Measuring Generation Y consumers’ perceptions of green practices at Starbucks: An IPA analysis

Following the trend of sustainability, many organizations in the restaurant industry have considered this movement as an opportunity and have started to “go green.” In this study, we analyzed Starbucks, the American global coffeehouse chain. Through an importance-performance analysis, we investigated the gap between the importance assigned by customers to a set of green practices that can be implemented by restaurants and their perception of Starbucks’ performance. The results suggest that, by making some green practices visible to their customers, Starbucks is creating the perception that the company is performing well in several other “green” areas.     

Retail store managers' and students' perceptions of ethical retail practices: A comparative and longitudinal analysis (1976–1986)

Considerable attention is currently being directed to ethics in business, government and academia in both the professional and popular media. Most of these studies propound that ethics have eroded over time, resulting in their current low state. However, few, if any, of these articles provide comparative or longitudinal data to support their arguments. In this investigation, both comparative and longitudinal data were collected between 1976 and 1986 from retail store managers and retail students concerning their current perceptions of ethical retail practices. The results indicate a significant increase in the ethics of retail store managers, and a significant decrease in the ethics of retail students. Donald G. Norris is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Miami University. His research has been published in the Journal of Advertising Research, the Journal of Retailing and the Proceedings of the Association of Consumer Research and the American Marketing Association.John B. Gifford is a Professor of Marketing at Miami University and the Associate Dean for the School of Business Administration. He has published a number of articles in the field of retailing, and currently serves as Vice President of the American Collegiate Retailing Association.     

Factors influencing Generation Y consumers’ perceptions of eWOM credibility: a study of the fast-food industry

eWOM communication is certainly one of the most influential drivers of purchase decisions. However, little knowledge is available on the factors that influence the trustworthiness and credibility of eWOM communication. To address this research gap, the study aimed to assess whether the three independent variables (homophily, authority and interestingness) have a significant positive indirect effect on eWOM credibility, as mediated by source trustworthiness. The context of the study was fast-food retailers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted and the target population included all Generation Y consumers that visited the fast-food market leaders in Gauteng province, the economic hub of South Africa. Lisrel version 8.8 was used to analyse the results obtained from a realised sample of 362 respondents and to compile the structural equation model. The findings of the study support the research hypotheses formulated and offer a theoretical contribution by enhancing knowledge of the relationships between the variables investigated as well as the factors that could influence eWOM credibility. The study also has meaning to fast-food retailers, as the model could be applied to formulate appropriate strategies and influence the online conversations and perceptions of consumers.     

Global competitiveness,consumer choice and ‘country of origin’ effect: an exploratory East–West study

As protectionist sentiments rise in many countries in light of the 2008–2009 financial crisis, it is more important than ever to understand the potential role of homophily on the country of origin (COO) effect in consumer purchases and how it can impact trade and investment. This study examines these attitudes using a sample of 139 university students from different ethnic backgrounds in Vancouver (Canada), one of the most culturally diverse cities in North America. The results confirm the importance of ethnicity in affecting attitudes toward different countries, including the impact of political/cultural ties and current/historical events on their formation. Variations among different ethnic groups were found, however.     

First motorcycle-exclusive lane (Motovia) in Colombia: perceptions of users in Cali, 2012–2013

This study's goal was to evaluate the pilot exclusive lane for motorcycles (Motovía) in Cali, Colombia, from the perception of its users in 2012–2013. A cross-sectional study using roadside surveys plus a qualitative component of individual semi-structured interviews was carried out. Road users' perceptions were investigated before and after implementation of lane dividers (LD) and were compared with other roads in the city. Perceptions were compared using chi-square tests. In the study, 293 motorcyclists, 111 cyclists, and 115 automobile drivers were interviewed. Following the installation of the LD, the majority of motorcyclists and cyclists reported that LD made easier the driving maneuvers and decreased travel time, in contrast to perceptions of automobile drivers (p < 0.001). For most motorcyclists, the Motovia was considered as safe and effective, approving its continuity and replication. Half of automobile drivers and cyclists did not approve the installation of the Motovia due to travel time (drivers) and security issues (cyclists). Motovia is an option to enhance motorcyclists' safety on the road. It must, however, offer clear circulation alternatives for automobile drivers. According to users' perception, it is not safe for bicycles and other human-powered vehicles to share lanes with motorcycles. Further research about vulnerable road users' infrastructure is required.     

Internet banking: a review (2002–2016)

This paper presents an exhaustive review of literature on the current developments in internet banking. It provides an overview of the changes as well as the ongoing research on internet banking. To identify relevant works, research databases were searched using 11 keywords. Only research papers on internet banking published in the last 15?years (2002–2016) were selected. The selected articles were further refined on the basis of country of origin, journal type, and research methods used for data analysis. Finally, 51 papers were selected on the basis of specific inclusion criteria for further analysis. These papers were grouped by research themes, and customer satisfaction with internet banking was identified as the most common theme.     

‘We (don’t) know how you feel’ – a comparative study of automated vs. manual analysis of social media conversations

Abstract

The ever-growing volume of brand-related conversations on social media platforms has captivated the attention of academics and practitioners, as the analysis of those conversations promises to offer unparalleled insight into consumers’ emotions. This article takes a step back from the hype, and investigates the vulnerabilities related to the analysis of social media data concerning consumers’ sentiment. A review of the literature indicates that the form, focus, source and context of the communication may negatively impact on the analyst’s ability to identify sentiment polarity and emotional state. Likewise, the selection of analytical tool, the creation of codes, and the classification of the data, adversely affect the researcher’s ability to accurately assess the sentiment expressed in a social media conversation. Our study of Twitter conversations about coffee shows low levels of agreement between manual and automated analysis, which is of grave concern given the popularity of the latter in consumer research.     

Comparative analysis of innovative diffusion in the high-tech markets of Japan and South Korea: a use–diffusion model approach

In recent years, many scholars and practitioners have raised doubt as to whether or not conventional research on the diffusion of innovation can explain and predict the needs and behavioral patterns of consumers in the raiding and converging market environment. Thus, it has been suggested that the use–diffusion model would be a good alternative framework to study innovation diffusion. This study explores whether the new model is effective in explaining and predicting the needs and innovative behavioral patterns of consumers in the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) market in Japan and South Korea. Nation-wide surveys were conducted in Japan and South Korea for data collection, resulting in a large random sample (n = 500 in Japan and n = 500 in South Korea). Important findings of the study are: (1) product experience and sophistication of technology were found to be the most important factors in explaining the innovative diffusion process among IPTV users; (2) functional similarity, complementarity, and substitution effect were also main determinants for enhancing users’ satisfaction with IPTV services; (3) complexity and relative advantage were crucial measures of IPTV’s current technological level, functional performance, and quality with regard to services; and (4) a comparative analysis of diffusion patterns of IPTV between Japan and South Korea indicated that IPTV users in Japan appeared to be still in the phase of early adopters, while South Korean users have gone beyond to the phase of early majority in the adoption cycle.     

Productivity growth,technical progress and efficiency change in Spanish retail trade (1995–2004): a disaggregated sectoral analysis

This article analyses productivity growth in Spanish retail stores during the period 1995–2004. It is also interested in analysing the influence of regulation/deregulation processes on the efficiency and productivity of the firms. The analysis is carried out from a disaggregated sectoral perspective at the 4-digit NACE code level. The non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis approach is used to compute Malmquist productivity indexes. These are decomposed into efficiency change and technical change. Big differences are found in the productivity growth for each sector. First, six retail sectors experienced positive productivity growth, while six saw productivity growth decrease. Second, most sectors experienced technical progress. Third, some sectors improved their efficiency, while others became less efficient. Fourth, the TFP improvements were almost entirely due to technical progress, and only four sectors improved their efficiency. The findings obtained from the analysis of the deregulation of opening hours show two important facts: (i) the differences in the productivity and the efficiency of the firms between sectors, and (ii) the losses /improvements of efficiency of the firms in relation to the effects of the shop opening hours or the lack of adaptation to the environment.     

Factors affecting international joint venture success: an empirical analysis of foreign–local partner relationships and performance in joint ventures in Turkey

This article discusses inter-partner relationships and their impact on joint venture performance. It explores the changes in the nature of relationships (conflict, commitment, co-operation, trust) which have important implications for the continuity and performance of partnerships. In doing so, it identifies the potential areas of co-operation and conflict, due to both partners' overlapping interests, and establishes constructs which help explain conflict, commitment and other soft dimensions of joint venture operations. Based on previous studies, this article develops a framework within which inter-partner relations (conflict, commitment, trust, co-operation, and autonomy) are empirically examined. The article also establishes performance constructs for joint venture organisations. Finally, it develops a dynamic model of inter-partner relations and performance which indicates the causal connections between conflict, commitment, control, inter-partner co-operation and performance.     

Zobele chemical industries: the evolution of a family company from flypaper to globalization (1919–2001)

The Zobele, located in Trento, Northern Italy, was founded in 1919 by Enrico Zobele Sr., who became famous when he invented his first “killer product” in 1930—flypaper. After the Second World War, the bombed-out factory was rebuilt by his sons, Luigi and Fulvio, who introduced new products for home hygiene and home care. The company globalized under the joint leaderships of Chief Executive Enrico Jr., son of Luigi, and Franco and Giovanni, sons of Fulvio. In 2001, Zobele Chemical Industries reported sales of US$75 million with profits of US$5.1 million. The company had 700 employees, factories in Italy, Spain, Brazil, Paraguay, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Malaysia with continuing expansions in Italy and China. This is a case study of the Zobele family and Zobele Chemical Industries, their past history, and present status. It centers on the challenges they face in ensuring global leadership in their served market niches, while maintaining the continuity of family ownership and control. This case presents the practical implications for family enterprises in their attempts to meet the challenges of a globalized marketplace.     

The impact of exchange rate regimes on economic growth: Empirical study of a set of developing countries during the period 1974–2006

An increment in the quantity of services/goods manufactured per-head of the population over time denotes economic growth of a country. Exchange Rate Intermediate Regimes are unable to continue under conditions of capital movement. To examine the relationship between exchange rate regimes and economic growth. This study has kept its focus on the economic growth of a set of developing countries during the years (1974–2006). Fixed effects and pooled regression for 16 developing countries have been incorporated as the methodologies techniques for data. Analysis of data was performed through SPSS. A relationship between exchange rate regimes and economic growth has been identified through statistical approaches. The results indicated that as compared to flexible exchange regime, growth rate was higher by 1.2% when fixed exchange regime was adopted; and a growth rate of 0.64% was achieved under the intermediate regime when compared with the flexible regime. A positive impact has been identified in exchange rate regimes upon economic growth of the developing countries. Countries following the flexible exchange rates are facing scarcity for the existence of advanced financial systems, which deprives them of enjoying the benefits of flexible regime.     

Teaching note: Zobele chemical industries: the evolution of a family company from flypaper to globalization (1919–2001)

The case study of the Zobele family and Zobele Chemical Industries, their past history, and present status was published in J. Bus. Venturing doi:10.1016/S0883-9026(03)00062-4. This teaching note centers on the challenges they face in ensuring global leadership in their served market niches, while maintaining the continuity of family ownership and control. This case presents the practical implications for family enterprises in their attempts to meet the challenges of a globalized marketplace.The Zobele, located in Trento, Northern Italy, was founded in 1919 by Enrico Zobele Sr., who became famous when he invented his first “killer product” in 1930—flypaper. After the Second World War, the bombed-out factory was rebuilt by his sons, Luigi and Fulvio, who introduced new products for home hygiene and home care. The company globalized under the joint leaderships of Chief Executive Enrico Jr., son of Luigi, and Franco and Giovanni, sons of Fulvio. In 2001, Zobele Chemical Industries reported sales of US$75 million with profits of US$5.1 million. The company had 700 employees, factories in Italy, Spain, Brazil, Paraguay, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Malaysia with continuing expansions in Italy and China.     

Assessing Personality Patterns of Functioning in a Decision-Making Ambiguous Task: The Rorschach Reality–Fantasy Scale (RFS-2)

Various studies suggest that individual differences in personality patterns of functioning are strong determinants of both psychopathological manifestations and negotiation effectiveness in high functioning individuals. It has been argued that the lack of empirical confirmation for these claims is attributable to methodological limitations. The present paper suggests using the Reality–Fantasy Scale Version 2 (RFS-2), as a measure of these patterns while confronting the ambiguous task of the Rorschach Inkblot Method. Participants were three samples of young Israeli adults collected in three periods that differ in terms of frequency and severity of terrorist attacks conducted against civilians. The findings point out that unlike the level of subjective distress, which was lower in less threatening periods, fundamental personality characteristics (i.e. the capacity for differentiation and integration of internal and external realms of experience) were found to be similar in all the three samples despite notable changes in external circumstances of the long standing, fluctuating political conflict in the Middle East.     

The impact of individualism on buyer–supplier relationship norms,trust and market performance: An analysis of data from Brazil and the U.S.A.

This study focuses on the impact of the cultural dimension of individualism, face-to-face communication and the effect of relational norms such as supplier involvement and trust on the market performance of buyer firms. We use the culture literature and social exchange theory to test hypotheses using a sample of Brazilian and US manufacturing firms. The data were analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling, employing nonlinear partial least squares regression. Our findings indicate that individualism is negatively related to the involvement of suppliers in the production process but is not associated with trust in suppliers. In addition face-to-face communication seems to have a positive effect on supplier involvement and trust.     

The entrepreneurial control imperative: A case history of Steria (1969–2000)

Steria, a leading French information systems and services company, was created with the vision that it would be owned by employees of all ranks. Founded in 1969 with US$80,000 initial capital and eight employees, Steria achieved its initial public offering (IPO) in 1999, and in May 2000 had sales of US$400 million, 3000 employees, and a market value of US$800 million, with a price/earnings ratio of 55. Steria's strategy was driven by the entrepreneurial control imperative. While the founder entrepreneur gradually relinquished control in favor of new employees, Steria was wary, almost paranoid, in ensuring its independence from takeovers by other companies. We discuss the four stages of growth of Steria, separated by three internal crises. Two of these crises were caused by the revolt of dissatisfied employees, the “barons,” and were resolved through the statesmanship of the founder entrepreneur. We analyze the key factors that contributed to the success of Steria, and we discuss whether the strategy of maintaining entrepreneurial control was beneficial to Steria and whether this strategy is still valid for the post-IPO “New Steria.”     

Advertising targeting young children: an overview of 10 years of research (2006–2016)

A review of 138 published academic articles was conducted to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of academic research of the past decade (2006–2016) on advertising directed to young children up to 12 years old. The research overview resulted in a conceptual framework comprising five research domains that were found to be most prominent. For each of these five domains, an overview, discussion and future research agenda is presented. We conclude that much of the research of the past decade included food advertising and its effects. Progress has been made in the domain of children's advertising processing, specifically with regard to advertising literacy. Despite the growing importance of embedded advertising, many of the new ad formats remain neglected (e.g. native and mobile advertising). Additionally, only a few studies investigated which executional factors (e.g. humour) are effective in advertisements to target children and social influences are also less often considered.     

Women's self-employment: An act of institutional (dis)integration? A multilevel,cross-country study

In this paper we investigate the extent to which gender equality disintegrates women's self-employment choice (compared to that for men) and whether this is contingent upon a country's development stage and industries. We rely on symbolic interactionism to argue that employment choices emerge from an interactive conversation between individual and social institutional processes. Using data from 61 countries, we find that overall gender equality is associated with the gender gap in men's and women's self-employment choices and that this association depends upon the country's development stage and industries. Contributions are made to women's entrepreneurship and institutional theory.     

Electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on WeChat: examining the influence of sense of belonging,need for self-enhancement,and consumer engagement on Chinese travellers’ eWOM

‘Friends’ circles’ on WeChat have helped make eWOM more easily accessible and influential than ever. Drawing from the social identity theory, literature on consumer engagement and eWOM, this study presents the first research that examines the influence of two personality traits, sense of belonging and need for self-enhancement, on consumer engagement and in turn leads to eWOM intention. The results suggest that the need for self-enhancement positively influences Chinese travellers’ engagement with WeChat. In addition, a partial positive relationship between consumer engagement and eWOM intention was identified: only dedication towards WeChat is directly related to travellers’ intention to engage in eWOM on WeChat. Dedication was found to mediate the influence of need for self-enhancement on eWOM intentions. Sense of belonging, however, does not have a significant impact on consumer engagement. These mixed results demonstrate changing cultural values of contemporary Chinese society. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Academic liner notes: a re-inquiry of Chris Hackley’s (2012) CCT Blues

ABSTRACT

While in certain sub-areas of marketing and consumer research, alternative modes of investigation and representation have been mushrooming for a while - i.e. publications of poetry, poetry sessions at conferences, videography, and fiction - we suggest music and complementary academic liner notes as another form of alternative investigation and expression. This paper offers accompanying notes to our original contribution in musical format as an alternative mode of representation and critical dramatization in marketing and consumer research. The song is called CCT Blues and is perfomed by Postmödern talking sans frontiers avéc fromage [the song can be found on Applemusic, iTunes, and Spotify searching for CCT Blues and the artist name.] These liner notes guide the academic listener through our reflexive critical dramatization of the current intellectual condition of the CCT research area in form of a cover song of Chris Hackley’s CCT Blues [2012a. CCT Blues Electric Version.wmv, June 2. Accessed November 25, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1pgyaiw610]. Consequently, this paper offers a backstage pass into the world of producing and packaging our critique in audio format.