1,720,977 research outputs found
Consumers’ propensity for rollover service contracts: the influences of perceived value, convenience and trust on service loyalty
No full textRollover contracts are becoming increasingly commonplace in a range of service markets. Such contracts automatically renew for a further term when a contractual period comes to an end. Rollover contracts represent a unique form of loyalty, because a consumer who signs a rollover contract at the time of initial purchase, signals a commitment to stay loyal to the firm before they have even experienced the service delivery. Prior studies of automatic renewal have predominantly been undertaken in the domain of consumer economics, and the psychological dimension of buyer decision making has yet to be explored. The desire for convenience was found to have the strongest influence on consumers’ propensity for rollover service contracts. Additionally, trust as a mediator of reputation, and perceived value also influence consumers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions for selecting these products. It is concluded that service providers should ensure that consumers recognize that there is an element of reciprocity which is mutually beneficial to both parties in the provision of such contracts.</p
New structured knowledge network for strategic decision-making in IT innovative and implementable projects
Full text linkThis study investigates the development of a structured knowledge network model in information technology (IT) innovative and implementable projects to facilitate knowledge sharing and transfer in a multi-organization context. The study employs a practice-based perspective by using an exploratory case study approach and a combination of thematic analysis and comparative analysis to analyze the data across public organizations, private organizations, and international companies. The results identify organizational factors and their influence on knowledge channels and knowledge networks. The study contributes to organizational, administrative and knowledge management theories regarding organizational strategy, organizational culture, organizational capacity, knowledge network externalities, knowledge network intermediaries, and knowledge network infrastructures
A knowledge chain management framework to support integrated decisions in global supply chains
No full textKnowledge management has been identified as a key enabler to achieve organisation’s value chain competitiveness. It, however, has been facing fresh challenges in a global supply chain setting. This paper proposes a global knowledge chain management (GKCM) framework that identifies and prioritises critical knowledge that a global supply chain can focus on to support integrated decisions. The framework explores three types of global context knowledge, namely global market knowledge, global capacity knowledge and global supply network configuration knowledge. Empirical study has been undertaken within the manufacturing industry to evaluate the GKCM framework. Analytic network process has been explored as a key method to assess the importance of the global knowledge constructs from supply chain managers’ perspectives. A key contribution of the paper is that it advances existing knowledge chain management approaches within one organisation and its local supply chain to include the global context knowledge applicable to global manufacturing settings, and highlights how the GKCM framework can support global supply chain integrated decision
Using competing models to evaluate the role of environmental pressures in ecommerce adoption by small and medium sized travel agents in a developing country
Full text linkThis study investigates the factors that influence e-commerce adoption in SME travel agents in a developing country. The research is based upon a questionnaire survey of travel agents in Egypt and employs advanced statistical techniques to test a conceptual framework that extends the technology acceptance model. Using competing models the study examines the relationship between e-commerce adoption, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and environmental pressures. The results indicate that environmental pressures significantly affect the perceived benefits and barriers of e-commerce adoption, in addition to having an indirect effect on adoption behaviour. Insights are provided into the nature of relationships between the key factors that determine e-commerce adoption and the extent to which they can be used to develop effective strategies for SME travel agent re-intermediation in the global travel market. Implications are identified for practice and government policy in relation to the use of e-commerce in SME travel businesses in developing countries
A decision-focused knowledge management framework to support collaborative decision making for lean supply chain management
No full textLean supply chain management is a relatively new concept resulting from the integration of lean philosophy into supply chain management. Decision making in a lean supply chain context is challenging because of the complexity, dynamics, and uncertainty inherent to both supply networks and the types of waste (defined as any processes, including use of resources, which do not add value to customers). Efficient knowledge management has been identified as one of the key requirements to achieve integrated support for lean supply chain decisions. This paper proposes a decision-focused knowledge framework including a multi-layer knowledge model (to capture the know-why and know-with together with the know-what and know-how), a knowledge matrix for knowledge elicitation, and a decision tree for the design of the knowledge base. A knowledge system for lean supply chain management (KSLSCM) has been developed using artificial intelligence system shells VisiRule and Flex. The KSLSCM has five core components: a supply chain decision network manager, a waste elimination knowledge base, a knowledge refinement module, an inference engine, and a decision justifier. The knowledge framework and the KSLSCM have been evaluated through an industrial decision case. It has been demonstrated through the KSLSCM that the decision-focused knowledge framework can provide efficient and effective support for collaborative decision making in supply chain waste elimination
Consumer Responses to Conflict-Management Strategies on Non-Profit Social Media Fan Pages
Full text linkPast research has demonstrated that consumer-to-consumer (C2C) conflicts, heredefined as uncivil social interactions between consumers, can have a negative impact onconsumers’ engagement in social media fan pages (SMFPs). Little is known, however, abouthow best to manage such conflicts, and this is particularly true in the non-profit context. Thispaper follows a mixed-method approach in order to address this research gap. Study 1 uses anetnography of a non-profit organization (NPO) to examine how it manages C2C conflicts onits SMFP. Five different conflict-management strategies are identified: non-engaging,censoring, bolstering, educating, and mobilizing. These findings inform Study 2, an onlineexperiment to test how different strategies affect consumers’ attitudes towards the conflictmanagementapproach itself and towards the NPO’s social responsibility. Study 2 also accountsfor the moderating effect of the conflict content, differentiating between whether a conflictrelates to a consumer’s self-benefit or the benefit to others. Our results offer insights forpractitioners into preferable content management strategies when consumers engage indifferent types of conflict on social media platforms
Determinants of Corporate Sustainability Message Sharing on Social Media: A configuration approach
Full text linkWith an increasing number of consumers receiving information on social media, companies have adopted these channels to communicate their sustainability efforts. Digital channels enable reaching large audiences in a short period of time, and engaging consumers in message sharing activities to reap those rewards has its own challenges. Companies need to understand what increases sharing of their sustainability messages, but they must be mindful of not overstating their sustainability efforts which may be perceived as greenwashing. The Information Adoption Model is used to assess how message information quality and source credibility affect sharing of corporate sustainability messages. A fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis is conducted on a survey of UK social media users (n= 527). Results show that dimensions of information quality and source credibility act in combination to influence sustainability message sharing. The study informs managers what to stress in social media message planning to facilitate effective sustainability communications
Bullying and harassment and work-related stressors: Evidence from British small and medium enterprises
Full text linkThis article examines the relationship between work-related stressors and bullying and harassment in British small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Using representative data from a national survey on employment rights and experiences (Fair Treatment at Work) this research identifies that bullying and harassment is just as prevalent in British SMEs as in larger organizations. Drawing upon the Management Standards of the Health and Safety Executive a number of significant relationships with bullying and harassment are established. Work demands placed upon employees are positively related to bullying and harassment behaviours, whilst autonomy, manager support, peer support, and clarity of role are negatively associated with such behaviours. The study considers implications for human resource practices in SMEs and the risks of informal attitudes to these work-related stressors in contemporary workplaces are discussed
Older Shopper Types from Store Image Factors
Full text linkThis study aims to characterise the older shopper by exploring unobserved heterogeneity within the segment and developing an older shopper typology from an empirically derived store image scale. Store attribute theory informed a two-stage research design. Firstly, a ‘pool’ of salient store attributes was identified through in-depth interviews. Scales were then developed and quantitatively tested using data collected through a household postal survey. Seven store image factors emerged, forming the basis of the typology. Five clusters were subsequently profiled using behavioural and demographic variables: Prudent neutrals, All-Round demanders, Reluctant casuals, Demanding sociables, and Affluent utilitarians. A discussion of the resultant classification's utility in terms of retail strategy, including opportunities for better targeting through adjustment of the retail offer, is presented. This study develops a store image scale that reflects the importance of store choice decisions of older shoppers, extending store image research by providing contemporary insights into the requirements of older shoppers in a changing retail environment
Developing effective social media messages:Insights from an exploratory study of industry experts
Full text linkAs consumers are increasingly utilizing the social network and media platforms for prepurchase information, managers are confronted with producing effective social media messages that can favorably influence buyers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions towards brands. A qualitative, in-depth, elite interview investigation with social media marketing experts was undertaken to develop awareness of the factors influencing the effectiveness of social media marketing. Adopting a thematic analysis approach, this study establishes the three overriding themes of interactivity, credibility, and infotainment as being valuable in determining how social media marketing can enhance brand performance. Attitude theory and the hierarchy-of-effects model is utilized to support understanding and explain the decision making of social media users in this context. Overall, this study provides managers with a thorough explanation of the effects of the identified core themes on social media attitudes and intentions. Implications for social media marketing theory and practice are presented based upon the depth and breadth of knowledge attained from the analysis of the expert interview data.</p
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