Keeping it All Without Being Buried Alive: Understanding Product Retention Tendency

Journal of Consumer Psychology 22 (2012) 224-236

Mays Business School Research Paper No. 2012-64

15 Pages Posted: 16 May 2012

See all articles by Kelly Haws

Kelly Haws

Vanderbilt University - Marketing

Rebecca Walker Reczek

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Marketing and Logistics

Robin A. Coulter

University of Connecticut - Department of Marketing

William O. Bearden

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: May, 16 2012

Abstract

This research introduces product retention tendency, a consumer lifestyle trait characterized by an individual's propensity to retain consumption-related possessions. We develop a parsimonious measure of product retention tendency. Next, we report on the results of two studies designed to contrast product retention tendency with clinical compulsive hoarding, examining the relationships between these different types of keeping behavior as related to waste avoidance and product attachment tendencies. Three experimental studies examine the relationship between product retention tendency and the decision to retain versus relinquish different types of possessions, including used and in- need-of-repair durables, as well as perishable possessions.

Keywords: Product retention, Product disposal, Compulsive hoarding, Waste avoidance, Product attachment

Suggested Citation

Haws, Kelly and Reczek, Rebecca Walker and Coulter, Robin A. and Bearden, William O., Keeping it All Without Being Buried Alive: Understanding Product Retention Tendency (May, 16 2012). Journal of Consumer Psychology 22 (2012) 224-236, Mays Business School Research Paper No. 2012-64, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2061263

Kelly Haws (Contact Author)

Vanderbilt University - Marketing ( email )

Nashville, TN 37203
United States

Rebecca Walker Reczek

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Marketing and Logistics ( email )

2100 Neil Avenue
538 Fisher Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

Robin A. Coulter

University of Connecticut - Department of Marketing ( email )

Storrs, CT 06269
United States

William O. Bearden

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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