In this paper, we present quality labels as signals that reduce problems that arise under asymmetric information. We propose to closely scrutinize the concept of signal credibility, which is a key determinant of signalling effectiveness. In order to assess the perceived credibility of a quality label, we offer a revisited version of a scale originally proposed by Larceneux. The data used in this paper involve three different labels and were collected using self-report surveys administered to 602 respondents. Based on findings from a variety of reliability and validity tests, the scale demonstrates good psychometric properties. Both theoretical and managerial implications are discussed, along with limitations and future research directions.

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In this paper, the authors combine insights from several attachment theories to develop a model that help understanding how customer-service provider emotional attachment (EA) is formed and how customers' attachment styles moderate this formation process. The authors test their predictions with survey data from 416 customers in two service contexts (i.e., grocery retailing and hairstyling). Results indicate that positive emotions and service quality are the most powerful predictors of EA. They also show that attachment styles moderate the effect of positive emotions, service quality, image congruency, and trust. Moreover, results identify preoccupied (versus fearful) customers as those who are the most (versus the least) emotionally tied to their service providers. This research provides several implications for researchers and managers. Additionally, it offers attachment styles as a new segmentation criterion.Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) EFA was performed via principal axis analysis (under SPSS 15). Principal axis analysis was retained as the method of extraction because principal component analysis is not always 150S. Moussa and M. Touzani

Key points Hijacked journals mimic the name (and the ISSN) of a reputable journal with the sole purpose of financial exploitation. A hijacked journal is an even more pernicious scam than a predatory journal. Grounded in stakeholder theory, this opinion piece indicates that the hijackers are the sole stakeholder group that benefits from journal hijacking. Hijacked journals will continue to menace scholarly research and publishing unless all stakeholders take specific and coordinated actions against them.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to critically review the most significant writings on “two” constructs that have quickly acquired the status of “important marketing topics”; that is, brand attachment (BA) and brand love (BL). Design/methodology/approach – A profound and parallel inspection of highly influential articles along with ensuing essays by the same single authors is performed. Findings – This review reveals that: hardly a year goes by without some reinventions or retouching of these constructs’ conceptual characteristics; there are several striking similarities between them; the politics of marketing theory are at work in keeping these constructs away from each other; the literature under scrutiny not only suffers from amnesia, but also from some severe schizophrenic symptoms; and that BA and BL are nothing more than the same core knowledge product offered under different brand names. Research limitations/implications – This review is limited to considering the constructs of BA and BL. Originality/value – Because the literature on BA and BL has been essentially empirical, this paper has the potential to add a compulsory conceptual component to it. It also has the potential of instigating discussions, debates and, in due course, a deeper understanding of these “two” constructs.

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