bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A hybrid ant colony optimization algorithm for solving facility layout problems formulated as quadratic assignment problems
Authors: Yew Wong Kuan , Chiak See Phen
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a new hybrid ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm developed to solve facility layout problems (FLPs) formulated as quadratic assignment problems (QAPs).

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid ACO algorithm which combines max‐min ant system (MMAS) (i.e. a variant of ACO) with genetic algorithm (GA) has been developed. The hybrid algorithm is further improved with the use of a novel minimum pheromone threshold strategy (MPTS).

Findings

The hybrid algorithm shows satisfactory results in the experimental evaluation due to the synergy and collaboration between MMAS and GA. The results also show that the use of MPTS helps them to achieve such performance, by promoting search diversification.

Research limitations/implications

The experimental evaluation presented emphasizes more on the search performance or pattern of the hybrid algorithm. Detailed computational work could reveal other strengths of the algorithm.

Practical implications

The developmental work presented in this paper could be used by researchers and practitioners to solve QAPs. Its use may also be expanded to solve other combinatorial optimization and engineering problems.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful insights into the development of a hybrid ACO algorithm that combines MMAS with GA for solving QAPs.
Modelling of hydro‐fracture flow in porous media
Authors: Centeno Lobão Mauricio , Eve Rob , Owen D.R.J. , de Souza Neto Eduardo Alberto
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The mechanical response of the skeleton of a porous medium is highly dependent on its seepage behaviour as pore pressure modifications affect the in situ stress field. The purpose of this paper is to describe how u‐p formulation is employed using an explicit time integration scheme where fully saturated and single‐phase partially saturated analyse are incorporated for 2D and 3D cases.

Design/methodology/approach

Owing to their inherent simplicity, low‐order elements provide an excellent framework in which contact conditions coupled with crack propagation can be dealt with in an effective manner. For linear elements this implies single point integration which, however, can result in spurious zero‐energy modes which necessitates introduction of a stabilization technique to provide reliable results.

Findings

The success of the modelling strategy ultimately depends on the inter‐dependence of different phenomena. The linking between the displacements components, network and pore pressures represents an important role in the efficiency of the overall coupling procedure. Therefore, a master‐slave technique is proposed to link seepage and network fields, proving to be particularly attractive from a computational cost point of view. Another development that has provided substantial savings in CPU times is the use of an explicit‐explicit subcycling scheme.

Originality/value

Significant reduction in computational cost is achievable using a master‐slave procedure to link seepage and fracture network‐flows and an explicit‐explicit subcycling scheme. Special attention is focused on the investigation of the influence of plastic zones in oil production problems.
An improved ant colony optimization for constrained engineering design problems
Authors: Kaveh A. , Talatahari S.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The computational drawbacks of existing numerical methods have forced researchers to rely on heuristic algorithms. Heuristic methods are powerful in obtaining the solution of optimization problems. Although they are approximate methods (i.e. their solution are good, but not provably optimal), they do not require the derivatives of the objective function and constraints. Also, they use probabilistic transition rules instead of deterministic rules. The purpose of this paper is to present an improved ant colony optimization (IACO) for constrained engineering design problems.

Design/methodology/approach

IACO has the capacity to handle continuous and discrete problems by using sub‐optimization mechanism (SOM). SOM is based on the principles of finite element method working as a search‐space updating technique. Also, SOM can reduce the size of pheromone matrices, decision vectors and the number of evaluations. Though IACO decreases pheromone updating operations as well as optimization time, the probability of finding an optimum solution is not reduced.

Findings

Utilizing SOM in the ACO algorithm causes a decrease in the size of the pheromone vectors, size of the decision vector, size of the search space, the number of function evaluations, and finally the required optimization time. SOM performs as a search‐space‐updating rule, and it can exchange discrete‐continuous search domain to each other.

Originality/value

The suitability of using ACO for constrained engineering design problems is presented, and applied to optimal design of different engineering problems.
Adoption of internet banking services in China: is it all about trust?
Authors: Lifen Zhao Anita , Koenig‐Lewis Nicole , Hanmer‐Lloyd Stuart , Ward Philippa
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Numerous empirical studies on internet banking services (IBS) adoption have focused either on perceived risk or trust; but rarely have they combined these concepts and used empirical evidence to investigate the relationship. This study aims to contribute to this field by looking simultaneously at the roles of trust and perceived risk on consumers' IBS usage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated model explaining the interrelationships between trust, perceived risk and usage intention is developed. The research was conducted on a sample of 432 young Chinese consumers who can be classified as IBS early adopters. The quantitative findings are enhanced by the analysis of extensive qualitative data providing unique insights into this market.

Findings

Results indicate that there is a significant relationship between trust and perceived risk and that both are crucial in explaining the internet banking usage intention. Furthermore, trust in the bank is fundamental not only to reducing risk perceptions of IBS in general but also to building trust in the banks' competence in terms of IBS activity.

Originality/value

This research adds value to existing studies of online banking, which largely focus on trust and risk separately. In addition, it enables us to contribute to the current literature on the emerging Chinese IBS market, which is largely under‐researched.
Offline and online banking – where to draw the line when building trust in e‐banking?
Authors: Yap Kenneth B. , Wong David H. , Loh Claire , Bak Randall
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of situation normality cues (online attributes of the e‐banking web site) and structural assurance cues (size and reputation of the bank, and quality of traditional service at the branch) in a consumer's evaluation of the trustworthiness of e‐banking and subsequent adoption behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a survey and a usable sample of 202 was obtained. Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the model.

Findings

Traditional service quality builds customer trust in the e‐banking service. The size and reputation of the bank were found to provide structural assurance to the customer but not in the absence of traditional service quality. Web site features that give customers confidence are significant situation normality cues.

Practical implications

Bank managers have to realise that good service at the branch is a necessary condition for the promotion of e‐banking. They cannot rely on bank size and reputation to “sell” e‐banking.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examines how traditional service quality and a bank's size and reputation influences trust in e‐banking.
Dimensional hierarchy of trustworthiness of financial service providers
Authors: Roy Sanjit Kumar , Shekhar Vaibhav
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the underlying dimensions of trustworthiness of financial service providers in the Indian retail banking sector and to model trustworthiness as a set of second‐order factors. The study replicates and extends the work of Ennew and Sekhon in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the trustworthiness scale developed by Ennew and Sekhon this study identifies six first‐order factors of trustworthiness for retail bankers in India using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Then the study modeled trustworthiness as a set of three second‐order factors using second‐order confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The first‐order factors obtained for trustworthiness of retail bankers are customer orientation, integrity and honesty, communication and similarity, shared values, expertise, and ability and consistency. The second‐order confirmatory factor analysis resulted in three higher order factors namely, competency, openness and benevolence.

Practical implications

The various dimensions of trustworthiness should be viewed as levers for improving a bank's trustworthiness in the minds of its current customers. At the same time, these dimensions will help them in reflecting an image of trustworthiness in the minds of its potential customers. Establishment of trustworthiness as an element of corporate image will provide competitive advantage to the service firms and improve their financial performance.

Originality/value

The research tests for the reliability and validity of the trustworthiness scale of Ennew and Sekhon. This study provides a window to the dimensions on which retail bank customers in an emerging economy such as India perceive a retail bank's trustworthiness. Furthermore, this study is an attempt to model trustworthiness as a set of second‐order factors.
The impact of pre‐sale and post‐sale factors on online purchasing satisfaction: a survey
Authors: Melián Alzola Lucía , Padrón Robaina Víctor
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This work seeks to contribute a series of reflections and conclusions in response to the following questions: what variables determine satisfaction in the pre‐sale phase and post‐sale phase of B2C electronic commerce? How are the variables of the pre‐sale phase related to those of the post‐sale phase of B2C electronic commerce?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a theoretical scale that includes the important variables of quality in the pre‐sale and post‐sale phases of B2C electronic commerce. After the empirical validation of the theoretical scale, we measure the impact of the pre‐sale dimensions on the post‐sale dimensions.

Findings

The results confirm the principal hypotheses of the study, that is to say, the dimensions of the pre‐sale phase have a significant impact on the dimensions of the post‐sale phase of B2C electronic commerce.

Research limitations/implications

This research shows that, in B2C electronic commerce, the organisation's actions in the pre‐sale phase will, to a great extent, condition its actions in the post‐sale phase.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the importance of high‐performance in the pre‐sale phase in order to achieve success.

Originality/value

This paper bridges a gap in the empirical works in the field of quality in electronic commerce by studying the importance and implications of the different phases in the electronic purchase.
An empirical framework for selecting quality management and improvement initiatives
Authors: Thawesaengskulthai Natcha
Published: January 2010

Purpose

A growing number of publications have questioned and raised awareness of improvement fashions, especially in the area of quality management (QM), but rational decision‐making process has been promoted. Thus, this paper aims to address the selection issue and presents a holistic framework for selecting a QM and improvement initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was carried out in three phases. Phase One established a conceptual background for the adoption based on extensive literature review. Phase Two provided empirical studies of the QM approaches adopted in three leading case companies in Thailand and interviews with quality experts. Finally, Phase Three builds a theory of selection based on cross‐case analysis and a paradigm model.

Findings

Triggers for the adoption are the internal factors (i.e. need to survive, sustain competitiveness, and increase operational effectiveness) and external factors (i.e. institutional push, trade barrier, and company image). The selection framework and the theory of selecting QM and improvement initiatives explain the four selection views of fashion setting, pay‐off, strategic fit, and organisation fit.

Research limitations/implications

Selection of quality and improvement initiatives is based on the managers' perceptions and past experiences of QM selecting decision, and upon on the information available.

Originality/value

The advancement in the theory of the adoption of improvement initiatives is the main contribution of this research. The selection framework, which was theoretically and empirically grounded, has attempted to surface the irrational influences on the adoption to provide a more rational and less ambiguous justification. It provides a holistic model incorporating comprehensive selection criteria aiming to assist managers undertaking selection decisions.
Understanding customer needs through quantitative analysis of Kano's model
Authors: Wang Ting , Ji Ping
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to help companies develop a better understanding of customer needs through quantitative analysis of Kano's model.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel approach is developed to measure and quantify the relationships between customer satisfaction and the fulfillment of customer requirements (S‐CR) as depicted in Kano's model. A case study concerning notebook computer design is conducted to illustrate the application of the proposed approach.

Findings

By implementing the proposed approach, S‐CR relationship functions have been identified from Kano's model to illustrate the impact of different customer requirements on customer satisfaction. The case study demonstrates that the proposed approach can be implemented successfully.

Research limitations/implications

In order to identify the S‐CR relationship functions, several assumptions have been made in determining the shape of relationship curves in Kano's model. Future work could focus on improving the assumptions to derive the relationship functions more objectively.

Practical implications

The proposed approach enables companies to develop a better understanding of customer requirements by visualizing the impact of customer requirements on customer satisfaction through S‐CR relationship functions. More importantly, it provides a way for companies to integrate Kano's model with other mathematical models or tools to support engineering design.

Originality/value

The proposed approach goes beyond the qualitative analysis in Kano's model by identifying S‐CR relationship functions, both linear and nonlinear, to measure the impact of different customer requirements on customer satisfaction, which is currently a new attempt in the analysis of Kano's model for quality improvement.
The effect of quality management on the service quality and business success of logistics service providers
Authors: Kersten Wolfgang , Koch Jan
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to analyse empirically the causal relationships between quality management, service quality and business success in German logistics companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a measurement instrument of logistics service quality by combining conceptual approaches from service marketing with quality indicators from operations management. This measure is verified through factor analysis on a sample of 229 German logistics providers. Relationships between logistics service quality, quality management and business success are investigated in a structural equation model.

Findings

The results support measuring logistics service quality by the three dimensions: service potential, process and outcome. The effect of quality management on these constructs is confirmed. Likewise, the positive effect of service quality on business success is confirmed, with the notable exception of outcome quality.

Research limitations/implications

This research only involves German logistics service providers. Further studies in other countries are needed to generalise the results.

Practical implications

Logistics service providers should devote more attention to quality management than they currently do. To enhance quality, they should focus their efforts on service potential and the service process. The paper offers them a way to measure these quality dimensions.

Originality/value

Research into logistics services has so far been mostly descriptive. The present study is the first to validate empirically a measure of logistics service quality and relate it to other phenomena. The relationship between quality management, service quality and business success found by structural modelling helps to understand the role of quality in logistics services.
Ranking of customer requirements using the fuzzy centroid‐based method
Authors: Mehdizadeh Esmaeil
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a fuzzy centroid‐based method to ranking customer requirements with competition consideration. The proposed method not only focuses on normal fuzzy numbers, but also considers non‐normal fuzzy numbers to capture the true customer requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a new customer requirements ranking method using QFD that not only focuses on the voice of the customer, but also considers the competitive environment. The method uses fuzzy mathematics instead of crisp numbers; this is known as the fuzzy centroid‐based method.

Findings

A numerical example demonstrates that if the fuzzy numbers are non‐normal, previous ranking methods were shown to be incorrect and to have led to some misapplications. To avoid possible further misapplications or spread in the future, the correct centroid formula used for fuzzy numbers is derived and their simplified expressions for non‐normal fuzzy numbers are given.

Originality/value

Various methods have been developed to rate and rank customer needs; however, few methods consider the competitive environment. In addition, in real applications, fuzzy mathematics are usually more appropriate than crisp models. Many previous methods are misleading and have led to some misapplications if the fuzzy numbers are non‐normal. The paper contributes to theory and practice by explaining the reasons for using the fuzzy centroid‐based method.
5S use in manufacturing plants: contextual factors and impact on operating performance
Authors: Bayo‐Moriones Alberto , Bello‐Pintado Alejandro , Merino‐Díaz de Cerio Javier
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between 5S use, contextual factors and performance. The contextual factors comprise structural features of the firm, environment, human resources and technology and quality management. The performance measures refer to improvements in productivity, quality, employee satisfaction, lead time and new product design.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted in 203 Spanish manufacturing plants, with personnel interviewees. The hypotheses proposed were verified using correlation analysis and analysis of variance.

Findings

The results show the existence of a positive relationship between the use of 5S and some contextual factors such as size, the integration of the plant in a multinational group, the type of product manufactured, the technology used and the quality programmes in the plant. Moreover, 5S is positively related to some operational performance measures, especially those referring to quality and productivity.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the scarce empirical literature analysing the factors related to the use of 5S and its association with manufacturing performance.
Towards an inter‐organisational perspective for managing quality in virtual organisations
Authors: Sitek Patrick , Seifert Marcus , Thoben Klaus‐Dieter
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the limitations of existing approaches for guaranteeing the quality of a joint output in temporary enterprise networks such as virtual organisations and to identify possibilities for future research on solving this problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper works towards the analysis of requirements for managing quality in temporary networks such as virtual organisations. Afterwards, it discusses the problem and thus the limitations of existing approaches to guarantee quality of the joint output of such networks.

Findings

The review shows that in temporary networks, individual organisations often do not have the right concepts to control inter‐organisational information exchange within the network. Nevertheless, inter‐organisational information exchange gain is important, because it influences the quality of the network's joint output. Existing approaches to define communication structures to support information exchange on the inter‐organisational level do not seem to be sufficient and represent a risk in guaranteeing the quality of a joint output.

Originality/value

This paper explores new directions in quality management from an inter‐organisational perspective in temporary enterprises networks. The findings contribute to supporting the need for the further development of existing approaches to competence management in order to address quality aspects in temporary enterprise environments. This work contributes to the theoretical demand for interlinking quality management with highly dynamic collaborative relations. This point of view goes beyond the internally focused perspective with the goal of integrating converging quality management processes with an inter‐organisational perspective.
Repetitive testing of multiple products with limited capacity
Authors: Ding Jie , Greenberg Betsy S. , Matsuo Hirofumi
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model‐based methodology for the repetitive testing of multiple products with limited capacity, when the testing process is imperfect.

Design/methodology/approach

In a repetitive testing process, items that are classified as non‐conforming may be conforming, resulting in excessive scrapping of good items. Failed items are commonly retested to reduce scrapping costs. This paper develops a stochastic optimization formulation and its solution to determine the numbers of repetitive tests for multiple products that minimize the sum of the expected scrapping costs and variable testing costs, subject to a testing equipment capacity constraint. It also develops a procedure to estimate the parameter values that are used in the optimization formulation.

Findings

Computational experiments are conducted to evaluate the estimation and solution procedure and to understand the effect of testing machine capacity on the optimal total cost. These results demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach and the criticality of accurate parameter estimation.

Research limitations/implications

This research shows the usefulness of the proposed optimization/statistical estimation approach to a real‐life complex inspection problem. However, the proposed model has to be modified when the characteristics of the testing equipment are changed.

Practical implications

The authors capture the idiosyncrasies in semiconductor manufacturing such as the high outgoing quality level, the repetitive testing environment, the high coefficient of variation in the number of failure products, and the testing capacity constraint. Conducting extensive computational experiments, the authors demonstrate that the proposed approach is viable.

Originality/value

The paper describes a complex, real‐life inspection management situation, develops a rigorous model‐based solution approach, and carefully demonstrates its viability.
Psychological contract and its motivational and health‐enhancing properties
Authors: Parzefall Marjo‐Riitta , Hakanen Jari
Published: January 2010

Purpose

It has been hypothesized that perceived contract fulfilment is positively associated with affective commitment, leading also to reduced turnover intentions, and with mental health, and that these relationships are fully mediated by work engagement. Employing the job demands resources (JDR) model, the purpose of this study is to examine the motivational and health‐enhancing properties driven by perceived employer psychological contact fulfilment.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested in a sample of 178 Finnish employees using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The hypotheses were supported. Perceived psychological contract fulfilment had both motivational (psychological contract → work engagement → affective commitment → reduced turnover intentions) and health‐enhancing (psychological contract → work engagement → mental health) effects.

Originality/value

The findings highlight the centrality of perceived psychological contract fulfilment to employees, and the importance of work engagement as a positive affective‐cognitive state at work.
Perceived acceptance and work standards as predictors of work attitudes and behavior and employee psychological distress following an internal business merger
Authors: Joslin Felicity , Waters Lea , Dudgeon Paul
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This study aims to test the relationship between two measures of sociocultural adjustment (perceived acceptance and work standard) with work attitudes and behavior and with psychological distress following an internal merger of two previously distinct working groups within the one business.

Design/methodology/approach

A field study, using a cross‐sectional design, was used to assess the reactions of 250 employees (host employees=170; relocated employees=80) who had undergone an internal merger within a communications company.

Findings

Perceived acceptance and work standards following the merger were significantly related to work attitudes and behavior for both the host and the relocated employees. There was no direct relationship between perceived acceptance and work standards with psychological distress. However, work attitudes and behavior were found to mediate the indirect effect of perceived acceptance and work standards on psychological distress.

Research limitations/implications

The findings must be considered within the limitations of the study which include the use of a cross‐sectional design and testing within one business setting.

Practical implications

The research suggests that ensuring that employees from both pre‐merger groups are assisted in feeling accepted in the new culture and that both groups are giving support and resources to maintain work standards are important factors in managing post‐merger integration.

Originality/value

The study is the first to empirically test Berry's concepts of sociocultural adjustment, neutrality and asymmetry within an internal business merger.
Improving individual learning for trainees with low conscientiousness
Authors: Cheramie Robin A. , Simmering Marcia J.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of situational factors in improving learning for trainees with low conscientiousness.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 117 employees completed a survey questionnaire in the context of a training intervention. Perceptions of conscientiousness, legitimacy, and accountability were used to predict employee learning in a training context. Moderated multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results support interactions of conscientiousness and perceived accountability to predict learning such that learners who are low in conscientiousness showed higher levels of learning when perceived accountability was considered strong than when perceived accountability was considered weak. There was no support for the proposed interaction of conscientiousness and perceived legitimacy to predict learning.

Practical implications

Results support the view that organizations should implement formal controls to increase perceived accountability and improve learning. Trainees with low conscientiousness had higher levels of learning in situations with strong accountability perceptions.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few to evaluate perceived accountability in a field study, whereas most previous research has evaluated this concept in lab experiments. Therefore, the findings support the wide range of perceived accountability that exists in most organizations. The results imply the need for more accountability controls within an organization to increase learning in a training context.
Relationship between work‐family conflict and quality of life
Authors: Md‐Sidin Samsinar , Sambasivan Murali , Ismail Izhairi
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to link work‐family conflict, quality of work and non‐work lives, quality of life and social support (supervisor and spouse supports). Specifically, it seeks to address three different roles of social support that have theoretical and empirical support and the mediating roles of quality of work life and quality of non‐work life.

Design/methodology/approach

The SEM‐based approach has been used to study supervisor and spouse supports as moderators between work‐family conflict and quality of life; independent variables of work‐family conflict; independent variables of quality of life. The study has been carried out in Malaysia.

Findings

The main findings are: work‐family conflict has relationship with quality of life; quality of work life and non‐work life are “partial” mediators between work‐family conflict and quality of life; and, among the various roles of social support, its role as an independent variable of quality of life gives the best results.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on a cross‐sectional study conducted in Malaysia and addresses only the spouse and supervisor supports as components of social support.

Originality/value

The research has developed a comprehensive model linking work‐family conflict, quality of work and non‐work lives, and quality of life and has studied the role of social support.
Understanding the integrative approach to conflict management
Authors: Rognes Jørn K. , Schei Vidar
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Integration is an active search for information about facts and interests – motivated by a willingness to find mutually satisfactory agreements – and is usually necessary for creating high quality settlements in conflicts. The purpose of this paper is to examine the integrative approach to conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys, scenario studies, and experiments were used to explore factors relating to an integrative approach. First, how integration affected various outcome qualities (Study 1 and Study 2) was examined. Then Studies 3, 4 and 5, respectively, examined how integration was influenced by demographic (gender and education), individual (achievement motivation, creativity, and cognitive style), and relational (quality of the relationship) factors.

Findings

Results demonstrated that an integrative approach is beneficial for various outcome‐dimensions (quality, satisfaction, fairness, and trust). Regarding predictors of an integrative approach, being male business students are negatively related to integration, while having high achievement motivation and a good relationship are positively related.

Research limitations/implications

The correlational design in some of the studies make conclusions about causality questionable, and future research should examine the dynamic conflict process in more detail.

Practical implications

It is helpful to know that taking an integrative approach favours all types of outcomes in conflict management processes, and that high achievement motivation and a good relationship stimulate an integrative approach.

Originality/value

The paper shows how different variables relate to an integrative approach and offers insight to those involved in conflict management processes.
Psychological and environmental antecedents of impulse buying tendency in the multichannel shopping context
Authors: Park Jihye , Lennon Sharron J.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of psychological traits and shopping environmental factors on impulse buying tendency via television shopping programs and to reflect the inherent nature of the impulsive television shopping environment in the USA as well as the traditional retail channel.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 154 questionnaires were returned from multichannel customers who purchased apparel from television shopping programs and traditional retail stores.

Findings

Five causal relationships among impulse buying and interaction tendencies in both television and retail settings and TV shopping program browsing duration proposed in this study were confirmed through structural equation modeling.

Research limitations/implications

This study adds valuable empirical findings to the literature on the distribution channel relationship by examining buying behavior of multichannel customers as well as some theoretical implications for impulse buying‐related theories.

Originality/value

This study provides insights for customer impulse buying behavior in the multiple shopping environments.
Place‐based marketing and regional branding strategy perspectives in the California wine industry
Authors: Bruwer Johan , Johnson Ray
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore different levels of place‐based marketing in the form of region of origin strategies used by wineries in their branding efforts. The overall aim is to obtain insights into wine consumer dynamics such as product involvement level, consumption frequency and differences between segments on the basis of gender and age from a regional branding perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection took place by means of a highly‐structured online survey of wine consumers across the USA. The request to participate was directed to legal wine drinking age people of 21 years and older to 9,922 e‐mail boxes that yielded a response rate of 5.7 percent, finally resulting in 570 usable surveys.

Findings

Consumers used regional branding cues, information and images in their assessment and valuation of comparative wine labels. Almost without exception, the addition of regional information on a wine label increased consumer confidence in the quality of the product.

Research limitations/implications

Any follow‐on work to the study should also include a broader sampling of consumer types throughout the USA and comparisons made with the study to assess the validity of generalising the results here.

Practical implications

Regional branding efforts should be targeted at high wine product involvement consumers rather than their low involvement counterparts, as high involvement consumers are likely to be more influenced by brand‐based cues.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to academic readers, wine industry practitioners and regional trade and tourism associations and other commercial entities that market their products with regional branding cues.
Identification, uniqueness and art consumption among bicultural consumers
Authors: Zolfagharian Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how bicultural consumers differ from monocultural consumers in terms of personality traits and identity negotiation.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a multidisciplinary literature review, some anecdotally and qualitatively supported differences between biculturals and monoculturals are reviewed and formulated as hypotheses, and a survey is used to collect quantitative data from a mixed random‐purposeful sample.

Findings

Relative to monoculturals, biculturals exhibit greater concern about their acceptability within pertinent reference groups and society at large; have comparable levels of need for uniqueness and art enthusiasm; and consume more artwork as a means and in the process of their routine negotiation of (ethnic) identity. Ethnicity, need for social acceptability, need for group identification, and art enthusiasm are predictors of artwork consumption. Ethnicity, in particular, is a key precursor of artwork consumption.

Research limitations/implications

As a starting‐point for understanding the bicultural consumer, the study is subject to exploratory research limitations.

Originality/value

As partial manifestations of globalization, businesses are challenged today in several ways by the rise and proliferation of the bicultural neotribe. Businesses do not have to fall victim to these challenges; they can turn them around and strategically leverage them as marketplace opportunities. The study provides some early insights that can help businesses to leverage such opportunities.
The importance of product aspects in choice: the influence of demographic characteristics
Authors: Creusen Mariëlle E.H.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

A focus on product aspects that are most important to target consumers helps communicating product advantage to consumers, both in product design and in marketing. In previous studies, relations between the importance of functional and expressive product aspects and gender, age and social class have been indicated. However, knowledge of the relation of demographic variables to more specific product aspects is more informative for product development and marketing purposes. The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the relative importance of product aspects for different consumer groups as important information for product development and marketing. This study seeks to identify relations between gender, age, education and income, and the importance of aesthetic aspects, symbolic aspects, functionalities, ease of use and quality in buying a product.

Design/methodology/approach

Consumers (n=247) covering a range in age, gender, education and income, indicated the importance of several product aspects in the purchase decision for ten differentiated product categories. Next to relations between demographic variables and product aspect importances, the influence of social significance of the product category on these relations was assessed.

Findings

A number of significant relations between age, gender, education and income and the importance of aesthetic and symbolic aspects, functionalities, ease of use and quality in making a purchase decision have been found.

Originality/value

Relationships of several demographic variables with more specific product aspects – namely aesthetic, symbolic, functionalities, ease of use and quality – have been identified. Knowledge of these relations will help companies to better adjust their products and marketing efforts to fit consumer preferences.
Attitudes of migrants towards foreign‐made products: an exploratory study of migrants in Australia
Authors: Poon Patrick , Evangelista Felicitas , Albaum Gerald
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the attitudes of Asian and Western migrants and native‐borns in Australia toward foreign‐made products and the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on attitude formation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was designed as a personal interview survey using shopping mall intercepts. A total of 206 consumers were asked to indicate their preferences for foreign‐made versus Australian‐made products for five diverse products. Respondents also responded to a short version of the CETSCALE, a scale measuring consumer ethnocentrism. Respondents were classified as Australian‐born, Asian‐born migrants, or Western‐born migrants.

Findings

Consumer ethnocentrism is negatively related to attitudes toward foreign‐made products for both overseas‐born (Asian and Western) migrants and local‐born Australians. Asian‐born migrants reported a significantly lower level of consumer ethnocentrism than both of the other respondent groups. Within the Western migrant group, males had a significantly higher level of ethnocentrism than females; there was no significant difference between genders in the other two respondent groups. For migrants, the number of years living in Australia is positively related to ethnocentrism. Age is related to ethnocentrism for all sample groups.

Originality/value

The study contributes to knowledge about ethnic marketing to migrant groups and consumer ethnocentrism, especially for Australia, in which migrants represent a large share of its population. Thus, it could very well serve as a model of “things to come” in other countries that experience large immigration inflows. This is the first study to look at ethnocentrism and attitudes toward country‐of‐origin of products of migrants and locally‐born people.
A qualitative study of mother‐adolescent daughter‐vicarious role model consumption interactions
Authors: Gavish Yossi , Shoham Aviv , Ruvio Ayalla
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purposes of this research are to examine the extent to which daughters view their mothers as consumption role models, the extent to which daughters serve as consumption role models for their mothers, and the extent to which external role models are shared by mothers and their adolescent daughters.

Design/methodology/approach

Two qualitative studies focused on mothers‐adolescent daughters‐vicarious role models interactions as drivers of consumption behaviors in Western cultures. Study 1 included 20 in‐depth interviews with mothers and their adolescent daughters (conducted separately). Study 2 included five of the original dyads interviewed jointly and observed in fashion stores.

Findings

Regarding adolescent daughters' use as role models and fashion markers for their mothers, most mothers confirmed that their adolescent daughters' fashion opinion was very important. Second, based on consumer socialization arguments, mothers served as role models for their adolescent daughters. Most dyads shop for fashion items together and in the same stores. Regarding the issue of cognitive versus chronological ages, the studies suggest that there is a gap between mothers' cognitive and chronological ages in support of cognitive age theory and the youthfulness ideal of Western cultures. Notably, such a gap mostly failed to materialize for adolescent daughters. Hence, consumption similarity appears to be driven more by the gap for mothers than the gap for daughters. Finally, external role models such as celebrities did not have a great influence on mothers or their adolescent daughters.

Originality/value

The research used in‐depth interviews with and in‐store observation of mothers and adolescent daughters. Future research might use similar interviews with younger daughters. Another extension of the work reported here that can provide triangulation for the findings is to change from a qualitative to a quantitative methodology.
The grandparent consumer: a financial “goldmine” with gray hair?
Authors: Tootelian Dennis H. , Varshney Sanjay B.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research study is to examine how significant the grandparent market is, their spending on grandchildren, and whether the marketing is sustainable over time. The “grandparent” is an important segment of the senior population, projected to grow to 25.9 per cent of the population by 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

A telephone survey of 500 grandparents was conducted using a randomized sampling plan. Purchasing levels were designed to cover six product/service categories in which grandparents might be more inclined to spend: non‐gift card presents, gift cards, school supplies, entertainment and travel, and financial investments.

Findings

The findings indicate that grandparents represent a high attractive market. Nearly all grandparents (94.8 per cent) spend money on their grandchildren – nearly $975 per year. This makes the total market more than $54.5 billion annually, or $149.4 million per day, in just the product/service categories included in the study. Furthermore, grandparent spending increases with the age of the grandparent, the number of times they see their grandchildren, the number and ages of their grandchildren.

Originality/value

Given the size of the market and the spending power of grandparents, companies would be justified in directing considerable resources to targeting grandparents for goods and services for their grandchildren. While seniors may have limited spending capabilities, they appear willing to reallocate their funds to grandchildren.
Selective marketing to environmentally concerned wine consumers: a case for location, gender and age
Authors: Barber Nelson , Taylor D. Christopher , Strick Sandy
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to segment the respondents using their location, gender and age as well as their statements about environmental involvement, knowledge and attitudes as the basis for selective marketing classification.

Design/methodology/approach

A URL link was sent to the 2,000 members of the Society of Wine Educators. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the main and interaction effects of the independent categorical variables on multiple dependent interval variables.

Findings

The results offer insights when considering selective marketing. First, a distinct, measurable, substantial market segment for ecological products was identified, namely: the Millennial male with strong environmental attitudes. Second, residence has an influence on the strength of respondents' environmental attitudes.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample represents most of the states, members of the Society of Wine Educators are individuals that are highly involved with wine as a product and thus may not represent the entire population of the USA.

Practical implications

Consumers bring to the purchasing decision varying types of attitudes and beliefs. Understanding how environmental knowledge and attitude, when consumers are segmented by location, gender and age, can be used in selective marketing in the service industry to aid in designing promotional plans; whether the product of choice is a vacation resort, hotel or tourism destination such as a winery.

Originality/value

The contribution of the research is to broaden the understanding of environmental concerns and the role location, gender, and age play for marketers when considering the selective marketing concepts discussed by Inskeep and Dolnicar and Leisch.
The aging of Aquarius
Authors: Ferguson Rick , Brohaugh Bill
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to remind loyalty marketers to harness the power of the often‐forgotten generation that truly values brand loyalty – the Baby boomers.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach take the form of exploring Boomers' demographics and influence on the marketing community and outlining some of the best practices to which marketers can look when building programs and offers for Boomers.

Findings

By 2010, one‐third of the US population will be over 50; by 2020, one in five Americans will be over 65. In the near future, the oldest segment of the US economy will control the largest share of the US economy and marketers will be wise to make 50+ consumers visible in their marketing strategies. Boomers will find the brands that resonate with them and continue to fuel revenue and growth for years to come.

Practical implications

If one has established a relationship with Boomer customers and one has maintained the integrity of those relationships, they will stay with one for years to come. The biggest mistake one can make is to change one's offers and messaging to them just because they hit retirement age.

Originality/value

The paper presents exclusive interviews with representatives from some of the largest marketing firms in the industry today. Tangible tips and tools to utilize in the real world marketing plans are offered.