C. Zoe Schumm and Linda S. Niehm
Traditional purchasing best practices primarily follow a commercial logic and may not necessarily be applicable for social enterprises (SEs) supplier selection. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Traditional purchasing best practices primarily follow a commercial logic and may not necessarily be applicable for social enterprises (SEs) supplier selection. This study examines how SEs focused on poverty alleviation select suppliers amidst competing institutional logics to achieve both social impact and economic performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A grounded theory methodology is applied to guide semi-structured interviews with 18 fair trade verified SEs. Constant comparison methods aided in determining the point of data saturation was reached.
Findings
The results of this study indicate that SEs select marginalized suppliers based on implicit criteria that is initially based on social-welfare logic and then through a blend of commercial and social-welfare logic based on company structure.
Originality/value
This study is the first to reveal that SEs addressing social issues do not follow the traditional criteria for supplier selection but have their own unique selection criteria when selecting suppliers.
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Hyejeong Kim, Ann Marie Fiore, Linda S. Niehm and Miyoung Jeong
The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships between consumer innovativeness, market mavenism, shopping enjoyment, and beliefs, attitude, and patronage intentions toward…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships between consumer innovativeness, market mavenism, shopping enjoyment, and beliefs, attitude, and patronage intentions toward pop‐up retail.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey technique using a national sample of consumers resulted in 869 usable responses. Structural equation modeling is used to test the hypothesized relationships among variables.
Findings
Findings show that consumer innovativeness and shopping enjoyment influence beliefs about the importance of hedonic elements of pop‐up retail (novelty/uniqueness factor) and attitude toward pop‐up retail, which affects patronage intentions.
Practical implications
Findings provide support for the effectiveness of pop‐up retail, an experiential marketing strategy, at enhancing the appeal of a retail venue to consumers exhibiting higher tendencies in innovativeness and shopping.
Originality/value
This paper provides an investigation of consumer psychographic characteristics and their effect on attitude and behavioral intentions towards a new experiential marketing format, pop‐up retail. This paper demonstrates empirically how consumer innovativeness and shopping enjoyment, noted as growing tendencies among consumers, affect beliefs, attitude, and behavioral intentions towards pop‐up retail.
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Jessica L. Hurst, Linda S. Niehm and Mary A. Littrell
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the use of retail customer service as a value added component and potential success strategy for rural tourism retailers. More…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the use of retail customer service as a value added component and potential success strategy for rural tourism retailers. More specifically, service quality expectations and perceptions as a means for segmenting tourism markets are to be examined.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using a case study methodology in an established rural tourism community. Local customers, tourist customers, and retailers participated in the study. A canvassing approach was employed for administering a hand‐delivered, self‐report survey that examined parallel sets of service quality expectations and perceptions among the three groups, along with service satisfaction outcomes (i.e. retailer loyalty and purchase intentions). Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, t‐tests, and regression analysis were conducted.
Findings
Local and tourist customers' prior expectations for retail service quality were similar; however, local and tourist customers' post‐experience service quality perceptions differed significantly. A modified version of the SERVQUAL scale represented two service quality perception constructs important to local customers and retailers and one service quality perception construct for tourist customers.
Research limitations/implications
Generalizability of findings may be limited as the in‐depth study was conducted within a single rural tourism community in Iowa.
Practical implications
The study sheds light on service quality perception dimensions that are salient to local customers, tourist customers, and retailers. Results aid in the development of customer relationship management strategies for both local and tourist customers and enhanced competitive options for rural tourism retailers.
Originality/value
Findings provide baseline information regarding customer relationship management strategies aimed at establishing rural tourism retailer sustainability by simultaneously meeting service expectations and enhancing service perceptions for local and tourist customers.
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Linda S. Niehm and Nancy J. Miller
Family businesses are commonly addressed as two separate entities: the family and the business (Weigel, Weigel, Berger, Cook & Del Campo, 1995; Hollander & Elman, 1988; Langsberg…
Abstract
Family businesses are commonly addressed as two separate entities: the family and the business (Weigel, Weigel, Berger, Cook & Del Campo, 1995; Hollander & Elman, 1988; Langsberg, 1983). This approach suggests that managerial procedures and decisions typically respond to the needs of only one or the other component. However, business and family decisions are interrelated, and the way that overlapping demands are managed may well have an impact on the long‐term success of family firms. Drawing on the insights of field theory (Lewin, 1951), the present study takes a longitudinal view of family business entrepreneurs, their managerial roles, and the impact of managerial role on business success over time. Rather than relying on individual respondents and a limited business sample, the study employed a pooled sample of data drawn from both the 1997 and 2000 versions of the National Family Business Survey (NFBS). On the basis of demographic information concerning family businesses and their owners, profiles of single‐ and dual‐role managers were drawn up, and the two types of managers were then compared in relation to the degree of perceived success. Significant demographic differences emerged according to managerial type. Significant longitudinal differences were also identified between single‐ and dual‐role managers with regard to both their perceived success – that is, their degree of personal satisfaction – and the financial success of the business.
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Jessica L. Hurst and Linda S. Niehm
This study aims to focus on the unique challenges of retail service delivery in rural tourism markets. This paper specifically seeks to address: factors attracting individuals to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on the unique challenges of retail service delivery in rural tourism markets. This paper specifically seeks to address: factors attracting individuals to a rural tourism community; factors motivating resident and tourist customers to engage in tourism shopping; satisfaction of resident and tourist customers with local retailers; and strategies to assist retailers in successful service delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
Using Dillman's survey techniques, data were collected from two different groups: resident customers and tourist customers in a rural Iowa tourism community. Given the study's exploratory focus, a case study methodology was selected.
Findings
Shopping experiences were much less satisfying for resident customers than for tourist customers in this study. Tourism retailers may not be effectively differentiating their customer service and providing adequate attention during the shopping experience, particularly to resident customers.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation is that the study represents an initial test of self‐designed and/or modified scales to capture the variables of interest in a single rural tourism community in Iowa. Therefore findings may only be generalizable to the unique nature of an established tourist population in Midwestern regions of the USA.
Practical implications
An important implication from this study is rural tourism retailers need to develop a comprehensive customer relationship management strategy to encourage repeat shopping and sustained patronage behavior.
Originality/value
This study provides valuable strategic implications for rural tourism entrepreneurs, business consultants and economic development professionals in rural tourism communities, and fills a void in the tourism and patronage literature.
Yoon Jin Ma, Mary A. Littrell and Linda Niehm
The purpose of this paper is to examine young female consumers' purchase behaviours related to non‐food fair trade products. Interrelationships among beliefs, attitudes, perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine young female consumers' purchase behaviours related to non‐food fair trade products. Interrelationships among beliefs, attitudes, perceived behavioural control, and purchase intentions in regard to fair trade products were examined within a framework of the theory of planned behaviour to arrive at an in‐depth understanding of young female consumers' fair trade consumption.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a probability sampling approach, 810 complete responses were collected via web‐based surveys from 18‐28 year old female college students at a large Midwestern university. Path model analysis was employed to test the proposed model and research hypotheses.
Findings
The results revealed that young female consumers' beliefs about the fair trade concept and product attributes, attitudes toward fair trade purchases, and perceived behavioural control in regard to fair trade purchases, were all important factors in determining consumers' intentions to purchase a fair trade product.
Research limitations/implications
Several important strategic implications emerged in this study for fair trade retailers targeting young female consumers. The generalization of the findings to the US population may be limited because the data were collected from a small to medium‐sized community with a fair trade specialty store.
Originality/value
This study focused on providing insights for a previously unaddressed fair trade consumer segment – a younger female consumer group between ages 18 and 28. The results of this study may provide insight to artisan producers and retailers in expanded opportunities to distribute, market, and promote fair trade products to this consumer segment.
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Yoon Jin Ma and Linda S. Niehm
The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship of older Generation Y (Gen Y) customers' (18‐27) shopping orientations to their expectations for retail services. It…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship of older Generation Y (Gen Y) customers' (18‐27) shopping orientations to their expectations for retail services. It also seeks to assess the importance and impact of service expectations and perceptions on customer satisfaction and loyalty when shopping for apparel in different types of retail outlets.
Design/methodology/approach
Three different retail settings (department, specialty, and discount stores) were examined with parallel lists of retail service‐related questions using a convenience sample of older Gen Y female customers. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, F‐tests, and regression analysis were employed.
Findings
Shopping orientations were related to older Gen Y customers' expectations for retail services and patronage in all three apparel retail settings. The modified SERVQUAL scale represented one grand service construct in each retail setting. Older Gen Y customers' expectations for service differed by store type, and their service expectations, service perceptions, and service quality were related to retailer satisfaction and store loyalty.
Research limitations/implications
Generalizability of findings may be limited as the study was conducted with female older Gen Y customers shopping for a singular apparel category.
Practical implications
This study illuminates how retail services create value and satisfaction for older Gen Y customers. Results aid in development of service strategies and training programs by type of store outlet.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the scant literature concerning service quality and service expectations for female older Gen Y customers.
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So Won Jeong, Ann Marie Fiore, Linda S. Niehm and Frederick O. Lorenz
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether Pine and Gilmore's four experience realms (4Es) are affected by web site features; the 4Es affect consumer emotional components of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine whether Pine and Gilmore's four experience realms (4Es) are affected by web site features; the 4Es affect consumer emotional components of pleasure and arousal; and pleasure and arousal lead to enhanced web site patronage intention.
Design/methodology/approach
For the main experiment, two stimulus web sites reflecting high experiential value and low experiential value were developed. Data were collected in a laboratory setting from 196 participants. An analysis of the causal model was conducted using the maximum‐likelihood estimation procedure of Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) for hypotheses testing.
Findings
Using AMOS, the results indicated that web site features affected the 4Es and three of the 4Es (entertainment, escapist and esthetic experiences) influenced pleasure and/or arousal. Pleasure, arousal, entertainment, and esthetic experiences had direct effects on web site patronage intention.
Practical implications
The results present an effective way to offer experiential value, which enhances web site patronage intention, to online retailers.
Originality/value
This is the first empirical research to investigate the holistic process of the effects of product presentation on consumer responses towards an apparel web site that there is a clear need for further study.
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Mary W. Mhango and Linda S. Niehm
This preliminary study describes the Malawi second‐hand clothing market and recommends strategies for improved distribution by entrepreneurs. We explore the potential for formal…
Abstract
Purpose
This preliminary study describes the Malawi second‐hand clothing market and recommends strategies for improved distribution by entrepreneurs. We explore the potential for formal retailing of second‐hand clothing in Malawi and present avenues for further research on the topic.
Design/methodology/approach
A critical content analysis was conducted using data from secondary sources. Data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification allowed for organization and compression of information, and assisted in identification of research gaps.
Findings
Preliminary findings suggest organizational structure and effective distribution channel relationships may lead small‐scale entrepreneurial ventures to grow in the Malawi formal market. It is apparent that second‐hand clothing retail entrepreneurs have significant location and resource advantages to leverage in the Malawi domestic market.
Research limitations/implications
This analysis was based on limited literature given the undocumented nature of Malawi retailing and the second‐hand apparel market. Potential research phases that could build from this study includes ethnographic study of current second‐hand clothing distribution and consumption practices in the Malawi context, stakeholders' perspectives on formalizing the second‐hand clothing trade, and a feasibility study on entrepreneurial training and start‐up program for small formal retailers of second‐hand apparel.
Originality/value
The paper highlights the second‐hand clothing trade as an under researched area with much fruitful potential for future study. Also the proposed framework for understanding retail development and distribution of second‐hand clothing from an embedded market perspective may be transferable to other developing nations who rely heavily on second‐hand clothing to meet consumer apparel needs.
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Jihyeong Son, Amrut Sadachar, Srikant Manchiraju, Ann Marie Fiore and Linda S. Niehm
“Collaborative customer co‐design websites” (CCCWs), reflect a combination of co‐design and social networking. While this technology is presently emerging, little research has…
Abstract
Purpose
“Collaborative customer co‐design websites” (CCCWs), reflect a combination of co‐design and social networking. While this technology is presently emerging, little research has explored consumer perception of the underlying benefits and impediments of CCCW features. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived benefits and impediments offered by a CCCW and its influence on consumer acceptance of this technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with additional variables (perceived playfulness, perceived social risk, and mass confusion) was employed to examine the effects of CCCW features on consumers' beliefs about the CCCW and their consequent intention to use a CCCW. An online, scenario‐based survey was used to collect responses from college students (n=223). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Results of structural model testing indicated that perceived playfulness had the largest influence on intentions to use the CCCW. Additionally, perceived social risk associated with the CCCW negatively influenced consumers' intention to use the website. Contrary to expectations, mass confusion positively influenced consumers' intentions to use the CCCW.
Originality/value
Successful online co‐design retailers have begun to utilize social networking features for customer collaboration. Yet, there is scant research that explores the features leading to consumer acceptance of this technology during the collaborative customer co‐design process. Focusing on this problem, the present paper empirically tested perceived benefits and impediments regarding acceptance of a CCCW. The findings suggest that online retailers who adopt a CCCW as a business strategy may relay the value added benefits to consumers by: promoting how this technology relieves customers' perceived social risk; and underscoring the fun and enjoyment aspects of CCCWs to encourage website use and patronage.