Attribute Consequence Value Research Articles

A growth pattern of foreign investment motivations by individuals

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce a growth comprehensive pattern to explain the phenomenon of individual foreign investment, first at the global level and then at the regional level. The patterns are developed based on a number of main theories with grounded theory (GT) as the foundation, distributed on the two pull and push forces of international business theory and migration theory; simultaneously, it is classified on the three levels (attribute–consequence–value [ACV]) of means-end theory.Design/methodology/approachAn embedded method is applied to generate two complementary datasets from two approaches: in-depth interviews and secondary data analysis.FindingsIn this structure, the investor plays a central role as the decision-maker based on the entrepreneur's motives for internationalization (economics-driven and psychology-driven factors) and the householders' motives for emigration (aspiration and access capabilities). The external forces considered are a push from the home country (structures) and pull from the host country (immigrant investment programs [IIPs]), in which the factor of (dis)trust/misconception as a moderator has an additional impact on this mobility. Demographic factors such as gender, region, generation/age, level of education, religion and occupation generally describe the characteristics of each specific target group.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is to develop a conceptual framework.Originality/valueThe results of this study, in addition to fulfilling its own objectives, will also serve as the foundation for further research in several scientific fields such as economics, sociology and politics.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2022-0786

Seek common ground local culture while reserving difference: Exploring types of souvenir attributes by Ethnic Chinese people

Purchasing souvenirs is an important travel shopping behaviour in the tourist industry. Multiple studies have explored dimensions related to a souvenir. However, the attributes of souvenirs are inconsistent and few studies have explored from tourists’ perspective the customer value of the souvenirs they purchased. Using food souvenirs as an example, this study adopted the means-end chains approach to explore the consumer value of food souvenirs purchased by tourists. Based on the attribute–consequence–value linkages, food souvenir attributes most important to tourists were identified, and subsequently, the product attributes for food souvenirs were determined. This study found that when choosing which food souvenirs to buy, tourists perceived the following nine major attributes as important: good taste, shareability, convenient, nostalgia and unique, human warmth, authenticity, local characteristics, famous and representative. The findings of this study can serve as reference for helping business industry to design products. This study recommends incorporating these nine attributes and local characteristics into destination tourism development to closely resonate with the needs of tourists and strengthen tourists’ perception and impression of the customs of destination tourism industry.

Hierarchical value-attainment paths of CBEC consumers: a means-end-chain perspective

PurposeThis study elicits the critical attributes, consequences and values associated with the purchasing process in the context of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC). The purpose is to provide a better understanding of the fundamental factors that determine consumer values in CBEC.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies the means-end-chain theory and soft-laddering techniques to interview 60 CBEC consumers to construct an implication matrix and a hierarchical value map (HVM) of the consumer purchasing process, consisting of attribute-consequence-value (A-C-V) paths.FindingsBy analyzing the significant linkages, elements, ladders and chains in the HVM, four dominant A-C-V paths were identified: economic-driven, efficiency-driven, progress-driven and quality-driven paths.Research limitations/implicationsThis study included only Chinese CBEC buyers. This limitation might affect the generalizability of the conclusions as culture, purchase habits and economic development differ between China and other countries.Practical implicationsThe results of this study provide CBEC practitioners an understanding of the consumer purchasing process and how consumer values are associated with platform characteristics. Thus, the results aid practitioners in allocating resources and developing CBEC platforms in an appropriate manner and direction.Originality/valueThis study sheds lights on the emerging phenomenon of CBEC. By applying the means-end-chain approach, the study provides a comprehensive HVM for interpreting the consumer online purchasing process in this novel context. By illustrating the dominant paths, this research provides deeper theoretical insights into the specific focuses of CBEC consumer purchasing.

Why customers make mobile payments? Applying a means-end chain approach

PurposeThis study aims to explore the motivational factors (or value components) using a consumer-centric view to enable consumer make mobile payments (mPayments).Design/methodology/approachMeans-end chain (MEC) theory, an exploratory approach was employed to understand personally relevant reasons for consumer use mPayments in India. In addition, the MEC phenomenon was investigated by examining the relationships among the three layers Attribute-Consequence-Value (A-C-V).FindingsThe study revealed the most important attribute to be handling money, followed by ease of use (consequence) and convenience as value. There was a wider recognition and penetration for acceptance of mPayments in smaller amounts or micro-payments with vendors, specifically in urban cities.Originality/valueThis research is the first of its kind wherein the concept of MEC has been utilized to evaluate why consumers make mPayments and demonstrate a novel approach to explore consumer insight into this domain.

Cognitive implications of experiencing religious tourism: An integrated approach of means–end chain and social network theories

AbstractThis study examines religious tourism using data derived from mixed methods research and analyzed through social network and means–end chain techniques. An initial qualitative survey with 26 informants established the questionnaire items used in a subsequent survey with 148 respondents for cognitive map construction. The cognitive maps derived from opinion leaders, gatekeepers, and other members in a social network can be used to identify important attribute–consequence–value linkages of the Buddha Memorial Center. Such linkages reflect the respondents' innermost thinking and their desired psychological states to inspire people to join religious tourism.

Constructing a hybrid hierarchical value map to understand young people’s perceptions of social networking sites

ABSTRACTBased on the means–end chains (MECs) and push–pull–mooring (PPM) model, this study aims to reveal the functional attributes of Facebook (FB) and Instagram (IG), classify them into the PPM model (i.e. push, pull, and mooring effect) and integrate the nature of MECs (i.e. attribute–consequence–value linkages) to examine young people’s perceptions of FB and IG and their switching intentions. Mixed methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches are employed to gather data in Taiwan. Sixty-two one-on-one in-depth interviews were content-analysed to design the survey questionnaire. A total of 457 valid samples were collected to establish a hybrid hierarchical value map (HVM) for MEC and PPM analyses. The hybrid HVM shows that ‘privacy protection’ and ‘information collection’ are push effects, which are the unfavourable factors of FB that push users to migrate to IG. By contrast, ‘visual interaction’, ‘relationship maintenance’, and ‘expanding friendship ties’ are pull effects favourable to IG that encourage FB users to migrate. Moreover, ‘self-expression’ and ‘message seeding’ belonging to mooring effects are factors that discourage FB users from migrating. Valuable insights may be provided for the design and improvement of social networking sites by understanding the hybrid HVM.

Hierarchical value map of religious tourists visiting the Vatican City/Rome

ABSTRACTConstructing a hierarchical value map, a psychological structure is explored to understand how religious tourists perceive the sites they visit in terms of site attributes, the benefits religious tourists seek, and their own personal values. The sample comprised foreign tourists who visited Catholic religious sites with religious tourism as their primary purpose. Using means-end chain theory, a hierarchical value map of selected religious tourists was created. A typology comprising three prominent sets of values was discovered: religious and pious values, spiritual values, and values associated with tourism and responsibility. The most salient attribute–consequence–value (A–C–V) linkage was as follows: ‘the opportunity to explore the traditions and history of religious sites’ (A)—‘had a genuinely religious experience’ (C)—‘learned about the history of my religion’ (C)—‘enhancement of faith and spirituality’ (V).

Players’ Value Structure in Digital Games

The rapid advancement of digital games has not only brought entertainment to consumers but also triggered gamers’ motivation to play. This study attempts to examine the structure of “attribute–consequence–value” chains of digital games based on the theoretical framework of means-end chains (MECs) and soft laddering interview technique. Results of the study reveal that players pay attention to game attributes including connection system, popular, graphic design, and diverse game genres. From these attributes, players expect consequences such as improve interactivity, cultivate logic and reflex, gain authentic experience, enhance pleasure of senses, and utilize imagination in pursuit of terminal values such as fun and enjoyment of life, sense of accomplishment, warm relationship with others and excitement. The study also covers the differences in the chains for different platforms of digital games and players of different gender. The results showed that different groups have different needs.

Interpreting Online Discussions: Connecting Artifacts and Experiences in User Studies

This paper presents a methodological effort to connect the specifics of technologies to the details of social practices, in an attempt to deepen our understanding of evolving sociotechnical cultures. More specifically, this paper describes a methodological framework that makes use of online discussions as a vital source of data. The reason the paper focuses on online discussion is that the Internet has become a natural habitat for discussions of high-end technologies, be they physical products or online services. The framework combines interpretative research and attribute-consequence-value (ACV) chain theory – a theory commonly applied to market and consumer research – to conceptualize and explore evolving prosumer cultures through online discussions. The benefit of using ACV chain theory is that it explicitly connects products and services to practices and values. The proposed methodological framework identifies three central techniques to elicit and analyse ACV chains from online prosumer discussions: (1) attribute analysis (2) Internet forum data collection and (3) thematic analysis. The paper goes on to exemplify the application of this framework by examining the sociotechnical co-evolution of the friend list – a backbone feature of many social networking services. In summary, this paper shows how ACV chains can be fruitfully applied to explore evolving prosumer cultures and make the vital connection between technical features and emerging cultures.

Exploring tourists' nostalgic experiences during culture festivals: the case of the Sung Chiang Battle Array

This study uses the means-end chain (MEC) approach with fuzzy conceptualization and incorporates Kano's model to elicit perceptions of nostalgic experiences and to explore preferences for Sung Chiang Battle Array (SCBA) cultural festivals. We provide a hierarchical value map that fuses attribute–consequence–value chains and Kano's model to distinguish the relationships between the factors of nostalgic experience and tourist satisfaction. Fuzzy linguistics is adopted to address the ill-defined nature of tourists' linguistic judgements so that they can be interpreted for the proposed MEC. By applying the ‘laddering' technique to interviews with 178 tourists, the resulting linkages strengthen the ability to probe outcomes and values and to derive a cognitive representation of nostalgic meanings. The findings of this research imply that, overall, tourists experience three different dominant perceptual orientations for nostalgic experiences in SCBA cultural festivals: ‘Learning and the challenge of a new experience', ‘Culture and art appreciation', and ‘The link between history and emotion'. The study's findings have implications for researchers and practitioners interested in nostalgic tourism.

A consumer value analysis of mobile internet protocol television based on a means-end chain theory

With the rise of the 4G technology, TV or video services based on mobile devices have received increasing attention from consumers. Using means-end chain theory, this study examines the cognitive structure of mobile internet protocol television (IPTV) users. Here, the cognitive structure refers to the attribute–consequence–value linkage that consumers consider as important in mobile IPTV services. The study classifies consumers based on two dimensions (their gender and occupation) and presents hierarchical value maps of mobile IPTV services. For this, the study collects data on 112 potential users of mobile IPTV services by using the association pattern technique. The results indicate as the representative cognitive structure of men and students; as that of women; and as that of office workers.

A means-end chain of fuzzy conceptualization to elicit consumer perception in store image

This paper discusses how the uses of a means-end approach with fuzzy conceptualization in eliciting consumer requirements provides a better understanding of the consumers’ perceptual orientation toward store image. We provide a hierarchy value map that fuses attribute–consequence–value (A–C–V) chains and fuzzy linguistics to effectively and efficiently understand store image processes and consumer satisfaction. A fuzzy set is also adopted to address the ill-defined nature of the consumer linguistic judgments required in the proposed means-end chain. The findings of this research imply that, overall, consumers are most concerned with the dominant perceptual orientation of store image, that is, eye-catching poster→visual satisfaction→satisfaction and display with theme→recommendation to others (willingness to talk to salesperson)→satisfaction (happiness).

Means-End Chain approach to understanding farmers' motivations for pesticide use in leafy vegetables: The case of kale in peri-urban Nairobi, Kenya

Peri-urban farmers play a significant role in the production of vegetables consumed in the urban centers in most African countries. The production of vegetables in the peri-urban areas in these countries is strategic with most farmers targeting the lucrative and better-paying urban markets. However, the decline in agricultural land in the peri-urban due to competition from housing for urban workers has led peri-urban farmers to use intensive means of agricultural production. Decreasing land sizes imply that peri-urban lands are continuously under production resulting in the build-up of pests and diseases. Further, the tropical climate generally increases the outbreak and rapid multiplication of pests and diseases. These problems and the urban consumers' demand for clean and spotlessness vegetables encourage the excessive use of pesticides. Additionally, the desire to reduce losses and waste can cause farmers to violate the recommended intervals between pesticide application and harvest. Consequently, there have been concerns about the excessive application of pesticides in vegetables produced in the peri-urban areas. The study applies the Means-End Chain (MEC) approach accompanied by the laddering technique to assess the motivations for peri-urban farmers to use pesticides as opposed to other crop protection methods in the production of fresh vegetables. It specifically examines the relevant attribute–consequence–value relations by setting up relevant hierarchical value maps. The study is based on a random sample of 54 kale farmers in three peri-urban areas of Nairobi. It finds that farmers apply pesticides at different times mainly for the purpose of improving their efficacy in protecting kale against pests and diseases. Protection of kale improves its aesthetic quality attributes resulting in higher prices and hence profit margins. Examination of the hierarchal value maps further reveals that the other motivations for pesticide use include benevolence value (being helpful and honest to trading partners), power (social recognition or good reputation as a good farmer), hedonism (happiness for being a successful farmer), security (having good health) and self-direction (independence or being self-supporting from vegetable income). Clearly, the motivations suggest a dilemma in safe use of pesticides. While some motivators dictate less use of pesticides, others can promote indiscriminate use of pesticides. The study discusses the implication of these findings for sustainable and environmentally friendly production of safe leafy vegetables in peri-urban areas.

The analysis of risk perception with fuzzy means-end approach

Visitors’ risk perceptions have been found to influence the on-site behavior of tourists and their intention to return to a destination or to recommend it to others. This study discusses how the uses of a means-end approach with fuzzy conceptualization in eliciting the perception of tourism risks in a better understanding of the visitors’ perceptual orientation toward the tourism values. We provide a hierarchy value map that fuses the attribute–consequence–value (A–C–V) and fuzzy linguistics to effectively and efficiently understand vacation risks and risk characteristics. Fuzzy logic is also adopted to deal with the ill-defined nature of the tourist linguistic judgments required in the proposed means-end chain. This research findings suggest that additionally to managing the most likely risks, tourist resorts should be prepared to cope with worst case scenarios such as “Thunderstorm”, “Bus accident”, “Food poisoning” and “Cable car accident”. From an overall risk perceptive, tourists are most concerned with dominant perceptual orientation of risk delivers being “Bus accident” → “Decrease of trust in the safety management as a result of the event of damage” → “Anger”.

Applying means-end chain theory to eliciting system requirements and understanding users perceptual orientations

This paper discusses how the use of a means-end approach in eliciting user requirements for a system results in a better understanding of the user’s perceptual orientation toward the Web-based document management system under design. Our findings imply that, from an overall perceptive, respondents are most concerned with the sense of being comfortable with the system, while respondents are more aware of the need for a security mechanism. However, none sought a sense of accomplishment or of belonging, self-respect, self-fulfillment, excitement, fun or enjoyment of the system. I provide a model that fuses the attribute–consequence–value (A–C–V) model and technology acceptance model (TAM). This model posits that factors at the consequence level lead to other factors at the value level, which in turn lead to behavioral intention to use the system. The model explains how attribute, consequence, and value factors ultimately lead to system use.

Implications for value research: A macro vs. micro perspective

AbstractThe relation between macro approaches to research on consumer values, such as VALS, and micro approaches, such as the Means‐End Model, is discussed. The relevances of the Means‐End Model, represented by the attribute—consequence—value hierarchy, to judgment tasks of psychological distance and preference evaluation are reviewed. Specifics of the research methods and analysis procedures required to investigate the relative contribution of means‐end theory to explaining the underlying processes of these two judgment tasks are detailed.