Haeyoung Jeong, Siddharth Bhatt, Hongjun Ye, Jintao Zhang and Rajneesh Suri
With a decrease in consumer spending during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many retailers are offering price reductions to stimulate demand. However, little is…
Abstract
Purpose
With a decrease in consumer spending during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many retailers are offering price reductions to stimulate demand. However, little is known about how consumers perceive such price reductions executed during turbulent times. The authors examine whether the timing of price reductions and individual differences impact consumers' evaluations of the retailers offering such reductions.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a longitudinal design, the authors inquire into four retailers' motives that consumers may infer from a price decrease at two different times during the COVID-19 crisis.
Findings
The authors find that the timing of price reductions plays a key role in shaping consumers' inference of retailers' motives. The authors also uncover individual characteristics that affect consumers' inferences.
Originality/value
This research advances the literature by demonstrating the critical role of timing and individual characteristics in consumers' perceptions of price reductions during times of crisis. The authors findings also provide retailers with actionable insights for their pricing strategies. The findings may be generalizable to other types of crises that may arise in the future.
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Keywords
Euehun Lee, Sang Hyun Jo and Haeyoung Jeong
The purpose of this study is to explore the antecedents and effects of environmental management (EM) and its related factors on firm performance from the perspective of small and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the antecedents and effects of environmental management (EM) and its related factors on firm performance from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most previous studies have focused on determining the effects of environmental efforts on environmental performance. This study aims to illustrate that effective EM – along with other factors such as customer emphasis, recognition and capabilities – generates positive firm performance for SMEs. Additionally, the stdy aims to show evidence that EM is worth proactively pursuing rather than being viewed as a burden and being subject to reactive task by SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected data via a questionnaire from 300 SMEs through a professional research company. They then used the data to assess a model and determine the relationships between the different constructs using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results testify to the optimal structure between the study’s constructs: customer emphasis on EM, recognition and implementation of EM, capabilities and the performance of SMEs that have implemented EM. The main finding is that EM has a positive relationship to firm performance.
Originality/value
This study’s findings could likely persuade SMEs and policymakers to more proactively engage in EM. It also contributes to offer evidence that customer orientation plays an important role in SMEs’ implementation of EM and its impact on firm performance.
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Moonjung Choi, Han-Lim Choi and Heyoung Yang
The aim of this paper is to describe procedural characteristics of the 4th technology foresight (TF) using search engines to discover emerging issues; analytic framework…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to describe procedural characteristics of the 4th technology foresight (TF) using search engines to discover emerging issues; analytic framework development to discover future needs; future technologies considering future needs as well as technology development; detailed description of future technology; analytical discussions of Delphi survey results; developing spatial-specific scenarios and illustrations; and examining possible adverse effects of future technologies. Korea performs TF every 5 years to establish science and technology policy and strategies. In the 4th TF, future technologies that might be developed by 2035 were discovered and Delphi survey was conducted to examine current development status, anticipated times of technology development and public use, plans to secure these technologies, etc.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper divides procedure employed in the 4th TF into three steps and explains seven characteristics related to its procedure.
Findings
Improvement of the TF procedure will increase the reliability and applicability of its results.
Originality/value
This paper consists of original results which include improved procedure and its implication by researchers who participated in the 4th TF. It will provide a useful example for other nations, hoping to introduce TF to set up national science and technology policy.