Showing papers on "Quality (business) published in 1984"

A Service Quality Model and its Marketing Implications

Abstract: Proposes to develop a service quality model, based on test of a sample of business executives, which describes how the quality of services is perceived by customers. Looks at its marketing implications, in which functional quality is seen to be a very important dimension of a perceived service. Concludes that quality dimensions are interrelated and that the importance of image should be recognised.

Advertising as a Signal

Abstract: A great deal of advertising appears to convey no direct credible information about product qualities. Nevertheless, such advertising may indirectly signal quality if there exist market mechanisms that produce a positive relationship between product quality and advertising expenditures. Two models of this phenomenon are presented. In each, advertising signals quality in the short run. The models differ in their treatment of the effect of advertising on long-run sales. In the first, all high-quality firms ultimately establish reputations for high quality whether they advertise or not. This is shown to imply that advertising can signal quality if and only if high-quality production requires investments in specialized assets that increase fixed costs but not marginal costs. In the second model, where nonadvertising firms never acquire a reputation for high quality, advertising might signal quality even if marginal production costs are somewhat lower for low quality. These conclusions closely parallel argument...

Reputation and product quality

Abstract: This article considers the role of reputation in a competitive market where product quality is unobservable. It is shown, among other things, that there can exist equilibria where price is equal to average cost but greater than marginal cost. No. firm cuts its price because this would make it more profitable to produce low- rather than high-quality goods; consumers are aware of this and would not buy its products.

Quality without tears

Abstract: Every word to utter from the writer involves the element of this life. The writer really shows how the simple words can maximize how the impression of this book is uttered directly for the readers. Even you have known about the content of quality without tears so much, you can easily do it for your better connection. In delivering the presence of the book concept, you can find out the boo site here.

Quality without tears : the art of hassle-free management

Abstract: Now available in trade paperback, this mega-seller brings the timeless message of "the leading evangelist of quality" (as Time called Philip Crosby) to an ever-widening audience Drawing on quality lessons learned from hundreds of corporate and government clients and presenting them through practical step-by-step guidance, Crosby shows managers at all levels how to build quality into all aspects of their operations

Resale Price Maintenance and Quality Certification

Abstract: Resale price maintenance (RPM) has been applied to a number of products that do not seem to require tangible presale dealer services. This article explains why RPM might exist in these instances. We show that RPM will be adopted when a manufacturer wishes to "purchase" quality or style certification from reputable dealers. We demonstrate that manufacturers will desire to adopt RPM even when they are permitted to shape the set of stores handling their products through refusals to deal. Although we do not claim that this is the only explanation of RPM, we nevertheless believe that our explanation has wide applicability.

The Concept of Quality and the Efficiency of Markets for Consumer Products

Abstract: Can consumers trust prices to be good quality indicators? Previous studies based on quality data from Consumer Reports have indicated that the relation of price to overall quality is quite weak. This paper demonstrates that these studies are methodologically invalid by showing that the concept of overall quality has many dimensions. To what extent do inefficient variants occur in the market? Previous studies have suggested that there is a considerable degree of inefficiency in the market. Alternative calculations imply that inefficient variants are in fact frequent, but that the loss to consumers is much lower than previously suggested.

Ease of use: a system design challenge

Abstract: While it is becoming increasingly obvious that the fundamental architecture of a system has a profound Influence on the quality of its human factors, the vast majority of human factors studies concern the surface of hardware (keyboards, screens) or the very surface of the software (command names, menu formats). In this paper, we discuss human factors and system architecture. We offer best-guess guidelines for what a system should be like and how it should be developed. In addition, we suggest ways in which advances in research and education could result in systems with better human factors. This paper is based on an address by L. M. Branscomb and a publication by the authors in the Proceedings of the IFIP 9th World Computer Congress, Paris, France, September 19-23, 1983.

A survey of the quantitative approaches to country risk analysis

Abstract: The growth of lending to LDCs has been accompanied by attempts to measure risks in such lending. These attempts have concentrated on devising systems which would give an early indication of potential debt servicing difficulties. They are now more commonly called country risk analyses. This paper outlines the development of the study of country risk, concentrating on the contribution of statistical studies. A review of the major studies shows them to contain serious shortcomings with respect to their definition of the dependent variable, the quality and availability of data, specification of models, appropriateness of statistical procedures, and the ability to adequately forecast debt servicing difficulties based on the analysis of past experience.

A Hedonic Price Model for Rough Rice Bid/Acceptance Markets

Abstract: Several quality factors are important in valuing rough rice. This paper first evaluates the ability of federal grades to explain these factors. Second, the discounts associated with various quality factors are estimated. Finally, the factors affecting acceptance of a bid are investigated. The results indicate grades are useful but inadequate in explaining observed quality differentials. The major quality factor in determining price was head yield. Stinkbug damage was the most important quality factor of those that producers could control. The probability of acceptance increased with higher than expected bids, smaller lot sizes, more bidders, and as the marketing season progressed.

The Welfare Implications of Minimum Quality Standards

Abstract: Previous analysis of the social welfare implications of minimum quality standards has yielded no decisive results. In this paper the specific nature of consumer and producer responses to quality standards is incorporated into the analysis. Both consumer and producer gains are shown to be impossible when consumers can perceive quality before purchase, even if low quality produce is diverted to secondary markets. Standards unambiguously reduce net social benefits. The paper explores the possibility that minimum quality standards are a form of rent-seeking behavior.

On the economics of repeat buying

Abstract: This article presents a theory of such phenomena as coupons valid for the next purchase of a good and high initiation fees for clubs. In these cases the price of a nondurable good is lowered for second-time buyers. We show here that this can be explained by a model in which a monopolist sells a good, and the buyers are uncertain of their taste for the product but not of the quality of the product per se.

Some Economic Effects of Standards

Abstract: Standards may be used to increase market efficiency when markets fail. The market for standards, however, may fail since standards are a public good and producers and consumers may use standards to entrench or extend their market power. Using a sample of 252 products, standard usage was found to be a function of buyer and seller concentration, the importance of product quality for health and safety, the elasticity of demand, product complexity, research nd development (R & D) and advertising intensity and whether the product was a producer or consumer good. Standards affected product cost and price, the location of production and product availability.

Organizational Work and the Overall Quality of Life

Abstract: : This report offers formal definitions of the following terms: organizational work, quality of life, objective quality of life, perceived quality of life, and life domains. A two-facet typology for life quality indicators is based on distinctions between subjective vs. objective indicators and life as a whole vs. specific life domain indicators. Research and logical arguments suggesting that organizational work can influence overall life quality are reviewed, with special emphasis on research concerning the relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction. The possibility of applying results from this research to the task of improving life quality through changes in the work place is addressed.