The aim of the study is to identify factors influencing consumer behavior when purchasing apples of different origins, in order to leverage them for promoting a preference for domestic production in ...marketing communications. Secondary research involves an analysis of relevant scientific and expert literature. Primary research was conducted using a quantitative method. For this purpose, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to consumers. The results indicate that domestic consumers prefer apples, as two-thirds of the respondents buy apples 1 to 3 times a week. Apples are most commonly purchased in large supermarkets and markets. Taste, freshness, impact on health, product quality, and origin are considered the most important factors influencing the decision to buy apples. Price, the presence of an organic certificate, as well as the desire to support local producers, have varying effects on consumers. Consumers who prefer imported apples often cite their better availability and appearance. Domestic consumers often lack sufficient knowledge about different apple varieties, and their choice is often made on the spot or the variety is not crucial in their purchase decision. It is possible to increase the share of domestic apples in the overall market realization primarily by raising awareness and highlighting the advantages of domestic apples. Similarly, improving availability in supermarkets and diversifying the assortment would deter a portion of consumers from choosing imported apples. These conclusions provide a basis for further consideration of strategies that could support domestic apple production within the consumer market.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify, analyse and categorize the major factors affecting lean procurement (LP) in a construction project of a company in India using total interpretive ...structural modelling (TISM) approach. The readiness factors identified help the managers to recognize the areas that lack, i.e. purchase, stocks and receipts, and provide importance to the successful implementation of LP in those areas. This study further intends to examine the hierarchical interrelationships among the factors identified using dependence and driving power.
Design/methodology/approach
Ten factors were identified from literature review, and expert opinions were collected from the organization which is in construction phase in India. Scheduled interviews were conducted based on questionnaire survey in the organizations to identify the relevance of the relations among the factors. Matrix impact cross-multiplication applied to classification analysis uses dependence and driving power to understand the hierarchical relationship among the factors identified.
Findings
Results indicate that supplier selection is the key readiness factor for LP. The manager needs to concentrate more on readiness factors to formulate execution process of LP for the betterment of the construction project undergoing organization in India. The readiness factors help the manager to identify the target area for LP execution.
Practical implications
This study would be useful for researchers and practitioners to understand the readiness factors before starting the implementation process of LP in construction projects. The managers of companies undergoing construction project can use the outcome of the present study to implement LP in a competent way. Basing the priorities of attention on the ten readiness LP factors in the appropriate order of importance, as suggested by this study, can give project managers a more scientific basis in which to specify the level of attention required for each of the factors to implement readiness in LP.
Originality/value
The present study identifies the readiness factors related to LP, especially for construction project. None of the researchers have studied readiness factors of LP for organizations undergoing construction projects. This is the first attempt made to analyze the relationship between LP readiness factors and TISM approach in construction project organization.
Theoretical framework: The study measures influence of the independent variables such as product price, quality, brand image, data privacy concerns, and cultural dimension (UAI) over the past couple ...of years of the pandemic. The proposed conceptual framework has one dependent variable (online customer purchasing behaviour) and one mediator (online customer purchasing intention). Covid 19 Pandemic is hypothesized to moderate the relationship between the mediator and the dependent variable.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors used inferential statistics to accomplish the purpose of the research. Via quantitative analysis using the SPSS, the factors that influence online shopping have been revealed by gathering and analysing data obtained over web-based surveys. The authors approached 500 respondents from the 12th of April 2021 to the 5th of June 2022 and got close to a 73% response rate, 364 responses.
Findings: The results exhibit that all mentioned factors except brand image and data privacy concerns have a momentous and significant relationship with consumers’ online shopping behaviour which further gets stronger due to the moderating effect of Covid-19.
Research practical and social implications: The study contributes to the existing literature and theories in terms of monitoring online customer purchase behaviour. The findings will also help companies to develop and enhance their current CRM strategy and innovations to manage online shopping behaviour and achieve their commercial targets.
Originality/Value: The value of this study lies in its contribution to an understanding of online purchase behaviour, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. By identifying influential factors and exploring their impact, the findings provide actionable insights for companies to adapt to changing consumer behaviours.
(1) Background: This article aims to present the factors influencing purchasing decisions by Generation Z respondents (from Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary) relating to ...pro-ecological products from the electrical machinery industry. Additionally, a model was created allowing us to determine whether the pro-environmental approach is associated with other purchase determinants identified in the factor analysis. (2) Methods: Verification of the objective was carried out using, i.a., a survey method, Delphi and factor analysis, econometric modeling, and the Kruskal–Wallis test. (3) Results: The most significant factors declared by respondents from Generation Z of the V4 countries influencing pro-quality and pro-environmental purchasing decisions from this industry were product price (3.959), previous personal experience with the product (3.959), expected product life (durability) (3.809), and individual customer needs (3.615). The least important determinants were the period for which the product was on the market (2.843) then, surprisingly, product packaging (2.902), and ecolabel (2.921). (4) Conclusions: Interpreting the resulting model, it can be concluded that as the assessment of knowledge and experience as well as the assessment of the brand and image increased, the assessment of the importance of pro-ecological factors also increased. Branding and image are more linked to environmental activities.
Against a backdrop of recent strong growth in the Saudi Arabian housing market, rising housing costs, and diminishing consumer disposal incomes, this study examines the housing preferences of ...low-income consumers in Saudi Arabia, with specific emphasis on their preferences for alternative dwelling types and tenure options, factors influencing their housing decisions, and how these vary across socio-demographic sub-segments of this population segment. Using data collected through a structured self-administered survey in the major urban areas of the country, we find that majority of respondents prefer the small house to duplex or apartment, and despite their limited incomes the majority prefer buying over renting. We also find a very strong relationship between tenure preferences and dwelling type, with respondents who prefer the small house or duplex overwhelmingly opting for the buying option, whilst respondents who choose apartments prefer the rental option. On importance of housing attributes, a factor analysis of 35 housing attributes included in the study produced 10 factors, of which financial considerations, private living space, and aesthetic aspects of the house rank as the top 3 important factors in the low-income consumers' housing decisions. The 3 least important factors are exterior space, street location, and proximity to relatives. The latter is a particularly interesting result, given the strong social and familial bonds in Saudi culture. On socio-demographic differences, only for importance interior layout, private living space, aesthetics, and exterior space do we find significant gender differences (females consider them more important than males). The implications of these results are discussed and an outline suggested for future research on housing preferences in this important market of the Arab Middle East.
Purpose
Previous research has extensively examined “food deserts,” where access to healthy food is limited. However, little is known of the buying behavior at the individual household level in terms ...of buying habits and consumption in these areas. The purpose of this paper is to determine to what extent other factors than access can account for the purchase of healthy food products, namely, fruits and vegetables.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes to partially fill this gap through a qualitative (n=55) and quantitative (n=512) study of those people who are in charge of their household purchases in two food deserts in the city of Montreal.
Findings
Results show that geographical access to supermarkets is not the main factor fostering the purchase of healthy foods (fruits and vegetables). Indeed, food education (e.g. information, simple recipes, cooking classes), associated with a changing mediation process through product diversification (e.g. availability of local products in bulk) and supply (e.g. farmers) seems to be more significant.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies could compare the results obtained through this study in different socio-demographic contexts. Longitudinal analyses could also increase the understanding of the social and commercial challenges.
Originality/value
In contrast to previous studies, the results show that geographical access to supermarkets is not the main factor fostering the purchase of fruits and vegetables. Indeed, food education (e.g. information, simple recipes, cooking classes), associated with a changing mediation process through product diversification (e.g. products in bulk) and supply (e.g. farmers) seem to be more significant.
Purpose - Current research on industrial management strategy is mostly directed at industrial end customers. In doing so, current research overlooks one critical constituency - industrial retailers, ...i.e. companies selling products manufactured by industrial manufacturers to other companies using these products to create a finished product or service. Since the current literature states that retailers are mostly interested in category profit margins and profitability (regardless of specific brands), it is not clear whether industrial retailers value brands at all. The purpose of this paper is to determine the importance of industrial brands versus other purchase criteria for industrial distributors. Design/methodology/approach - Three studies are conducted to examine the importance of brands vis-à-vis other purchase criteria for industrial retailers and end users. In a longitudinal study employing conjoint analysis the authors find that industrial brands have a larger impact on industrial retailer choice than product price or margin. Findings - First, these results suggest that industrial brands are a strong purchase driver also for industrial retailers (and not just industrial end users). Second, industrial marketing managers are thus well advised to invest in brand building to positively impact industrial retailer choice, rather than reducing prices or increasing product margins as the prevailing literature suggests. In conclusion, these studies seem to suggest that retailers use brands not only as associative or predictive cues of product performance, but also as predictive indicator of a product's expected future profitability. Research limitations/implications - From a theoretical point of view, the authors' studies suggest that industrial brands not only transmit cues to prospective end-customers, but also send cues to intermediaries - such as industrial retailers - which influences their decision-making processes. The strong importance B2B retailers place on brands as key purchase factor is an indicator that retailers use brands not only as associative or predictive cues of product performance, but also as predictive indicator of a product's expected future profitability (i.e. profit margins and asset turnover), which positively affects retailers' own profitability. The results of this study are also an indication that the relationship between industrial manufacturers and industrial retailers are probably driven more by considerations of cooperation than by considerations of conflict. Practical implications - As a managerial implication, it is suggested that industrial marketing executives should invest in brand building to positively impact industrial retailer choice, rather than reducing prices or increasing product margins, as the prevailing literature suggests. Originality/value - In this paper, three separate empirical studies are conducted to examine the role of brands in industrial management practice.
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