Commercial Market Research Articles

From Field to Table: The Pukekohe Dehydration Factory in the 1940s

In August 1943, the New Zealand Governmentʹs Internal Marketing Division announced plans to construct a vegetable dehydration factory in Pukekohe, on the outskirts of southern Auckland. The factory was built with urgency, to dehydrate, quick‐freeze, can and cool store large quantities of vegetables to assist in providing food for United States troops, stationed in the Pacific. The factory consisted of a large, long main factory building, a boiler house and machine shop, a cafeteria, a chemical building, a vinery building, alaboratory, and an administration block. It incorporated the most modern equipment and processing methods of the time, with much of the machinery supplied from the United States. To supply the large quantities of vegetables required under direction from the Department of Agriculture, produce was grown through a combination of state gardens and commercial market gardeners. To meet the demand, the factory operated long hours, becoming a significant local employer, particularly for women. Workers were also deployed from further afield to achieve the necessary processing outputs. This paper examines the development and operation of the Pukekohe Dehydration Factory in the 1940s, its role in supporting the war effort during the Second World War, and its utilisation throughout the remainder of the decade.

Research on the Communication Path of Domestic High-quality Variety Shows

As a gathering place for popularity and traffic in today’s society, variety shows play an important role in cultural communication. This article takes the Magnolia Award-winning domestic high-quality variety show "Sound into the Heart" as the research object. Based on the media dependence theory, it discusses from the three dimensions of communication content, communication method, and communication effect, and analyzes the path for variety shows to drive the development of the cultural industry. Analyze variety show content, production strategies, and commercial marketing, and seek new ways to spread niche culture and art.

In Vitro Hepatic Metabolism Input Parameters Support Toxicokinetic Simulations for the Formation of Methoxy Propionic Acid From β-Isomer Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether.

Propylene glycol ethers (PGEs) are organic solvents commonly found as technical grade on the commercial market, as mixtures of secondary (α-isomer) and primary (β-isomer, generally < 5%) alcohols. After handling products containing PGEs, they readily enter the human body where they are metabolized. The minor β-isomer is oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) followed by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to a potentially harmful metabolite. Although the enzymatic rate is needed to estimate both parent and metabolite internal exposures, kinetic data for many PGEs are still scarce. Therefore, we generated invitro hepatic intrinsic clearance data for propylene glycol methyl ether β-isomer (β-PGME) and its metabolite methoxy propionic acid (2-MPA) and integrated these data into an in silico toxicokinetic (TK) model. Hepatic clearance values for the model were generated using an established invitro 3D culture of the human HepaRG cell line and human S9 liver fraction. Our results showed the presence of ADH and ALDH and consequently, the formation of 2-MPA in the 3D HepaRG and S9 fraction, which was slow to medium. We integrated the hepatic clearance values into the TK model to predict urinary 2-MPA concentrations. The simulated urinary 2-MPA concentrations fitted well (within twofold error from observed experimental data) for both liver systems, showing that they were both able to reliably predict the hepatic clearance of β-PGME. Although S9 is suitable for short-term studies, 3D cell culture models maintain metabolic competence over days and weeks. This opens the opportunity for long-term metabolism studies applying the 3D HepaRG model alone or in multi-organ systems.

The Impact of NFT Digital Collection Attributes on Brand Co-Creation in the Context of Virtual Communities

With the continuous updating and reform of digitization and blockchain technology, digital currency and digital assets are getting more and more attention from the public, and their research is widely used in the field of technology and finance, and gradually extended to the field of management. In recent three years, NFT (Non-Fungible Token), as an emerging product based on blockchain technology, has made a name for itself in the international field of vision, and in domestic incarnation of a more localized concept of digital collectibles known to consumers, and at one time, there was a burst of fire within the public figures. However, due to its rapid development and dissemination, the theoretical level of the research lag is obvious, most of the domestic exploration of NFT digital collectibles are still in the legal level and the artistic level of the basic definition, for the practical significance of its has in the field of commercial marketing is not fully in-depth, as a strong correlation with the brand as a product of the impact of the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this paper proposes the effect of NFT digital collection attributes on brand co-creation in the field of branding, introducing perceived value as a mediator variable and brand attitude as a moderating variable, in order to explore its clear inner mechanism path.

Techniques of Constructing Pseudo-Relevance Between Goods and Demand in the Commercial Marketing Process and Its Impact Analysis

This paper discusses that in the process of commercial marketing, enterprises influence consumers' purchasing behaviors by constructing pseudo-relevance, to make consumers misunderstand and then go to spend money. The paper analyses several common techniques of constructing pseudo-relevance, and with the help of specific case studies, the study analyses the application of these strategies in advertisements and their impact on consumers' decision-making. Through analyzing the techniques used by enterprises for pseudo-relevance, and linking them with life cases, the paper further shows the far-reaching impact of pseudo-relevance on consumers. It is found that firms have successfully enhanced consumers' identification with their products through these tactics, even though the product's function may be unrelated to the advertised effect. This is followed by some suggestions and approaches for consumers to recognize and cope with the effects of pseudo-relevance in their daily lives. The paper concludes by presenting the limitations of the paper and a vision for future research in the area of pseudo-relevance.

Women’s exposure to commercial milk formula marketing: a WHO multi-country market research study

BackgroundMarketing of commercial milk formula (CMF) is well resourced and has influenced societal beliefs and practices that have undermined breastfeeding. This has occurred despite legislation in many countries largely reflecting the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven countries: Bangladesh, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, United Kingdom and Viet Nam to explore the scope and nature of CMF marketing among pregnant women and mothers. A marketing-research methodology was adopted using convenience sampling of women stratified according to infant feeding practices and the infant’s age.Participants were identified in hospitals and clinics, as well as in the street, markets and shopping malls. In each country the sample size comprised 300 pregnant women, 150 mothers of children aged > 18 months who were breastfeeding without giving CMF and 600 women feeding their children with CMF. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered on tablets by trained field workers.ResultsInterviews were conducted with 8528 women between October 2019 and March 2021. Overall, 3095/7480 (41.3%) of women reported exposure to CMF marketing ranging from 3% in Morocco to 92% in Viet Nam. The commonest marketing site in all countries was television, but advertising in-store and in magazines and newspapers was also common. In most countries, CMF advertising on social media, websites and YouTube was less compared to traditional media. Reports of receiving free CMF samples varied from 3.1% in Nigeria to 34.6% in Viet Nam. Health professionals were the most common source of advice to mothers about starting CMF and which CMF brand to use.ConclusionsThe study provides quantitative data about CMF marketing and insights on how marketing companies develop effective messages, helping to explain how individual vulnerabilities or aspirations are integrated into marketing strategies. The findings reaffirm the need for action across political and health domains to counter actions of CMF companies. This will require effective national legislation fully reflecting the Code and action by professional bodies to protect health professionals from targeting by CMF marketing. Marketing-research methods could be employed to develop messaging in support of breastfeeding and breastfeeding-friendly policies.

Investigating the Impact of Age and Education on Delay Discounting: A Predictive Random Forest Model for Personalized Marketing and Mental Health Risk Detection

This study uses a random forest model to predict delay discounting rates, aiming to support mental health interventions and personalized marketing strategies. Delay discounting refers to the tendency to prefer smaller immediate rewards over larger delayed rewards, a behavior closely linked to impulsivity and relevant in both psychological and commercial contexts. Data from Garofalo et al., including 357 healthy Italian adults categorized by age and education level, were used. Two-way ANOVA showed that education significantly influences delay discounting rates, while age does not. The model was utilized to anticipate delay discounting behaviors influenced by various factors. The random forest algorithm reached an impressive accuracy rate of 92%, showing particular proficiency in forecasting both high and low delay discounting classifications. Additionally, the model successfully pinpointed individuals whose actual discounting rates diverged significantly from the predictions, offering crucial insights for proactive mental health interventions. Based on the predictions, personalized strategies were recommended for individuals with different delay discounting rates, demonstrating the value of this predictive model in the fields of mental health and commercial marketing.

Social psychology research in the commercial art market: challenges and opportunities

This study investigates the social psychological dynamics of the commercialized art market, employing a multifaceted approach to uncover the complex interplay of factors influencing artistic valuation and market behavior. Utilizing data from 500 top-selling artists and 1000 major collectors over a decade, we conduct quantitative analyses, including time series analysis, principal component analysis, and network structure examination. Our findings reveal the primacy of artist reputation and market demand in price formation, accounting for 45% of the variance in artwork prices. We identify cyclical market patterns aligned with major auction events and economic trends. Network analysis exposes the critical role of intermediaries and community structures in market interactions. Addressing endogeneity concerns through instrumental variable regression, we establish a robust causal link between artist reputation and market outcomes. This research provides valuable insights for artists, galleries, collectors, and investors, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding the contemporary art market's complexities. Our study contributes to the growing body of literature on art market dynamics, highlighting the intersection of social psychology, economics, and cultural trends in shaping artistic value.

Complementary activity of Trifludimoxazin and Saflufenacil when used in combination for postemergence and residual weed control

Abstract Trifludimoxazin is a new herbicide that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase and is targeted for commercial market introduction in North America, South America, and Asia. It will be available both as a standalone product and in a 1:2 mixture with saflufenacil. The herbicide is intended for use in preplant burndown (PPBD) and preemergence applications in cereal, corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and pulse crops to control a variety of annual broadleaf and grass weed species. Additionally, it is planned to be used in tree crops, oil-palm (Elaeis quineensis Jacq.), and non-crop areas. In this study, we meticulously evaluated the performance and effectiveness of both the standalone herbicide and the innovative mixture concept in combating prevalent weeds commonly encountered in corn and soybean fields. Our findings revealed that both products exhibited exceptional efficacy, significantly reducing the presence of these troublesome weeds. Furthermore, the mixture concept not only demonstrated commendable soil mobility but also showcased impressive residual activity, positioning it as a powerful tool for sustainable weed control. These promising effects are further substantiated by our comprehensive ADME (Adsorption-Distribution-Metabolism-Extraction) studies, which provide insight into the behavior and longevity of the herbicides in the agricultural ecosystem.

Commercial insurers' market power and hospital prices in Medicaid managed care.

To examine the relationship between insurers' commercial market power and negotiated prices in Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) plans for hospital care. MMC prices from hospital-disclosed price transparency data as of July 2023 compiled by Turquoise Health, insurance enrollment information from the 2021 Clarivate InterStudy enrollment data. Log-transformed linear regression with hospital and procedure fixed effects estimating the within-hospital MMC price variation as a function of insurers' commercial market share quartile and MMC market share for 15 common outpatient hospital services. A total of 39,049 MMC price samples measured at hospital-procedure-MMC insurer level are merged with county-insurer level market share data. Around 25% of price variation in MMC plans are driven by within-hospital factors. Compared with MMC insurers from the lowest commercial market share quartile (<0.8%), those from the highest commercial market share quartile (>17%) are associated with negotiating 4.6% (95% confidence interval: [2.8%-6.4%], p < 0.001) lower MMC prices for outpatient hospital care, including 3.6% (p < 0.05) for medical/surgical procedures, 3.6% (p < 0.01) for radiology, and 6.7% (p < 0.001) for emergency department visits. MMC insurers with substantial commercial market share negotiate lower MMC prices for multiple outpatient hospital services.

Mending the Fabric: the Contentious, Collaborative Work of Repairing Broadband Maps

In 2011, the United Nations declared Internet access to be a basic human right. Achieving universal Internet access has been a longstanding goal of governments around the world. In the United States (US), provision depends primarily on decisions made by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) driven essentially by commercial market concerns. To encourage deployment in underserved regions, the US federal government has recently allocated unprecedented funding, with distributions guided by the information in broadband maps, spatial representations of current Internet access and quality published by the Federal Communication Commission. Yet, these maps are known to be inaccurate, especially for populations that are marginalized, such as tribal and rural residents. We are interested in the collaborative and contentious efforts to repair the data contained in broadband maps, and particularly by the efforts of citizen groups and local government to counter claims made by ISPs. In this paper, we study these efforts via interviews of 14 individuals involved in various local and regional roles, in policy, IT, advocacy, and research. We draw upon frameworks of repair and of data activism to ask who does this work and why; what tangible and intangible tools are brought to bear; and how the structural context simultaneously empowers and burdens repair workers. In doing so, we make three contributions: (i) we critique the process and system for broadband map repair for the burdens it places on historically marginalized groups to demonstrate how they have been left out of expansion and how their experiences are otherwise silent in official records; (ii) we bring together analytical concepts from repair and data arenas to examine repair work that is substantially shaped by socio, political, and economic context; and (iii) we illustrate how viewing broadband data workers as activists reveals the inadequacy of current tools and the opportunity for better support for their long-term, contextualized, and mediated efforts.

Green Buildings for Greening Supply Chains – Selected Organisational and Legal Solutions on the Polish Commercial Warehouse Space Market

Green Buildings for Greening Supply Chains – Selected Organisational and Legal Solutions on the Polish Commercial Warehouse Space Market

The employment of species-specific primer in combination with real-time polymerase chain reaction for analysis of pork in meatball products

In line with the implementation of Indonesian Act No. 33 year 2014 on Halal Products Assurance, the detection of a non-halal component in food products is critical to confirm the authenticity of halal products. The aim of this study was to employ real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) using species-specific primer targeting D-loop mitochondria for analysis of pork DNA in meatballs. The real-time PCR technique was evaluated for the primer specificity, amplification efficiency, and sensitivity as determined by evaluating the limit of detection (LoD). The designed primer was specific to pork DNA, with an amplification efficiency of 82.7%. The developed method could detect DNA in meatballs as low as 10 ng DNA. The reproducibility of real-time PCR was acceptable, as indicated by the low relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.81%. The developed method was successfully applied to analyze pork in meatballs available in the commercial market. Real-time PCR using species-specific primer targeting D-loop mitochondria offered a reliable method for the detection of pork DNA in meatball products and can be proposed as a standard method for supporting the authenticity of halal products.

Optimized guidelines for feminized seed production in high-THC Cannabis cultivars.

With the partial legalization of high-THC Cannabis sativa across 23 states for recreational use and 38 states for medical purposes in the United States, the Cannabis industry is poised for significant growth. Projected to reach a sales volume of $50.7 billion by 2028, this growth is driven by the trend of lifting Cannabis prohibition. High-THC C. sativa cultivars, containing more than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) as defined by the 2018 US Farm Bill, are used for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Cannabis sativa is a short day, dioecious, annual plant, where female plants are favored for THC production, which requires seed feminization techniques to ensure an accurate female plant population. This involves using an ethylene inhibitor to induce sex reversal, leading to male flower development on female plants, allowing for self-pollination and the production of feminized seeds. However, challenges such as seed viability and the occurrence of male flowers in progeny have been noted. This review provides guidelines to enhance the production of viable feminized seeds in high-THC Cannabis cultivars. Literature findings indicate that Silver Thiosulfate (STS) is the most effective ethylene inhibitor for sex reversal and seed feminization in high-THC Cannabis cultivars. Specifically, a single dose of 3 mM STS should be applied during the vegetative stage via foliar spraying until runoff, followed by exposure to a short photoperiod of up to 12 hours to induce flowering and seed production. Progeny plants should be assessed for seed germination rate and compared for growth performance with the original parent plant to assess the declining effects of inbreeding. Adhering to these guidelines can improve the quality and viability of feminized seeds, meeting commercial market standards and industry demands for high-THC Cannabis cultivars.

Securing commitment and control for the supply of plasma derivatives for public health systems. I: A short review of the global landscape.

The social market economies of the Western world considered the provision of plasma derivatives produced from publicly owned blood services as a legitimate state commitment and, until the last decades of the 20th century, many of the relevant jurisdictions maintained state-supported fractionation plants to convert publicly collected plasma into products for the public health system. This situation started to change in the 1990s, because of several converging factors, and currently, publicly owned/subsidized, not-for-profit fractionation activity has shrunk to a handful of players. However, the collection of plasma from publicly owned blood services has continued and recent developments have increased the interest of state authorities globally to increase the volume of plasma collected to increase the level of strategic independence in the supply of crucial plasma-derived medicines from commercial market pressures, particularly the global for-profit fractionation sector with its dominance of source plasma from paid donors in the United States. This paper reviews the development of the plasma industry and the evolution of the pressures on the supply of plasma, which has led to a situation of scarcity of key plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs).

Proposals on Effective Implementation of the Carbon Intensity Indication of Ships

The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulation is a short-term measure of IMO for reducing GHG emissions from ships. In addition, the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy describes that the CII regulation is anticipated to create a potential synergy effect with other measures. Accordingly, the CII regulation, which took effect in 2023, is forecast to increasingly impact international shipping and the commercial vessel market. However, efforts to improve energy efficiency and implement slow steaming for ships are insufficient to meet the CII regulation that is increasingly stringent over time. Therefore, there is a growing need for fundamental improvements in future response strategies. In this study, major causes of low CII ratings for ships were investigated from a recent consulting project that was conducted to support shipping companies in satisfying the regulation from operational and technical perspectives. Lastly, proposals to implement the CII regulation effectively and to reduce GHG emissions from ships fundamentally were made, taking into account the major causes derived from the consulting.

Quantifying the potential of evidence-based planting-pattern for reducing the outdoor thermal stress from a bio-meteorological perspective in tropical conditions of Indian cities.

The impact of declined natural greenery and increased built surfaces exacerbates heat stress in urban areas causing limited usage of outdoor spaces. Greenery strategies such as trees are capable of mitigating outdoor thermal stress gain because of their phytological properties. While urban greenery guidelines have suggested the ad-hoc procedure of tree planting-schemes based on aesthetic-value, soil-water preservation etc., understanding of their morphological character help in regulating extreme thermal condition. Hence, this study aims to investigate the most efficient planting pattern based on canopies densities and trees clusters for reducing the outdoor thermal stress from bio-meteorological perspective.It initiates with the measurement of the site's morphological and meteorological attributes in existing commercial market of Bhopal City which has a humid sub-tropical climate (Aw, Koppen climate categorization). Furthermore, it leads to the development of 4-different iterated clusters incorporating moderate to high-density canopies and their overlaps pattern to estimate reduction potential in outdoors using field surveys and validated simulation model. The reduction potential in terms of magnitude and duration of thermal stress is quantified across 3-thermal variables i.e., air temperature, mean radiant temperature and universal thermal climate index. Results indicate highly-dense canopies are more effective in reducing greater magnitude of thermal stress along longer duration. Also overlapped planting pattern within the same canopy density does not make significant difference in stress reduction as compared to the changing the densities. This study will help planners and landscape architects to adopt evidence-based planting-pattern strategies for improving outdoor microclimate.

The evolution and disintegration of innovation narratives during scaling in science‐based ventures

AbstractScience‐based ventures (SBVs) are crucial vehicles that bring new technologies from the lab and to the mainstream market. During this journey, innovation narratives play a crucial role in coordinating innovation. Innovation narratives are linguistic representations that actors use to make sense of innovation activities, events and actions. In other words, they are stories that drive sensemaking, which is a critical element in avoiding conflicts in product innovation process and securing coordinated activities between diverse actors. However, as SBVs shift markets and undergo radical changes, they may have to update narratives to fit these changes. Yet, little is known about how innovation narratives and coordination evolve during this journey. To improve knowledge on this matter, I conducted a 24‐month study of a science‐based venture crossing over to a commercial market. I find that during this transition, innovation narratives shift from being shaped by progressive storytelling, where the benefits of becoming commercial and hiring nonacademics is highlighted, to being shaped by retrogressive storytelling, where incumbents and newcomers use their respective pasts to develop divergent narratives, and finally to appearing as disintegrated storytelling, where narratives compete and hinder coordination in innovation processes. Building on these findings, I construct a process model of how innovation narratives evolve and disintegrate as SBVs scale. This article contributes to knowledge on innovation management by illustrating how innovation narratives affect coordination in innovation processes, as well as how they may evolve during organizational change. Furthermore, this article illuminates the challenges that SBVs face to their innovation processes when scaling.

Agribusiness Prospects of Kachai Lemon Produced in Ukhrul District of Manipur, India: Status, Issues and Way Forward

Kachai lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.) is a variety of citrus, known for its rich nutritional and medicinal benefits due to its high flavonoid content and ascorbic acid. It has played a significant role in enhancing the socio-economic development of the tribal communities by generating income and employment opportunities. The Geographical Indication (GI) tag awarded to Kachai lemon has increased its commercial cultivation and market value. This recognition and growing attention have led to the emergence of agripreneurs and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) for production, value addition and marketing of Kachai lemon in an organized manner. The present study is aimed to compile the success stories, challenges of farmers and explore various Kachai lemon brands available on online platforms. A SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) analysis on production and marketing of kachai lemon was performed. For the study, descriptive analysis was carried out to assess its potential, current status and challenges. The study suggests that in order to compete globally, it is crucial to develop strong post-harvest processing and marketing systems with support from agencies and institutions to provide valuable resources and market linkages to enhance efficiency and gain economic benefits.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE: TOMADA DE DECISÃO PARA MICROEMPRESÁRIOS, UMA IDEIA REVOLUCIONÁRIA PARA ALCANÇAR O SUCESSO

With the world economy and international trade increasingly integrated and diffuse. Companies find a competitive rivalry between competitors, and having good quantitative and qualitative methods for making decisions are some performance indicators. From small organizations to large multinationals in the world, they continually seek a predictable and profitable future scenario. So that they can control or anticipate any eventualities. In the commercial market there is a growing search by organizations for more information and data to assist in decision making. On the other hand, there is an increase in Information Technology (IT) tools, capable of managing, analyzing, generating reports and decisive graphics for decision making (whether for investments; purchases; contracting services; projects and events). Business Intelligence (BI) decision making is accurate, and its information (dice + evidence = strategic decision), based on dynamic statistical data and its environment meets business demands. Implementation project managers, both in BI and ERP, need to be aware of the impact of these systems, otherwise the implementation will fail, as in the Hershey’s case study. The benefits that ERP