Recent works highlight that understanding of materialism can be enhanced by studies considering social interaction skills and their antecedents (e.g. empathy, emotional intelligence). The relationship between materialism and subjective well-being has been extensively researched. The body of research on compulsive buying as the consequence of materialism is also large. However, research that links emotional intelligence to materialism and compulsive buying is sparse (though it is suggested that materialism research may benefit from these studies). Even though the literature provides the theoretical basis to hypothesize relations among emotional intelligence, materialism, and compulsive buying, this type of studies has not been detected. Therefore the research cluster aims to shed light on the antecedents and consequences of materialism by exploring the underlying processes and boundary conditions of the relationship among materialism, emotional intelligence, subjective well-being and compulsive buying.
This research project will yield insights into the phenomenon of materialism, attention being paid both to the under-researched antecedents, as well as to consequences of the materialism. The assessment of the effect of emotional intelligence and its separate facets on materialism and compulsive buying will contribute to the deeper understanding of the phenomenon of materialism. Materialism is more likely a result of education, not naturally inherent in individuals. Therefore, the awareness of factors that evocate and suppress materialism, and its consequences, would enable the development of corresponding strategies for materialism reduction and would provide implications on how to mitigate negative consumer behaviour, manifested as uncontrollable compulsive buying, excess expenditure as well as overconsumption stemming from materialism.
On the initiative of cluster member dr. Beata Šeinauskienė, Prof. dr. Ilan Alon, Professor of Strategy and International Marketing at the University of Agder and Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Emerging Markets was invited to conduct a series of seminars in September 19-30, 2016. During this period prof. dr. Ilan Alon hosted a seminar for researchers and PhD students on following topics relevant to cluster research area: Hot topics in emerging markets research; Overcoming Challenges: Publication strategies, Ethics of communication with the journal editors; What should a good paper look like? (September 20-22, 2016; event coordinator – dr. Beata Šeinauskienė).
Dr. Beata Šeinauskienė successfully completed the research methodology course (2 ECTS) Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Modelling (BERMSS011) given by Dr. Ioannis Evangelidis during the ERIM (Erasmus Research Institute of Management) Summer School (June 29 – July 1, 2016) in Rotterdam, Netherlands (Erasmus+ HE Staff Mobility for Training).
Asta Tarutė participated in the seminar “Paper Clinics Incentive. Preparation of Scientific Publication” (June 29- July 1, 2016, Kaunas) held by the professor of Delft University of Technology (Netherlands) and Åbo Akademi University (Finland), senior editor of international scientific journals “Electronic Markets” and “Telematics & Informatics” – prof. H. Bowman.
Aušra Rūtelionė has visited Strategic management and research Institute at Ratboud Universiteit (Netherlands) under Erasmus+ programme. The involvement into EMS international network (involving 15 European countries and 3 BRIC countries) has been discussed during the visit. The aim of the network – performing research on current technological and organizational modernization trends in European Manufacturing industry. (30 May- 3 June, 2016)