The idea of hierarchical, sequential, or intermediate effects has long been posited in textbooks and academic literature. Hierarchical effects occur when relationships among variables are mediated through other variables. Challenges in studying hierarchical effects in marketing include the large...

Media exposures can have effects that do not always lead to the immediate purchase of a brand. Some media are effective at initiating search and trial, while others are more effective at promoting purchase once search and trial have taken place. The idea of intermediate communication effects...

Product complexity can challenge the use of conjoint analysis when the number of product features under study becomes large. A complex product exists whenever a marketplace offering is made up of simpler, component products. Tables and chairs make up dining room sets, and hotels offer rooms...

Distributional assumptions for random utility models play an important role in relating observed product attributes to choice probabilities. Choice probabilities derived with independent errors have the IIA property, which often does not match consumer behavior and leads to inaccurate source of...