On the perceived usefulness of scaling techniques in market analysis

This study examines the perceived usefulness of alternative spatial and tree-based similarity scaling techniques in a market analysis task. These techniques are typically evaluated on their ability to fit or explain customer input data. The psychological reaction of individuals who use these techniques to analyze markets has been largely ignored. The study reveals that spatial representations are perceived as more useful than tree-based clustering techniques, even though the latter provide a better fit to customer perceptions. The results have implications for both the use and development of scaling techniques in psychology and marketing. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Consumer Interest and Health Reform: The Logic of Withdrawal from Managed Competition

We propose six tasks Colston Warne would urge in addressing health care reform: (1) skepticism about advertised claims, (2) independent testing and appraisal, (3) minimizing barriers to consumer access and choice, (4) maximizing quality, (5) evaluation of fairness, and (6) assessing consumer empowerment potential. Such an exercise would likely have led him and should lead us to advocate single-payer health reform. Consumers are the key to breaking through the grid-lock blocking health reform, and single payer is the key for unlocking the democratic dialogue needed for moving forward. Thus we need to stop “fighting over the bill”and instead begin building a better health system.     

Adult and Teenage Use of Consumer,Business, and Entertainment Technology: Potholes on the Information Superhighway?

Adults and teenagers were surveyed to determine their use and ownership of 32 consumer, business, and entertainment technology devices. Demographics, technology experience, and “technophobia” were examined as potential discriminators between Confident Users, Hesitant Users, and Nonusers of each technological device. Results indicated that older, technophobic adults with little computer training and lower income, black and Hispanic, technophobic teenagers did not use most technological devices.     

Middle-School Children's Sources and Uses of Money

Despite their growing economic power, children's acquisition and use of money rarely has been investigated in academic research, although it has been a frequent topic in the media. This study (1) describes sources and uses of money children (age 10–15) receive; and (2) investigates the association of children's uses of money with their age, gender, family structure, and sources of money. The sources of money are associated with children's uses of it, but age, gender, and family situation do not relate to the way they use money. Consumer education should focus on the sources of children's money in relation to the way they use it.     

Ultimate capacity of blast loaded structures common to chemical plants

There has been a great deal of investment in development of design criteria and design and construction of heavily reinforced, blast-resistant control rooms. This remains the best option for protective construction against severe blast loading experienced close in to a vapor cloud or other explosion hazard. However, most structures encountered at chemical plants and contemplated for future construction are conventional steel frame, metal clad buildings. In this paper we look closely at the response of such buildings to explosion loads and their ability to undergo large deformations without structural failure. The types of structural elements evaluated include metal decking of various gauge and shape along with a variety of girt and purlin sections. Building frames or bents are also evaluated, although the date base for these is much more limited. The work is based on observations made during investigations of large explosion accidents along with analytical predictions and test measurements. To conclude, we offer specific design criteria and connection recommendations for enhancing the overall strength of a building through the use of conventional components in unconventional construction.