“Running is my boyfriend”: consumers’ relationships with activities

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl-Jacob Mickelsson
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Activity Relationship ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relationship Themes ◽  
Conceptual Foundations ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The paper aims to introduce the idea that consumers have relationships with their own recurring activities. Instead of the usual notion of investigating the relationships between actors, or between actors and their possessions, the paper focuses on the relationship between an actor and a particular activity in which the actor regularly participates. Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual and exploratory in nature. It discusses different perspectives of consumer activity in marketing and then introduces a relationship view of activity. The paper proceeds to outline the conceptual foundations of this view by applying relationship characteristics found in the literature. Quotes from runners’ blogs are used to illustrate the different identified relationship themes. Findings The paper argues that consumers can be seen as having long-term relationships with their activities, and it introduces the concept of the “activity relationship”. The paper proceeds to demonstrate how this concept differs from the previous conceptualization of consumer activity and relationships. Research limitations/implications The activity-relationship perspective on consumer behavior opens up new venues for marketing research. It also facilitates new types of marketing practice, whereby producers can focus on supporting their customers’ relationships with valuable activities. Originality/value The paper presents a novel perspective on relationships. It contributes to consumer research and the customer-dominant view of marketing, whereby the customer’s perspective is put in focus and businesses serve as ingredients in the customer’s own context.

The effect of green purchasing on purchasing performance: the moderating role played by long-term relationships and strategic integration

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 312-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier González-Benito ◽  
Gustavo Lannelongue ◽  
Luis Miguel Ferreira ◽  
Carmen Gonzalez-Zapatero
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Purchasing Management ◽  
Environmental Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Integration ◽  
Green Purchasing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the environmental management of purchases and firm performance. The authors examine the moderating role played by two variables: the establishment of long-term relationships with suppliers and the strategic integration of the purchasing function. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conduct an empirical study on a sample of 100 Portuguese firms. Findings – Evidence reveals that green purchasing management improves the performance of the purchasing function, although the impact is greater when the organisation forges lasting alliances with its suppliers. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the study of the consequences of introducing environmental practices into the purchasing function, especially with regards to the formation of a panel of sustainable suppliers. Specifically, this research provides evidence to show that the implementation of those practices has positive impacts on the operating performance of the purchasing function and that the said effect is greater when a firm establishes long-term relationships with its suppliers.

HC and financial performance with two HRM strategies

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nopadol Rompho
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Lead Time ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategy Choice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between levels of human capital and financial performance of firms that use two distinct human resource management (HRM) strategies. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 128 HRM managers was conducted to assess differences in human capital between firms using different HRM strategies. A multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between firms’ human capital and financial performance. Findings The results show that companies employing a make-organic strategy have a higher level of human capital than companies employing a buy-bureaucratic strategy. There was no relationship between the level of human capital and long term financial performance of firms with both make-organic and buy-bureaucratic strategies. Research limitations/implications This research contributes toward understanding the effect of HRM strategy and facilitates an optimal strategy choice depending on the organization. However, this study did not consider the lead time between changes in human capital and the effect on financial performance. Practical implications The research encourages firm managers to understand the value of human capital, preparing them for changes in the future. Originality/value This study is among the first to investigate the relationship between human capital and financial performance considering different HRM strategies.

Conjunctionitis: a call for clarity in construct definitions

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1147-1159
Author(s):  
Kevin E. Voss ◽  
Alex R. Zablah ◽  
Yu-Shan (Sandy) Huang ◽  
Goutam Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Step Process ◽  
Significant Percentage ◽  
Construct Definition ◽  
Academic Fields ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to determine the extent to which the use of coordinating conjunctions enhances or impairs definitional clarity. Design/methodology/approach In two studies, a sample of 736 construct definitions from the Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research and Journal of Consumer Research over a 30-year period was judged for ambiguity and vagueness by both academic and lay judges. Findings The authors demonstrate that constructing definitions using both “and” and “or” increases the ambiguity and vagueness of the construct’s meaning. The most frequently used conjunction is “and” which appeared in 42 per cent of the definitions. A significant percentage (26 per cent) contain the conjunction “or.” Research limitations/implications A framework for understanding alternative interpretations of “and” or “or” is developed. Five recommendations are proposed for evaluating the use of “and” and “or” in construct definitions. Theorists in all academic fields should not use both “and” and “or” in the same construct definition. Practical implications A five-step process is proposed for evaluating the use of “and” and “or” in construct definitions. Theorists should not use both “and” and “or” in the same construct definition. Originality/value This is the first exploration of how specific wording patterns used in construct definitions in academic research affect the clarity of the definition.

Pantograph-catenary contact reliability analysis under crosswind

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Hua Li ◽  
Yang Cao ◽  
Yong-Xin Wu ◽  
Xiao-Ning Bai ◽  
Jia-Wei Mao
Keyword(s):  
Relative Motion ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Effective Length ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Lateral Deviation ◽  
Vector Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bird Swarm Algorithm ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to establish the relationship between crosswind speed and pantograph-catenary lateral deviation, as well as quantify the influence of crosswind speed and rod size uncertainty on pantograph-catenary contact reliability.Design/methodology/approachThe closed vector method is used to establish the pantograph-catenary kinematics formula. A new prediction model is proposed by using the bird swarm algorithm to optimize the grey model. The lateral deviation of the pantograph and catenary is predicted via the new model. Then the relationship between the effective length of the rod and operating mileage is inferred by combining the effective length theory with the Gamma process, as well as the pantograph-catenary contact reliability model is established according to reliability theory.FindingsThe results obtained show the impacts of uncertainty design parameters of pantograph rods on pantograph-catenary contact reliability index, and the results at crosswind speed of 0 ms−1 and 5 ms−1 are 5.0630 and 4.1442, respectively. The reliability decreases with the increasing crosswind speed, and can be greater than the reliability calculated for rod size degradation due to long-term use.Originality/valueMost preceding works on pantograph-catenary contact reliability were based on principles of dynamics, without considering the pantograph-catenary relative motion. This research reveals the law of pantograph-catenary relative motion for uncertainty design parameters and crosswind, and quantifies the reliability from the angle of kinematics.

Flexibility and agility: evolution and relationship

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1138-1162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bouchra Abdelilah ◽  
Akram El Korchi ◽  
Mohammed Amine Balambo
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Natural Evolution ◽  
Professional Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operational Ability ◽  
Strategic Ability ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to clarify the confusion between flexibility and agility. The paper traces the evolution of agility and the evolution of flexibility over time, analyses their drivers and different elements, draws the boundaries between them and defines their relationship. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of flexibility and agility was developed. Papers written between 1920 and 2017 were reviewed and analyzed using a structured review technique. The identified papers focus on flexibility and agility, relating both to manufacturing and the supply chain. Findings Agility is the natural evolution of flexibility. Until the 1990s, the term “flexibility” was used to refer to agility, but, because of market changes, competitiveness and the need for speed, the term “agility” was coined. While flexibility is considered as an operational ability, agility is a strategic ability that enables a firm to establish a strategic long-term vision. In fact, flexibility is an agility capability, among other capabilities such as responsiveness or speed. There are also several types of flexibility that are used as agility sub-capabilities, or as agility enablers, which further confirms the idea that flexibility is a part of agility. Research limitations/implications This research is a systematic review of the existing literature on the concepts of flexibility and agility. Although it is theoretical, it could provide a set of hypotheses that would enable an empirical study to be conducted into how firms from different industries perceive flexibility and agility and how they implement each of them. Originality/value Flexibility and agility are two distinct characteristics that enable a firm to gain a competitive advantage by responding quickly and effectively to changing customer demand. However, there is confusion between these two concepts in the academic and professional literature, with both terms being used to refer to the same idea. Our literature review aims to draw the boundaries between flexibility and agility by analyzing the evolution of the two concepts and detailing their respective drivers and elements, in order to bring more clarity to the nature of the relationship between flexibility and agility.

scholarly journals The depiction of marketing and marketers in the news media

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 752-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Cluley
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
News Media ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
News Reports ◽  
The Media ◽  
One Year ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose In an effort to explain the high level of scepticism and distrust towards marketing and marketers, this paper aims to explore how marketing practice and practitioners are depicted in the mass media. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyses 6,877 news reports that discuss “marketing” across two one-year time periods from three UK newspapers. A systematic content analysis is presented through N-grams and K-grams, close readings of individual cases and manual coding. Findings The paper finds that the news media cultivates an image of marketing and marketing practitioners as a cost to businesses and something that businesses do to consumers. The study finds that marketers are also presented through a narrow viewpoint. Marketers are depicted as male and tend to be viewed as a source of authority only when speaking on behalf of their organizations in response problems and crises. Research limitations/implications The cultivation effect of mass media is widely accepted among communications scholar, yet its use within marketing research is limited. The paper represents an empirical application of this approach. Practical implications Organizations including the Chartered Institute of Marketing and American Marketing Association have attempted to counteract marketing’s image problem by redefining what marketing means. The results of this study suggest that such attempts are unlikely to work, as the practice of marketing, in particular PR, cultivates a negative image in the media. Social implications The paper explores the relationship between marketing practice and the marketing profession and society. Originality/value The paper demonstrates the utility of cultivation theory and systematic content analyses of media texts. It develops a methodology to examine how professional practice is depicted in mass media.

Relational bonding strategies in the franchise industry: the moderating role of duration of the relationship

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 830-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-ki Lee ◽  
Sally Kim ◽  
Min-Seong Kim ◽  
Jae-Han Lee ◽  
Ki-Taek Lim
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the effect of different relational bonding strategies on franchisees’ perceptions of benefits. The duration of the relationship is framed as a moderator between three types of relational bonds and the perceived benefits. Design/methodology/approach – The data are collected via a survey from foodservice franchisees in South Korea. To test the study’s hypotheses, the research model was estimated with two-stage least squares. Findings – The result shows that social and structural bonds have a significant impact on franchisees’ perceptions of benefits. There are some significant interactions between different types of relational bonds and the duration of the relationship. Perceptions of benefits are found to influence satisfaction, intentions to recommend, intentions to renew the contract and long-term orientation. Practical implications – The study suggests that franchisors may want to focus on developing and strengthening social bonds, and also customize their relational approaches based on the duration of the relationship with the franchisees. Originality/value – This research illustrates the impact of three types of relational bonding strategies on franchisees’ perceptions of the benefits and also examines the significant moderating role of the duration of the relationship.

Memory objects and boarding school trauma

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-226
Author(s):  
Christine Trimingham Jack ◽  
Linda Devereux
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Boarding School ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Material Objects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Loss And Grief ◽  
Broad Theory ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide language and meaning to open up silence around traumatic boarding school memories through the symbolic aura (Nora 1989) surrounding key memory objects. The secondary aim is to illustrate to historians the importance of paying attention to interviewees’ discussion of material objects as clues to uncovering deeper, unexplored memories. Design/methodology/approach The approach draws on Vamik Volkan’s (2006) understanding of “linking objects” – significant objects preserved or created by traumatised people. Traumatic emotions become linked with loss and grief associated with the object, turning it into a tightly packed symbol whose significance is “bound up in the conscious and unconscious nuances of the relationship that preceded the loss” (Volkan, 2006, p. 255). The experiences of the two authors are examined as exemplars in this process. Findings The exemplars illustrate how complicated and long term the process of remembering and understanding is for those who experience boarding school trauma and the power of “linking objects” to open up memory surrounding it. The case studies also alert educational historians to how emotionally fraught revealing what happened can be and how long it may take to confront the events. Originality/value Linking objects have not previously been used in relationship to surfacing boarding school trauma. The paper is also unique in offering deep analysis of boarding school trauma undertaken by skilled educational researchers who incorporate reflections from their own experience informed by broad theory and pertinent psychological research.

Do we measure what we expect to measure? Some issues in the measurement of culture in consumer research

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gong Sun ◽  
Steven D’Alessandro ◽  
Lester W. Johnson ◽  
Hume Winzar
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Studies ◽  
Culture Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Measures ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the problems in the measurement of culture in consumer studies and offers suggestions for remedies. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on literature from related fields, the paper discusses some general issues in the measurement of culture and draws consumer researchers’ attention to the flaws in the common cultural measures in consumer research. Implications for future research are also provided. Findings – The paper highlights two main shortcomings of commonly used culture instruments which are seldom taken into account by consumer researchers. Specifically, the commonly used culture dimensions in consumer studies do not have clear conceptual boundaries. Moreover, important differences between the different approaches to culture measuring (self- vs group-referenced and values vs practices) are always overlooked. The paper suggests that consumer research needs more focussed and refined measures and discusses which approach is better in which context. Originality/value – This paper explores the issues of conceptual ambiguity and approach inconsistency in order to draw consumer researchers’ attention to the flaws in common measures of culture. Only when one measures what one expects to measure will the relationship that one observe between these cultural dimensions and consumer behavior be valid.

The impact of horizontal and vertical connections on relationships' commitment and trust

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amjad Hadjikhani ◽  
Peter Thilenius
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dyadic Interaction ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Business Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Horizontal Connections ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lisrel Model

PurposeWhile an ever‐increasing body of research on business networks has commented on vertically connected relationships, this study embeds the horizontally connected relationships. Constructed on business network theories the paper aims to add more knowledge on business networks by developing a connection model including both vertical and horizontal connections. The model aims to explore the impact of connections on focal business relationships. It differentiates connected relationships on the basis of their vertical and horizontal natures. The purpose is to grasp the impact of these different connected relationships on the focal business relationship. The focal relationship elements are defined by commitment and trust, which capture their properties from the dyadic interaction and the two types of connected relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe paper tests the theoretical construction empirically. The empirical study is based on the IMP2 survey, utilizing information from extensive interviews with 138 firms regarding their relationships with important foreign customers.FindingsThe statistical findings in the form of a LISREL‐model clearly expose the impact of the horizontal connections and verify the validity of the theoretical model. It depicts that trust increase by vertical connections leading to increased commitment, thus strengthening the relationship while horizontal connection, on the contrary, weakens it. The facts also demonstrate how the horizontal connections impose effects on technological long‐term investments.Originality/valueMarketing researchers advocating certain theoretical views are thereby required to observe respect for the market realities with which managers are confronted.

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