An investigation into some aspects of the efficiency of low-temperature laundering

The purpose of this research was to investigate the efficiency of laundering at low and recommended water temperatures using a heavy-duty biological detergent and a low-temperature detergent. The effectiveness of the process was measured in terms of the degree of stain/soil removal from laundered garments, and in the removal and transfer of bacteria from infected test pieces. The results indicate that with both detergents a reduction in washing efficiency occurs as the temperature of laundering is decreased, except when the difference between the recommended and low water temperature is small. Evidence was also obtained that shows that reducing wash temperatures decreases the degree of disinfection and increases the cross-infection of articles washed in the same load.     

Comparison of the washing efficiencies of a laboratory washing device (Launder‐Ometer) and of automatic household washing machines with horizontal drums

The objective of this study was to compare the cleaning result of a laboratory washing machine – Launder‐Ometer (LOM) – with that of drum‐type household washing machines, using detergent without bleaching agent, standard soiled fabrics and a colorimeter for assessing the washing result. The mechanical effect applied to the laundry in the household washers was not obtained in the LOM by increasing mechanical impact or the number of metal balls. Extended washing time did not improve removal of blood soil in the LOM, although it did increase removal of mayonnaise soil containing chlorophyll. However, in practice a washing time of 60–85 min is relatively long for a laboratory device considering the claimed time‐saving nature of these devices. None of the examined parameters affected removal of a red wine soil containing tannins, which was poor in all test combinations both in the household machines and in the laboratory washing machine. Bleaching agent is recommended for removal of this type of soil. In conclusion, conformity between washing results of the laboratory washing machine and the drum‐type household washing machines depends on the type of soiled test fabrics and other parameters in the washing process. Removal of blood soil differed most between the household machines and the LOM.     

Sexualized aspects of consumer behavior: An empirical investigation of consumer lovemaps

Sexuality has not been investigated by marketers and consumer researchers in terms of the constructs and theories developed by sex researchers. This article takes a first step in applying their approaches by investigating in an empirical study the consumer lovemap, an aspect of the more general lovemap. It focuses, in particular, on two aspects of the consumer lovemap in relation to product use, namely, the Consumer Sexual Behavior Sequence, which is a model of sexual stages, and product sexualization. In addition, it assesses the individual difference effects of the trait of erotophobia-erotophilia and of one's own sex. The results indicate that the newly introduced approaches helped to explain consumers' perceptions of the use of various products. Both managerial and future research implications are drawn. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

An empirical investigation into the alternative strategies to implement the elimination of financial services

This paper examines the strategies that financial institutions use in order to implement the elimination of financial services. Through 20 in-depth interviews with managers of British banks, insurance companies and building societies, a set of ten alternative elimination strategies was identified. A mail survey (with a stratified random sample of 112 British financial institutions) indicated that the predominant strategy is to eliminate a financial service from new customers, while leaving its existing users unconditionally unaffected. However, the results revealed that the applicability of alternative elimination strategies is situation-specific, since it varies in relation to the degree of market orientation of a financial institution, to the intensity of market competition, to the austerity of the legislative environment and to the rhythm of technological change.     

Residental energy use: An investigation of consumers and conservation strategies

It is often assumed that energy conservation in the domestic sector can be achieved by technical innovation and higher prices supported by media exhortation. This paper argues that the impact of such policies is influenced by both consumers' personal characteristics and the structural or contextual conditions confronting them. The concept of energy literacy is described and shown to be related to energy saving behaviours and housing tenure, a contextual barrier for tenants given the nature of present energy conservation strategies.A field experiment is reported in which savings in household energy consumption were achieved by a strategy involving motivation, information, and consumption feedback. By itself, consumption feedback had no effect. It is concluded that energy conservation policy must take account of consumers' personal and contextual characteristics and aim to improve both energy literacy and structural conditions. In achieving the former, strategies which involve personal advice and generate the involvement of the consumer may have more impact than mass media campaigns.

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Häuslicher Energieverbrauch: eine Untersuchung von Verbrauchern und von Strategien zur Energieeinsparung

Zusammenfassung Häufig wird angenommen, daß häusliche Energieeinsparung am besten durch eine Kombination baulicher Maßnahmen zur Gebäudeisolation, finanzieller Anreize, höherer Energiepreiser und von Kampagnen in den Medien erreicht werden kann. Bisher haben solche Maßnahmen jedoch nur wenig Erfolg gehabt. Wenn die Massenmedien auch das allgemeine Bewußtsein für Energiefragen angeregt haben, so werden diese Fragen doch nur von einer bestimmten Verbrauchergruppe deutlich gesehen — von wohlhabenden Besitzern von Wohnungseigentum. Einsparungen, die möglich sind, sind jedenfalls bisher noch nicht realisiert. Die Gründe dafür liegen in persönlichen und situativen Voraussetzungen bei den Verbrauchern.Der Beitrag besteht aus zwei Teilen. Teil I berichtet über eine Umfrage, in der ermittelt werden sollte, welche Verbrauchereigenschaften zum Energiebewußtsein beitragen und ob das Energiebewußtsein auch den tatsächlichen Energieverbrauch beeinflußt. Eine wichtige Variable ist der Hausbesitz. Geringeres Energiebewußtsein bei Mietern wird darauf zurückgeführt, daß Mieter weniger Handlungsspielraum haben und nur wenig Vertrauen in die Erfassung des tatsächlichen eigenen Energieverbrauchs haben.Teil II berichtet über ein Feldexperiment zur Wirkung von Maßnahmen, die eine tägliche Rückmeldung des eigenen Energieverbrauchs liefern, von solchen, die über individuelle Möglichkeiten der Energieeinsparung informieren, und von kombinierten Informations-und Rückmeldungs-Maßnahmen. Drei entsprechende Versuchsgruppen wurden mit einer vierten Kontrollgruppe einer 2×2 Varianzanalyse unterzogen. Informationsmaßnahmen führten zu einer signifikanten Verringerung des Heizenergie-Verbrauchs. Rückmeldung alleine führte zu keiner nennenswerten unmittelbaren Einsparung, regt aber das Interesse am eigenen Energieverbrauch an und hilft in Verbindung mit Informationsmaßnahmen dabei, die effektivsten Einsparungsmöglichkeiten zu finden.Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, daß durch persönliche Beratung und Motivierung des einzelnen Verbrauchers mehr erreicht werden kann als durch Kampagnen in den Medien.

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George Gaskell is a Lecturer and Richard Pike is a Research Assistant at the Department of Social Psychology, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, Aldwych, London WC2A 2AE, England. The research was supported by a grant from the Energy Panel of the Social Science Research Council.     

An empirical investigation into international entry mode decision-making effectiveness

This study examines the effect of decision rationality and hierarchical centralization on international entry mode decision-making effectiveness (DME). The role of environmental uncertainty is additionally explored as a moderating variable in this investigation. Drawing from the strategic decision-making process perspective, this research is seemingly the first to include behavioral processes in explaining how effective the decision associated with adopting an international entry mode is. Based on a study of 233 internationalized Chinese private firms, the evidence suggests that decision rationality positively influences DME, while hierarchical centralization negatively affects DME. The moderating effects of environmental uncertainty are negative for both decision rationality and hierarchical centralization.     

An investigation into the effects of domestic cleaning on upholstery covering materials backcoated with fire retardants

Abstract: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of domestic cleaning on upholstery covering materials backcoated with fire retardants. The results are an indicator of the effectiveness of legislative controls for upholstery. A questionnaire and pilot study were used to devise standard treatment procedures reflecting popular domestic cleaning methods. Samples of material were subjected to each treatment procedure followed by testing to the match test in BS 5852:Pt 1: 1979, over filling material specified in Part 1 of Schedule 5 of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. To provide a standard, materials were also subjected to the water soak procedure in BS 5651: 1978, followed by testing to the match test. The results indicate that domestic cleaning methods affect backcoated fire retardants in such a way that current furniture legislation does not adequately provide for the level of durability required in practice. In addition, evidence was gained via a retail survey which suggests that consumers are not provided with sufficient aftercare information when purchasing new furniture.     

An exploratory investigation into how socioeconomic attributes influence coupons redeeming intentions

In this study, we examine the effects that opportunity cost, income effect, coupon proneness and devaluation effect have on coupon redemption intention. Overall, the results of a survey received from approximately 2250 respondents suggest that prospect of savings and coupon proneness are positively associated, while opportunity cost is inversely associated with coupon redemption intention. The results are consistent across several sub-samples of grocery stores, which further underline the robustness of our hypotheses. Our analyses are more exhaustive than and therefore, contribute to, extant literature on promotions using coupons, because we base our study on behavioral, social and economic factors that influence coupon redemption intentions.     

An investigation into the acceptability of workplace behaviors of a dubious ethical nature

Jones (1990) described ten workplace behaviors of a dubious ethical nature and determined that the hierarchical position adopted by respondents influenced the perceived acceptability of these behaviors. This measure seems promising, and therefore the purpose of this investigation is two-fold: (1) to explore further the psychometric properties of these ten items; and (2) to examine the role of individual difference variables as correlates of perceived acceptability. In two samples of working people, the Jones items were found to be internally consistent, not obviously subject to range restriction, modestly related to social desirability, largely orthogonal to age and managerial status, but clearly linked with Machiavellianism. The nature of the linkage between perceived acceptability and both sex and the Protestant work ethic differed across the two studies, which underscores the need for future research. Two additional variables worth investigating in such research may be locus of control and equity sensitivity.Peter E. Mudrack is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management and Organization Sciences at Wayne State University's School of Business Administration, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, U.S.A. His publications have appeared inHuman Relations andJournal of Organizational Behavior. The author thanks Tony Cerezo, Cindy Hewitt, Mark Holowicki, Mark Lienau, and Shelley St. Amand for assistance with data collection and analysis.     

Internet versus bricks-and-mortar retailers: An investigation into intangibility and its consequences

Intangibility has long been studied as a unidimensional construct with the focus being placed upon the physical element. This paper explores the effects of three unique intangibility dimensions on a consumer's ability to evaluate goods and services, and the perceived risk (PR) associated with the transaction. The authors examine these relationships in purchase environments that include both traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers and the Internet. Their investigation further incorporates prior knowledge as a moderating factor into the proposed framework. This allows for a thorough comparison of the effects and relationships that exist between intangibility and its consequences in general, evaluation difficulty (ED) and perceived risk (PR) in particular. The authors develop hypotheses pertaining to the proposed model and test them with two experiments. The empirical results are broadly supportive of the hypotheses. Theoretical and managerial implications to the services marketing literature are discussed.     

An investigation into women's perceptions of fibre types used for holiday clothes to be worn in hot climates

When clothes are taken on a summer holiday in a hot climate, their performance properties may become particularly important. The purpose of this research was to determine women's fibre preferences for holiday clothes and to discover the perceptions underlying those preferences. Results showed a strong preference for cotton and an extreme dislike of nylon. There was a tendency to regard all man-made fibres with disfavour, with perceptions founded primarily on past unfavourable experiences of nylon only.     

Managing brand extension via licensing: An investigation into the high-end fashion industry

Brand managers are increasingly confronted with the option of licensing their brands when pursuing brand extensions. Such decisions are typically based on evaluation of the risks associated with such a contractual form, and with the nature of the asset at stake, i.e., the brand. Drawing on transaction cost economics and the brand extension literature, the authors investigate how managers balance the advantages of rapidly accessing new product categories through licensing with the risk of negative reciprocal effects and licensees' opportunistic behavior. Our results suggests that firms tend to be strategically conservative when examining how to extend their brands, as managers see the risk of negative effects on the parent brand as outweighing the advantages associated with licensing.     

Soft law as a method for consumer protection and consumer influence. A review with special reference to Nordic experiences

Also within consumer policy soft law methods are now being discussed. Soft law rules are characterized above all (a) by being designed to function in the same way as legal norms, (b) by being developed either on the basis of a statutory mandate or by the participation of a supervisory authority in one way or another, and (c) by the fact that the parties on the market who are affected by the rules — business and consumers — participate in the formulation and/or the surveillance of the rules.Three principal types of soft law are scrutinized in this paper: (1) an agreement and negotiation system in accordance with the collective agreement model; (2) the development of guidelines and rules of conduct in cooperation between the State and the market parties; (3) special forms of participation for the market parties in the supervision of the application of consumer protection or in the settlement of individual disputes.In the final part of the paper, an assessment is made of the extent to which these methods can serve efficiently as means of consumer protection and consumer influence. The assessment must yet by necessity be somewhat speculative but no particularly impressive results seem to have been reached in consumer protection through soft law. Two observations stand out rather clearly: There are fundamental difficulties of organizing and supervising consumer interests, and it is doubtful whether some of the most essential consumer problems can at all be handled by those soft law methods that have been tried out so far.

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Nicht-rechtliche Maßnahmen des Verbraucherschutzes und der Einfluß der Verbraucher. Ein Überblick mit besonderer Berücksichtigung skandinavischer Erfahrungen

Zusammenfassung Nicht-rechtliche Maßnahmen werden verstärkt auch im Bereich des Verbraucherschutzes diskutiert. Solche Maßnahmen sind vor allem dadurch charakterisiert, daß sie (a) ähnlich wie rechtliche Normen wirken sollen, (b) auf einer gesetzlichen Grundlage oder durch Beteiligung einer Aufsichtsbehörde entstehen und (c) daß bei ihrer Formulierung die beteiligten Marktparteien mitwirken.Der Beitrag unterscheidet drei Formen solcher nicht-rechtlicher Maßnahmen: (1) Ein Verhandlungssystem nach dem Modell kollektiver Vereinbarungen, (2) die Entwicklung von Richtlinien und Verhaltensvereinbarungen in Kooperation zwischen Staat und den betroffenen Marktparteien und (3) bestimmte Formen der Beteiligung der Marktparteien bei der Überwachung der Durchführung von Verbraucherschutzmaßnahmen und bei der Beilegung von individuellen Streitigkeiten.Im Schlußteil des Beitrages wird bewertet, inwieweit diese Methoden als Mittel zum Verbraucherschutz und zur Förderung des Verbrauchereinflusses geeignet sind. Vorerst muß diese Bewertung notgedrungen noch spekulativ sein, aber es deutet sich, an, daß nicht-rechtliche Maßnahmen im Verbraucherschutz bisher nicht zu besonders eindrucksvollen Ergebnissen führen. Zwei Beobachtungen sind besonders deutlich: Es ist besonders schwer, die Interessen der Verbraucher zu organisieren, zu beobachten und zu erfassen; und es ist zweifelhaft, ob die wichtigsten Verbraucherprobleme überhaupt mit solchen nicht-rechtlichen Maßnahmen angegangen werden können.

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Jyrki Tala is a Research Fellow at Research Institute for Legal Policy, Åboslottsvägen 8, Box 35, SF-00931 Helsinki, Finland. This article is based on a presentation delivered at a Nordic seminar on consumer influence during the 1980s, held in Espoo, Finland, in August 1985.     

An investigation into the compatibility of consultation and performance comparison in the UK's policy of Best Value

The policy of Best Value (BV) has been at the centre of the modernization of English and Welsh local government since 1999. At the heart of BV, is a performance management framework aimed at securing continuous improvement in the delivery of local services. This article critically examines the performance comparison – comprising performance indicators, audits and inspections – and consultation elements of this framework from the perspective of how they provide separate avenues to confirm the achievement of continuous improvement in local services. Three key issues are singled out for particular attention and investigated from a conceptual and empirical basis. The first issue relates to the construct validity of the performance comparison and consultation process in terms of the extent to which they are able to identify failing local services. The second issue involves an examination of whether the performance comparison elements of BV are conducted consistently between authorities, auditors and inspectors and thus the extent to which they provide accurate information about the performance of local services. The third issue identifies the impact of the consultation and performance comparison elements of BV on aspects of service delivery not subjected to these two confirmatory processes. Survey findings drawn from the views of 389 BV lead officers across local authorities in the UK reveal that whilst most respondents believe that the performance comparison elements of BV are able to accurately ‘identify failing services’, they strongly dispute the consistency of the performance comparison elements of BV. In addition, the survey findings reveal that more respondents than not believe that the performance comparison processes of BV serve to adversely skew resources away from areas of activity subject to less formal measurement. Detailed case study evidence drawn from three local authorities involved in the completion of the entire BV process offer further insights into the compatibility of the performance comparison and consultation processes of BV.     

An investigation of customer satisfaction with low-cost and full-service airline companies

Using a survey of 382 passengers, this research examines customer satisfaction and its antecedents and consequences in the context of the airline industry. The relationships among airline tangibles, quality of personnel, satisfaction with the airline, the intention to repurchase and intention to recommend the airline are examined. The findings indicate that tangibles and personnel quality positively affect satisfaction, and satisfaction positively influences intentions to both repurchase and recommend. The key contribution is to test the moderating effect of the airline type: a low-cost vs. a full-service carrier. The results reveal a significant moderating effect of airline type on two relationships: personnel quality – satisfaction and satisfaction – repurchase intention. Specifically, the positive effect of quality of personnel on satisfaction is weaker for the low-cost versus full-service airline, while the positive effect of satisfaction on repurchase intent is stronger for the low-cost airline. The study also discusses implications for airline carriers.     

An investigation into the link between service quality dimensionality and positive word-of-mouth intention in Mainland China

The purpose of current study is to investigate the relationship between SERVQUAL dimensions and positive word-of-mouth intention in a Chinese context. A survey was carried out with a sample of 241 customers of China Mobile, the biggest telecommunications company in China. A structural equation model was created. It was found that Reliability and Assurance encouraged more positive word-of-mouth intention, while Tangibles, Responsiveness, and Empathy did not have a significant effect on word-of-mouth intention. In addition, age was negatively correlated to positive word-of-mouth intention. These findings have useful implications to international service companies, particularly those operating in a Chinese environment, by identifying factors that are salient for the generation of positive word-of-mouth.     

Theravada Buddhism and Catholicism: A social historical perspective on religious change,with special reference toCentesimus Annus

Centesimus Annus raises the issue of the relationship of religion to practical conduct. This paper constructs the issue; illustrates the construction with materials from Theravada Buddhist cultures; and applies the construction toCentesimus Annus. This is an exercise in social history.Steven Piker, Professor of Anthropology at Swarthmore College, has done research on popular religion and religious change in Thailand the United States, and has published monographs and articles on these topics. He is currently investigating religious conversion in modern America.