"012012 or 111000": preference for consumption pattern-seeking. (30th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Jungkeun; Cui, Yuanyuan (Gina); Hwang, Euejung; Franklin, Drew; Seo, Yuri
• Is Part Of: European journal of marketing. Volume 54:Number 9(2020)
• Page Start: 2171
• Page End: 2194
• Publication Date: 2020-06-30
• Subjects: Decision-making -- Food consumption -- Consumer preference -- Pattern seeking -- Repeated choices; Marketing -- Periodicals; Consumer behavior -- Periodicals; 658.8
• DOI: 10.1108/EJM-03-2019-0224
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-0566

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: This paper aims to examine how consumers make choices when they are faced with a fixed set of available options, consisting of both preferred and less-preferred choices, in the domain of food consumption. Specifically, the paper offers a novel perspective to predict repeated choice decisions in food consumption, which is termed as "pattern-seeking" – a consumption choice pattern that involves a coherent repetitive sequence of sub-groupings or coherently concentrated sub-groupings of options. Design/methodology/approach: Eight experimental studies that contrast the existing theoretical predictions regarding repeated choices (e.g. primacy effect, recency effect, variety vs consistency) against pattern-seeking were conducted using hypothetical and actual food choices. Findings: The results of experimental studies show that an explicit decision pattern (i.e. pattern-seeking) emerges as the most significant predictor of repeated choice in the food consumption domain. Research limitations/implications: This study offers a novel perspective on how consumers make repeated choices in the domain of food consumption. Practical implications: The results show that consumers prefer food consumption with a pattern (vs non-pattern). Thus, it would be better to generate marketing activities that allow customers to satisfy their pattern-seeking more easily. Originality/value: This study advances the literature on repeated food choices by demonstrating that people possess an inherent preference for patterns in food consumption.