The Roles of Culture, Subculture, and Social Class in Consumer Behavior

International marketing or business is uniquely different from the local market because the product price, place and promotion is vastly different from what is been offered to local customers (Johansson, 2000) With the emergence of the information technology, cross border marketing has never been a distant dream. However, it has never been easier even for giant multinational companies to face challenges that come in international business. The biggest challenge comes from the culture which varies from country to country.

1. When selecting a UPL the Commander must take into consideration which of the following qualifications? The commander appoints an officer or non-commisned officer ( e-5 r above) on orders as the UPL

In the quest to improve the customer experience and customer loyalty, it is helpful to consider the "cultural habits" of successful service organizations.

The impact of national cultures on marketing practices has been such that it brought about the creation of an academic field, with as a lead-researcher, Geert. Hofstede, on whose writings I have based my analysis.

The dominance of capitalist countries has facilitated the conformity of global civilization and cultural environments resulting in an increase of consumer cultures (Sarmela, 1977; Chaney, 2004). As capitalism experiences a natural and unavoidable expansion, consumers engage with consumer culture creating invisible products such as social status, identity, cultures, and ethical relationships (Sternberg, 2017). There are two sides to consumer culture that are the values held by society; those who conform and those who rebel (Turow & McAllister, 2014). All participants of society align with either submission or resistance to dominant ideas, values, and social structures. However, as a result of continued progressive diversity and fragmentation, the distinction between submissive and resistance are blurred. Nevertheless, those who resist and rebel are still participants of consumer culture. Instead they instead form sub cultures in society with alternative beliefs, values and ideas that challenge the mainstream (Chaney, 2004). In order to better understand the relationship between consumption practice and the resistance of consumer culture, theories of reflexive project of self, prosumers, lifestyle commodification, and incorporation will be analyzed in relation to the vegan movement.

The American attitude has always been to work as long, and as hard as possible. Not everyone agrees with this idea, but for those who do, why is that? Is it because that is what they were told? Is it because they are truly passionate about what they do? Perhaps it is so they can just afford to buy what is needed to live. However, what about those who work overtime just so they can afford the luxuries like going on vacation, or buying a new phone? This need for luxuries dates back since after the Civil War (“Consumerism,” par 4). Another part of the American culture is shopping, in fact shopping is now perceived as “a patriotic activity” (“Consumerism,” par 1). This is what consumer culture is, the push to buy what isn’t a necessity.

To feel like we actually like we have had a life worth living we must have experienced consumerism. Splurged a little more on our self’s give us some luxury in our life. I would say yes I do live my life according to the effects consumerism has on American culture. Unfortunately, I cannot live like a monk or I find it very challenging top because, that would require me giving up the luxuries I was immersed to into thanks, consumerism at a young age. The benefits of consumerism are when I used to sell food in school thanks to all the advertising done for me by the companies I had little to no trouble selling food. Because at my school you had the option between the free food (you get what you pay for) or some fresh donuts I had just bought from

Denizci, B. & Xiang, L. (2009). Linking marketing efforts to financial outcome: an exploratory study in tourism and hospitality contexts. Journal of Hospitality

As a country, Americans love to shop. Whether in malls, grocery stores, on the Internet, or elsewhere, the culture of buying is deeply ingrained in American culture. Fueled largely by advertising and the current credit system, America’s consumer culture is depleting our planet’s finite natural resources and polluting our environment. Consumerism has instilled in Americans an artificial, ongoing, and insatiable desire for mass-produced and marketed products, and the money with which to buy them, with little regard to their actual usefulness or necessity. This constant desire to acquire more possessions is poisoning the planet, as it can never be sated and thus results in the never-ending exploitation of the Earth’s natural resources, and

Consumerist culture; a significant sociological and economical term representative of a pivotal decade/s in –particularly American - history. With its firm roots in consumer capitalism, consumerist culture clearly reached its apogee during the 1980s and early 1990s and is explicitly denoted by its ‘removal of individualism’ through Fordist reproduction models (Giroux, 2001, p.3; Ivanova, 2011, p. 333-334) as well as the spread of narcissistic, conspicuous consumption as a means of expressing a superficial identity and social status (Layton, 2011). However, it is argued by Phillips, 2006, that period of ‘significant ideological and economic’ change usually involve the questioning of gender roles (p.405). Axiomatically, consumerist culture influenced the literature of the 80s and 90s which resulted in the birth of ‘blank fiction’; novels which utilized mass cultural references in order to provide a ‘critique of contemporary

Consumer culture can be defined as a free enterprise in which its main focal point is on selling the consumer goods while spending the consumer money. An individual’s way of purchasing merchandise that reflects their anatomy and appearance. Meanwhile media enables an easier portrayal of consumer culture by exemplifying an America based on consumerism since the dawn of the industrialization. Along comes conspicuous consumption, the act of purchasing the luxury lifestyle to portray a euphoria of one’s being. Many embellish this lifestyle to elicit a better view of class. In American society, consumer culture has three major effects; the overspending of the masses, America’s overexposure to advertising, and the systemization of class caused by

In my opinion, I feel that consumers can get too much of a product. American culture of consumerism appears to be quite addictive. Shopping can become a drug for some. For example, with every new clearance rack at any given department store or buying multiple items because you think there is a big savings when using coupons. Consumers become fueled with the need to fill a void within their daily lives. In recent years I have notice the change of coupon use compared to many years ago has become very addictive for some to the point that it is not saving money. Don’t get me wrong, I consider myself to be one who loves discounts and a good savings. I often hear people say you can never have too much of one product especially if you purchased it

Making business abroad can be risky, but it can also be profitable for a company as well; thus the necessity to study in deep the country where the company will bring the business to. International companies are faced with many cultural challenges, when doing business across and inside of different borders. Identifying the significant cultural issues involved when evaluating the attractiveness of a particular location as a place for doing business can be crucial for a business. Aspects to consider when studying culture in a new place

     Cultures are varying among different parts of the globe. People with different cultures have different characteristics and viewpoints on the subjects due to diverse understanding and method of learning. During the past few decades, the international trade grows in a very rapid rate due to the advantages that it provides; “increased sales, operational efficiencies, exposure to new technologies and broader consumer choices” (Heslin). Therefore, when considering the culture aspect to current business world, it is crucial for business to understand the culture aspect because of the tremendous growth of international business as well as utilize the international market to its maximum

Understanding consumer buying behavior entails marketing, relationships, and consumer behavior. Consumer behavior comprises all the consumer decisions and activities connected with the choosing, buying, using and disposing of goods and services. Marketers must pay very close attention to consumer behavior that occurs before the purchase and after the particular product has been used. Studying consumer habits is one of the steps in marketing search and analysis. In addition to other basic principles of consumer buying habits, marketers also need to study the decision and actions of real people. Until recent history the study of consumer behavior was focused on generalized consumer decisions. With