Product Differentiation Research Articles

Product differentiation in the fruit industry: Lessons from trademarked apples

AbstractWe derive price premiums for patented or trademarked apple varieties, also known as “club apples,” compared to open‐variety apples. We use an expansive retail scanner dataset, along with unique data on apple taste characteristics, to estimate monthly club apple premiums for 2008–2018. We find that club apple premiums are around 29% and have consistently decreased from 35% in 2008 to 22% in 2018. Positive club apple premiums relate to consumers' preferences for juicier, more acidic, and sweeter apples. We do not find evidence that consumers place value on the exclusivity of purchasing more expensive and limited varieties. Hence club premiums exist in the market by meeting the demand of consumer segments for apples with distinct taste attributes rather than replacing the demand of traditional consumers who prefer open varieties. We use a vector error correction framework to find short‐run and long‐run determinants of club apple premiums. In the short run, the sales of club varieties may positively associate with the sales of open varieties, given the premium and cost factors. However, in the long run, there is a negative cointegrated relationship between club apple sales, open apple sales, and club apple premiums; and an increase in club apple sales is adversely related to the open apple sales and club premiums. The high initial premiums of protected club varieties have provided incentives for the development of uniquely differentiated apple varieties, while in the long term as production expands, premiums decrease making club varieties less expensive for consumers [EconLit Citations: L66, Q11].

Green quality choice in a duopoly

AbstractThis article considers a quantity‐setting duopoly (Cournot rivalry) in which firms adopt an abatement technology as a device to improve the quality of products. Consumer preferences capture vertical product differentiation (quality) towards “green” products. This introduces a trade‐off on the production side, as firms that do not abate, in turn, do not sustain any abatement cost but the demand for their product is low. On the contrary, firms that choose to abate incur abatement costs, but the demand for their product is high. The article aims to study and understand whether this kind of preference may lead firms to strategically invest in green technology and introduces a new, private‐based (that contrasts the well‐known public‐based) mechanism through which pollution abatement can emerge as a sub‐game perfect Nash equilibrium (SPNE) of a non‐cooperative abatement decision game with product quality and complete information. The model is developed in a parsimonious way to pinpoint the main determinants of the endogenous market outcomes ranging from an anti‐prisoner's dilemma in which self‐interest and mutual benefit of non‐abatement do not conflict to an anti‐prisoner's dilemma in which self‐interest and mutual benefit of abatement do not conflict, passing through to an anti‐coordination scenario. Additionally, the welfare analysis reveals the existence of a win‐win solution from a societal perspective. The article shows that the results obtained in the Cournot setting also hold considering a Bertrand duopoly.

Strategi Sumber Daya Manusia (SDM) dalam Pemasaran Jasa Pendidikan

Education is a valuable investment for the future, and marketing educational services is an important aspect in making educational institutions high quality. This research was conducted to determine aspects of human resources in marketing educational services. This research uses qualitative methods and the data collection technique used in this research is library research, namely the research object used by searching for and collecting data or literary information in the form of books, journals, magazines, reports, and the others. The results of this research show that marketing educational services is very important in improving the quality of education. Product, price, place, promotion, people, physical evidence, process are important elements in marketing educational services. Meanwhile, in practice there are several marketing strategies for educational services, namely; market identification, market segmentation, product differentiation, and school services.

Penggunaan Media “Aprori” Berbasis Diferensiasi untuk Meningkatkan Kreativitas dan Kebhinnekaan Global Siswa

Creativity and insight into global diversity are two important aspects of education. Creativity produces new, innovative and unique things in solving problems. Diversity insight refers to a deep understanding and tolerance of various existing cultures. These two aspects are still low, especially for class V students at SDN Lomaer 1. This can be seen from the students’ low understanding of the culture in their region, as well as their lack of motivation to study regional culture. This condition is caused by the absence of media and learning models that are able to accommodate the heterogeneous learning needs of students. Therefore, a solution is needed through the use of Apriori media based on product differentiation. This Aprori research uses the research and development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model design, namely, analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. Data was collected through observation techniques and learning outcomes tests, analyzed descriptively-qualitatively. The results of the research show that by using media (1) students' creativity in completing dance property projects in the form of masks increased from 69.3% to 82.5% and (2) students' classical insight into global diversity increased from 84.75% to 95%. It can be concluded that the use of Apriori media based on product differentiation can increase the creativity and insight into global diversity of class V students at SDN Lomaer 1.

Allocating vehicle registration permits

We compare social welfare, consumer surplus and profits in two different institutional settings in which an item whose quantity is fixed and controlled (vehicle registration permit) is allocated to the buyers of a complementary good (car). In the first setting, which resembles the way in which vehicle registration permits are allocated in Singapore, the central planner runs a uniform price auction for permits in which the consumers who bid the highest receive the permits and pay the highest losing bid. Then each winning consumer purchases a car from a seller. In the alternative setting, the central planner first allocates the permits to sellers and then sellers offer to consumers bundles, each consisting of a car and a permit. For two different models of product differentiation, we find that social welfare is greater when permits are auctioned to consumers, but consumers and sellers generally prefer the alternative setting.

Livestreaming as the next frontier of e-commerce: A bibliometric analysis and future research agenda

The prominence of livestreaming within the business sector has been on the rise, yielding a transformative impact on the retailing and service landscape. Livestreaming has evolved into an ever-interactive platform tailored for commerce purposes. This study systematically monitors the research dynamics revolving livestreaming by delineating the progression and diffusion of key topics, influential authors, and notable publications. Utilizing the Scopus and Web of Science databases, this study applied bibliometric techniques to extract insights concerning livestreaming research through (1) identifying countries, journals, authors, and publications making exceptional contributions, (2) examining co-citations and co-occurrence networks, (3) extracting prevalent keywords from previous studies, and (4) discerning thematic trends. The study identifies noteworthy gaps in the existing livestreaming literature, encompassing areas such as cross-cultural studies, differentiation of products across various livestreaming platforms, post-adoption behavior, dark sides of livestreaming, and issues related to intellectual property. Subsequently, the study puts forth a cohesive future research agenda addressing these identified gaps.

Strategy to Improve Student's Creativity Through Differentiated Learning Products for High School Students in Surakarta

The study aims to identify the increased creativity of students through product differentiation learning at Surakarta High School. The approach used in this research is quantitative. The data collection technique used is a questionnaire. The study population is all students in Class X Phase E and XI Phase F at Surakarta State High School for the academic year 2023-2024, a total of 779 students with a sample of 78 students. Each level has 39 students. Measurements using SPSS 25 with gamification of the alpha Cronbach learning media variable and student activity, normality tests, heterocadastisity tests, deviations, correlation values, and determination coefficients (R square) The collection showed that H0 was rejected and Ha received because the regression factor had a significance value < 0.05, so some suggested that there was a significant influence between the use of gamified media and activation. The results showed a regression coefficient with a significant value of 0.000, which means that there is a significant impact between learning differentiation and the product of creativity, and the determination factor (R square) is 0.370. This means that 37% of the variability in student creativity variables can be explained by product differentiation variables. The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant influence between product differentiation learning and students’ creativity in Surakarta High School by contributing to the creativity of teachers and students.

Abstract 6682: Bile acid profiles and racial disparities in colorectal cancer: Exploring the protective role of secondary bile acid derivatives

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with diet and gut microbiota-derived bile acids implicated as long-term risk factors. The interplay between bile acids and immune cell differentiation, particularly of macrophages and T-cells, is a crucial aspect of the CRC microenvironment. Given the high-animal-fat diets' influence on the microbiome’s production of hydrophobic secondary bile acids such as deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA), this study investigates the potential immunomodulatory effects of their lower concentrations and their isomers in possibly fostering M2-like macrophage expansion. Methods: Clinical samples were obtained during colonoscopies with no tumor findings at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. RNA was extracted from colonoscopy biopsies for NanoString RNA expression analysis, while bile acids were isolated from both lyophilized stool and frozen serum samples. To explore the immunological effects of secondary bile acids, the macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line, alongside peritoneal macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from C57BL/6J mice, were treated with LCA and LCA isomers. Following the bile acid treatment, LPS (100 ng/mL) or IL-4 (40 ng/ml) was added to elicit pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory states, respectively. After 48 hours, conditioned media were collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and rt-qPCR. Results: Contrary to initial hypotheses, the levels of DCA and LCA levels were not significantly different between African American and non-Hispanic White subjects. Notably, allo-isomers and oxo-derivatives of these bile acids, which may promote Treg and M2-like macrophage expansion, were substantially lower in African American subjects. Ex vivo treatments with isoalloLCA and IsoLCA led to notable changes in the M2 macrophage differentiation and shifts in PGE2 production upon exposure to inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimuli, suggesting a nuanced alteration in the macrophage-mediated inflammatory response. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant ethnic variation in bile acid profiles, with a potential impact on immune modulation and CRC risk. The reduced presence of certain bile acid isomers in African American subjects may influence the risk of CRC through altered macrophage differentiation and function. These findings emphasize the need for personalized dietary and therapeutic strategies to modulate the bile acid metabolome, potentially reducing CRC disparities. Citation Format: Hanchu Dai, Patricia G. Wolf, Lisa Tussing-Humphreys, Ece Mutlu, Jason M. Ridlon, Rex Gaskins. Bile acid profiles and racial disparities in colorectal cancer: Exploring the protective role of secondary bile acid derivatives [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6682.

Producing Green or Brown? A Game of Green Innovation in an Asymmetric Oligopoly

As consensus grows for low-carbon development, innovation becomes vital for green growth, given the substantial technology adoption needed for long-term environmental targets. This paper explores market-driven incentives for green product innovation in an asymmetric duopoly using a game theory approach without relying on direct government intervention. The roles that market dynamics and rivalry have on the supply of green or brown products are explored in simultaneous and sequential scenarios, considering technology costs, demand-creating effects, rivalry gains, and information availability. Results reveal that a fully green market is contingent on low innovation costs, depending especially on the magnitude of demand creation effects. Notably, product differentiation occurs only under extreme cost asymmetry. Recommendations underscore the importance of incentivising low-cost innovations, assessing the impact of product differentiation and diversity, especially concerning lower-income consumers, and proposing measures to improve the transparency of firms’ strategic choices.

Dynamic Cooperative Oligopolies

An n-person cooperative oligopoly is considered without product differentiation. It is assumed that the firms know the unit price function but have no access to the cost functions of the competitors. From market data, they have information about the industry output. The firms want to find the output levels that guarantee maximum industry profit. First, the existence of a unique maximizer is proven, which the firms cannot determine directly because of the lack of the knowledge of the cost functions. Instead, a dynamic model is constructed, which is asymptotically stable under realistic conditions, and the state trajectories converge to the optimum output levels of the firms. Three models are constructed: first, no time delay is assumed; second, information delay is considered for the firms on the industry output; and third, in addition, information delay is also assumed about the firms’ own output levels. The stability of the resulting no-delay, one-delay, and two-delay dynamics is examined.

The Implementation of Differentiated Learning Strategies through Fun Cooking Activities of Kindergarden

This study aims to determine the description of the implementation of differentiated learning strategies through fun cooking activities. This type of research is a qualitative approach descriptive method of analysis. The instruments used are observation sheets to evaluate teacher actions and observation sheets, checklists and serial photos for student assessment. This research was conducted at Wahdah Islamiyah Integrated Islamic Kindergarten 01 Makassar with the research subject of group B children (5-6 years old). This research is a class action research, so the information reviewed in this article is concrete data that occurs in the research location. This research focuses on the differentiated learning process that focuses on four main components, namely differentiation of content, process, product and learning environment designed by the teacher in the teaching module based on the results of the initial assessment. The problem obtained in school learning is the role of teachers who are still lacking in understanding differentiated learning strategies so that learning is still confessional, not involving children in exploring the learning environment more deeply and meaningfully. Efforts to adjust learning based on children's learning needs specifically on children's learning readiness, interests and learning profiles are very important to be a concern because each child has unique characteristics that require different teacher stimulation for each child according to their learning needs. The results show that the implementation of differentiated learning strategies through fun cooking activities is very good for presenting more enjoyable, meaningful learning that not only improves the developmental aspects or competencies of students but children's interest and motivation to learn can develop more optimally.

Meningkatkan Nilai Ekonomi UMKM melalui Ekonomi Kreatif dan Design Preneurship

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in a country's economy, but are often faced with various challenges that limit their ability to develop. In facing the era of globalization and digital transformation, the concepts of creative economy and design preneurship have emerged as promising solutions. This research aims to analyze and understand the role of the creative economy and design preneurship in increasing the economic value of MSMEs. Data from a number of references highlights that the implementation of the creative economy and design preneurship can produce innovation, product differentiation and expand market share. Despite the great potential, many MSMEs have not fully utilized these concepts. Therefore, this research focuses on identifying effective strategies, best practices, and the impact of implementing the creative economy and design preneurship on the growth and sustainability of MSME businesses. This study uses qualitative methods with a focus on case studies. Data was obtained from 25 business actors who are MSMEs in Parongpong District, West Bandung Regency and are considered representative who will successfully apply creative economic concepts and design preneurship in increasing the economic value of MSMEs. From the research results, it is known that increasing the economic value of MSMEs through the creative economy and designpreneurship in MSMEs in Parongpong District, West Bandung Regency can be done through 3 (three) activities, namely optimizing product branding, optimizing packaging design and optimizing promotional media, with training provided regarding optimization. These three things mean that the creative economy and design entrepreneurship can effectively increase the economic value of MSMEs and provide the basis for more concrete and efficient policy strategies.

The implementation of differentiated learning in ELT: Indonesian teachers’ readiness

In responding to the curriculum change in Indonesia to the Merdeka (Freedom) curriculum, the teaching and learning process should emphasize differentiated learning, including English Language Teaching (ELT). Despite the fact the teachers must implement it in their class, little research has examined the teachers’ readiness and its affecting factors in implementing differentiated learning. This study aims to address this gap by exploring teachers’ readiness in applying it and the factors affecting their readiness, by administering questionnaires and interviewing sixty public-school teachers of senior high schools who enrolled in the Subject Teacher Deliberation (STD) of English, in Central Java, Indonesia. The findings indicated that teachers were not ready in implementing content and process differentiation in ELT, but they just needed some improvements. Additionally, teachers had been ready in applying product and learning environment differentiation, but they still need a little enhancement. The factors affecting their readiness included insufficient training opportunities, limited time for planning and designing learning activities, difference of students’ readiness in learning English, and the large number of students in each class. Furthermore, the study recommends that the Indonesian government should provide additional training and workshops for teachers, establish a clear and consistent guideline for differentiated learning, and facilitating collaboration and communication among teachers to share their best practice.

The Effect of Brand Equity on Brand Loyalty to Skincare Products Mediated By Customer Satisfaction

Maintaining and increasing brand loyalty is paramount due to a decrease in product differentiation and an increase in product market uncertainty. Therefore, brand loyalty is a measure of a company's business performance that affects the market share of a product. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of brand equity and brand loyalty on mediated by customer satisfaction and to confirm the significant dimensions of brand equity. The population of this study are Scarlett skincare users who live in Jakarta and Bekasi whose numbers are unknown. Respondents of this study were 115 respondents with the criteria of Scarlett skincare users aged 17-30 who have bought and used Scralett Skincare in the last 6 months. The analysis method used is Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling. The results stated that perceived quality and perceived cost value can increase customer satisfaction, perceived quality and customer satisfaction have a positive effect on brand loyalty, however, brand identification, brand trust and lifestyle alignment have no effect on customer satisfaction. Perceived quality and perceived cost value on brand loyalty are mediated by customer satisfaction, while brand identification, brand trust and lifestyle alignment are not proven. Future research is expected to expand the range of regions and add other variables related to brand loyalty such as brand image.

Purchase Intention of Customers towards Handloom Textiles with Geographical Indications

Geographical indications refer to a collective Intellectual property right conferred upon products that draw unique quality on account of the environmental or human skills unique to that place. In Kerala, there are 38 registered Geographical indications. Geographical indications are often viewed as a marketing tool that supports producers and consumers. The producers can use GIs as a product differentiation tool that helps them gain a competitive advantage. Whereas for consumers GIs act as a tool that helps them overcome information asymmetry and therefore choose genuine products. The present study is done to identify the factors determining the purchase intention of customers towards handloom textiles having geographical indications. The sample for the present study is drawn from the customers of Kuthampully Textiles, a geographical indication registered in Kerala. The data collected were analyzed using factor analysis and logistic regression. The factor analysis was done to identify the main factors affecting the purchase intention of GI-tagged textiles and the logistic regression was applied to determine factor interactions.

Strategic Partial Inattention in Oligopoly

Abstract This article examines firms’ choices on partial (in)attention prior to quantity competition. Being partially (in)attentive, a firm accounts for a part of its market impact. We find that regardless of the number of firms, there is always a unique subgame perfect Nash equilibrium where all firms choose to be partially attentive. The optimal attention level decreases in the number of firms, increases in product differentiation, and converges to zero, i.e. firms tend to be fully inattentive, as either the number of firms goes to infinity or product differentiation goes to zero.

Rapid and Precise Differentiation and Authentication of Agricultural Products via Deep Learning-Assisted Multiplex SERS Fingerprinting.

Accurate and rapid differentiation and authentication of agricultural products based on their origin and quality are crucial to ensuring food safety and quality control. However, similar chemical compositions and complex matrices often hinder precise identification, particularly for adulterated samples. Herein, we propose a novel method combining multiplex surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) fingerprinting with a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN), which enables the effective differentiation of the category, origin, and grade of agricultural products. This strategy leverages three different SERS-active nanoparticles as multiplex sensors, each tailored to selectively amplify the signals of preferentially adsorbed chemicals within the sample. By strategically combining SERS spectra from different NPs, a 'SERS super-fingerprint' is constructed, offering a more comprehensive representation of the characteristic information on agricultural products. Subsequently, utilizing a custom-designed 1D-CNN model for feature extraction from the 'super-fingerprint' significantly enhances the predictive accuracy for agricultural products. This strategy successfully identified various agricultural products and simulated adulterated samples with exceptional accuracy, reaching 97.7% and 94.8%, respectively. Notably, the entire identification process, encompassing sample preparation, SERS measurement, and deep learning analysis, takes only 35 min. This development of deep learning-assisted multiplex SERS fingerprinting establishes a rapid and reliable method for the identification and authentication of agricultural products.

Overlapping ownership, pass-through, and product differentiation

Overlapping ownership can lead firms to raise prices, but what determines the magnitude of this effect? I study how the price effect of overlapping ownership depends on demand and cost conditions and the degree of product differentiation in a Bertrand oligopoly. I do so by extending Weyl and Fabinger’s (2013) conduct parameter approach which highlights the importance of pass-through.

A Sustainable Product Multi-Platform Planning Model for Assembly and Disassembly Process

Abstract The development of a product platform is an effective strategy to respond to dynamic market demands, decrease lead time, and delay product differentiation. However, the traditional product platform configuration method cannot satisfy the sustainability requirements for modern products. To solve this problem, a sustainable product multi-platform (SPMP) model for assembly/disassembly technology is proposed in this article. The proposed SPMP model measures the energy consumption of module instances during the installation based on the platform-based assembly index (PAI) and platform-based disassembly index (PDI), and provides a multi-platform solution for the assembly of the product family. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, two product family cases are discussed. A simplified case shows that multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm has a stronger optimization ability than the linear programing method in reducing the product processing cost. The hair dryer family case demonstrates that the proposed method reduces the energy consumption during assembly by linking sustainability to the product design.

How does corporate altruism affect oligopolistic competition?

This paper examines firms' corporate social responsibility (CSR) competition in a duopoly model with product differentiation. Firms exhibit different degrees of altruism, which is a characteristic positively valued by consumers; however, as each firm's degree of altruism (type) is private information, using CSR activities to signal the types becomes an additional tool for competition. We analyze a game where firms first signal about their types and then compete in standard price competition. Consumers observe the firms' CSR activities and infer their degree of altruism. Firms then simultaneously set prices, and consumers purchase goods from one firm or the other. In equilibrium, CSR is determined by the consumers' valuation of corporate altruism and the degree of product differentiation. The model examines the interaction between these two determinants, finding that more competition in the market (less product differentiation) might be detrimental to CSR when consumers' concern about firms' altruism is high enough.