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Consumers’ minimum time investments in meaningful consumption

Author

Listed:
  • Erin Percival Carter

    (University of Maine)

  • Lawrence E. Williams

    (University of Colorado Boulder)

  • Nicholas Light

    (University of Oregon)

Abstract

Consumer well-being involves not only the pursuit of pleasure, but also the pursuit of meaning. However, little is known about how people perceive the costs and benefits of meaning- versus pleasure-oriented experiences. We find that compared to pleasure-oriented experiences, people expect meaning-oriented experiences to be more satisfying after meeting a minimum time investment (i.e., the perceived minimum amount of time needed to derive benefits from consumption; study 1). As a consequence, people choose to prolong their exposure to meaningful (vs. pleasurable) experiences following interruptions (study 2). We discuss the implications of minimum time investments for firms’ relationships with consumers and marketing communication design (web appendix).

Suggested Citation

  • Erin Percival Carter & Lawrence E. Williams & Nicholas Light, 2024. "Consumers’ minimum time investments in meaningful consumption," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 561-573, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:mktlet:v:35:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s11002-023-09709-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11002-023-09709-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher Peterson & Nansook Park & Martin Seligman, 2005. "Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction: the full life versus the empty life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 25-41, March.
    2. Rudd, Melanie & Catapano, Rhia & Aaker, Jennifer, 2019. "Making Time Matter: A Review of Research on Time and Meaning," Research Papers 3745, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    3. Liu, Wendy & Aaker, Jennifer L., 2008. "The Happiness of Giving: The Time-Ask Effect," Research Papers 1998, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    4. Mogilner, Cassie & Aaker, Jennifer L., 2009. "The Time vs. Money Effect: Shifting Product Attitudes and Decisions through Personal Connection," Research Papers 2014, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
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