Shopping for well-being: The role of consumer decision-making styles

ABSTRACT Shopping well-being has become a topic of interest in retail defining the contribution of the shopping activity to life satisfaction. However, little is known about how it may benefit consumers or retailers. This paper examines shopping well-being by assessing the role of consumer decision-making (CDM) styles. Based on a large-scale survey of consumers, this study suggests that CDM styles have an important role to play in the relationship between the dimensions of the shopping centre experience (retail offer, centre-based activities, and centre atmosphere) and well-being. Findings indicate critical differences in the way utilitarian and hedonic aspects of the shopping centre experience impact on shopping well-being for different consumers. This study uncovers that shopping centres often play a critical role in promoting well-being and offers insights on how shopping centre operators can leverage this while considering CDM styles. Introduction Shopping is a significant consumption activity which affects many aspects of consumers' lives. Whether done online, in store or in a shopping centre, retail environments have become increasingly sophisticated, with shopping frequently blurring transactional, social and leisure boundaries. This is particularly evident in many shopping centres, complex consumer habitats that attract multiple individuals that spend a relatively long amount of time on site in the acquisition of goods, services and other experiential activities (Bloch, Ridgway, & Dawson, 1994). Such consumption activities often define the shopping centre experience, contributing to individual consumer well-being. The shopping well-being concept derives its roots from the broader research stream of subjective well-being, which has been defined as a relatively stable cognitive orientation towards life (Diener, Oishi, & Lucas, 2012; George, 2010; Ryan & Deci, 2001). Shopping well-being is a more recent and unique domain of consumer experience within marketing literature (e.g. El Hedhli, Zourrig, & Chebat, 2016; Shafiee & Es-Haghi, 2017), resulting from exposure to various types of shopping encounters including activities (e.g. tasks) and resources (e.g. breadth and depth of alternatives). Shopping well-being is defined as the contribution of the shopping activity to life satisfaction domains including consumer, social, leisure and community (El Hedhli, Chebat, & Sirgy, 2013), leading to the perspective that shopping significantly contributes to a consumer's quality of life. Examples of this shift can be found in many shopping centres, where operators are revisiting their competitive strategy to extend beyond retail, introducing entertainment spaces and services, community and educational facilities, and organising wellness activities for customers, such as yoga, meditation and fitness sessions (Harilela, 2017; Savills & Ellandi, 2017). In this context, consumer-retailer interactions go beyond customer satisfaction and loyalty (Ekici, Sirgy, Lee, Yu, & Bosnjak, 2017; El Hedhli et al., 2013) and shopping experiences have the power to affect the well-being of individuals, employees, families and communities (Ekici et al., 2017; Sirgy & Lee, 2008). Retail environments have become highly sophisticated – they often blend utilitarian and hedonic aspects to deliver social, leisure and community outcomes. These outcomes provide a key competitive advantage for store-based retailers in an increasingly omni-channel world. The physical store is a competitive differentiator from pure-play online retailers, with many consumer segments preferring the store channel (Sands, Ferraro, Campbell, & Pallant, 2016). Thus, establishing stores within retail agglomerations (i.e. shopping centres) is one way of competing with pure-play online counterparts. Hence, the shopping centre context is a unique environment for the study of shopping well-being. Consumers constantly make choices that enhance or diminish their shopping well-being. Shopping decisions are often affected by consumers' mental orientations reflected in consumer-decision making (CDM) styles (Wesley, LeHew, & Woodside, 2006). Understanding the role of consumer-specific characteristics in shaping well-being is fundamental, as acknowledged in literature focused on personality factors and subjective well-being (Ryan & Deci, 2001). These characteristics are also recognised as moderators that interact with the customer experience in relation to behavioural outcomes (Verhoef et al., 2009). However, few empirical studies have investigated the relationship between CDM styles and well-being, as well as their interaction with the dimensions of the shopping experience. This study puts forward a conceptual framework investigating the role of four CDM styles – recreational shopping consciousness, consumer innovativeness, time pressure, and price consciousness – in enhancing shopping well-being within a shopping centre context. The study advances the literature by investigating the way these CDM styles contribute to and shape shopping well-being generated through the shopping centre experience. The study also acknowledges the role of both utilitarian and hedonic dimensions of the shopping experience in influencing shopping well-being and provides insights on how to optimise well-being according to different consumer profiles defined by the four CDM styles. From a practical perspective, this research suggests that shopping centre managers should consider the development of initiatives that leverage shopping well-being to create competitive advantage. In the next section, an overview of shopping well-being is provided as a foundation for the current study. Next, a review of prior research on shopping centre dimensions and CDM styles is presented to develop a set of hypotheses. After outlining the methodology and presenting the findings from the cross-sectional study, the paper concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and managerial implications and offers suggestions for future research. Section snippets Shopping well-being Consumers are confronted with multiple channel, format, store and experience alternatives. In maximising shopping utility, consumers increasingly consider well-being when they plan a shopping trip (El Hedhli et al., 2016). It is important for shopping centre managers to consider this, particularly as dissatisfaction with shopping experiences can cause negative outcomes including unhappiness and ultimately avoidance (Otieno, Harrow, & Lea-Greenwood, 2005). Well-being is a multidimensional Design and participants The sample consisted of 4442 respondents (50% female, Mage = 34-year-old Australian residents) sourced from a research panel provider, Survey Sample International (SSI), with minimal compensation (see Table 2 for sample profile). Data was collected via an online survey covering a diverse range of shopping centres in terms of location (metro, regional) and size (small, medium, large). Australian shopping centres are a valid context, as many have been transformed in recent years in response to Shopping centre experience dimensions and shopping well-being The hypotheses were tested by applying maximum likelihood estimation via the covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) software Mplus 7.4. To assess the impact of each shopping centre experience dimension on shopping well-being, the direct effects in the relevant hypotheses were tested via a structural equation model (baseline model), which showed acceptable fit to the data (CFI = 0.989, TLI = 0.985, RMSEA = 0.049, SRMR = 0.022). The possibility of rival models was also tested Discussion and conclusions Shopping centres are unique retail settings where experience components (retail mix, aesthetics and environment, and additional services and events) form larger Gestalt environments. Further, the resurgence of shopping centres in recent years (Pallant & Sands, 2017) indicates that predictions of the death of physical retail are exaggerated (Dutta, 2018). While recent media reports have focused on the demise of store chains and centre closings, the market appears to be telling a more optimistic Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge the support of Monash University in assisting with data collection. Dr Isabella Maggioni is Assistant Professor in Marketing at ESCP Europe. Isabella's research interests cover the area of consumer behaviour and psychology, with a specific focus on consumer well-being, identity-based consumption, and ethical consumption behaviour in retail and tourism research settings. Isabella has published her research in journals such as Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, International Journal of Hospitality Management, and International Journal of Tourism Research

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How to Check If Your Computer Is Being Monitored

In an era of remote work and heightened digital oversight, the question of whether your computer is being monitored is more relevant than ever. Employers, parents, or even unauthorized parties might use tools like Wolfeye Remote Screen (available at wolfeye.de) to track PC activity discreetly. But how can you tell if someone’s watching? This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to detecting monitoring software, drawing on 30 years of software development expertise to help you safeguard your privacy.

For a deeper dive into one such tool and its legal implications, see my review: Is Wolfeye Remote Screen Legal? Why Monitoring Happens Monitoring software is deployed for various reasons: businesses ensure productivity, parents protect children, and some use it for less ethical purposes. Tools like Wolfeye Remote Screen — highlighted in Best Monitoring Software PC — offer live screen views and stealth operation, making detection tricky. Understanding the signs is the first step to regaining control. Common Signs Your Computer Is Being Monitored Unusual System Performance If your PC suddenly slows down, it could indicate resource-intensive monitoring software running in the background. Processes like screen capture or data transmission — features of tools like those at wolfeye.de — can tax CPU and memory. Unexpected Network Activity Persistent connections to unknown IP addresses may suggest remote monitoring. Check your network traffic for anomalies, as encrypted tools often communicate with external servers. Suspicious Processes in Task Manager Unfamiliar programs in Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) are red flags. Look for names like “Wolfeye” or generic terms (e.g., “SystemUpdate.exe”) that might mask monitoring software. Mouse or Keyboard Lag Remote control features — common in advanced tools — can cause input delays. If your cursor moves unexpectedly or typing lags, someone might be interacting with your system. Step-by-Step Guide to Detect Monitoring Step 1: Inspect Running Processes On Windows Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Scan the “Processes” tab for unfamiliar entries. Right-click suspicious items and select “Open File Location” to investigate further. On Mac Launch Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. Check the “CPU” and “Network” tabs for unusual activity. Monitoring tools like Wolfeye Remote Screen are designed to be stealthy, so look beyond obvious names. Step 2: Analyze Network Connections Use Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac): Windows: netstat -ano lists active connections and process IDs. Mac: lsof -i shows open network files. Cross-reference PIDs with Task Manager/Activity Monitor to identify culprits. Persistent connections to unknown IPs could indicate remote access. Step 3: Check Startup Programs Monitoring software often auto-starts with your system. Windows: Open Task Manager > “Startup” tab. Mac: System Settings > General > Login Items. Disable unrecognized entries and reboot to test. Step 4: Run Antivirus or Anti-Malware Scans Tools like Malwarebytes or Windows Defender can detect monitoring software, though stealthy programs may evade basic scans. Opt for deep scans with updated definitions. Step 5: Examine Installed Programs Windows: Control Panel > Programs and Features. Mac: Applications folder. Uninstall anything unfamiliar, noting that some tools hide as system utilities. Advanced Detection Techniques Monitor Firewall Logs Configure your firewall to log incoming/outgoing connections. Look for patterns — e.g., regular pings to a specific server — indicative of monitoring software reporting back. Use Packet Sniffers Tools like Wireshark reveal real-time network traffic. Filter for HTTP/HTTPS or TCP/IP activity linked to unknown endpoints, a tactic used by remote screen viewers. Check for Physical Tampering If you suspect pre-installed trackers (e.g., during delivery), inspect hardware for unfamiliar devices. Note: Software monitoring doesn’t require physical access post-setup. What to Do If You’re Being Monitored Confirm Legitimacy: If at work, check with IT — monitoring may be policy-compliant. Remove Software: Uninstall detected programs and run a full system scan. Secure Your System: Update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and restrict admin access. Legal Action: If unauthorized, consult local laws — unauthorized monitoring is illegal in many regions, as explored in Is Wolfeye Remote Screen Legal? How Tools Like Wolfeye Fit In Developed by Ángel González Gómez, Wolfeye Remote Screen exemplifies modern monitoring software. It offers live screen viewing via a browser, multi-monitor support, and encrypted connections — all without driver installation. While powerful for employers (see wolfeye.de), its stealth design makes it hard to spot unless you know the signs. My companion article, Best Monitoring Software PC, ranks it among top tools for its ease and effectiveness. Preventing Future Monitoring Regular Scans: Schedule weekly antivirus checks. Limit Installations: Only download from trusted sources. Network Security: Use a VPN to mask traffic and block unauthorized access. User Awareness: Educate yourself on tools like Wolfeye to recognize their footprints. FAQ: Popular Questions on Computer Monitoring Can I Tell If My Employer Is Monitoring My PC? Yes, look for performance dips, unfamiliar processes, or network activity. Employers often use tools like Wolfeye Remote Screen legally on company devices. Does Monitoring Software Show Up in Task Manager? Sometimes, but stealth tools may use generic names or run as system processes. Check file locations for confirmation. Can Monitoring Happen Without My Knowledge? Absolutely — software like Wolfeye operates discreetly unless detected by advanced scans or network analysis. How Do I Block Monitoring Software? Run anti-malware scans, disable suspicious startup items, and secure your network with a firewall or VPN. Is It Legal to Monitor My Own PC? Yes, if you own the device. For others’ PCs, consent is key — details in Is Wolfeye Remote Screen Legal?

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OpenAI’s $200 Million Pentagon Deal: AI’s Bold Leap into Defense

OpenAI’s $200 Million Pentagon Deal: AI’s Bold Leap into Defense In a move that’s turning heads across the tech and defense worlds, OpenAI — the innovative force behind ChatGPT — has inked its first-ever public contract with the Pentagon, a hefty $200 million deal that promises to reshape how the U.S. military handles its administrative backbone OpenAI Blog. Announced on June 17, 2025, this partnership isn’t about building smarter weapons or sci-fi drones — it’s about tackling the less glamorous, yet critical, gears of military operations: paperwork, healthcare access, and cybersecurity Pentagon News. What’s the Deal About? The contract’s mission is clear: “identify and prototype how cutting-edge AI technologies can revolutionize Pentagon administrative functions” Defense.gov. OpenAI’s advanced AI models will target three key areas: Healthcare Access for Military Families: Imagine a soldier’s spouse waiting months for a doctor’s appointment due to snarled paperwork. OpenAI aims to streamline these processes, cutting delays and ensuring faster care coordination for the 9.6 million beneficiaries of the Military Health System. Program and Procurement Data Management: The Pentagon spends billions annually on contracts and programs — $842 billion in 2024 alone U.S. Budget. OpenAI’s tech will optimize how this mountain of data is tracked and analyzed, potentially saving time and taxpayer dollars. Proactive Cybersecurity: With cyberattacks on government systems up 50% since 2020 Cybersecurity Report, the Pentagon needs smarter defenses. OpenAI’s AI will proactively detect and neutralize threats, fortifying the digital walls around sensitive military data. This effort falls under a new initiative called OpenAI for Government, which builds on prior projects aimed at slashing bureaucracy Government Technology. It’s a practical, boots-on-the-ground approach to making government work better — not just for the Pentagon, but as a model for agencies nationwide. Why This Matters Beyond the Pentagon This isn’t just a Pentagon story — it’s a signal of where AI is heading in public life. Governments globally are racing to harness AI, from the U.K.’s AI-driven tax systems to Singapore’s smart city projects World Economic Forum. The Pentagon’s leap could inspire a domino effect, pushing AI into everything from Social Security to local DMVs. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Integrating AI into defense raises big questions: How do we protect sensitive data? What happens if AI missteps in a high-stakes environment? Experts warn that without strict oversight, the risks could outweigh the rewards AI Ethics Journal. Still, the potential upside — faster services, leaner operations, and stronger security — is hard to ignore. My Take: A Double-Edged Sword for Humanity As I dug into this story, I couldn’t help but wonder: where’s this all leading us? On one hand, I’m excited — AI could finally break the chokehold of bureaucracy that’s frustrated me at every government office I’ve ever visited. Picture a world where veterans get care without endless forms, or where cyber defenses outsmart hackers before they strike. That’s the dream OpenAI’s chasing here. Yet, there’s a flip side. Handing AI the keys to something as sensitive as national defense feels like a tightrope walk. What if the tech’s misused — or worse, hacked? And as AI takes over more decisions, will we humans stay in the driver’s seat, or become passengers in our own systems? I don’t have the answers, but I know this: we need to keep asking these questions as AI’s role grows. Looking Ahead OpenAI’s $200 million deal with the Pentagon is a watershed moment — one that could redefine how we govern in the 21st century. It’s not about flashy breakthroughs; it’s about making the mundane work smarter. If it succeeds, we might look back at 2025 as the year AI truly went mainstream in public service. In times of such rapid change, it’s also smart to think about stability. Want to safeguard your future amidst all this uncertainty? Get your FREE Gold & Silver Investment Kit now! Precious metals could be the anchor you need in an AI-driven world Gold Investment Info.

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Apps to Use Instead of Doomscrolling on Your iPhone

#1 Headway I downloaded Headway on a day when I convinced myself that reading a few book summaries might cancel out the two hours I spent watching strangers argue in YouTube comments. Sadly, it didn’t. But the app stuck around anyway. Headway takes nonfiction books, the ones that usually require a commitment, a highlighter, and a tolerance for long-winded analogies, and then trims them down to just the key ideas. It’s not trying to make you a scholar. It’s just trying to make sure you walk away with something slightly more useful than a random reel on Instagram. Press enter or click to view image in full size You set any goal you have, like being less of a mess, making more money, and understanding people without decoding trauma textbooks, and it curates summaries that lean into that. I usually use Headway when I’m chilling at the house and don’t have the mood to do anything. It’s kind of like a passive learning approach, but at least it doesn’t involve endless scrolling or articles that end with ‘what happens next will shock you.

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Some Suggestions

Pay attention to the mainstream media, but only so you’re aware what the bastards want you to think. The western press are plutocrat-controlled propaganda services for the US-centralized capitalist empire, and they frame their output accordingly. Don’t trust them. Be aware of online echo chambers and confirmation bias, and be humble enough to understand that these things affect you. Make sure you’re getting information from a variety of sources, including ones you disagree with ideologically. It’s easy to spin off into erroneous perspectives if you don’t have any other feedback keeping you in check. Ignore our society’s ideas about what an ideal or successful life looks like. This is a sick civilization whose madness is driving us all into dystopia and disaster. Blaze your own path, and set your own standards for what a good and worthy life would look like. Make a practice of noticing beauty everywhere. Everything has beauty, even the ugliest things you can imagine. If you can’t see the beauty in what you are perceiving in a given moment, the failure is in the eye of the beholder. Beauty is just the experience of having truly seen something. Feel your feelings fully and courageously, all the way through. If you have forgotten how to cry, re-learn. Don’t repress your feelings, but don’t make them anyone else’s problem either. Feelings are meant to be felt. That’s all. Face your inner demons and heal them. Don’t hurt anyone else with them. If you have children, make this a priority of the most urgent order, because you will pass your woundedness onto them if you don’t. You can’t heal all that’s wrong in the world, but you can heal all that’s wrong in you. Put love before everything in life. No one ever went to their grave wishing they had loved less, or had placed their career or ambition above their children or their partner. Love with everything in you; hold nothing back. Loss is inevitable in a mortal life, but love anyway, because it’s the only thing that makes a mortal incarnation worth it in the first place. Learn to love yourself. This looks like bringing a passionate, unconditional “YES” to everything that shows up inside you — all your thoughts, feelings, sensations etc, even the ones you don’t like very much right now. If you feel resistance to this, bring a “YES” to that resistance. Keep YESing all the resistances until you work your way in. You can only love others to the extent that you love yourself. Hold no loyalties to the collective delusions of your family, your social circle, or your culture. If you know they’re wrong or ridiculous about something, there’s no reason to protect it or act like it’s legitimate. Be free from the psychological shackles of conformism. Life is too short for that shit. Open yourself up to new music, films and art, and increase your capacity for appreciating and enjoying culture outside your comfort zone. Learning how to appreciate more things will make life more enjoyable for you. Be discerning about what you put into your body. A system of food production and distribution which is guided entirely by the pursuit of profit will not have your health interests at heart in the options it presents you with. Be kind to people who struggle with neuroses, but try your best to free yourself from your own. Certain segments of our society have become far too glorifying of psychological dysfunction and far too encouraging of learned helplessness and irresponsibility. Be a mature adult and heal everything you are capable of healing, and for everything else try to find adaptations and strategies to get by. Cultivate a serene mind. If you feel called to, pursue spiritual enlightenment. It’s entirely achievable and readily available. Do as much as you can to make the world a better place, and be content with your efforts regardless of whether or not they are successful. You’ll never be able to save the world single-handedly no matter what you can do; all you can do is make one person’s worth of effort. Make peace with that. ______________ The best way to make sure you see everything I write is to get on my free mailing list. My work is entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece here are some options where you can toss some money into my tip jar if you want to. Click here for links for my social media, books, merch, and audio/video versions of each article. All my work is free to bootleg and use in any way, shape or form; republish it, translate it, use it on merchandise; whatever you want. All works co-authored with my husband Tim Foley. Bitcoin donations: 1Ac7PCQXoQoLA9Sh8fhAgiU3PHA2EX5Zm2 Feature image via Adobe Stock.

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The 15 Biggest Wastes of Money (According to ChatGPT)

I’ve already asked Google what the biggest wastes of money are (that article is linked below), but today I wanted to see the biggest wastes of money, according to ChatGPT. (“Waste” is a relative term, of course. You know what they say…one man’s waste is another man’s waste not, or whatever.) It came up with 15 ideas, some overlapping with Google’s take. But there are also some unique ones here. Tell me which ones you love to waste your money on. 1. High-interest credit card debt This is going to show up at the top of every list, and for good reason. Every time you have to pay interest on your credit card, you’re basically lighting your money on fire. The best thing to do is to pay your cards off in full every month, but I realize that’s not possible if you’ve already gotten yourself in a sticky debt situation. The next best thing to do is to pay as much extra on your card each month as you can. If you have more than one credit card, you can try one of the two famous pay-off methods.

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