Final answer:
Socio-cultural factors that affect buying behaviors include specific cultures and subcultures, family dynamics, organizational culture, and the impact of globalization and technology on consumer values and the workplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
Socio-cultural elements that can influence the buying behaviors and values of potential customers include specific cultures and subcultures, the changing roles of families, and the trend of employees working from home and flexible work hours. Sociologists explore how societies' values, beliefs, norms, language, practices, and artifacts shape behaviors and expectations. For example, organizational culture influences employee behavior, while global online communities might feel a kinship that transcends national borders.
Collectivist cultures value group well-being over the individual, impacting consumer decisions. In contrast, individualistic cultures encourage personal choice and self-expression. The outsourcing of labor and international markets can also lead to changes in socio-cultural dynamics, which can influence purchasing patterns. Technological advancements and globalization contribute to cultural change, affecting consumer values and behaviors on both material and non-material levels.