bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internet addiction among Turkish young consumers
Authors: Aslanbay Yonca , Aslanbay Muhiddin , Çobanoğlu Emine 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to profile young Turkish consumers by segmenting them over internet addiction.Design/methodology/approachTo profile the segments, the study analyses the internet addiction and its preceding factors among 313 Turkish high school internet user students, aged 15‐18 years old, selected on a convenience basis. The data of this descriptive study were collected by a structured questionnaire. The relationship among internet addiction and the preceding factors; demographics, internet use hours, purpose of internet use, other media consumption, gratification of internet use are examined.FindingsTV consumption, internet use hours, three purposes of internet use factors as “social navigation”, “targeted navigation”, “download”, besides four gratification factors namely “diversion and means”, “improve one self”, “virtual relationship”, “virtual community” were found to explain 40 percent of variation in internet addiction. The model was tested with structural equation modeling (SEM). Then the students were clustered based on internet addiction and were profiled by the preceding factors as defined in the resulting model.Research limitations/implicationThe research is limited to young people in Turkey using a convenience sample with a questionnaire methodology. Future research could extend the cultural base and utilize other methods.Originality/valueThis is a pioneering study for internet use in Turkey. In the near future, an increase in Internet use will be expected. The paper helps Turkish marketers be aware of the Internet use experience of their young consumers.
Use of persuasion knowledge by the millennial generation
Authors: Henrie Kenneth M. , Taylor D. Christopher 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to empirically test the use of persuasion knowledge among the millennial generation.Design/methodology/approachCollege aged students were randomly assigned into two groups and given scenarios where one was designed for persuasion knowledge to be more likely utilized by consumers, and a second where is was less likely to use it. The respondents were exposed to a scripted sales scenario and their perceptions of the salesperson were measured. It was hypothesized that millennial consumers using persuasion knowledge were more likely to develop negative affective and cognitive attitudes toward the salesperson, and were less likely to develop purchase intentions than those not using persuasion knowledge. Factor analysis was used to confirm that three dimensions existed, and a follow‐up MANOVA/t‐test was used to measure the differences between the two treatment groups.FindingsAll three hypotheses were supported. Millennial consumers that feel compelled to cope with the salesperson's tactics were significantly more likely to develop negative perceptions of the salesperson, and were less likely to buy than other consumers.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited in scope, as it was designed to be a basic sales interaction with a retail salesperson. Future research is needed to identify millennial's use of persuasion knowledge in a variety of sales environments, and for different types of products.Originality/valueThis was the first study to provide empirical evidence supporting the use of persuasion knowledge by younger consumers.
How consumers value online personalization: a longitudinal experiment
Authors: de Pechpeyrou Pauline 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe ability to acquire and process consumer information online has provided web‐based vendors with the ability to personalize their merchandising at a very low cost. However, empirically establishing the expected positive effect of personalized merchandising has been difficult for practical as well as financial reasons. The aim of this paper is to compare the effectiveness of personalized vs random merchandising on consumers' attitudes and behaviors.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal subject experiment comparing standardized vs personalized merchandising was adopted. A fictitious web site was created for the purposes of the study.FindingsPersonalized items led to more clicks than random suggestions. Moreover, a positive attitude towards personalization enhanced the attitude towards the web site.Research limitations/implicationsEven if credibility was enhanced thanks to the web site design, the research suffered from a lack of external validity. Additionally, the procedure prevented us from observing any potential effect on basket size.Practical implicationsA strategy of personalizing the content appeared to be relevant for web site managers. They should use “close” recommendations rather than “broad” recommendations and present a moderate number of personalized suggestions.Originality/valueThe research is one of the few online experiments with a longitudinal perspective, which is considered necessary when studying consumers' reactions to the personalization “process”.
Examining beliefs and attitudes toward online advertising among Chinese consumers
Authors: Wang Ying , Sun Shaojing , Lei Weizhen , Toncar Mark 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate beliefs about and attitudes toward online advertising (ATOA) among Chinese consumers and the relationship between belief factors, ATOA, and consumers' behavioral responses to online advertising.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from students of a large metropolitan university in China. A total of 202 questionnaires provided usable data and were analyzed using AMOS.FindingsFive belief factors that underlie Chinese consumers' ATOA were identified: entertainment, information seeking, credibility, economy, and value corruption. Information seeking, economy and value corruption were significant predictors of ATOA. ATOA was found to be a significant positive predictor of ad clicking and online shopping frequency.Practical implicationsGlobal marketers would benefit from understanding how consumers from a booming emerging market perceive the internet as a source of advertising. Thus, the study will enable businesses and organizations to use online advertising more effectively and efficiently in their global marketing efforts.Originality/valueInvestigating Chinese ATOA extends current research on ATOA to a distinctly different cultural context and may provide useful implications about expanding business across cultures.
Influences on free samples usage within the luxury cosmetic market
Authors: Ben Amor Insaf , Guilbert Francis 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe goals of this paper are to determine the effectiveness of product sampling in terms of usage, to draw a consumer profile who is reactive to free samples and to determine product characteristics that would lead to free samples usage.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment and a questionnaire inquiry were conducted. An outlet database was also used. Perfume, skin care and make‐up samples were given away to 500 women. In order to test the hypotheses logit models were employed.FindingsLaunching product sampling campaigns is quite effective as free samples usage appears to be high (72 per cent). Managers should give away samples of new products involving important advertising budgets. They also should offer samples of product types with a high‐penetration rate. In addition, it is better to sample well‐known brands rather than unknown ones. Moreover, the authors recommend targeting family brand users when offering free samples. Also, it is not profitable to target consumers with low‐annual spending within the product category. Finally, the authors suggest giving away samples to non‐working housewives.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to examine the determinants of free samples usage. Moreover, the study considers three methods of data collection. Finally, it has interesting practical and theoretical implications.
Do China's “national team” business groups undertake strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI?
Authors: Sutherland Dylan 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the contribution of China's largest business groups to China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), looking particularly at the question of whether they contribute to strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI.Design/methodology/approachIt uses national‐level data and business group OFDI data to explore the sectors from which OFDI originates and destinations to which it is sent. From this conclusions are drawn as to the types of investments being made.FindingsIn the national context strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI from China has been rather limited to date. Instead, OFDI expansion still appears more closely linked to China's expansion as a trading nation with a natural resource deficit. Strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI when it does take place, moreover, is orchestrated to a large extent through large state controlled business groups, as is much other OFDI.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of this research is the reliance on official data and the assumed simplification that most strategic‐asset‐seeking OFDI is concentrated in the manufacturing industries.Practical implicationsMore attention should be paid to the role of these select business groups as they play a significant part in China's OFDI.Originality/valueThere is a growing presumption that much of China's OFDI is strategic‐asset‐seeking in nature and that new theories are required to explain this trend. Many firm‐level studies, however, rely upon just a few high‐profile but unrepresentative cases. This paper redresses this imbalance. It also shows that China's largest trial business groups have played an important role in her OFDI to date.
The internationalization of Chinese companies
Authors: Schüler‐Zhou Yun , Schüller Margot 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a critical perspective on China's official outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) data, commonly used in most research on the internationalization of Chinese companies. Owing to the deficiencies of China's statistical system, official OFDI data leave us with only a limited understanding of the pattern of Chinese OFDI in general and cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in particular.Design/methodology/approachBased on a theoretical discussion of the internationalization of companies, some propositions about the development pattern of Chinese M&As are derived. This study uses the Dealogic database, which covers Chinese cross‐border M&As during the period from January 1999 to May 2007 in order to analyse the development trend, geographical destination, sectoral distribution, and equity participation of Chinese cross‐border M&As.FindingsFirst, the growth of China's OFDI has not been as fast as expected, while the development of cross‐border M&As has been very impressive. Second, although official OFDI statistics reveal that Asia remains the most important investment destination, our M&A data analysis shows that the developed countries in the West have attracted most Chinese cross‐border M&A investments. Third, in contrast to the official OFDI statistics, our findings reveal a heavy concentration of M&As in mining and manufacturing. Finally, our cross‐border M&A data suggest that Chinese companies predominantly seek high‐level equity participation in the acquired target companies abroad.Originality/valueThis paper fills a gap in the study of the development pattern of Chinese cross‐border M&A investments and offers a complementary view and a better understanding of the internationalization of Chinese companies.
Isomorphic or not?
Authors: Yang Monica 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether isomorphism and mimetic, coercive, and normative mechanisms apply to cross‐border mergers and acquisitions initiated by Chinese firms. Unlike prior studies, the paper aims to identify multiple bases for imitation of firm strategy and verify: whether the degree of conformity in the multiple bases of firm strategy increases over time; and how mimetic, coercive, and normative pressures affect the degree of conformity.Design/methodology/approachHypotheses are tested on a sample of 1,004 cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) initiated by 671 Chinese firms from 1985 to 2006. The four decisions for imitation in cross‐border M&As are based on: the product relatedness between the acquiring and target firms; the location of the target firm; the ownership structure; and the size of the deal.FindingsThe results show that not all decisions on cross‐border M&As react to forces of conformity in the same way. Overtime, the overall degree of conformity in cross‐border M&As decreases. Factors that significantly affect the degree of conformity include the experiences of failure other firms in the industry, regulatory changes, and membership or entry into the World Trade Organization.Originality/valueThis paper re‐examines the concept of isomorphism and explores the conditions under which firms from emergent markets conform to others' decisions.
China's national system of innovation and uneven technological trajectory
Authors: Fuller Douglas B. 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the limitations of the national system of innovation (NSI) approach in countries in developing economies with at best incomplete sets of market institutions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employed a grounded theory approach using semi‐structured interviews to explore a case study of one industry segment (the IC design industry segment) in one developing economy, China.FindingsThis paper argues that developing countries have institutions beyond the national system that can affect science and technology activities. Owing to co‐ethnic transnational technology networks and the politics of finance, China's firms experience distinct patterns of performance not explained by the NSI framework. A particular type of foreign firm, the hybrid foreign‐invested enterprise, combines foreign finance with commitment to China to drive China's technological development. Other firms, particularly those closely tied to the Chinese state, contribute less or even negatively to China's development. Strong ties to the state in the context of China actually undermine the incentive for innovation.Originality/valueThis paper deconstructs both NSI and the idea of national political economies more broadly. The paper also offers value in presenting a detailed case study of on‐the‐ground innovation and upgrading in China.
Developing a framework of success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs
Authors: Abdullah Firdaus , Hamali Jamil , Rahman Deen Abdul , Saban Gluma , Zainoren Abg Abdurahman Abg 
Published: March 2009

PurposeEntrepreneurship in developing countries is arguably the least studied significant economic and social phenomenon. Previous studies focused on describing the attributes of entrepreneurship rather than providing a framework, in which entrepreneurs and policy makers alike can rationally plan and execute innovative business models. Current issues facing Malaysian entrepreneurs include low level of technology, lack of innovation through research and development, low working capital, and of highly domestic orientations. This led to a lack of resilience and efficiency among the entrepreneurs, thus rendering them ill‐equipped to compete globally. This adverse scenario is increasingly apparent among Bumiputera (Native of Malaysia) entrepreneurs as the growth of entrepreneurial activity has not been in tandem with the pace of the overall development of the nation. Hence, this study seeks to identify factors leading to success and failure so that Bumiputera entrepreneurs can prevent failure by correcting problems, and appreciate what it takes to succeed. Ultimately, a framework of success is proposed as a comprehensive tool to enhance their survival in a competitive global economy.Design/methodology/approachA survey instrument was used, and a total of 1,500 Bumiputera entrepreneurs participated, covering all the states in Malaysia.FindingsThe findings confirmed that eight factors are vital to the success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs. In rank order of importance, these factors are advancement drive, achievement oriented, commitment, decision‐making ability, managing risk, tenacity, networking, and optimism. As for the factors leading to the failure of Bumiputera entrepreneurs, inability to compete, lack of competency and capital, customer‐related problems, employee‐related problems, unfavourable economic conditions, bureaucracy, supplier discrimination, and negative community attitudes were found to be crucial.Originality/valueThe paper develops a framework to aid the success of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
Export‐oriented small and medium industry clusters in Indonesia
Authors: Tambunan Tulus 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe Indonesian government has been trying to support the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country, as these enterprises are expected to play a crucial role not only for employment creation but also for GDP formation and export development. The paper aims to address the following three questions. First, are networks important for the development of SME clusters, especially for those involved in export activities? Second, in what type of clusters are networks well developed? Third, what is the role of government; does it also play as an important network for SME cluster development?Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on an ongoing research on the importance of networks in the development of export‐oriented SME clusters in Indonesia. Although the paper also discusses other important issues related to the development of SMEs in the country, i.e. constraints facing the enterprises and women entrepreneurs, the paper focuses on the importance of networks.FindingsFirst, SMEs are of overwhelming importance to Indonesia because they account for more than 90 percent of all firms outside of the agricultural sector. Second, the main constraints faced by small entrepreneurs are, lack of finance and difficulties in marketing. Third, the representation of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia is still relatively low which can be attributed to various factors, e.g. low level of education and lack of training opportunities that make Indonesian women severely disadvantaged in both the economy and society. Finally, although in general Indonesia is not well represented with small and medium industrial clusters that feed into global commodity chains, some clusters have gradually become export‐oriented. Among many factors, well developed networks especially with traders, trading houses, and foreign tourists are indeed an important factor for their increasingly export activities. Even these agents have played more important role than supports from government for their successful export.Originality/valueThe paper examines the importance of networks for the export‐oriented SME clusters in Indonesia.
Case study: Al Amana of Morocco
Authors: McPhee Chantal , St‐Onge Annette 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe United Nations General Assembly adopted 2005 as the Year of Microcredit, recognizing the link between inclusive financial systems and the economic development of those most at need. Microcredit, or more broadly microfinance (MF) has a role to play in facilitating growth through the provision of credit to entrepreneurs. Association Al Amana for the Promotion of Micro‐Enterprises Morocco (Al Amana) is an unusually successful microfinance institution (MFI) registered as a non‐profit organization in Morocco. Starting in 1997, with capital provided by USAID, it has grown to become the leading MFI within Morocco and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It has seen rapid growth in clients and assets while also reaching a level of financial sustainability uncommon among MFIs. Why has Al Amana been so successful? This paper will seek to examine this question, highlighting key internal and external factors that have contributed to this organization's success.Design/methodology/approachFurther, this analysis will examine Al Amana within its regional enabling environment to highlight those critical issues within an entrepreneurial finance climate that are conducive to MF lending. Additional analysis of Al Amana includes a review of their portfolio, key financial indicators, and other bank strategies that have been instrumental in their financial growth and success. Lastly, the analysis will conclude with a discussion of the key factors that will become important to the sustainability and growth of this MFI as it serves the needs of entrepreneurs in Morocco. The methodology for the research consisted of a literature review of MFI activity in Morocco and the MENA region, an examination of key elements within the enabling environment, and a financial review of Al Amana and its key financial results.FindingsThe results of the research provide a case study of a successful MFI that is contributing to the development of entrepreneurs in its region. It will also highlight the specific organizational factors as well as key elements in the enabling environment that have facilitated the success of Al Amana.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the success of Al Amana in Morocco and presents some of the challenges facing the organization.
Credit delivery and sustainability of micro‐credit schemes in Nigeria
Authors: Obamuyi Tomola M. 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of access to credit through micro‐credit institutions on entrepreneurial performance and assesses the loan performance of public credit schemes in Nigeria in order to determine the sustainability of such schemes.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed qualitative approach and exploratory perspective, using primary and secondary data obtained at beneficiary and institutional levels.FindingsThe loan repayment rates were generally low for many of the schemes, and this confirms the problems of public sector lending, with implications for the sustainability of the schemes. Many reasons were given for the low repayment rates, among which were poor credit culture of the schemes managed by public sector and the attitudinal nature of Nigerians towards public funds.Practical implicationsThere is a need for policy makers, researchers and entrepreneurs to improve on the designing of micro‐credit schemes in order to be sustainable.Originality/valueThis paper makes a first step towards comparing the performance of public and private micro‐credit schemes in Nigeria.
Economic openness and rural communities in Guatemala
Authors: Nicolás Cabrera‐Schneider José 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe some effects of the economic policies implemented by the Guatemalan government on rural communities.Design/methodology/approachA comparison of the trends in corn prices over time between Guatemala and the USA was used to determine which year the impact of economic openness policies began. Then, changes in the area harvested of corn and other agricultural products and diet composition and consumption patterns over this time period were used to assess effects on rural communities.FindingsThe trend in Guatemala's corn price and the trend in the US's corn price are similar in the period from 1988 to 2005. There has been a reduction of in the area of corn harvested and an increase in the area harvested of other agricultural products for 1980‐2005. Also, it appears that there has been a change in the food energy consumption, food proteins source and caloric intake Guatemalans.Research limitations/implicationsField interviews are needed to examine in detail the specific adaptations communities have had.Practical implicationsEconomic opening policies can have an effect on cultural elements, such as corn production and the diet.Originality/valueThis paper suggests that the economic openness policies started to show their effects at the end of 1980 affecting agricultural production and the diet of Guatemalans.