Showing papers on "Product type published in 2001"

Selecting Celebrity Endorsers:The Practitioner's Perspective

Abstract: Although a number of scholars have investigated effective celebrity endorser characteristics with consumer samples using experimental methods, there is only one study by Miciak and Shanklin (1994) that explored the point of view of practitioners who are responsible for the selection of celebrities. This paper investigates British advertising agency managers9 consideration of important celebrity characteristics when selecting an endorser and these factors9 importance according to product types. The research findings validate much of the consumer-based research in that managers consider a range of criteria when choosing celebrity endorsers and indicate that the importance of the criteria depends on the product type.

Is Beauty Best? Highly versus Normally Attractive Models in Advertising

Abstract: Several studies investigating the positive effects of including highly attractive models (HAMs) in advertising have failed to unilaterally support their use. This paper explores the differential effects of pairing highly versus normally attractive models with different types of attractiveness-relevant products. Contrary to past research (Kahle and Homer 1985; Kamins 1990), the results suggest that HAMS are not the most effective choice for all categories of attractiveness-relevant products. This research also explores the method by which the match between model attractiveness and product type influences advertising effectiveness. Results suggest that a match between a model and a product improves ad effectiveness not necessarily through the elicitation of product arguments from model appearance, but instead by heightening perceptions of the model's expertise about the product.

Dynamic pricing system

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic pricing system that generates pricing recommendations for each product in each market. In particular, the system normalizes historic pricing and sales data, and then analyzes this historic data using parameters describing the user's business objectives to produce a pricing list to achieve these objectives. The system uses historical market data to forecast expected sales according to a market segment, product type, and a range of future dates and to determine the effects of price changes on the forecasted future sales. The system further calculates unit costs for the product. The system then estimates profits from sales at different prices by using the sales forecasts, adjusting these sales forecasts for changes in prices, and the costs determinations. The system optionally optimizes prices given current and projected inventory constraints and generates alerts notices according to pre-set conditions.

Benefits and challenges of global sourcing: perceptions of US apparel retail firms

Abstract: Investigates various benefits and challenges that retail firms perceive in global sourcing, and how those benefits and challenges differ in terms of firms’ demographic and managerial characteristics. Data were collected from 148 apparel retail firms. Three benefits factors (competitive advantage, quality assurance and service enhancement) and four challenge factors (logistics, regulations, cultural difference and country uncertainty) were identified. The types and levels of benefit factors a firm achieved from global sourcing were significantly different in terms of the product type and import volume. The challenge factors associated with global sourcing were also different in terms of the product type, percentage of imports, experience, and regions of sourcing. Information provided by this study expands our understanding of sourcing activities by apparel retailers which have significant presence in the global sourcing landscape in the USA.

Informing and transforming on the web: an empirical study of response to banner ads for functional and expressive products

Abstract: This article examines the effectiveness of banner ads for functional and expressive products. The results from a large empirical study show that there are major differences between the performances of banner ads for the two product types. Banner ads can work as transporters of consumers to target ads and as ads in themselves with direct communication effects. The study indicates that banner ads work better as transporters to target ads for functional products, whereas banner ads for expressive products work better through ad impressions. It is also found that consumers who click on banner ads for expressive products tend to be greater users of and be more positively disposed towards the brand. The differences between consumers' responses to advertising for the two product types, conceptualised as informing and transforming on the web, are discussed.

The Impact of Electronic Commerce Environment on User Behavior: The Case of a Complex Product

Abstract: There is no doubt that growth of electronic commerce (EC) on the Internet/Web is only going to accelerate even more. However, as the EC technology matures and attracts a larger number of mainstream consumers, the virtuality of the EC environment will become an important issue. Many consumers feel uncomfortable with this virtuality. A compelling issue facing the designer/developer of an EC environment is how the EC environments can be made more acceptable to consumers by approximating their real-world physical store purchase experience. Drawing upon previous literature, this study uses the theme of "fit" between EC environment and the product type. Four different prototype systems depicting different EC environments for a complex product were developed. Using laboratory-based experiments, the influence of "fit" between EC environment and product type on user outcomes was examined. Significant support to the "fit" theory in the context of a complex product is obtained.

A content analysis of connectedness vs. separateness themes used in US and PRC print advertisements

Abstract: Psychologists and anthropologists have long observed that people in different cultures have different self‐concepts in terms of the relation between self and other people. The separated self‐schema or “separatedness” is most often attributed to Western cultures. Applies the connectedness‐separateness theory to test a set of hypotheses using content analysis of advertising themes across cultures. Results revealed that “connected appeals” were used more in PRC advertising, while “separated appeals” were used more in US advertising. Target audiences and product types were found to moderate the cultural effect. The findings were predicted and explained by the connectedness‐separateness self‐schema theory. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

The influence of enterprise type on the purchasing decision process

Abstract: This article reports on the influence of the enterprise type on the purchasing decision process within selected product types and phases by using analysis of variance on data from Greek manufacturing and utility enterprises Our study examined the influence of enterprise type on four parameters of the purchasing decision process, across two different product types and four phases of the purchasing process The results suggested that all but one parameter varied considerably among the different types of enterprises, and that companies adopt an appropriate structural configuration, which fits to the attributes of the purchased items and the mission of the enterprises

An evaluation of warning habits and beliefs across the adult life span

Abstract: Beliefs about warnings and habits associated with reading them were assessed for 863 individuals of various ages Information gathered for various common household products included (a) how frequently people attend to warning information, (b) the degree of risk they believe is involved during product usage, and (c) how important they believe warnings are for different product types Also assessed were perceived helpfulness and comprehension for symbols commonly found on product labels or on signs in the environment Respondents 55 years and older reported reading product warnings more frequently than did younger adults, although they generally perceived warnings as less important However, no overall age-related differences were found for perceived level of risk involved in using different product types Although older adults generally perceived symbols to be very helpful when using a particular product, their comprehension levels were poorer than those of younger adults for half of the symbols Overall, these data suggest that adults of all ages do read warnings on a variety of product types and that they believe warning information is important This research illustrates the importance of including older adults in usability studies during the development of warning systems, given age-related effects may be associated with some aspects of the warning processing but not others

What If the Energizer Bunny Were Female? Importance of Gender in Perceptions of Advertising Spokes-Character Effectiveness

Abstract: An experiment was designed to determine whether and in what way gender makes a difference in the ratings of advertising spokes-characters. It was hypothesized and results confirmed that gender and product type affect the likability of spokes-characters and perceptions of target audience. A male spokes-character is perceived as more appropriate for a male-oriented product; however, a female spokes-character and a male product created the impression that the product was not quite so male oriented. It was also hypothesized that the spokes-character with the most positive ratings would be the most memorable. Results did not bear this out.

Integration of Sustainability Aspects in Product Development

Abstract: Integration of sustainability aspects into the product development process has been difficult to achieve, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The main reason is that existing tools are experienced to be too detailed and as a result too demanding in terms of time and resources. This Licentiate Thesis presents a method for sustainable product development (MSPD). The method is intended to be a complement to existing overarching sustainability management tools and detailed quantitative product analysis tools. The objectives of the MSPD are: (i) identification of potential problems of present or planned products caused by substances and activities during the product life cycle that are critical with regard to principles for sustainability; (ii) guidance in finding solutions to the potential problems by modifications of present or planned products, and (iii) promotion of new products and business ideas based on sustainability aspects. A method suitable for most enterprises, irrespective of product type or background knowledge, has been sought. The MSPD includes: (1) a management tool which supports the user with information about, and instructions for applying, the method; (2) a flexible model for an integrated product development process, including checklist questions concerning traditional aspects of product development; (3) a modular system of guiding questions concerning aspects of sustainability, and (4) a prioritisation matrix for evaluation and choice of proposals in each product development phase. A MSPD prototype has been developed and tested in six small and medium- sized enterprises to study the usability of the basic structure of the method, and to obtain ideas for improvements and further development.

The Future of Electronic Commerce: A Shift from the EC Channel to Strategic Electronic Commerce

Abstract: Poor business performance and lost equity values have cast doubt for some on the future viability of electronic commerce. Most of this attention focuses on the EC channel, just one aspect of electronic commerce. The paper examines the effectiveness of the EC channel for seven types of products and infers that for four of them, the EC channel is unlikely to be the best way to sell and deliver goods and services. Much of the value to be had from this channel has already been captured and overinvestment in it may result in continued contraction. A more mature EC model, the Strategic Electronic Commerce Model (SECT, is proposed that provides a framework for balanced EC investments across the value chain and continued opportunities for EC investment. Crashing prices for technology-- related equities and the failure of many electronic commerce (EC) businesses have caused many to question the future of EC. In this paper I will examine the popular notion of EC and will draw some inferences about its future. Then I will propose a more complete EC model, the Strategic Electronic Commerce Model (SECM) that can serve as a basis for continuing investment in information technology to improve the effectiveness of the firm. THE EC CHANNEL: THE POPULAR DEFINITION OF EC. Since early 2001, the popular press has focused on failures of the "dot.com" companies, such as pets.com and Webvan.com, and the failure of many firms to make a transition from early loss-taking, designed to enable them to achieve dominating market shares, to profit-making maturity. The focus on "dot.com" firms to define EC implicitly defines EC in terms of selling products and services using the Internet. This is the "channel view of EC." In marketing literature, a channel consists of all of the means of bringing a product from the producer to the end user (Jobber 2001). The channel starts after the product has already been invented, designed and produced. Six major activities, information distribution and selling, ordertaking and negotiation, payment, delivery, and service define the channel view of EC. In this popular view, firms have been urged to "e-volve or die (Levy 2001)," as all transactions move toward the new, obviously superior, electronic medium. People who think that things like autos, electricity production, or real estate, are important are told that they are engaged in "old economy thinking (Connexus Resources, LLC 1999)." In the channel view of EC, firms may begin by using the Internet only for providing information about their products and services, but then they move toward a more mature position in which they perform all channel activities in the new media. It is important for them to continue to add activities until the entire transaction is handled over the Internet channel. Old economy businesses must reinvent themselves to become e-businesses or (more likely) upstart new EC companies will replace them. Is THE EC CHANNEL ALWAYS SUPERIOR? The EC channel is superior to prior existing channels in several respects, generating enthusiasm and optimistic expectations that it will displace the prior channels. It allows businesses to achieve immediate global scope. It allows firms to take advantage of economies of scale by consolidating global markets. It permits businesses to position themselves to serve tiny niche markets as such markets achieve sufficient scale with global scope. It allows customers to inexpensively search for the best product at the lowest price. It is immediate, faster, and more personal than other distribution channels. THE PROBLEM OF EXTRA TRANSACTION COSTS IN THE EC CHANNEL. Little attention has been focused on the EC channel's limitations. The EC channel is burdened with several types of higher costs. These include payment system limitations, delivery costs, returns costs, transaction repudiation, fraud, and product specification requirements. These higher costs may limit the universal application of the EC channel for every product type. …

The Impact of Product Type and Parity on the Informational Content of Advertising

Abstract: Issues regarding the factual information content of advertising messages under conditions of product parity and product type (i.e., goods vs. services) are reviewed and research propositions are offered. Data derived from content analysis of over 17,000 newspaper ads and 9800 TV ads were used to investigate the propositions’ validity. Regression analysis (p < .05) indicated that ads for intangible dominant products (i.e., services) and low parity products contain more factual information cues than their counterparts. When the two conditions are viewed together (i.e., parity and product type), analysis showed that parity influences factual informational content but not to the same degree as product tangibility. In essence, advertisers appear to be responding more to product type than to product parity prescriptions when it comes to including factual information in their ads.

Advertising content for the global audience: a research proposal

Abstract: This paper provides a theoretical framework for examining a global (standardized) versus specialized (adaptive) print advertising strategy for the global audience. Likelihood of standardization will depend upon the information content and emotional appeals conveyed in the advertisements. A research design is provided which may study and compare advertisements of identified product types and sponsors using content analysis. Development of a comparative frame of reference for competitive product positioning is explored as an alternative to direct comparative advertising.

The complexity of managing complexity

Abstract: SUBTITLE: MORE DISCRIMINATING CUSTOMERS ARE FORCING PROLIFERATION OF PRODUCT TYPES AND DEMANDING SERVICE THROUGH MORE CHANNELS THAN EVER. FOR SUPPLIERS, MANAGING SKU PROFUSION MEANS MORE THAN JUST TRIMMING FAT.

Modeling Coupon Values for Ready-To-Eat Breakfast Cereals

Abstract: A theoretical framework is developed to highlight the significant determinants of coupon values. A fixed effects panel data model is fitted with data from the breakfast cereal industry. The explanatory variables include own retail price, brand loyalty, brand market share, rival coupon redemptions, and firm and product type indicators.

Modeling Products for Versatile E-commerce Platforms - Essential Requirements and Generic Design Alternatives

Abstract: Electronic commerce (e-commerce) covers a wide range of business transactions. Usually, a transactions includes products, i.e. goods or services. Often, e-commerce websites are intended to offer a large variety of products, most of which are not fully recognized at the time when the system is constructed. Nevertheless, there is need to describe these products in an elaborated way in order to support prospective customers in finding adequate products. Since new product types may have to be registered on a daily basis, changing a data base schema or program code is no satisfactory option. Instead there is the need to register new product types during the run time of a system. In addition, the representation of product variants and the construction of individual product configurations should be possible. Current approaches to represent products do not fulfill these requirements to a satisfactory degree. The design of appropriate conceptual models requires to thoroughly differentiate between various levels of abstraction. This includes decisions to be made between instantiation, specialization and “uses” relationships. Against this background, the paper presents three prototypical design alternatives for versatile product representations. They vary in terms of flexibility, reusability and ease of use. The work presented in this paper resulted from the design of a reference model for e-commerce platforms.

Product Types and Supplier Roles in Product Development: An Exploratory Analysis

Abstract: Manufacturers today often strive towards early supplier involvement in product development. Yet, the research literature offers limited guidance on this issue to manufacturing companies and suppliers and often assumes a "one-size-fits-all" approach. In this paper, we empirically examine whether suppliers for different sourced products play distinctly different roles in product development, by analyzing survey data on a wide range of sourced automotive products. We use cluster analysis to identify four different groupings of sourced products, based on differences along three dimensions: the nature of the sourced products, their cost structures, and the nature of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-supplier interaction in product development. We further test the usefulness of our scheme via a set of validating variables that include both key decisions and output performance measures in the OEM-supplier interaction process. We identify critical systems as highly differentiating, high cost, highly complex systems, for which OEMs provide information to their suppliers largely through performance specifications and involve suppliers early in product development. In contrast, hidden components are less differentiating, low cost, simple components that are defined primarily via physical specifications, whose suppliers are involved later in product development. Invisible subassemblies are non-differentiating, moderately costly, moderately complex systems whose suppliers are provided information via a mix of performance specifications and detailed physical dimensions. Finally, simple differentiators are highly differentiating, moderately costly, simple assemblies or components. We discuss the implications of our study for managing differential supplier roles in product development.

Distribution managing system

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distribution managing system capable of moderating a inventory quantity of a product in a distribution base SOLUTION: A plurality of types of products accepted from a plurality of manufacturers are classified by a lot type by integrating as a lot product containing a predetermined quantity of products in accordance with a lot organization set for every product type, and are stored The lot product is selectively collected depending on a product shipping specification, and are shipped to a dealer At that time, a quantity of the shipped lot products is managed by the product type (a shipping managing means), a reasonable inventory quantity of each product is obtained in accordance with an order quantity and/or a demand forecasted quantity of each product (an inventory quantity setting means), and the inventory quantity of the product is adjusted by adjusting the lot organization to the product and an order for the product in accordance with the reasonable inventory quantity and a shipped quantity of each product COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

An apparatus for manufacturing optical components

Abstract: An integrated system for manufacturing optical devices is disclosed. The system uses product recipes that are stored in a database. The product recipes were derived from desired product characteristics, material characteristics of the components used to manufacture the product, related viscosity modeling information, and the theoretical operating set point of the manufacturing system. The manufacturing system (50) is programmed to operate according to a theoretical operating set point. To account for material and manufacturing system (50) variances, optical monitoring (350) and feedback is employed to adjust the product's characteristics during the draw process. Devices that are out of tolerance despite the use of feedback are measured and compared to other product types. If they fall within the specification range of another product type, they are reclassified and re-binned instead of being scrapped.