title: Chinese consumers and shellfish: Associations between perception, quality, attitude and consumption

authors: Wang, Ou

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: This study explores the associations between Chinese consumers’ product attribute perceptions and their quality perceptions, attitudes and consumptions toward shellfish. It also presents information regarding their consumption, attitudes and segmentation for twelve shellfish species. Data was collected through an online survey with 643 consumers from three cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Chongqing. Chinese consumers had low consumption but positive attitudes toward the twelve shellfish species and two consumer segments were recognized: frequent-eaters (42%) and less-frequent-eaters (58%). Significant differences were found in personal income, occupation and attitudes toward specific shellfish species between these two segments. The consumption of shellfish was positively linked to ‘familiarity’ and negatively linked with ‘purchase convenience’, ‘safety’ and ‘consumption place (home)’. The attitude toward shellfish was positively associated with ‘familiarity’, ‘sensory attributes’, ‘consumption accompany’ and ‘consumption place (restaurant)’. The quality perception of shellfish was positively linked with ‘freshness’, ‘ethic’ and ‘mood’. There were differences in the product attribute perceptions associated with quality perceptions, attitudes and consumption toward shellfish between the two consumer segments.

text: Chinese consumers and shellfish: Associations between perception, quality, attitude and consumption This study explores the associations between Chinese consumers’ product attribute perceptions and their quality perceptions, attitudes and consumptions toward shellfish. It also presents information regarding their consumption, attitudes and segmentation for twelve shellfish species. Data was collected through an online survey with 643 consumers from three cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Chongqing. Chinese consumers had low consumption but positive attitudes toward the twelve shellfish species and two consumer segments were recognized: frequent-eaters (42%) and less-frequent-eaters (58%). Significant differences were found in personal income, occupation and attitudes toward specific shellfish species between these two segments. The consumption of shellfish was positively linked to ‘familiarity’ and negatively linked with ‘purchase convenience’, ‘safety’ and ‘consumption place (home)’. The attitude toward shellfish was positively associated with ‘familiarity’, ‘sensory attributes’, ‘consumption accompany’ and ‘consumption place (restaurant)’. The quality perception of shellfish was positively linked with ‘freshness’, ‘ethic’ and ‘mood’. There were differences in the product attribute perceptions associated with quality perceptions, attitudes and consumption toward shellfish between the two consumer segments.

year: 2018

title: Users of open source software: How do they get help?

authors: Singh, Vandana

subjects: computer science

abstract: A study was conducted across multiple open source software online technical help communities. This paper presents the types of discussions that occur, the types of questions asked and the type of responses that are given. The implications for socio-technical design are considered, exploring how help requests and discussions can be used to improve future help-giving, documentation and interface and functionality redesign.

text: Users of open source software: How do they get help? A study was conducted across multiple open source software online technical help communities. This paper presents the types of discussions that occur, the types of questions asked and the type of responses that are given. The implications for socio-technical design are considered, exploring how help requests and discussions can be used to improve future help-giving, documentation and interface and functionality redesign.

year: 2009

title: ‘Let’s Get Wild’: Sensuous Geographies of Kāwhia Kai and Hokitika Wildfoods Festivals in Aōtearoa New Zealand

authors: Modlik, Melanie

subjects: Food Festivals

abstract: Food Festivals allow communities to celebrate local food and drink. This original thesis examines the mutual relationship between food festival organisers, festival attendees and festival spaces. Two unique New Zealand regional food festivals – Kāwhia Kai on the West Coast of the North Island and Wildfoods Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island - are critically examined. The research addresses three questions. First, how do these food festivals construct their locations and vice versa? Second, in what ways do food festivals contribute to place identity? And, third, how do food festival attendees sensually experience the festivals?
The concept of embodiment provides the overarching framework for this research. With academic interests in both tourism and geography, I weave understandings of culinary tourism, festivals, tourist embodied experiences, sensuality, visercality and abjection to address my research questions. I use this theoretical ‘toolbox’ alongside qualitative methodological approaches which enable research participants to express their embodied experiences and emotions. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with festival organisers and food stall holders. Participant ‘sensing’ was carried out in both Kāwhia and Hokitika. In thinking about the social, cultural and ‘felt’ aspects of food, I also use my own body as an instrument of research. Promotional texts were collected and all data analysed using critical discourse analysis.
The empirical material is divided into two themes. The first theme focuses on location and place identity. Concepts of ‘place attachment’ and ‘sense of belonging’ construct food festival regions. The formation of ‘new colonial’ and ‘new Māori’ traditions is another way in which these food festivals created unique place identities. The second theme highlights the embodied experiences and spaces of both food festivals. Bodily senses, place and spaces are created through visceral and abject reactions to food experiences.
Food festivals have the potential to enhance the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of regional communities. The success of food festivals, however, is dependent on multi-sensual embodied experiences.

text: ‘Let’s Get Wild’: Sensuous Geographies of Kāwhia Kai and Hokitika Wildfoods Festivals in Aōtearoa New Zealand Food Festivals allow communities to celebrate local food and drink. This original thesis examines the mutual relationship between food festival organisers, festival attendees and festival spaces. Two unique New Zealand regional food festivals – Kāwhia Kai on the West Coast of the North Island and Wildfoods Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island - are critically examined. The research addresses three questions. First, how do these food festivals construct their locations and vice versa? Second, in what ways do food festivals contribute to place identity? And, third, how do food festival attendees sensually experience the festivals?
The concept of embodiment provides the overarching framework for this research. With academic interests in both tourism and geography, I weave understandings of culinary tourism, festivals, tourist embodied experiences, sensuality, visercality and abjection to address my research questions. I use this theoretical ‘toolbox’ alongside qualitative methodological approaches which enable research participants to express their embodied experiences and emotions. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with festival organisers and food stall holders. Participant ‘sensing’ was carried out in both Kāwhia and Hokitika. In thinking about the social, cultural and ‘felt’ aspects of food, I also use my own body as an instrument of research. Promotional texts were collected and all data analysed using critical discourse analysis.
The empirical material is divided into two themes. The first theme focuses on location and place identity. Concepts of ‘place attachment’ and ‘sense of belonging’ construct food festival regions. The formation of ‘new colonial’ and ‘new Māori’ traditions is another way in which these food festivals created unique place identities. The second theme highlights the embodied experiences and spaces of both food festivals. Bodily senses, place and spaces are created through visceral and abject reactions to food experiences.
Food festivals have the potential to enhance the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of regional communities. The success of food festivals, however, is dependent on multi-sensual embodied experiences.

year: 2015