McGill Desautels Faculty of Management - Vivek Astvansh’s Recent Media Coverage

Corporate social responsibility disclosures have benefits, but also come with costs

�㽶��Ƶ — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:00:21 +0000

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures can enhance a company’s public image and contribute to increased sales. However, these benefits may come at a cost. In a study analyzing CSR disclosures from companies in China, where such reporting is mandatory, Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh found that while these disclosures attract customers, they may also discourage new suppliers.

Automotive safety recalls are usually free – but many owners of older vehicles still don’t participate

�㽶��Ƶ — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:58:54 +0000

Automotive safety recalls are commonplace, and, most of the time, the required changes are performed for free at your local dealership. Yet, many owners of older vehicles don’t bring in their vehicles when there is a recall. Inertia is part of the problem, according to Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh.

Presidential candidates’ choice of words reveals aspects of their personalities

�㽶��Ƶ — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:39:24 +0000

The words a speaker chooses communicate more than just ideas and opinions. Language reveals much about a speaker’s personality. In the recent U.S. presidential debate, two very different personalities were on display—that of Democratic candidate and Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Journalists and social media users exert influence over product recall decisions

�㽶��Ƶ — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 22:24:25 +0000

In 2023, product recalls in Canada hit an all-time high – there were well over 2,000 of them. Manufacturing companies are typically the ones to issue these recalls, and their decisions are affected by journalists and social media users. “Journalists’ praise about safety in a manufacturer’s products leads to increased disclosure of product safety defects, while their criticism curbs such disclosure,” writes Vivek Astvansh in an article in The Conversation.

Better data protections in Europe could encourage participation in retail data collection programs

�㽶��Ƶ — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:22:59 +0000

In-store data collection can help retailers provide shoppers with a personalized experience that includes perks like lower prices or options tailored to a shopper’s taste. But uptake for in-store data collection has been slower in North America than it has been in Europe. “The assumption is that if I enter a retail store, cameras are recording. That is an established norm.

SAQ monopoly pads government revenues but isn’t necessarily in shoppers' best interest

�㽶��Ƶ — Thu, 09 May 2024 16:52:53 +0000

Despite being a lucrative revenue source for the government, the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) monopoly is under scrutiny for limiting consumer choices, especially for premium spirits like high-end bourbons. Exclusive distribution rights mean that if SAQ doesn’t stock a particular brand, it won’t be available in Quebec's retail outlets.

E-commerce vehicle acquisitions face hurdles due to existing laws

�㽶��Ƶ — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:44:29 +0000

During the 2023 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai and Amazon revealed plans to enable vehicle purchases on their e-commerce platform by 2024. However, this option is not currently available. Since 2018, it has been possible to browse a digital showroom of Hyundai vehicles, but not to complete the purchase. Even when the company introduces the capability to buy vehicles online, widespread availability is unlikely.

The pandemic pushed tipping too far, but customers can push back

�㽶��Ƶ — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:41:54 +0000

A recent video sharing one woman’s New Year’s resolution to no longer tip has gone viral, proving that, for many consumers, tipping has become excessive. Just a few years ago, diners often ponied up 15% on a restaurant bill or bar tab. As restaurants were forced to close during the pandemic, tip prompts creeped up to 18%, 20%, or even 30%. Tip prompts were also added to many other services where tipping had never been customary – like drive-thru windows and even deli counters. Referred to as “tip-flation”, this phenomenon has sparked debate.

‘Buy now, pay later’ loans are not covered by existing consumer protection laws

�㽶��Ƶ — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:13:34 +0000

Buy now, pay later technology offers loans to consumers to pay for purchases in instalments over time. A soft credit check verifies eligibility, and can extend credit to users who might not otherwise have access to credit products. These loans claim to improve the financial inclusion of lower-income young people, but should be approached with caution, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation.

This holiday season, shoppers are spending more and getting less

�㽶��Ƶ — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:11:08 +0000

Christmas is just around the corner, and even with inflation slowing down, gift prices are higher than ever. Canada’s Consumer Price Index is at an all-time high of nearly 160 points, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh tells CTV News Montreal. “Consumers are feeling the pinch, and while they want to buy stuff, they are resisting purchases,” says Astvansh. Holiday spending will still be higher than it was last year, but not because people are actually buying more gifts. “The prices of everything have gone up.

Tip creep and tip-flation leading to a review of tipping culture in Canada

�㽶��Ƶ — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:12:03 +0000

Tipping has gotten out of control in Canada. Not only are restaurants’ automated payment systems prompting patrons for tips of up to 30%, there are even some tip prompts at self-serve kiosks. More than half of Canadians say they’d prefer a no-tip, service-included model that ensures higher base wages for employees. For now, shoppers should be reminded that tipping is discretionary, says Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh in an article for The Conversation.

Navigating the retail conundrum: striking the right balance in inventory management

�㽶��Ƶ — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:42:45 +0000

It has been a challenging few years for supply chains. After pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, many retailers increased their inventory for the 2022 holiday season. After all, demand was still booming at the time. But demand has come down off its peak, and that presents an entirely different problem for retailers in 2023. Some major retailers have reduced inventory so as to not be left with products they can’t sell.

Bargain hunters beware: online deals can come with unanticipated conditions

�㽶��Ƶ — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 18:22:24 +0000

Scouring for holiday gifts at bargain prices is a savvy way to cut costs, but the allure of Black Friday deals sometimes masks potential pitfalls. In an article for BNN Bloomberg, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh emphasizes the need for caution among bargain hunters to ensure they're fully informed about any unforeseen conditions.

Bankrupt companies benefit from cooperation with suppliers during legal process

�㽶��Ƶ — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:29:19 +0000

When a company declares bankruptcy, the spotlight often falls on its creditors, primarily focusing on corporate debt from financial institutions. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant role of suppliers in the company's journey through bankruptcy. While financial institutions play a key role, suppliers can also be instrumental in the company's successful emergence from bankruptcy proceedings. Suppliers stand to gain more by supporting their buyer's recovery instead of witnessing the liquidation of assets.