Current Consumers Research Articles

Características e preferências de consumo de carne ovina

The growing demand for animal protein is evident and is being increasingly valued in several respects. However, we must discuss the meat market broadly to know and understand what to produce, how to produce and who to produce. In this context, the present work aimed to identify information regarding the preference of consumption and purchase of sheep meat in order to favor new marketing strategies contributing with agents of the productive chain potentially demanded by consumers. Of the interviewees, 51% were women and 49% men, and of these 64% reported consuming sheep meat at least once a week (31%). Of those interviewed who consume sheep meat (36%), 25% reported having an interest in eating, thus expressing curiosity about experimenting. Regarding the characteristics of the sheep meat, the interviewees considered important that the meat shows flavor, softness and succulence. Regarding the fat content, 51% of the interviewees pointed out the marbled meat as the one of preference for consumption. The type of cut of the sheep meat most consumed is the shank (69%). However, the cart appears first as the cut type of preference for consumption. The low frequency of current consumption could be explained by the fact that 40% of current consumers showed some dissatisfaction related to the selling price of meat, and that 48% would have some type of difficulty in gaining access to the product. It was possible to observe a great market potential for the consumption of sheep meat. However, some negatives should be improved.

What potentials does Islamic micro-credit have?

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the role of demographics and sector type in determining consumer preferences of Islamic micro-credit products, namely, Musharka and Murabha, versus conventional micro-credit financing in Egypt.Design/methodology/approachThis research is a quantitative study that uses surveys on 1,125 current micro-credit consumers in Cairo and Upper Egypt using multi-staged cluster sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to explain results.FindingsThe study revealed the potential of Musharka mode of financing among micro-credit borrowers in Egypt, specifically in the manufacturing sector, followed by the trade sector. Although previous researches showed correlations between income, age and other demographic factors with consumer financing choices, the current research indicated no significance for consumer demographics in determining preferences of Islamic micro-credit contracts in Egypt. However, the sector type showed high potential in determining consumer choices of Islamic micro-credit contracts.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper advances knowledge in the domain of consumer behavior, specifically in bottom of the pyramid and subsistence markets that are under researched.Practical implicationsThe results highlighted are important for micro-finance institutions, NGOs and policy makers, as they delve deeper into the consumer preferences for Islamic financial products and attempt to present innovative solutions toward poverty eradication.Originality/valueThis research is one of the few attempts to study and explain consumer preferences toward Islamic micro-credit products in Egypt, and the role of sectors in determining consumer choices for specific Islamic micro-credit contracts.

Who Are Consuming Hemp Products in the U.S.? Evidence from Nielsen Homescan Data

The objective of this study is to identify critical consumer-demographic characteristics that are associated with the consumption of hemp products and investigate their effect on total expenditure in the U.S. by utilizing Nielsen consumer panel data from 2008 to 2015. To estimate the likelihood of market participation and consumption level, Heckman selection model is employed using the maximum likelihood estimation procedure. Results indicate marketing strategies targeting consumers with higher education and income levels can attract new customers and increase sales from current consumers. Head-of-household age in different regions shows mixed effects on decisions to purchase hemp products and consumption levels. Findings will provide a basic understanding of a consumer profile and overall hemp market since no empirical studies of hemp in the U.S market exist. As the industry continues to move forward, policymakers are going to need a deeper understanding of the factors driving the industry if they are going to create regulations that support the development of the industry.

Artist-brand alliances to target new consumers: can visual artists recruit new consumers to a brand?

PurposeIncreasing industry interest in visual artists and commercial brand collaborations has heightened the need for research on exactly how visual art can add meaning to brands in ways that enhance brand value to existing consumers and potentially reach new consumers. Consumers are known to select brands on the basis of how well these brands reflect their own personalities. The purpose of this research is to understand whether brand alliances with artists exhibiting distinct personalities can make brands more attractive to consumers whose personalities do not currently match the brand.Design/methodology/approachTwo experiments are used to examine the impact of artists’ personality (in)congruence on consumers’ perceptions of the brand and purchase intentions of the brand’s products.FindingsThe results show that consumers whose personalities do not match the brand’s current personality are likely to alter their view of a brand when the brand partners with an artist whose personality matches with that of the consumers’. This happens without negatively affecting the brand personality perceptions of current consumers who already identify with the brand.Practical implicationsWhen seeking to attract a new target segment, brands can ally with visual artists who convey a personality that matches that of the new target segment.Originality/valueThis paper adds to a nascent literature on the power of artist–brand alliances, and demonstrates that these partnerships need not only be between artists and brands with consistent personalities but can also effectively be used to target new consumers.

The Use of Tobacco, E-Cigarettes, and Methods to Quit Smoking in Germany.

Current data on tobacco use are a necessary prerequisite for the study of the implementation of tobacco control measures in the general population. The German Study on Tobacco Use (Deutsche Befragung zum Rauchverhalten, DEBRA) provides previously lacking data on key indicators of smoking behavior and on the consumption of new products such as e-cigarettes. The continual acquisition and accumulation of data permits the analysis of trends and precise statistical evaluation. Data were obtained by repeated face-to-face interviews, at 2-month intervals, of representative samples of approximately 2000 persons across Germany aged 14 years and above. For this article, data from 12 273 persons that were acquired in 6 waves of the survey (June/July 2016 to April/May 2017) were aggregated and weighted. The one-year prevalence of current tobacco consumption was 28.3% (95% confidence interval: [27.5; 29.1]) in the overall survey population and 11.9% [8.9; 14.9] among persons under age 18. Higher tobacco consumption was correlated with lower educational attainment and lower income. 28.1% of the smokers had tried to quit smoking in the past year; the most commonly used method of quitting was e-cigarettes (9.1%). Brief physician advice or pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation were tried by 6.1% and 7.0%, respectively. 1.9% of the overall survey population but only 0.3% of persons who had never smoked were current consumers of e-cigarettes. Tobacco consumption is very high in Germany compared to other countries in Western and Northern Europe, and its distribution across the population is markedly uneven, with a heavy influence of socioeconomic status.

Understanding online consumers’ purchase intentions: a contribution from social network theory

ABSTRACTThere is a dynamic and interconnected international setting shaped by the power of the Internet and social media. To gain more consumers, understand their behaviours and needs, and maintain closest relationships with them, businesses should understand how consumers behave in social media and how they vary in their purchase intentions. In the scope of the study, we integrate the social network theory and the theory of planned behaviour to analyse online consumers’ purchase intentions and to investigate their structural positions by analysing their friendships in social networks. We target Twitter users to conduct analysis due to Twitter's popularity in use, market penetration, and opportunity to work with open-source data. This study contributes to a better theoretical understanding of online consumers’ purchase intentions by integrating multiple theoretical perspectives. It expands the literature by considering both online consumers’ friendship network in Twitter and their individual online purchasing intentions. The study also guides e-marketers to design proper strategies for potential and current consumers and target the right sets of people in the social networks.

ANALISIS PENGENDALIAN KUALITAS PRODUK GARMENT PADA PROJECT IN LINE INSPECTOR DENGAN METODE SIX SIGMA DI BAGIAN SEWING PRODUKSI PADA PT BINTAN BERSATU APPAREL BATAM

Abstract
 Competition among competitors in the increasingly tight business world today encourages companies to develop more effective and efficient way in achieving the goals and objectives that have been set. With the current information and technology consumers become more sensitive about quality and price of a product. Therefore, companies are required to improve the quality of products produced and continuously improve and improve. PT Bintan Bersatu Apparel Batam is one of the manufacturing companies engaged in the production of sportswear. PT Bintan Bersatu Apparel also strives to continuously improve the quality by pressing the product number in the product process in this company. Six sigma as an alternative to the principles of quality control, enabling companies to improve with the actual breakthrough. Six sigma is an important tool for production management to maintain, maintain product quality and improve quality towards zero defect. So six sigma is a method or technique. Which is a new breakthrough in the field of quality management. By using six sigma method can be known quality sportswear produced PT Bintan Bersatu Apparel in 3.55 sigma with damage level of 20,290 for one million production (DPMO). Six sigma quality improvement in this research can be concluded there are three causes of the product: workmanship or constructionas much as 82.04%, fabric as much as 13.82% and accessories as much as 4.14%.In this research data analysis used Six Sigma (DMAIC) method which through five stages that is define, measure, analyze, improve and control.

Tuberculosis Among Young People on Rise in Sri-Lanka (An Analysis of Trend and Associated Factors)

Introduction: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in 5 randomly selected districts i.e Gampaha, Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura during the period of March to September 2014. The general objective of the study was to describe the trend of TB among young population over past 6 years in Sri Lanka and to determine contributory factors associated with TB among young population.Methodology: The study was carried out in two stages. The first stage was analysis of the trend of TB over the 6 year period of 2008-2014. The analysis of the trend was carried out using the existing secondary data at the Medical Records Division of the National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases (NPTCCD). Trend was analyzed for new cases of TB patients of 15--34 years of age and separately for 15-24 and 25-34 age groups and for each type of new TB cases. The second stage was a descriptive cross sectional study which was carried out to determine the associated factors. All the patients (new/ retreatment)in age group of 15-34 years and registered at the selected district chest clinics with confi rmed TB were selected as the study subjects. Operational Definitions were used to identify confi rmed TB cases ie, Sputum smear positive TB, smear negative pulmonary TB and Extra pulmonary TB. The data were collected using a pre tested interviewer administered questionnaire by the District Tuberculosis Control Officers attached to the relevant District Chest Clinics.Result: The main findings of the study were, The two peaks of TB incidence were observed in the trend across age groups and first one was in the age group of 25-34 years second peak in the age group of 45-54.Overall trend of TB in the country is more towards the older age groups (over 45 years), but shift to younger age groups were observed in 15 out of 16 districts in the country. A total of 223 patients were included in the descriptive study. The highest proportion (34%) of study population was from the district of Gampaha while least proportion (10%) of it was from Nuwara Eliya. Nearly 53% of the study population was above 25 years of age with the sex ratio of 1:1. A majority (68%) of the study population was Sinhalese while nearly 70% of the study population has passed the O/L, A/L, Diploma or a degree. About one third of the study population was unemployed. Nearly half (50.4%) of the study population was having monthly income of about Rs. 20,000.00 or above. 31% of the study population were current or past alcohol consumers and 29% were smokers and 7% of the study population were current or past cannabis consumers. Majority (77%) of the study population were under-nourished while 14% of them were less than 15 kg/m2. Nearly three fourth (72%) of the study population have been diagnosed by a consultant. Statistically signifi cant associations were found between the age category and more than 3 family members (χ2=5.063, df=1, p<0.017), ethnicity (χ2=4.229, df=1, p<0.04), employment category (χ2=13.859, df=3, p<0.003). Statistically significant associations were not found between the age category and residing district (χ2=5.962, df=4, p<0.202) and type of house (χ2=1.875, df=1, p<0.110),Conclusion: The study recommends more detailed assessment regarding the dietary habits of the patients, Emphasis on community awareness regarding nutritional aspects. Improving the nutritional status among adolescents and young adults. Modification of risky life style factors, Improvement of socio economic status through enhancement of financial stability, minimizing overcrowding and improvement of housing conditions and involving of non NTP health care providers and health professionals for TB diagnosis and management through capacity building and awareness. SAARC Journal of Tuberculosis, Lung Diseases and HIV/AIDS, Vol. 14, No. 2, 2017, Page: 18-30

Preferences for bowtie design: an investigation into the FEA needs of male consumers in the United States

ABSTRACTContemporary men wear bowties as part of formal and casual attire. Since clothing is a form of personal expression, the purpose of this study was to explore the needs of current male consumers in regard to bowties using Lamb and Kallal's FEA model [Lamb, J. M., & Kallal, M. J. (1992). A conceptual framework for apparel design. Clothing and Textile Research Journal, 10, 42–47. doi:10.1177/0887302X9201000207] to consider the function, expressive qualities, and aesthetic needs for bowties. Six bowties were made and an online survey was conducted with 220 men to determine their needs and preferences. Overall, the men preferred the digital print bowties. The men referenced function, expressiveness, and aesthetics in their comments, suggesting that menswear requires more than just functional qualities. The findings of this project are important to the menswear industry because they explore the needs of today's male consumers.

Analyzing consumer online group buying motivations: An interpretive structural modeling approach

Given the enormous growth and significant impact of group buying on the Internet business marketplace, understanding factors motivating consumer online group buying (OGB) behavior becomes critical for both researchers and practitioners. However, prior studies have provided insufficient understanding of the motivations underlying consumer OGB. This study intends to explore the factors motivating consumer OGB using a qualitative approach based on Uses and Gratifications (U&G) theory, and to build a hierarchical model based on these motivations. The laddering interview technique was used to collect data from 58 online group buyers. A context-specific hierarchical motive model was developed using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM), based on the 17 motivations identified. As a timely topic using a novel approach to explore consumer OGB motivations, this study contributes to motivation theory and helps practitioners involved in OGB businesses to better plan and design strategies to attract potential new consumers and retain their current consumers.

Pleiotropy and Promiscuity in Pharmacogenomics for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Related risk factors

Patients with Alzheimer's disease are current consumers of polypharmacy with a high risk for drug–drug interactions. Antidementia drugs and other pharmacological treatments for vascular risk factors associated with dementia exert pleiotropic effects which are promiscuously regulated by different gene products. The aim of this review is to highlight the influence of genes involved in pharmacogenetics (i.e., pathogenic, mechanistic, metabolic, transporter and pleiotropic genes) as major determinants of response to treatment in Alzheimer's disease. Patients harboring poor or ultrarapid geno-phenotypes display more irregular profiles in drug efficacy and safety than extensive or intermediate metabolizers. Polymorphic variants of genes associated with lipid metabolism influence the therapeutic response to hypolipemic agents. Understanding these effects is very useful for optimizing polytherapy in dementia.

Prevalence and predictors of tobacco and alcohol use among adults in rural area of Varanasi district

Background: What is the extent of tobacco and alcohol use among adults in a rural area of Varanasi district? Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use among adults in a rural area and the factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Chiraigaon Development Block of Varanasi district. 201 adults were included in the study. Data were collected by house-to-house survey. The World Health Organization STEPwise tool was used as the study instrument to assess the behavioral risk factors. Simple proportions were calculated and Chi-square and logistic regression was applied for statistical significance using SPSS Version 17. Results: Overall, the prevalence of tobacco use was 46.3%. About one-third of the females were using tobacco users. 15.9% of the subjects were current alcohol consumers. 31 out of 32 alcoholics were tobacco users. Conclusion: The study showed a high burden of tobacco and alcohol use was high in rural area.

Evaluación sensorial de embutido tipo chorizo a base de carne de conejo

Rabbit meat is a viable option to meet the qualitative and nutritional demands of the current consumers, due to its easy digestion, high protein content and unsaturated fatty acids, low-fat concentration. Despite its nutritional characteristics, this meat is not widely accepted in Mexico, so it is necessary to develop products that favor its acceptance. In the present study, two experiments were carried out using sensory tests to evaluate the acceptance of a sausage type made from rabbit meat. Experiment one consisted of a sensorial test of the sausage with 24 hours of rest after its elaboration, through a hedonic scale with values from 1 to 10 where 1 corresponded to the lowest score and 10 to the highest. Experiment two was developed by a sensorial test for a sausage ripened at 48, 120, 216 and 312 hours, with the hedonic scale established for experiment one. The evaluated aspects of the product were: color, smell, flavor, texture and overall, the results were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. In conclusion, the sausage was accepted by the participants in both experiments. In experiment two, the highest level of acceptance corresponded to 216 hours of maturation (P <0.05). Keywords: Maturation, Oryctolagus cuniculus, sensory evaluation.

The use of e-mail marketing in accordance with permission marketing approach in promotion of a study program

The use of e-mails for promotion has been in place for decades. A large number of e-mails received by consumers and potential consumers are not requested by them and in most cases do not provide adequate value for them. In that sense, the permission marketing approach brings in multiple novelties. The sender of the promotional message strives at all stages of the relationship with potential and current consumers to obtain permission to communicate with them and to communicate the appropriate value. Within these phases - attract, convert, close and delight - e-mail marketing takes a significant place. The use of this approach is possible and desirable when higher education institutions are concerned as well. In this paper, several goals are set. First of all, it points to the specific features of permission marketing, the phases of its implementation, and various instruments that are adequate for applications in different phases. Thereafter, general recommendations for the promotion of higher education institutions in accordance with that approach, with special emphasis on email marketing, are provided. Finally, an example of promotion with using the e-mail and referring to the selected study program of the domestic higher education institution, precisely in accordance with the permission marketing approach, was presented.

The Involvement of Future Generations in the Circular Economy Paradigm: An Empirical Analysis on Aluminium Packaging Recycling in Spain

The European circular economy action plan, launched in 2015 includes a group of measures aligned with the 3r principles. To meet recycling goals, valuable materials such as aluminium must have packaging that helps to increase their recycling rate above the current 45.6%. This recycling rate could be improved with the help of current consumers and the education of future generations. In this way, the aim of this study is to prove the positive effects of childhood education in the circular economy by teaching sustainable practices in the case of aluminium packaging recycling. The study was conducted in the form of a survey, with data being gathered via questionnaires carried out “pre” and “post” workshop in schools of different regions of Spain in students between 8 and 12 years old. This study provides an exciting opportunity to advance our knowledge of the use of workshops to increase children’s knowledge, awareness, and intention of recycling.

Did Recent Tobacco Reforms Change the Cigarette Market?

The Australian tobacco market is very tightly regulated. Australian governments, like many others, have a long history of enacting various forms of control, including restricting advertising and imposing taxes. Using Australian government data, we investigate the effects of controls on cigarette market characteristics coinciding with Australia's introduction of plain packaging in 2012 (arguably the most innovative form of tobacco control in many years) as well as a subsequent tax increase. Using these data, we find no evidence to suggest that prices and market shares, key market characteristics, changed as a result of plain packaging. Moreover, using a second data set, we find that the introduction of plain packaging had no discernible effect on smoking rates. This finding is not surprising as both domestic and international research shows that government attempts to discourage new consumers, and encourage current consumers to quit, have not been very successful.

A Clinical Mentorship and Quality Improvement Program to Support Health Center Nurses Manage Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Rwanda.

Introduction The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly rising in SSA. Interventions are needed to support the decentralization of services to improve and expand access to care. We describe a clinical mentorship and quality improvement program that connected nurse mentors with nurse mentees to support the decentralization of type 2 diabetes care in rural Rwanda. Methods This is a descriptive study. Routinely collected data from patients with type 2 diabetes cared for at rural health center NCD clinics between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015, were extracted from EMR system. Data collected as part of the clinical mentorship program were extracted from an electronic database. Summary statistics are reported. Results The patient population reflects the rural settings, with low rates of traditional NCD risk factors: 5.6% of patients were current smokers, 11.0% were current consumers of alcohol, and 11.9% were obese. Of 263 observed nurse mentee-patient encounters, mentor and mentee agreed on diagnosis 94.4% of the time. Similarly, agreement levels were high for medication, laboratory exam, and follow-up plans, at 86.3%, 87.1%, and 92.4%, respectively. Conclusion Nurses that receive mentorship can adhere to a type 2 diabetes treatment protocol in rural Rwanda primary health care settings.

Consumer response towards an accreditation system for hiking trails

ABSTRACTAccreditation has a significant role to play in the upholding of quality and sustainability standards in the supply of tourism and leisure products. Accreditation systems, although widely used in tourism accommodation, services and sustainability practices, relate primarily to the traditional market of tourism with very few systems addressing the needs of adventure and nature-based tourism. When applied in the context of hiking, accreditation may materially impact the way trails are managed and marketed, leading to perceptions of quality and credibility amongst consumers. Trail owners and policymakers often question whether a demand for accreditation systems exists amongst consumers and to what extent such implementation could improve participation in the industry. While the work by various authors in the wider context of tourism provide some context as to the influence of accreditation systems on consumers’ decision making and buying behaviour, in the case of hiking products, this has not previously been investigated. In fact, the unique components of consumer behaviour and consumer decision making in hiking has not been clearly defined at an academic level. Current literature provides no insight into the influence of accreditation systems in current and potential consumers’ decision making regarding the consumption of hiking products. This study took a quantitative approach in the form of a survey research strategy to measure the importance of and future intended response towards trail accreditation, as determined by consumers from two different populations: hikers and non-hikers. This was achieved by presenting a hypothetical country-wide implementation of a case study accreditation system to respondents. The study demonstrates a link between accreditation and consumer decision making and the future uptake of hiking tourism amongst both hikers and non-hikers. The findings from this paper contribute to bridging numerous gaps in literature in the fields of adventure and nature-based tourism.

Voluptuary Habits and Risk of Frontotemporal Dementia: A Case Control Retrospective Study.

Alcohol, coffee, and tobacco consumption was assessed on 151 FTD outpatients and 151 matched controls in a multicenter retrospective case-control design. No association was found for smoking and coffee intake. The risk of FTD was decreased by alcohol consumption (adj. OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.63); risk reduction was significant in current alcohol consumers (adj. OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.51). The risk of FTD inversely correlated with the duration of exposure (adj. OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.95, for every 5 years of exposure increase). Retrospective information and the unknown amount of consumed alcohol are limits of the present work.

Survey on Energy Drink Consumption Among the Adult Population in Sicily: Do New Drinking Habits Associate with the Risk of Alcoholism in the Crib of Mediterranean Diet?

Background: The market for and the level of energy drinks (EDs) consumption are increasing every year, and while only a few have a comprehensive knowledge about the potential harmful physiological and psychological effects of EDs, the number of publications that have documented the potential adverse risks associated with the use of these beverages remains small. Objectives: The present study aim to evaluate the prevalence of EDs consumers among the adult population and to verify the factors associated with its consumption and onset of adverse events. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) semi-structured questionnaire, administered to adult population of central Sicily, Italy. Results: In this study, 217 adults were interviewed. Of the respondents, 77.9% were current EDs consumers. A significant difference was observed in the level of education (P = 0.022), with particular preponderance of ED-drinking individuals among those with middle school education compared to those with higher education levels, and with a habit of consuming alcohol more frequently than nonusers (P = 0.031). For 73% of the respondents, ED consumption was associated with consumption of alcohol, and 21% of the interviewed participants stated they had suffered from disorders caused by drinking EDs. With regards to differences between sexes, males had drunk EDs for a longer period than females (OR 1.74 (1.15 - 2.97); P = 0.041). The predominant motivation was sports for males (OR 6.5 (1.88 - 22.48); P = 0.003), and studying for females (OR 4.25 (1.25 - 14.4); P = 0.020). The females also claimed to drink EDs particularly on weekends and to have suffered more symptoms than males (OR 2.429 (1.14 - 5.18), P = 0.021). Conclusions: The results of this study confirm a large use of EDs among the adult population and the side effects reported may represent a health risk. The use of EDs may influence ingestion of large amount of alcohol. This result indicates the need for a thorough evaluation of this social phenomenon.