Perceptions of mobile plan unit pricing and terms and conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 734-753
Author(s):  
Lisa McQuilken ◽  
Nichola Robertson ◽  
Michael Polonsky ◽  
Paul Harrison ◽  
David Bednall
Keyword(s):  
Limited Range ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Informational Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Perceptions ◽  
Country Market ◽  
Type Size ◽  
Unit Pricing ◽  
Full Factorial

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the efficacy of disclosing unit pricing and increasing the type size of complex terms and conditions in advertising. This is in line with recommendations made by global telecommunications regulators, including in Australia, to protect consumers in selecting mobile plans. Design/methodology/approach The authors employed a 2 (unit price disclosed: no, yes)×3 (type size: nine-, 12- and 15-point terms and conditions) full factorial, between-subjects experimental design using a scenario and fictional advertisements for 24-month mobile phone plans. This was complemented by 24 in-depth interviews with consumers who had recently purchased “real” plans and their assessment of these. Findings Extra information in the form of unit pricing has a positive influence on consumers’ value perceptions, but not on perceived confusion or risk. Presenting complex terms and conditions in larger type increases consumers’ perceived confusion and risk, but not perceived value, as consumers have difficulty understanding the complicated information presented. Research limitations/implications This study focused on a single country market for one product type of mobile phones, using a limited range of mobile plans. Practical implications Public policymakers and providers are advised to pre-test planned changes to advertising’s informational content prior to implementation to identify the efficacy of proposed changes to protect consumers. Consumers may also need to be educated to accurately interpret complex plans. Originality/value The study contributes to the domain of informational content in advertising as a form of consumer protection. The effect of unit pricing and larger type for terms and conditions on consumer perceptions has not been examined previously in complex product settings.

Does unit pricing influence store price image dimensions and shopping intentions for retail stores?

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 1396-1413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Roth ◽  
Lena Himbert ◽  
Stephan Zielke
Keyword(s):  
Positive Influence ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Product Choice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Regulatory Standards ◽  
Unit Pricing ◽  
Price Image ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose While previous literature focusses on the impact of unit pricing on the customer level by analysing customer awareness and product choice, the present research aims to highlight the impact unit pricing has at the store level. Design/methodology/approach The impact of unit pricing on the store price image is investigated in two experiments. While the first experiment assesses the general influence of unit price presence and unit price prominence on store price image, the second experiment provides further insights into the influence of unit price prominence on store price image and shopping intentions under consideration of moderating variables. Findings This research demonstrates that the availability of unit prices influences several store price image dimensions positively, namely, price processibility, price perceptibility and evaluation certainty. There is also an indirect positive effect on value-for-money perception. Furthermore, unit price prominence has a positive effect on the dimension price processibility. There is a positive influence of unit price presence and unit price prominence on the consumers’ intention to shop at a given store through the store price image. Originality/value This paper adds to the existing unit price and store price image literature and derives implications for retailers as well as for policymakers regarding the presentation of unit prices on price labels. Policymakers can use the results for motivating retailers to use unit price information more actively and present it more prominently beyond the minimum regulatory standards.

Unit pricing for multiple product sizes: identifying moderators and mediators of consumer evaluations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miyuri Shirai ◽  
Takuya Satomura
Keyword(s):  
Unit Price ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Quantity Discounts ◽  
Consumer Evaluations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Unit Pricing

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the underlying process by which a brand’s unit pricing for multiple package sizes influences consumer evaluations by incorporating several mediators and moderators. Two-unit pricing tactics were examined: quantity discounts and surcharges. Design/methodology/approach Two online experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses. Study 1 examined the mediating role of consumers’ inferred motive for sellers in setting quantity discounts or surcharges in the relationship between the pricing tactics and consumer evaluations. Study 2 incorporated affect as a mediator, and price consciousness and unit price usage as moderators in this relationship. Findings The mediating role of inferred motive is supported. Motive is related to the sales volume. Furthermore, this mediation effect is more potent when consumers have stronger quantity discount belief. Further, the mediating role of affect is supported. It is more salient when consumers are frequent users of unit prices. Research limitations/implications This study compared two pricing tactics and did not include a control condition. The first digit of the unit price for the small package size was different between the pricing tactics. Practical implications When applying quantity surcharges to products, it is essential to provide additional information to consumers to preclude the possibility of negative evaluations. Originality/value This study makes a significant contribution by offering a deeper understanding of consumer responses to the pricing tactics. In particular, it reveals that pricing tactics trigger both cognitive and affective responses, which then influence evaluations of the pricing tactics. This elicited cognition is associated with deduction about sellers’ brand-size pricing behavior.

Unit pricing matters more when consumers are under time pressure

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 1094-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Yao ◽  
Harmen Oppewal
Keyword(s):  
Time Pressure ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Load ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lower Unit ◽  
On Line ◽  
Grocery Purchase ◽  
Unit Pricing

Purpose This paper aims to first investigate how unit pricing affects consumers’ grocery purchase decisions and perceptions of the shopping task’s information load. The second goal is to test how time pressure enhances the behavioural and perceptual effects of displaying unit prices. Design/methodology/approach Two on-line experiments were conducted using national samples of shoppers. In Study 1, participants indicated their choices and perceptions in an inter-brand shopping scenario where prepackaged products have conflicting positions on retail price and unit price. In Study 2, participants conducted the same shopping task but now under a condition of time pressure. Findings Study 1 shows that unit pricing shifts consumer choices towards the lower unit priced options and improves their perceptions of task information load. Study 2 shows that when consumers are under time pressure, unit pricing shows stronger effects on choices but not on perceptions. Research limitations/implications The study comprised a fairly homogenous set of low involvement categories and relatively small assortments in a hypothetical purchase setting. Exploration of the role of unit pricing in more complex and more realistic purchase environments pose suitable avenues for future research. Practical implications This study shows that consumers benefit from unit pricing because it makes it easier for them to find the lower unit priced items and to more quickly complete their shopping task. Retailers will benefit from increased customer satisfaction and possibly an improved store image. Social implications The study shows that consumers generally benefit from the presence of unit pricing and that unit price information does not create harmful effects in terms of increasing their information load. Originality/value This study uses a specifically designed and controlled but nevertheless realistic grocery choice task to study the effects of unit pricing in an inter-brand context where there are only small differences in size and price. The study contributes to the literature by showing that in such conditions, unit prices help consumers compare the economic losses associated with product options. Their heuristic role is more pronounced when consumers are under time pressure. The study shows that consumers generally benefit from the presence of unit prices.

The moderating influence of market potential and prior experience on the governance quality-equity participation relationship

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somnath Lahiri
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Market Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Country Market ◽  
Governance Quality ◽  
And Control ◽  
Target Country

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to theorize and examine how target country governance quality, target country market potential and acquirer’s prior experience impacts equity participation in cross-border acquisitions. Design/methodology/approach The hypothesized effects are tested using a sample of 1,447 acquisitions undertaken over an 11-year time by US-based multinational enterprises (MNEs) in four emerging markets: Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). Findings Analysis suggests that target country governance quality (government effectiveness, rule of law and control of corruption) strongly influences equity participation, and market potential moderates the influence of governance quality on equity participation. Further, findings demonstrate that acquirer’s target country acquisition experience amplifies the positive influence of market potential on governance quality-equity participation relationship. Originality/value This study adds to the existing knowledge of equity participation in cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) undertaken by foreign MNEs in BRICs. This understanding is important since MNEs across the globe invest in BRIC utilizing CBA, and related research remains limited.

scholarly journals Internal relationships of market-oriented EFQM enablers in the Chinese construction industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxiao Zhang ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Vera Li ◽  
Bo Xia ◽  
Martin Skitmore
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Market ◽  
Orientation Scale ◽  
Internal Relationships

PurposeService-oriented innovation economies are becoming the new trend for the construction industry. Benchmarking the quality management level of developed countries and improving quality management are also becoming necessities for promoting innovation in the economy. The purpose of this study is to analyse the internal relationships between the five enablers of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence model, based on a market-oriented strategy, to serve as a framework for managing and improving quality.Design/methodology/approachConsidering the different market environment and culture, this study refines the strategy enabler based on Zebal and Goodwin's (2011) Developing Country Market Orientation Scale, and builds a market-oriented EFQM Excellence model. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to analyse the results of a questionnaire survey of 683 China construction industry top enterprises to explore the internal relationships between the model's five enablers.Findings(1) “Leadership” has a positive influence on “Market-Oriented Strategy”, “People” and “Partnerships and Resources”; (2) “Market-Oriented Strategy” has positive influence on “Partnerships and Resources”; (3) “People” has a low influence on “Processes, Products and Services”; (4) “Partnerships and Resources” has a medium influence on “Processes, Products and Services” and (5) the relationships between “Market-Oriented Strategy” and “People”, “Partnerships and Resources” are not significant.Originality/valueThis study refines the strategy enabler of the original EFQM Excellence model with Zebal and Goodwin's (2011) Developing Country Market Orientation Scale. It also develops a market-oriented EFQM Excellence model that is suitable for developing countries, and it tests the implicit relationships of its five new enablers in an innovation environment where cultural differences exist.

Platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises: the value co-creation analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benhong Peng ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Sardar Zahid ◽  
Guo Wei ◽  
Ehsan Elahi
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Enterprise Performance ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of value co-creation in platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises to guide the transformation and development of cold chain logistics industry. Design/methodology/approach This paper establishes a conceptual framework for the research on the platform ecological circle in cold chain logistics, utilizes a structural equation model to investigate the influencing factors of the value co-creation of the platform ecological circle in the cold chain logistics enterprises and elaborates the internal relations between different influencing factors regarding the value co-creation and enterprises’ performance. Findings Results show that resource sharing in logistics platform ecological circle can stimulate the interaction among enterprises and this produces a positive influence on their dynamic capabilities, which, in turn, affects the they to work together to plan, implement and solve problems, so as to achieve the goal of improving enterprise performance. Practical implications The shared resources and value co-creation activities in the platform ecological circle are very important for the transformation and development of cold chain logistics enterprises. Therefore, enterprises should promote value co-creation through realizing resource sharing and creating a win-win cooperation mechanism. Originality/value This paper targets at incorporating the resource sharing in platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises, explores from an empirical perspective the role of the resource sharing in cold chain logistics enterprises in enhancing the dynamic capabilities of enterprises, thereby encouraging the value co-creation behavior, and ultimately boosts enterprise performance and stimulates business development.

Relational governance in outsourcing partnerships

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha Mathrani ◽  
Sanjay Mathrani
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Offshore Outsourcing ◽  
Relational Exchange ◽  
Relational Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Narrative Storylines

Purpose The paper aims to capture the nuances of two client–supplier relationships to offer new insights on the influences of transactional, knowledge and social elements in outsourcing partnerships. Design/methodology/approach The study has used descriptive case studies with narrative storylines. Interviews were conducted with three relationship managers (boundary gatekeepers) to understand preferred governance practices between clients and suppliers in diverse economic markets. Findings Experiences of three real-life cases engaged in offshore outsourcing have helped to identify the market, operational knowledge and social influences in a relational exchange. Findings reveal that offshore partnerships are first constituted with service-level agreements, which set control measures and layout business expectations from both partners. Boundary gatekeepers bring further accountability across firms by designing social networks for capturing and sharing of knowledge, thereby reducing each partner’s perception of risk. As firms evaluate transactional, knowledge and social elements for building a futuristic relational exchange, more disaggregated and dispersed enterprises evolve as new opportunities are explored in foreign markets. Research limitations/implications The retrospective nature of the client–supplier partnership is a limitation in this research study. However, retrospection adds to experience, and to practice perspectives made in hindsight, and therefore has a positive influence in this study. Originality/value This paper shares real-world experiences that can be used by scholars and practitioners to better understand how relational governance practices operate in a global socio-economic setting.

Who is more likely to become business angels?

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaokuang Li ◽  
Li Ling ◽  
Juan Wu ◽  
Peng Li
Keyword(s):  
Influence Factors ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Logit Analysis ◽  
Business Angels ◽  
Investment Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Angel Investment ◽  
Investment In China ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The paper is aimed to obtain a clear understanding of influence factors that can increase the possibility to be business angels (BA). Design/methodology/approach – This study develops the 3A model in the Chinese context to design questionnaire, and 334 questionnaires are obtained via focus group sample and targeted snowball approach, and the multinomial logit analysis is used to test a serious of hypotheses. Findings – The paper confirmed that the entrepreneurial experience and wealth are determinants of investment for potential BA, and the wealth have both directly and indirectly positive influence on investment activity through risk preference, namely that richer people prefer risk which impel them to invest as BA. Research limitations/implications – There are two limitations in the paper: first, the macro environment in China has not been taken into consideration in the model; second, the source of the sample focuses on the developed cities in the middle and eastern of China, only reflect the characteristic of angels in these areas, which may somewhat diverges from the reality. Practical implications – The paper would contribute to form the policy which could promote the development of angel investment in China. Originality/value – This paper conducts a preliminary exploration of the factors that have impact on Chinese BA' investment activity based on current research.

Political embeddedness and multi-layered interaction effects on the performance of private enterprises: lessons from China

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli Gimmon ◽  
Ying Teng ◽  
Xiaobin He
Keyword(s):  
Transition Economy ◽  
Economic Transition ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Private Enterprises ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Level

Purpose This study aims to present multi-layered embeddedness and explore the main and interaction effects of political embeddedness on the performance of private enterprises in China. This study tests multi-layered embeddedness through interaction effects between three layers, namely, political, territorial and inter-firm embeddedness. Political embeddedness is related at the personal and the firm levels. Design/methodology/approach The authors used secondary data of four non-panel waves (2002, 2008, 2010 and 2016) of large samples having identical questions based on the Chinese private enterprises’ survey. The accumulated number of business owners’ responses is a total of 10,686. Findings The main effects of each of the layers of embeddedness showed a positive influence on enterprise performance consistently and unchanged over time which fits the Chinese Guanxi regardless of the immense macro-economic transition. However, unexpectedly some interactions showed negative significant effects on performance. Practical implications First, business owners should be aware of the specific contribution to the performance of political embeddedness at both the firm level and the personal level. Second, the pursuit of exercising simultaneously several layers of embeddedness may be detrimental to company performance. This study provides generalizable lessons regarding different embeddedness layers beyond the context of China’s transition economy. Originality/value First, the authors extend political embeddedness to the firm level whilst in previous research this construct had been mostly related to the personal level. Second, building on the resource-based view and redundant resources the authors present the disadvantage of “over-embeddedness” as related to multi-layered embeddedness which has been understudied.

The framework of data-driven and multi-criteria decision-making for detecting unbalanced bidding

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimin Li ◽  
Limin Su ◽  
Jian Zuo ◽  
Xiaowei An ◽  
Guanghua Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Distance Measure ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Relative Distance ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Ideal Solution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

PurposeUnbalanced bidding can seriously imposed the government from obtaining the best value for the taxpayers' money in public procurement since it increases the owner's cost and decreases the fairness of the competitive bidding process. How to detect an unbalanced bid is a challenging task faced by theoretical researchers and practical actors. This study aims to develop an identification method of unbalanced bidding in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe identification of unbalanced bidding is considered as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. A data-driven unit price database from the historical bidding document is built to present the reference unit prices as benchmarks. According to the proposed extended TOPSIS method, the data-driven unit price is chosen as the positive ideal solution, and the unit price that has the furthest absolute distance measure as the negative ideal solution. The concept of relative distance is introduced to measure the distances between positive and negative ideal solutions and each bidding unit price. The unbalanced bidding degree is ranked by means of relative distance.FindingsThe proposed model can be used for the quantitative evaluation of unbalanced bidding from a decision-making perspective. The identification process is developed according to the decision-making process. The finding shows that the model will support owners to efficiently and effectively identify unbalanced bidding in the bid evaluation stage.Originality/valueThe data-driven reference unit prices improve the accuracy of the benchmark to evaluate the unbalanced bidding. The extended TOPSIS model is applied to identify unbalanced bidding; the owners can undertake objective decision-making to identify and prevent unbalanced bidding at the stage of procurement.

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