bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hybrid convenience stores – the changing role of convenience stores in Taiwan
Authors: Ming‐Sung Cheng Julian , Blankson Charles , Sutikno Bayu , Wang Michael C.‐H. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe hybrid convenience store, a convenient shopping as well as dining environment, is an innovative concept in both the convenience store sector and the food service industry in Taiwan. As Taiwan has taken the lead in the development of the convenience store sector, this phenomenon deserves further investigation so as to assist convenience store operators and restaurateurs in Taiwan in formulating strategies to cope with this trend. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the facilitators of the hybrid convenience store concept accepted by consumers within the framework of Rogers' diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory.Design/methodology/approachThe data in the form of self‐completion survey are collected in MRT stations in Taipei. In total of 289 questionnaires are collected and used for data analysis.FindingsIt is found that the higher the levels of “compatibility”, “observability” and “trialability” are, the higher the likelihood that potential consumers will dine in hybrid convenience stores. It is also found that lower levels of “complexity” also increase the likelihood that potential consumers will dine in hybrid convenience stores. However, the findings do not support “relative advantage” as a facilitator.Practical implicationsThe research findings reveal that consumers in urban areas of Taiwan have gradually accepted the innovative concept of dining in hybrid convenience stores. According to the findings, a number of strategies might be applied in order to facilitate the adoption of the dining concept in hybrid convenience stores by potential consumers in Taiwan. For example, the dining process of fast food restaurants can be possible to emulate; having meals on a trial basis can be applied; TV commercials and word of mouth marketing strategies can also be employed.Originality/valueThis paper extends/validates the DOI theory in the Taiwanese convenience store sector and as a consequence, this paper serves as a basic building block in the formulation of pertinent marketing strategies geared toward sustaining and/or increasing consumer patronage in hybrid convenience stores.
Marron growing: a Western Australian rural niche market?
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel 
Published: July 2009

PurposeMarron growing is practiced in some regions of Western Australia where this crustacean is a native species, and offers potential opportunities to be marketed as a delicacy and also to blend with other industries, including tourism, contributing to the marketing of a region. While these opportunities exist, to date little is known about the extent to which marron growing is meaningful to local entrepreneurs in commercial terms, their level of involvement with this industry, or constraints they may face. This paper aims to examine these dimensions to illustrate marron's importance for the areas where they are grown.Design/methodology/approachA total of 26 small marron growers accepted the invitation to participate in semi‐structured face‐to‐face and telephone interviews.FindingsOperators' comments illustrate the significant potential for marron to become both a niche market product as well as a rural niche market that helps promote the area where they are grown. However, growing marron as a full‐time activity is still very limited; in fact, many respondents grow marron marginally and as an extra income stream because of the crustacean's current high commercial value, thus suggesting the industry's current developmental stage.Research limitations/implicationsWith some 200 marron growers in Western Australia, the number of participating operations is limited to make generalisations of the industry.Practical implicationsWith growing consumer sophistication, knowledge and interest in gourmet foods, the findings not only have implications for the marron growing industry, but also for hospitality and tourism, particularly in view of marron growing's potential to blend with these industries.Originality/valueThe study provides several insights into an unexplored area, marron growing and provides several areas for future research.
Novel layout technique for on‐chip inductance minimization
Authors: Dao V.T.S. , Etoh T.G. , Tanaka M. , Akino T. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to minimize on‐chip inductance effect for modern very large‐scale integration (VLSI), ultra large‐scale integration (ULSI) systems.Design/methodology/approachAs operating frequency increases, parasitic inductance has become a major concern for electronic design on both delay and coupling noises. The impacts of on‐chip inductance are strongly associated with higher frequency operation, denser interconnect geometry, reductions of resistance, and capacitance of interconnects. The paper presents a novel layout technique – opposing inter‐digitating routing, to generate magnetic fields in opposing directions; consequently, effective magnetic field is minimized, or inductance effect is reduced. To prove the effectiveness of these approaches, 3D field solver FastHenry is used to extract inductance data and verify the results.FindingsVerification shows that this proposed method gives more than ten times reduction in self‐inductance while mutual inductance reduces even faster, without incurring any area and resource penalty.Originality/valueThe proposed technique can be used effectively to minimize inductance effects in the design of modern interconnect structures. This technique is shown to be highly effective for inductance reduction in wide signal buses which are used frequently in global buses, critical data path or clock distribution networks of VLSI and ULSI systems.
Exploiting narrow values for faster parity generation
Authors: Onur Koçberber Yusuf , Osmanlıoğlu Yusuf , Ergin Oğuz 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reduce parity generation latency if the input value is narrow.Design/methodology/approachSoft errors caused by cosmic particles and radiation emitted by the packaging are important problems in contemporary microprocessors. Parity bits are used to detect single bit errors that occur in the storage components. In order to implement parity logic, multiple levels of XOR gates are used and these XOR trees are known to have high delay. Many produced and consumed values inside a processor hold consecutive zeros and ones in their upper order bits. These values can be represented with less number of bits and hence are termed narrow. In this paper, a parity generator circuit design is proposed that is capable of generating parity if the input value is narrow. It is shown that the parity can be generated faster than a regular XOR tree implementation using this design for the values that can be represented using fewer bits.FindingsThe proposed technique reduces the parity generation latency of 64‐bit values by 50 percent for eight‐bit narrow values. Considering the fact that around 70 percent of the immediate values written to the immediate field of the issue queue and around 40 percent of the value written to the integer register file can be expressed with only eight bits, the coverage of the proposed scheme is quite high.Originality/valueThis paper shows the simulation results of fast parity generator circuit if the input value is narrow.
Micro‐flow sensor for water using NTC thick film segmented thermistors
Authors: Aleksic O.S. , Savic S.M. , Nikolic M.V. , Sibinoski L. , Lukovic  
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply negative thermal coefficient (NTC) thick film segmented thermistors (TFSTs) in a micro‐flow sensor for water.Design/methodology/approachA TFST is printed using NTC paste based on nickel manganite. The resistance of this thermistor is measured in a climatic chamber and the resulting curves are calibrated. A micro‐flow sensor is designed using a self‐heated segmented thermistor. The sensing principle is based on heat loss depending on the water flow intensity through the capillary. Water flow calibration is performed. The sensor sensitivity, inertia, and stability are analyzed.FindingsThe micro‐flow sensor exhibits good stability, suitable sensitivity, and inertia for integral measurements of water flow.Practical implicationsAdvantages of a micro‐flow sensor using a TFST include low energy consumption, simple measuring procedure, and passive electronics.Originality/valueThis paper describes initial work on a micro‐flow sensor for water using TFSTs.
Response of Ag thick film microstrip equilateral triangular patch antenna to overlay of moisture laden soybean
Authors: Mane Vaishali , Puri Vijaya 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the Ku band microwave characteristics of moisture laden soya seeds using overlay technique.Design/methodology/approachKu band (13‐18 GHz) moisture dependent microwave permittivity, conductivity, penetration depth of moisture laden soybean (Glycine Max) using overlay on Ag thick film equilateral triangular patch antenna are studied. The change in the frequency response of the patch antenna due to change in moisture content of the soybean overlay has been used to obtain the various microwave properties.FindingsThe permittivities obtained are in the range expected of moisture laden soybean. As moisture content increases microwave dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and conductivity of soybean increases. Only the amplitude data have been used here.Originality/valueKu band characterization of soybean has been done using overlay technique. The thick film patch antenna is sensitive even to ∼4 percent moisture content in the overlay material. This can be used for even moisture sensing at low moisture levels. This paper is believed to be an original research report.
Self‐planning functions within the Japanese apparel wholesale industry
Authors: Urakami Takuya , Komiya Kazutaka , Inoguchi Junji 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to clarify what factors affect the recent trend of having self‐planning functions within Japanese apparel wholesalers.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was conducted involving Japanese apparel wholesalers and applied the probit and multinomial Logit regression analyses.FindingsThe main findings are as follows: large‐scale wholesalers who are located in urban areas tend to have their own planning functions, whereas small‐scale wholesalers who are located in rural areas tend not to have self‐planning functions and handle goods planned by other suppliers; wholesalers who handle a wide range of apparel and conduct business with retailers located in the same area tend not to have their own planning functions; the apparel wholesalers who have business dealings with many suppliers have the ability to promote themselves to the retailers; and the apparel wholesalers who have self‐planning functions tend to obtain goods from within Japan and other countries and sell goods throughout Japan.Practical implicationsSmall‐scale and rural apparel wholesalers face difficult circumstances due to their size, location and lack of self‐promotion ability. In contrast, large‐scale and urban wholesalers are able to ensure greater independence due to their size and location.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the important role of wholesalers in the Japanese apparel industry and, by using the empirical approach, can clarify factors affecting the recent trend of having self‐planning functions within Japanese apparel wholesalers.
Benchmarking consumer perceptions of retail constructs for apparel merchandisers using magnitude estimation
Authors: Noël Noel Mark 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish a measurement process for consumer perceptions and judgments of strategic importance to apparel retailers like hedonic and utilitarian shopping behavior, as well as internal process benchmarks such as apparel brands' names, store signage, and textile preferences. The paper aims to provide a simple, flexible and easy to use measurement technique that can be applied to small samples of respondents in order to capture their overall perceptions and judgments of key interest to management.Design/methodology/approachMagnitude estimation, along with a repeated measures design, was tested and evaluated based on the validation process put forth by Steven's power law. Data were collected from three focus groups whose respondents were selected based on their store loyalty and prior purchase of women's petit apparel in a discount outlet store. Their responses were benchmarked with those of other competitive discount retailers and with selected internal process measures.FindingsAll applications of the measurement technique were validated. Loyal shoppers for apparel purchased in a value store were found to have a preference to a competitive set of value stores but perceived all other discount stores as higher in store shopping experience. Findings were presented to articulate the resolution and clarity of the magnitude‐determined ratio scales versus those of typical interval scales and multi‐attribute measures.Research limitations/implicationsThe comparisons provided here are for illustrative purposes only and are based on a selected group of one company's loyal customers during a defined shopping season.Originality/valueConsumer perceptions of key interest to retail management are shown to be measured and benchmarked in a practical setting using this technique.
Predicting brand preferences
Authors: Casidy Mulyanegara Riza , Tsarenko Yelena 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to examine and compare the strength of personality and values in predicting brand preferences. It seeks to accomplish three main objectives. First, it will evaluate the strength of personality and values in predicting consumers' brand preferences. Second, it will examine whether values exercise a mediating role between personality and brand preferences. Finally, it will examine the mediating role of prestige sensitivity in influencing brand preferences.Design/methodology/approachThe study opted to use a quantitative approach involving 251 undergraduate students as the study participants. The constructs used in the study are taken from existing scales as well as self‐developed branding scales. Structural equation modeling technique is utilised for data analysis.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights about how personality and values together affect brand preferences. It suggests that values are indeed better predictors of brand preferences and exercise both direct and indirect effects on brand preferences through the mediating role of prestige sensitivity.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the self‐report method used for personality assessment, there may be bias in terms of the nature of respondents' personality as expressed in the questionnaire.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests implications for the development of a strong brand personality which can appeal to both consumer personality and values.Originality/valueThis paper poses interesting insights and empirical evidence with regard to the predictive power of personality and values on brand preferences within a fashion context.
Compulsive buying in a product specific context: clothing
Authors: Johnson Tricia , Attmann Julianne 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to investigate compulsive consumption within a product specific context (compulsive buying of clothing) using a hierarchical model adapted from Mowen and Spears.Design/methodology/approachPrevious researchers found that compulsive buyers tend to be young females who purchase clothing. Edwards' general compulsive buying scale was modified to measure compulsive clothing buying. The scale was then pre‐tested for reliability and validity. Following the pre‐test, data were collected from 228 undergraduate females to assess the relationships between compulsive clothing buying and several variables previously found to be associated with general compulsive buying: neuroticism, materialism, and fashion interest.FindingsPath analysis results revealed significant relationships between neuroticism and materialism, neuroticism and compulsive clothing buying, materialism and fashion interest, and fashion interest and compulsive clothing buying. The path between materialism and compulsive clothing buying was not significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study examined the compulsive buying of a specific product, therefore it may be valuable to study other populations to determine whether young female compulsive clothing buyers continue the behavior as they age, or potentially, begin compulsively buying products other than clothing.Originality/valueThis is the first known study to examine compulsive buying in a product specific context.
Sexual orientation and gender effects of exposure to gay‐ and lesbian‐themed fashion advertisements
Authors: Dotson Michael J. , Hyatt Eva M. , Petty Thompson Lisa 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the responses of a convenience sample of 65 heterosexual and 64 homosexual respondents to a series of fashion oriented print advertisements depicting overt or ambiguous gay male or lesbian themes.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based upon the survey responses of a group of heterosexual and homosexual university students enrolled at three universities in the southeastern United States. Advertisements selected for inclusion in the study were drawn from magazines that target this group. One advertisement representing each level of homosexual content (overtly gay male, overtly lesbian, ambiguously gay male, ambiguously lesbian) as well as one heterosexual advertisement were used in the study in a within subjects design. Paired t‐tests were used to compare mean Abrand and Aad responses across various groups.FindingsAttitude toward the ad and before‐after exposure toward the brand were compared in male and female heterosexual and homosexual respondents. Results show that heterosexual males and females prefer less overt gay male and lesbian depictions, while gay males and lesbians prefer more overt depictions of themselves, particularly gay male imagery.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examines the responses of one specific segment of the gay and lesbian population: traditional‐aged university students. Characters portrayed in the advertisements were also young people and do not represent the inherent diversity in this population. It would be desirable, therefore, to extend this study to an investigation of the broader gay and lesbian population.Practical implicationsImplications for marketers of fashion products suggest that effectual character depictions in fashion advertisements vary by both gender and sexual orientation.Originality/valueThis paper represents a cross‐sectional examination of heterosexual and homosexual responses to a series of fashion advertisements in the United States and provides useful insights to marketers of fashion products.
Consumers of charity bracelets: cause‐supporters or fashion‐followers?
Authors: Yurchisin Jennifer , Jin Kwon Yoo , Marcketti Sara B. 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare personal characteristics of buyers of rubber charity bracelets with those of non‐buyers so that a deeper understanding of the success of this cause‐related fashion product may be attained.Design/methodology/approachA convenience sample of 244 individuals in Texas and Iowa was gathered via a survey method. Items on the questionnaire were contained within three sections: assessing participants' level of fashion involvement and celebrity involvement; participants' attitudes toward the consumption of cause‐related fashion products; and demographic information.FindingsResults from this study indicated individuals who purchased rubber charity bracelets were more involved with fashion and celebrities than individuals who did not purchase rubber charity bracelets and that those who purchased the bracelets had purchased significantly more cause‐related fashion products than those who had not purchased any bracelets. Purchasers of bracelets were significantly less involved with the cause than those who had not purchased any bracelets. Purchasers did not have a significantly more positive attitude toward purchasing cause‐related fashion products than those who had not bought any bracelets.Research limitations/implicationsThe predominately female sample of young adults may not be representative of the average US consumer.Practical implicationsThis study provides useful information to manufacturers and sellers of cause‐related products. Future efforts to manufacture and sell cause‐related products should focus on developing products that incorporate fashion trends with celebrity endorsers.Originality/valueThis paper provides useful information for organizations wishing to create similarly successful cause‐related fashion products.
An investigation of salesperson appearance and organizational identification
Authors: Yurchisin Jennifer , Lynn Damhorst Mary 
Published: July 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship that exists, if any, between employee appearance and organizational identification in the context of apparel retail stores.Design/methodology/approachSalespeople from a variety of apparel retail stores were interviewed using a semi‐structured technique.FindingsSalespeople's level of identification was related to the congruency they perceived to exist between their identity and store's identity. Those who identified with their employment organization felt uncomfortable when the apparel items they wore to work were inconsistent with the store's identity. Additionally, those who identified with their employment organization did not feel uncomfortable wearing apparel items from that store to engage in activities outside of work.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to the body of literature on employee‐organization identification by providing evidence of a relationship between appearance and identification. Future research is needed to examine the relationship with a random sample of employees from additional employment contexts.Practical implicationsParticipants indicated that their level of identification was positively related to their level of job satisfaction, which in turn was negatively related to their intention to leave. Apparel retail store managers may be able to use appearance‐related factors to select employment candidates who will most likely experience identification with the apparel retail store. Furthermore, potential apparel retail salespeople should be encouraged to consider image congruency when applying for employment.Originality/valueIn this study, a first effort was made to investigate the previously hypothesized relationship between employee appearance and employee‐organization identification.