Search results
1 – 10 of 469Michael Fuchs, Guillaume Bodet and Gregor Hovemann
While consumer preferences for sporting goods have been widely researched within sport management, literature is lacking on aspects of social and environmental sustainability…
Abstract
Purpose
While consumer preferences for sporting goods have been widely researched within sport management, literature is lacking on aspects of social and environmental sustainability. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the role of social and environmental sustainability for purchase decisions of sportswear and compares them to the role of price and functionality.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a conjoint analysis among 1,012 Europeans, the authors conducted a two-step cluster analysis. First, the authors investigated the number of segments via Ward’s method. Second, the authors ran a k-means analysis based on part-worth utilities from the conjoint analysis.
Findings
The authors identified four segments which differ in terms of preferred product attributes, willingness to pay, and sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychographic characteristics: undecided, sustainable, price-focused and function-oriented consumers. Based on this segmentation, the authors found that the importance of social and environmental sustainability is growing, but not among all consumers.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the study is limited since it is not built on a sample representative for the included European countries, it focuses on a single product, and participants are potentially subject to a social desirability bias.
Originality/value
The consumer analysis comprises the uptake of attributes related to social and environmental sustainability. The authors thereby address a literature gap as previous research (thematizing sporting goods) in the sport management field has often neglected sustainability elements despite their rapidly growing importance within the sport sector.
Details
Keywords
Zachary Robichaud, Benedikt M. Brand and Hong Yu
This study addresses the information asymmetry issue in e-commerce, particularly prevalent in the clothing industry, leading to high product returns and environmental harm. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This study addresses the information asymmetry issue in e-commerce, particularly prevalent in the clothing industry, leading to high product returns and environmental harm. The research aims to fill gaps in the existing literature by holistically examining multiple information cues and considering intercultural differences, utilizing signaling theory.
Design/methodology/approach
An Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint experiment involving German (n = 332) and Chinese (n = 331) respondents from Generation Y is conducted. This cross-cultural comparison explores consumer preferences for sustainable clothing and analyses factors influencing their choices, including price, shipping costs, sustainability labels and online customer reviews.
Findings
German online shoppers exhibit a stronger preference for sustainable clothing compared to their Chinese counterparts, with notable differences in the emphasis placed on various factors. Chinese respondents prioritize monetary aspects (e.g. price and shipping costs), while Germans attach greater importance to sustainability labels and online customer reviews.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of information cues in e-commerce, considering cultural variations. The findings shed light on the distinct preferences of German and Chinese respondents from Generation Y, offering valuable insights for businesses aiming to address information asymmetry and enhance environmental sustainability in online clothing retail.
Details
Keywords
M. Kaltenbacher, M. Rausch, H. Landes and R. Lerch
A new method for the numerical computation of the dynamic behaviour of electro‐dynamic loudspeakers is presented. The numerical scheme, based on the finite element method (FEM)…
Abstract
A new method for the numerical computation of the dynamic behaviour of electro‐dynamic loudspeakers is presented. The numerical scheme, based on the finite element method (FEM), allows the simulation of coupled magnetic, mechanical and acoustic fields. The obtained simulation results are in good agreement with measured data.
Details
Keywords
M. Rausch, M. Kaltenbacher, H. Landes and R. Lerch
A recently developed calculation scheme for the numerical computation of the load‐controlled acoustic noise of power transformers is presented. This modeling scheme allows the…
Abstract
A recently developed calculation scheme for the numerical computation of the load‐controlled acoustic noise of power transformers is presented. This modeling scheme allows the precise and efficient computation of the coupled electromagnetic, mechanical and acoustic fields. The equations are solved using the finite element method (FEM) as well as the boundary element method (BEM), resulting in a separation of the acoustic‐magnetomechanical calculation of the winding vibrations resp. the acoustic‐mechanical computation of the tank vibrations (using FEM) and the calculation of the acoustic free‐field radiation (using BEM). The validity of the computer simulations has been verified by means of appropriate measurements. Simulated and measured values for winding and tank surface vibrations as well as the sound power level of the loaded transformer are found to be in good agreement.
Details
Keywords
Benedikt M. Brand and Daniel Baier
To examine whether the country of origin (COO) effect actually exists in an e-commerce context, the authors intend to contribute to the ongoing debate by measuring the COO effect…
Abstract
Purpose
To examine whether the country of origin (COO) effect actually exists in an e-commerce context, the authors intend to contribute to the ongoing debate by measuring the COO effect through a series of connected studies.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on cue utilization theory, the authors emphasize the urge to investigate the COO effect in multiple cue settings in order to reveal a more realistic picture of its actual effect size. In contrast to most prior research, which often does not analyze COO using methodological plurality and neglects important contextual factors, the authors employed a four-staged research design in an attempt to trigger and measure the COO’s implicit effect size in today’s pervasive context of online shopping. The importance of brands (inhering the COO) is decompositionally calculated relative to other extrinsic cues by applying a Hierarchical Bayes estimation, with the COO impact being extracted subsequently.
Findings
The results deepen concerns that the COO effect actually does not exist, particularly in the more contemporary context of online shopping. Specifically, preferences for previously favored German products faded when controlling for brand attitude for both high-involvement (p = 0.003) and low-involvement products (p = 0.024).
Research limitations/implications
The study focused on consumers of Generation Y, as they represent one of the most important segments in online shopping. Findings might be replicated for other consumer generations. The study focused on Chinese consumers, as the Chinese e-commerce market represents the world’s largest one. Future studies might investigate other markets.
Practical implications
As brands, rather than a COO effect, impacted consumer preferences, companies selling their products to Chinese consumers online need to establish a reputation for quality early on. Chinese companies should emphasize their COO to make use of the ethnocentrism detected. Companies profit from the Best-Worst Scaling investigation revealing which product categories Chinese consumers most preferably buy online from German companies.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to capture the importance of COO in the contemporary context of ubiquitous online shopping. Moreover, a more realistic and less biased way of measuring the importance of COO is enabled by building upon three pre-connected studies. The findings allow to develop a generalization for both high- and low-involvement products.
Details
Keywords
Xu Chen, Yingliang Wu, Junfeng Liao, Wenming Zuo and Rujie Zhong
The incentive cost of enterprises increases significantly with the rapid growth of the social commerce (SC) market. In this context, enterprises need to develop the optimal…
Abstract
Purpose
The incentive cost of enterprises increases significantly with the rapid growth of the social commerce (SC) market. In this context, enterprises need to develop the optimal strategy to improve incentive effectiveness and reduce cost. Different types of consumers’ responses to incentives bring different values to enterprises. Hence, this paper proposes the social commerce value network (SCVN) to help enterprises study the contributions of different types of consumers to the network.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the graphical evaluation and review technique (GERT), the authors construct the social commerce value GERT (i.e. SCV-GERT) network and design three progressive experiments for estimating the value contributions of “network stage”, “consumer type”, and “resource type” to the SCVN under the same incentives. The authors initialize the SCV-GERT model with consumer data in SC and distinguish the most valuable consumers by adjusting the incentive parameters.
Findings
The results show that the SCV-GERT model can well describe the value flow of SCVN. The incentive on forwarding consumers brings the greatest value gain to the SCVN, and social trust contributes the most to forwarding consumers.
Practical implications
Under the guidance of the results, platforms and enterprises in SC can select the optimal type of consumers who bring the maximum network value so as to improve the effectiveness of incentive strategy and reduce marketing costs. A four-level incentive system should be established according to the ranking of the corresponding value gains: forwarding consumers > agent consumers > commenting consumers > potential consumers. Enterprises also need to find ways to improve the social resource investments of consumers participating in SC.
Originality/value
This paper investigates the incentive problem in SC grounded in the SCVN and uses the GERT method to construct the SCV-GERT model, which is the first attempt to introduce GERT into the SC context. This study also makes up for the lack of comparative research on different types of consumers in SC and can provide support for enterprises’ customer relationship management and marketing decisions.
Details
Keywords
Tamara Vanessa Leiß and Andreas Rausch
This paper aims to examine the impact of problem-solving activities, emotional experiences and contextual and personal factors on learning from dealing with software-related…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impact of problem-solving activities, emotional experiences and contextual and personal factors on learning from dealing with software-related problems in everyday office work.
Design/methodology/approach
To measure the use of problem-solving activities, emotional experiences and the contextual factors of problem characteristics and learning in situ, a research diary was used. To measure team psychological safety (contextual factor) and personal factors, including the Big Five personality traits, occupational self-efficacy and technology self-efficacy, the authors administered a self-report questionnaire. In sum, 48 students from a software company in Germany recorded 240 diary entries during five working days. The data was analysed using multilevel analysis.
Findings
Results revealed that asking others and using information from the internet are positive predictors of self-perceived learning from a software-related problem, while experimenting, which was the most common activity, had a negative effect on learning. Guilt about the problem was positively related to learning while working in the office (as opposed to remote work), and feeling irritated/annoyed/angry showed a negative effect. Surprisingly, psychological safety had a negative effect on perceived learning.
Research limitations/implications
Major limitations of the study concern the convenience sample and the disregard for the sequence of the activities.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the limited empirical evidence on employees’ problem-solving activities and informal workplace learning in the software context. To overcome the shortcomings of previous studies using retrospective assessments and in-lab observations, this study uses the diary method to investigate in situ.
Details
Keywords
Celine Ibrahim Hasan, Selena Mohammad Saleh, Majd AbedRabbo, Zaid Obeidat and Alaeddin Ahmad
This research examines the effect of water conscientiousness (WC) on consumers' purchase intentions and behaviours towards sustainable apparel. Through this exploration, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This research examines the effect of water conscientiousness (WC) on consumers' purchase intentions and behaviours towards sustainable apparel. Through this exploration, the research aims to show how consumers' awareness of water conservation connects with their purchase choices for sustainable apparel.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the norm activation theory, this research developed a theoretical framework and tested it using structural equation modelling and mediation analysis. This research focuses on the unique context of Jordan, a region grappling with severe water scarcity. Data were collected using an online survey with 222 completed questionnaires retained for data analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that WC does not have a significant direct effect on purchase intentions of sustainable apparel (PISA). This finding challenges the assumption that conscientiousness towards water scarcity would drive prosocial behaviours such as purchasing sustainable apparel. However, the findings reveal a full mediation effect of perceived environmental apparel knowledge (PEAK) and perceived environmental concern (PEC) on the relationship between WC and PISA. Such a finding raises awareness of the need to develop consumers' PEAK and PEC by educating them on the importance of WC and the effect of the apparel industry on water preservation. A significant relationship exists between PISA and purchase behaviour of sustainable apparel (PBSA), affirming the role of intentions in driving sustainable purchase behaviours of consumers.
Originality/value
This study provides novel insights into the role of WC in facilitating PISA and PBSA by testing a theoretical model that incorporates various environmental factors. Likewise, it extends the geographical scope of sustainability research and underscores the importance of considering diverse environmental conditions when studying consumer behaviour. The findings provide insights for marketers and policymakers in water-scarce regions, enabling them to develop strategies to promote sustainable apparel consumption.
Details
Keywords
Rajesh Nimmagadda, Godson Asirvatham Lazarus and Somchai Wongwises
The purpose of this study is to numerically investigate the effect of jet impingement, magnetic field and nanoparticle shape (sphericity) on the hydrodynamic/heat transfer…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to numerically investigate the effect of jet impingement, magnetic field and nanoparticle shape (sphericity) on the hydrodynamic/heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids over stationary and vibrating plates.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-dimensional finite volume method-based homogeneous heat transfer model has been developed, validated and used in the present investigation. Three different shapes of non-spherical carbon nanoparticles namely nanotubes, nanorods and nanosheets are used in the analysis. Sphericity-based effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids with Brownian motion of nanoparticles is considered in the investigation. Moreover, the ranges of various comprehensive parameters used in the study are Re = 500 to 900, St = 0.0694 to 0.2083 and Ha = 0 to 80.
Findings
The hydrodynamic/heat transfer performance of jet impingement in the case of vibrating plate is 298 per cent higher than that of stationary plate at Re = 500. However, for the case of vibrating plate, a reduction in the heat transfer performance of 23.35 per cent is observed by increasing the jet Reynolds number from 500 to 900. In the case of vibrating plate, the saturation point for Strouhal number is found to be 0.0833 at Re = 900 and Ha = 0. Further decrement in St beyond this limit leads to a drastic reduction in the performance. Moreover, no recirculation in the flow is observed near the stagnation point for jet impingement over vibrating plate. It is also observed that the effect of magnetic field enhances the performance of jet impingement over a stationary plate by 36.18 per cent at Ha = 80 and Re = 900. Whereas, opposite trend is observed for the case of vibrating plate. Furthermore, at Re = 500, the percentage enhancement in the Nuavg values of 3 Vol.% carbon nanofluid with nanosheets, nanorods and nanotubes are found to be 47.53, 26.86 and 26.85 per cent when compared with the value obtained for pure water.
Practical implications
The present results will be useful in choosing nanosheets-based nanofluid as the efficient heat transfer medium in cooling of high power electronic devices. Moreover, the obtained saturation point in the Strouhal number of the vibrating plate will help in cooling of turbine blades, as well as paper and textile drying. Moreover, the developed homogeneous heat transfer model can also be used to study different micro-convection phenomena in nanofluids by considering them as source terms in the momentum equation.
Originality/value
Impingement of jet over two different plate types such as stationary and vibrating is completely analyzed with the use of a validated in-house FVM code. A complete investigation on the influence of external magnetic field on the performance of plate type configuration is evaluated. The three fundamental shapes of carbon nanoparticles are also evaluated to obtain sphericity based hydrodynamic/heat transfer performance of jet impingement.
Details
Keywords
Vu-Dung-Van Phan, Yung-Fu Huang and Manh-Hoang Do
This study aims to investigate the cognitive factors and e-social interactions that influence the green purchase intention of Vietnamese consumers.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the cognitive factors and e-social interactions that influence the green purchase intention of Vietnamese consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted the survey with 453 samples of young consumers in Vietnam, using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach to evaluate the measurement quality to deal with research objectives.
Findings
The findings of this study demonstrate that cognitive factors positively impact green purchase intentions in Vietnam. Moreover, the analysis revealed that the attitude variable played a mediating role in this model, whereas the social norms factor did not.
Research limitations/implications
This study presents several valuable findings on the green purchase intentions of young Vietnamese consumers. Therefore, the results can potentially advance and strengthen green purchasing theories in the Vietnamese market. Moreover, the recommendations indicate that cognitive factors and e-social interactions are crucial in shaping green purchasing intentions among Vietnamese consumers. Thus, it is suggested that the firms in the Vietnamese market focus on green marketing based on leveraging these factors.
Originality/value
This work provides a valuable contribution to the knowledge related to cognitive and e-social interactions among young Vietnamese consumers. It demonstrates the significant impact of these elements on green purchase intentions through e-commerce.
Details