Shopping motivations on Internet: A study based on utilitarian and hedonic value

Electronic commerce has been growing rapidly. Although business-to-consumer electronic commerce has created new opportunities for businesses, questions about consumer shopping motivations toward Internet shopping versus conventional shopping continue to persist. The purpose of this study is to investigate the Internet shopping motivations from both utilitarian and hedonic perspectives. The differential effects of these dual motivations on both search intention and purchase intention are examined. An integrated model of shopping motivations on the Internet is proposed. A structural equation model is developed to test the casual effects between variables.The study finds that utilitarian motivation is a determinant of consumer intention to search and intention to purchase. Hedonic motivation has a direct impact on intention to search and indirect impact on intention to purchase. While these dual motivations have significant effects, utilitarian motivation is the strongest predictor of intention to search and intention to purchase. Utilitarian motivation is influenced by convenience, cost saving, information availability, and selection; hedonic motivation is influenced by adventure, and authority and status. The study serves as a basis for the future growth of Internet marketing.     

The Tracking of Environmental Costs: Motivations and Impacts

Abstract

Most accounting systems separately capture and accumulate one portion of the overall environmental costs of firms, while the remainder is embedded in other cost pools, such as general overhead costs or administrative costs. Little empirical evidence has been provided to explain the impacts of cost accounting systems that make a larger portion of firms' total environmental costs visible. The aim of this study is to conceptually and empirically examine the relationships among the tracking of environmental costs (TEC) by firms, their environmental motivations, and the impacts in terms of environmental and economic performance. Using survey data from a large sample of manufacturing firms, the results suggest two main conclusions. First, the TEC has an indirect influence on economic performance through environmental performance. Second, this indirect effect is influenced by the environmental motivations of the firm. More specifically, this indirect effect is greater (lesser) for firms whose motivations are predominately business-oriented (sustainability-oriented).     

Consumer cooperatives as an alternative form of governance: The case of the broadband industry

With a growing number of consumer cooperatives in non-agrarian industries such as energy and broadband, there is a need to better understand their emergence as a viable form of governance. In this context, the paper uses Mikami’s (2010) model on consumer cooperatives to explain their emergence as a result of their ability to generate additional equity financing through the membership market. It focuses on the motivations of consumers to financially contribute to a cooperative by examining the risks and benefits associated with the investment. Based on a survey of 759 consumers, it links their motivations for joining a cooperative to different forms of risks and benefits associated with the investment. It shows that the risks related to cost sharing and switching costs are important determinants for consumers. Other factors that affected the likelihood of joining a cooperative were expected benefits with respect to user network externalities and infrastructure gains.     

At their wits’ end? Economic stress,motivation and unethical judgement of public servants

ABSTRACT

Through an interdisciplinary approach, this paper addresses the scarcity of research that assesses economic stressors, public service motivation (PSM), work motivations, and unethical judgement in the public square. We argue that motivations have a direct relationship with the acceptance of unethical behaviour, but that economic stress (defined as financial stress and job insecurity) may influence this relationship both direct and indirectly. Using data from the European Social Survey, we develop a path model to test these hypotheses. We find that PSM and work motivation influence unethical judgements, and perceived economic stressors play an indirect role through their relationship with work motivations. Implications of the findings are discussed.     

A model of antecedents of consumers' post brand attitude upon exposure to a cause–brand alliance

• A cause–brand alliance is a type of cause‐related marketing campaign in which the brand supports a cause in response to a consumer purchasing a product associated with the brand. Using the meaning transfer, attribution, and schema theories, the researchers developed a model and hypotheses addressing structural relationships among key antecedents of brand attitude change upon encountering a cause–brand alliance. The model and the hypotheses were tested in the context of hypothetical cause–brand alliance scenarios. Findings indicate cause–brand alliance attitude as a strong direct predictor of post brand attitude, whereas cause involvement, perceived brand motivations, and prior brand attitude indirectly predict post brand attitude through their effects on cause–brand alliance attitude. Cause–brand fit also indirectly predicts cause–brand alliance attitude via perceived brand motivations. Managerial and theoretical implications are discussed.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

酒店体验价值与顾客忠诚度的关系研究——以广东碧水湾温泉度假酒店为例

本文旨在研究温泉度假酒店的体验价值、品牌支持及顾客忠诚度之间的关系,以广东碧水湾温泉度假酒店为研究对象,参阅前人研究成果,提出新的模型假设,验证并提出建议,采用探索性因子分析得到数据的内在因子结构,并运用结构方程模型进行验证性因子分析,验证各构面之间的相互关系。研究结果如下:1体验价值对品牌支持有显著的正向影响;2品牌支持对顾客忠诚度有显著的正向影响;3体验价值对顾客忠诚度有显著的正向影响;4品牌支持是体验价值影响顾客忠诚度的重要中介变量。     

Marketing fine art on the Internet: issues and ideas

The fine art market has grown into a $17bn industry. Yet only recently have art dealers and art buyers discovered the Internet as a viable marketing tool. As art galleries begin to move online, a fundamental question arises: are the major stakeholders willing to use this non‐traditional means to buy and sell art? This paper uses three independent studies, of artists, interior designers and organisational buyers, in North America, to analyse the characteristics of those inclined to use the Internet for this service and considers the magnitude of purchases through this medium. Study results indicate that: (1) artists are under‐represented on the Internet and disconcerted about technology issues; (2) targeting buyer segments, like interior designers, through the Internet is a viable and attractive alternative for fine art dealers; (3) organisational buyers often neglect Internet alternatives. Practical implications for those desiring to utilise the Internet to market fine art are discussed. Copyright © 2002 Henry Stewart Publications     

不同产品类型下虚拟体验营销对品牌忠诚度影响研究 ——有调节的中介效应模型

以品牌在网上的虚拟品牌体验活动为主题,研究品牌创新感知在品牌体验与品牌忠诚度间的中介作用,并考察产品类型对品牌创新感知的调节作用。结果发现:(1)品牌创新感知能作为中介解释虚拟品牌体验对品牌忠诚度的影响,并确认品牌体验能有效引起消费者的品牌创新感知;(2)产品类型调节品牌体验中的感官体验、思考体验与行动体验,通过品牌创新感知起到对消费者品牌忠诚的影响;当产品类型为享乐型产品时,感官体验、思考体验与行动体验对品牌创新感知的正向效应更强。     

基于城市网络消费经济发展现状的管理趋势研究

城市经济发展过程中,随着网络消费迅猛增长,带动的消费需求强劲.在消费增长明显的同时,网络经济消费成为了新的流行趋势.先进的信息和通信技术正将我们带入一个崭新的信息时代.调研结果指出,人们在网络采购的日常开支上并未受到金融危机的影响,反而是网络购物的异军突起也逐渐成为了人们普遍的消费方式.全球范围浮现的是一种信息化、全球...     

The cognitive and the action-oriented elements of competence along the innovation process – evidence from R&D teams in the medical equipment sector

Abstract

Organizations are constantly searching for ways to enhance their innovative capacity and to sustain their competitive advantage. Much of the literature focuses on knowledge as the key driver for this pursuit. Unlike other studies, we define experience and knowledge as two basic elements of competence by borrowing from the experiential and cognitive learning theories and contrast their impact on the innovativeness of R&D teams. Building on the competence based perspective, we posit that the differences in competence inputs explain variations in team innovation performance along the innovation process. To test our assumptions, we analyzed the aggregated knowledge and experience levels for different technology competences of 868 employees in 49 R&D teams in a large contract-engineering corporation in the medical equipment sector. The findings reveal that technology experience is particularly fruitful within innovation implementation and is a driver for successful market introduction. The research contributes to the understanding when competence elements are especially important.     

Why People Co-Produce: Analysing citizens’ perceptions on co-planning engagement in health care services

Abstract

The aim of this article is to comprehend the motivation of citizens to co-produce. More specifically, it considers citizens’ motivations to engage in co-planning activities of health care services. The article brings together theoretical insights and empirical data. First, we integrate insights from different strands of literature. We combine literature on citizen participation, political efficacy, co-production, volunteerism, public service motivation, and customer engagement to offer a first understanding of citizens’ motivations to actively engage as co-producers of public services. Next, empirical data are derived from one specific case: citizens participating in client councils in health care organizations. Q-methodology, a method designed to systematically study persons’ viewpoints, is used to distinguish different perspectives citizen have on their engagement in co-production. Our analysis of citizens’ motivations to engage in client councils enables us to identify four types of citizen co-producers, which we label: the semi-professional, the socializer, the network professional, and the aware co-producer. Implications for future research studying citizens’ motivations in a broader range of co-production cases are discussed.     

Best practices in noncommercial radio fundraising: a practitioner perspective

• This study uses in-depth qualitative interviews with radio professionals in the United States to identify best practices for noncommercial radio fundraising. Most noncommercial stations use on-air pledge drives to solicit donations from listeners, and this is a major source of revenue for these stations. The interview data are analyzed using the constant comparative method. Findings indicate that radio professionals use a variety of fundraising appeals to reach listeners with different motivations for donating. These fundraising appeals have three dimensions: altruism/self-interest, rational/emotional, and reinforcement/trigger. The data also indicate that noncommercial stations try to foster relationships with their listeners and donors. These relationships are managed through direct communication and through mass communication, which produces parasocial interaction.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coping with functional collective action dilemma: functional fragmentation and administrative integration

ABSTRACT

Functional fragmentation among city departments has been a critical public administration problem in practice and theory. This paper investigates the political and administrative motivations for the reform from functionally fragmented water governance model towards an integrative agency design. Drawing on the Institutional Collective Action (ICA) framework and the literature on bureaucratic structures, we hypothesize that cities’ decisions for administrative reform are influenced by different types of transactions costs incurred in the negotiation process among local agencies. Empirical results of this study provide strong support for the transaction cost hypotheses on the roles of bargaining cost, enforcement cost, and information cost.     

Line managers’ AMO to manage employees’ performance: the route to effective and satisfying performance management

Abstract

Performance management systems are used to increase employees’ performance with the ultimate aim of increasing organizational performance. Organizations rely on line managers to implement performance management systems and to engage in a continuous process of goal-setting, feedback, coaching and performance appraisal with their employees. Drawing on the AMO theory, we predict that the effectiveness of performance management implementation will be a function of three factors. First, line managers should have the Ability to enact the activities that are involved in performance management. Secondly, they should be Motivated to perform these activities. Thirdly, line managers should have sufficient Opportunity to fulfill these activities on top of the demands from other organizational. If not, they could experience role conflict. We developed several cross-level hypotheses. The data came from 71 line managers and 318 employees working in Flemish education. Hierarchical linear modelling found that line managers’ AMO to implement performance management systems was positively related to employees’ satisfaction with the system. These relationships were mediated by employees’ perceptions that the performance management system is strong. A strong system signals that its features are salient across employees and that the system is clear and understood. This study has several theoretical and practical implications.     

The performance of performance appraisal systems: understanding the linkage between appraisal structure and appraisal discrimination complaints

Abstract

Employee perceptions of the fairness of performance evaluations are critical to the success of any appraisal system. Research on performance management includes extensive studies on how bias emerges in the appraisal process. Despite this, there is no empirical evidence linking formal discrimination complaint filings – a key measure of bias - and performance appraisals. To close this gap, we conduct an empirical analysis using information on appraisal systems and discrimination complaints from the US federal government. Our findings suggest that agencies with better-designed appraisal systems will experience higher appraisal-related discrimination complaints, contrary to expectations. In particular, an expansion of training and voice opportunities are associated with an increase in appraisal discrimination complaints, while increased differentiation between performers is not consistently associated with complaints. For managers struggling with performance management, it may be better to spend time on improving performance-focused interpersonal communication rather than redesigning appraisal systems.     

Agent-based simulation of consumer purchase behaviour based on quality,price and promotion

ABSTRACT

This paper studies the influence factors in consumer purchase behaviour. First, through reading and analysing the related paper, the authors summarise a lot of influence factors. Second, combined with the theme of the study, experts and scholars discuss these influence factors and choose quality, price and promotion of commodity as the object of this paper. Third, this paper presents an agent-based model and simulation method on the consumer purchase behaviours based on quality, price and promotion of commodity. The utility function is used to describe the model, which is implemented under NetLogo simulation environment. The results show that the proposed model can analyse and predict the effects of different quality, price and promotion strategies by the emergence of consumer purchase behaviour.     

Customers satisfaction in pediatric inpatient services: A multiple criteria satisfaction analysis

ObjectiveTo assess customer satisfaction determinants in a public pediatric inpatient service and propose some strategies to enhance the consumer and customer experience.MethodsWe applied a Multiple Criteria Customer Satisfaction Analysis to estimate the value functions associated with each satisfaction (sub)criterion and determine the corresponding weights. We characterized satisfaction criteria (according to the Kano's model), estimated the customers' demanding nature and the potential improvements, and proposed strategic priorities and opportunities to enhance customer satisfaction.Main findingsStrategies for satisfaction enhancement do not depend solely on the criteria with the lowest satisfaction levels and the estimated weights, each criterion's nature, the customers' demanding nature, and the technical margin for improvements.ConclusionsAreas deserving attention include clinical staff's communication skills, the non-clinical professionals' efficiency, availability, and kindness; food quality; visits' scheduling and quantity; and facilities' comfort.     

How product representation influences the understanding of supply chain process models

ABSTRACT

Process models are increasingly being used to analyse business processes within supply chains. Although products are an essential part of supply chain semantics, product representation in supply chain process models is insufficient. This research proposes a novel product representation, namely, ‘labelled flows,’ which directly assigns product names to flows instead of implicitly representing products through other visual constructs. Using a laboratory experiment, we find that labelled flows improve domain understanding with respect to product comprehension and product modelling performance. Our contribution to modelling research is a novel product representation within supply chain process models, which enhances domain understanding.     

Cooperative distributed architecture for mashups

Since the advent of Web 2.0, personalised applications such as mashups have become widely popular. Mashups enable end-users to fetch data from distributed data sources, and refine it based on their personal needs. This high degree of personalisation that mashups offer comes at the expense of performance and scalability. These scalability challenges are exacerbated by the centralised architectures of current mashup platforms. In this paper, we address the performance and scalability issues by designing CoMaP – a distributed mashup platform. CoMaP’s architecture comprises of several cooperative mashup processing nodes distributed over the Internet upon which mashups can, fully or partially, be executed. CoMaP incorporates a dynamic and efficient scheme for deploying mashups on the processing nodes. Our scheme considers a number of parameters such as variations in link delays and bandwidths, and loads on mashup processing nodes. CoMaP includes effective and low-cost mechanisms for balancing loads on the processing nodes as well for handling node failures. Furthermore, we propose novel techniques that leverage keyword synonyms, ontologies and caching to enhance end-user experience. This paper reports several experiments to comprehensively study CoMaP’s performance. The results demonstrate CoMaP’s benefits as a scalable distributed mashup platform.