Basic Consumer Research Articles

Towards a new consumer rights paradigm: Elevating consumer rights to human rights in South Africa

Despite the increasing number of countries that have enshrined consumer rights as fundamental human rights in their constitutions, opinions remain divided on the legitimacy of recognising consumer rights as human rights. The view against accepting consumer rights as human rights is similar to that which questions the appropriateness of the economic, social and cultural rights contained in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) as human rights. Yet, we have witnessed a surge in ratification of the ICESCR – precisely because of increasing recognition that socio-economic vulnerability is a scourge that must be excised in order to ensure human wellbeing. The same concern impels imbuing consumer rights with the status and imprimatur of human rights. In light of the complexities of products and services brought about by advancement in technology, globalisation, increasing roles of multinational corporations in trade and, particularly, information deficit on the part of the consumer, there is indeed a need to integrate basic consumer rights into human rights, nationally and internationally. My central argument in this article is that although the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 does not explicitly mention consumer rights, some of the Fundamental Consumer Rights contained in the Consumer Protection Act 2008 could be viewed as an extension of the Bill of Rights in the marketplace and should be so recognised.

Dynamic EROI Assessment of the IPCC 21st Century Electricity Production Scenario

The Energy Return on Investment (EROI) is an important measure of the energy gain of an electrical power generating facility that is typically evaluated based on the life cycle energy balance of a single facility. The EROI concept can be extended to cover a collection of facilities that comprise a complete power system and used to assess the expansion and evolution of a power system as it transitions from one portfolio mix of technologies to another over time. In this study we develop a dynamic EROI model that simulates the evolution of a power system and we perform an EROI simulation of one of the electricity production scenarios developed under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) covering the global supply of electricity in the 21st century. Our analytic tool provides the means for evaluation of dynamic EROI based on arbitrary time-dependent demand scenarios by modeling the required expansion of power generation, including the plowback needed for new construction and to replace facilities as they are retired. The results provide insight into the level of installed and delivered power, above and beyond basic consumer demand, that is required to support construction during expansion, as well as the supplementary power that may be required if plowback constraints are imposed. In addition, sensitivity to EROI parameters, and the impact of energy storage efficiency are addressed.

Information overload effect u stambenom kreditiranju potrošača

This paper analyses one of the basic consumer's rights in the Union – the right to be informed, and in the context of the new regulation on housing loans – Directive 2014/17. With its content, Directive 2014/17 regulates key issues of housing (mortgage) lending, and in particular: the consumer's right to be informed, credit risk management, foreign currency lending and uniform rules of calculating the effective interest rate. As a light motive of the Directive, the consumer's right to be informed is pointed out in different stages of the credit relations. At the same time, critics of the Directive are in particular focused on the so-called information overload effect. To that extent, this paper seeks to examine the consequences of the „too-informed“ consumers, and risk in decision-making in credit relations based on the quantity of information provided. Using normative method, the author tries to show the consumer the right to be informed in a broader sense: analyzing the contribution to the consumers protection - as users of housing loans, as well as the possibility of negative impact of extremely broad spectrum of information that is presented to the consumers in terms of Directive 2014/17. The final part of the work shows the possible parallels with the regulations on the protection of consumers of financial services in the B&H entities.

An Industrial and Sociological Research of Consumers Requirements to a Lathing Tool

Within the frameworks of the development of the methodology of a lathing tool quality evaluation and rating of consumers requirements to the lathing tool they have conducted an analysis of a lathing tool market. They developed and realized procedures “An analysis of risks in case of disestablishment of a lathing tool from a market” and “Formation of consumers requirements list to the lathing tool. As a result of this they established basic consumer requirements and evaluated a level of their necessity.

PROPERTIES OF SELF COMPACTING CONCRETE WITH METAKAOLIN REPLACING SAND WITH GBFS

After Agriculture Industry in India. Construction sector contribute 11% to the GDP. Hence construction Industry plays a crucial role in economic development for any construction. Sand is the major material for preparation of mortar and self compacting concrete. But the problem here is sand is largest basic consumer non-renewable resource. Hence it is our responsibility to safeguard the sand for future generation. Today this is an almost scarcity of national sand and due to continuous excavation of river beds there is some serious effect on ecology ever. It’s the time to think for alternate material to replace the river sand and for any mix design of self compacting concrete higher %age of powder content & sand is required. In the present paper we have put an effort to replace the sand with GBFS by–product of steel and iron manufacturing plant. Test result of GBFS meets the national standard of fine aggregates (IS 38 3 1970) GBFS does not contain material that may affect the strength and durability of concrete such as chlorides, organics impurities. It is free from emission of Co2. In the present paper M40 grade of SCC was considered with different replacement of sand with G.B.F.S. Further it is studied that the effect of MetaKaolin on the properties of GBFS self compacting concrete, the studies include the effect of GBFS and MetaKaolin on the fresh and hardened mechanical properties of SCC made with GBFS and MetaKaolin. The observation made that river sand can be replaced up to 60% with constant W/C ratio 0.38% the only problem with GBFS, it takes long time to gain strength. If we add the admixtures METAKAOLIN by 10%, then quick setting & early strength is possible. The GBFS is free from Co2, Alkalis and silt, Co2.The fresh properties & compressive strength of SCC increases with the increase in the percentage of GBFS. But limited to 60% replacement provided by adding 10% MetaKaolin. It is found that 70% replacement not reached satisfactory results. It is economical when compared with natural sand and also reliable alternative material in terms of workability, strength and durability. As there is broader slope for advancement in construction Industry. Therefore there is an immense necessity to know for alternative to natural river sand, this paper further detail about the fresh and hardened properties chemical properties briefly in full length submission. The fresh properties and compressive strength of self compacting concrete is improved as percentage of GBFS increases with constant MetaKaolin (%). The study has revealed that using MetaKaolin in the replacement f river sand with GBFS gives better flow properties and compressive strength in comparison to only GBFS

Consumers’ perceptions of consumer rights in Jordan

Purpose – This paper aims to examine consumers’ attitudes toward marketing practices and consumer rights in Jordan, based on an empirical investigation of university students. The study refers to John Kennedy’s bill of four consumer rights: the Right to Safety, the Right to be Informed, the Right to Choose and the Right to be Heard. Design/methodology/approach – This paper depends on a convenience sample of 381 students, using a drop-off method, with a structured, self-administered questionnaire to measure consumer attitudes regarding the four basic consumer rights, as listed above, utilizing a five-point Likert scale measure. Findings – The overall findings show that the current consumers’ attitudes toward marketing practices related to protection of consumer rights is not highly favorable, indicating that more work will be needed for improvement, with more attention to consumers’ Right to be Heard. The study urged marketers and public policymakers in Jordan to reconsider the way consumer rights were bei...

Autor e vítima: a vulnerabilidade social de jovens que cometeram atos infracionais em Belo Horizonte

<p>A rápida estruturação de espaços urbanos e a falta de planejamento para provimento de bens de serviços básicos vêm somar-se às precariedades diversas, criando ambientes propícios para a estruturação de atividades criminosas. Em Belo Horizonte, o Centro Integrado de Atendimento ao Adolescente Autor de Ato Infracional contabilizou, em 2010, 9.864 entradas de adolescentes infratores. O suporte e assistência oferecidos no território são fundamentais para compreender o acesso que possuem os indivíduos que nele residem. O Índice de Qualidade de Vida Urbana (IQVU) analisa esta questão. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar o grau de cobertura de bens e serviços urbanos das regiões de Belo Horizonte onde residem os adolescentes que deram entrada no CIA-BH e, posteriormente, correlacioná-lo ao perfil socioeconômico desses jovens. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo baseado em dados secundários, oriundos do IQVU, de 1994 a 2006, somado a dados oficiais sobre o perfil socioeconômico de adolescentes que cometeram atos infracionais, em Belo Horizonte, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2010. Os resultados permitem inferir que a maior parte do público estudado está inserida em locais de baixo acesso a insumos básicos e se encontra em condição de vulnerabilidade social. A falta de aparatos sociais pode não explicar ou ter correlação direta com a delinquência juvenil, mas aumenta as oportunidades de envolvimento com a vida do crime.</p>

Examen transfronterizo de las multinacionales en el contexto del branding México-Estados Unidos

This article examines the context of branding by multinational companies in the Mexico -US border, his analysis is directed to companies that agree transnational and transboundary context. In this sense the approach is based on indicators Interbrands, database listing them considered major firms like the valuable trademarks, because it corresponds to those that generate higher returns over a period of stay of more than two consecutive years. This database of companies was used of 2005 to 2010 with enterprise features of industrial type, no basic consumer products, financial services, products frequently consumed, telecommunications, services and health. Under this view, the method focuses on those multinational companies which follow two clusters that are in the course of interaction in the border area through seven distinct brands. With the database networks are formed by maping of business grid in the transboundary context by using the UCINET software and define the network in the border area and interconnections.

Examen transfronterizo de las multinacionales en el contexto del branding México-Estados Unidos

This article examines the context of branding by multinational companies in the Mexico -US border, his analysis is directed to companies that agree transnational and transboundary context. In this sense the approach is based on indicators Interbrands, database listing them considered major firms like the valuable trademarks, because it corresponds to those that generate higher returns over a period of stay of more than two consecutive years. This database of companies was used of 2005 to 2010 with enterprise features of industrial type, no basic consumer products, financial services, products frequently consumed, telecommunications, services and health. Under this view, the method focuses on those multinational companies which follow two clusters that are in the course of interaction in the border area through seven distinct brands. With the database networks are formed by maping of business grid in the transboundary context by using the UCINET software and define the network in the border area and interconnections.

Attitudes towards poverty

Poverty, perceived as a lack of basic consumer goods, gives rise to a whole range of outcomes which affect not only the material dimension of human existence, but also influence social relations and references to spiritual values. Attitudes which could be associated with involuntary and unacceptable poverty include: doubt in the Divine Providence, bitterness, jealousy and envy, blaming others, lack of gratitude and in perceiving good, laziness, lack of initiative, escalating demands, gluttony and greed as well as meanness. However, joy, peace, freedom and solidarity with the poor, as well as work and enterprise, are symptoms of evangelical attitudes of the poor in spirit. Attitudes to poverty point to a wide range of human behaviours towards possessions and in effect, reveal an individual’s sense of value.

Will They Stay or Will They Go? Community Features Important in Migration Decisions of Recent University Graduates

Rural regions of the United States have experienced detrimental out-migration, or brain drain, of college-educated individuals. The present study used survey data, gathered with an interactive website tool containing a comprehensive collection of economic and lifestyle features, to determine those most important in migration decisions for public university graduating seniors from the rural state of Iowa. Economic features (overall cost of living and a strong local economy) were ranked as the top features, followed by lifestyle features including two surprising features (access to basic consumer goods and access to health facilities). The impact of individual differences on the likelihood of moving and the selection of desired community features was also examined and proved to be statistically significant. For instance, in comparison with female graduates, male graduates selected educational level of residents and higher percentage of nonmarried residents features more frequently. Implications for policy development and marketing and economic development strategies are discussed.

Análisis de portafolio por sectores mediante el uso de algoritmos genéticos: caso aplicado a la Bolsa Mexicana de Valores

The type of industry, size of company, number of employees, etc. are variables that are considered as control variables in a large number of articles. In this research we consider the sector variable as a determinant of financial performance (Baird et al. 2012) and the risk (Artikis and Nifora, 2011) rather than as a control variable. This paper analyzes six sectors of the Mexican economy divided according to the Mexican Stock Exchange: industrial, basic consumer products, materials, non basic consumer products, telecommunications and financial services. The sample consists of Mexican companies, that is, 30 companies in the 2007-2012 period. To measure portfolio performance two classic indicators are used: (1) Jensen alpha and (2) Sharpe ratio, and also conditional metrics are used that measures the number of times the portfolio return exceeds the market average. The goal is to find a portfolio that maximizes these parameters and compare the results between the different sectors under study. Due to a nonlinear programming problem, genetic algorithms are used to obtain the optimal portfolio that maximizes these metrics. The results show a better risk-adjusted financial performance in the field of materials and financial services and a lower performance in such sectors as the industrial and telecommunications ones.

Ultra-Low-Power Wireless Systems: Energy-Efficient Radios for the Internet of Things

An ultra-low-power wireless system is one which has to operate for an extended period of time with only a limited power source available, and is typically constrained to a limited size (if size is not a limitation then a larger battery could be used). Clearly the term ?ultra-low-power wireless? covers a broad range of applications which may have different key drivers as illustrated in Figure 1. For a fitness device such as a heart rate monitor, the number one driver is often cost as these are basic consumer products. For a bio-implant such as a smart pacemaker, battery life is critical as battery replacement typically requires surgery. For a smart home system such as automatic climate control, cost and battery life are important but the system also needs to support a relatively large number of devices and the communication range should be large?throughout the whole building. Finally for a gaming application such as a wireless headset, high data rate and very low latency are key, so as not to ruin the high-speed gaming experience. To minimize operating power and achieve maximum battery lifetime, the implementation of an ultra-lowpower wireless system requires an integrated design approach that considers many requirements including battery source, active and sleep mode energy requirements, system architectures, and circuit implementations. In practice, these issues lead to trade-offs, which may require numerous iterations to arrive at an optimal solution for the desired application. With the recent explosion of interest in ultra-low-power wireless systems for the Internet of Things and wearable devices, the current rate of innovation in the development of ultra-low-power wireless systems is sure to continue.

Efficacy and comparative analysis of consumer qualities of the Desmopressin intranasal drops in patients with central diabetes insipidus

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and conduct a comparative analysis of consumer qualities of desmopressin intranasal drops 0.01% 5ml ("Biopharm", Georgia) in patients with central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Materials and Methods: The study included 9 patients (3 men and 6 women, mean age 44 ± 12 years) diagnosed with CDI. Patients for 7 days were switched to desmopressin intranasal drops 0.01% (JSC "Biopharm" Georgia) from there basal desmopressin preparations by means of recalculating daily dose by proposed formular: 10 mg (2 drops) of desmopressin intranasal drops = 0.2 mg of desmopressin tableted = 10 micrograms (one dose) of intranasal spray metered desmopressin = 120 mcg sublingual tablets of desmopressin. Safety biochemical parameters, efficiency to control of the main manifestations of CDI, increase in urine specific gravity, quality of life, basic consumer properties of different desmopressin preparation were evaluates at baseline and after treatment period. Results: Desmopressin nasal drops 0.01% showed to be an effective drug for the treatment of patients with CDI. Dose calculation algorithm daily was adequate in most patients. Hyponatremia was detected in 2 out of 9 patients during the study period but has been related to study drug alone in one case. The investigational drug was marked convenient to use by less than 25% of patients which may be associated with the pharmacological form of the drug as intranasal drops with special storage conditions (refrigerator). Conclusions: The drug desmopressin intranasal drops can be recommended as a second line (reserve) therapy in the treatment of patients CDI. Sodium levels should be checked during initiation of therapy.

PELAKSANAAN PERLINDUNGAN KONSUMEN DI INDONESIA

Everyone either alone or jointly surely be the consumers to a particular product or service. That requires the legal protection of the parties in a balanced manner both at the time prior to the transaction and/or at the time after the transaction. Generally known there are four basic consumer rights that must be protected, namely: the right to safety, the right to information, right to vote and the right to be heard. In practice the legal protection of consumers still poses various problems that affected various factors, among others: relating to the legal structure, the substantive law and legal culture and bureaucratic apparatus. For addressing these problems, it is necessary to look for solutions, among others: As soon as possible to revise the existing UUPK; law to be formed is responsive law; and the seriousness of law enforcement to monitor, process and resolve any violations with penalties/sanctions were firm and commensurate so deterrent to those who commit violations

Predicting advertising effectiveness by facial expressions in response to amusing persuasive stimuli.

We present a psychophysiological study of facial expressions of happiness (FEH) produced by advertisements using the FaceReader system (Noldus, 2013) for automatic analysis of facial expressions of basic emotions (FEBE; Ekman, 1972). FaceReader scores were associated with self-reports of the advertisement’s effectiveness. Building on work describing the role of emotions in marketing research, we examined the relationship between the patterns of the FEBE and the perceived amusement of the advertisements, attitude toward the advertisement (AAD) and attitude toward the brand (AB). Differences were observed between FEH scores in response to high-, medium-, and low-amusing video advertisements (AVAs). Positive correlations were found between FEH and AAD and FEH and AB in high- and medium- but not in low-AVAs. As hypothesized, other basic emotions (sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust) did not predict advertisement amusement or advertisements’ effectiveness. FaceReader enabled a detailed analysis of more than 120,000 frames of video-recordings contributing to an identification of global patterns of facial reactions to amusing persuasive stimuli. For amusing commercials, context-specific FEH features were found to be the major indicators of advertisement effectiveness. The study used video-recordings of participants in their natural environments obtained through a crowd-sourcing platform. The naturalistic design of the study strengthened its ecological validity and demonstrated the robustness of the software algorithms even under austere conditions. Our findings provide first evidence for the applicability of FaceReader methodology in the basic consumer science research.

A Basic Consumer Price Index for Cambodia

This paper calculates a National Basic Consumer Price Index for Cambodia for 1993-2009 using data gathered in twelve provincial urban and rural markets and Phnom Penh, by the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) and the Cambodian National Institute of Statistics (NIS), respectively. The data collected by the CDRI were used to calculate a Provincial Basic Consumer Price Index for Cambodia for 1993–2009. Data from the NIS Consumer Price Index for Phnom Penh were used to calculate a Basic Consumer Price Index for Phnom Penh for the same period. This latter index was combined with the Provincial Basic Consumer Price Index, using appropriate population weights, to calculate a National Basic Consumer Price Index for Cambodia. This is a measure of prices paid by the poor for basic consumer items. The paper concludes with a discussion of price movements for basic consumer goods over the period 1993-2009, along with a comment on policy implications arising from the study.

Labeling of genetically modified food and consumers' rights

The legal regulation of genetically modified food directly affects consumers, since they are the ones who encounter genetically modified food on the shelves every day. At the beginning, authors indicate that there are huge differences between legal regulation of genetically modified food in the United States and in the European Union. These differences result in different labeling regimes in those two systems of genetically modified food regulation. Authors consider several factors from which depend efficiency of the labeling regime, and labels' influence on the actual realization of basic consumers' rights. Authors will analyze these factors in the paper, such as: label complexity, opting for positive or negative labeling regime, whether labeling regime is mandatory or voluntary, etc. In the conclusion authors give recommendations to the Serbian legislator, and propositions for changes in current domestic legal regulation, which would improve realization of basic consumers' rights in relation with genetically modified food.

15-16. Yüzyıllarda Tuna Havzasında Tuzlalar Ve Tuz Hukuku

Salt mine is a natural strategic resource forthe states in terms of theregi on which they were obtained. In this regards, having a rich geography, the Ottoman State has had wide salts both in Anatolia and Rumelia. Salt, one of the basic consumer goods, occupies a significiant place in human life. From past to present, from the protection of food stuff to almost as many in the industry, the salt has been exploited in the area. It has been a commodity in lots of are as such as the protection of food stuffs, industry from the past to the present. The Ottoman State, kept under control by the laws of the salt the food and the commerce clause as well as the marketing and transportation. Salts after removal from Wallachia, Transylvania, Moldavia and Hungary was sent to Istanbul with the Danube basin and is tried to resolve the needs of the area. Even the salt used in the palace in Istanbul has been supplied from the territory of Wallachia. Voivodeship’s one of the lesding sources of income, the salt is also one the most significant gains of Danube quay. State put into practice some of the tax law with particular attention to salt or salts. In order to gain unregistered traffickers smuggling of legal regulations for the prevention of these activities have been a deterrent. The Ottoman State has taken salt areas in which are remevoed the precious metal as well as in other areas on the status of demense. State monopoly in salt production which is regulated to protect the salt was forbidden. The law banning salt which is in the hand of state monopoly has been arranged in order to protect salt production. The area which have been focused on comprising the production of salt in the Dunabe basin, its transportation, trade, taxes, it forbiddenig, salt law, the use of salt etc.

Consumer Practices and the Visibility of Identity in Antebellum St. Louis: A 1,200-Vessel Archaeological Sample from an Irish and German Neighborhood, 1845–65

This study examines a large sample of ceramic and glass artifacts from ten privy-vault features in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, dating circa 1845–65. The features were associated with a neighborhood populated primarily by recently-arrived Irish and German immigrants. Minimum vessel counts from the samples are employed to establish the basic consumer patterning of a number of products, ranging from ceramic tablewares to bottled foods. Also examined is the frequency and character of more “folk” associated artifacts, such as regionally made crockery and smoking pipes. The visibility of cultural identity is considered in the context of large samples of domestic debris, retrieved from rarified social settings but also dominated by mass produced and mass marketed goods.