bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new approach for embedding dimension determination based on empirical mode decomposition
Authors: Liu Shulin , Ma Rui , Cong Rui , Wang Hui , Zhao Haifeng
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Embedding dimension determination in phase space reconstruction is difficult. The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for embedding dimension determination based on empirical mode, showing that embedding dimensions for phase space reconstruction could be easily determined according to the number of intrinsic mode functions decomposed by empirical mode decomposition.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the relation analysis of intrinsic mode functions and embedding dimensions, the approach for embedding dimension determination by the number of intrinsic mode functions is presented. First, a time series is decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions. Second, correlation analysis between intrinsic mode functions and original signals is investigated, and then false intrinsic mode functions could be eliminated by the analysis of correlation coefficient thresholds, which makes the embedding dimension precise. Finally, the method presented is applied to the Lorenz system, Chen's system, and the Duffing equation. Simulation results prove this method is feasible.

Findings

A new approach for embedding dimension determination based on empirical mode decomposition is presented. Compared with G‐P algorithms, this new method is effective and decreases computational complexity.

Research limitations/implications

This method provides an effective qualitative criterion to the selection of embedding dimensions in phase space reconstruction.

Practical implications

This method could be used to determine embedding dimensions of phase space reconstruction and degree‐of‐freedom of nonlinear dynamical systems.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new method of embedding dimension determination in phase space reconstruction.
Using system dynamics to study the logistics outsourcing cost of risk
Authors: Liu Zhixue , Xu Juan , Li Yan , Wang Xiaojing , Wu Jianbo
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use systemic thinking to explain and predict the cost of logistics outsourcing, and to devise policies to minimize the cost of risk.

Design/methodology/approach

A method of system dynamics is adopted to capture the dynamic interaction of logistics outsourcing systems and to analyze the impact of some factors in the system on policy decisions over a long‐term horizon.

Findings

This paper illustrates the internal mechanism of the logistics outsourcing cost of risk systems by virtue of system dynamic principles, to develop a system dynamics model, and to give a quite detailed description of how the model could work.

Practical implications

The results of the simulation analysis provide useful information for logistics outsourcing risk managers.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the discussion on the use of system dynamics for studying logistics outsourcing cost of risk.
Scheduling in an unstructured peer‐to‐peer‐based high performance computing system
Authors: Luo Fei , Jin Hai , Liao Xiaofei , Zhang Qin
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Peer‐to‐peer (P2P) communities have the capability to construct a powerful virtual supercomputer by assembling idle internet cycles. The purpose of this paper is to present the scheduling issues in an unstructured P2P‐based high performance computing (HPC) system to achieve high performance for applications.

Design/methodology/approach

A new application model is proposed for the system, where applications are parallelized in the program level. To address high performance for these applications, the system resources are controlled in a semi‐centralized 3‐layer network, where volunteers form many autonomous unstructured P2P domains. Furthermore, based on such a resource management policy, a job scheduling strategy is adopted, which is collaborated by global and domain scheduling. The global scheduling is responsible for the balance among domains, while the domain scheduling resolve workpiles' execution in a domain.

Findings

Theoretical analysis and a benchmark experiment show that the scheduling provides scalable and enormous computing capability in the P2P‐based HPC system.

Originality/value

The paper shows that scheduling helps P2HP (an unstructured P2P‐based HPC system) provide scalable and enormous computing capability for HPC applications.
Modeling and optimization in complex systems based on computational intelligence
Authors: Su Yingying , Li Taifu , Wang Debiao , Liu Xinghua
Published: March 2013

Purpose

For many optimization problems such as optimal techniques, compositions, producing process, the optimizing objectives in systems are complex relations with respect to a great deal of parameters. Generally, the objective function is hardly obtained, even the searching objective is unquantifiable. So it is difficult to model and optimize the complex systems to some extent.

Design/methodology/approach

To the above purpose, a novel approach is presented in this paper. It firstly utilizes the excellent fitting performance of neural network (NN) combined with expert knowledge (EK) to obtain the objective function, and secondly searches the optimal influential parameters with genetic algorithm (GA).

Findings

Peaks function inside Matlab and the acural application of comprehensive performance optimization in analog PID control system are studied, respectively. The results of simulation and the actual experiment both show that the modeling and optimizing method presented in the paper are effective.

Research limitations/implications

Expert knowledge is needed for the fuzzy/unquantifiable objective.

Practical implications

The paper presents a useful way to model and optimize complex systems.

Originality/value

The combined approach based on NN, EK and GA is firstly presented and is effectively used in modeling and optimizing complex systems.
3D modelling of small object based on the projector‐camera system
Authors: Jun Tao
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to resolve the problem of 3D modelling of small objects lacking or without real texture, using an automatic, practical, convenient and effective method.

Design/methodology/approach

For each space feature point projected on the surface of the target small object, there are two corresponding 2D points existing. One is an image point in one of the image sequences from the digital camera; another is a point in the slide from the projector. Using the image processing method, the image point can be extracted out accurately so that its 2D coordinates are gained. At the same time, the slide point is designed first so that its 2D coordinates are calculated by the known data. The 3D coordinates of the space feature point can be computed by the space forward intersection.

Findings

The projector‐camera system is composed of a slide projector, a digital camera, a control ground, and a computer. The computer controls the other three pieces of equipment, working together automatically and efficiently.

Research limitations/implications

According to the size of the grid, the target object is relatively small. The planar grid is functioned as the calibration of the slide projector and the digital camera.

Practical implications

The paper presents a very effective approach for 3D reconstruction of small objects.

Originality/value

According to the traditional method of the digital camera taking images, the projector is steered so that the projector‐camera system is formed. After being calibrated, respectively, in advance, the projector‐camera system is similar to the binocular vision system in the principle of 3D modelling.
Multi‐scale relation analysis of power law distribution and correlation in the Chinese stock market
Authors: Yang Hong‐lin , Chen Shou , Yang Yan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the multi‐scale relation between power law distribution and correlation of stock returns and to figure out the determinants underlying capital markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The multi‐scale relation between power law distribution and correlation is investigated by comparing the original series with the special series. The eliminating intraday trend series approach developed by Liuet al.is utilized to analyze the effects of power law decay change on correlation properties, and shuffling series originated by Viswanathanet al.for the impacts of special type of correlation on power‐law distribution.

Findings

It is found that the accelerating decay of power law has an insignificant effect on correlation properties of returns and the empirical results indicate that time scale may also be an important factor maintaining power law property of returns besides correlation. When time scale is under critical point, the effects of correlation are crucial, and the correlation of nonlinear long‐range presents the strongest influence. However, for time scale beyond critical point, the impact of correlation begins to diminish or even finally disappear and then the power law property shows complete dependence on time scale.

Research limitations/implications

The 5‐min high frequency data of the Shanghai market as the empirical benchmark is insufficient to depict the relation over the entire time scale in the Chinese stock market.

Practical implications

The paper identifies the determinants of market dynamics to apply them to risk management through analysis of multi‐scale relations, and supports endeavors to introduce time parameter into further risk measures and control.

Originality/value

The paper provides the empirical evidence that time scale is one of the key determinants of market dynamics by analyzing the multi‐scale relation between power law distribution and correlation.
A new recognition system for radar emitter signals
Authors: Zhang Gexiang , Li Xu
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new recognition system for identifying advanced radar emitter signals (RES).

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, the framework of the new recognition system is outlined. Then, feature extraction using resemblance coefficient and wavelet packet decomposition, and feature selection based on quantum‐inspired genetic algorithm, and a classifier combining K‐means clustering, support vector machines and Mahalanobis distance are applied to actualize the recognition system. Finally, experiments are carried out on RES.

Findings

A valid recognition system with its framework and implementation is presented to solve the difficult problem of advanced RES recognition.

Research limitations/implications

Initial investigation is made on modern RES recognition. Further work may be done on decreasing the error rates and enhancing recognition efficiency. Real signals instead of simulated signals can be applied.

Practical implications

The system developed here can be applied to electronic reconnaissance systems such as electronic support measures, electronic intelligence and radar warning receiver.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel recognition system and its implementation for modern RES. Extensive experiments conducted on 155 RES with eight intra‐pulse modulations show the feasibility and validity of the introduced system.
Text resource emergence: discovering evolutionary event patterns from web texts
Authors: Zhao Chengli , Yi Dongyun
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to research integrating web text resources and mine its emergence.

Design/methodology/approach

With the understanding of characteristics of internet resources, this paper will focus on solving the problem of text resource aggregation in open environment and its emergence showed during aggregation over time. The authors process these text resources, both in space and time dimension, through viewing them as an event stream evolving over time, and attempt to discover the evolutionary event patterns and furthermore, to mine the emergence of text content.

Findings

The proposed methods are generally applicable to text stream data and have many potential applications in text resource aggregation in open environment.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is availability of data.

Practical implications

The paper presents a very useful method for text resource aggregation in an open environment.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new method to integrate web text resources and mine its emergence.
Risk in integrated leapfrogging mode of technological innovation
Authors: Chen Yun , Liu Jia , Xie Kefan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated leapfrogging mode of technological innovation for developing countries or latecomer enterprises in a certain industrial innovation field. Furthermore, this paper discusses the basic paradigm of the integrated leapfrogging innovation, analyzes the risk in the integrated leapfrogging mode, and describes the risk map of the integrated leapfrogging mode. Finally, taking the example of the integrated leapfrogging mode of technological innovation in developing China High‐speed Railway, this paper carries out the simulation analysis by employing system dynamics model.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to examine the impact of the integrated leapfrogging innovation risk on innovative achievements, main risk variables need to be extracted from the process of the integrated leapfrogging innovation, based on the system simulation, relationships among different variables and the impact on innovative achievements can be obtained.

Findings

To prevent the risk of the integrated leapfrogging innovation across the innovation, the first thing we need to improve is the contractual relationship, which is to be fair and reasonable, according to the symmetry principles of risks and benefits, and to achieve risk‐sharing and revenue sharing, in addition, all parties must be clear about their responsibilities and interests. The second is the reasonable position of the government's behavior, and it hints that the government cannot interfere too much, and its function is to provide service and support instead of ordering. The third is that enterprises should effectively prevent the risk of the integrated leapfrogging innovation through risk identification and risk early warning and risk pre‐control approach.

Originality/value

A new concept of integrated leapfrogging mode of technological innovation has been put forward, and the risk map of the integrated leapfrogging mode has been described. In addition, this paper proposes some suggestions to prevent the risks of the integrated leapfrogging innovation for enterprises as a reference.
Flight rescheduling responding to large‐area flight delays
Authors: Gao Mingang , Chi Hong , Xu Baoguang , Ding Ruo
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on disruption management responding to large‐area flight delays (LFD). It is urgent for airways to reschedule the disrupted flights so as to relieve the negative influence and minimize losses. The authors try to reduce the risk of airline company's credit and economic losses by rescheduling flights with mathematic models and algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on flight classifications of real‐time statuses and priority indicators, all flights are prioritized. In this paper, two mathematic programming models of flight rescheduling are proposed. For the second model, an optimum polynomial algorithm is designed.

Findings

In practice, when LFD happens, it is very important for the airline company to pay attention to real‐time statuses of all the flights. At the same time, the disruption management should consider not only the economic loss but also other non‐quantitative loss such as passengers' satisfaction, etc.

Originality/value

In this paper, two mathematic programming models of flight rescheduling are built. An algorithm is designed and it is proved to be an optimum polynomial algorithm and a case study is given to illustrate the algorithm. The paper provides a theory support for airways to reduce the risk brought by LFD.
Progress supervision information system for GIP with ACS
Authors: Wu Yunna , Huang Yong , Luo Wei
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The role of a government investment project (GIP) management supervisor is to improve supervision performance and the Chinese government has issued a series of polices, displaying the determination to solve supervision problems. The purpose of this paper is to assist the government to play its role of supervisor and to realize progress supervision performance for GIP in practice with the Agent Construction System (ACS).

Design/methodology/approach

Taking consideration of the essence of ACS, the paper analyzes the system supported theory, which is a supervision mechanism, with contract management as the core and goals as orientation. The authors design the system frame and its composing modules according to the main function of this information system.

Findings

The research builds an expected supervision information system with four functional modules, which is designed according to logical sequence of supervision, based on a theoretical supervision mechanism.

Originality/value

The system is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the most advanced and practical information system for GIP supervision published in the literature.
Echo state network with wavelet in load forecasting
Authors: Niu Dongxiao , Ji Ling , Wang Yongli , Liu Da
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the accuracy of short time load forecasting to ensure the economical and safe operation of power systems. The traditional neural network applied in time series like load forecasting, easily plunges into local optimum and has a complicated learning process, leading to relatively slow calculating speed. On the basis of existing literature, the authors carried out studies in an effort to optimize a new recurrent neural network by wavelet analysis to solve the previous problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The main technique the authors applied is referred to as echo state network (ESN). Detailed information has been acquired by the authors using wavelet analysis. After obtaining more information from original time series, different reservoirs can be built for each subsequence. The proposed method is tested by using hourly electricity load data from a southern city in China. In addition, some traditional methods are also applied for the same task, as contrast.

Findings

The experiment has led the authors to believe that the optimized model is encouraging and performs better. Compared with standard ESN, BP network and SVM, the experimental results indicate that WS‐ESN improves the prediction accuracy and has less computing consumption.

Originality/value

The paper develops a new method for short time load forecasting. Wavelet decomposition is employed to pre‐process the original load data. The approximate part associated with low frequencies and several detailed parts associated with high frequencies components give expression to different information from original data. According to this, suitable ESN is chosen for each sub‐sequence, respectively. Therefore, the model combining the advantages of both ESN and wavelet analysis improves the result for short time load forecasting, and can be applied to other time series problem.
Agent behaviors and coordinative mechanism
Authors: Zheng Xiaojing , Xu Xusong , Cui Luo Cui
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the behaviors coordination mechanism, to maintain the system's long time‐scale and stable competitive capability, when the agents in the system focus on cooperating with each other.

Design/methodology/approach

Effort level for every agent, whose dynamics can be described as a stochastic partial differential equation, and the incentive of effort as the control of the corresponding agent, are introduced to describe agents' behavior abstracted. The cooperative stochastic differential game model is constructed: first, the optimal resolve trajectory mapping with profit maximization of the system are obtained, then the transitory imputation coupled with effort initial state of the system by introducing dynamic Shapley value imputation method. Based on the results obtained, the profit distribution strategies and the equilibration incentive compensation mechanism are given, due to the evolution law of the payoff and the state variable.

Findings

It is concluded that: the transitory compensation to agent for efforts and incentive, which can be changed with the system state at current and in history and in future changed, would guarantee the realization of the Shapley value imputation throughout the game horizon.

Originality/value

In this paper, the interactivity between agents in the system is considered first. The dynamical Shapley imputation mechanism and the transitory compensatory mechanism are provided to make the imputation more stable and feasible.
Human resources in an enriched environment of business intelligence
Authors: Kapoor Bhushan , Sherif Joseph
Published: March 2013

Purpose

While many organizations are starting to use business intelligence (BI) in many areas of their businesses and make substantial gains, they have taken little advantage of this in the human resources (HR) management area. The purpose of this paper is to advance BI and data analytics technologies as precursors to the design of HR management protocols and database strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the fact that the increasing prevalence of globalization is driven by a number of factors including growing consumers in developing countries, technological progress, and worldwide workforce diversity. HR departments of global companies must implement BI techniques and assemble global databases that obtain information such as employee's attrition and hiring, compensation and benefits, ethnic, gender, cultural, and nationality distributions. By applying advanced analytical techniques on the global database, human resources professionals will acquire intelligent business insight, predict changes and make informed decisions at operational and strategic levels.

Findings

The business environment is constantly evolving into a more complex system and with global competition, decision making in organizations has become increasingly intricate and convoluted. This creates challenges for global organizations' HR departments to manage a workforce diverse in cultures, time zones, expertise, benefits and compensations.

Practical implications

Only those multinational enterprises willing to adapt their human resource practices to the changing global labor market conditions will be able to attract and retain high performing employees. BI and data analytics can aid in making informed decisions based on knowledge extracted from the data and options at hand. Organizations that have successfully implemented BI are able to make decisions quickly and with more accuracy. They have better and faster access to the key activities and processes that the organizations and its functional departments must pursue to meet their goals and objectives.

Originality/value

The paper tackles one of the most critical problems of educating multinational enterprises to adapt their HR practices to the changing global labor market conditions. By incorporating BI and data analytics in the design of HRM protocols and database strategies they can attract, develop and retain high performing employees and succeed in the global business competition.
Introduction to special issue on “Recent advances of engineering management and risk management in China”
Authors: Dash Wu Desheng
Published: March 2013

Purpose

As a traditional area, engineering management has always been at the core of the research study in academia. In the current uncertain world, more and more attention is paid to risk management. New risks in many practical engineering management problems require new computational methods and tools. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the state‐of‐the‐art research in engineering management and risk management in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The collected papers are briefly reviewed and positioned in existing work.

Findings

The special issue includes a variety of perspectives on engineering management and risk management from the Great China area.

Originality/value

The paper shows that all the papers address interesting research problems.
Introducing managers to the VSM using a personal VSM
Authors: Robinson David T.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a short research study that introduced a group of busy managers, in an organisation in turmoil, to Stafford Beer's Viable System Model (VSM) through the use of a personal construct, developed by Allenna Leonard.

Design/methodology/approach

This study, designed as systemic action research, was a final project towards an Open University Masters in Systems Thinking in Practice. Initially managers were introduced to the personal VSM and invited to design their own VSM as systemic action learning. This was followed by an introductory collaborative inquiry to enable the managers to use their VSM learning to interrogate their organisational domain through the VSM lens.

Findings

The managers engaged well with the personal VSM (PVSM). All the managers reported that the PVSM was a useful learning tool and provided beneficial professional development to help clarify activities, priorities and their roles. They reported that the collaborative meeting was a very useful means to help them see others' perspectives and work towards gaining a shared understanding of the issues and challenges within the organisation through the VSM lens.

Practical implications

The VSM is not well understood or routinely used in current management thinking. This method of introducing the VSM to managers has wide implications for providing managers with an introduction to systems thinking and an opportunity to engage openly with a valuable tool that will help their understanding of modern organisational complexity.

Originality/value

Using the personal VSM with managers has not been reported before and this study provides new opportunities to develop a means to introduce complex conceptual systems models to busy managers.
Elements of a cybernetic epistemology: elementary anticipatory systems
Authors: Nechansky Helmut
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how elementary anticipation, understood as anticipation of the repetition of one known pattern, can emerge out of sequence learning and how it can contribute to the behavioral options of goal‐oriented systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A functional approach is used to develop the necessary cybernetic structures of a subsystem for sequence learning that can additionally provide standards of anticipated patterns for future pattern matching. Based on that it is analyzed, how a goal‐oriented system can use the information about the actual occurrence of an anticipated pattern.

Findings

A subsystem for elementary anticipation of single patterns builds on sequence learning and requires additionally a structure: first, to unequivocally identify the beginning of known sequences just from their first patterns; and second, to decide to use a latter pattern of such a sequence as standard for an anticipated pattern. Deciding to actually use such a pattern for anticipation requires an additional subsystem to switch between the feedback pattern recognition mode and feedforward. Then the occurrence of such an anticipated pattern allows immediate recognition and action.

Practical implications

The paper shows a necessary evolution of cybernetic structures from pattern recognition via sequence learning to anticipation; and it shows, too, a necessary evolution in the cognitive development of individual systems. In the simple anticipatory structures analyzed here, only known patterns, that are part of a known sequence, can become anticipated patterns.

Originality/value

The paper places elementary anticipation of single patterns in an evolutionary development based on pattern recognition and sequence learning. It provides the base to analyze more complex forms of anticipation.
A reliable modification of the Adomian decomposition method for higher‐order nonlinear differential equations
Authors: Rach Randolph , Wazwaz Abdul‐Majid , Duan Jun‐Sheng
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new modification of the Adomian decomposition method for resolution of higher‐order inhomogeneous nonlinear initial value problems.

Design/methodology/approach

First the authors review the standard Adomian decomposition scheme and the Adomian polynomials for solving nonlinear differential equations. Next, the advantages of Duan's new algorithms and subroutines for fast generation of the Adomian polynomials to high orders are discussed. Then algorithms are considered for the solution of a sequence of first‐, second‐, third‐ and fourth‐order inhomogeneous nonlinear initial value problems with constant system coefficients by the new modified recursion scheme in order to derive a systematic algorithm for the general case of higher‐order inhomogeneous nonlinear initial value problems.

Findings

The authors investigate seven expository examples of inhomogeneous nonlinear initial value problems: the exact solution was known in advance, in order to demonstrate the rapid convergence of the new approach, including first‐ through sixth‐order derivatives and quadratic, cubic, quartic and exponential nonlinear terms in the solution and a sextic nonlinearity in the first‐order derivative. The key difference between the various modified recursion schemes is the choice of the initial solution component, using different choices to partition and delay the subsequent parts through the recursion steps. The authors' new approach extends this concept.

Originality/value

The new modified decomposition method provides a significant advantage for computing the solution's Taylor expansion series, both systematically and rapidly, as demonstrated in the various expository examples.
A segmentation study of Mexican consumers based on shopping centre attractiveness
Authors: González‐Hernández Eva M. , Orozco‐Gómez Margarita
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify shopping centre attractiveness dimensions from the point of view of the Mexican shopper and then segment shoppers according to these perceptions of attractiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a survey of 1,500 regular shopping centre consumers from the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara (MAG), Mexico. This research study was carried out from January to April 2010. Five of the largest shopping centres, including a lifestyle centre, a community centre, a regional shopping centre, and a small regional shopping centre participated voluntarily in this research study.

Findings

The attractiveness attributes of six shopping centres were identified through a factorial analysis: mall essence, popularity and promotional programs, personal service, recreational options, internal atmosphere, and external atmosphere. Also, a cluster analysis of these factors revealed three types of consumers with significantly different perceptions of shopping centres: serious, enthusiast, and basic. The outcomes were validated by a multiple discriminant analysis. Multiple discriminant results suggest that the dimension of popularity and promotion programs is the first to be distinguished among segments, followed by internal and external atmosphere.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, the study provides practical advice to managers in order to support marketing and positioning strategies for their shopping centres, focusing on a particular segment of consumers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of research on shopping centre attractiveness and shopper segments by providing information regarding Mexican consumer perceptions of shopping.
Fashion retailing in the new economy: the case of SMEs
Authors: Donnell Lisa , Hutchinson Karise , Reid Andrea
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify how small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) fashion retailers can achieve a true understanding of customer trends to close the needs to offer gap in a highly dynamic sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study approach is adopted in light of the limited research in this area. Data collection involved a multi‐stage and multi‐methods approach over a six month period to increase the validity of findings and the triangulation of data.

Findings

The findings of this paper highlight, first, the need for formal CRM intervention; and, second, the issues involved in the implementation of a loyalty program.

Originality/value

In the absence of specific knowledge in this area, a framework is developed to advance both theoretical and practical understanding of how SME fashion retailers can build and manage close customer relationships in the new economy.
Something old, something used
Authors: Cervellon Marie‐Cécile , Carey Lindsey , Harms Trine
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Vintage has been a growing trend in clothing recently, leading to major fashion brands launching collections inspired by vintage pieces or luxury haute‐couture houses digging into their archives to revive past designs. Yet, as this market develops, little is known about the profile of the consumer and the motivations to purchase vintage. This paper aims to explore the veracity of a number of assumptions relating to vintage consumption, equating it to the consumption of used, previously owned clothes by nostalgic prone, environmentally‐friendly or value‐conscious consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach including structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed in this research using data collected from 103 women (screened on past second‐hand purchases). Vintage clothes were defined as pieces dating back from the 1920s to the 1980s. Second hand clothes were defined as modern used clothes.

Findings

The results show that the main antecedents to vintage consumption are fashion involvement and nostalgia proneness as well as need for uniqueness through the mediation of treasure hunting. In contrast, second‐hand consumption is directly driven by frugality. Eco‐consciousness plays an indirect role through bargain hunting. In essence, the thrill of the hunt is present for vintage and for second hand consumption. Yet, while vintage consumers shop for a unique piece with history, second‐hand consumers shop for a unique piece at a good price. Additionally, the main characteristics of vintage fashion consumers are a higher level of education and higher income whereas age is not directly related to the purchase of vintage pieces.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the relevance of second‐hand stores repositioning as vintage based on vintage and second‐hand consumers' profiles. Also, the need to educate consumers on the role of second‐hand consumption in a pro‐environmental lifestyle is highlighted.
Mercadona (Spain): a retail model in expansion
Authors: López-González Alejandro , C. Lois-González Rubén , Fernández-Casal Rubén
Published: March 2013

Purpose

– This paper evaluates the effect of Spain's regulatory framework on Mercadona's expansion. Mercadona is the main company in this commercial distribution sector and so we have taken the North American company Wal-Mart as a classic example of the sector on a world scale. In Spain the regulatory framework is characterized by the high grade of autonomy of the regional governments over the development of business regulation. In other words, the main objective is to check the extent of competitive bias resulting from regulatory risk.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article discusses the stores and retailers of Mercadona. Through the use of quantitative indicators the degree of concentration-dispersion is studied, which is reflected graphically with a series of maps. It also discusses the normalisation constraints by quantitative data analysis from a region with trade liberalisation criteria (Madrid) and another with criteria for restricting the construction of large retail outlets (Barcelona)

Findings

– In the commercial distribution sector, certain firms stand out due to their rapid expansion, firms that have been successful in implementing widely different business philosophies. This article interprets the course and the immediate challenges for Mercadona, taking Wal-Mart as a reference, since this company is already at a more advanced stage of development: the conversion of an operator on an international scale.

Originality/value

– The study described helps in understanding the process of forming a large commercial distribution chain in Southern Europe. This example in turn allows an understanding of business concentration processes in this sector.
Examining chain bookshops in the context of “third place”
Authors: Laing Audrey , Royle Jo
Published: March 2013

Purpose

– This research theoretically conceptualises the notion of “third place” within the setting of chain bookshops. The widespread adoption of coffee franchises and comfortable seating has developed the bookshop as a leisurely setting. Underpinning the discussion in current retail marketing theory, the research aims to explore how the understanding of “third place” has changed with the passage of time and to examine whether chain bookshops can be called third places.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodological approach is largely qualitative, drawing upon interviews with bookshop managers with regard to their strategic aims, and using focus groups to discuss consumers' bookshop experiences. The research also draws upon quantitative data, i.e. face-to-face questionnaires and online surveys.

Findings

– The research concludes that while consumer experience of chain bookshops is positive, they cannot be called a “third place” due to the lack of conversation therein. Nevertheless, an important caveat exists – the presence of an integral coffee shop encourages socialising among bookshop customers.

Research limitations/implications

– The project's scope is limited to chain bookshops in the UK. Future work might look at third place or restorative provision in other retail settings or over a wider geographic spread.

Practical implications

– The research has important implications and recommendations for managers of retail sites regarding the potential restorative qualities of bookshops, coffee shops and other retail environments.

Originality/value

– This empirical research enhances scholarly understanding of the bookshop as a restorative space, highlighting an important advantage which traditional retailers have over internet retailers.
Retaining or returning?
Authors: Foscht Thomas , Ernstreiter Karin , Maloles Cesar , Sinha Indrajit , Swoboda Bernhard
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Relatively scant attention thus far has been accorded in the marketing literature to the examination and explanation of return behaviour of consumers, especially within the mail order industry. The issues examined here consist of the nature and influence of such factors as “buying experience”, “perceived risk”, and “return frequency”. The aim of this paper is to analyse four groups of returners (“heavy returners”, “medium returners”, “light returners”, and “occasional returners”).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper details an empirical study of return behaviour based on a field survey that was conducted specifically focusing on the apparel category. Exploratory factor analyses and analyses of variance (ANOVA) have been employed to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that there exist different reasons for returns among the four groups of returners. In particular, they differ in their initial shopping motivation for mail order purchases, their group‐specific reasons for product returns, and also in their spending patterns.

Research limitations/implications

These are discussed within the body of the paper.

Practical implications

A number of meaningful implications for mail‐order firms are developed from the empirical findings. While product returners have been thought to be an amorphous category (akin to a “black box”) in the past, this paper highlights the disparate motives for making returns. Specific prescriptions are provided regarding the management of product description, consumer return policy, and the handling of consumer perceived risk.

Originality/value

This paper contributes toward the evolving literature of consumer return behaviour in the context of distance purchasing and also by taking into consideration the heterogeneity of return groups. It looks at the characteristics of the return groups and how they differ in their prior motives of making their purchase decisions.
How do franchisor policies and industry attractiveness impact franchise timing?
Authors: Tsang Seng‐Su , Finnegan Carol A.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This study provides a robust test of a central question in franchising: which factors influence the timing of adopting the first franchised outlet? Using a novel methodology, the purpose of this study is to examine the factors that accelerated or delayed the opening of the first franchisee outlet for the largest franchise chains in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample addresses a methodological shortcoming in traditional franchising literature. Using duration analysis, the paper captures the timing of the first franchise outlet for a retail concept. This allows us to capture the antecedents that explain the differences in timing between franchise systems.

Findings

By setting initial investment costs lower, the average time to attract the first franchisee is shorter. However, as franchisee net worth requirements rise, the time to attract the first franchisee is longer. Finally, franchisors tend to defer expansion via franchising in favor of managing their own outlets in resource rich industries.

Research limitations/implications

The dataset is limited to the largest US franchise systems.

Practical implications

This study suggests factors that would cause franchisors to decelerate or accelerate the initial franchise timing decision. Businesses time expansion based on industry size, outlet start‐up costs, and franchisee net worth.

Originality/value

This study provides the first examination of the firm and industry drivers affecting when a firm initiates franchising. This study uses rigorous empirical testing of franchising theoretical predictions using duration analysis.
The effects of purchase orientations on perceived loyalty programmes' benefits and loyalty
Authors: Meyer‐Waarden Lars , Benavent Christophe , Castéran Herbert
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This article aims to dwell on theoretical, managerial, and empirical knowledge to improve loyalty programme efficiency. Its intention is to try to understand how economic, hedonist, relational, convenience, informational rewards enhance or undermine customers' perceived programme benefits as well as subsequently loyalty according to individual shopping orientations (economical, hedonist, social‐relational, apathetic, brand/loyal).

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses self‐determination theory (SDT) and purchase orientations to classify types of rewards in terms of their effect on perceived programme benefits and loyalty. Scales are developed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. To validate the hypotheses, surveys in two retail chains (grocery/perfumery) are used. Structural equation modelling confirms the research model.

Findings

Perceived benefits and loyalty vary according to purchase orientations, in line with the SDT. Intrinsic (extrinsic) rewards motivate customers to act to obtain a benefit within (apart from) the target of their purchase orientation and influences loyalty positively (have low impact on loyalty).

Research limitations/implications

Further testing of reward types, in(ex)trinsic motivation, across multiple contexts is necessary for validity enhancement as it remains challenging to categorize purchase orientations and rewards. It is necessary to precisely define the degree of the relationship among an intrinsic purchase orientation and perceived loyalty programmes' benefits as orientations might be multidimensional.

Practical implications

Differentiation through tailored rewards is necessary in markets with strong competition to appeal to different segments. Differentiation could be achieved through nonmonetary benefits. The principal role of loyalty programmes should be to identify and segment customers as a means to improve resource allocations.

Originality/value

This is one of the pioneer articles in the use of SDT in marketing research. SDT provides a multi‐benefit framework which identifies the different (non‐) monetary rewards customers may value (in)extrinsically when participating in loyalty programmes. The development of scales which focus on rewards and the impact of purchase orientations on loyalty programmes' perceived benefits is another contribution.
Trust in customer‐salesperson relationship in China's retail sector
Authors: Twing‐Kwong Sherriff , Gerald Albaum Luk , Fullgrabe Lorna
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer attitudes and purchase intentions toward three major retail types within China‐department stores, independent specialty stores, and franchising/chain specialty stores. Of particular interest is perceived risk of purchase, the relative importance of frontline sales staff, trust, and the relationships among satisfaction, trust, and customers' commitment to the salesperson.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained by a street intercept personal interview survey from 554 Chinese consumers to test hypotheses about consumer behavior and attitudinal reactions to the three types of retail store formats. Personal interviews were conducted in four urban cities, each in a different region of China. Two measures of trust were studied – affective trust and cognitive trust.

Findings

There was a difference in perceived risk in purchasing from the different types of stores, but the importance of the frontline salesperson's influence on consumers did not differ. Increased satisfaction by consumers with the salesperson leads to a higher level of both cognitive and affective trust. Intention to maintain a relationship with the salesperson is positively related to both types of trust.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine three major types of retail institutions in China and how trust in retailer salespersons is linked to customer satisfaction.