Maintain Market Share Research Articles

Time-varying international market power for the Chinese iron ore markets

This study analyses the dynamics of iron ore's international market power on exports to China by Australia, Brazil, India and South Africa. It uses the residual demand elasticity (RDE) model and rolling window regression model and applies the monthly data for the international iron ore market over the period from January 2006 to December 2016. The results indicate that (1) Australia and Brazil exercise market power in the Chinese iron ore market, but India and South Africa have no market power in the iron ore market; (2) market power has a time-varying nature, particularly in Australia and Brazil; and (3) changes in the pricing regime in the international iron ore market have a profound impact on market power. Furthermore, to maintain the stability of the Chinese iron ore market, exporters are suggested to enhance their competitiveness and gain greater market power on the basis of maintaining market share, and China should optimize its trade structure.

Secondary patents: innovator and generic strategies.

The global pharmaceutical industry consists of innovators and generics. Innovators focus on drug discovery, and bring new drugs into the marketplace after filing the new drug applications. In contrast, the generics enter the market by making a bioequivalent product by filing abbreviated new drug applications. In order to maximize their returns on R&D and maintain market share, the innovators introduce a wide range of drug products based on the same 'new molecular entity' and protect them against competition by filing what the industry term as secondary patents. The patents of four innovator viz., AstraZeneca, Takeda, Eisai and Wyeth related to the gastroesophageal reflux disease drugs and how their new molecular entity patents overcame the nonobviousness criteria is analyzed and studied in detail.

Market Share Strategies for Cloud Computing Providers

ABSTRACT The cloud computing industry is characterized by a small number of dominant providers and a host of small-to-medium providers. As the demand grows, additional providers are expected to enter the market. The need for 24/7 support and competitive pricing allows established providers to maintain defensible industry positions. This paper examines the impact of adopting growth and equilibrium market share strategies by cloud providers. Capacity planning remains a challenging problem given uncertain growth and demand, and providers seeking to pursue different market share strategies must adopt different tactics. Results from a system dynamics simulation indicate that market share growth can be achieved at the cost of overall revenue. A reactive strategy to maintain market share requires more price manipulation, but results in higher overall income. Simulations are conducted for a variety of economic conditions, with a view to providing cloud service providers broad guidance for cloud capacity building strategies.

Towards factories of the future: migration of industrial legacy automation systems in the cloud computing and Internet-of-things context

ABSTRACT The vision of factories-of-the-future is motivating many industrial companies to modernise their existing portfolio of systems and services to maintain market share and improve business agility. For long-lived industrial systems, it is challenging to adapt legacy assets to a service-oriented stream in cloud computing and Internet-of-things contexts. For this reason, many research studies have proposed techniques and methodologies to migrate legacy industrial functions and systems at different hierarchy levels of automation control. This paper presents an overview of these techniques and methodologies, as well as industry practices to achieve the vision of factories of the future. Better understanding the challenges encountered in legacy migration processes will help researchers and practitioners in their further efforts.

Assessing Experience and Perception of Patients about OPD Services

Background: Healthcare is constantly changing for this reason, healthcare administrators and other players in this scenario need dynamic dimensions intended to get reports about patients’ experiences and perceptions about the services they provide at the Outpatient department. This is because patients define the satisfactions experienced at this section of the hospital to be the overall output of the hospital. Discontent of services received at this facility is a judgment on the quality of care provided by the hospital. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess experience and perception of patients about OPD Services. Methods: The study employed a quantitative cross sectional descriptive method. Data was collected by a structured questionnaire at the outpatient department of Tamale Teaching Hospital Ghana. A total of 100 patients were included in the study. Results: The study had a response rate of 100% and with the mean age of respondents of (Mean±SD) 30.57 ±10.11. More than half of respondents (n = 68, 68%) were females and 51% had tertiary education. The minimum and maximum time respondents had to wait to be examined by a Doctor was between ≤ 30 and > 300 minutes respectively. Majority (61%) of the patients had good satisfaction with nurses as they treated patients’ with respect and good lighting at the hospital (66%). There was however, a poor satisfaction in relation to doctor services (59%), registration services, pharmacy services, inadequate physical examination rooms and chairs at waiting area, unclean toilet facility, expenses on laboratory test(70%, highest dissatisfaction), and poor ventilation of facility. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that, maximum number of respondents had very good experience in relation to the nurses’ respectful treatment for patients, the lighting system of the hospital and cleanliness of the environment. The following measures were recommended by respondents for policy-makers and hospital administrators to improve the patient satisfaction and quality of care to gain and maintain market share and clients good experience. These included, reducing the waiting time at the OPD consultation, providing enough chairs, and good communication and friendliness of the OPD registration officers.

Determination of Competitive Priorities at Egyptian Garment Manufacturing

Competitive priorities support many establishments to face challenges and share markets. Depending on several references, competitive priorities divided into five dimensions (Quality, Cost, Delivery, Flexibility, and innovation). In this article determination of competitive priorities at Egyptian garment manufacturing was investigated. The research, based on a designed questionnaire which offered to a sample of 50 respondents. Likert-scale was used to assess the respondents' answers and the findings were analyzed by using Microsoft Excel. The samples encompassed 60.46% of export garment enterprises and 39.54% of domestic garment enterprises. The results clarified that quality was the highest priority while the cost was minimal. At the same time, the results showed that domestic garment enterprises (Group B) require more awareness in the implementation of competitive dimensions. Furthermore, the results revealed that, although some policies had a high level of execution, the lowest consistency was achieved (based on the variance coefficient) indicating a potential decline over time. The nature of markets influence on competitive priorities and its implementation at Egyptian garment enterprises. Adopting sophisticated cost policies is urgent for maintaining market share. Some policies need more improvements thru practicing, empowerment, and accountability to ensure the sustainability of competitiveness.

Kepuasan pelanggan sebagai mediasi pengaruh brand image terhadap loyalitas pelanggan

To maintain market share, companies must be able to guarantee customer satisfaction so that customers become loyal. Companies need a brand image strategy or brand image so that it becomes the top of mind in the minds of consumers or customers. This study aims to determine the effect of brand image on customer loyalty mediated by customer satisfaction. The study was conducted at Warung Griya Bebek and Ayam Goreng Nelongso Malang. Accidental sampling technique with a total sample of 104 respondents, using a questionnaire as a research instrument. Data analysis technique used is Path Analysis. The analysis shows that brand image has a significant direct effect on customer satisfaction. Other results show that brand image also has a significant indirect effect on customer loyalty mediated by customer satisfaction

Influence of Call Centers on Emerging Business Models and Practices

Call Centers have been an integral part of businesses operations, thereby providing organization contact points for the customers while facilitating changes and improvements of products and services offered by the organization. Call Centers give organizations the ability to extend their reach within their respective market space, which allows them to maintain lasting relationships with their environments, customers, and competitors providing time savings, cost savings, business continuity, strategic opportunities, sustainability, competitive advantage, and customer insight, on the products and services offered. As such, organizations are able to build Call Centers as integral business solutions, hence enhancing profitability and maneuverability within their market space. This study is conducted utilizing a phenomenological approach to qualitative research method that addresses (a) Innovation is one of the business models that create sustainable competitive advantage where organizations are gearing towards, to carve out or maintain market share (b) phenomenological approach used for this qualitative research (c) utilization of NVivo to create a thematic analysis of the results collected from interviews, case studies, observations, and other empirical studies (d) discuss the trends and impacts of call centers on business models and practices.

A Pop-up Service Point and Repurposed Study Spaces: Maintaining Market Share During a Renovation

ABSTRACTPayson Library, the largest library at Pepperdine, primarily serves undergraduate students. It underwent a renovation between spring 2016 and fall 2017. Payson Library was closed during this renovation, and a Library Hub was established as a temporary service point and library information and teaching center on campus. Maintaining market share led to rolling out new services such as RAPID-ILL, repurposing a graduate campus library for increased study spaces, and reliance on a strong library liaison program. Predictably, there was a sharp reduction in patron visits, but there was success in providing reference, instruction, and access to the collections.

Low-Carbon Competitiveness in Asia

Environmental degradation and the risks from climate change have strengthened the need for cleaner forms of economic growth. Using patent, trade and output data, we measure the current size of Asia’s low-carbon economy and assess its competitiveness across key sectors. We look at three success factors for low-carbon competitiveness at the sector level: the ability to convert to low-carbon products and processes (measured by a specialization in low-carbon innovation), the ability to gain and maintain market share (measured by existing comparative advantages) and a favorable starting point (measured by current output and scale). Using this framework, we identify the ‘climate change mitigation technologies’ that Asian countries specialize in and can potentially scale up. The analysis shows that Asia’s top low-carbon economies are Japan, South Korea and China. The sectors in which Asia is particularly well placed to be globally competitive include efficient lighting, photovoltaics and energy storage. Overall, Asia is a specialist in innovating and exporting climate change mitigation technologies but there are significant regional disparities.

Quality of service in the Jordanian telecommunications sector

This research seeks to examine the quality of service of the three main telecommunications operators (Zain, Orange and Umniah) in Jordan for year 2016 in terms of network, distribution, marketing and sales quality using qualitative data from semi-structured one-to-one interviews with a representative sample of the biggest wholesalers and sub-dealers across Jordan (n = 4,600), and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (sub-dealers recruited from across the country). The core objective of this research was to examine the performance of the three operators in Jordan. It was found that the national telecommunications market is intensely competitive, and the three predominant operators have varying quality of service in numerous areas. Zain and Orange draw on their international leverage and capital to maintain market share, but the best technical and customer support value is offered by the later market entrant, Umniah, in terms of higher speed internet and better customer service. All firms benefit from high-quality human resources, and face similar challenges in terms of inhibitive taxes on prepaid tariffs and the stringent regulation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.

Examining the impact of trust and perceived risk on purchase intentions of unscheduled medicines in supermarkets

AbstractBackgroundCommunity‐based pharmacies are facing the challenge of maintaining market share and consumer relevance as supermarkets continue to increase their product ranges of unscheduled and complementary medicines within their healthcare category.AimThe aim of this paper is to empirically explore the drivers and barriers of purchase intentions, namely trust and perceived risk, of unscheduled medicines in a supermarket.MethodData were collected via an in‐store, intercept survey of 310 supermarket shoppers in Australia. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) including a measurement and structural model test was employed using AMOS software package.Key findingsThis study found purchase intention of unscheduled medicines in a supermarket was associated with the competence of employees to provide products and the ability of supermarkets to effectively process transactions. Respondents indicated that the provision of information and benevolence were not drivers of purchase intention. Two barriers that negatively impacted on shoppers’ intentions were identified as psychological risk and social risk. Herein, shoppers indicated that purchasing unscheduled medicines in a supermarket did create mild anxiety and concerns about social acceptance. In contrast, time and physical risk were not considered barriers of purchase intentions.ConclusionsThis is the first study to examine the drivers and barriers of purchase intentions of unscheduled medicines in a supermarket. This present study provides a comprehensive model of purchase intentions of unscheduled medicines and recommends directions for pharmacy practitioners to compete against supermarkets.

Bank adoption of mobile banking: stakeholder perspective

PurposeBank adoption of mobile banking globally remains sporadic. Factors influencing this remain under researched. The purpose of this paper is to explore drivers and barriers of bank adoption of mobile banking from a stakeholder perspective.Design/methodology/approachUsing diffusion of innovation (DOI), a mixed method study was conducted. Data were collected using blogging to inform a two-round modified Delphi study. The opinion of 72 members from six stakeholder industries was sought.FindingsThe results indicate that DOI theory is still applicable within mobile environments in helping to understand the diffusion of mobile banking. Key drivers of bank adoption were global mobile phone penetration, competitive advantage, customer convenience, strategic importance, customer demand, low perceived risk/security concerns and stakeholder partnerships. Findings suggest low levels of customer demand and lack of return on investment (ROI) are key barriers for banks. The findings have strategic implications for industry players highlighting the importance of mobile banking to maintain market share and customer relations. These influences will inform successful mobile banking strategies by raising awareness of major barriers.Originality/valueThis study concentrates on a bank/stakeholder perspective. It confirms that DOI theory is still applicable within mobile environments. It extends understanding of bank adoption providing useful information for all stakeholders. It has implications for banks regarding multi-channel banking and the motivators and challenges influencing its adoption.

PRICING POLICIES FOR HIGH DEMAND DATA COMMUNICATIONS, THE CASE OF ALBANIA

Mobile data traffic has dramatically increased during the recent years. The high demand for data communication increased the challenges for network operators. Communication Network operators are investing to provide more capacities and they are looking for innovative ways to cope with increased market demand for broadband data communication.The liberalization of the telecommunication market and the competition put the operators under pressure to keep high quality services with low cost. New pricing policies are introduced in order to maintain market share and keep their users in a competitive market. The battle with OTT makes the situation more critical.This article will analyze the situation in the field of data communication, compare different instruments which are used or are under development in different countries and in Albania. The article will analyze the pricing policies used for data communication as a solution to cope with the high demand of data traffic. The article will identify some critical issues on these practices, draw conclusions and give some recommendations on the proper ways to keep the right balance between technical and commercial solutions and user experience/satisfaction.

Quaker Oats's Oatmeal Division

The hot breakfast cereal division of Quaker Oats was in serious decline, and the increasing American preference for speed and convenience at breakfast did not bode well for the category. The senior VP overseeing the hot breakfast division has been given an ultimatum by the CEO to turn the company's namesake product line around. She develops a marketing plan, but will it work?To analyze a mature product category within the context of its competition and consumer trends, and apply several aspects of brand management and marketing strategy to maintain market share in the face of changing consumer preferences and intense competition.

Next Generation Television and the Migration from Channels to Platforms

Consumers have access to an ever increasing inventory of video content choices as a result of technological innovations, more readily available broadband, new business plans, inexpensive high capacity storage and the Internet’s ability to serve as a single medium for a variety of previously standalone services delivered via different channels. Access to video content is becoming a matter of using one of several software-configured interfaces capable of delivering live and recorded content anytime, anywhere, to any device and via many different transmission and presentation formats. This means that content creators and packagers can no longer rely on a single linear model of program delivery that locks viewers to channel-based distribution technologies. Instead consumers increasingly expect to have access at their convenience and on more flexible terms and conditions. Platform access offers many legitimate, questionable and absolutely illegal opportunities to access both amateur and professional video content via the transmission of video files for subsequent replay, via real time streaming of files and even the retransmission of live programming, including pay television sporting events. Because of the great potential for piracy content providers and broadcast, satellite and cable intermediaries have grave concerns whether and how to provide new access options. This paper will examine the ongoing migration from channels to software-configured platforms for accessing video content. It will assess strategies of both market entrants and incumbents to use technological innovations for acquiring, or maintaining market share. The paper also will consider whether incumbents may overcome competitive threats by devising new ways to lock down content and prevent consumers from fully exploiting new options, even for lawful content sharing and recording.

Pricing Decision Models for Remanufactured Short-Life Cycle Technology Products with Generation Consideration

Although the analysis of remanufactured durable products dominates the environmentally conscious manufacturing research, more and more researchers try to focus on modelling short-life cycle products remanufacturing decisions. High-technology products, such as smartphones and laptops are the cases in point. Smartphone companies are opening remanufacturing facilities in third world countries to attract middle-level customers. Remanufacturing of high technology short life products can have a positive impact on the profits as well as the environment.A common strategy for the technology-intensive companies is to update their products continuously to maintain market share as well as customers’ appetites for latest technologies. This creates a multiple-generational product line. When a new generation is released, the market value of the previous generation is reduced, and the price of the generation before last is decreased even more. Meanwhile, remanufactured products of each generation also come to market when they are available. This can result in complex cannibalization among various generational product lines as well as new and remanufactured products.In this study, we develop a model that addresses the issue of pricing the latest generation remanufactured products and old generation new products. The demands are time-dependent and price sensitive. The market is separated from that of the brand new product of latest generation. The system consists of a retailer and a manufacturer. Two scenarios are evaluated in the system. First, each party tries to optimize profit independently. Second, the joint profit is optimized. The results provide optimal pricing decisions in different selling periods.

Una aproximación descriptiva a la propiedad intelectual de bajo valor agregado y distorsión de la competencia: Caso Estados Unidos

This research paper analyzes the disadvantages of patenting low added value inventions considered obvious on the operation of the free market under the free market theoretical perspective for the U.S case. Gaps are strong in relation to considered obvious inventions which discourages business innovation as a result of imperfect information flow limiting knowledge of existing patents. Also discourage competition from small and micro enterprises who choose to go the legal system to maintain market share. The analysis method is based on data research form different official sources.

The interrelationships between customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intentions of Generation Y consumers towards smart phone brands

Smart phone marketers are finding it difficult to maintain market share in a market characterised by fierce competition and continued new product development. Generation Y consumers generally have a good command of technology and engage in technology-related behaviour such as texting, tweeting and web-surfing. When it comes to the adoption of smart phone applications, it is believed that Generation Y is leading the way. To retain Generation Y consumers, it is critical for organisations to ensure that customer satisfaction is achieved, brand loyalty has to be generated and meaningful long-term relationships with these consumers should be established. In this regard, this study aims to determine the interrelationships between customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and the relationship intentions of Generation Y smart phone users. Self-administered questionnaires were fielded among 395 Generation Y smart phone users living in Gauteng, South Africa. Results indicate significant and positive interrelationships between customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and relationship intention.

Market share, firm innovation, and idiosyncratic volatility

In this study, we reexamine the link between a firm’s market share and its idiosyncratic volatility. Contrary to extant research, we find that market share is not a determinant of idiosyncratic volatility. Innovative firms continuously innovate resulting in an increase in market share. However, high market share firms may not necessarily increase investment in innovative ventures to maintain market share. Hence an increase in market share does not necessarily lead to an increase in a firm’s idiosyncratic risk.