National Consumer Research Articles

The Effects of money supply on Economic Growth of Laos

This research aims to analyze the effect of money supply volume on the economic growth of Lao PDR. Using secondary data annually from 2012–2022. which uses the multiple regression equation (multiple regression) with the method of least squares (OLS) to estimate the coefficients of dependent variables and independent variables, starting from checking the properties of the unit root data using the Augmented Dick Fuller test statistic method to test the data. Through checking the properties of the model of external factors that affect the amount of money supply (M2), it was found that the coefficient of decision Adjusted R Square = 0.9931, which means that the independent variables Gross National Income (GNI), Exchange Rate (Exr), and Consumer Price Index (CPI) can explain the variable according to the amount of money (M2) determined up to 99.31%; the rest depends on other factors that are not included in the study. Therefore, the model of external factors that affect the amount of money M2 can be used and depends on at least one factor identified. Also, by bringing the data to test the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable in the long term and in the short term, ECM(-1) found that the model that simulates the effect of the amount of money M2 on the economic growth of the Lao PDR in the long-term equilibrium state (co-integration) and in the short-term equilibrium state (Error Correction Model: ECM) is not applicable and does not depend on the identified factors. But it will have a long-term effect, which, through checking the properties of the model from a long-term perspective, found that the coefficient of decision Adjusted R Square = 0.6877, which means that the independent variable M2 money can explain the variable according to the economic growth rate determined in the long term up to 68.77%. The change in the money M2 in the short term does not affect the economic growth rate of the Lao PDR, but the change in the money M2 in the long term will definitely affect the economic growth rate.

Flags, sports, and the common good: the nationalism that advances the gambling industry

This study investigates how nationalist sentiments enable the gambling industry to capitalize on national markets. With the help of qualitative content analytical tools, we analyzed 500 curated social media posts targeting Finnish and Swedish audiences. The study compared narrative templates, identifying speaker positions (inside/outside sociocultural context) and types of nationalist connotations (surface-level/in-depth). The results are displayed in a four-field matrix that reveals that Finland’s state gambling monopoly, Veikkaus, leverages ‘cultural nationalism’ to highlight its social role, portraying itself as a supporter of Finnish values, sports, and civil society. In contrast, international gambling companies and former domestic monopolies in Sweden’s license-based regulatory system use more mechanical, ‘sports-nationalist’ symbols, though the former monopoly companies occasionally refer to traditional Swedish cultural identity symbols. Compared to Veikkaus, the Swedish operators approach the national market as commercial outsiders, seeking public trust through sports associations. The study sheds light on how regulatory systems shape digital capitalist strategies for targeting national consumers on the social media.

The Focus and Evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility in the United Arab Emirates

Through in-depth interviews with public- and private-sector decision-makers, this qualitative study investigated modern corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its future path in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Quality education, health and well-being, environment, community development, circular economy, alignment with national priorities, consumer protection and public-private partnerships were discovered as core CSR priorities. Participants identified economic diversification, rebranding, increased environmental stability, strengthened corporate citizenship, improved regulation, and widespread differentiation as future focuses in the evolution of CSR in the UAE. The current and future emphasis of CSR is propelled by the UAE’s sustainable development objectives and human capital strategy. Transparent regulations, robust environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and innovative strategies can distinguish responsible companies apart in the UAE. Nevertheless, it is expected that CSR will be further integrated into key business activities, aligning with evolving national economic visions, collaboration between sectors, and orientation towards a long-term impact on society. In deed the reputations of companies are enhanced through rigorous adherence to ESG standards, transparency regulations, and innovative approaches. Hence, there has been a strategic shift towards environmental sustainability, stakeholder capitalism, and robust regulation, shaping a highly competitive, impact-focused CSR environment in the UAE, consistent with economic diversification plans.

ADVOCATES EXEMPTION FROM LIABILITY UNDER CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT: OPENING OF A PANDORA BOX OF EXEMPTIONS?

A two-Judge Bench of Honourable Supreme Court (SC) of India in Bar of Indian Lawyers Through its President Jasbir Singh Malik v. D. K. Gandhi PS National Institute of Communicable Diseases and Anr (2024).[1] held that professional services rendered by advocates fall under “contract of personal service” as opposed to a “contract for service” and accordingly, advocates are exempt from liability for deficiency in services under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019. The judgement brings the contentious issue of advocate’s liability as ‘service providers’ under the Act back to focus. The case arose out of challenge to a ruling by National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in D.K. Gandhi PS v. M. Mathias (2007) [2]. The NCDRC made advocates liable as service providers under CPA. The apex court, in fact, also went on to opine that the landmark SC ruling by three-judge bench in Indian Medical Association v. V P Shantha (1995)[3] delivered almost 3 decades ago needs reconsideration and referred it to the Chief Justice for determination by a larger bench. This article seeks to uncover the liability of advocates as service providers in light of landmark supreme court judgements and the implications of recent judgement on other professions.

Juridical Review of E-commerce Selling and Buying on Consumers and Buyers in Indonesia

The use of e-commerce in the world of trade has had a huge impact on Indonesian society, this is related to very important legal issues. The importance of legal issues in the field of E-commerce, especially in providing legal protection for consumers who carry out buying and selling transactions via the Internet. This development emerged due to offers and acceptance from the public, as evidenced by the emergence of various online stores such as Kaskus, Tokopedia, Bukalapak, Shopee and Lazada. This research aims to find out and analyze legal protection for consumers in online buying and selling transactions (e-commerce) and to find out and analyze legal remedies that can be taken by consumers if there is a default in online buying and selling transactions (e-commerce). The approach method used in this research is a normative juridical approach. The specification of this research is descriptive analysis. The data source used is secondary data, which consists of primary, secondary and tertiary law. The data collection tool is library research. The data analysis technique used is qualitative analysis. The results of this research and discussion are legal protection for e-commerce users by upholding consumer rights in accordance with Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection articles 19, 20, 21, 24, and 26 and regulations related to the implementation of online buying and selling (e-commerce) and the implementation of consumer protection is also supported by involving several parties such as the government, national consumer protection bodies and non-governmental consumer protection institutions. Legal efforts that can be taken to resolve defaults in Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection are litigation and non-litigation.

Monitoring and Evaluation Function of BPKN RI regarding Consumer Protection Issue in Housing Sector

The National Consumer Protection Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BPKN RI) is a bureaucratic body derived from the Ministry of Trade that focuses on handling consumer problems in Indonesia. The paper further examines what makes the housing sector have a high level of complaints at BPKN RI, what types of complaints are filed by consumers and how the form of monitoring and evaluation functions within the scope of BPKN RI in solving problems given by BPKN RI to consumers. This research uses a qualitative method by conducting direct interviews with staff of the Advocacy Division of BPKN RI. The findings obtained are that the monitoring and evaluation of BPKN RI is quite optimal, especially for problems in the housing sector. The number of incoming cases had shown a high number due to the pandemic situation. BPKN RI's evaluation function runs quite well with the achievement of BPKN RI's recommendations being able to become the main basis for the formation of PUPR Ministerial Regulations to protect consumer rights in Indonesia.

Implementation of the ARIMA model for prediction of economic variables: evidence from the health sector in Brazil

In recent decades, quantitative models for forecasting economic crises have garnered significant interest from researchers, policymakers, and public and private institutions. Identifying the most appropriate models for predicting economic time series behaviors during crises is a pressing challenge. Effective techniques can be instrumental in forestalling financial irregularities, thus empowering institutions to deploy remedial actions and swiftly minimizing further economic setbacks. Contemporary literature introduces various forecasting models, such as the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Recognized for its statistical alignment with numerous linear models, the ARIMA model has demonstrated its efficacy across various domains. This paper delves into applying the ARIMA model to predict five critical economic time series that substantially influenced Brazil’s public and private healthcare sectors throughout the economic crisis between 2000 and 2020. These time series encompassed the variables (i) the gross domestic product—GDP, (ii) the Extended National Consumer Price Index—IPCA, (iii) the unemployment rate, (iv) the total number of health plan beneficiaries, and (v) total number of individual health plan beneficiaries. Importantly, this study provides a comprehensive outline of the ARIMA implementation process, underscoring that precise forecasting is pivotal for managers aiming to curtail financial anomalies and avert resource shortages. The findings highlight the ARIMA model’s (1, 0, 2), (2, 2, 1), (0, 1, 2), (1, 1, 2), and (2, 2, 1) viability in accurately forecasting health-related time series, exceeding 95% accuracy for economic variables analyzed. These results have significant practical implications for healthcare managers and decision-makers. By offering accurate forecasts of critical economic metrics, such as the unemployment rate and the transition of beneficiaries between public and private health systems during economic downturns, this research provides valuable insights for strategic planning within the healthcare sector.

Do Precipitation and Temperature Influence Perceptions of Urban Cleanliness?

Abstract This study explores the correlation between weather and the perception of urban cleanliness across the 47 largest cities in Spain. Utilizing survey data conducted by the national Consumers and Users Organization (OCU) in 2015, 2019, and 2023 to assess cleanliness perceptions, we analyze potential associations with precipitation and temperature recorded by weather stations of the Spanish Meteorological Agency. Additionally, we consider computed values of the De Martonne aridity index. The OCU data reveal regional disparities in perceived cleanliness quality. Higher cleanliness scores are obtained in cities located in the northern and north-central regions of Spain, characterized by humid and superhumid climates according to the De Martonne index. Conversely, lower cleanliness ratings are given to cities in the southern and eastern regions of Spain, where a Mediterranean climate and lower aridity index values prevail. In conducting a statistical analysis on the perception of cleanliness and variables related to precipitation and temperature, the results of the chi-square and linear correlation tests found no strong statistical correlation, although a tendency is observed. Cities with higher annual precipitation and lower values of average annual temperature tend to receive better cleanliness ratings, while drier and warmer cities exhibit the worst values of perceived urban cleanliness. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the Gompertz model effectively captures a strong statistical correlation in the relationship between cleanliness perception and the De Martonne index: As aridity increases, cleanliness perception decreases. These results are relevant for the development of future cleaning methods and systems, particularly in light of the climate change scenarios that are anticipated in the Mediterranean region due to warmer and drier conditions and, consequently, an increase in aridity.

Descriptive analysis of medical negligence claims in septicemia patients: a review of Indian National Consumer Court judgments

Abstract Background, Aims, and Objectives: Patients admitted to intensive care units are at a higher risk of experiencing medical errors and have an increased likelihood of developing septicemia. Due to the high mortality associated with sepsis, doctors are more frequently sued for negligence. Patients alleging medical negligence in India can seek compensation through the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC). This study aims to analyze NCDRC cases where patients suffering from septicemia filed for negligence. In medical negligence cases filed by patients suffering from Septicemia, the objective is to find out the court’s outcome/verdict, the pattern of monetary compensation involved in the case, the legal standard of accepted care in the management of septicemia, and ways in which doctors can protect themselves from negligence claims, etc. Materials and Methods: This is a record review study in which judgments were obtained from www.scconline.com. The final analysis included cases where patients were diagnosed with sepsis based on medical records or postmortem reports. Qualitative data is presented as percentages, while quantitative data is expressed as a median with an interquartile range. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare qualitative variables. Results: A total of 34 judgments met the inclusion criteria, with the court ruling in favor of doctors in only eight cases. Surgical intervention (11 cases, 32.3%) was the most common cause of sepsis, followed by abdominal infection (14.7%). The outcome of the cases was not influenced by whether the doctor or patient initiated the lawsuit (Fisher exact probability = 0.49). Conclusion: The NCDRC found doctors negligent in most cases where patients with septicemia sued. Eventful surgery was identified as the most common cause of sepsis. The study suggests that doctors can protect themselves by promptly diagnosing post-surgical injuries to intra-abdominal organs and preventing the spread of local infections.

Innovation, Disruption and Consumer Harm in the Buy Now Pay Later Industry: An Empirical Study

‘Buy now pay later’ (‘BNPL’) has been described as ‘an Australian fintech growth story’, an innovative and disruptive financial product that has fundamentally changed the global market for consumer credit. Providers assert that BNPL promotes financial inclusion, allowing consumers to avoid the fees and interest associated with other, more expensive financial products. Yet critics maintain that BNPL is too readily accessible and that it can cause serious hardship, particularly for low income earners. This article is the first scholarly empirical study to focus on low income earners’ use of BNPL. It draws on a series of focus groups with consumer advocates and an online survey of consumers who have used BNPL, either alone or in conjunction with payday loans or pawn loans. Drawing on this data, the authors evaluate the Commonwealth Government’s current proposal to regulate BNPL more stringently, under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth).

Examining Civil Law Remedies for Consumers Affected by Counterfeit Branded Goods in E-commerce Transactions

This research aims to find out and explain the forms of legal protection for consumers and dispute resolution efforts related to the sale of counterfeit branded goods through online transactions in Indonesia. The research uses normative methods by reviewing library materials and secondary data and using legal material analysis techniques using a statutory approach. The research results show that consumer protection regarding the sale of counterfeit branded goods through online transactions in Indonesia refers to several statutory regulations, namely: Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions, a form of protection for consumers, namely the requirement for business actors to provide correct and clear information regarding goods/services being bought and sold as well as guaranteeing the responsibility of business actors for losses and all legal consequences resulting from violations of obligations in electronic transactions. Based on Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection, the form of legal protection for consumers is that in 2001 the Government established the National Consumer Protection Agency which then formed the Consumer Dispute Resolution Agency at the regional level. Based on Law Number 20 of 2016 concerning Brands and Geographical Indications, a form of consumer protection is the threat of criminal penalties for business actors who counterfeit brands or buy and sell products resulting from criminal acts. Consumer dispute resolution can be reached through 3 routes, namely peaceful resolution by the parties to the dispute without involving the court or a neutral third party, and settlement through the court. and Out-of-court settlement through BPSK.

Why transfer fee systems improve market competition, and why the Bosman ruling was flawed

Over the years competitive balance has decreased in many football competitions in Europe. This means that the number of clubs with a realistic chance of winning important prizes has declined. Consequently, there is less choice for the many consumers who want to watch, or become fan of, a club from their own country that can win important prices. Put differently, in many national consumer markets competition has decreased. Unfortunately, the legal profession has paid insufficient attention to the effect of decreasing competitive balance on competition in consumer markets. This is also relevant for the Bosman ruling. The ruling prohibited transfer fees for out-of-contract players. This has led to a decrease in competitive balance. Therefore, the ruling has decreased the competition in national consumer markets. However, in making the ruling the European Court of Justice fully neglected the possibility of such a decrease. While it did apply the hard law concerning the free movement of workers, and it did take account of the specific features of the sport and the need for competitive balance more specifically (even though this was not decisive in the end), it neglected hard competition law as regards the competition in consumer markets. If it had not done so the ruling might have been different, and better for the football fans.

Peningkatan Pengetahuan Dan Praktik Ibu Balita Tentang Komposisi Dan Informasi Nilai Gizi Makanan Kemasanan

Public awareness and ability to read food labels is still very low. A National Consumer Protection Agency survey stated that 6.7% of people in Indonesia pay attention to the completeness of food labels. One of the Messages of Balanced Nutrition is reading food labels. S1 Nutrition Study Program STIK Sint Carolus together with Nutritionists from the Galur Supporting Community Health Center provided counseling to mothers of toddlers on the topic "Let's Check the Coins (Composition and Nutritional Value Information) on Food Packaging" to 20 mothers of toddlers who visited the Posyandu. Counseling participants are given an identity and pretest form to fill out. The first session included material on definitions and food labels, and the second session provided material on how to read composition and nutritional value information. The third session involved practicing reading packaged food and conducting questions and answers and filling in the posttest form. After 3 days of providing material, monitoring and evaluation was carried out via Whatsapp. Based on the results of statistical analysis, 55% of mothers were classified as lacking knowledge during the pretest. However, it increased after nutrition education was carried out to 95% of mothers who were classified as well informed. The results of the Wilcoxon analysis show that there is a difference in knowledge between before and after counseling with p-value = 0.007. The results of monitoring and evaluation from 5 mothers, 100% of mothers had paid attention to food labels on packaging, especially composition and nutritional information. There has been a change in practice in reading food labels. Keywords: food labels; knowledge; nutrition information; nutrition counseling

SUSTAINABILITY OF THE GASTRONOMIC SERVICE FOR THE POSITIONING OF THE TOURIST DESTINATION IN BAHÍA DE CARÁQUEZ: ECUADOR

Objective: Evaluate the gastronomic services offered by restaurants in the area to define the level of impact it has on the perception of national and international consumers. Theoretical Framework: Preliminary studies demonstrate that the consumer behavior evaluation model for the marketing of tourist destinations from its methodological context is presumed to model consumer behavior from an ex-ante assessment, the design of change actions and an ex-post reevaluation. ; contributes to achieving changes and allows obtaining better economic and commercial results in the tourist destination proposed by Lemoine; Hernández et al., (2021). Method: The methodology was structured in three stages that from its conception facilitated a study in accordance with the quantitative research demands. Through the inductive method, certain behavior of the gastronomic activity was observed, denoting representative statistics to develop efficient management and business decision making. Results and Discussion: In the evaluation, it was determined to classify the gastronomic services into three categories where two restaurants represented 54% of the best evaluated in category A, three represented 28% that placed it in category B and 9 that represent 18% that belong to category “C” and are considered regular. Research Implications: The investigation shows that digital platforms such as Tripadvisor contribute to decision making and define effective strategies to achieve business objectives. Originality/Value: Fisher Matrix adapted to the research object made it easier to observe the deficiencies of the gastronomic activity with the purpose of using as a strategy the modeling of the behavior of the consumer who frequents the destination.

Lending on the Edge

In Australia, pawnbrokers are largely exempt from national consumer credit legislation. They are instead governed by state legislation, which affords very limited protection to consumers. This study outlines the current regulation of pawn lending and presents a qualitative profile of consumers who use pawn loans. In the absence of reliable industry data, it draws on case law, media reports, law reform submissions, previous qualitative studies and an online survey of consumers, conducted by the authors. The study argues that the light regulation of pawn lending creates a high risk of consumer harm and regulatory arbitrage by unscrupulous providers. It proposes law reforms and policy measures to address these risks and to provide more effective protection to consumers.

Bio-fermented milk product based on <i>L. acidophilus</i> fortified by <i>Sanguisorba officinalis</i> extract

The development of new functional food products containing probiotics and prebiotics of plant origin has actual scientific and practical values. The presented study purpose is the creation of fermented milk products based on L.acidophilus with the introduction of an extract of the Sanguisorba officinalis or great burnet as a prebiotic. Extracts from the great burnet rhizomes and roots have an antimicrobial activity, specifically against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus with pronounced bactericidal effect on various microbes of the dysenteric and paratyphoid groups, a detrimental effect on Trichomonas, fungi of the genus Candida and Giardia. Physicochemical and microbiological indicators during ripening and storage of the obtained fermented milk products based on L.acidophilus with great burnet extracts are considered. Titratable acidity, water-holding capacity, the number of lactobacilli, viscosity, and organoleptic values of fermented milk products are analyzed. It is established that the product with great burnet dry extract at a concentration of 10^-3 g/cm^3 has maximum scores for organoleptic, physicochemical, and microbiological indicators. The developed bio-fermented milk product enriched by antioxidants from extracts of biologically active compounds of great burnet will meet the national and international consumers’ demands with recommendations for therapeutic and preventive nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

Extensión universitaria y financiación de proyectos relacionados con la Educación Física en la Universidad Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

Aimed to investigate the funding of extension projects in the context of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It is an exploratory, documentary, longitudinal, retrospective, quantitative research. The object of analysis were public funding edicts (2010-2021) of extension projects, and the values in reais corrected by the National Consumer Price Index. A total of 1.535 extension projects were financed, standing out 2010 (13.49%) and 2017 (11.96%) in number of projects, with a decline from 2018. Regarding the amounts funded, 2017 (R$799,046.69) and 2018 (R$909,244.62) showed the best results and 2019 (R$317,075.88) and 2021 (R$77,099.48), a significant decline. Regarding the themes linked to Physical Education, 5.60% projects were contemplated, highlighting the theme sport (37.10%) when compared to health, leisure physical activity and leisure. It is concluded that the funding of extension projects went through oscillations, and the themes related to Physical Education were present, although in small percentage.

The new world order in the safety of cargo transportation

This article analyzes new organizational processes of transport use in cargo movement between the Economic Union countries and China. Nowadays the organization of cargo transportation to the Russian, European and Asian markets is associated with high risks. Growing interstate confrontation of the countries participating in the Euro-Asian market has a devastating effect on the transport organizational mechanism of road, rail and sea cargo transportation. The authors of the study act as analysts of the processes of formation of a new economic order in the security of transport parameters of resource movement in space and time, which determine the efficiency and competitiveness of the production link of regions on the basis of expanding organizational trade relations of economic entities. Today resources, the level of their territorial dispersion and fragmentation, along with the actual location of productive forces and capacities, in many respects are determinants in the development of business and competitiveness of the economies of national states. Particular attention is paid to the development of both external interstate and internal national linear transportation networks, including rail, road and water transport. Combining the potentials of a number of continental countries, as well as the organization of technical and technological interaction between the participating countries with corporate use of resources, gives an undeniable advantage in achieving economic and social efficiency in the development of national states. This requires a comprehensive socio-economic author's assessment of the direct and indirect advantages and losses of the economic conjuncture of the Economic Union countries, Russia and China, as the main participants and organizers of creating conditions for a new economic order. The new economic order in the development of transport communications determines the implementation of a more effective mechanism for using the continental production resources of China, India, Iran and Russia, which are concentrated on the basis of inter-country corporatization of their use and objective advantageous location of national productive forces and consumer markets.

ARIMA Modeling and Forecasting of National Consumer Price Index in Nepal

This research aims to determine an Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model and forecasting the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) in Nepal, using annual data from the fiscal year 1972/73 to 2022/23. The research utilized secondary data collected from the online bulletin published by Nepal Rastra Bank, aiming to enhance understanding of NCPI patterns and contribute to predictive modelling techniques for economic indicators. Adopting the Box-Jenkins technique and using E-Views statistical software, this study identifies ARIMA (1, 2, 8) as the most suitable model for NCPI forecasting. This selection is validated through meticulous diagnostic tests, affirming the appropriateness of the model, as evidenced by residuals exhibiting white noise characteristics. The research findings suggest a rapid increase in the National Consumer Price Index for the coming years. Implications of this research extend to both academic and policy-oriented audiences. A successful ARIMA model development holds significant potential for providing accurate predictions of future price trends in Nepal. This, in turn, can assist policymakers in making informed decisions regarding economic strategies, monetary policies, and inflation control measures. Moreover, the study's outcomes offer a foundational framework for future research endeavours in the domain of economic forecasting and modelling, contributing to the broader field of economic analysis and policy formulation.

Linear TV audience deficiency units in marketing mix models: Tilting at windmills or misleading marketing communication spend optimization

ABSTRACT Audience deficiency units (ADUs) have become a standard part of ‘making good’ the guaranteed media delivery for linear TV. However the impact of unadjusted linear TV ADUs on marketing mix models (MMM) has not been studied. This research illustrates how unadjusted ADUs in MMM can lead to artificially inflated return on advertising spend (ROAS) and inaccurate efficiency calculations. Utilizing data from a national consumer packaged goods brand, the paper finds that using unadjusted linear TV ADUs can artificially inflate ROAS, prescribe an incorrect investment allocation at constant spend and potentially reduce case units and net returns. These findings support the need for standardized treatment of linear TV ADUs in MMM and emphasizes the significance of accurate data for evaluating media channel performance and optimizing returns.