Title: Generational differences in consumption patterns in Hungary

Authors: Agnes Hofmeister-Toth, Agnes Neulinger

Addresses: Department of Market Research and Consumer Behaviour, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fovam ter 8., Budapest 1093, Hungary. ' Department of Market Research and Consumer Behaviour, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fovam ter 8., Budapest 1093, Hungary

Abstract: Various authors have used the term consumer society with a number of different meanings, yet one common point has been the shift of focus to the consumer ethos, which alters the everyday life of society members and their relationship to each other and society as a whole. One|s relationship to consumption determines fundamental levels of consumption and for what purposes (e.g. hedonic values, family and savings), thus it is essential to explore this relationship to develop an understanding of consumer behaviour and to create effective marketing messages. This paper provides a brief summary of the various approaches and research lines of consumer culture and reviews the findings of the first, qualitative phase of our consumer culture study in Hungary. The purpose of this research programme is to analyse the changes in people|s relationships to consumption since the change of regime.

Keywords: consumer behaviour; consumer society; legitimate consumption; purchase decisions; shopping; consumption patterns; generations; generational differences; Hungary; consumer ethos; everyday life; relationships; hedonic values; families; family; savings; marketing messages; consumer culture; change analysis; regime change; economics; business research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2011.037437

International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2011 Vol.3 No.1, pp.118 - 130

Published online: 18 Apr 2015 *

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