Implications For New Production Research Articles

Electronic word of mouth analysis for new product positioning evaluation

• A new method for evaluating products positioning strategy using topic modelling and sentiment analysis. • Uses longitudinal analysis to identify the effect of time on product’s sentiment. • Uses ordinal logistic regression to evaluate the effect of time on the product positioning and diagnose the cause of mispositioning. • Employs design science as a framework for the development and evaluation of the proposed method. • Apply the method in a case-study from the smartphone industry. People increasingly choose to express themselves online through electronic word of mouth (eWOM), generating large amounts of data, making eWOM a valuable source of information through big data analytics. This enables organizations to gain insights directly from customers’ opinions for better decision making. This work presents a new methodology for evaluating an organisation’s product-positioning strategy through eWOM analytics. A product’s mispositioning has significant negative effects and there is strong interest in identifying ways to avoid it. Current methods that utilize eWOM for product positioning evaluation mostly use post-product release reviews and do not statistically evaluate the effect of time on the product positioning; nor do they provide any means to diagnose the cause of mispositioning. The temporal aspect of positioning, however, provides valuable insights into which product features are more time-invariant and accordingly makes it possible to plan for product redesign or repositioning to maximize profitability. A case study is presented in the context of smartphones using design science research, utilizing Twitter data regarding the release of a new product, collected using a custom Android application. The research questions addressed in this paper are: (1) How do consumers’ preferences change over time with regards to the product’s positioning? (2) Which product features positively influence product positioning and which negatively? To answer these questions, we compared the product-positioning strategy and consumers’ opinions before and after the release of a new product to identify possible discrepancies between expected and actual positioning of the product. This work constitutes a methodological contribution with demonstrated implications for new product positioning strategy evaluation using tweet analysis.

PERSPECTIVE: Revisiting the Digital Divide: An Analysis of Mobile Technology Depth and Service Breadth in the BRIC Countries

Can mobile communication technologies bridge the digital divide between developing and developed countries? This paper shows that the divide looks differently from what was previously thought for the fastest‐growing developing countries—Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) based on 2006 data. While mobile technology depth (number subscriptions as percentage of population) is lower in BRIC, it has been rapidly growing, equaling, or surpassing some developed countries for BRIC such as Russia and Brazil. BRIC such as India and Russia also equal or surpass several developed countries in 2006 in terms of mobile technology breadth (service variety) on 34 individual and five categories of mobile services available worldwide. While some BRIC may be behind developed countries on one of these dimensions in 2006, they are ahead on the other dimension. Thus, the digital divide between BRIC and developed countries can be narrower, absent, or even reversed, depending on the metric used. This paper argues that BRIC can serve as frontrunners whose lessons on technology diffusion can be applied in other developing countries. The paper presents implications for new product and innovation management and digital divide research and for policy making and business processes for high‐tech companies in BRIC and other developing countries.

Inhibition kinetics of nitrate uptake by ammonium in size-fractionated oceanic phytoplankton communities: implications for new production and f-ratio estimates

Inhibition kinetics of nitrate uptake by ammonium in size-fractionated oceanic phytoplankton communities: implications for new production and f-ratio estimates

Inhibition kinetics of nitrate uptake by ammonium in size-fractionated oceanic phytoplankton communities: implications for new production and f-ratio estimates

Ammonium inhibition of nitrate uptake by natural phytoplankton communities was investigated in two size fractions ( 2 μm) in the northeast basin of the Atlantic Ocean. Kinetics of the inhibition process were assessed in surface waters by measuring nitrate uptake rates over a range of ammonium concentrations with 15 N tracer techniques. Extremely low levels of ammonium were shown to significantly inhibit nitrate uptake in both small and large fractions at all seven sampling stations. The half-inhibition constant was significantly lower and the maximum inhibition was generally higher in the 2 μm size fractions (K i = 132 + 72 nmol L -1 , I max = 0.67 ± 0.12), demonstrating that the ammonium inhibition was more pronounced in the small size class. Based on the surface ammonium concentrations of the study area, inhibition kinetics parameters predict a mean reduction of nitrate uptake of 27.8% (±12.6) for 2 μm fraction which leads to a mean reduction of 20.8% (± 11.9) for the total community. The importance of the inhibition size specificity in regulating new production and the f-ratio is discussed.

Product development for a stigmatized segment

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe an innovative practice that has implications for new product developers.Design/methodology/approachThe case study describes an approach to new product development for a product that satisfies a need, which is fraught with social stigma. Childhood obesity is growing to epidemic proportions in the USA. The problem is the result of a confluence of factors, including a more sedentary lifestyle and pressures on parents to work and spend less time interacting with their children. For its victims, the problem seems intractable.FindingsThe case demonstrates the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to product development that provides a workable solution that a target segment will embrace. The product described required careful market segmentation beyond the basic economic analysis of who could afford it. The main issue was to portray the benefits in a way that the target audience would accept.Research limitations/implicationsAs in all case studies, the specific conditions found in one organization may not be found more generally in others. Readers are cautioned that the conclusion drawn in the case may have limited applicability.Practical implicationsThe case depicts an innovative application of a behaviour modification device to a public health problem. Other organizations may find the technique of value in their own efforts.Originality/valueThe case describes a successful application of a medical device to address the childhood obesity problem. The work necessary to ensure that the PARS product was effective represents a new area of investigation in new product development.

Functional and symbolic attributes of product selection

PurposeThis paper seeks to identify the functional and symbolic attributes of product and brand selection that are of importance to 18‐24 consumers across food and toiletries products.Design/methodology/approachThe investigation used both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The initial quantitative study (268 respondents) aimed to identify in order of importance (using ANOVA) the variables that drive purchase behaviour across the four product categories of soap, coffee, breakfast cereal and toothpaste.FindingsThe study identified the key importance of sensory (e.g. taste, scent) attributes in the selection of the specific products studied. These sensory attributes may define the brand positioning of the products.Practical implicationsThis paper has implications for new product development.Originality/valueIdentifies the functional and symbolic attributes of product and brand selection that are of importance to 18‐24 consumers across food and toiletries products.

Respiration, mineralization, and biochemical properties of the particulate matter in the southern Nansen Basin water column in April 1981

Determinations of the activity of the respiratory electron transport system (ETS), during the FRAM III expedition permit us to estimate oxygen utilization rates ( R O 2 ) from the surface to 2000 m under the polar pack ice in the Nansen Basin just north of Svalbard (83°N, 7°E) during April 1981. We found R O 2 at in situ temperatures ranging from 20 pM O 2 min −1 just below the ice to 0.2 pM O 2 min −1 at 2000 m. These rates are low compared to most other ocean regions, but they could decrease particulate organic carbon and nitrogen by 76% and 74%, respectively, over a period of ∼6 months. The R O 2 calculations based on measurements made at 0 °C yielded a power function of R O 2 vs. depth ( Z) of R O 2 =67 Z −0.5534. When this R O 2 profile was superimposed on a more recent oxygen utilization rate profile made using the 3He– 3H–AOU method (OUR), in the same vicinity of the Nansen Basin during 1987 (OUR=52 Z –0.4058, [Zheng, Y., Schlosser, P., Swift, J.W., Jones, E.P., 1997. Oxygen utilization rates in the Nansen Basin, Arctic Ocean: implications for new production. Deep Sea Research I 44, 1923–1943]), the agreement of the two profiles was close. On one hand, this was to be expected because R O 2 is the biological basis of OUR, on the other hand, it was a surprise because the methodologies are so different. Nitrate mineralization obtained from ETS activities also compared favorably with calculations based on the data of Zheng et al. [1997. Oxygen utilization rates in the Nansen Basin, Arctic Ocean: implications for new production. Deep Sea Research I 44, 1923–1943]. Chlorophyll ranged from 6 ng L −1 at 5 m to 0.06 ng L −1 at 2000 m. Particulate organic carbon (POC) decreased from 0.93 μM C just below the ice to less than 0.4 μM C at 500 m. Particulate organic nitrogen (PON) was not detectable below 70 m, however in the upper 70 m it ranged from 0.16 to 0.04 μM N. The C/N mass ratio over these depths ranged from 5.8 to 11.3. Annual carbon productivity as calculated to balance the total water column respiration was 27 g C m −2 y −1. The integrated respiration rate between 50 and 4000 m suggests that exported production and carbon flux from the 50 m level was 24 g C m −2 y −1. These are minimal estimates for the southern Nansen Basin because they are based on measurements made at the end of the Arctic winter.

Online consumer communities and their value to new product developers

PurposeTo explore an emerging area in internet practice that has implications for new product developers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper integrates concepts including a range of recently published (1993‐2004) theoretical works and ongoing case developments in internet practice.FindingsProvides information and action approaches to new product developers that may increase the success and accuracy of resulting new products. Outlines the benefits of monitoring and participating in online consumer communities and offers practical suggestions for maximizing their value in the product development process.Research limitations/implicationsThe theoretical concepts that form the foundation of the paper appear to have a significant application to the product development process but have not been tested empirically.Practical implicationsUncovers a previously unrecognized source of direct consumer input and cooperation in the design and valuation of new products.Originality/valueThis paper describes the nature and application of online consumer communities to an important marketing process. It offers the potential of improving the success of new products in the marketplace reducing significant waste.

Inland technology: the quest for genuine replicas

PurposeProposes exploring a unique approach to the new product development process and its implications for new product developersDesign/methodology/approachThe case was written after in depth interviews with company managers and customers.FindingsProvides information and a description of an innovative guiding philosophy applied to new product development.Research limitations/implicationsAs with most case studies the situation, industry response and results are pertinent to this particular company. There may be limitations in generalizing to other industries or other companies.Practical implicationsDemonstrates a reactive approach to new product development. Also illustrates a successful means of interacting with government markets.Originality/valueThe case reflects a successful strategy based on establishing a trusted expert position in an environmental protection industry. That position allowed the company to act as a pollution avoidance advocate and to gain effective access to decision makers within their customer companies. Within this industry, the strategy is effective and may be emulated.

From market entry to new product development in China: Environmental Systems Controls

PurposeThe paper plans to explore the global environment and its implications for new product developers.Design/methodology/approachThe case was written after in‐depth interviews with company managers.FindingsThe paper provides information and action approaches to new product developers engaged in global marketing.Research limitations/implicationsAs with most case studies, the situation, industry response and results are pertinent to this particular company. There may be limitations in generalizing to other industries or other countries.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates a competitive approach to new product development and marketing strategy. It serves as an example of one technique to compete in industrial marketing.Originality/valueThe case reflects an innovative attempt to increase customer service, decrease cost and increase competitiveness in an industrial setting. The specific techniques and decisions represent a potentially valuable response to global competitiveness.

An introductory review of geodemographic information systems

This paper is based on Chapter Three of the book ‘Targeting customers — How to use geodemographic and lifestyle data in your business’ by Peter Sleight. It provides a straightforward introduction to using geodemographic information systems. It reviews the rationale for neighbourhood classifications, how they are constructed, the arrival of the new census data and the implications for new products. Finally, it reviews the neighbourhood issues implicit in the assumption of such classifications. The third edition of ‘Targeting customers’ is published to coincide with the new system launches following the release of the 2001 Census data. The book (published by World Advertising Research Center, www.warc.com) was published in March 2004.

Island weathering: river sources of rare earth elements to the Western Pacific Ocean

This paper focuses on two of the largest rivers and estuaries of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Fly and Sepik and explores the degree to which river input and estuarine reactions affect the rare earth element (REE) composition of surface sea water in the western tropical Pacific Ocean. The dissolved phases of the Fly and Sepik River waters have striking REE compositions in the form of large MREE-enrichments as defined by a gradual increase in their shale normalized ratios toward the middle of the REE series. This river/weathering signature is quite distinct from the REE composition of Pacific Ocean sea water. Large scale removal of dissolved river REE occurs in the low salinity regions of the Fly and Sepik River estuaries due to the coagulation of Fe-humic colloids. Laboratory experiments show that the reaction of Fly River particles with sea water leads to the preferential release of MREE to estuarine waters. Additional experiments suggest that the development of MREE-enrichments in PNG rivers is associated with phosphate minerals and their aquatic chemistry. The development of MREE-enrichments in the Fly and Sepik Rivers, through the combination of weathering and estuarine reactions, provides what is termed an island weathering signature to the ocean waters of the western tropical Pacific Ocean. MREE-enrichments appear in the high salinity estuarine waters surrounding PNG and in the subsurface waters of the equatorial (150°E) Pacific Ocean north of PNG (station SA-5 of Zhang and Nozaki [Zhang, J., Nozaki, Y., 1996. Rare earth elements and yttrium in seawater: ICP-MS determinations in the East Caroline, Coral Sea, and South Fiji basins of the western South Pacific Ocean. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 60, 4631–4644.]). We interpret MREE-enrichments in the Pacific Equatorial Undercurrent (P-EUC) at SA-5 to reflect the entrainment of an island weathering signature by the regional currents. The REE data in this paper support, but do not conclusively confirm, the proposition of Gordon et al. [Gordon, R.M., Coale, K.H., Johnson, K.S., 1997. Iron distributions in the equatorial Pacific: implications for new production. Limnol. Oceanogr. 42, 419–431.] that there is transport of Fe and other lithogenic elements across the Pacific Ocean within the Equatorial Undercurrent. While they suggested volcanism and hydrothermal activity in the region of PNG to be the source of the lithogenic elements, we favour the hypothesis of Milliman et al. [Milliman, J.D., Farnsworth, K.L., Albertin, C.S., 1999. Flux and fate of fluvial sediments leaving large islands in the East Indies. J. Sea Res. 41, 97–107.] that the massive weathering of islands in the East Indies is a quantitatively more important source. This process involves the entrainment of dissolved and particulate matter from island rivers into the Bismarck Archipelago Undercurrents, which originate in the Coral Sea and move to the P-EUC through the Solomon and Bismarck Seas. Specifically, our REE data are consistent with hydrographical and sedimentological studies which show that the rivers on New Guinea's north coast directly inject their dissolved and particulate matter into the New Guinea Coastal Undercurrent (NGCU), which feeds the Equatorial Undercurrent.

Phytoplankton pigment distributions and associated fluxes in the Bellingshausen Sea during the austral spring 1992

Pigment distribution patterns were investigated in the marginal ice zone of the Bellingshausen Sea and across the Drake Passage during the austral spring of November/December 1992. Elevated chlorophyll a (chl a) and fucoxanthin levels were observed at the Sub-Antarctic and Polar Fronts in the Drake Passage and at the Southern Polar Front in the Bellingshausen Sea. Investigations at 5 stations along 85°W in the Bellingshausen Sea between 70.3°S and 67.5°S revealed high concentrations of chl a (up to 24 000 ng l −1 ice melt) and fucoxanthin in hard pack ice samples and very low levels of pigments in the underlying water column (<100 ng l −1). At two ice melt stations, pigment concentrations in the ice were considerably lower and chl a in the upper mixed layer ranged from 120–250 ng l −1, with increased levels of hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin and chlorophyll b (chl b). In open water, the high chl a band at the Southern Polar Front (up to 2400 ng l −1) was associated with elevated fucoxanthin concentrations. Integrated concentrations, pigment ratios and a conversion of accessory pigments to chl a equivalents indicated that diatoms (fucoxanthin) were the most important group in the ice (>70%), although prymnesiophytes (hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin) and green algae (chl b) were present in smaller proportions. Diatoms dominated at the open water stations (>60%) and were prominent in the water column under the pack ice (52–61%). However, at the ice melt stations, prymnesiophytes (40–45%), green algae (11–13%) and, to a lesser extent, cryptophytes (4–6%; alloxanthin) collectively contributed more to the chl a biomass than the diatoms (37–42%). Budgeting the proportions of chloropigments indicated an increase in chlorophyllide a and phaeopigments from the ice to the northern open water stations, with chlorophyllide a being prominent in the upper water column and in the ice. Export fluxes of phytoplankton–carbon and phytodetritus in the upper 100 m were estimated from chloropigment inventories and residence times of 210 Po radionuclide reported by Shimmield et al. (1995) [Shimmield, G.B., Ritchie, G., Fileman, T.W., 1995. The impact of marginal zone processes on the distribution of 210 Pb , 210 Po and 234 Th and implications for new production in the Bellingshausen Sea Antarctica. Deep-Sea Res. II, 42 (1995) 1313–1335], revealing very low fluxes at the ice stations and up to 29 mg phyto-C m −2 day −1 at the open water high chlorophyll locality.

Oxygen utilization rates in the Nansen Basin, Arctic Ocean: implications for new production

In situ consumption of oxygen is balanced by ventilation if the observed distribution of dissolved oxygen below the euphotic zone is in steady state. Apparent oxygen utilization rates (AOURs) can be estimated from the observed oxygen distribution if the waters of the upper layers can be dated. It has been shown previously that tritium/ 3 He ages can be used, together with observed oxygen concentrations, to estimate AOURs for waters with ages of several months to several decades. This method is applied to data obtained from the Nansen Basin, Arctic Ocean, during the 1987 cruise of F.S. Polarstern. New production is estimated by depth integration of AOURs calculated for several isopycnals to be 19±5 g C m −2 year −1 for the southern part and 3±2 g C m −2 year −1 for the northern part of the Nansen Basin section. The results are discussed and compared with previous estimates based on different methods.

Iron distributions in the equatorial Pacific: Implications for new production

Several recent studies have shown that phytoplankton growth rate and production at 0°, 140°W is physiologically limited by iron. Therefore, changes in iron supply to the euphotic zone will result in variations in phytoplankton growth. We show that the flux of iron to this region is dominated by upwelling of the iron-rich Equatorial Undercurrent waters. Variations in the depth and strength of upwelling and changes in iron concentrations at the base of the euphotic zone will account for variations in primary and new production in this region. We determined dissolved and particulate iron profiles for the upper water column of the eastern equatorial Pacific including a vertical section from 9°N to 3°S along 140°W. One of the more prominent features of the section was a peak in dissolved and particulate iron associated with the Equatorial Undercurrent. The possible lithogenic origin of this iron is substantiated by the vertical section of particulate aluminum and manganese, which is consistent with a shallow hydrothermal source in the western equatorial Pacific. A simple one-dimensional model was used to calculate iron fluxes into the euphotic zone at the equator. Upwelling rates and dissolved iron concentrations were coupled to estimate the upwelling iron flux at 120 m (0.1% light level). Diffusive and atmospheric inputs of iron were also considered but were less significant than the upwelling flux. Iron-based potential new production was estimated to be 10–82 mmol C m−2 d−1 with C: Fe ratios of 100,000– 500,000: 1. In a similar manner, nitrate-based potential new production was 99–106 mmol C m−2 d−1. This demonstrates that iron supply limits new production to only 9–83% of the nitrate-based potential.

The impact of marginal ice zone processes on the distribution of 21OPb, 21OPo and 234Th and implications for new production in the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica

The vertical distributions of 21OPb, 210Po and 234Th in both dissolved and particulate phases of seawater were measured at five stations along the 85°W meridian in the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica. Sea-ice conditions during the expedition ranged from fully ice-covered (fast ice) to open water away from the marginal ice zone. Concurrent primary productivity and algal chlorophyll measurements revealed a band of high productivity at approximately 67°30′S, which remained in a rather static location during ice melt-back. Along the transect a progressive increase in removal (“scavenging”) and sinking of 210Pb, 210Po and 234Th occurred towards the north (open water conditions). Application of a simple, irreversible scavenging model, and particulate organic carbon and organic nitrogen to radionuclide ratios measured on suspended particulate matter, allows the calculation of export production for this region. Under fast ice conditions some removal of phytodetritus from the euphotic zone was observed (1–2 mgC m −2 day −1), representing a low proportion of the primary production ( f-ratio of 0.02). Near the Antarctic continental margin upwelling of regenerated dissolved 210Po was found. At the open water site near the algal band, new production had risen to 27–252 mgC m −2 day −1, but a greater proportion of the original primary production was removed by sinking detritus ( f-ratio of 0.03–0.33). Comparison of 210Po and 234Th as tracers of of export production indicates considerable differences, with 210Po yielding rather lower rates of export flux compared to 234Th Radionuclide estimates of new production are significantly greater than those obtained by traditional sediment trap methods. This may be due to the dynamic nature (short duration and spatial variability) of algal growth in the Southern Ocean.

An unexpected nitrate distribution in the tropical North Atlantic at 18°N, 30°W—implications for new production

During a R.V. Meteor JGOFS-NABE cruise to a tropical site in the northeast Atlantic in spring 1989, three different vertical regimes with respect to nitrate distribution and availability within the euphotic zone were observed. Besides dramatic variations in the depth of the nitracline, a previously undescribed nose-like nitrate maximum within the euphotic zone was the most prominent feature during this study. Both the vertical structure of phytoplankton biomass and the degree of absolute and relative new production were related to the depth of the nitracline, which in turn was dependent on the occurrence/non-occurrence of the subsurface subtropical salinity maximum (S(max)). The mesoscale variability of the nitracline depth, as indicated from a pre-survey grid, and published data on the frequent occurrence of the S(max) in tropical waters suggest higher variability of new production and F-ratio than usually expected for oligotrophic oceans. The importance of salt fingering and double diffusion for nitrate transport into the euphotic zone is discussed.

Innovators and imitators in innovation diffusion modelling

AbstractWe examine the theoretical underpinnings of the Bass innovation diffusion model and show that, contrary to the present understanding in the literature, it does not describe the behavioural theory of an innovator‐imitator dichotomy within the adopting population as was intended. Rather, this model describes the behaviour of a homogeneous population in which it is assumed that product adoption occurs as a result of exposure to a news source or from the binary interaction between adopters and non‐adopters. We provide an alternative framework in which the innovator‐imitator explanation of diffusion is explicitly incorporated. In the so‐called two‐compartment model the innovators and imitators constitute two distinct but interacting subpopulations. However, the added structural complexity cannot be supported by the available diffusion data, resulting in unsatisfactory model estimation results. This suggests that the innovator‐imitator population dichotomy assumed to underlie the present understanding of the innovation diffusion process may be inappropriate. Replacing it with the assumption of a homogeneous population could have potentially important implications for new product advertising strategies.

Knowledge Effects on Curiosity and New Product Advertising

Abstract Consumer curiosity and question responses to new product advertising are conceptualized in terms of knowledge structures and learning perspectives. Results of an exploratory study support the propositions that product knowledge affects the nature of consumer curiosity and question generation and suggest that more specific product class- and brand-related curiosities and questions enhance ad recall. Implications for new product ad development and testing are discussed.

CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS: STIMULUS FOR NEW PRODUCT IDEAS

In their continuing quest for new product ideas, marketers are directed to the U.S. Census figures where they can identify shifting populations and newly emerging demographic entities. Rather than relying on old stereotypes for direction, marketers must study the changed values, attitudes, lifestyles and self‐image of these groups. Using qualitative research techniques, the author says will result in implications for new product development, production, sales and marketing. The author identifies three groups whose lifestyles she has studied and who fit the parameters described above: Working women, singles and the 50‐plus age group. Opportunities for marketers are suggested as she describes their changed lifestyles which create a need for new products and services.