Dear CBSIG members,

We are delighted to announce that we have a new slate of office bearers who will be taking over as of August 2000. The nomination process was completed a few months ago through a mailing to all members and elections were not needed for any of the positions.

Looking back over the past few years, it has been a privilege to chair the CBSIG. In watching the CBSIG develop, several activities along the way stand out. First and foremost was the development of a mission for the CBSIG that served a useful purpose for Cbers. Our SIG is quite different from other SIGs in that we have organizations such as ACR and SCP to cater to academic research. Hence, the mission for the CBSIG was developed to emphasize dissemination and address an important niche, i.e., applying consumer research to industry, to policy and to education. Another important activity was to seek volunteers to serve as coordinators. Thanks to Michael, Betsy and Joseph for serving as coordinators and thanks to Peter and Cara who have joined the new slate of office bearers. We are always seeking volunteers to keep us going and hope to hear from you.

Another important set of activities related to organizing sessions at conferences. Our approach has been to bring together some distinguished academicians and practitioners as panel members and our sessions typically involve remarks by panel members followed by lively participation by audience members. We are very grateful to our panel members who gave their time and effort to make these sessions happen. The content of our sessions has also changed over time. Following up on previous sessions that were general in nature in the areas of teaching, research and policy, in 1999-00, our sessions were specifically focused on teaching and researching electronic consumer behavior, a topic that generated very high levels of interest and large audiences. Indeed, we have the flexibility to address a variety of germane issues and look to our members to guide us in this endeavor. Another dimension along which the CBSIG has developed is through on-line resources on its website including an on-line discussion forum for academicians and practitioners, and links to e-commerce, and on-line syllabi in consumer behavior.

We hope all of these activities serve to establish the CBSIG as a resource for CBers. As we look forward to sustaining and improving the CBSIG in coming years, the most important resource we seek from you are your ideas and suggestions such as topics for sessions, ways to develop our on-line environment, etc. We hope to continue to hear from you in order to make the CBSIG work for you and look forward to seeing you online and at our sessions.

Madhu Viswanathan, Univ. of Illinois, mviswana@uiuc.edu, Ph. (217) 333-4550

Pre-conference Session at Summer AMA 1999
"Teaching Electronic Consumer Behavior: Techniques and Strategies"
Panel: Peter Dacin, Texas A & M University; Cara Okleshen, University of Georgia; Gordon C. Bruner II, Southern Illinois University; Rao Unnava, Ohio State University

Pre-Conference Session at ACR 1999
"Teaching Electronic Consumer Behavior: Techniques and Strategies"
Panel: Rajiv Vaidyanathan, University of Minnesota, Duluth; Curtis Haugtvedt, Ohio State University; Cara Okleshen, University of Georgia; Peter Dacin, Texas A & M University

Pre-Conference Session at Winter AMA 2000
"Teaching and Researching Electronic Consumer Behavior: Techniques and Strategies"
Panel: Elise "Pookie" Sautter, New Mexico State University; Curtis Haugtvedt, Ohio State University; Michael Minor, University of Texas-Pan; David Sturges, University of Texas-Pan American, Peter Dacin, Texas A&M University

Experienced panels provided insights into teaching and researching e-consumer behavior. Discussions included cutting-edge internet applications that have generated high interest from CB students and researchers. Topics included consumer evaluation of internet sites, problems in internet retailing, popular/successful product categories on the internet, consumer benefits of customization and consumer privacy issues.

OFFICE HOLDERS
Chair - Madhu Viswanathan, Univ. of Illinois
Coordinator for Industry - Michael Minor, Univ. of Texas, Pan-American
Coordinator for Public Policy - Elizabeth S. Moore, Univ. of Notre Dame
Coordinator for Education - Joseph Jones, North Dakota State Univ.
Coordinator for Electronic Consumer Behavior - Peter Dacin, Texas A & M University
Website at http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/~madhuv/cbsig.html
On-line Discussion Forum at http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/~madhuv/bulletin.html
For more information contact Madhu Viswanathan, Univ. of Illinois, mviswana@uiuc.edu, (217) 333-4550.
______________________________________________________________________

Visit Our On-line Discussion Forum at
http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/~madhuv/bulletin.html
A discussion forum for academicians & practitioners

The last year was quite productive for the CBSIG. Our SIG is quite different from other SIGs in that we have organizations such as ACR and SCP to cater to academic research. Hence, the CBSIG is attempting to address an important niche, applying consumer research to industry, to policy and to education. Consistent with this mission we have been organizing sessions at Winter AMA/SCP, Summer AMA and ACR.
Following up on the events and sessions in 1997-98 and the efforts to get the word out about the CBSIG, we organized several sessions in 1998-99. While the first few sessions were in the general areas of teaching, policy and industry, we organized sessions that were somewhat more specific this year. For example, following a general session on teaching consumer behavior, we are planning several sessions on teaching e-consumer behavior and utilizing the world wide web for teaching consumer behavior. Our approach has been to bring together some distinguished academicians and practitioners as panel members. Our sessions are designed to ensure lively participation by the audience and typically involve remarks by panel members followed by plenty of time for questions and comments. Thanks to our panel members for all their time and effort and for making these sessions happen.
The CBSIG now has an online discussion forum on the web. This is the result of many e-mail enquries from practitioners and academicians regarding consumer behavior. The forum will provide an opportunity for both academicians and practitioners to post questions, identify mutual interests, and provide directions to other CB-ers.
Visit us on-line and we look forward to seeing you at our sessions. Please let us know your suggestions. We look forward to making the CBSIG work for you.

Madhu Viswanathan, Univ. of Illinois, mviswana@uiuc.edu, Ph. (217)333-4550

Preconference session at Summer AMA and ACR 1999 on teaching electronic consumer behavior.

OUR MISSION
Applying Consumer Research to Education, Public Policy and Industry
OFFICE HOLDERS
Chair - Madhu Viswanathan, Univ. of Illinois
Coordinator for Industry - Michael Minor, Univ. of Texas, Pan-American
Coordinator for Public Policy - Elizabeth S. Moore-Shay, Univ. of Illinois
Coordinator for Education - Joseph Jones, North Dakota State Univ.
Website at http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/~madhuv/cbsig.html
On-line Discussion Forum at http://www.cba.uiuc.edu/~madhuv/bulletin.html
For more information contact Madhu Viswanathan, Univ. of Illinois, mviswana@uiuc.edu, (217) 333-4550. Printing/mailing courtesy the J.M. Jones Chair for Marketing, Dept. of Bus. Admin., Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Pre-Conference Session at Winter AMA 1999
"Applying Consumer Psychology to Practice: A Panel of Practitioners and Academicians"

Panel: Steven Braddon, Unilever Corporation, Tracy Wellens, Microsoft Corporation,
Michael Minor, University of Texas, Pan-American

This session examined the interface between consumer research and practice. A panel of practitioners and academicians examined the use of research in consumer psychology in practice. Practical applications of consumer research were addressed along with the need for research of specific kinds.

The last year was quite productive for the CBSIG. Our SIG is quite different from other SIGs in that we have organizations such as ACR and SCP to cater to academic research. Hence, the CBSIG is attempting to address an important niche, i.e., applying consumer research to education, to industry, and to policy. Consistent with this mission we have been organizing sessions at Winter AMA/SCP, Summer AMA and ACR.

Our first event was a reception at Winter AMA 1997. We kicked off our first session at Summer AMA where a panel of policy experts examined why consumer behavior does not have an impact on policy making. At a preconference session at ACR that was attended by 40 people, a panel of renowned consumer researchers from academia and practice examined the practical relevance of consumer research. At a preconference session at AMA/SCP 1998 attended by almost 50 people (standing room only !), a panel of excellent teachers discussed issues and strategies in the teaching of consumer behavior for practice.

Our approach has been to bring together some distinguished academicians and practitioners as panel members. Our sessions are designed to ensure lively participation by the audience and typically involve remarks by panel members followed by plenty of time for questions and comments. Thanks to our panel members for all their time and effort and for making these sessions happen. Please check our web site out periodically (www.cba.uiuc.edu/~madhuv/cbsig.html). We are working on providing useful material such as syllabi for consumer behavior courses and links to opportunities for research in industry and policy. Please let us know your suggestions. We look forward to making the CBSIG work for you.

Madhu Viswanathan, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, mviswana@uiuc.edu, Ph. (217)333-4550

Reception at Winter AMA 1997

Preconference Session at Summer AMA 1997 -
"The Public Policy Implications of Consumer Behavior Research: Is Anyone Asking Us?"

Panel: John Mowen, Oklahoma State University, William L. Wilkie, University of Notre Dame, Michael Minor, University of Texas, Pan-American

A substantial fraction of consumer behavior research sheds light on issues related to health and safety concerns, consumer information and the effects of advertising on children. However, this research often does not make the transition from academic research to input into the policy-making process. This session examined research in consumer behavior relevant to policy, specifically, to what extent does it - and should it - reach and affect the deliberations of policymakers.

Pre-Conference Session at ACR -
"Consumer Research: Intellectual Exercise in the Ivory Tower or What the Real World Should be Listening to ?"

Panel: Prof. Edward McQuarrie, Santa Clara University, Dr. Christine Wright-Isak, Young and Rubicam, Prof. Jerry Olson, University of Connecticut, Prof. Curtis Haugtvedt, Ohio State University

Although consumer research forms a large percentage of research in the marketing discipline, it is viewed by many as being a series of intellectual exercises with little practical value to managers. This session explored the degree to which consumer research is presently of use to industry and what can be done to further the link between good theory and good practice. A panel of experts from industry and academics presented their views on this topic.

Pre-Conference Session at Winter AMA 1998 -
"Teaching Consumer Behavior for Practice: Trials and Tribulations"

Panel: Prof. John Lynch, Duke University, Prof. David Schumann, University of Tennessee, Prof. Brian Wansink, University of Illinois, Prof. Ronald Goodstein, Indiana University

Marketing educators face several issues in teaching consumer behavior. In moving from consumer behavior theories to its dissemination for practice, important issues include teaching consumer behavior at the MBA level, using technology effectively in consumer behavior courses, and teaching particular aspects of consumer behavior such as international CB. This session examined a host of issues confronting educators in the area of consumer behavior. A panel of experts described their views on the topic with a range of talks that span specific examples to broader perspectives. Moreover, this session set the stage for future sessions on more specific issues.

Preconference Session at Summer AMA 1998
"Consumer Research and Management Needs: A High-Tech Perspective"

Panel: Mr. Michael Wright, Integrated Solutions International, Mr. Cliff Ficke, NEC Electronics, Ms. Katherine Jocz, Marketing Science Institute, Prof. John C. Mowen, Oklahoma St. University

This session examined the interface between consumer research and practice in high-tech industry. A panel of experts provided insight into the role of consumer research and management needs from a high-tech perspective. Both Messrs. Wright and Ficke are marketing executives from the computer industry. They presented perspectives from high-tech industry on consumer research they would find helpful from academic researchers. Ms. Jocz and Prof. Mowen offered additional insights into this intriguing topic.

Pre-Conference Session at ACR 1998
"Opportunities and Pitfalls for Consumer Research(ers) in the Public Policy Arena"

Panel: Janis Pappalardo, Federal Trade Commission, Michael B. Mazis, American University
Craig Andrews, Marquette University, William L. Wilkie, University of Notre Dame

There are many interesting issues for consumer researchers to consider in the public policy arena, with numerous opportunities for contributions to be made. Two key issues were addressed in the session: (1) decision-makers' needs for research, and (2) successes and failures in the use of research. Recent developments in studying deception, corrective advertising, warnings and disclosures were discussed.

See you at the CBSIG sessions.

Printing and mailing of CBSIG NEWS courtesy the J.M. Jones Chair for Marketing, Dept. of Bus. Admin., Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign