⭐ Chan, Y. F. (2026). Product Moral Harmfulness and Price Fairness: Consumer Vulnerability’s Moderating and Mediating Effects. Global Empirical Marketing Studies, 2(1), Article e1a.2026.02.08. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18522300

Read and Download PDF: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18522300

Abstract

This research examines how perceived product moral harmfulness interacts with consumer vulnerability to influence price fairness perceptions. Drawing on moral foundations theory and the moral harm model of price fairness, the study proposes that consumers engage in dual moral assessments when evaluating pricing strategies, simultaneously considering the moral implications of the product being sold and the vulnerability of the targeted consumers. When both assessments trigger moral concern, fairness reactions amplify beyond the independent effects of either factor. A controlled experiment (N = 407, MTurk) manipulated product type (beer vs. juice) and targeting strategy (vulnerable vs. control consumers) and reveals an 81.8% moral amplification effect (95% CI [20.4%, 205.4%]) when harmful products target vulnerable consumers. Beneficial products receive higher price fairness ratings than harmful products (d = 0.82), with this difference increasing substantially when pricing strategies targeted vulnerable consumers. Parallel mediation analysis indicates that consumer impact perceptions served as the primary mechanism (accounting for 101.3% of the total effect), alongside secondary pathways through perceptions of harmfulness (88.5%) and vulnerability (30.8%). These findings advance understanding of moral judgment in pricing contexts by demonstrating that fairness evaluations are fundamentally shaped by the intersection of product moral harmfulness and consumer vulnerability, underscoring amplified concerns when harmful products target vulnerable populations.

Keywords: price fairness, consumer vulnerability, moral harmfulness, moral amplification, pricing strategies, moral foundations theory, consumer behavior, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Subjects: #PriceFairness #ConsumerVulnerability #MoralHarmfulness #MoralAmplification #PricingStrategies #MoralFoundationsTheory #ConsumerBehavior #MarketingEthics #VulnerableConsumers #BehavioralPricing #GEMS #GlobalEmpiricalMarketingStudies #SDG12 #SDG10 #SDG3 #SustainableConsumption #EthicalPricing #ConsumerEthics

⭐ Pornpitakpan, C. (2026). Peer-proximity analysis (PPA) of GEMS’ visibility in Grafiati bibliographic lists: Implications for interdisciplinary prestige and open-access publishing. Global Empirical Marketing Studies, 2(1), Article e1a.2026.03.27. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19246935 

Read and Download PDF: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1924693

Abstract

Open-access journals often face skepticism regarding scholarly legitimacy in their early years. Building on the CiteScore-Derived Download Index (CDDI) introduced in Pornpitakpan (2025a), which demonstrated early download and citation performance comparable to established open-access outlets such as PLOS One, this article examines a complementary dimension: algorithmic visibility in curated bibliographic lists on Grafiati.com.

Articles in Volume 1 of Global Empirical Marketing Studies (GEMS) appear across diverse topical clusters on Grafiati, encompassing applicant tracking systems, variety-seeking consumer behavior, life’s purpose, sex advice, boundaries in personal relationships, public-traded companies, job market alignment, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court jurisprudence, and global order projections for 2025. In many instances, these GEMS articles are positioned alongside journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (SCIE, SSCI, AHCI, or ESCI), holding Q1/Q2 quartiles in SCImagoJR (Scopus-based), or ranked ABS 4/4*. Such placements arise from metadata-driven associations (titles, abstracts, keywords, references)—rather than conventional peer-review or citation accumulation.

This study contributes by proposing and applying peer-proximity analysis (PPA)—an innovative metadata-driven method via algorithmic clustering that assesses the emerging prestige of open-access journals through their proximity to high-impact outlets in external bibliographic systems. The analysis complements traditional bibliometric indicators and yields practical guidance for editors seeking to optimize metadata for discoverability, authors aiming to enhance interdisciplinary reach through strategic keyword and abstract formulation, institutions requiring evidence of reputational standing for accreditation or recruitment purposes, and practitioners benefiting from cross-domain insights. Combined with CDDI results, the findings furnish multifaceted evidence of GEMS’ early legitimacy and its promising trajectory toward broader indexing, institutional recognition, and global scholarly influence. The work aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Keywords: open access; bibliographic clustering; algorithmic visibility; algorithmic legitimacy; interdisciplinary prestige; peer-proximity analysis (PPA); GEMS; Global Empirical Marketing Studies; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Subjects: #OpenAccess #Bibliometrics #PrestigeSignals #InterdisciplinaryResearch #AcademicPublishing #SDG8 #SDG9 #SDG12 #SDG17 #MetadataOptimization #GEMS #GlobalEmpiricalMarketingStudies #PeerProximityAnalysis

⭐ Pornpitakpan, C. (2026). Gentle sound, profound truth: A Thai dharma poem as lyrics for an ethical way of life and sustainable well-being. Global Empirical Marketing Studies, 2(1), Article e5.2026.03.21. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19150001

Read and Download PDF: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19150001

Abstract

This article presents the original Thai poem “ธรรมปัญญา” (Thamma Panya, Dharma Wisdom), composed in a style suited to the Thai classical medium-slow melody “ลาวเสี่ยงเทียน” (Lao Siang Thian). The poem weaves core Theravada Buddhist principles into two stanzas of eight lines each, accompanied by Romanized transcription (Royal Thai General System style) and an English translation for global accessibility. This dharma poem-as-song fosters inner transformation, harmonious conduct, defilements reduction, and wisdom cultivation, aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG 4 (Quality Education); SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). It opens avenues for cross-cultural applications in relational/cause-related marketing (e.g., campaigns emphasizing gratitude, compassion, and virtuous associations). For those keen to perform the melody, a free piano sheet music arrangement is available at https://musescore.com/user/27350692/scores/23431600 (downloadable as PDF or MIDI).

Keywords: ธรรมปัญญา, Thamma Panya, Dharma Wisdom, ลาวเสี่ยงเทียน, Lao Siang Thian, ethical living, mindfulness, loving-kindness, compassion, karma and merit, gratitude to benefactors, vipassana, sustainability, wellness/well-being, poetry as reflection, song lyrics, Thai culture, cross-cultural marketing, cause-related campaigns, Theravada, Buddhism, compassionate choices, life's purpose, boundaries with loved ones, ethical boundaries, defilements, UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 12, SDG 16

Subjects: #ธรรมปัญญา #Thamma Panya #DharmaWisdom #ลาวเสี่ยงเทียน #Lao Siang Thian #Mindfulness #Buddhism #Theravada #EthicalLiving #CompassionateChoices #LifesPurpose #BoundariesWithLovedOnes #EthicalBoundaries #SustainableWellbeing #SDGs #SDG3 #SDG4 #SDG12 #SDG16 #GlobalGoals #Compassion #LovingKindness #KarmaAndMerit #Vipassana #ThaiCulture #ThaiPoetry #SongLyrics #CauseRelatedMarketing #RelationalMarketing #Wellness #WellBeing #ดนตรีไทยเดิม #เพลงไทยเดิม #ThaiClassicalMusic #AcademicArticle #OpenAccess #GEMS #GlobalEmpiricalMarketingStudies

⭐ Pornpitakpan, C. (2026). Thailand’s consumer sector challenges and implications: Election dynamics, climate impacts, and structural constraints. Global Empirical Marketing Studies, 2(1), Article e6.2026.01.27. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18374598 

Read and Download PDF: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18374598

Abstract

Thailand’s consumer sector navigates divergent pressures from short-term cyclical spurts and enduring structural constraints. The snap general election on February 8, 2026 is expected to stimulate temporary demand via campaign spending, rallies, and populist measures such as cash handouts and welfare pledges. These cycles historically channel funds into rural areas, supporting same-store sales in convenience outlets and everyday essentials.

Longer-term recovery remains limited by high household debt, sluggish GDP growth forecasts, demographic aging, incomplete tourism rebound, and external headwinds including U.S. tariffs and global trade shifts. Convenience stores exhibit the strongest durability, driven by extensive urban-rural coverage, a focus on essentials, aggressive chain-store expansion (e.g., CP All’s 7-Eleven), election-related inflows, and premiumization trends (e.g., higher-value ready meals, functional snacks). Beverage and food segments benefit from tourism recovery and warmer weather patterns, which elevate demand for hydrating non-alcoholic products relative to cooler periods. On-premise categories (e.g., alcoholic beverages in bars and nightclubs, and meals in full-service restaurants) face persistent vulnerability due to debt-constrained discretionary spending.

Drawing on recent economic and industry reports, this article analyzes these trends and offers targeted, evidence-based strategies for managers and marketers in consumer goods, hospitality, retail, and related fields—emphasizing short-term opportunities alongside structural adaptability—with relevance for emerging markets in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Thailand consumer sector, consumer behavior, marketing management, election cycles, climate impacts, structural constraints, household debt, retail outlook, beverage industry, convenience stores, emerging markets, political economy, sustainability marketing, consumer adaptability, Southeast Asia economy

Subjects: #ConsumerBehavior #MarketingManagement #ThailandConsumerSector #ThailandEconomy #RetailOutlook #ElectionDynamics #ClimateImpacts #StructuralConstraints #EmergingMarkets #BusinessResearch

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