Judul: The Influence of Brand Awareness and Consumer Perceptions on Purchasing Decisions for Bulog Commercial Rice in Kediri, East Java
Abstrak: Bulog (Badan Urusan Logistik) merupakan salah satu badan atau lembaga yang bertanggung jawab atas pengelolaan logistik dan distribusi beberapa komoditas pokok salah satunya beras. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kesadaran merek dan persepsi konsumen terhadap keputusan pembelian beras komersial. Latar belakang dari penelitian ini adalah adanya penurunan penjualan beras komersial Bulog yang disebabkan beberapa kendala seperti stok beras yang tidak sesuai keinginan konsumen, persaingan pasar dan kurangnya campaign produk beras komersial Bulog. Data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data primer yang diperoleh melalui pengisian kuesioner di pusat perbelanjaan di Kota Kediri. Metode pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah teknik non probability sampling dengan menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Jumlah responden dalam penelitian ini adalah sebanyak 107 responden. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif, SEM-PLS dan IPMA. Berdasarkan hasil analisis SEM-PLS variabel kesadaran merek dan persepsi konsumen berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian. Sedangkan hasil analisis IPMA variabel persepsi konsumen memiliki tingkat kepentingan yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan varibel kesasadaran merek.
Keyword: export price, SEM-PLS, perception, purchasing decisions, brand awareness

Judul: Consumer Perceptions and Preferences on Bulog SPHP Rice in Bogor Regency
Abstrak: Ketergantungan masyarakat yang tinggi terhadap beras berimplikasi kepada kebutuhan beras yang besar di Indonesia. Untuk menjaga ketahanan pangan pemerintah membentuk Badan Urusan Logistik (Bulog). Secara garis besar Bulog mengemban dua tugas yaitu tugas publik dan usaha komersial. Namun, berdasarkan penelitian terdahulu persepsi masyarakat terhadap beras Bulog masih negatif. Padahal persepsi dapat membentuk preferensi konsumen dan memengaruhi keputusan pembelian konsumen. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis proses keputusan pembelian dan persepsi konsumen serta menganalisis atribut beras yang menjadi preferensi konsumen. Penelitian ini menggunakan data primer dari survey langsung kepada 100 responden. Analisis deskriptif digunakan untuk menganalisis proses keputusan pembelian dan persepsi konsumen. Persepsi konsumen juga dianalisis menggunakan uji Mann-Whitney. Preferensi konsumen dianalisis menggunakan analisis konjoin. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan persepsi konsumen beras SPHP (Stabilisasi Pasokan dan Harga Pangan) di Kabupaten Bogor secara garis besar sudah positif. Namun, persepsi konsumen terhadap ketersediaan produk masih kurang baik. Dari sisi preferensi, konsumen lebih menyukai beras dengan harga Rp 11.000 – Rp 11.500 per kg, tekstur beras pulen, kemasan 5 kg dan beraroma. Atribut kepulenan menjadi atribut yang paling penting menurut responden., The high dependence of society on rice has implications for the large demand for rice in Indonesia. To maintain food security, the government formed the Logistics Affairs Agency (Bulog). In general, Bulog carries out two tasks, namely public duties and commercial efforts. However, based on previous research, public perception of Bulog rice is still negative. Even though perceptions can shape consumer preferences and influence consumer purchasing decisions. This research aims to analyze the purchasing decision process and consumer perceptions as well as analyzing the rice attributes that consumers prefer. This research uses primary data from a direct survey of 100 respondents. Descriptive analysis is used to analyze the purchasing decision process and consumer perceptions. Consumer perceptions were also analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. Consumer preferences are analyzed using conjoint analysis. The results of the research show that consumers' perceptions of SPHP (Food Supply and Price Stabilization) rice in Bogor Regency are generally positive. However, consumer perceptions of product availability are still not good. In terms of preferences, consumers prefer rice priced at IDR 11,000 – IDR 11,500 / kg, the texture of the rice is fluffier, the packaging is 5 kg and it is flavorful. The attractiveness attribute is the most important attribute according to respondents.
Keyword: Analisis konjoin, Beras, persepsi konsumen, preferensi konsumen

Judul: Synthesis of Apatite - Chitosan Composite Using Duck Eggshell and Chitosan with Temperature and pH Control
Abstrak: Composite of apatite-chitosan was prepared by using chitosan as polymer matrix. Calcium phosphate was prepared from CaO and (NH4)2HPO4, which the ratio Ca : P had to be 1.67. Chitosan is produced by deacetilase from biopolymer chitin. Duck eggshell (95% CaCO3) as starting material was converted to be calcium oxide (CaO) through calcinations with temperature 1000oC for 5 hours. In-situ and ex-situ methods were prepared from apatite and chitosan (dissolved with acetate acid 2%). Calcium phosphate prepared for bone implantation, but it is too fragile and brittle to be implant into the body. So addition of chitosan can decrease crystalinity and increase mechanic characteristic (tougher). Composite apatite-chitosan was resulted by fast precipitation. Fast precipitation was held in a breaker glass with nitrogen atmosphere, under controlled temperature at 37oC and pH 7, in order to increase amount of hydroxyapatite. Precipitation with CaO which was dropped by (NH4)2HPO4. Hydroxyapatite and chitosan were appearing at samples with in-situ and ex-situ methods which indicating by peak matching of XRD (closed lattice parameter, crystal size), overlapping at FTIR spectra and supporting by SEM picture (homogenous and agglomerated particle). However, it still needs further research to examine biocompatibility osteoconductive degree of sample by in-vivo and in-vitro test.
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