Consumer Behaviour
Source: https://cbk.bschool.cuhk.edu.hk/category/consumer-behavior/ Parent: https://cbk.bschool.cuhk.edu.hk/
ARTICLE ARCHIVE
- Topics
- All
- Career
- Consumer Behaviour
- Corporate Governance
- Economics & Finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Family Business
- Globalisation
- Innovation & Technology
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Outlook
- Social Responsibility
- Sustainability
Search all
Sorry, no results found! Try another keyword? Search
Search for:
Search
Search for:
Search
Do patients care more about process or results?
Li, Hongfei • Li, Hongfei • 20 November 2025 • 5 mins read
When deciding on a medical procedure, which aspects of online reviews most influence your choice? Featured faculty: Li Hongfei Written by Pan Jingyi We are living in an age of digital solutions. Customers nowadays conveniently turn to their gadgets seeking answers to almost anything, including health and wellness issues. From finding clinics for specific health […]
The hidden bias of restaurant reviews
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Zhang, Michael Xiaoquan • Zhang, Michael Xiaoquan • 13 November 2025 • 6 mins read
Time to doubt the stars. Tourists are swayed more by vibes than value when rating restaurants Featured faculty: Michael Zhang Written by Putro Harnowo Hungry while travelling, but couldn’t decide which restaurant to go to? No worries. Just grab your phone and check the ratings for nearby restaurants. These user-generated reviews appear to be more trustworthy […]
How assistive robots can boost an inclusive workforce
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Choi, Sungwoo • Choi, Sungwoo • 16 October 2025 • 6 mins read
Technology can empower individuals with disabilities to thrive in the workplace across industries, including hospitality, in which personal interaction is key to success Featured faculty: Choi Sungwoo Written by Pan Jingyi It’s no longer shocking to see robots working in restaurants and hotels. To create more inclusive opportunities, some businesses employ people with disabilities to […]
How the backs of strangers become your invisible guides
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • 17 July 2025 • 5 mins read
When selecting your next travel destination, what types of photos capture your attention? Featured faculty: Lisa Wan Written by Pan Jingyi Imagine you are scrolling through Instagram or RedNote, craving your next travel adventure. A stunning mountain vista appears, but it leaves you unmoved. Then you see the same peak again, this time with a […]
Trust your mind or follow your gut?
• Meyer, Andrew • 22 May 2025 • 5 mins read
Being intuitive sounds great, but taking a moment to reflect could give you a chance at better judgments Featured faculty: Andrew Meyer Written by Sha Miao “Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion,” said Steve Jobs. Intuition often inspires a multitude of ideas, but creating a tech giant like […]
Understanding retail karma
Zhang, Meng • Zhang, Meng • 15 May 2025 • 4 mins read
A new study reveals how past misdeeds influence consumers’ tolerance of service failures Featured faculty: Zhang Meng Written by Ellis Ng Retail is crucial to connecting businesses and consumers but many would agree that retail jobs are quite challenging. Retail workers often encounter customer misbehaviour like yelling at cashiers, trashing stores, making unreasonable demands, committing […]
Stay niche for better branding
Ke, Tony Te • Ke, Tony Te • 24 April 2025 • 7 mins read
Niche brand positioning can be more profitable than mainstream strategies by building consumer trust through consistent product portfolios Featured faculty: Tony Ke Written by Ellis Ng Positioning a company’s brand can be a complicated process, especially in today’s world, where even luxury brands struggle to gain dominance. Take a look at LVMH, the owner of […]
Enhancing consumer trust in sponsored ads
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Wang, Weiquan • Wang, Weiquan • 03 April 2025 • 6 mins read
Advertising on e-commerce is not an easy feat, especially when users grow sceptical. Leveraging ratings and reviews may help, to some extent Featured faculty: Wang Weiquan Written by Putro Harnowo The global e-commerce market has expanded remarkably and is estimated to reach US$8.09 trillion by 2028, according to Canadian multinational e-commerce company Shopify. In this […]
How mental shortcuts guide loan success and repayment
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Zhang, Michael Xiaoquan • Zhang, Michael Xiaoquan • 13 March 2025 • 6 mins read
Using no-brainer approaches is normal in daily routines, but adding a little bit of thought could go a long way in personal finance Featured faculty: Michael Zhang Written by Putro Harnowo A good decision requires critical thinking and time but many of us don’t have enough privilege or patience to ponder sometimes. To illustrate, if […]
Will lack of internet skills prevent seniors from travelling?
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • 09 January 2025 • 6 mins read
Guess which destination is more appealing for senior tourists: charming scenery and delicious cuisine or easy access and age-friendly services? The answer depends on their surfing skills Featured faculty: Lisa Wan Written by Pan Jingyi Young faces often take the spotlight in discussions about tourism, yet senior tourists, with their discretionary savings and spare time, […]
Are you ready to eat green for a sustainable future?
Consumer BehaviourSustainability
Cisternas Vera, Francisco • Cisternas Vera, Francisco • 12 December 2024 • 5 mins read
What we choose to eat not only affects the health of our own body, but also the health of the earth By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK From cultivation to consumption at the dining table, every stage of food production can create greenhouse gases that exacerbate global warming. Around a third […]
How robot servers tempt unhealthy diets
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Choi, Sungwoo • Choi, Sungwoo • 05 December 2024 • 6 mins read
Substituting humans in the service industry could backfire without adequate reasoning, a new study finds By Putro Harnowo, Senior Content Manager, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK Automation is the backbone of modern industry. It streamlines processes, enhances efficiency, drives innovation, and even starts preparing and serving food for humans. International restaurants have deployed robot chefs, […]
Attention is the new gold, but how to mine it
Ke, Tony Te, Hu, Mandy Mantian • Ke, Tony Te • Hu, Mandy Mantian • 17 October 2024 • 5 mins read
Despite their limited product assortment, a new study reveals that small businesses can challenge industry leaders by effectively capturing consumers’ attention By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK “A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention,” writes Herbert Simon, an American Nobel Laureate who proposed the concept of attention economy. In […]
The art of wearing luxury products
Jung, Sungjin • Jung, Sungjin • 26 September 2024 • 5 mins read
Luxury consumption often garners mixed perceptions, yet openly expressing one’s passion for luxury can be beneficial By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK The adage “you are what you wear” often leads many to buy branded products. People normally buy luxury brands for their extraordinary appeal and the confidence they can inspire. […]
Beyond gender: Rethinking consumer preferences for appearance or functionality
Dai, Xianchi • Dai, Xianchi • 20 August 2024 • 6 mins read
While it is common to assume that men prefer practical products and women lean towards pretty ones, new research challenges this gender-based belief, suggesting consumers’ actual preferences may defy By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus” was coined by American author John Gray for […]
Love is in the air, so are your credit cards
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • 08 August 2024 • 6 mins read
New study finds that romantic theme plays a critical role in stimulating tourists’ impulsive buying behaviour By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK Have you ever felt that irresistible pull when exploring tourist spots, only to be drawn to something more? Imagine strolling through the Notting Hill district in London or Montmartre […]
Exposing real estate agent’s role in tax evasion
Consumer BehaviourCorporate Governance
Yang, Zoe Yang • Yang, Zoe Yang • 11 July 2024 • 6 mins read
New study sheds light on the involvement of real estate agents in tax evasion practices in China’s housing market, calling for regulatory measures and increased transparency By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK In a highly anticipated move, China’s top judicial authorities have recently declared that twin contracts or “yin-yang contracts”, which […]
AI vs. humans: Who wins in handling service rejections?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Shen, Hao • Shen, Hao • 20 June 2024 • 5 mins read
New research shows chatbots can help reduce negative reviews in certain cases, despite the general preference for human agents By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK There will come a time when personal interaction in handling customer services becomes obsolete. And that time might be sooner than we thought. Companies have increasingly […]
A simple way to predict bond yields
Consumer BehaviourEconomics & Finance
Jo, Chanik • Jo, Chanik • 04 April 2024 • 6 mins read
A new study proposes an easier method to forecast corporate bond premiums: Just consider long-run consumption growth, instead of a complex mix of various factors By Putro Harnowo, Senior Content Manager, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK The first week of 2024 was welcomed by a thriving debt market with almost US$60 billion in bond issuance, […]
The perks of having second thoughts
• Meyer, Andrew • 27 March 2024 • 6 mins read
While intuition can be a valuable tool, it can also deceive us. A new study delves into the reasons why blindly trusting your gut is not the best approach By Putro Harnowo, Senior Content Manager, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you made a decision that later […]
Decoding property booms following corporate relocations
Consumer BehaviourCorporate Governance
Tsang, Desmond Tak-ming • Tsang, Desmond Tak-ming • Hu, Maggie Rong • 01 February 2024 • 6 mins read
A recent study uncovered the spillover effect of business migration on skyrocketing housing prices and cascading impacts on neighbouring districts, while revealing the formula for growth By Putro Harnowo, Senior Content Manager, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK “Location, location, location,” one of the most chanted slogans among real estate players, holds the key to unlocking […]
How Drop in Home Prices Benefits Renters
Consumer BehaviourCorporate Governance
Hu, Maggie Rong • 04 January 2024 • 6 mins read
Tenants are more vulnerable to increased risk about their housing stability when the property market soars, but they can find relief when real estate slows down, a new study finds By Putro Harnowo, Senior Content Manager, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK Access to affordable housing is a fundamental necessity, yet the scarcity of affordable homes […]
When Tourists Turn to Algorithm for Fair Pricing
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Choi, Sungwoo • Choi, Sungwoo • 09 November 2023 • 6 mins read
New study delves deeper to find why consumers feel better if algorithms, instead of humans, offer the best rate By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge@CUHK Have you ever booked a hotel room or a flight ticket at what you thought was the cheapest price, only to find a lower one the next day? […]
How Privacy Rights Affect Personal Data Markets and Firm Profit
Ke, Tony Te • Ke, Tony Te • 26 October 2023 • 6 mins read
Striking the right balance between data regulation and consumer benefits is crucial for trust and successful data sharing, a new study finds By Pete Sabine Data protection is everything in a world that is run on and by the internet. The enactment of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018 heralded a new […]
Why Is Workplace Equality Good for Business?
Consumer BehaviourSocial Responsibility
Cen, Ling, Wu, Jing • Cen, Ling • Wu, Jing • 26 September 2023 • 5 mins read
A new study reveals that U.S. households spend more on products from firms that prioritise corporate workplace equality, especially after major social events By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge@CUHK Which would you choose: a bag produced by a firm known for its equal treatment of all staff or a bag produced by a […]
Putting Healthy, Low-emission Food on the Menu
Consumer BehaviourSustainability
Cisternas Vera, Francisco • Cisternas Vera, Francisco • 14 September 2023 • 6 mins read
New study finds “green consumerism” is alive and well in China, with consumers willing to pay more for sustainable food By Lisa Kennedy The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which form the United Nations’ Post-2015 Development Agenda, are designed to provide a blueprint for achieving global peace and prosperity by 2030. Central to the agenda […]
Consumer Comparisons Could Spell Trouble for Governments
Lien, Jaimie • 27 July 2023 • 6 mins read
Study discovers that people around the world being increasingly sensitive to the goods and services that other consumers are purchasing, which could have huge implications for governments By Peter Sabine With geopolitical tensions gathering pace, what consumers buy may have a major impact on power plays – governments should take notice. A new study by […]
How to Win Back Trust After a Negative Online Review
Wang, Weiquan • Wang, Weiquan • 15 June 2023 • 6 mins read
New research provides clear guidelines for e-commerce vendors on how to handle customer complaints in the digital marketplace By Lisa Kennedy Online shopping received a huge boost during the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers battled to obtain scarce goods, while obeying social distancing regulations. The share of global retail sales met through e-commerce rose from 16 […]
How Does Air Pollution Affect Online Consumption?
Yang, Zoe Yang • Yang, Zoe Yang • 27 April 2023 • 7 mins read
New research examines and quantifies the causal link between air pollution and various categories of online consumption By Pan Jingyi, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge@CUHK As a major and pressing public health threat, air pollution is responsible for around one third of deaths from stroke, chronic respiratory disease, and lung cancer, as well as one […]
How To Detect and Deter Customer Misbehaviour on Social Media
02 February 2023 • 6 mins read
Research finds companies should consider actively intervening when customers misbehave in online communities
Why Do Smart Kiosks Make People Feel Embarrassed?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying, Chan, Elisa Ka-yan • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Chan, Elisa Ka-yan • 12 January 2023 • 7 mins read
CUHK study finds that customers, anticipating embarrassment, avoid using interactive kiosks, but certain queue designs may help
Are Service Robots Suitable for All Brands?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Choi, Sungwoo • Choi, Sungwoo • 08 September 2022 • 7 mins read
CUHK research finds that brands that seek to project a sincere and conservative personality may not benefit from using frontline service robots
China: The Next Big Market for Soft-Branded Hotels?
Chan, Elisa Ka-yan, Zhou, Tao • Chan, Elisa Ka-yan • Zhou, Tao • 14 July 2022 • 7 mins read
A wave of deal-making in China’s hotel investment sector is expected to encourage more independent hotels to rebrand as chain affiliates By Prof. Elisa Chan Ka-yan and Zhou Tao The global hospitality industry is awash in hotel brands. There are currently 970 hotel brands in the market. There is at least one hotel brand for […]
Does the Appearance of Robots Matter to Customers?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • 16 June 2022 • 7 mins read
CUHK research finds that customers prefer friendly-looking robots in seeking leisure-dominant information and competent-looking robots when seeking practical advice
Violent Video Games and Crime
Consumer BehaviourSocial Responsibility
• Stice, Han • 19 May 2022 • 8 mins read
Research study supports link between violent video games and crime, and finds teenagers are more likely to commit crimes under the influence of violent video games than adults
Sitting on a Gold Mine: Do People Spend More When Home Prices Rise?
Yang, Zoe Yang • Yang, Zoe Yang • 05 May 2022 • 6 mins read
CUHK research finds that housing price appreciation leads to higher online consumption, less payment hesitation, less order returns and more online shopping activity during work hours
The Power of Memory in Stimulating Purchases
Dai, Xianchi • Dai, Xianchi • 21 April 2022 • 7 mins read
CUHK research shows that people perceive past events to be more subjectively distant when seeking to recall memories over a shorter time frame, and that this can help induce repeat purchase
Can Robots Be Used to Obtain Honest Customer Feedback?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying, Choi, Sungwoo • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Choi, Sungwoo • 30 March 2022 • 9 mins read
CUHK research collaboration with leading robotics pioneer and Hong Kong hotel suggests service robots can provide help hospitality operators gauge customer satisfaction
Digital Red Packets and the Power of Sharing Online
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & TechnologyMarketing
Lin, Lisa Ya • Lin, Lisa Ya • 24 February 2022 • 8 mins read
Research study finds that digital red packets are most useful as a tool for companies to gain new and retain existing customers when they are allowed to be shared on social media
China Business Knowledge@CUHK’s Top 10 Articles in 2021
CareerConsumer BehaviourCorporate GovernanceEconomics & FinanceEntrepreneurshipLeadershipMarketingSocial ResponsibilityTop 10
Jin, Jenny Qianran, Makino, Shige, , Liu, Ming, Yuen, Andrew Chi-lok, Tse, Edward Cho-che, , Cisternas Vera, Francisco, Li, Wendong, Lau, Dora Chi-sun, Cao, Ying • Jin, Jenny Qianran • Makino, Shige • Fong, Wai-ming • Liu, Ming • Yuen, Andrew Chi-lok • Tse, Edward Cho-che • Hong, Ying-yi • Cisternas Vera, Francisco • Li, Wendong • Hu, Maggie Rong • Lau, Dora Chi-sun • Cao, Ying • 29 December 2021 • 4 mins read
From global supply chain shortages to inflation fears and rising concerns over climate change, for many people doing business in 2021 was probably fraught with a high degree of uncertainty. To illuminate the way ahead, here are this year’s 10 most popular articles, featuring our cutting edge research and expert insights
How Marketers Can Leverage on the Power of Comparison
Shen, Hao • Shen, Hao • 23 December 2021 • 6 mins read
CUHK research using Chinese data illustrates that consumers prefer products that elicit competence when comparing to peers who are better off, and vice versa
How to Create a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Kim, Keongtae • Kim, Keongtae • 16 September 2021 • 8 mins read
CUHK research reveals that capturing the attention of philanthropic funders at the early stages of crowdfunding campaigns can build momentum that leads to funding success
How ‘Human’ Should Robots Be?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Choi, Sungwoo • Choi, Sungwoo • 09 September 2021 • 8 mins read
Hotel guests like interaction with devices that look and sound like them, but they can spark displeasure after service failures, new CUHK study shows
How Social Media Makes for Happier Families
31 August 2021 • 5 mins read
There is a hydraulic relationship between domestic happiness and exposure to social media content opposite to our views
Can Experiencing a Disaster Alter Spending Habits?
Lien, Jaimie • 19 August 2021 • 6 mins read
New research in China suggests earthquake survivors tend to spend more on entertainment and other instantly gratifying activities while cutting back on education expenses
The Myth of the Objective Product Review
Keehyung Kim • 22 July 2021 • 6 mins read
Penalise bias, says study after highlighting ease with which social ties encourage critics to favour established contacts
The Evolving Chinese Luxury Consumer
06 July 2021 • 5 mins read
Chinese who travel frequently or have lived abroad will shape the perception and understanding of luxury consumption going forward
Will High Speed Rail Make Air Travel Nicer?
Yang, Zoe Yang • Yang, Zoe Yang • 17 June 2021 • 7 mins read
Research examining booming Chinese travel market finds entry of high speed rail leads to improvement in airline services
The Changing Travel Habits of Chinese Tourists
Tchou, Larry Ming-kong • Tchou, Larry Ming-kong • 22 April 2021 • 7 mins read
The pandemic has forced an evolution in the travelling habits of Chinese tourists and businesses must adapt and innovate or be left behind, says CUHK expert
How to Help Tourists Behave Better Abroad
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • 25 March 2021 • 8 mins read
CUHK research shows making tourists empathise with local residents can reduce misbehaviour
Improving Sales Through Better Store Shelf Design
Cisternas Vera, Francisco • Cisternas Vera, Francisco • 28 January 2021 • 6 mins read
Research study reveals competition between products next to each other on shelves can increase product demand
How Should a Robot Talk to a Customer?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & TechnologyMarketing
Choi, Sungwoo • Choi, Sungwoo • 19 November 2020 • 5 mins read
Research reveals consumers prefer straightforward and clear direction in service encounters
Why Sad People Avoid Purchasing Happy Experiences
Shen, Hao • Shen, Hao • 05 November 2020 • 5 mins read
Research suggest that an enjoyable experience may only make unhappy people feel better if they do not think extensively about doing it beforehand
Can Robots Save the Service Industry from COVID-19?
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & Technology
Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • Wan, Lisa Chun-ying • 08 October 2020 • 6 mins read
CUHK research shows the use of robots in service industry may help reduce the perceived risk of viral infection
How to Tailor Product Variety to Leverage on Influencer Marketing
Consumer BehaviourInnovation & TechnologyMarketing
Liao, Chenxi • Liao, Chenxi • 17 September 2020 • 7 mins read
CUHK research looks at the rise of social influencers and its implications for companies seeking to maximise profits by offering more product variety
Diet Sodas and Low-fat Snacks: Marketing When Less is More
Lam, Howard Pong-yuen • 13 August 2020 • 5 mins read
Research finds marketing efforts focused on reducing negative product attributes may not always work
Fighting (and Failing) to Cool Chinese Property Prices
Consumer BehaviourEconomics & Finance
Yang, Zoe Yang • Yang, Zoe Yang • 12 March 2020 • 6 mins read
CUHK research reveals that measures limiting property purchases appear less than entirely effective in cooling housing prices
Should We Trust Online Reviews?
Zhang, Michael Xiaoquan • Zhang, Michael Xiaoquan • 06 June 2019 • 5 mins read
CUHK Research reveals the impact of social influence in online product reviews By Jaymee Ng, Principle Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK We live in a social world where we are constantly sharing our opinions and exposed to other people’s opinions. Some of these opinions are useful especially when we are thinking about buying a […]
What Modern Travellers Want
Angelini, Giovanni • Angelini, Giovanni • 25 April 2019 • 5 mins read
Hospitality industry expert defines what it means by creating a good experience for travellers in the new era By Jaymee Ng, Principal Writer, China Business Knowledge @ CUHK After more than three decades of rapid economic growth and personal income, it seems fair to say that travelling is no longer a luxury but a lifestyle […]
Have a Nice Holiday, if the Weather Permits!
Yang, Zoe Yang • Yang, Zoe Yang • 20 February 2019 • 5 mins read
How pollution affects consumption mood yet boosts service quality in hotel industry
How Our Perceived Future Influences Our Past
Dai, Xianchi • Dai, Xianchi • 12 July 2018 • 7 mins read
Vivid memories and emotions about things affect our perceptions of when they took place, but can the chance of them happening again also influence how we regard the past?
SHOW MORE ARTICLES