Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private Households
Research on joint decision-making processes in households is particularly relevant for marketing, especially for understanding who decides what to buy in purchasing decisions and how decision processes evolve. However, the investigation of such complex processes requires adequate research methods to...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Centro de Estudos Sociais da Universidade de Coimbra
2016-12-01
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| Series: | Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journals.openedition.org/rccs/6467 |
| _version_ | 1811334495740100608 |
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| author | Erich Kirchler Laura Winter Elfriede Penz |
| author_facet | Erich Kirchler Laura Winter Elfriede Penz |
| author_sort | Erich Kirchler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research on joint decision-making processes in households is particularly relevant for marketing, especially for understanding who decides what to buy in purchasing decisions and how decision processes evolve. However, the investigation of such complex processes requires adequate research methods to account for the dynamics in close relationships. We provide a critical overview of past research in the arena of economic decision-making among couples, concentrating on methodological issues. After describing different types of decisions we proceed by describing findings on interaction dynamics, including the nature and occurrence of conflicts. In reviewing relationship structures we focus on the dimensions of harmony and power. The descriptive process model utilized includes the partners’ use of influence tactics, as well as the emergence of utility debts at the end of a decision-making process. Reviewing the adequacy of various research methods, observational and survey techniques are discussed as conventional psychological research methods. The Vienna Partner Diary is introduced as novel method and suggested as being useful for collecting data on the complex interaction processes in the everyday life of couples. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T17:09:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4eedcd9662b74c30912095f98f8c3a67 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0254-1106 2182-7435 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T17:09:47Z |
| publishDate | 2016-12-01 |
| publisher | Centro de Estudos Sociais da Universidade de Coimbra |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais |
| spelling | doaj.art-4eedcd9662b74c30912095f98f8c3a672022-12-22T02:38:19ZengCentro de Estudos Sociais da Universidade de CoimbraRevista Crítica de Ciências Sociais0254-11062182-74352016-12-011118110810.4000/rccs.6467Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private HouseholdsErich KirchlerLaura WinterElfriede PenzResearch on joint decision-making processes in households is particularly relevant for marketing, especially for understanding who decides what to buy in purchasing decisions and how decision processes evolve. However, the investigation of such complex processes requires adequate research methods to account for the dynamics in close relationships. We provide a critical overview of past research in the arena of economic decision-making among couples, concentrating on methodological issues. After describing different types of decisions we proceed by describing findings on interaction dynamics, including the nature and occurrence of conflicts. In reviewing relationship structures we focus on the dimensions of harmony and power. The descriptive process model utilized includes the partners’ use of influence tactics, as well as the emergence of utility debts at the end of a decision-making process. Reviewing the adequacy of various research methods, observational and survey techniques are discussed as conventional psychological research methods. The Vienna Partner Diary is introduced as novel method and suggested as being useful for collecting data on the complex interaction processes in the everyday life of couples.http://journals.openedition.org/rccs/6467couplesdecision-makingfamily economyfinancial managementresearch methods |
| spellingShingle | Erich Kirchler Laura Winter Elfriede Penz Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private Households Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais couples decision-making family economy financial management research methods |
| title | Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private Households |
| title_full | Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private Households |
| title_fullStr | Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private Households |
| title_full_unstemmed | Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private Households |
| title_short | Methods of Studying Economic Decisions in Private Households |
| title_sort | methods of studying economic decisions in private households |
| topic | couples decision-making family economy financial management research methods |
| url | http://journals.openedition.org/rccs/6467 |
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