Quality Choice Research Articles

Leading Patent Breadth, Endogenous Quality Choice, and Economic Growth

Leading Patent Breadth, Endogenous Quality Choice, and Economic Growth

True to type? EU-style date marking and the valuation of perishable food

Date marking is intended to help consumers make informed food safety and quality choices when confronted with perishable food products. We provide causal in-store evidence on how EU-style date marking (best before and use by) influences consumers’ valuation of perishable food around the expiry date. In a preparatory survey (n=100), we first identify perishable food items amenable to experimental manipulation. A modified multiple price list (MPL) experiment (n=200) then tests shoppers’ valuation of perishable food with expiry dates in the future and the past. We vary date mark type (use-by versus best-before) and information status (with and without education) while preventing free disposal censoring. We find that expiry dates affect consumer valuation. Variation in date mark type has little practical relevance. Educating consumers about the meaning of date mark types reduces willingness to pay for potentially unsafe food, but does not increase it for more durable items. An attentiveness experiment (n=160) finds that inattention and consumers’ native understanding of current date marks can explain the evidence from the modified MPL experiment. Jointly, these results help explaining existing observational evidence and assessing the prospects of consumer education campaigns.

Does Company Size Shape Product Quality Inferences? Larger Companies Make Better High-Tech Products, but Smaller Companies Make Better Low-Tech Products

Companies vary on oft-publicized size metrics (number of employees, revenue). Do consumers prefer otherwise identical products made by larger or smaller companies? The answer hinges on whether consumers perceive the products as low-tech or high-tech. This prediction stems from a novel framework charting two lay theories regarding key resources companies utilize to provide value to consumers: employees and finances. In the intrinsic motivation lay theory, consumers believe that employees of larger (vs. smaller) companies are less intrinsically motivated. In the financial resources lay theory, consumers believe that larger (vs. smaller) companies have greater capacity to fund research and development. Critically, product type (low-tech vs. high-tech) differentially affects the accessibility of these two lay theories: For low-tech (vs. high-tech) products, the intrinsic motivation lay theory is more accessible, driving quality evaluations and choice in favor of smaller companies. For high-tech (vs. low-tech) products, the financial resources lay theory is more accessible, driving quality evaluations and choice in favor of larger companies. This research advances theory by reconciling conflicting findings regarding product quality inferences from company size metrics, with guidance for marketers to improve quality evaluations and choice shares by strategically supporting or challenging lay theories and shifting perceptions of company size or product type.

PENERAPAN KHIYĀR TA‘YIN DALAM PRAKTIK JUAL BELI BAN MOBIL BEKAS DI ARENA BAN BANDA ACEH

Khiyār ta'yiń is the right to choose for buyers in determining goods of different quality in buying and selling. Apart from that, khiyār also has the authority to withhold or accept trade that occurs before the sale and purchase is complete, whether in agreement or qabul. The focus of this research is on the concept of khiyār ta'yiń in muamalah fiqh and the application of khiyār ta'yiń to the buying and selling of used car tires at the Banda Aceh Tire Arena. The type of research used in this research is sociological juridical, while the nature of this research uses descriptive analysis methods, collecting primary data through interviews and documentation. The research results showed that the concept of khiyār ta'yiń in muamalah fiqh regarding buying and selling used tires is based on what is contained in the Al-Qur'an, Hadith and the opinions of ulama. Buying and selling used tires is permitted provided that the conditions of sale and purchase are met and mutual agreement is met between the seller and the buyer. In this case, the seller gives the buyer a choice of quality of goods. The choice of goods provided includes 3 choices, namely good, medium and low quality goods. Each quality option available also has a different price, as well as applying a time limit for the validity of khiyār ta'yiń. Then the application of khiyār ta'yiń to the buying and selling of used car tires at the Banda Aceh Ban Arena in relation to selling products that match the quality desired and needed by consumers is completely in accordance with the concept of khiyār ta'yiń, namely choosing one of the 3 types of goods will be purchased according to the level of quality it has, then the second condition is that the type of goods to be selected has a price difference from other types and the price must also be known for certain, and the last condition is that the time is limited according to the agreement that was made when the transaction occurred. between sellers and buyers. These three aspects have been completely fulfilled.

Quality, Greenness, and Product Line Choices for a Manufacturer With Environmental Responsibility Behaviors

Motivated by the rising environmental protection awareness and the importance of green product design, in this article we develop two models to investigate the quality and greenness decisions and product line choices of a green manufacturer as well as the corresponding impact of product line length on environmental performance. In our models, both the manufacturer and consumers show environmental responsibility behaviors. We find that the manufacturer extends the product line when the unit fit cost, the green cost, the quality cost, the market scale of low-segment consumers, and the environmental responsibility level (or unit environmental cost) are low. In the presence of two products with different market positioning, our analysis reveals that: first, owing to the consumer's self-selection behavior, product quality and greenness may be distorted from the efficient quality and greenness; second, product line extension may improve both the environmental performance and the manufacturer's utility, i.e., achieving a win–win outcome; and third, a higher unit environmental cost (environmental responsibility level or a longer product line) will improve the environmental performance if the unit environmental cost is high. In the continuous green valuation setting, interestingly, we find different results that the manufacturer with a high environmental responsibility level may extend its product line, and the environmental performance increases with the unit environmental cost in the single-product case.

Airline brand awareness and perceived quality effect on the attitudes towards frequent-flyer programs and airline brand choice - Moderating effect of frequent-flyer programs

Understanding customer behaviour is critical to retaining loyal customers and attracting new ones when considering an airline brand. Most airlines have frequent-flyer programs (FFPs) meant to entice passengers' decisions regarding airline brand choice. However, the determinants of the attitudes toward FFPs and their effect on airline brand choice are not well documented. This study examined the influence of airline brand awareness and perceived quality on travellers' attitudes towards frequent-flyer programs and airline brand choice. Furthermore, the study investigated whether the attitudes towards FFPs indirectly (moderates) influence the causal relationship between airline brand awareness and brand perceived quality on airline brand choice. Social Exchange Theory (SET) guided the study. An explanatory research design was adopted. Primary data was sourced through the deployment of a structured online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis, composite reliability, and Cronbach alpha coefficients were assessed to determine discriminant validity and reliability of the measurement instrument. Afterwards, Pearson's correlation, simple linear, and multiple hierarchical (step-wise) regression models are estimated to test the conceptualised model using SPSS 27 software. The findings indicate that airline brand awareness and perceived quality influence travellers' attitudes towards FFPs and airline brand choice. Moreover, attitudes towards FFPs positively influence airline brand choice. Additionally, attitudes towards FFPs have a conditional (moderating) effect on the relationship between airline brand awareness and airline brand choice and between airline brand perceived quality and airline choice. The results indicate that high attitudes toward airline FFPs equate to higher airline brand choice despite low airline awareness or even when the airline's quality perception is evaluated as inferior. The findings of the study have significant theoretical and managerial implications.

A multiscale air quality and health risk modelling system: Design and application over a local traffic management case study

Air pollution is nowadays a serious public health problem worldwide, especially in urban areas, due to high population density and intense anthropogenic activity. This paper aims to present the development of a modelling tool suitable for simulating multiscale air quality and health impacts - the modair4health system, and its application to an urban case study. The modair4health system includes the online model WRF-Chem, which provides meteorological and air quality fields from regional to urban scales, and the computational fluid dynamics model VADIS, which uses the urban WRF-Chem outputs to simulate the flow and pollutant dispersion in urban built-up areas. A health module based on World Health Organization (WHO) methodologies was also integrated into the system to quantify physical and economic health impacts resulting from air quality changes.The system was applied over a local case study, which represents one of the busiest road traffic areas of the city of Coimbra in Portugal, to assess its operationality in estimating NO2 concentrations and health impacts, by testing two traffic management scenarios. This scenario analysis considered a 4-domain nesting approach, with the finer resolution (4 m) domain focusing on the local case study and on two simulation periods, for which short-term health impacts were estimated. Spatially, the air quality and health greatest benefits were simulated around roads, where higher emission reductions were estimated, but they were also strongly influenced by the urban structure, local weather and population affected.The modair4health system has revealed to be an important multiscale modelling tool for integrated air quality and health assessment, able to support decision makers by facilitating the choice of cost-effective air quality and health management strategies and decisions. Moreover, its user-friendly interface allows to quickly test other urban air pollution control policies and the easy adaptation and application to other case studies considering regional to local atmospheric influences.

Estimation of reproduction numbers in real time: Conceptual and statistical challenges.

The reproduction number has been a central metric of the COVID-19 pandemic response, published weekly by the UK government and regularly reported in the media. Here, we provide a formal definition and discuss the advantages and most common misconceptions around this quantity. We consider the intuition behind different formulations of , the complexities in its estimation (including the unavoidable lags involved), and its value compared to other indicators (e.g.the growth rate) that can be directly observed from aggregate surveillance data and react more promptly to changes in epidemic trend. As models become more sophisticated, with age and/or spatial structure, formulating becomes increasingly complicated and inevitably model-dependent. We present some models currently used in the UK pandemic response as examples. Ultimately, limitations in the available data streams, data quality and time constraints force pragmatic choices to be made on a quantity that is an average across time, space, social structure and settings. Effectively communicating these challenges is important but often difficult in an emergency.

Measuring Service Quality in Scheduled Bus Services

Transit operators are increasingly being asked to provide services more cost efficiently. To do this, operators must find ways to reduce the costs of delivering a given level of service (in contrast to simply reducing cost at the expense of lower service levels). There is growing concern in many countries that operators are not focusing enough attention on identifying whether passengers are satisfied with existing service levels and what might be done to increase or at least preserve current service quality.This article develops a stated preference model of service quality choice that provides the set of indicators required to represent a user-based measure of service quality. The service quality index (SQI) provides an operationally appealing measure of service effectiveness to assist regulators in administering and monitoring a performance assessment regime and operators in improving customer service. SQI has been readily accepted by many bus operators in New South Wales (Australia) as the preferred way of establishing and monitoring the effectiveness of service levels, in contrast to traditional stand-alone satisfaction scores based on independent assessment of each attribute in isolation from the entire service package that passengers actually experience.

Medical practitioners’ decision making on quality of online medical information: A consumption values theory analysis

ObjectiveThis study examined how medical practitioners make decisions on what constitutes quality Online Medical Information (OMI). The study seeks to understand the factors that are considered in arriving at a decision to use medical information provided online given the probable consequences if found to be erroneous. MethodsThe study used choice-based conjoint analysis with Hierarchical Bayes (HB) estimation methods, to examine online medical information quality choices of 242 medical practitioners. The methodology was theoretically guided by the Random Utility Theory (RUT) and Consumption Values Theory (CVT) ResultsIn the order of importance, the findings indicate that during online medical information seeking, the source of the information and its up-to-dateness are the most important quality criteria physicians look out for when assessing OMI. In general, the OMI consumption behaviour of medical practitioners can be explained by social, epistemic and functional values. ConclusionMedical practitioners are avid users of OMI and therefore it is important that the decision-making process to determine the quality of OMI is understood. Understanding the decision-making process would help optimize the determination of the quality of OMI for safe usage. There must be regular OMI training and awareness especially on how to assess quality OMI content.

Consensus statement on data to be entered in the ACL tear registry: SFA-DataLake

IntroductionAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a frequent procedure, with room for improvement by rehabilitation measures and associated peripheral and meniscal surgeries that are currently under assessment, requiring follow-up. Outside France, there have been ACL registries for 20 years now. The French Arthroscopy Society (SFA) decided to set up an ACL tear registry within its SFA DataLake registry platform. Material and methodThis article presents the methodology underlying the ACL Tear Registry: i.e., identification, definition and coding of essential and relevant data. A test phase comprised an initial assessment to improve data quality and overall coherence, to optimize data-entry time for patients and practitioners, who are the guarantors of the registry's use and efficacy. ResultsThe SFA DataLake ACL Tear Registry was made available to SFA members in December 2021. It aims to enable a review of practices for surgeons, early detection of failure of procedures and implants, with rates of failure and abnormal complications, and identification of prognostic factors for outcome, especially regarding original items that do not figure in previous registries. ConclusionSFA DataLake strikes a balance between “indispensable” and “original” items. The choice of contents and data quality is founded on a robust methodology with overall coherence, enabling analysis of large cohorts and comparisons with the literature and other registries. However, it remains to assess rates of data entry and item relevance as the Registry progresses. Level of evidenceIV.

Impact of remanufacturing optimism on competitive quality choice and product-design strategy

Research has shown that managers typically display optimistic expectations for the future. In a competitive market, remanufacturers may overestimate consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for remanufactured products. We develop a game-theoretic model of competition between an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and an independent remanufacturer (IR), where the OEM determines interchangeability in product design, and the IR may have an optimistic bias about remanufacturing market demand and adopt different quality strategies. We find that the OEM is always strategic about the interchangeability design of its products. Interestingly, remanufacturing optimism triggers more significant changes in the degree of interchangeability. In some cases, the IR’s optimistic bias can lead to a win–win outcome for both firms. In addition, we find that a moderate increase in the quality of remanufactured products alleviates the weak situation in consumer quality perception. But when the WTP of remanufactured products is generally low, it is more profitable for the optimistic IR to keep the quality of remanufactured products equivalent to new products than to blindly upgrade the product quality. Our findings suggest that applying bounded rationality to issues in remanufacturing may yield new insights into the determinants of product design and quality management.

New insights from flavoromics on different heating methods of traditional fermented shrimp paste: The volatile components and metabolic pathways

Traditional Chinese fermented shrimp paste is popular with consumers for its unique seafood flavor and fermented aroma. However, different heating methods exerted various flavors, which directly affect consumer choice and the industrialization of shrimp paste. In this study, the effect of four heating methods (steaming, frying, microwaving, and infrared) on volatile components of shrimp paste were compared by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS), gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and chemometrics. Results showed that 96 volatile components were identified; The volatile components such as pentanal, ethyl acetate, dimethyl disulfide, and propanal were the characteristic volatile components that could be distinguished between different heating methods. The concentration of phenols and alcohols decreased, and the concentration of ketones and aldehydes increased after heating. The effect of microwave heating on volatile components is closer to that of steaming and frying, while infrared heating had the most significant impact on volatile components of shrimp paste. In addition, steaming, frying, microwaving, and infrared heating improve the aroma quality of shrimp paste by promoting fat oxidation, protein degradation, the Strecker pathway, and the escape of sulfur-containing compounds. Therefore, our results can provide theoretical support for improving shrimp paste quality and consumer choice.

Quality Perceptions and Choice of Public Health Facilities: A Mediation Effect Analysis of Outpatient Experience in Rural China.

PurposeOutpatients have choices of providers in the hierarchical health service delivery system of China. Understanding how quality perceptions and outpatient experience affect the choice of health facility would help inform decisions about priorities for action aimed at guiding the use of primary care. This study examines how quality perceptions of outpatient service affect the facility level choice in rural China.MethodsHousehold surveys were conducted in 2011, 2012 and 2015 in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. We selected 968 respondents as the study sample, who had at least two outpatient visits to the public health facilities during each survey period. Prior quality perceptions of the outpatient service at the village clinics, township centers, and county hospitals were reported on an 8-item Quality Indicator questionnaire. Experienced quality perception from the first outpatient visit was also reported. The outcome of interest was outpatients’ facility level choices. We used regression and mediation analysis to explore whether and how outpatient experience at a specific health facility would mediate the relationship between prior quality perceptions and the facility level choice.ResultsOverall, the quality perception was positively and significantly associated with outpatients’ staying at the same or lower levels of care (β=0.265, P=0.007). This effect was fully mediated by experienced quality perception (z=2.985, P=0.003). The indirect effect was significant for three particular dimensions, including quality perceptions of the environment (β=0.075, P=0.025), doctor-patient communication (β=0.065, P=0.022), and physician ability (β=0.062, P=0.021).ConclusionOutpatient quality perceptions—especially positive perceptions regarding environment, doctor-patient communication, and physician ability—could contribute to minimizing upward referral via improvement in outpatient experience. Policymakers and health care providers may need to therefore optimize outpatient experience as they push to develop a more locally responsive primary care system.

Auditing in Family Firms: A Literature Review

In recent years, we can observe a noteworthy rise in interest in auditing research on family firms. Although many studies have been published in various scientific journals on this topic, these studies thus far have mostly remained unconnected. Therefore, in this paper, we present a synthesis of existing research on auditing in family firms. Our findings suggest that many auditing-related issues, such as audit fees, audit quality, and auditor choice, greatly differ between family firms and non-family businesses. Significant heterogeneity in auditing also exists within the large group of family firms. These findings indicate that future auditing research should investigate family influence on auditing in more depth or—in quantitative empirical settings—at least control for family influence. In addition, we can identify various gaps in current knowledge on auditing in family firms. Thus, we conclude this paper with an array of important future research avenues in this field.

Lambda () method simulation for navy system combat readiness assessment

National military organizations must evaluate both their operational preparedness and, increasingly, their combat system readiness. A framework for simulating the -method developed by (Mankilik, 1999) that finds the criticality elements of the sub-resources with regard to a defined task or goal is what the current research efforts are attempting to do. The simulation framework created has provided some understanding of the preparedness issue. In our test case, two Squadrons namely, Frigate Squadron and Fast Attack Craft (FAC) comprising of 8 ships and 5 ships respectively, were considered. Of the 44 platforms in the Nigerian Navy, 8 ships formed the frigate squadron, 5 ships formed the fast attack craft squadron. The result obtained showed good promise to help the decision. The results obtained showed great promise for assisting the decision-maker in making quality choices, and the simulation model that was used to assess performance in four areas-range, endurance, lethality, and survivability-could also be applied to other factors in the majority of a given theatre of operation.

How Does Retailer-Oriented Remanufacturing Affect the OEM’s Quality Choice?

We consider that a supply chain consists of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and a retailer. We analyze how the retailer’s remanufacturing decision affects the decision of the new products’ qualities for the OEM. We use a game theory approach to investigate the interactions between the OEM and the retailer with or without remanufacturing operation. We find the retailer’s motivation to develop the remanufacturing industry depends on the profitability of remanufactured products and the OEM’s deterring strategy. When the remanufacturing operation profit margin is low, the retailer voluntarily gives up remanufacturing; when this profit margin is moderate, the OEM induces the retailer to give up remanufacturing by improving the quality of the new product; when this profit margin is sufficiently high, the OEM cannot prevent the retailer from developing remanufacturing. The retailer developing remanufacturing as well as their threat of developing decrease the OEM’s profit because the OEM improves the quality of the new products to induce the retailer to give up remanufacturing, at the expense of its own profit. We explicitly characterize the process of the OEM from preventing to accepting the retailer developing the remanufacturing industry, as well as the changes in supply-chain members’ operating decisions and profits in the process. Finally, using MATLAB numerical analysis, we also found that the retailer’s development of the remanufacturing industry always benefits the whole supply chain, consumer surplus, and social welfare. Furthermore, the retailer’s development of the remanufacturing industry is not always good for the environment. This development is only good for the environment when the new products’ environmental impacts in the EOL stage are larger than the total environmental impacts of the remanufactured products in every stage of their life cycle.

한국 정당 공천에서 ‘토의 민주주의(Deliberative Democracy)’ 적용 가능성 연구

Candidate selection is an important issue that determines the quality of representative democracy. The final candidates selected by the people in the election are those who have passed the nomination process of the political party. In other words, the representatives chosen by the people cannot exceed the quality of party nominations. Therefore, the demand for “democratization” of candidate selection methods must now enter a new stage. It is not just democratization that returns the right of nomination to the people, but rather how the decision can be connected with a higher quality choice. In this respect, the problematic awareness of this study is focused on how to improve the quality of Korean party nominations. In this article, I focus on deliberative democracy in order to ensure that deliberation can be ensured in a thoughtful discussion, rather than a party's primary election being reduced to a 'survey democracy' based on opinion polls. If institutional planning is carried out in the candidate selection process in the future, it attempts to make an exploratory proposal on whether deliberative democracy can work.

Soybean management for seed composition: The perspective of U.S. farmers

AbstractThe soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] compositional quality is mainly provided by the seed concentration of protein and oil. These traits are critical for sustaining global use, and although there is demand for high protein soybean, no mechanism to differentiate production is in place. At the opposite end of the supply chain, farmers are remunerated on a mass basis without having any incentive regarding seed composition. This study evaluated farmers' perspectives and knowledge on soybean quality and their propensity to adopt quality improvement technologies. Farmers from the main U.S. producing regions (n = 271) were investigated with a self‐administrated survey containing 21 questions during 2020 and 2021. Our results show that 84% are unaware of the current protein and oil levels from their own production. A small portion (1.4%) make management decisions (e.g., choice of genotypes or monitor quality) based on the implications on seed quality. However, practices already in place are likely to enhance the quality of seed, namely N nutrition (via rhizobia [12.9%] or fertilizer [5.9%]) and late‐season crop protection (17.1%). If farmers are financially rewarded by US$0.50 per bushel, a mindset change may occur. Based on these results, we concluded that shifts in the U.S. production system targeting protein or oil markets are possible, and the constraints are mainly related to on‐farm management. However, the challenges for improving the U.S. soybean competitiveness in global or niche markets also rely upon other segments of the production chain, specifically breeders, technology suppliers, and logistical structure.

Food literacy as a resilience factor in response to health-related uncertainty

PurposeDuring the Covid-19 pandemic, people were deprived of their freedom, unable to engage in physical and social activities, and worried about their health. Uncertainty, insecurity, and confinement are all factors that may induce stress, uneasiness, fear, and depression. In this context, this study aims to identify possible relationships of emotions caused by health risks and restrictions to outdoor activities with well-informed decisions about food consumption.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical framework of this research draws on the stimulus-organism-response paradigm yielding six research hypotheses. An online survey was designated to test these hypotheses. A total of 1,298 responses were gathered from Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Data analyses include demographic group comparisons, moderation, and multiple regression tests.FindingsThe results showed that when people miss their usual activities (including freedom of movement, social contact, travelling, personal care services, leisure activities, and eating at restaurants) and worry about their health and the health of their families, they turn to safer food choices of higher quality, dedicating more of their time and resources to cooking and eating.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings showcase how risk-based thinking is critical for management and marketing strategies. Academics and practitioners may rely on these findings to include extreme conditions within their scope, understanding food literacy as a resilience factor to cope with health risks and stimulated emotions.Originality/valueThis study identified food behavioural patterns under risk-laden conditions. A health risk acted as an opportunity to look at food consumption as a means of resilience.