Working Paper Series

Our Working Paper Series

We are a non-profit organization for the research of consumer and market decisions.

Our Working Paper Series supports early sharing of new market research knowledge. Working papers reflect work-in-progress and are published to enable the rapid evolution of market research knowledge and stimulate the discussion among practitioners, market research institutes and academics.

If you have comments or feedback, please feel free to contact the corresponding author, whose address you find in the paper.

The most current version of the paper is always available on this website. Please cite NIM (formerly GfK Verein) Working Papers as:

Author name(s) (Year), Title, NIM Working Paper Series, No. X / 20XX.

The Working Paper Series comprises papers by researchers of NIM (formerly GfK Verein) and cooperation partners. Working papers will typically be revised and enhanced through further research before they are published in a peer-reviewed format. Please refer to the GfK Marketing Intelligence Review for methods and concepts by NIM (formerly GfK Verein) and partners that have already undergone extensive academic peer review.

// Improving signal detection

Algorithmic and equipment-based procedures for emotion detection are often afflicted by measurement error / signal noise. In this paper, we analyze the signal-noiserelation of software for automated facial expression analysis used to measure emotional
response ...

// Using logit on big data

Numerical optimization for logit models is often time consuming, at least for big data. In this paper several analytical approaches are combined to solve logit models in a practical context including (sign) restrictions and constraints.

// Brand references modulate neural activity

Humans may differ remarkably in their preferences for objectively similar rewards. Brand preferences, for instance, largely account for differences in shopping behaviour. In the present functional MRI study, we explore whether subjective brand preferences can be measured on the neural level.

// Analyzing the temporal development of brand-related social media photos

A multitude of photos is posted each day on social media. These photos do not only reflect people’s social lives but also their touchpoints with brands, representing a rich source of knowledge for market research. Since most of the early software tools focus ...

// Confusion can Improve Cognitive Performance

In educational psychology, previous research has shown a positive association between confusion and cognitive performance, which has been attributed to “deeper learning” processes triggered by the experience of confusion. In the present study we explore ...

// What Photos Reveal

Consumer Brand Relationships attract increasing interest. Consumers perceive brands like humans and interact with them also in online social networks. They post brand-related pictures to their profile pages. These pictures reflect their relationships with brands and represent a valuable source ...

// Automatic analysis of facial expressions in an advertising test with Chinese respondents

An automatic system designed to infer valence (positive or negative feeling) from facial expressions, EMO Scan, was employed and evaluated in an advertising test in China.

// How valid are response-time measures for capturing implicit brand attitudes?

Implicit processes consumers may not be aware of and therefore cannot deliberately report have received increased attention in marketing. In an online study, we explored whether measures based on response times offer a valid and efficient route to capturing implicit attitudes.