Business & Industry News -- ScienceDaily

International marketing: Are store brands becoming a global phenomenon? Posted: 25 Feb 2015 07:30 AM PST Big name brands in the United States and Western Europe face a serious and growing threat from successful store brands. A new study explains why store brands have taken some countries by storm while leaving other countries relatively untouched.

Stark inequalities in aging as UK government encourages people to work longer Posted: 25 Feb 2015 07:28 AM PST Changes in pension and employment policies are making it increasingly necessary for older people in the UK to work beyond the age of 65.  However, new research fnds significant differences in the likelihood of employment and income levels of people beyond 65, depending on their gender and health.

Consumer behavior and free trials: What makes a customer stay? Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:43 AM PST Free trials are wildly popular, but customers attracted with these promotions behave very differently from standard customers, according to a new study.

Blockbusters: Can EEGs predict a movie's success better than surveys? Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:43 AM PST Seventy-five percent of movies earn a net loss during their run in theaters. A new study finds that brain activity visible through EEG measures may be a much cheaper and more accurate way to predict the commercial success of movies.

Predicting consumer preferences? Do NOT walk a mile in their shoes Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:43 AM PST Salespeople have long believed that by imagining themselves as the customer, they can steer clear of their own personal preferences and make decisions that will appeal to consumers in general. According to a new study, the reality is exactly the opposite.

Fundraising 101: Tempting alternatives increase willingness to donate Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:43 AM PST Charities are always trying to understand what type of appeal will increase the likelihood of donations. According to a new study in the Journal of Marketing Research, people are also very driven by seeing the good in themselves. Referencing particularly indulgent products -- not a simple cup of coffee -- can significantly increase charitable donations.

Workplace negativity can hurt productivity Posted: 25 Feb 2015 06:43 AM PST Employees who point out problems in the office may help the company improve, but could be hurting themselves in the process. Such negative-minded workers are more likely to become mentally fatigued and defensive and experience a drop-off in production, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

Why companies don't learn from their mistakes Posted: 25 Feb 2015 05:25 AM PST The mobile phone bill is not quite correct, the wrong food is served at a restaurant or the hotel room hasn't been properly cleaned: Most of us may have been annoyed about situations like these. Self-confident customers then usually vent their dissatisfaction towards a service employee. But what happens next? Do companies analyze the complaints of unhappy customers to learn from them and to improve the service quality? A new study suggests not.