A Comparison of Conjoint Methods When There Are Many Attributes

This paper compares several methods of performing conjoint analysis when there is a large number of attributes. National parks were described in terms of 17 attributes and 56 levels. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups and each person responded to a calibration questionnaire that allowed the estimation of one of the following conjoint analysis models: full profile, ACA, individual-level hybrid, or full profile on the person's eight stated most important attributes. Validations were performed in terms of individual choices and aggregate choice shares. Reliabilities were assessed on both ratings and choices.Surprisingly even with a large number of attributes, the full profile method consistently validated best. Second was a full profile model estimated on the respondent's stated eight most important attributes. ACA and individual hybrid conjoint analysis performed similarly, but worse than these two methods on most measures. Validation differences were more strongly related to differences in attribute importances than desirabilities for levels within an attribute. It appears that these respondents were not able to accurately report self-explicated importances with a large number of attributes.     

Geographic Proximity of Products and Preference: A Forced-Choice Evaluation

It has been reported that information about the country of origin or the method of cultivating a food product influences individuals’ judgment. However, the effect of informing people that a product is produced locally has never been examined. A taste study was conducted in Brittany on the West Atlantic coast in France, a part of the country with a strong regional identity. Two identical products were presented in two numbered jars for a taste test. Participants were instructed to designate which of the two products they liked better. One product was presented as made in Brittany. It was reported that the made in Brittany product was preferred by the Breton participants, whereas this information had no effect on non-Breton participants. The importance of local product labels is discussed.     

Experimental analysis of choice

Experimental choice analysis continues to attract academic and applied attention. We review what is known about the design, conduct, analysis, and use of data from choice experiments, and indicate gaps in current knowledge that should be addressed in future research. Design strategies consistent with probabilistic models of choice process and the parallels between choice experiments and real markets are considered. Additionally, we address the issues of reliability and validity. Progress has been made in accounting for differences in reliability, but more research is needed to determine which experiments and response procedures will consistently produce more reliable data for various problems.Sawtooth SoftwareDecision Research     

Current Issues in Discrete Choice Modeling

Until recently, computational constraints forced researchers in thediscrete choice area to limit themselves to very simple statistical models,such as the multinomial logit (MNL), in which choice probabilities could beevaluated quickly on a computer. But the MNL only makes sense as abehavioral model under very special circumstances. Recent advances incomputation make it possible to estimate richer behavioral models thatgenerate very complex choice probability expressions. This paper discusses anumber of possible avenues for future research in the discrete choice areain light of these developments.     

初次分配效率与公平的政策组合与效用选择

按照对效率与公平偏好的不同,初次分配效率与公平的政策组合有四种类型:“轻效率,轻公平”型;“轻效率,重公平”型;“重效率,轻公平”型;“重效率,重公平”型.不同社会发展阶段收入分配政策的制定实际上是对这四种政策组合的选择,以选择能带来最大化效用的分配制度.用分粥模型形象地对效率与公平的各种政策组合进行模拟,并根据收入分配效用函数对效率与公平政策组合的效用选择状况进行分析,结果表明,在初次分配“重效率”目标不变的前提下,消除收入分配不公平、减少贫富差距的关键在于同时建立初次分配“重公平”的机制.     

New Brands Versus Brand Extensions, Attitudes Versus Choice: Experimental Evidence for Theory and Practice

The current study compares better-fitting and worse-fitting new brand names and brand extensions on brand attitudes and choice shares across situations that differ in terms of the amount of product information available and consumer knowledge of the target product category (which had limited effects), 35[emsp4 ]mm cameras (choice-set competitors Nikon and Minolta). While brand extensions and better-fitting brands generally enjoyed more positive brand attitudes and larger choice shares, effects were moderated by product information. When information was limited to brand name and price, the better-fitting brand extension (Sony) commanded more share than did the better-fitting new brand (Optix) which in turn commanded more share than did either the worse-fitting extension (Nike) or the worse-fitting new brand (Topix). But when information on product features was added, target brands were chosen similarly across brand names where the better-fitting new brand Optix garnered slightly (non-significantly; 5%) more share than the better-fitting extension Sony. This weak preference was reversed, however, in the attitude data where Sony was rated significantly higher in liking than Optix. Two focal conclusions emerge. First, new brands can perform as well as or better than brand extensions when consumers process product information. In this study, brand-extension advantages were confined to situations of limited information processing and better fit. Second, since branding effects differed across attitudes and choice, researchers hoping to duplicate in the laboratory the types of branding effects likely to occur in the marketplace may want to expand their traditional focus on attitudes to include choice.     

Consumers’ Preference Mapping and Their Behavior with Regard to Traditional Halwa Using a Structured Survey Questionnaire

In this study, a structured survey questionnaire was used to determine consumers’ preferences and their behavior with regard to halwa. Five types of consumer groups were identified thorough hierarchical cluster analysis based on ranked attributes. Color was ranked within the top three attributes for all the groups. In general, color, sweetness, appearance, and solubility were found to be the most important attributes for selecting the halwa. Five types of groups were identified based on their preference levels (i.e., intensity) of attributes. These could be recognized in terms of preferences for halwa with (1) black with high sweetness, (2) dark-brown with high-medium sweetness, (3) dark with low-medium sweetness, (4) brown with medium sweetness, and (5) dark with high-medium sweetness preferred consumers. The consumer segmentations identified could be used to develop retail marketing strategies and to develop store brands of diversified Arabian sweets and intermediate moisture fruit snacks, such as dates.     

大股东对盈余指标存在选择偏好吗?

作为转轨经济中公司治理的核心,大股东制衡机制对盈余管理和盈利质量存在重要影响.本文选择每股收益和主营业务利润率作为两类不同盈余指标的代表,以来自中国股市的经验证据研究发现:(1)控股股东持股比例(第一大股东比例)越高,上市公司每股收益越高,而主营业务利润率越低;(2)其他大股东持股比例和对第一大股东(或前两大股东)的制衡度(或联合制衡度)越高,上市公司每股收益越低,而主营业务利润率越高.这表明,不同的大股东对不同类型的盈余指标存在选择偏好:控股股东可能偏好市场和投资者反应程度较为显著,盈余管理空间较大且相对易于操纵的盈余指标;而与之相反,其他大股东持股比例和大股东制衡度(或联合制衡度)越高,越有可能抵制控股股东的盈余管理或利润操纵行为.     

Combining Sources of Preference Data for Modeling Complex Decision Processes

We review current state-of-the-art practices for combining preference data from multiple sources and discuss future research possibilities. A central theme is that any one data source (e.g., a scanner panel source) is often insufficient to support tests of complex theories of choice and decision making. Hence, analysts may need to embrace a wider variety of data types and measurement tools than traditionally have been considered in applied decision making and choice research. We discuss the viability of preference-stationarity assumptions usually made when pooling data, as well as random-utility theory-based approaches for combining data sources. We also discuss types of models and data sources likely to be required to make inferences about and estimate models that describe choice dynamics. The latter discussion is speculative insofar as the body of literature on this topic is small.     

Preference for green packaging in consumer product choices – Do consumers care?

In this paper, consumer environmental choice is studied by analysing the relative importance of green packaging when compared with other relevant product attributes. The empirical study is based on a choice‐based conjoint analysis of preferences for functional drink products of a sample of 330 consumers using these products. Our choice‐based approach on environmental behaviour brings new insights to previous research, which predominantly relies on attitude models. Results indicate that consumers differ in their preferences for packaging, brand, price and convenience of use of daily products. In addition, various distinctive consumer segments can be identified on the market. Contrary to several previous studies, we found that the largest consumer segment, one‐third of consumers, favoured environmentally labelled packaging as the most important criteria in their choice. The findings emphasize the increasing importance of ethical and environmental dimension in product choices. We also propose that the attention in environmental consumer research should be shifted from general attitude studies towards the study of actual product choices.     

杭州产业集群技术创新模式研究

我国地方产业集群大多都属于传统产业集群,正面临着转型升级的巨大压力,技术创新是突破地方产业集群发展瓶颈的关键。本文主要探讨了标准化战略下轮轴式产业集群和马歇尔式产业集群的技术创新模式,论述了不同类型的产业集群在技术创新过程中标准化的作用。由于产业集群类型的不同,集群创新所采取的模式也不尽相同。地方产业集群应根据自身条件,合理地选择符合自身类型的技术创新模式。     

我国本土会计师事务所国际化发展路径选择

我国新会计准则的颁布使我国的会计体系与国际惯例实现了实质性趋同.我国本土会计师事务所的国际化发展是经济全球化和我国经济融入世界经济主流的必然要求.但在此过程中存在着缺乏品牌和国际化经验、竞争无序、规模小和审计质量不高等不利因素.为了更好地适应国际化,本土会计师事务所应加强人力资源管理,创建先进的事务所文化,走多元化的业务发展和规模化的组织发展路径,加强国际化人才培养.     

Have the Mobile Coupon Preferences of Millennials Changed?

ABSTRACT

In 2007, the authors delivered a web-based survey to a sampling frame of 18 to 30 year olds. Choice-based conjoint analysis was used to determine their local coupon preferences. The findings indicated that Millennials, in general, were resistant to receiving coupons for local businesses through their cell phones. In this article, the same survey was delivered to a sampling frame of Millennials in 2014. Choice-based conjoint analysis was again used to examine the couponing preferences of Millennials and statistical analysis was conducted to determine if these preferences have significantly changed over the last seven years.