Purpose – This study aims to examine the impacts of demographic variables (gender, age, income, education) and food product involvement (FPI) on food-related consumer decision-making styles (CDMS). Design/methodology/approach – Original Sproles and Kendall's CSI instrument (1986) was applied in the food-product context. Data were collected using consumer phone survey. Eight separate regression analyses were conducted to test hypotheses. In each model independent variables were socio-demographic variables and FPI, while dependent variables were eight food-related CDMS. Findings – Regression analyses indicate that each of food-related CDMS are affected by different antecedent variables. Perfectionism, high-quality consciousness was affected by gender, age, income and FPI; Brand consciousness by age, income and FPI; Novelty consciousness by FPI; Recreational, hedonistic shopping consciousness by gender, age and FPI; Price consciousness by age, education and income; Impulsiveness by age, education and income; Confusion by overchoice by education and FPI, and Brand loyalty by education, income and FPI. Originality/value – The study applies modified Sproles and Kendall's CSI instrument (1986) in the food product context. The present study also provides a more definitive conclusion about the relationships between demographics, FPI and food-related CDMS. The analysis determined how demographics and FPI affect food-related CDMS.

Purpose This paper aims to explore buying decision factors and approaches of companies operating in manufacturing industry in Croatia. Design/methodology/approach The data collected by company survey were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, cluster analysis and cross-tabulation analysis. Findings Results show that manufacturers are influenced by six distinctive factors when making purchasing decisions. These are supplier’s flexibility, supplier’s reliability, interdepartmental communication, top management support, routine purchases and buyer’s price sensitivity. Manufacturers can be classified in four different groups according to their buying decision-making patterns. Practical implications This paper provides a set of factors and approaches which might help selling companies and sales representatives understand the purchasing practices of buying company better, and develop adaptive selling approaches accordingly. Originality/value Based on a literature review and field research, an instrument of organizational buying behaviour was developed and tested in the Croatian manufacturing industry. The factors of organizational buying behaviour patterns were identified, and the typology of buying decision approaches applicable for manufacturing industry was developed.

The purpose of this research is to develop consumer typology, classify consumers by using food-related decision-making styles and link the resulting typology with consumer shopping behaviour. A modified Sproles and Kendall's CSI instrument was used to identify decision-making styles in food-product context in Croatia. The data obtained from the survey was analysed using factor, cluster and ANOVA analyses. Three groups of consumers were identified: Recreational, Novelty-driven and Economic consumers. The study confirms that food-related consumers' decision-making (CDM) styles can be used for market segmentation. Significant differences among groups were found for monthly food expenditure, expenditure at main retailers and expenditure on major trips. Marketers should take into account the characteristics of the identified groups while developing marketing programmes.

Fast changes in retailing and complex consumer decision-making processes have increased the need for additional investigation of differences and similarities in consumer decision-making styles (CDMS) in various countries. This paper tests the reliability and validity of Sproles and Kendall's Consumer Style Inventory (CSI) instrument, identifies and compares CDMS in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia (FYR). Data obtained from surveys conducted among university students in observed countries (n = 1.206) were analysed by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results provided support for six factors, which means that the original US eight-model cannot be fully applied in this region. Croatian consumers are the least brand-conscious and novelty-fashion conscious. Macedonian consumers are the most quality-conscious, brand-conscious, novelty-fashion conscious, recreational shopping conscious and brand-loyal, while Bosnian consumers are the most confused by overchoice. The traits of price consciousness and impulsiveness were not tested because of lack of reliability among items. The paper provides guidelines for marketers on how to position and more effectively advertise their products and services in analysed countries.

No abstract