Academic Journal
Q1Journal of Consumer Research
About Journal of Consumer Research
Journal of Consumer Research is a scholarly journal published by Oxford University Press. SCImago 2025 places it in Q1 with an SJR of 11.045 and an H-index of 248.
Its listed coverage is 1975, 1977-1978, 1984, 1988, 1991-1992, 1996-2026 and its research categories include Anthropology (Q1); Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous) (Q1); Business and International Management (Q1); Economics and Econometrics (Q1); Marketing (Q1). The 2025 dataset reports 61 documents and 2040 citations across the latest three-year reporting window.
The Journal of Consumer Research (JCR) is one of the most respected academic journals dedicated to advancing knowledge on consumer behavior. First published in 1974 and currently managed by Oxford University Press, JCR publishes high-impact, peer-reviewed research that explores the psychological, cultural, and economic aspects of consumption. For marketers, researchers, and business strategists, the journal provides invaluable insights into how and why consumers make purchasing decisions.
What Is the Journal of Consumer Research?
The Journal of Consumer Research focuses on empirical and theoretical research that deepens our understanding of consumer behavior in a wide range of contexts. Articles published in JCR cover diverse topics, including consumer decision-making, identity and consumption, brand perception, advertising effectiveness, ethical consumption, and online buying behavior.
JCR is known for its interdisciplinary approach, drawing from psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and marketing. Its commitment to high-quality research makes it a go-to publication for academics and professionals alike.
Key Features of JCR
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Rigorous Peer Review: Every article undergoes a strict peer-review process, ensuring that only original, high-quality research is published.
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Interdisciplinary Focus: The journal welcomes research from various academic disciplines, encouraging diverse perspectives on consumer issues.
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Global Readership: JCR is accessed by researchers, students, and professionals worldwide, making it one of the most cited journals in the field of marketing.
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Cutting-Edge Topics: The journal frequently explores current and emerging consumer trends, such as sustainability, digital consumption, and influencer marketing.
Why JCR Matters for Businesses and Marketers
Although JCR is an academic journal, its research has real-world applications. Businesses use insights from JCR to understand consumer motivations, refine their marketing strategies, and enhance customer experience. For example, findings on how emotions influence buying behavior can guide advertising strategies, while research on consumer trust helps build better brand communication.
By staying informed on the latest studies in JCR, marketing professionals can make data-driven decisions that align with evolving consumer expectations.
Accessing the Journal
The Journal of Consumer Research is published six times a year. Most universities and academic institutions offer access through libraries, but individuals can also subscribe directly through Oxford University Press. Some articles are available as open access, and summaries of key research are often featured in academic blogs or shared through professional networks.
Journal Metrics
Metrics can change by reporting year. Verify time-sensitive values with the publisher or indexing service.
Aims & Scope
The Journal of Consumer Research (JCR) is a leading academic publication that explores the complexities of consumer behavior. Since its inception in 1974, JCR has become a go-to resource for researchers, marketers, and professionals seeking in-depth, peer-reviewed insights into the psychology, sociology, and economics of consumption. Published by Oxford University Press, JCR's scope is both broad and deep, offering valuable contributions to the field of consumer research across various disciplines.
What Is the Scope of the Journal of Consumer Research?
The scope of the Journal of Consumer Research encompasses a wide array of topics related to how and why consumers behave the way they do. It covers empirical and theoretical studies that address the psychological, cultural, social, and economic dimensions of consumption. The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that advances knowledge and understanding of consumer behavior in real-world settings.
JCR publishes articles that examine both individual and group behavior in consumption contexts. Topics often include decision-making processes, brand perception, consumer emotions, social influence, identity and self-concept, cultural practices, and digital consumer behavior. The journal’s unique scope lies in its ability to bring together diverse perspectives and methodologies to study complex consumer phenomena.
Interdisciplinary Nature
One of the defining features of the Journal of Consumer Research is its interdisciplinary approach. The journal welcomes research from fields such as:
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Psychology: Understanding cognitive and emotional processes in buying decisions
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Sociology: Exploring the impact of social structures and norms on consumption
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Anthropology: Investigating cultural rituals, symbols, and meanings in consumer practices
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Economics: Analyzing rationality, utility, and financial behavior in markets
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Marketing: Applying consumer insights to improve business strategies and brand positioning
This wide-ranging scope allows JCR to provide a comprehensive view of the factors that shape consumer behavior in different environments and cultures.
Audience and Relevance
While JCR is an academic journal, its scope makes it highly relevant for non-academic audiences. Marketing professionals, brand managers, product designers, and policy makers can all benefit from the insights offered by the journal’s research. Many studies published in JCR have practical implications for advertising strategies, customer relationship management, and the design of consumer experiences.
The journal's wide-ranging scope ensures that its content remains at the forefront of contemporary discussions around sustainability, digital transformation, consumer empowerment, and ethical consumption.
Global Reach and Impact
The Journal of Consumer Research has a significant global readership. Its articles are frequently cited in top-tier academic research, business reports, and industry whitepapers. The journal is indexed in major academic databases such as Scopus, JSTOR, and Web of Science, highlighting its impact and credibility within the scholarly community.
Recent Research Articles
Latest publications matched automatically by ISSN.
Consumer Entrapment
Fredah G Mwiti, Maria G Piacentini, Andrew Pressey
2026-09-08 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag035Consumer Responsibilization Work: The Everyday Making of Responsible Subjects
Cristiano Smaniotto, Julie Emontspool
2026-09-07 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag036The Benefits of Bundling Material Goods with Moderate Usage Complementarity
Eugenia C Wu, Sarah G Moore, Peggy J Liu, Daniella Kupor et al.
2026-08-24 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag029The Desire for Perfect Products
Aprajita Gautam, Rajagopal Raghunathan, Rebecca Walker Reczek
2026-08-24 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag034Consumers with Weaker Applications Are Less Receptive to Algorithmic Evaluation
Qiao Liu, Gerald Häubl, Noah Castelo
2026-08-24 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag033Whom You Pay Matters: How the Payment Path of Shared Expenses Affects Purchase Satisfaction
Han Young Jung, Joseph P Redden
2026-08-20 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag030A Mega-Replication of the Effect of Cash Versus Card Payment on Pain of Paying: Magnitude, Behavioral Outcomes, and Moderators
Christopher J Bechler, Rhia Catapano, Szu-chi Huang, Oleg Urminsky et al.
2026-08-14 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag027Party-Defiance Ads
Mohamed A Hussein, Courtney Lee, S Christian Wheeler
2026-08-14 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag028Are Critics More Credible? When Positivity Is Expected, Negative Reviewers Are Perceived to Be Less Credible
Junha Kim, Joseph K Goodman
2026-07-31 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag025Consumers Undervalue Multi-Option Alternatives
Stephanie M Smith, Stephen A Spiller
2026-07-22 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag024Invisible Rankings: When Do Consumers Assume Best-to-Worst Ordinality When Choosing from an Unnumbered List?
Mathew S Isaac, Milica Mormann, Shailendra Pratap Jain
2026-07-16 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag023Journal of Consumer Research Welcomes New Co-Editors
2026-08-01 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag016To Profit or to Assist? How the Interplay Between Product Recommendations and Relative Prices Impacts Consumers’ Inferences and Choice
KyuRee Kim, Rom Y Schrift
2026-07-10 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag020The Robustness of Mental Accounting Across 21 Countries
Giulia Priolo, Federica Stablum, Martina Vacondio, Simone D’Ambrogio et al.
2026-07-10 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag022How Can Questions Encourage Engagement with Retirement Planning? A Good Question
Ann Kronrod
2026-07-10 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag021The Final Countdown: Temporal Frames of Environmental Threats
Ozlem Tetik, David Faro
2026-07-06 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag018Skimpflation Penalty: Decreases in Product Quality Trigger Stronger Consumer Reactions than Decreases in Size or Increases in Price
Ioannis Evangelidis
2026-07-06 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag019Multi-Experience Framing: The Mere Perception of Experiencing Multiple Stimuli Increases Enjoyment
Ceren Sahin, Anika Stuppy, Robert W Smith
2026-07-02 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag017Defining and Understanding Vintage
Maren Hoff, Silvia Bellezza
2026-06-15 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag015Digital Singularization: The Socio-Technical Production of Uniqueness
Domen Bajde, Konstantinos Lianidis, Mikkel Nøjgaard
2026-05-29 · DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucag014Reviews
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Version History
April 22, 2025 at 11:14 am
April 22, 2025