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This paper presents a conceptualization of brand extension attributes that emerge when consumers evaluate brand extensions. These emergent attributes are unique in the extension product category and thus represent potential points of leverage for the brand. An empirical study was conducted to show the utility of these attributes in influencing consumers’ responses. Consumers were allowed to write their thoughts as they evaluated fictitious extensions of four actual brands. The results indicate that when emergent attributes are formed, they appear to influence consumers’ attitudes toward brand extensions. Unlike previous findings that have suggested that good fit is necessary to ensure extension success, the results indicate that the influence of emergent attributes on consumer attitudes increases as the brand’s fit with the extension decreases.

A survey was conducted in a large US metropolitan area of the West. The objective of the study was to determine if loyalty cards issued by supermarkets are actually associated with customer loyalty and how loyalty cards compare with other factors that retailers could use to enhance supermarket loyalty. The results indicate that loyalty cards are not associated with supermarket loyalty. Frequent users of loyalty cards are more likely to shop at different stores and use loyalty cards from several stores. The consumer respondents indicated that there are a number of factors other than having a supermarket loyalty card that would be more likely to increase their loyalty to any one supermarket. Besides confirming the universally accepted belief that consumers would be more loyal to conveniently located supermarkets, the respondents identified a few other factors that would enhance their supermarket loyalty such as stores that offer fast check‐out lanes. Loyalty factors were cluster analyzed into three categories, those most important, those least important, and those of moderate importance.

Develops a classification or typology of the sports fan. Specifically, contends that five different types of sports fans exist: temporary, local, devoted, fanatical, and dysfunctional. The need exists to identify the different types of fans due to the inadequacies of past theories to explain the totality of fan behavior. The usefulness of the typology is demonstrated by offering specific segmentation strategies for each classification. Finally, directions for future research are presented.

The purpose of this article is to introduce the ESRC's Growing Older Programme and to outline some of the challenges it is facing. I will also put the Programme in context so that its aims, ambitions and potential can be understood. The article opens with a few words about the demographic pressures that overarch this programme and which were influential in its conception.

Douglas Naismith, 24, has been appointed technical representative by Butinox Timber Finishes Ltd.

When comparing and contrasting features of the public service sector with those of the private service sector, the differences between the notions of customer and citizen, notable in the past, are now blurring. Whilst acknowledging the important differences that exist between the two service sectors, the authors seek to address the recent structural changes in the public service sector that aim to adopt best practices taken from the private into the public sector. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the important differences in public and private service delivery processes; with an emphasis on the need for improved definitions.

The literature reviews undertaken were qualitative synthesis in nature. Content analysis was undertaken and applied in reviewing 39 literature of sub‐fields of public and private service delivery, published in English‐speaking peer‐reviewed journals.

Based on the literature review, a promising approach for public sector productivity might be the disaggregated approach. Such an approach, focusing on the output components at a tactical level, could alleviate the problems related to public service productivity measurement (i.e. the problem of output definition). In particular, it could help define outputs at the operative level. Such measures could then percolate up to the strategic level (by aggregating the operative level results). Clearly this remains an interesting challenge for the productivity and performance management discipline and worthy of greater examination.

The authors compared and contrasted appropriate performance and productivity tools and highlight the challenges in adopting performance and productivity measures in the public sector in an attempt to become more efficient and effective. Until greater understanding is gained, there is little likelihood of successfully transferring models of productivity and performance management between the sectors or the development of appropriate models.

To date, there has been inadequate attention given to identifying, comparing and contrasting the significant differences between the organisations that deliver the public funded services and those in the commercial private services sector. This work highlights specific areas for future research.

Describes a unit which has been produced to provide accurate independent position checks on robots or other controlled mechanisms which may suffer impact, interference or may drift from program path during unsupervised repetitive work. Significant variation in presetting the range is available. Outlines how the system, an optical non‐contact mechanism, works. Concludes with future planned developments of the unit.