On the asymmetric effects of the real exchange rate on domestic investment in G7 countries

Two studies have assessed the symmetric and asymmetric effects of exchange rate changes on domestic investment. One included six emerging countries and the other one, 18 African nations. Both revealed that using nonlinear models to assess the asymmetric effects yield a more significant outcome compared to symmetric and linear models. We add to this small literature by showing the same using quarterly data from each of the G7 countries. Indeed, nonlinear models produced relatively more short-run and long-run effects of changes in the real effective exchange rate on domestic investment, though in an asymmetric manner.     

How sensitive is U.S. agricultural trade to the bilateral exchange rate? Evidence from bulk,intermediate, and consumer‐oriented products

This article examines the dynamic effects of changes in bilateral exchange rates on changes in bilateral trade of bulk, intermediate, and consumer‐oriented agricultural products between the United States and its 10 major trading partners. We find that, for consumer‐oriented products, U.S. exports are highly sensitive to bilateral exchange rates in both the short and long run, while U.S. imports are mostly responsive only in the short run. For bulk products, on the other hand, U.S. exports and imports are relatively insensitive to exchange rate changes in both the short and long run. For intermediate products, exports and imports are responsive to exchange rate changes in the short run, but not in the long run. It is also found that income of the United States and its trading partners has a significant effect on U.S. exports and imports of the three types of agricultural products in both the short and long run.     

Branded App Usability: Conceptualization,Measurement, and Prediction of Consumer Loyalty

Despite the importance of usability assessment, few studies have taken a consumer-centric approach to conceptualize and measure the underlying dimensions of branded app usability. Addressing this gap in the literature, we developed and validated a holistic measure of branded app usability based on consumer evaluations rather than the various technical issues previously addressed in mobile marketing studies. The results indicate that branded app usability, as a multidimensional construct, consists of 13 items in five factors: user-friendliness, personalization, speed, fun, and omnipresence. Theoretical and practical implications for measuring branded app usability are discussed.     

Augment yourself through virtual mirror: the impact of self-viewing and narcissism on consumer responses

Virtual mirror, an increasingly popular application of augmented reality, allows consumers to view their visages overlaid with product images on digital displays. The authors of this study examine how augmented reality technology affects consumers’ brand perceptions and purchase intentions. Study 1, using a real brand, demonstrates that consumers tend to form higher self-brand connections and purchase intention when viewing themselves trying a product via a virtual mirror, rather than when viewing professional models wearing the product. Study 2, using a fictitious brand, reveals that narcissistic participants show pronounced positive self-viewing effects, but non-narcissistic participants show attenuated effects. Implications for digital marketers are discussed.     

The Diffusion of Voluntary Environmental Programs: The Case of ISO 14001 in Korea, 1996–2011

Small family businesses have generally been shown to exhibit significant concern for social responsibility, especially at the community level. Despite the reported heterogeneity of family firms in their preferences for and participation in social responsibility, the drivers of such differences are not agreed upon in the literature. We draw from enlightened self-interest and social capital theories by exploring their complementary and competing implications for the effect of duration and community satisfaction on participation in community-oriented social responsibility (CSR). Additionally, drawing on the association between gender and self-construal and evidence that gender shapes helping and giving behaviors, we assess the moderating role of the gender of the firm manager in these relationships. We test our hypotheses on a sample of 279 family businesses and find support that gender moderates the relationship between community duration and satisfaction and measures of CSR.     

Guilt and Shame: Environmental Message Framing Effects

The authors examine how two negative emotions—guilt and shame—influence responses to environmental ad messages framed as gains or losses. In Study 1, participants primed with guilt express higher intention to conserve water after they view a gain-framed water conservation ad; participants primed with shame express higher conservation intention after they view a loss-framed ad. Study 2 replicates and supports the proposed matching hypothesis using nonstudent adults. In Study 3, participants react to a recycling ad as they did in Studies 1 and 2 when they expend high effort by transcribing the recycle pledge before they view the ad, but not when they expend low effort by reading the pledge first. The findings overall provide converging evidence for the interplay between negative emotions and message framing. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for developing environmental advertising message strategies.     

Does Foreign Direct Investment Matter to Domestic Entrepreneurship? The Mediating Role of Strategic Alliances

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on domestic entrepreneurship in a host country by analysing a unique panel dataset of FDI and startup rates in Korean industries. It finds that FDI with a time lag has a positive effect on the startup rate, implying that inward FDI promotes domestic entrepreneurship. It shows that the strategic alliances moderate the relationship between FDI and the startup rate, depending upon the types of FDI and alliances. Both intra- and inter-industry alliances enhance the positive effect of foreign greenfield investment, while inter-industry alliances mitigate the effect of foreign acquisition.     

A technology valuation model to support technology transfer negotiations

The development and commercialization of advanced technologies will depend increasingly on efficient technology transfer and technology trading systems. This requires the development of technology markets or exchanges and hence a reliable technology valuation methodology. This paper develops a methodology for an objective and impartial valuation of fully developed technologies.
A web-based technology valuation system is developed with which interested users can make efficient and real-time evaluations of technologies.     

The differential roles of brand credibility and brand prestige in consumer brand choice

This study explores how brand credibility and brand prestige affect brand purchase intention and empirically investigates how the combinatory mechanism of brand credibility and brand prestige materialize across multiple product categories. The proposed model of six latent constructs is tested with structural equation modeling analysis: brand credibility, brand prestige, perceived quality, information costs saved, perceived risk, and brand purchase intention. The results suggest that both brand credibility and brand prestige positively influence brand purchase intention through perceived quality, information costs saved, and perceived risk under different product categories representing the high and low self‐expressive nature. Several implications for advertising messages and brand positioning strategies are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.