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Article
Publication date: 9 August 2011

Stephanie Kirchhoff, Heather Smyth, Jessica Sanderson, Yasmina Sultanbawa and Katrina Gething

The purpose of this study is to illustrate how means‐end chain theory can inform communications that effectively convey the health messages of vegetable consumption to various…

3034

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to illustrate how means‐end chain theory can inform communications that effectively convey the health messages of vegetable consumption to various publics.

Design/methodology/approach

Laddering interviews were conducted with 61 participants who consumed at least two serves of vegetables a day and were responsible in part or whole for shopping in their household. A means‐end chain value map was then constructed using mecanalyst software.

Findings

Using means‐end theory, an example communications strategy was developed from the dominant chain. The health and wellness features that respondents associated with vegetables were “freshness”, a “source of vitamins and minerals”, and “high nutritional value”. In the mind of the consumer, these features were linked to the benefit concept “maintain energy and vitality”, which in turn was connected to the consequence “maintain an active life”. The end‐states or goals participants ultimately connected to the health and wellness features of vegetables were that of “enjoy life” and “achieve goals”.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited in so far as subjects who consume less than two serves of vegetables are not recruited for this study.

Practical implications

It is suggested that social marketing initiatives designed to increase vegetable consumption may base messages on health‐related values or end‐states of being to resonate more effectively with consumers.

Social implications

High vegetable consumption is associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease. Effective strategies designed to increase vegetable consumption amongst populations may reduce the burden on health systems.

Originality/value

This study illustrates how consumers' cognitive processes can inform social marketing communications.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 113 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2023

Stephanie Halbrügge, Paula Heess, Paul Schott and Martin Weibelzahl

The purpose of this paper is to examine how active consumers, i.e. consumers that can inter-temporally shift their load, can influence electricity prices. As demonstrated in this…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how active consumers, i.e. consumers that can inter-temporally shift their load, can influence electricity prices. As demonstrated in this paper, inter-temporal load shifting can induce negative electricity prices, a recurring phenomenon on power exchanges.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a novel electricity-market model assuming a nodal-pricing, energy-only spot market with active consumers. This study formulates an economic equilibrium problem as a linear program and uses an established six-node case study to compare equilibrium prices of a model with inflexible demand to a model with flexible demand of active consumers.

Findings

This study illustrates that temporal coupling of hourly market clearing through load shifting of active consumers can cause negative electricity prices that are not observed in a model with ceteris paribus inflexible demand. In such situations, where compared to the case of inflexible demand more flexibility is available in the system, negative electricity prices signal lower total system costs. These negative prices result from the use of demand flexibility, which, however, cannot be fully exploited due to limited transmission capacities, respectively, loop-flow restrictions.

Originality/value

Literature indicates that negative electricity prices result from lacking flexibility. The results illustrate that active consumers and their additional flexibility can lead to negative electricity prices in temporally coupled markets, which in general contributes to increased system efficiency as well as increased use of renewable energy sources. These findings extend existing research in both the area of energy flexibility and causes for negative electricity prices. Therefore, policymakers should be aware of such (temporal coupling) effects and, e.g. continue to allow negative electricity prices in the future that can serve as investment signals for active consumers.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2009

Stephanie A. Macht and John Robinson

Entrepreneurial businesses often face financial and experiential gaps, which can constrain their growth. Business angels (BAs) can provide sources of financial, human and social…

3636

Abstract

Purpose

Entrepreneurial businesses often face financial and experiential gaps, which can constrain their growth. Business angels (BAs) can provide sources of financial, human and social capital to overcome these gaps. Building on the work by Munck and Saublens, this paper aims to introduce a framework that seeks to provide a detailed understanding of the benefits that BAs can bring to the firms in which they invest.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to obtain a detailed understanding of the benefits that BAs bring to their investee companies, semi‐structured, in‐depth telephone interviews were conducted from an investee perspective. The key managers of nine angel‐funded companies were purposefully selected and the transcribed interviews analysed with the help of common qualitative analysis techniques.

Findings

According to investee managers, BAs provide benefits in all four areas of the proposed framework. Specifically, BAs: help overcome funding gaps; fill knowledge/experience gaps through provision of their own expertise and involvement; provide a wide range of contacts and leverage further funding, including their own follow‐on finance.

Research limitations/implications

The anonymous nature of the BA market requires convenience sampling, which, in addition to the small sample size used, does not allow for generalisability. The use of telephone interviews instead of face‐to‐face interviews did not allow for observation of non‐verbal cues. Nevertheless, the study identified various areas in need of further research.

Originality/value

In‐depth interview data enabled a detailed exploration of the financial and non‐financial benefits of BA funding from an under‐utilised investee perspective. The paper's main value, however, lies in establishing the usefulness of a framework showing BAs' benefits in a structured manner.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

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