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Article
Publication date: 10 August 2010

H. Dagdougui, E. Garbolino, O. Paladino and R. Sacile

The purpose of this paper is the definition and the implementation of a simplified mathematical model to estimate the hazard and the risk related to the use of high‐pressurized…

1028

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the definition and the implementation of a simplified mathematical model to estimate the hazard and the risk related to the use of high‐pressurized hydrogen pipeline.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to investigate the effects of different hydrogen operations conditions and to tackle with different release or failure scenarios. Based on the combination of empirical relations and analytical models, this paper sets the basis for suitable models for consequence analysis in terms of estimating fire length and of predicting its thermal radiation. The results are compared either with experimental data available in the literature, thus by setting the same operations and failure conditions, or with other conventional gaseous fuel currently used.

Findings

The findings show that the release rate increasingly varies according to the supply pressure. Regarding the effect of the hole diameter, it hugely affects the amount of hydrogen escaping from the leak, up to a value of approximately 0.3 m, after which the release rate remains fixed at a maximum of 43 Kg/s. For failure consequences related to jet flame, the leak dimension has a strength impact on the flame length.

Originality/value

This paper represents a helpful engineering tool, to establish the safety requirements that are related to define adequate safety buffer zones for the hydrogen pipeline in order to ensure safety to people, as well the environment.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2009

Emmanuel Blanchard, Adrian Sandu and Corina Sandu

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new computational approach for parameter estimation in the Bayesian framework. A posteriori probability density functions are obtained…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new computational approach for parameter estimation in the Bayesian framework. A posteriori probability density functions are obtained using the polynomial chaos theory for propagating uncertainties through system dynamics. The new method has the advantage of being able to deal with large parametric uncertainties, non‐Gaussian probability densities and nonlinear dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The maximum likelihood estimates are obtained by minimizing a cost function derived from the Bayesian theorem. Direct stochastic collocation is used as a less computationally expensive alternative to the traditional Galerkin approach to propagate the uncertainties through the system in the polynomial chaos framework.

Findings

The new approach is explained and is applied to very simple mechanical systems in order to illustrate how the Bayesian cost function can be affected by the noise level in the measurements, by undersampling, non‐identifiablily of the system, non‐observability and by excitation signals that are not rich enough. When the system is non‐identifiable and an a priori knowledge of the parameter uncertainties is available, regularization techniques can still yield most likely values among the possible combinations of uncertain parameters resulting in the same time responses than the ones observed.

Originality/value

The polynomial chaos method has been shown to be considerably more efficient than Monte Carlo in the simulation of systems with a small number of uncertain parameters. This is believed to be the first time the polynomial chaos theory has been applied to Bayesian estimation.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 26 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 July 2022

Gary Mortimer, Martin Grimmer, Louise Grimmer, Shasha Wang and Jin Su

The “off-price” retailing concept is defined as the presentation of limited inventories of products in a “disorganised” retail environment which provides an extra level of…

Abstract

Purpose

The “off-price” retailing concept is defined as the presentation of limited inventories of products in a “disorganised” retail environment which provides an extra level of “challenge” to the shopping experience. Research has identified “off-price” shoppers as those who approach this challenging experience in a purposeful, task-driven way. This current research contributes new knowledge by testing the impact of antecedents (i.e. involvement) on the “off-price” shopper experience and the moderating role of national culture across two distinct cultural groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via a self-completed, anonymous, online survey provided to a sample of Australian (n = 355) and Chinese (n = 400) shoppers who were identified as regularly shopping for fashion in “off-price” retail stores.

Findings

The research found that the consumer's level of involvement positively impacted their “off-price” shopping experience in terms of effort/mastery and pride. However, in contrast to current knowledge of East-Asian and Western cultural variances, limited moderation effects were identified. All national cultural dimensions interacted with product involvement in influencing consumer pride. Whilst product involvement decreased with pride in higher individualism, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation and indulgence cultures, these reversed in cultures with a lower score in these four dimensions.

Originality/value

This new research extends knowledge of “off-price” shopper behaviour by testing the levels of involvement and experience across two distinctly different cultures – East Asian and Western – and challenges existing knowledge of cultural variances. Further, the work extends the use of achievement goal theory as an approach to delineate these consumers from other cohorts.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 50 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2017

Vaughan Reimers, Bryce Magnuson and Fred Chao

Academic research and consumer polls often report strong consumer support for environmentally responsible products (ERPs), and yet the proportion of sales they account for is…

2355

Abstract

Purpose

Academic research and consumer polls often report strong consumer support for environmentally responsible products (ERPs), and yet the proportion of sales they account for is often comparatively small. The purpose of this paper is to address one of the purported reasons behind this “attitude-behaviour gap” by measuring the influence of six relatively untested factors on consumer attitudes towards environmentally responsible clothing (ERC).

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a consumer household sample. It also used a quantitative survey approach to collect its data and structural equation modelling to analyse it.

Findings

Of the six factors, four were found to have a significant influence on consumer attitudes: altruism, status enhancement, perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE) and happiness.

Originality/value

Altruism, environmental concern, PCE and self-identity have consistently featured in other environmental contexts, but less so in the specific context of ERC. Happiness and status enhancement have yet to appear in any study relating to the purchase of ERPs.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 November 2019

Yusra Jamil Memon, Sarwar M. Azhar, Raheela Haque and Niaz Ahmed Bhutto

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between subjective norms (SNs), attitude (ATT) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in predicting intention to…

2423

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between subjective norms (SNs), attitude (ATT) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in predicting intention to choose halal-labeled products. Additionally, this research is an attempt to address the moderating influence of religiosity (RG) on relationship between theory of planned behavior constructs and halal purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a survey. To find the factors that affect purchase intentions of Pakistani consumers regarding halal purchase intention partial least squares (PLS) path modeling has been used in the study.

Findings

The results state that TBP constructs, i.e. (ATT and PBC) have significant and positive and influence over halal purchase intentions. However, SN did not have positive and significant influence over halal purchase intention. Furthermore, no moderation effect of RG could be found in this study. Findings suggest that RG has not moderated the relationship between TBP constructs and halal purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

This study has incorporated three antecedents of TBP. However, extended theory of planned behavior can also be tested to predict influence on consumer halal purchase intentions in Pakistan. Moreover, other variables, e.g. country of origin can also be added to examine the moderation effect on TBP constructs and halal purchase intention.

Originality/value

This research identifies the rationale behind internally perceived factors that influence purchasing halal product, it further adds to an understanding of content specific (halal products) purchase intention. The practical implications include the possible approaches that managers need to address while promoting Halal labels and this will influence marketing strategies in general and communications specifically.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 11 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2020

Matti Haverila, Kai Haverila and Jenny Carita Twyford

Relying on importance–performance theory, this paper uses a distinctive statistical analysis instrument to investigate the importance and performance of crucial wine tasting room…

Abstract

Purpose

Relying on importance–performance theory, this paper uses a distinctive statistical analysis instrument to investigate the importance and performance of crucial wine tasting room constructs and indicators with a purpose to make real and tangible recommendations for wine tasting room managers to improve the winery visit experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The surveys (N = 402) were conducted among 14 wineries in British Columbia, Canada. The data was analysed by using partial least squares structural equation modelling software SmartPLS with importance–performance functionality embedded in it.

Findings

The findings indicate the importance and performance of the service quality constructs, assurance, empathy, reliability, responsiveness, and tangibility and their respective indicator variables in importance–performance map analysis (IPMA). The responsiveness construct showed the highest need for improvement in terms of performance of exogenous service quality constructs in wine tasting rooms. Empathy, value for money and reliability constructs got “no change” recommendation and “tangibility” and “education” recommendation. The assurance construct was not significantly related to customer satisfaction and was not included in the IPMA analysis.

Originality/value

The approach provides an easy to use and visual tool for wineries to assess the importance and performance of the various service quality elements. The tool provides the management of wineries guidance for the identification of strategic areas of service quality improvement.

Article
Publication date: 13 April 2012

Luu Trong Tuan

This investigation into consumer goods manufacturing companies in Vietnam seeks to discern if such constructs as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics act as…

2020

Abstract

Purpose

This investigation into consumer goods manufacturing companies in Vietnam seeks to discern if such constructs as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics act as antecedents for brand performance with the mediating role of integrated performance measures.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 387 responses reverted from self‐administered structured questionnaires despatched to 1,452 middle level managers were dissected via ANOVAs and structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

From the findings emerged the interconnections between ethics of justice and legal CSR/economic CSR. Ethics of care, on the other hand, tends to nourish ethical CSR, which in turn positively impact performance measurement integratedness. The findings also paved the path from performance measurement integratedness to high brand performance.

Originality/value

From the results of the study, the insight into the interconnection pattern of brand performance and its antecedents highlights the magnitude of CSR and ethics training program as well as the adoption of integrated performance metrics in optimizing brand performance in consumer goods manufacturers in the Vietnamese market.

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2022

Johan Bruwer and Justin Cohen

Craft beer (CB) has gained prominence in the on-premise trade in the USA, which has become the world’s largest market for CB. Academically based research in the hospitality domain…

Abstract

Purpose

Craft beer (CB) has gained prominence in the on-premise trade in the USA, which has become the world’s largest market for CB. Academically based research in the hospitality domain examining consumer behavioral psychology-based constructs in the situational consumption context of restaurants has, however, not kept pace with market reality. This study aims to examine how product involvement, knowledge, opinion leadership-seeking, risk perception, information processing and their interactions affect consumption of CB by consumers in the situational context of restaurants in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A national sample of 697 consumers from across the USA covering all categories of restaurants, including bars, pubs and brewpubs, informs the development of a structural equation model (SEM) of the motivational process to examine these effects. In the process, the authors validate latent construct measurement scales specific to CB consumption in the restaurant environment.

Findings

The results support main hypotheses confirming the existence of distinct motivational relationships, thus explicating the processes by which consumers’ CB product involvement, product knowledge, opinion leadership-seeking and risk perception are activated, influence one another and their subsequent information processing-related outcomes. The findings also confirm the unstable nature of the situational involvement construct, the stability of enduring involvement and the pivotal role of psychological risk on opinion leadership and opinion seeking as well as on other antecedents. As far as the interaction effects between the constructs are concerned, the authors confirm five mediating effects and one moderating effect.

Practical implications

Strategies should be developed by hospitality managers to identify consumers with higher enduring involvement with CB. Strategies should also be implemented that mitigate psychological, social and functional risk. The insights into the motivational relationships pertaining to CB consumption in restaurants should be integrated into drinks menu design and be considered in how service staff are trained.

Originality/value

This research provides nuanced insights from a motivational perspective of consumers in the situational context of restaurants from a holistic and consumer-centric behavioral psychology perspective providing deepened insights of focal behavioral psychology constructs and their roles in the hospitality domain.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2017

Naser Valaei and S.R. Nikhashemi

The advent of media and technology has led to growing inclination among Generation Y (Gen-Y) consumers towards diverse fashion influences and they tend to dress either to fit in…

21063

Abstract

Purpose

The advent of media and technology has led to growing inclination among Generation Y (Gen-Y) consumers towards diverse fashion influences and they tend to dress either to fit in with their peers or to articulate self-identity and conform to the society. This trend has become a fashion dilemma and the purpose of this paper is to leverage on this matter by investigating the factors influencing the Gen-Y consumers’ attitude and purchase intention towards fashion apparel.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 250 respondents is used to assess the measurement and structural models, by applying a partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach.

Findings

The results indicate that brand and self-identity are the factors that most shape Gen-Y consumers’ attitudes towards fashion apparel. Furthermore, brand, style, price, and social identity are the most influential factors of Gen-Y consumers’ purchase intention for fashion apparels. The findings also show that style, price, country of origin, and social identity are not relevant to Gen-Y consumers’ attitudes towards fashion apparel, and that country of origin and self-identity do not have any relationship with the Gen-Y consumers’ purchase intention.

Originality/value

This study is among the few attempts to investigate the Gen-Y consumers’ buying behaviour of fashion apparel based on the theory of planned behaviour, optimal distinctiveness theory, and social identity theory. PLS-multi-group analysis reveals that age, gender, and income are moderating variables of several proposed structural relationships.

Details

Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1361-2026

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 October 2013

Sarah Gardiner, Debra Grace and Ceridwyn King

The purpose of this paper is to explore congruency between the self-identity of Baby Boomer, Generation X and Generation Y consumers with the generational label and popularised…

3468

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore congruency between the self-identity of Baby Boomer, Generation X and Generation Y consumers with the generational label and popularised identity of each generational cohort.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a mixed methods approach of focus groups (n=49) followed by an online survey (n=627) of Baby Boomer, Generation X and Generation Y consumers. Focus group data were thematically analysed. Descriptive, ANOVA and factor analysis was conducted on the survey data.

Findings

The results show that most consumers only have a vague association with their generational label and profile and find it easier to characterise generations that are different to their own. Generation self-identity congruency is greater among members of the Baby Boomer cohort compared to the younger generations. Yet, even in the Baby Boomer cohort, generational identity is not homogenous among its members.

Practical implications

The results challenge the explicit use of generational labels and stereotypes in marketing strategy.

Originality/value

Given the immense interest and application of generational cohort segmentation, understanding whether and why consumers identify with cohort labels and profiles is critical. The paper questions the longevity of generational cohort analysis given the limited understanding and relevance of this concept to consumers.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

1 – 10 of 289