Online product reviews have become ubiquitous on websites aimed at consumers. And while the evidence suggests that on the whole they add to sales, little research has been done at the individual level. What happens when a consumer encounters a product review? Do more reviews equal more profits? And what about the related issue of fake reviews? Using book ... Read More

A family sits down after dinner and turns on the television. Market researchers record what they are watching and repeat this for thousands of families. But is the information they collect as useful as it could be? Households are often made up of several individuals. Are they all watching the television? Who has sway over what is watched? These questions are ... Read More

There is little doubt that product harm crises can damage a brand, but they do not damage all brands equally. The impact can depend on the actions of the company and also consumer responses. A new model developed by Yi Zhao (former HKUST PhD student, now faculty member at Georgia State University), Ying Zhao and Kristiaan Helsen of HKUST finds a way to gauge ... Read More

Debt management is a serious and timely concern. The sub-prime mortgage problem in the US showed that the repercussions of poor debt management can extend into other sectors and markets, and have global economic consequences. Credit card debt by its nature merits similar concern. Credit card debt is not secured by assets, nor is the financial status of card ... Read More