Panic-buyers not making rational decisions, says Rice U. consumer behavior expert
March 20, 2020
HOUSTON – (March 20, 2020) – Many Americans who are worried about being able to provide food, water and other necessities for their families during the coronavirus outbreak aren’t making rational decisions, according to a consumer behavior expert at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at Rice Business, is available to discuss the dynamics at play.
Valentine's Day gifts make men feel like heroes, expert says
February 13, 2020
HOUSTON – (Feb. 13, 2020) – A new survey finds men are more willing to rack up credit card debt if Valentine’s Day gifts are involved. In fact, research shows some behaviors tend to reinforce people's gender identity — and that includes Valentine’s Day gift-giving behavior, according to a marketing and customer relationships expert at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
Rice PR expert weighs in on Astros cheating scandal
January 14, 2020
HOUSTON – (Jan. 14, 2019) – Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were fired by team owner Jim Crane Monday after Major League Baseball suspended them for a year each following an investigation that discovered Houston cheated using technology en route to winning the 2017 World Series. "Sports is a unique context where (fan) loyalty persists in spite of transgressions by the team or its players," said Anastasiya (Annie) Zavyalova, associate professor of strategic management at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. "Considering the Astros' recent victory right after Hurricane Harvey, I expect Astros fans to continue to support the team in light of this scandal."
