Showing papers by "David Bell published in 2015"
TL;DR: This paper focuses on the relatively understudied domain of online-first retailers and the engagement of a key omnichannel tactic; specifically, introduction of showrooms physical locations where customers can view and try products in combination with online fulfillment that uses centralized inventory management.
Abstract: Omni-channel environments where customers shop online and offline at the same retailer are increasingly ubiquitous and have important new implications for demand generation and operational efficiency. We propose that given choice and opportunity, customers self-select into channels according to their need for visceral product information, i.e., the need to touch, feel, and sample physical products before purchasing. Injecting a new showroom into a market induces customer migration and has significant impacts on channel sales and operational efficiency for all customers within the showroom's trading area. Using quasi-experimental data on showroom openings by WarbyParker.com, the leading online US eyewear retailer, we find that introducing a showroom: (1) increases demand overall and through the online channel as well, (2) improves operational efficiency by increasing conversion on sampling and decreasing returns, and (3) that these effects are amplified for those customers who have the most acute need for the product. Moreover, these effects strengthen with time as the showroom contributes not only to brand awareness but also to what we term channel awareness as well. We verify that these effects are robust to alternative model specifications and sample selection procedures; implications for omni-channel retailing are discussed.
294 citations
96 citations
46 citations
TL;DR: Findings from a large-scale, multi-disciplinary, mixed methods project which explores empirically and theoretically the rapidly growing but poorly understood (and barely regulated) phenomenon of cosmetic surgery tourism are reported.
41 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the gendered construction of cosmetic surgery tourism in different geographical locations through an analysis of destination websites in Spain, the Czech Republic and Thailand is explored. And the authors conclude that accounts producing the tourism as undifferentiated experience of "non-place" fail to acknowledge the complex constructions of specific destinations in promotional materials targeting international consumers in a global marketplace.
Abstract: Cosmetic surgery tourism is a significant and growing area of medical tourism This article explores the gendered construction of cosmetic surgery tourism in different geographical locations through an analysis of destination websites in Spain, the Czech Republic and Thailand We examine the ways in which gender and other intersections of identity interact with notions of space, place and travel to construct particular locations and cosmetic surgery tourist experiences The relational geographies of skill, regulation and hygiene in discourses of cosmetic surgery risk are also explored We conclude that accounts producing cosmetic surgery tourism as undifferentiated experience of ‘non-place’ fail to acknowledge the complex constructions of specific destinations in promotional materials targeting international consumers in a global marketplace
31 citations
TL;DR: Zhang et al. as mentioned in this paper built a game-theoretical model to capture the crucial roles of store uncertainty and consumer risk aversion in store choice and found that consumer learning might not be beneficial to the market as a whole.
Abstract: Consumers in Asian markets often need to make choices between highuncertainty stores and low-uncertainty stores. For example, an iPhone may be purchased from an Apple authorized retailer (a low-uncertainty store) or from an unauthorized seller (a high-uncertainty one). We build a game-theoretical model to capture the crucial roles of store uncertainty and consumer risk aversion in store choice. A model-based explanation is provided for the coexistence of charging a higher retail price and having a higher product demand. Interestingly, our finding shows that store uncertainty and risk aversion have the potential to enhance the overall market profitability under the full market coverage, whereas such profitability will be reduced under the partial coverage.Moreover, we find that consumer learning might not be beneficial to the market as a whole. While consumer learning increases the expected overall market profitability under the partial coverage, such learning actually decreases the expected overall profitability if the market is fully covered. Not only is the precision of signals during learning relevant, but also the number of signals per se plays an indispensable role in the market. In addition, we find that the second-mover advantage possibly enjoyed by a high-uncertainty store is an important force that changes market outcomes.
3 citations
TL;DR: CST is seen as a trailblazer for medical tourism and the globalisation of health care, and the chapter discusses the likely future developments in the field.
Abstract: Cosmetic surgery tourism (CST) can be defined as travel to access procedures to enhance appearance. It is a rapidly growing form of medical tourism, normally paid for out-of-pocket and constructed as elective. This chapter presents an overview of CST informed by the results of the largest research project to date to investigate CST. Drawing on participant observation and over 200 interviews, the authors provide a picture of the CST sector and of patient experiences. The chapter describes the main drivers and the decision-making processes of patients, outlines the roles of key players such as facilitators and agents, considers the marketing of CST and in particular the role of the internet and social media, and discusses patient outcomes. CST is seen as a trailblazer for medical tourism and the globalisation of health care, and the chapter discusses the likely future developments in the field. Issues of regulation and debates about the ‘burden’ of CST on domestic health care are highlighted.
2 citations
Posted Content•
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: Cosmetic surgery tourism (CST) is a rapidly growing form of medical tourism, normally paid for out-of-pocket and constructed as elective as discussed by the authors, which can be defined as travel to access procedures to enhance appearance.
Abstract: Cosmetic surgery tourism (CST) can be defined as travel to access procedures to enhance appearance. It is a rapidly growing form of medical tourism, normally paid for out-of-pocket and constructed as elective. This chapter presents an overview of CST informed by the results of the largest research project to date to investigate CST. Drawing on participant observation and over 200 interviews, the authors provide a picture of the CST sector and of patient experiences. The chapter describes the main drivers and the decision-making processes of patients, outlines the roles of key players such as facilitators and agents, considers the marketing of CST and in particular the role of the internet and social media, and discusses patient outcomes. CST is seen as a trailblazer for medical tourism and the globalisation of health care, and the chapter discusses the likely future developments in the field. Issues of regulation and debates about the ‘burden’ of CST on domestic health care are highlighted.
2 citations