An Empirical Investigation Into the Relation Between Performance and Perception of Users With a What-If Facility

The results of a laboratory study investigating relations between performance and perception are presented. Previous research has indicated that even if a lack of performance advantage exists by construction, decision support systems continue to be popular and are perceived to provide the desired support during decision making. We examined performance-perception relations of users with a what-if facility under conditions where there is a performance-based reward system and system usage costs. Several hypotheses were proposed and tested. We found that no performance advantage was obtained by using a what-if facility. We also found that participants were able to accurately portray the support provided. Implications for organizational managers, system designers, and system users are discussed.     

Web Perception and Young Consumers: An Empirical Investigation of Factors Influencing Perceptions of Online Companies

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to identify and empirically test factors important to building a positive Web perception among young consumers. Factors that affect Web perception are divided into Web design, vendor, and product/service groups. Based on regression analysis we found that Web design and product/service characteristics play the most important roles in developing a positive Web perception among young consumers. More specifically, online vendors must provide a vast selection of products that are of high quality, and their sites must be fast, easy to navigate, contain relevant information, and allow ease of ordering.     

An Empirical Investigation of Dual Network Effects in Innovation Project Development

As innovation project developers advance their knowledge through more project experience, cross-project learning is likely to enhance project performance. Past research has demonstrated positive contributions of developer networking at the macro (project) level. However, the network effects at the micro (project property) level have not been studied as much. To address this gap, we apply a network model to examine which project properties (e.g., the project's operating system and topic) generate positive or negative network effects in addition to the macro network effect when developers engage in multiple projects. In this dual (developer and property) network model, we theorize that positive network effects take place because of cross-project learning and knowledge exchange, whereas negative network effects can also occur due to time constraints and cognitive overloading. In addition to such dual network effects, we also consider such project success predictors as spatial and temporal reach opportunities for project users (scope of translations and project age) and human resources availability (developer team size). Our empirical application using open source software (OSS) data demonstrates that the presented model can effectively integrate both the dual network effects and non-network variables as factors influencing the commercial success of OSS projects.     

An Empirical Investigation into the Role of Personal-Related Factors on Corporate Travel Policy Compliance

This article presents the results of the empirical testing of the corporate travel policy compliance model conceptualised by the authors and first published in the Journal of Business Ethics in 2009. In the previous article, the theory underlying the model was explained. This article follows with the results of the empirical testing of the model and focusses on those related to the influence of personal factors on policy compliance. The constructs used to define personal-related factors include personal ethics, individual morality, self-interest, levels of job- and life satisfaction and the conditions of travel. The empirical investigation sought to determine if personal-related factors significantly influenced travel policy compliance and from the study it could be concluded that there is a correlation, with certain factors exhibiting a stronger correlation than others. The implication is that organisations need to understand the impact of factors previously ignored or under-valued as determinants of non-compliance and take steps to recognise and remedy the situation to achieve higher levels of travel policy compliance amongst corporate travellers.     

基于消费者感知的旅游广告效果实证研究

论文通过实证研究,探讨了消费者对旅游广告的认知问题,考查旅游广告的实际效果水平以及常见的旅游广告媒介在消费者心中的地位,并针对旅游广告存在的问题以及消费者的特点,对旅游企业进行旅游广告提出建议。     

An Empirical Investigation of Japanese Consumer Ethics

One of the gaps in the current international marketing literature is in the area of consumer ethics. Using a sample drawn from Japanese consumers, this study investigates these individuals' reported ethical ideology and their perception of a number of different ethical situations in the realm of consumer behavior. Comparisons are then made across several demographic characteristics. The results reveal differences which provide theoretical support for expanded research in the area of cross-cultural/cross-national consumer ethics and highlight the need for managers to consider possible differences in the ethical behavior of consumers when entering a new international market. In addition, this study extends current knowledge in international marketing ethics by utilizing a research design and survey instruments similar to previous studies on consumer ethics.     

An Empirical Investigation of Composite Product Choice

Prior ingredient branding research has examined the influence of “stated” factors such as fit between partner brands on composite product (e.g., Tide with Downy fabric softener) attitudes. This research focuses on choice of composite products, and addresses three managerially relevant questions: Which consumer segments are more likely to adopt the composite product? Will the choice of the composite product have positive or negative reciprocal effects on partner brands? Will the introduction of the composite product benefit the primary or the secondary brand more? The authors use a brand choice model to investigate the “revealed” choice of complements-based composite products. Study results indicate that (i) despite high fit between the composite product and the primary brand, consumer segments may have different choice likelihoods for these products, whereas prior research suggests equal likelihood; (ii) the choice of a composite product may not provide a positive reciprocal effect to the secondary brand; and (iii) the introduction of a composite product may benefit the primary brand more than the secondary brand, whereas prior research suggests a symmetrical benefit for the partner brands. Finally, the finding that introducing a composite product may not cannibalize the sale of the primary brand extends the ingredient branding literature, which has been silent on this issue.     

An Empirical Investigation of Trade Credit Demand

This paper investigates the motivations for a firm's demand for trade credit. Demand for credit is modelled as a function of transaction costs motivations, financing motivations, operational considerations, seller compliance issues and supplier marketing, whilst controlling for the firm's business environment and for firm characteristics such as size and industry. This paper builds on previous studies by considering a wider range of factors that can affect trade credit demand holistically on a single sample. It appears that the use of trade credit is widespread, and that it is generally perceived as an important short term financing option, although the availability of trade credit is not a major influence on supplier choice. The level of a firm's trade credit demand is found to be significantly influenced by transaction costs, financing, operational issues, marketing activities by suppliers, the firm's investment in trade debtors and firm size.     

广东城镇居民轿车消费风险认知实证研究

本文对广东城镇居民轿车消费风险认知进行了实证分析,发现轿车消费风险认知由功能、身体、财务、社会心理、便利服务和机会成本等六个风险构面组成,与国外风险认知的研究在风险构面上表现出了跨文化的差异。同时还实证分析了人口统计变量与消费者的产品知识及购买经验对消费风险认知不同层面的不同程度的影响。     

How Large are the Direct Employment Effects of New Businesses? An Empirical Investigation for West Germany

We analyze the development of employment in start-up cohorts, which is the direct gross employment effect of the new businesses. The data is for West Germany and covers the 1984–2002 period. While total employment in the cohorts remains above the initial level in manufacturing, we find a pronounced decline of employment below this level in the service sector. Only a small fraction of the firms create a considerable amount of jobs. The contribution that the start-up cohorts of the 1984–2002 period made to total employment in 2002 is nearly three times as high in services as in manufacturing.      

An Investigation into Potential Moderating Effects of the Relationship Between Actual and Perceived Market Orientation

Abstract

This study examines the gaps between a firm's actual (self-reported) market orientation and the channel partner's perceptions of the firm's market orientation and factors that may moderate that gap. Expected differences between the measures were found, but in an unanticipated direction-perceptions of market orientation received higher ratings than actual market orientation. To gain a fuller understanding of this difference, variables that may moderate the perceptual gap were tested. Communication was found to be an important moderator of this relationship between actual and perceived market orientation.     

An Empirical Investigation of Components of Industrial Buyer Motivation

Motivation of industrial buyers has been virtually ignored in the marketing and purchasing literatures. This empirical void is surprising given the critical role organizational purchasers play in their firms. This paper reports the results of a study that explored the impact of individual and organizational characteristics on three expectancy model components of industrial buyers' motivation. Findings reveal that personal factors have a greater impact on buyer motivation than do organizational variables. Implications of the study are also offered.     

Price Knowledge for Services: An Empirical Investigation

ABSTRACT

This study extends the price recall literature into the service sector. The authors surveyed 169 adults and asked them to recall the last price they paid for nine commonly purchased services. The findings indicate that most consumers (53%) cannot recall the last price they paid, 13% had an inaccurate price memory, and 34% remembered an accurate price. The findings also indicate that the ability to recall a price, and to recall an accurate service price varies significantly by service. Other mediating variables include frequency of usage, home ownership, and education. No other demographic variables were related to either price recall or recall accuracy.     

An Empirical Investigation of the Differential Effects of Personal,Historical, and Non-Nostalgic Advertising on Consumer Responses

Using a theory-driven approach, this study investigates whether and/or to what extent consumers' informationprocessing tendencies and ad-based responses are differentially influenced by the introduction of nostalgic cues (either "personal" or "historical" in nature) embedded in an advertisement. The results support hypothesized expectations that personal nostalgia (a yearning for one's past) generally outperforms both historical and non-nostalgic advertising when measures of self-directed thoughts, positive affect, and attitude toward the ad are considered. However, when cognitive measures (i.e., brand/message-related cognitive responses and message recall) are considered, a personally nostalgic ad is shown to be comparable to a historical nostalgic ad, but inferior to a non-nostalgic ad. Regression results utilizing cognitive response data further indicate that individuals' brand attitudes are differentially influenced by the type of nostalgia evoked. Practical and theoretical implications for the study's findings are discussed, and future research directions are presented.     

移动营销:基于短信息服务的消费者接受实证研究

作为一种新的广告和信息交流的途径,手机短信服务现已经普遍应用。在已有文献提出技术接受研究模型及其它相关理论研究的基础上,探讨消费者对于移动广告的态度和接受源技术接受和使用整合模型,创新扩散理论,任务技术匹配理论的整合模型,并进行实证研究。运用结构方程模型方法对调查数据进行分析,揭示消费者对于移动营销的整体态度,以及影响消费者接受的主要因素。     

Linking Purchasing to Ethical Decision-Making: An Empirical Investigation

The aim of this study is to examine the decision-making processes at work among French buyers—whether beginners or more experienced individuals, when confronted with a dilemma involving an ethical or non-ethical choice to be made. We go on to illustrate these dilemmas through the use of five original scenarios that reproduce typical situations that arise in a purchasing context in relation to the environment, physical integrity, conflict of interest, or paternalism. Based on 172 participants, the results of our study show that, ethical decision-making depends very clearly on two main factors: expertise and gender. The study also reveals that there is not always a coherent link between ethical choices made and the reasons and justifications given for those choices. Ethical options chosen are not exclusively justified on the grounds of purely ethical reasons but also on the grounds of commercial or economic reasons, or else reasons of avoidance.     

Financial Integration in East Asia: An Empirical Investigation

The central objective of this paper is to empirically evaluate the degree of linkages among East Asian equity and bond markets. Using data from the IMF’s Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey (CPIS), we find that intra‐East Asian financial asset holdings of four East Asian countries – Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore – are larger than the levels predicted by the financial gravity model. However, our analysis suggests that this result is likely to be driven by intra‐regional trade linkages and reflect those linkages. Therefore, the salient implication for regional policymakers is that they should continue to promote intra‐regional financial integration. This paper also aims to analyse the impact of three different types of country‐specific risks – political, economic and financial risks – on investment from the four countries. This analysis yields a clear positive relationship between destination‐country risk, in particular political risk, and capital inflows.     

An Empirical Investigation of the Growth Cycle Theory of Small Firm Financing

This paper empirically tests the financial growth cycle model for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which postulates that as firms become larger, older, and more informationally transparent, their financing options become more attractive. We add to the literature by providing one of the first empirical tests of the model using a large, cross-sectional data set. Our results partially support the financial growth cycle model. Specifically, our results show larger firms, as measured by total number of employees, are more likely to use public equity funding or long-term debt as opposed to insider funding.     

Service Trade and Occupational Tasks: An Empirical Investigation

Using microdata for Belgium, we investigate the relationship between changes in the task content of production and the rise in the number of service exporters. We show that occupational tasks changes display an extremely consistent relationship with participation to service exports: in sectors in which the importance of face‐to‐face communication with customers has increased, the firm‐level likelihood of entering export markets has decreased; instead, the likelihood of exporting increased in sectors in which the sophistication of production and delivery has expanded (following an increase in cognitive tasks). Moreover, our analysis suggests that the change in IT use per se does not strike as being a key underlying force behind the increase in the extensive margin of service exports. These results are robust controlling for comparative advantage, offshoring, trade liberalisation and demand shifts.