Group Purchase Research Articles

Empirical Research on How Product Advertising, Time Pressure and the Discount Rate Effect on the Sales of Products in Online Group Purchase

The rapid growth of the market for the group purchase website brings opportunity and challenge, to obtain a stable customer base has become a key factor for the development of group purchase website, so we must identify what purchase factors affecting consumer choice. Through the cooperation with a large tourism group purchase platform in China, we obtain 181 days data that includes the purchase of 4898 group purchase products and related variables. Then we do an empirical analysis on the impact of the group purchase product factors, the results showed that the product advertising effect, product discount level, time pressure product page to display will have a significant impact on the amount of purchase products. Our research not only fills on the blank of influence factors of group purchase behavior, but also provides some practical guidance for the development of group purchase platform.

Quality Evaluation of Group-Buy Websites

Group buying mode has been one of the hottest business models in the Chinese Internet area in recent years. Though the market competition is intense, the demand of group purchase is still on the rise. Nowadays, the research on comprehensive evaluation of group buying websites in the country is still tiny. The paper used DEA combined with AHP to evaluate popular group buying websites. According to the characteristics of group buying websites, the authors evaluate the quality of group buying websites from four aspects. There are running efficiency, profit ability, popularity and customer satisfaction. Then they get the comprehensive evaluation results of each website which based on those four aspects. Some suggestions of website building for group purchasing enterprises are proposed.

基于S&OP的电网物力集约化高效运营模式研究

本文聚焦集采模式下物力集约化计划管控和运作执行问题，从差异化需求特性分析入手，进行高效运营模式的特征分析、驱动因素分析及模式内涵研究，从而确定管理需求，形成高效运营模式构建关键要素，运用供应链管理相关理论及S&OP等先进理论与方法，站在需求链、供给链视角，运用体系优化闭环改进方法，建立以差异化需求的全供应链“大计划”体系、驱动协同体系及模式运营绩效评价体系“三个体系”为构建主线的物力集约化高效运营模式。 This paper focuses on the issues of material intensive plan control and operation implementation under the mode of group purchasing. Starting with the analysis of the characteristics of demand differentiation, this paper also makes analysis of the characteristics of the efficient operation mode, the driving factors and also the connotation of the mode so as to determine the management needs, forming the key element of the formation of efficient operation mode. Using the advanced theories and methods of related supply chain management and S&OP, from the perspective of demand chain and supply chain, using the improved system of optimization closed-loop method, this study builds the material intensive and efficient operation mode, of which the main line is the “three systems” of “big plan” system of the whole supply chain with different demands, drive collaboration system and the mode operation performance evaluation system.

Guided group purchases of energy renovation services and works in deprived urban neighbourhoods

The energy retrofitting of housings is progressing very slowly in Wallonia (Belgium) despite individual fiscal measures and subsidies offered by public authorities to support households engaging in this process. This paper explores the use of a method called ‘guided group purchases’ (GPPs), i.e. an approach combining support, guidance and group purchasing of energy renovation services and works as a possible method to accelerate the retrofitting of the existing housing stock. It reports on an action research experiment conducted in the context of the Interreg project ‘sustainable urban neighbourhoods’ (SUN). The results of this experiment are quite promising. Within a few months, some 80 energy retrofitting interventions (energy audits or insulation works) were implemented in one neighbourhood of the city of Liege. Our evaluation of the experiment showed that the prospect of achieving cost reductions was one of the main initial expectations of participants to the GGPs. Still, the participants rather insisted on other benefits after taking part in the initiative. These benefits were mostly related to the guidance they received, to the facilitation with contractors and to the social dynamics generated by the initiative. Several weaknesses were also identified by the participants, like the lack of follow-up during and after the works. Our evaluation also highlighted that the main landlords did not participate in the initiative and that the influence of GGPs on costs was limited to specific types of interventions. Despite observed limitations and possible improvements, such a neighbourhood-based approach certainly constitutes a promising avenue for public authorities to support and accelerate the energy retrofitting of private residential buildings in urban neighbourhoods.

Stated Choice Analysis of Conditional Purchase and Information Cue Effects in Online Group Purchase

Stated Choice Analysis of Conditional Purchase and Information Cue Effects in Online Group Purchase

Interpersonal Bundling

This paper studies a model of interpersonal bundling, in which a monopolist offers a good for sale under a regular price and a group purchase discount if the number of consumers in a group—the bundle size—belongs to some menu of intervals. We find that this is often a profitable selling strategy in response to demand uncertainty, and it can achieve the highest profit among all possible selling mechanisms. We explain how the profitability of interpersonal bundling with a minimum or maximum group size may depend on the nature of uncertainty and on parameters of the market environment, and we discuss strategic issues related to the optimal design and implementation of these bundling schemes. Our analysis sheds light on popular marketing practices such as group purchase discounts, and it offers insights on potential new marketing innovation. This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.

Climate Change Adaptation Assets and Group-Based Approaches: Gendered Perceptions from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Mali, and Kenya

People who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and are often limited in their capacity to adapt to the changes. Vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated when individuals’ asset base is limited or insecure. Because control over assets is highly influenced by gender - with women typically controlling fewer low-value assets than men, which are more likely to be disposed of during shocks - it is important to understand the gender dynamics of climate change adaptation and the use of assets in this process. Using a participatory rural appraisal approach, a series of qualitative studies were conducted in four countries facing negative impacts of climate change - Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya and Mali - in order to determine men’s and women’s perceptions of climate change, adaptive approaches, and the degree to which assets and group participation play a role in adaptation strategies. Similarities were found across countries in terms of perceptions of climate change, impacts, and strategies for adaptation. Farmers and pastoralists, groups heavily dependent on natural resources, are starkly aware of and impacted by subtle climatic changes, and those with a stronger asset base were better able to adapt to changes and shocks. Social norms largely determine which physical assets women can own or control and how they gain ownership of them, often limiting women’s adaptive capacity. Groups were highlighted as a key strategy for adapting to climate change for men and women, primarily as a tool to facilitate asset development through group purchase of large farm appliances (physical capital), group loans (financial capital), or capacity development (human capital). Finally, the results illuminate the degree to which women’s and men’s adaptive approaches are intertwined as interdependent members of a household.

The Influence of Others on the Vacation Experience: An Ethnographic Study of Psychographics, Decision Making, and Group Dynamics Among Young Travelers

The vacation experience is often enjoyed in the company of others. Whereas scholars have focused on the consumer behaviors of mature travelers, young travelers have received less attention. The present study explores customer-to-customer interactions among young travelers (in their 20s and 30s) within a European tour-group setting. Furthermore, it attempts to understand the influence such travelers have on one another. The decision-making patterns, role of the tour guide, group dynamics, and psychographic preferences are studied from an ethnographic approach. Results indicate that the young travel segment is not as homogeneous as previously conceived. Notable differences in activities, interests, and opinions were observed. Additionally, several cases of en-route group purchase decisions were observed. This article draws upon the concept of compatibility management to advocate for a more targeted approach in appealing to this particular market segment. Conclusions are made regarding the differences among trip participants and potential segmentation strategies are proposed.

Shinchang Market Revival Strategy

Shinchang market, one of the traditional markets in Seoul, has been going through hard times since the 2000s due to a sales decrease of 50% below normal, and the government’s support, which is mainly focused on cultural aspects of the traditional market in the local community, and lacks a solid basis and market understanding. This paper presents ideas for the fundamental improvement of the distribution structure in the main product categories such as meat and farm-products, based on trust and reciprocal cooperation of merchants and distributers, which would supplement the prevalent cultural approach with a more logical marketing strategy. We present the design and implementation of a group-purchasing distribution structure. This includes specifications for beef cattle meat and farm-products group purchase direct transactions. With these, the application of Kkalse and improvement of mat film screening will also be discussed. We report an analysis of the environment of the Shinchang market based on a multi-method approach; market research was carried out as a secondary research method and a consumer survey was conducted as primary research, where perceived quality and price levels of Shinchang market’s products were evaluated thoroughly with interview material. This paper stresses on the importance of a cooperative distribution system and solution implementation predicated on a deep understanding of the market.

In All Fairness: Using Political Broadcast Access Doctrine to Tailor Public Campaign Fund Matching

Recent United States Supreme Court decisions have undermined the viability of campaign public financing systems, a vital tool for fighting political corruption. First, Citizens United v. FEC allowed privately financed candidates and independent groups to spend unlimited amounts of money on campaigning. Publicly financed candidates now risk being vastly outspent. Second, Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom PAC v. Bennett invalidated a proportional fund matching system whereby privately financed candidates’ or independent groups’ spending triggered funds to publicly funded candidates. These decisions effectuate a libertarian speech doctrine: all speakers, individual or corporate, must be absolutely unburdened. To comply with this approach, public financing must be tailored to reduce its monetary correlation with, and corresponding burden on, privately funded speech. This Article proposes matching broadcast advertising access costs as a measured solution. The proposed system does not burden privately funded speech, and it increases media availability: if a privately financed candidate or independent group purchases advertising time, the publicly financed candidate is provided funds to purchase equivalent time. Matching access costs reduces any burden on speakers while importing First Amendment jurisprudence and telecommunications law to support the constitutionality of this system. These laws recognize the First Amendment rights of the electorate, the problem of political advertising market saturation, and the values of an informed citizenry. Essential for democracy is an informed, engaged, and participating citizenry. Matching broadcast access costs increases available information, comports with the

Applied-Information Technology in Willingness of Online Group Buying for College Students

As a new e-commerce model, network group purchase develops rapidly for its advantages such as conservation and convenience. The college student is an important part of consumer of the online group buying, so the research on college student willingness has a important reference value for the expansion of market. Firstly, the article has a theoretical study on the influence factors of willingness of Online Group Buying for college students and carries out related questionnaires. Secondly, the article makes factor analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis using the statistical software of SPSS19.0. Finally, this paper proposes corresponding operation and management recommendations for relevant participants in online group-buying according to the study results.

Group purchasing of workplace health promotion services for small employers.

Small employers are underserved with workplace health promotion services, so we explored the potential for group purchasing of these services. We conducted semistructured telephone interviews of member organizations serving small employers, as well as workplace health promotion vendors, in Washington State. We interviewed 22 employer organizations (chambers of commerce, trade associations, and an insurance trust) and vendors (of fitness facilities, healthy vending machines, fresh produce delivery, weight management services, and tobacco cessation quitlines). Both cautiously supported the idea of group purchasing but felt that small employers' workplace health promotion demand must increase first. Vendors providing off-site services, for example, quitline, found group purchasing more feasible than vendors providing on-site services, for example, produce delivery. Employer member organizations are well-positioned to group purchase workplace health promotion services; vendors are receptive if there is potential profit.

Study on Customer Perceived Value of Online Group Purchase in Beijing

Study on Customer Perceived Value of Online Group Purchase in Beijing

The optimal price discount, order quantity and minimum quantity in newsvendor model with group purchase

Based on the feature of small profits but quick turnover, group-buying, an emerging e-commerce model, benefits both retailers and customers. In this paper, we explore the optimal price discount, order quantity and minimum quantity with a fixed selling price of the product to maximize the sellers' profit. The traditional newsvendor model framework is used in view of the shortened life cycle of most products. The demand of customers is assumed to be in addition form and product form, respectively, and the impacts of demand parameters are examined numerically. It is revealed that in some cases the profit cannot be improved significantly through price discount because of unconspicuous increase in demand. However, when the demand changes obviously with price discount, group-buying can bring more profit through price discount and inspire vendors to order more goods. Through numerical results, it is shown that the influence of demand in the product form is more evident than that in the addition form under the strategy of group-buying. Furthermore, the profit-based minimum quantity and the probability of selling nothing during the group time are also shown in this paper.

The economic value building creation in the group purchasing and sales organizations

Participation in buying and sales groups of independent companies gives the opportunity to win rent in different areas of their business. The article lists the described areas. Based on the literature, an attempt was made to name the individual rents.

양어용 어분의 수급 실태 및 안정적 확보 방안

This study is aimed to present measures for stable supply of fishmeal and to develop fish farming into a food industry and an export industry. The study analyzed current domestic and international supply and demand for fishmeal and suggested future prospects. The results of the study suggested the basic directions for the stable supply of fishmeal in Korea as follows: first, stable securing of fishmeal importers and establishment of the supply and demand monitoring system; second, policies to boost using of compound feeds and expansion of relevant fishmeal use; third, higher competitiveness of fishmeal and compound feeds through selective and intensive R&D investments. Based on the basic directions, the paper suggested implementation measures such as strengthening of cooperations with fishmeal suppliers abroad, expansion of overseas local market entrance, diversification of fishmeal trading countries, revision of relevant laws and polices on the fishmeal and feeds, organization of domestic fishmeal, promotion of group purchase, improvement of domestic fish meal quality, development of fish meal alternatives, etc.

Effects on patient care caused by drug shortages: a survey.

Drug shortages pose a serious challenge for health care institutions, often interfering with patient care. A common practice during a drug shortage is to select an alternate therapeutic; however, these agents often present challenges and may create safety concerns. Patient harms including adverse events and medication errors may occur. Patients may also file complaints because of drug shortages. To measure the effect of drug shortages on patient outcomes, clinical pharmacy operations, patient complaints, and institutional cost. An e-mail link to an online survey was sent to pharmacy director members in the MedAssets Pharmacy Group Purchasing Organization. Data were collected within a 3-week period from October 2-23, 2012. The survey focused on 6 different domains: demographics, adverse events, medication errors, patient outcomes, patient complaints, and institutional cost. The survey was sent to 1,516 directors of pharmacy. There were 193 respondents (response rate 13%) who participated in the survey. Approximately 40% of respondents reported between 1 and 5 adverse events probably or possibly associated with drug shortages at their institution. The majority of respondents reported between 1 and 10 medication errors. The most common types of medication errors reported were omission (n = 86, 55.5%), wrong dose dispensed/administered (n = 85, 54.8%), and wrong drug dispensed/administered (n = 54, 34.8%). The most common outcomes reported by respondents were alternative medication used (n=146, 85.3%), delay of therapy (n = 121, 70.8%), and increased patient monitoring necessary (n = 84, 49.1%). Patient complaints were reported by 38% of respondents. The majority of respondents reported an estimated quarterly institutional cost from shortages of less than $100,000, and approximately one quarter of respondents reported adding at least 1 full-time equivalent to manage drug shortages. The majority of participant comments mentioned the increasing institutional costs attributed to drug shortages. Medication errors and adverse events continue to occur from drug shortages, often resulting in inadequate patient care, high institutional costs, and patient complaints. Delayed care and cancelled care have been reported from shortages. Further research is necessary to better classify medication errors and adverse events during a drug shortage.

How payment reform drives innovation in interventional oncology.

276 Background: Innovation has transformed healthcare; however, our current fee-for-service payment system can actually stifle creativity. When procedures are streamlined, fewer CPT codes may be charged, resulting in lower total reimbursement. Payment reform is necessary not only to control costs, but also to support constructive innovation. We describe how an innovative, lower reimbursed, technique of catheter-directed cancer therapy failed widespread acceptance in spite of being faster, safer and cheaper than the standard of care. Methods: Retrospective patient review was performed using the radiology information system and electronic health record. Medicare Part A and Part B payments were obtained from the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) for Harris County, Texas, and disposable supply costs were obtained from Premier Group Purchasing Organization. Results: From May 2008 to May 2013, 292 Yttrium-90 hepatic radioembolization procedures were performed for primary and metastatic disease. Eighty patients received the innovated balloon occlusion technique. This technique resulted in less fluoroscopy dose to the patient, faster procedure times, similar clinical outcome and a disposable cost savings of $1,138.72. However, because numerous procedure steps were avoided, the total average per-patient reimbursement was decreased by $8,044.05. Conclusions: Innovation that simplifies a procedure frequently obviates process steps that correspond to specific CPT codes. Hence, in a fee-for-service payment system, a faster, safer and cheaper option may result in fewer CPT codes and lower reimbursement, a disincentive that slows adoption. Our experience resulted in lost profit of over $8,000 per case for a total exceeding $640,000. Not surprisingly, this technique has not been widely embraced since we described it nearly two years ago. Conversely, a bundled payment model would have resulted in better aligned incentives, increased profit, and cost savings shared by patients, providers, and payers.

On Competitive Strategy for Group Purchase Websites in China

Due to low sanctified standard, on-line Group purchase has burgeoned in an unprecedented speed, becoming a most popular on-line shopping way for a great number of consumers. As the number of these websites increases, Group purchase industry is getting homogenized. With the market competition gaining its momentum in the market gradually, these websites sink into a dilemma. Our paper takes the current developmental status of Group purchase websites into consideration, which is characterized by five homogenized features, i.e., web page, goods, services, marketing and profiting model, to provides some competitive strategies on how it runs.

Workers Pointed In ‘Right Direction’ for Depression Care

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Community NewsFull AccessWorkers Pointed In ‘Right Direction’ for Depression CareAaron LevinAaron LevinSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:8 Aug 2013https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2013.8b11AbstractAn innovative intervention enters the workplace wilderness to seek out hidden depression and bring into treatment those who live with the illness.Depression can feel like you're lost in the woods, but help is available. That’s the concept behind a new campaign from the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health and the Employers Health Coalition.rightdirectionforme.comDepression has suggested many metaphors over the years. Now comes the turn of a large brown bear with a rep tie.A coalition of 300 major U.S. employers along with the American Psychiatric Foundation’s (APF) Partnership for Workplace Mental Health has launched a new initiative—“Right Direction”—to increase employees’ understanding of depression’s debilitating effects and encourage those who need care to seek it. The concept behind the initiative is that having depression can make one feel lost and alone in the wilderness, hence the bear who finds himself in all types of workplace scenes.Depression matters to employers because of the prevalence of the condition and its impact on productivity, with annual productivity losses estimated at about $44 billion.“Our goals are to increase awareness of depression, reduce stigma, and encourage employees who might be depressed to seek help,” said Marcas Miles, M.A., director of programs, communications, and community initiatives at Employers Health Coalitionin Canton, Ohio. The national coalition oversees corporate group purchases of pharmacy benefits and other services.The campaign includes an evaluation component, which will be led by Debra Lerner, Ph.D., M.S., a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.“Our goal will be to figure out if the program is being used, who uses it, how they use it, and if it has an impact,” said Lerner, who is also director of the Program on Health, Work, and Productivity at the Tufts Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies. Lerner has conducted research on other workplace intervention programs targeting depression.“Right Direction is an organizational-level effort to raise awareness and educate employees,” noted Lerner. “We will look at variables like the numbers screened and treated, but also try to get harder-to-find data on work performance.”Right Direction deploys the tools of modern business, mainly delivered over the Web, to inform human resources personnel and then all employees about depression. These include a Web site, posters, e-mails, and PowerPoint slides. The PHQ-9 serves as a self-administered screening instrument.The material informs employees about the symptoms of depression and how they are manifested in the workplace, said Clare Miller, director of APF’s Partnership for Workplace Mental Health. One message that employees will receive, for example, explains how “reduced interest, low motivation, slowed thoughts, and difficulty making decisions can result in poorer-quality work.” Employees are urged to seek help for themselves or their families through medical professionals and their employee-assistance program. The human resources managers at the corporations that make up Employers Health Coalition and the partnership are now reviewing Right Direction material and planning ways to communicate the information to workers and to integrate the campaign with existing employee-assistance programs and programs of insurers, Miller told Psychiatric News. Several companies will spend the next few months laying this groundwork, then roll out the full campaign during Mental Health Awareness Week in October, said Miles.If they do, they might make clear to their employees that the burden of depression needn’t be, well, unbearable.Right Direction, a program of APF’s Partnership for Workplace Mental Health and the Employers Health Coalition, is supported by Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. Inc. and Lundbeck U.S. ■Information about the Right Direction campaign is posted at http://www.rightdirectionforme.com. ISSUES NewArchived