Kushagra Kulshreshtha, Gunjan Sharma and Naval Bajpai
Since the inception of the conjoint analysis technique in the year 1971, papers addressing the epistemological aspects of conjoint analysis are scant. Hence, this paper attempts…
Abstract
Purpose
Since the inception of the conjoint analysis technique in the year 1971, papers addressing the epistemological aspects of conjoint analysis are scant. Hence, this paper attempts to address the vacuum of qualitative discourse addressing the epistemological and methodological aspects of conjoint analysis including different issues, challenges, probable solutions, limitations and future direction of conjoint analysis in the recent decade.
Design/methodology/approach
For exploring the methodological and epistemological aspects of conjoint analysis, the seminal papers on conjoint analysis were reviewed. Moreover, the authors' experience for the state-of-art review was also taken into consideration.
Findings
The findings suggest that conjoint analysis that roots back since 1971 has not seen much exploration in Asian regions and is mainly used for new product development in the field of marketing or allied areas. Moreover, the reliability and validity of conjoint analysis is always a matter of concern for the researchers that hinders this technique's wider adaptability. Thus, the paper presents some probable solutions to address the focal issues useful for improved reliability and validity of the conjoint analysis technique.
Research limitations/implications
This paper attempts to familiarize the researchers with epistemological and methodological aspects of conjoint analysis with certain solutions to evolve beyond existing conjoint analysis dimensions in terms of improved validity, reliability, epistemological and methodological aspects of conjoint analysis (CA). Moreover, it acts as a call for research in different research domains, especially in the Asian continent.
Originality/value
There exist certain seminal research papers on epistemological aspects of conjoint analysis. However, there is a dearth of such attempt in the recent decade addressing the application issues of conjoint analysis incorporating the recent issues as well. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to usher the future researcher to understand the methodological aspects of conjoint analysis. It may prevent them from violating the basic assumptions and methodological threshold. This research technique is preferred equally by academicians and practitioners, thus making it imperative to have clarity beforehand for improved research rigor.
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Dheeraj Awasthy, Arindam Banerjee and Bibek Banerjee
Existing literature offers conflicting evidence on how prior product knowledge influences amount of information search. A majority of these studies are based on variants of cost…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing literature offers conflicting evidence on how prior product knowledge influences amount of information search. A majority of these studies are based on variants of cost benefit frameworks where consumers engage in search until the benefits from information search exceed search costs. The purpose of this paper is to develop an expectancy theory‐based framework to model consumers' information search and its antecedents, including motivation to search as an intervening construct.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework is tested using data from real consumers engaged in their actual purchase decisions, in an emerging market context, using longitudinal survey research design. The data are analysed using structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized model. The model shows an acceptable fit with X2 (271, 487)=640.252, p < 0.00 and 0.95 CFI.
Findings
Results indicate that the relationship between prior product knowledge to information search is mediated by motivation to search. Prior product knowledge influences motivation to search through its influence on the consumer's perceived ability to search and his/her perceived value of additional information. Furthermore, perceived ability to search is the strongest predictor of motivation to search. The parsimony of the proposed framework in providing a simpler account of factors influencing the search process along with its managerial implications is discussed.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that perceived ability to search and perceived value of additional information are two important levers that managers could use for achieving desired results. Furthermore, perceived ability to search is an important mediator, which completely mediates the relationship between prior product knowledge and motivation to search. These findings also provide strong indications about the need to simplify the search process for consumers, especially in the context when novelty is predominantly marketed.
Originality/value
The paper introduces a motivational measure of search in the literature and shows that the motivational measure is indeed the proximal measure to other antecedent constructs compared to a behavioral measure of search. Perceived ability to search and perceived value of additional information are shown as important mediators between prior product knowledge and motivation to search.
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Sonja Arndt, Kylie Smith and Nicola Yelland
Using a feminist, post-structural and posthuman theoretical framing the paper argues for elevating the complexity of conceptions of migrant children’s engagements with and…
Abstract
Purpose
Using a feminist, post-structural and posthuman theoretical framing the paper argues for elevating the complexity of conceptions of migrant children’s engagements with and contributions to their own lives.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper responds to contemporary concerns with research involving migrant children and childhoods in an Australian context. With researchers and teachers’ attention being drawn to enhancing the cultural wellbeing, identity and belonging of young children, it asks: who is “the migrant child”? In our response to this question, we disrupt expectations of simplistic, homogeneous views of children of migrant families or backgrounds, including confronting notions such as vulnerability, neediness and deficit.
Findings
Potential ways in which “the migrant child” is implicated by diverse social, environmental and political factors underlie the many ways in which children might exercise their autonomy and participation. In Australia, contemporary migration remains clouded by such policies as the only relatively recently overturned “White Australia” policy and so-called “boat turnbacks”, whilst, and especially in post-Covid times, Australian society simultaneously depends on migrant workers in many areas of employment. At the same time, Australia seems to openly celebrate what is seen as “successful” multiculturalism.
Originality/value
These multiple perspectives offer a deeply concerning social and policy environment for researchers and educationalists. It is in this context that we raise questions and speculate towards potential conceptualisations of “the migrant child” which recognise, rather than negate, the powers and insights arising from the child’s experiential, relational and deeply entangled onto-epistemological perspective/s.
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Tripat Gill, Zhenfeng Ma, Ping Zhao and Yongjian (Ken) Chen
This study aims to distinguish between the indispensable (software) versus discretionary (accessories) complementary products to a platform. It investigates the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to distinguish between the indispensable (software) versus discretionary (accessories) complementary products to a platform. It investigates the impact of accessories on increasing the perceived value and sales of a base platform. In particular, the role of two distinct characteristics of accessories – innovativeness and structural nonalignability – in driving the sales of the base platform.
Design/methodology/approach
Combining sales data from the US video gaming industry with primary data on the above two aspects of accessories, this study quantifies the effect of accessories portfolio on the sales of three brands of video gaming platforms.
Findings
A distinct network externality arises from accessories for video gaming platforms, above and beyond the effects of game titles. Importantly, the average level of innovativeness and nonalignability of the accessories portfolio, as well as the frequency of introduction of highly innovative and/or nonalignable accessories positively impact the sales of the platform.
Research limitations/implications
This research seeks to address the gap in the innovation literature on the role of discretionary complementary products (i.e. accessories) on platform sales. Future research should examine this in other platform contexts as well.
Practical implications
Managers of platform-mediated products should give due consideration to accessories, as an important driver of the sales of the platforms. Product managers can leverage the advantage of innovative and nonalignable accessories to enhance consumer demand for the platform.
Originality/value
This study is the first to conceptualize and empirically verify the network externality arising from accessories, a heretofore much neglected component of platform-based markets.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of knowledge management (KM) in terms of organizational performance using structural equation modeling. To enhance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of knowledge management (KM) in terms of organizational performance using structural equation modeling. To enhance organizational performance, KM is used as a powerful strategic tool. The factors such as management commitment, leadership and organizational culture are the KM enabler’s conditions, and the step processes of KM are knowledge capture, creation, organizing/storing and transfer, and through this, KM is analyzed on organizational performance in the context of leathers manufacturing company. This study constructs with questionnaire consist of 34 variables.
Design/methodology/approach
There are about 101 samples that were collected through the questionnaire survey method in the leather companies in Ranipet. The data were collected from executives and associates in the leather companies. Data were analyzed using the SPSS tool and SMART PLS tool used for framing a research model and the hypothesized relationships were tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
The finding of this study is mandatory to implement a structured KM practice in the leather companies. Application of KM is quite an impact on organizational performance, which leads to profitability and productivity.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to empirically investigate the KM enablers, process and support for the role of KM practices at leather industry. Further, the positioning of KM practices as a strategic competitive tool can be considered as an influential factor to organizational performance.
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Noelia Garcia-Buendia, José Moyano-Fuentes and Juan Manuel Maqueira
The purpose of this study is to examine how a focal firm’s supply relationships influence lean supply chain management (LSCM) implementation and its impact on operational…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine how a focal firm’s supply relationships influence lean supply chain management (LSCM) implementation and its impact on operational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study of 285 Spanish focal firms has explored the relationships between supply uncertainty, strategic supplier performance, LSCM implementation and operational performance. A structural equation model was used to test four hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicate that supply uncertainty and strategic supplier performance significantly impact the decision to implement LSCM. The findings highlight the importance of strategic supplier performance for driving LSCM adoption. However, this study also suggests that LSCM implementation should be carefully considered in situations characterized by high supply uncertainty.
Practical implications
This study suggests that enhancing LSCM implementation and improving performance from key suppliers are crucial factors in achieving favorable operational performance in focal firms. Practitioners receive guidance on aligning their supply relationships, considering contextual factors and leveraging strategic supplier performance to drive effective LSCM implementation.
Originality/value
This study offers novel insights by examining the antecedents to LSCM implementation from a contingency and relational perspective specifically focused on the context of supply relationships. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on supply chain management by shedding light on the interplay between supply uncertainty, strategic supplier performance, LSCM implementation and operational performance.
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Marion A. Weissenberger‐Eibl and Benjamin Teufel
Firms engaged in new product development (NPD) have to achieve a balanced portfolio of NPD projects. Despite the large number of models purporting to support portfolio…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms engaged in new product development (NPD) have to achieve a balanced portfolio of NPD projects. Despite the large number of models purporting to support portfolio optimization, most of them do not take into account political bias in project selection decisions. This paper aims to analyze approaches of organizational politics to NPD project selection and their implications for NPD portfolio management and future research.
Design/methodology/approach
A review is made of the current literature at the intersection between organizational politics and NPD project selection. With regard to the underlying assumptions of organizational politics, similarities, differences, practical implications, and research perspectives are identified.
Findings
From the paper, insights could be gained into explaining the effects of organizational politics on NPD project selection. However, the differences in assumptions that can be generally observed in organizational politics are also reflected in the studies analyzed. Future research could benefit from integrating different political and methodological perspectives.
Practical implications
In order to reach a balanced NPD portfolio, the potentially dysfunctional biases which characterize political processes from idea generation to project selection should be addressed. A concept of NPD portfolio management is proposed which considers the management of power and politics.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to a more comprehensive overview of political approaches of NPD project selection and serves as a sound basis for future research. The relevance and implications of politics for NPD portfolio management are demonstrated.
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R. Parameshwaran, P.S.S. Srinivasan and M. Punniyamoorthy
The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated closed loop performance management model for service industries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated closed loop performance management model for service industries.
Design/methodology/approach
The service performance of any organization is measured by considering qualitative and quantitative dimensions. The qualitative dimension includes the service quality factors. In order to measure the service quality precisely, fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) has been employed in this paper. The data pertaining to both qualitative and quantitative dimensions are combined using extended Brown‐Gibson (EBG) model to measure the service performance. As an improvement process, fuzzy quality function deployment (FQFD) has been employed to redesign the existing services. A case study from automobile repair shops illustrates the usability of the model.
Findings
The developed model quantifies service performance and ensures the improvement of the service process. The proposed model takes into account the uncertainty that occurs while capturing the subjective assessment from customers and service engineers. The case study shows that the model can be used to gain service process understanding and identify significant factors for redesigning. Detailed results are presented.
Originality/value
The paper describes a novel method for service performance management. Fuzzy assessment of customers' feedback and service managers' feedback is much closer to human thinking than methods based on crisp numbers.
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Gunjan Sharma, Naval Bajpai, Kushagra Kulshreshtha, Vikas Tripathi and Prince Dubey
The online shopping behavior is the outcome of the variety of attribution from product/ service offering to internet experience. The present study attempts to develop a complete…
Abstract
Purpose
The online shopping behavior is the outcome of the variety of attribution from product/ service offering to internet experience. The present study attempts to develop a complete product/service offering by exploring and examining the different combinations of online shopping attributes to provide the customized experience. Therefore, this study aims to fill the gap of customer desired experience and present scenario in online shopping behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The exploration of attributes pertaining to online shopping behavior was done by seeking theoretical support from different technology adoption theories/models and the Delphi technique, exercised with active participants of online and offline shopping. The theoretical and experience shared attributes were devised and social desirability scale (SDS) was used for eliminating the social desirability bias. Further, the questionnaire was administered online and offline during mall intercept. The Conjoint analysis was used to investigate the relative importance and utilities of the attributes and its levels individually and compositely at different levels.
Findings
In the context, brand loyalty, online reputation management and Web interactivity were found most relavant followed by e-WOM, perceived risk and price. The specific levels of attributes such as taking consumer advice, search engine optimization (SEO), perception-based interactivity, consumer message boards, product risk and discount pricing were the crucial in motivating the customers for online shopping. This research affords the avenue for the marketers to motivate and delight consumers to retribalize by the way of “e-tribalizing.”
Research limitations/implications
The current study was conducted in confined geographical locations and limited in sample size; thus, the issue of generalization may prevail, but forthcoming researchers may exercise the techniques with better probabilistic sampling technique. The mass customization of the website features by comparing attribute orientation of customers around websites was recommended with the third-party certification to reduce the consumers’ perceived risk during online shopping. Finally, the different levels, such as Facebook fan page in ORM and Everyday Low Price (EDLP) in pricing may be considered for the future research work.
Originality/value
The research studies on online shopping behavior with Web interactivity, e-WOM, perceived risk, brand loyalty, ORM and price using a decompositional technique are scant. This study persuades the customers to go for online shopping by putting them in the almost real-time purchasing scenario. The study confirmed the need of people to retribalize through e-tribalization by the way of customization for the masses in the context of online shopping.