Consumer Point Of View Research Articles

Как учитывать пиратскую продукцию в границах рынка для целей применения антимонопольного законодательства?

In many cases of competition law enforcement counterfeit goods are not included within the product-market boundaries on an equal basis with the original product. However, existing literature highlights that illegal copies should be included in market boundaries, since from the consumer's viewpoint counterfeit is a substitute of an original good. In this article, we determine the conditions under which counterfeit products should be included either in market shares of original producers or when counterfeit manufacturers should be recognized as right holder competitors. We conclude that in case of strong network effects counterfeit product should be included in the market share of the right holder. On the contrary, when network effects are weak, pirates or counterfeit manufacturers should be considered as competitors of original product producers.

Analyzing the Visual Merchandising Elements for the Apparel Retailers

Visual merchandising plays a key role, basically for pursuing the customer to enter the store by making the store attractive and changing the perceived image from the view point of consumers. The brand image and the retailers’ image can be emphasized with the combination of these visual merchandising components. The aim of this study is to analyze and to compare the selection of design elements of different type of retailers such as fast fashion retailers, luxury apparel retailers, sportswear retailers or the retailers presenting products for women, men or both. To this aim, a content analysis was applied among 36 apparel retailers acting in Turkey. The findings showed that the visual merchandising elements were inarguably well employed by the luxury brand retailers, which was followed with the retailers selling high price fashion products. Among the visual merchandising elements special lightning and window displays were seen to be favored by all the retailers. Besides, the selection of different types of visual element were found to be based on the target customer group, while the apparel retailers selling products for females only are much more caring about the visual merchandising, it was vice versa for the apparel retailers selling only menswear.

An investigation of consumers’ purchase intentions towards omni-channel shopping

PurposeThe growth of omni-channel retailing is causing consumers to change their habits and shopping behaviour. It is essential to understand the factors on purchase intention within the consumer context. The purpose of this paper is to explore factors that are influencing consumers to use omni-channel in their shopping behaviour – specifically in the apparel sector in Turkey as an emerging country.Design/methodology/approachDesigned as exploratory research, this study used four different focus groups. Focus groups were conducted with university students who have experienced the company’s omni-channel applications. The study sample included a total of 30 purposefully selected university students in Izmir, Turkey, who previously shopped at the same store. The selected retail store is the leading domestic shopping brand and the pioneer in omni-channel in the apparel and fashion sector in Turkey. The participants were given three company-related scenarios which were used to help the students to better understand omni-channel applications of the company. Then, they were asked to discuss their perceptions and intentions towards omni-channel shopping. Content analysis was used for analysing transcripts.FindingsThe findings of the focus groups have revealed 12 themes about the intentions of the university students towards omni-channel shopping. Among 12 themes, it is observed that 6 of them have similarities with the variables of the UTAUT2 model. The findings of the study showed that, beside the additional themes, the predetermined variables of the UTAUT2 model within the literature; which are “performance expectancy”, “effort expectancy”, “facilitating conditions”, “hedonic motivation”, “habit” and “price value” have affected purchasing intentions towards omni-channel shopping. This study proposed six additional themes which were not revealed in the previous studies on purchase intentions in an omni-channel shopping in apparel sector. The six additional themes proposed in this study are; “perceived trust”, “situational factors”, “perceived risk”, “anxiety”, “need for interaction” and “privacy concern”.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the focus group interviews held in only one university with students from the same programme. The findings are obtained also only valid for the relevant retail store and city, and cannot yet be generalised.Practical implicationsThe relationships suggested in this exploratory study can further be analysed by quantitative study. It is also claimed that the findings of this study can act as a framework to extend the UTAUT2 model by integrating perceived trust, situational factors, perceived risk, anxiety, need for interaction and privacy concern. This model will enable retailers to understand consumer expectations towards omni-channel shopping and to focus on integrating these factors through whole purchasing process in order to increase omni-channel sales.Originality/valueThe literature on omni-channel has concentrated on the retailers’ perspective, whereas this study aims to reveal an insight from the consumer perspective. The contribution of the study is to provide a framework for understanding the themes on consumer viewpoint in the omni-channel shopping behaviour.

Discussion on the application of “new retail” with the technology acceptance model

Based on point of view of Ma Yun, the era of pure e-commerce will soon end, and the future will not have e-commerce but “New Retail”, which means enterprises must meet customer needs, and have efficient functions to integrate online, offline and logistics. Therefore, this study attempts to establish an integrated architecture, from the consumer point of view to explore the external market-oriented consumer technology acceptance model, and explores the impact of external market orientation on perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, use attitude and behavioral intentions. The theoretical structure was validated by structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS software, and 315 valid samples were used for empirical analysis. Empirical results show that external market orientation positively affects perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of consumers; perceived usefulness positively affects attitudes; perceived ease of use positively affects use attitudes; uses attitudes positively affect behavioral intentions; however, perceived usefulness cannot directly affect the behavioral intentions, so perceived usefulness can influence the behavioral intentions by enhancing the use attitude of consumers. In addition, the use attitude for perceived usefulness affects the important mediator variables of the behavioral intentions. Finally, according to the research, this paper puts forward the suggestion of management meaning and the academic future reference to the research of “New Retail”.

Consumers’ understanding of autonomous driving

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore consumers’ understanding of autonomous driving by comparing perceptions of occasional drivers (ODs) and frequent drivers (FDs).Design/methodology/approachData were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 41 drivers. Their responses were categorized into thematic categories or topics on the basis of content analysis, and the topics were structured based on the core-periphery model. Finally, the authors visualized the structure on a perceptual map by adopting a maximum tree approach.FindingsRespondents’ understanding of autonomous driving were categorized into 10 topics. There were significant differences in topics and their relationships between ODs and FDs. Findings also show that FD can better detect hazardousness from autonomous driving environments than ODs.Research limitations/implicationsDifferently from prior studies’ focus on its technological aspect and some derived benefits, the study examines it from the viewpoint of consumers, who are critical participants in the dissemination of autonomous driving.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that rather than focusing on developing the highest level of autonomous cars, developing in an evolutionary way by adding automated functions to existing cars can be the better strategy to dominate the autonomous vehicle market.Originality/valueThis study is a pioneering work in that it can be an initial empirical work on autonomous driving from the customer standpoint.

Efficiency of the Miniature Anti-jam GNSS Antenna Array

The use of the miniature controlled reception pattern antennas (CRPAs) in GNSS equipment is one of the trends in GPS, Baidow, GLONASS development. A miniaturized GPS antenna array technology reduces the size of the antenna elements and the array dimensions. Miniature CRPAs are in demand not only with mass consumer of GPS/GLONASS house-hold equipment, but with expert users of complex hardware as well, where high-tech multi-sensor miniature antenna systems (AC) can be applied. Such types of AC used for intelligent control of spatial selectivity are considered as antenna arrays. The advantages of miniature CRPAs with anti-jamming capability include possibility to be installed on vehicles where it used to be impossible due to their size. The negative effect of miniaturization is in degradation of some antennas characteristics, such as gain, suppression of the reverse lobe of radiation pattern (RP), a heterogeneity of RP. In miniature antennas, the resonator interinfluence increases, that leads to distortion of individual emitters RP and to the in-crease of the total RP lobe of the antenna array irregularity, as well as the width of RP lobe. Designers take special measures to reduce the interinfluence of the resonators. However, they are not fully described in the available literature. Therefore, the achieved performance of miniature CRPAs is in great interest. The final criterion (from a consumer point of view) is in effective functional of a device containing a miniature CRPA, the degradation of its parameters in compare with traditional CRPA equipment of expert users. The authors focus on property investigation of miniature CRPAs manufactured primarily by US industry. Specifications of two antennas and some expected details of the miniaturized antenna array technology are described along with the test results of their ability to perform the objective function jammer suppression. The article contains the results obtained from independent testing of electrodynamics parameters of miniature L1/L2 frequency CRPA and its design analysis. The experimental data of sensor interinfluence are outlined. The measures to reduce the sensor interinfluence are take into account. The efficiency of the miniature antenna is estimated in the process of interference suppression by means of computer simulation. The Monte-Carlo method is applied. For the sake of generality, two types of algorithm for interference suppression are used.

Partial replacement of rapeseed oil with fish oil, and dietary antioxidants supplementation affects concentrations of biohydrogenation products and conjugated fatty acids in rumen and selected lamb tissues

The purpose of this study was to assess if partial replacement of rapeseed oil (RO) with fish oil (FO) combined with dietary supplementation of various antioxidants (carnosic acid – CA, selenized yeast – SeY and selenate – Se(VI)) influences the profile of biohydrogenation products, intermediates and conjugated fatty acids (CFA) in the rumen content and selected tissues of lambs. Thirty Corriedale male lambs were divided into 5 groups and fed for 35 days isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets: basal diet enriched with 30 g RO/kg (Group 0 – control), diet enriched with 20 g RO/kg and 10 g FO/kg (Group I) or diets with combined addition of 20 g RO/kg, 10 g FO/kg and antioxidants (Group II supplemented with 1 g CA/kg; Group III with 1 g CA/kg and 0.35 mg/kg Se as SeY; Group IV with 0.35 mg/kg Se as Se(VI)). Applied dietary modification significantly affected the lipid transformation in the rumen. Replacement of RO by FO to the greater extent affected the profile of conjugated than non-conjugated intermediates in all samples. Collateral supplementation of antioxidants acted synergistically with FO in case of CFA content in the rumen content whereas in tissues the impact of antioxidants was antagonistic to FO. Se-compounds influenced CFA amounts in the most potent way, although dependent on their chemical form. Inorganic form (Se(VI)) reduced conjugated biohydrogenation intermediates contents in lamb livers while its organic chemical form (SeY) stimulated deposition of CFA and CD in femoral muscles. Partial replacement of RO by FO resulted in preferential incorporation of CFA isomers into liver and dorsal muscle. A complex insight into PUFA metabolism in the rumen was possible due to consideration of both steps (isomerisation and biohydrogenation) as well as plethora of possible intermediates and arising products (especially conjugated). Our results indicate that isomerisation and biohydrogenation are strongly affected by the Se-compounds. The influenced depended on the chemical form of these compounds: SeY strongly influenced the isomerization of both LA and ALA, whereas inorganic Se modified the biohydrogenation of ALA. So, it can be stated that aside from phytochemicals, Se-compounds have also an ability to modify processes occurring in rumen and thus may lead to favorable modification of FA profile of edible part of ruminant carcass, which is of utmost importance from the consumer point of view.

How is genetic testing evaluated? A systematic review of the literature

Given the rapid development of genetic tests, an assessment of their benefits, risks, and limitations is crucial for public health practice. We performed a systematic review aimed at identifying and comparing the existing evaluation frameworks for genetic tests. We searched PUBMED, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Google, and gray literature sources for any documents describing such frameworks. We identified 29 evaluation frameworks published between 2000 and 2017, mostly based on the ACCE Framework (n = 13 models), or on the HTA process (n = 6), or both (n = 2). Others refer to the Wilson and Jungner screening criteria (n = 3) or to a mixture of different criteria (n = 5). Due to the widespread use of the ACCE Framework, the most frequently used evaluation criteria are analytic and clinical validity, clinical utility and ethical, legal and social implications. Less attention is given to the context of implementation. An economic dimension is always considered, but not in great detail. Consideration of delivery models, organizational aspects, and consumer viewpoint is often lacking. A deeper analysis of such context-related evaluation dimensions may strengthen a comprehensive evaluation of genetic tests and support the decision-making process.

2017 Euro Health Consumer Index

The Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI) 2014 is the eighth study made by Health Consumer Powerhouse Ltd. (HCP) on healthcare systems in 36 European countries. Since 2006 this comparison of key values in healthcare, taking the patient and consumer point of view, has improved the understanding of European healthcare, empowered patients and helped addressing weaknesses. EHCI, and a wide range of disease-specific studies produced by HCP set standards for what could and should be achieved by modern, well-serving healthcare. In spite of financial crisis, European healthcare keeps improving – but the equity gap widens. P.89 5.3 Smoking prevention 5.4 Alcohol consumption

Crecimiento de cerdos Bísaros alojados en un sistema hoop barn y en confinamiento tradicional

The goal of this study was to compare the growth performance of growing/finishing pigs housed in a hoop barn system and in traditional confinement. A total of twenty Bisaro breed pigs, with 98.6±5.71 days of age, and 25.4±4.87 kg of BW were used (beginning of experiment). The pigs were equally distributed in two groups: Gr1 – hoop barn (2.4 m2/pig) with outdoor access (200 m2/pig); and Gr2 - traditional confinement with straw bedding (1.8 m2/pig). Both groups were fed with the same diet. During the next 98 days’ period (growing phase) and until pigs reached approximately 80 kg LW, the animals were fed with a concentrate diet. In the finishing phase consisting of a final 70 days period until slaughter, the animals reached between 110-120 kg LW and were fed with concentrate and cornflour. The feed intake per group was registered daily and growth performances were collected every two weeks. During the growing phase no differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the average daily gain (ADG) between Gr1 (0.546±0.10 kg/day) and Gr2 (0.563±0.05 kg/day). However, a higher variability was observed in hoop barn group (CV of 18.1% vs. 8.8% in confinement). Similar results were observed during the finishing phase with ADG of 0.535±0.09 kg for Gr1 and 0.505±0.07 kg for Gr2 (P > 0.05). In both growing and finishing phases, the feed conversion rates (FCR) were 3.11 on the Gr1 versus 3.12 kg/kg on the Gr2, and 3.44 in Gr1 versus 3.53 in Gr2, respectively. Despite the different housing systems, ADG and FCR per period were identical in both systems. To the consumer's point of view, the positive aspects of the hoop barn system, such as the use of uncultivated land, product image and pig welfare, are sustainably attractive and therefore could be further reflected in the market.

THE SUSTAINABLE BRAND EQUITY MODEL. A RETAIL STUDY MEASURING SUSTAINABLE BRAND EQUITY

THE SUSTAINABLE BRAND EQUITY MODEL. A RETAIL STUDY MEASURING SUSTAINABLE BRAND EQUITY

Consumers’ Perception toward security of M-commerce transactions-An empirical study

Internet arrival has changed the business environment; we can see tremendous electronic transection growth around the globe. Mobile commerce system in this recent business world has grown massively over the year. Due to internet wireless technology emerged exponentially well, this technology allow smart phones and handheld device to access the internet have made possible the business transection. This concept is known as M-commerce or mobile commerce. It can be used by buying product/service online, paying bills online and sending money to someone etc. All your devices connected through internet and smart phone. There are many new challenges in providing information security as information travels through multiple networks often across wireless links. E-security also knows as cyber security. E-security define internet security as it pertain to the internet such as information security. What must be done to protect financial transactions via mobile commerce? Generally speaking, M-Commerce creates added security concerns than traditional E-Commerce. In this paper I tried to discuss the issue such as trust and key component of e-security concern from the consumer point of view. This paper concludes that the things to be emphasized for e-security and trust.

Impact of GST on Indirect Tax Revenue: Appraisal of Literature

Tax constitutes a major source of revenue to the Government for public spending. Among different types of taxes, indirect tax contributes a substantial part in the total revenue. There were more than 27 types of indirect taxes in India till July 2017. Further, the indirect tax system in India was very complex and cumbersome to comply with and resulted in disparity of prices of goods and services in different states. The introduction of goods and services tax, from 1st July 2017, is the single biggest indirect tax reforms undertaken since our independence to promote commerce and industry. Further, it brought all indirect taxes into one single tax to mitigate cascading or double taxation problems and pave the way for a common national market. From the consumer point of view, the biggest advantage would be in terms of a reduction in the overall tax burden on goods, which was estimated to be around 25–30%. Introduction of GST would also make Indian products competitive in the domestic and international markets. Studies show that this would have a positive impact on economic growth. The objective of this paper is to study the related literatures on goods and services tax in India. It also aims to identify the problems in Goods and Services Tax system even after 1 year since it was implemented.

Consumer Adoption of Future MyData-Based Preventive eHealth Services: An Acceptance Model and Survey Study.

BackgroundConstantly increasing health care costs have led countries and health care providers to the point where health care systems must be reinvented. Consequently, electronic health (eHealth) has recently received a great deal of attention in social sciences in the domain of Internet studies. However, only a fraction of these studies focuses on the acceptability of eHealth, making consumers’ subjective evaluation an understudied field. This study will address this gap by focusing on the acceptance of MyData-based preventive eHealth services from the consumer point of view. We are adopting the term "MyData", which according to a White Paper of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communication refers to "1) a new approach, a paradigm shift in personal data management and processing that seeks to transform the current organization centric system to a human centric system, 2) to personal data as a resource that the individual can access and control." ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate what factors influence consumers’ intentions to use a MyData-based preventive eHealth service before use.MethodsWe applied a new adoption model combining Venkatesh’s unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) in a consumer context and three constructs from health behavior theories, namely threat appraisals, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers. To test the research model, we applied structural equation modeling (SEM) with Mplus software, version 7.4. A Web-based survey was administered. We collected 855 responses.ResultsWe first applied traditional SEM for the research model, which was not statistically significant. We then tested for possible heterogeneity in the data by running a mixture analysis. We found that heterogeneity was not the cause for the poor performance of the research model. Thus, we moved on to model-generating SEM and ended up with a statistically significant empirical model (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] 0.051, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] 0.906, comparative fit index [CFI] 0.915, and standardized root mean square residual 0.062). According to our empirical model, the statistically significant drivers for behavioral intention were effort expectancy (beta=.191, P<.001), self-efficacy (beta=.449, P<.001), threat appraisals (beta=.416, P<.001), and perceived barriers (beta=−.212, P=.009).ConclusionsOur research highlighted the importance of health-related factors when it comes to eHealth technology adoption in the consumer context. Emphasis should especially be placed on efforts to increase consumers’ self-efficacy in eHealth technology use and in supporting healthy behavior.

Preliminary study for a full colour low cost open source 3D printer, based on the combination of fused deposition modelling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF) and inkjet printing

Additive manufacturing techniques (AM) have enhanced product quality and exponentially increase their application both from the industrial point of view and from the consumer point of view. A decisive development in the “consumer” sector has been observed over the last 5 years thanks to open source projects (Fab@home, RepRap), which enabled the production of low cost machines with the use of cheap electronic and mechanical components and open source software. Among the possible future developments of low cost AM technologies, there is an improvement of finished product capabilities and appearance to obtain coloured components, made directly during printing phase. This paper tries to respond to this need by assessing the feasibility of realizing a low-cost AM system that integrates automatic colouring in a consumer 3D printer. The proposed system is a hybrid between a fused filament fabrication 3D printer, derived from an open-source project, and a 2D commercial inkjet printer; the two systems share the mechanics, but keep the movement control and the three-dimensional and two-dimensional printing process separate. The study continues with the theorization, modeling and creation of the interfaces required for conversion of control signals and a first experimentation of the same control. The two systems, using a different mechanics, use different motor control systems.

A Study on the Essential Capabilities that Business Incubation Managers Should Be Equipped with from the Viewpoint of Consumers of Business Incubation

A Study on the Essential Capabilities that Business Incubation Managers Should Be Equipped with from the Viewpoint of Consumers of Business Incubation

Consumer privacy in internet of things

Purpose- This study aims to examine privacy from a consumer point of view and in relation to the Internet of Things. Methodology- The concepts of Internet of Things and consumer privacy are covered in this study. These two phenomena are conceptually evaluated, and the relation between them are analyzed through applications and examples. Findings- The monitoring of people's daily activities and recording of data about these activities cause concerns about the privacy of personal data. Consumers are concerned about how and for what purpose the data collected about them is being used. Conclusion- Privacy concern can be an obstacle to consumers' adaptation to IoT technologies. Moreover, it also affects consumers' attitudes towards a particular product, brand or business. For this reason, all actors responsible for the development of the IoT must be aware of the importance of consumer privacy. These actors should show sensitivity to the protection of personal data and consumer privacy as well.

Do Consumers Discriminate Against Foreign Companies Even When They are Green?

ABSTRACTThe international business literature has long investigated the role of corporate environmentalism, or “going green,” in business. However, this research has been limited regarding the dynamics of a firm's eco-friendly image and consumers' intention to purchase the firm's products in light of the consumer's complex social viewpoint and how that eco-friendly image is perceived. This limitation is due in part to the complex nature of the eco-friendly image-purchase intention relationship, especially when taking into account the consumers' identification with the firm, as well as the role of consumer ethnocentrism. Through the use of an experimental survey, we found differences between countries and the role of the firm's eco-friendly image and consumer ethnocentrism. In particular, an eco-friendly image was positively related to identification with the firm in a German company sample. The findings also show that this identification mediates the effect of eco-friendly image on purchase intention. Consumer ethnocentrism significantly moderated the effect of this identification on purchase intention as well in the Chinese company sample. Implications for managers of multinational enterprises are discussed, as are avenues for future research.

Public perceptions of the introduction of the single-use carrier bags charge in Scotland

Purpose: This article analyses the comments of consumers concerning the introduction of a minimum charge on single-use carrier bags in Scotland through the Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Regulations 2014. Research Methods: The data analysed in this study were collected using the BBC 'Have Your Say' online messageboard. This approach provided an opportunity to analyse the perceptions of consumers, using 335 responses that were posted the day the charge was announced, and 474 responses that were posted on the day of the introduction of the charge. The collected data were inductively analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Like many other studies of consumer perceptions of environmental policy initiatives, the results show that public perceptions of the scheme are divergent. While some perceived the scheme to be a good idea, others argued that the charge is another form of tax on the consumer. Limitations: The study only considers the responses of those motivated to signal their opinions on the online messageboard. Implications: The policy implications of the scheme are discussed in this paper, including the importance of public engagement through consultation when introducing market-based instruments to influence pro-environmental behavioural change. Contribution: The paper makes an empirical contribution through the use of social media analysis techniques to create insights into spontaneously offered public opinion of the introduction of a charge on single-use carrier bags and thus offers a critique of the instrument from the consumer point of view. Further, this study contributes to the extant knowledge of consumer perceptions of market-based interventions and adds to the debate on carrier bag consumption.

Efektywność produktów emerytalnych oferowanych przez zakłady ubezpieczeń na życie na przykładzie IKE

Celem niniejszego artykułu jest określenie efektywności produktów emerytalnych oferowanych przez zakłady ubezpieczeń na życie z punktu widzenia klientów tych instytucji, na przykładzie indywidualnych kont emerytalnych. W artykule zaprezentowano znaczenie produktów oferowanych przez zakłady ubezpieczeń na życie w polskim systemie emerytalnym. Scharakteryzowano zasady funkcjonowania indywidualnych kont emerytalnych oferowanych przez ubezpieczycieli oraz ich wpływ na przydatność tej formy zabezpieczenia z punktu widzenia konsumentów. Ponadto zaprezentowano wyniki badania efektywności inwestycyjnej osiąganej przez ubezpieczeniowe fundusze kapitałowe działające w ramach IKE w latach 2005–2015. Badania wskazują, że oferowanie IKE jako samodzielnych produktów ubezpieczeniowych należy uznać za rozwiązanie mało korzystne z punktu widzenia osób gromadzących oszczędności emerytalne.