the rights and interests of consumers but in this article the term consumerism refers to the sense first used in 1960, emphasis on or preoccupation with the acquisition of consumer goods (Oxford English Dictionary). DEVELOPMENT OF CONSUMERISM The development...
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...Consumerism I- Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in ever-greater amounts. The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Thorstein Veblen. Veblen's subject of examination, the newly emergent middle class arising at the turn of the twentieth century, comes to full fruition by the end of the twentieth century through the process of globalization. In this sense, consumerism is usually considered a part of media culture. Sometimes, the term "consumerism" is also used to refer to the consumerists movement, consumer protection or consumer activism, which seeks to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and advertising, product guarantees, and improved safety standards. In this sense it is a movement or a set of policies aimed at regulating the products, services, methods, and standards of manufacturers, sellers, and advertisers in the interests of the buyer. In economics, consumerism refers to economic policies placing emphasis on consumption. In an abstract sense, it is the belief that the free choice of consumers should dictate the economic structure of a society (compare producerism, especially in the British sense of the term) The term "consumerism" goes back to at least 1915 in the sense of "advocacy of the rights and interests of consumers" (Oxford English Dictionary), but in this article the term "consumerism" refers to the sense first recorded...
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...advertisements is to sell products * Publicly addressed to a mass audience widespread social effect * Intended to create desire and a belief that a product will satisfy desire of consumer 1. Economic Role * Making consumers aware of products and services facilitating selling process Expand consumer demand for products Encouraging consumption and fostering economic growth * Helps new competitors enter the market = advances competition, which results in the lowering of prices that consumers pay for goods and services Effects on Consumer Choice * Differentiation * Brand Loyalty Effects on Competition * Barriers to entry * Economies of scale Effects on product costs and prices * Advertising as an expense that increases the cost of products * Increased differentiation 2. Information Role * Commercial Speech must * Presents information to help consumers make decisions regarding the purchase of products and services * Ads tells us what is new, available, where, when and the price * Tell us about a products (alleged) quality and specifications 3. Entertainment Role * Ads have become an intrinsic part of modern society * Although we may condemn its objectives, as an aesthetic experience we enjoy ads in the same way we enjoy pop culture texts E.g. Very little of the content in soft drink commercials provides info about the products themselves * Soft drink ads do not focus on flavor or...
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...Consumerisms Effect Consumerisms Effect Consumerism is defined as, “the theory that an increasing consumption to goods is economically desirable; also: a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods” (“Consumerism,” n.d.). With this said, is consumerism healthy for anyone who is involved? From American cultures birth after the revolutionary war, this society has relished the flattery of consumerism. The search for wealth, material goods, and happiness has no boundaries in this society. Although some positive influences exist within consumerisms definition, a darker side to this phenomenon cannot be over looked. Consumerism reflects many negative human attributes and its increase is adversely affecting American culture, societal equalities, and the environment. Consumerism, in all its forms, has been around since the earliest times of American culture. From the earliest time of America, directly after the Revolutionary War, this attitude of need and want for material good and what was considered the best was very evident. One would think that during a life altering divide of nations the concept of consumerism would stop between them, but during this time, Americans still sought British goods. A high perceived value and thought pattern that these goods were of superior quality allowed these items to become a status symbol for early Americans. George Washington, weeks after signing a peace treaty with Britain, ordered a large...
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...We are a nation gripped by consumerism. We want we we do not need and can ill afford. We are taught that we must attain, the American Dream, gaining things we do not need nor want to build a façade to but on display for others. We want the house, the car, the clothes, the education and more so we force ourselves into debt. While the rich have the ability to play this game, the vast majority of us do not. We must buy these things with a credit card. You want to go to school, go get a loan. You want a house, go get a loan. What about a car, go and get a loan. We keep diving further and further into debt for these things, some of which are necessary for society but, there are many things that we truly don’t need but to keep up with the Jones’...
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...Consumerism History of Consumerism Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the purchase of goods and services in an elevated amount. Consumerism as an ideology first appeared in Western Europe roughly three hundred years ago. It gave a rise in consumer’s need and importance to the display of material items. It promoted economic progress, a rise in small shops, an increase in the growth of cities, and an incline in individualism. A shift in the market hit right before the Industrial Revolution. Capitalist development and the industrial revolution focused on infrastructure and production and manipulation of fossil fuels. In 1919 consumerism began to sweep over the American population when General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) was established. The General Motors Acceptance Corporation mission was to issue loans to customers who had purchased a vehicle. Americans started the notion of “Keeping up with the joneses” which is the idea that Americans compare themselves to their neighbors, defining each stance in socio-cultural inferiority. With this new need for status with possessions was thought to be the beginning of the American consumer culture. Soon after The Great Depression and World War broke out. When the war-ceased consumers went wild, credit cards issued first for convince took off quickly to show status through the products each individual had. Consumerism gathered strength in the United States through internal trade growing, expansion...
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...AN ANALYTICAL BUSINESS REPORT ON WHAT ETHICAL CONSUMERISM MEANS FOR BUSINESSES Name Course Professor/ Tutor University City/ State Date Executive Summary This paper presents an analytical business report on ethical consumerism. The aim of this assignment is to reveal the meaning of ethical consumption in markets. To this end, Adidas Company is critically reviewed. Adidas manufactures sportswear and equipment. This report uses a survey design where a questionnaire or an opinion survey is the data collection instrument. Ethical consumerism is influenced by several factors some of which are, the quality of the products, advertisements, brand image and the moral value that users attach to different products. Corporate social responsibility and appropriate advertising are some of the activities that improve ethical consumerism. The data collected in this study is analyzed and presented in tables and figures. Contents Executive Summary 2 List of Tables 4 List of Figures 5 1.0 Background of the Study 6 1.1 Introduction 6 2.0 Literature Review 6 2.1 Overview of Ethical consumerism 6 2.2 Review of Adidas Company 9 2.2.1 Adidas Mission, Vision and Values 10 3.0 Methodology 12 4.0 Results of Survey 12 4.1 Response rate 12 4.2 Price of Adidas products 13 4.3 Quality of Adidas products 15 4.4 Brand Image of Adidas 16 4.5 Convenience for purchasing Adidas products...
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...and consultancy – on topics from ‘our place in the universe’ through to ‘how to live the life you want’, and from ‘the problem with consumerism’ through to ‘how to be happy’. For more information visit www.lifesquared.org.uk Copyright Richard Docwra 2009 © Published by Life² Life Squared Limited Registration number: 6924570 Registered address: 22 Luther Street, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 9XA www.lifesquared.org.uk info@lifesquared.org.uk Copyright © 2009 Richard Docwra. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission. Please contact Life² if you wish to syndicate this information. Contents Introduction 4 Advertising 5 Consumerism – beyond advertising 9 The effects of consumerism 14 What is wrong with consumerism? 17 What can we do about it? 27 References Inside back page Introduction Introduction C onsumerism is one of the strongest forces affecting our lives in the modern world. The term ‘consumerism’ does not simply refer to immediate factors in our daily lives such as the omnipresence of advertising, but anything connected to the overarching idea in our modern society that in order to be happier, better and more successful people we have to have more stuff. In this booklet, we will explore the power of consumerism, how it manifests itself in our lives and the effects it has on us. The problem with...
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