University of the Arts London

About: University of the Arts London is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Higher education & The arts. The organization has 528 authors who have published 842 publications receiving 10438 citations. The organization is also known as: London Institute.

Consumer Perceptions of Iconicity and Indexicality and Their Influence on Assessments of Authentic Market Offerings

Abstract: Although consumer demand for authentic market offerings has often been mentioned in consumer research, the meaning of the term “authentic” has not been sufficiently specified. Thus, some important differences among authentic market offerings have not been recognized or examined. This article uses Peirce's semiotic framework to distinguish between two kinds of authenticity—indexical and iconic. We identify the cues that lead to the assessment of each kind, and, based on data collected at two tourist attractions, we show that these cues can have a different influence on the benefits of consuming authenticity. Our results also contribute to an understanding of the negotiation of reality and fantasy as a part of consumption.

Data Quality: Some Comments on the NASA Software Defect Datasets

Abstract: Background--Self-evidently empirical analyses rely upon the quality of their data. Likewise, replications rely upon accurate reporting and using the same rather than similar versions of datasets. In recent years, there has been much interest in using machine learners to classify software modules into defect-prone and not defect-prone categories. The publicly available NASA datasets have been extensively used as part of this research. Objective--This short note investigates the extent to which published analyses based on the NASA defect datasets are meaningful and comparable. Method--We analyze the five studies published in the IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering since 2007 that have utilized these datasets and compare the two versions of the datasets currently in use. Results--We find important differences between the two versions of the datasets, implausible values in one dataset and generally insufficient detail documented on dataset preprocessing. Conclusions--It is recommended that researchers 1) indicate the provenance of the datasets they use, 2) report any preprocessing in sufficient detail to enable meaningful replication, and 3) invest effort in understanding the data prior to applying machine learners.

Altruism and Agency in the Family Firm: Exploring the Role of Family, Kinship, and Ethnicity:

Abstract: This article examines the relationship between altruism and agency costs in family business through an in-depth case study of a family firm. We found that altruism reduced agency costs in the early stages of the business, but that agency problems increased as the venture became larger and more established. Moreover, we suggest that altruistic behavior need not be confined to family and close kin, but may extend through networks of distant kin and ethnic ties. We thus present a more complex view of the agency relationship in family business than is often portrayed in the existing literature.

Analysis of fashion consumers’ motives to engage in electronic word-of-mouth communication through social media platforms

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyse consumers' interactions with fashion brands on social networking sites, focusing on consumers' motives for engaging in electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) communication.Existing WOM motivation frameworks are expanded to include context-specific fashion and brand variables that influence consumers to engage in eWOM on Facebook and Twitter. Subsequently, the motives are incorporated into an extended Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model. The study demonstrates that high brand commitment and fashion involvement motivate people to engage in talking about and interacting with fashion brands. Furthermore, those who are motivated by product involvement or have a high need for social interaction engage more frequently in fashion brand-related eWOM than those that are not motivated by those factors.

Towards culture-centred design

Abstract: This paper addresses culturally rooted factors within user interface design. The design implications of globalisation are discussed, together with the related processes of internationalisation, localisation, 'glocalisation', iconisation and culturalisation, in order to establish a basis for a new approach to HCI design. The potential for a more diverse culture-centred, design-based system-'Culture-Centred Design' (CCD) is introduced, and a CCD process developed. A redesigned computer interface, incorporating a consistent and culturally rooted metaphor for a Chinese user target group is discussed. A culturally specific 'garden' metaphor is developed and applied as an alternative to the current global 'office' or 'desktop' metaphor. A working demonstration of the interface is piloted with a group of Chinese users to assess its success in terms of interactivity, usability and cultural significance. The overall results of the first two evaluation phases have shown very positive outcomes for the use of the CCD system and Chinese garden metaphor.