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Article

The 'perfect gift' and the 'best gift ever': an integrative framework for truly special gifts

Details

Citation

Branco-Illodo I & Heath T (2020) The 'perfect gift' and the 'best gift ever': an integrative framework for truly special gifts. Journal of Business Research, 120, pp. 418-424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.11.012

Abstract
Scholars and practitioners often consider the ¡®perfect gift¡¯ to understand the qualities of the most cherished gifts or to encourage givers to choose such gifts. Whilst useful, this represents a utopian view of gift-giving. This study explores the concept of ¡®best gift ever¡¯ through 35 in-depth interviews in order to understand the properties of significant gifts as defined by givers and receivers. Findings reveal that the ¡®best gifts ever¡¯ are often associated with unforgettable and life-changing experiences. These properties are compared with those of the ¡®perfect gift¡¯ to produce an integrative framework for truly special gifts. Specifically, this paper: 1) identifies the properties of ¡®best gifts ever¡¯ as distinct from ¡®perfect gifts¡¯; 2) uncovers insights into the ¡®perfect gift¡¯ beyond the existing conceptualization; and, 3) integrates the ¡®best gift ever¡¯ and the ¡®perfect gift¡¯ into a unified framework capturing what makes a gift successful.

Keywords
gift-giving; gift-receiving; perfect gift; best gift; successful gifts

Journal
Journal of Business Research: Volume 120

StatusPublished
Publication date30/11/2020
Publication date online23/11/2019
Date accepted by journal04/11/2019
URL
ISSN0148-2963

People (1)

Dr Ines Branco-Illodo

Dr Ines Branco-Illodo

Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Marketing & Retail

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