Paying to play: an economic experiment examining children’s avatar preferences and their willingness to pay for them

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-235
Author(s):  
Amanda Brooke Jennings ◽  
Madeline Messer
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Stated Preferences ◽  
Female Characters ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Same Gender ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is a formal experimental economics test of results found in a study designed and executed by a 12-year-old who was concerned about what she perceived to be bias in gaming applications (apps) that provided male avatar characters for no cost but required in-app purchases to access female characters. The present study was designed to test empirically whether children have a revealed preference for same-gendered characters and whether such preferences are dependent on the cost of the characters. Design/methodology/approach Children from 6 to 16 years of age were recruited to participate in a framed field economics experiment in which they would earn actual money and be given opportunities to spend it on in-game avatars they could then use to continue to play. Additionally, a survey gathered data on participants’ stated preferences and experiences playing game apps on mobile phones. Findings Children do prefer to play a character of the same gender; however, they are more likely to remain the default character if choosing a different character costs money. When asked to say why they picked their character, children report most often that it is based on either the characters’ appearance or gender, followed by perceived character abilities, liking the character and the cost of a character. A vast majority (90 per cent) of children felt both male and female characters should be free. Research limitations/implications This research was limited because the experiment simulated in-app purchases but could not offer the permanence of real-world in-app purchases. Players in the experiment could not “keep” the character if they chose to pay for it. The authors adjusted for this by making the cost to change character gender much lower than it would be in the game (25 cents in the study vs approximately $10 in the app). Future research could explore ways to make in-app purchases during the study permanent for players to test if the permanence of the purchase results in greater willingness to pay to switch character gender. Practical implications This research has practical implications for video game designers. As both male and female players prefer to play with characters of the same gender, and having a cost to play a character reduces switching behavior, it is possible that having a cost for female characters reduces the popularity of the game with female players. This is especially relevant for endless running games as these games are preferred more by women than men. By making female characters free, default character and developers may increase the popularity of these games with female players. Originality/value This study adds to the body of literature about gender and video game preferences because prior studies relied solely on stated preferences about characters (using surveys and self-reported behaviors) and not on revealed preferences (observed behaviors). Additionally, this study examines character gender preferences in a casual game, while most prior studies have examine preferences in massively multiplayer online role-playing games.

Behind closed doors! Homosocial desire and the academic boys club

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Fisher ◽  
Sue Kinsey
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Field Work ◽  
The Political ◽  
Detailed Data ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Feminist Poststructuralist ◽  
Homosocial Desire ◽  
Men And Masculinities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explore the nature and power of the academic boys club. In many organisations, the political significance of the boys club goes largely unremarked and unacknowledged. Yet, the way that male colleagues intimately relate to each other, sometimes called homosocial desire, is crucial to their success at gaining and retaining power at work. Design/methodology/approach – Feminist, poststructuralist, ethnographic, qualitative, and longitudinal data were collected over a five-year period from male and female academics in a British university. Findings – The boys club is still a powerful feature of British universities. Their apparent invisibility shrouds the manner in which they can and do promote and maintain male interests in a myriad of ways, including selection and promotion. These findings have resonances for all organisations. Research limitations/implications – Researching the intimacies between male colleagues requires time-intensive field work and insider access to men interacting with each other. Practical implications – Meaningful gender equality will not be achieved unless and until the more sophisticated forms of female exclusion are revealed and deconstructed. Originality/value – This research makes an unusual and crucial contribution to the study of gender, men and masculinities by providing longitudinal, rich, detailed data, observing men at the closest of quarters and then analysed by a feminist and poststructuralist gaze.

Hijabista willingness to accept premium pricing: an analytical study of the effect of social and self-identity on hijab fashion brands satisfaction

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alshaimaa Bahgat Alanadoly ◽  
Suha Fouad Salem
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Product Design ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Willingness To Accept ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Fashion Products ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Brand Satisfaction

Purpose This paper aims to study the predictors influencing hijabista satisfaction towards Hijab fashion brands and their willingness to pay premium pricing as fashion consumers. The effects of product design, product quality, social and self-identity have been studied in relation to product, and brand satisfaction is believed to have led to acceptance of premium pricing. Various factors have been studied and analysed to provide a better understanding of Hijab fashion consumer behaviour. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected by using online structured surveys distributed within the area of Shah Alam City in Malaysia. Convenience sampling was used in defining the 223 target respondents, and the collected data was analysed using Smart-PLS Software. Findings The results highlighted that product design has the largest influence on the willingness of hijabistas in paying premium prices, followed by products that reflect their social-identity while communicating their religious obligations and commitments. Communicating one’s self-identity was also found not to have a significant impact which relates to the importance of the religious and social commitments on hijabista purchasing choices rather than their own self-conceptual image. Practical implications This paper provides insights on the factors that affect hijabista satisfaction towards Hijab fashion products and brands. Conclusions provided are very relevant to the practices of the fashion industry, and in particular, for designers to understand the needs of this large and significant segment of the fashion market. Originality/value Hijab fashion is a growing segment in the fashion industry, and it has been gaining recent global attention. Designers need to be more aware of the requirements of this segment of the fashion market. This research focusses on Hijab consumer satisfaction and how this reflects their willingness to pay premium prices for chosen products and brands. Factors such as product design and quality, along with social and self-identity, were studied in connection with hijabista willingness to accept premium pricing. Such connections and terms have not been covered in previous literature.

Gender in management: differences in male and female evaluations in leadership

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 22-24
Author(s):  
Kelly Dutton
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Performance Ratings ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gender Perception ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Gender equality is increasing; however, in the higher management levels of organizations, there persists a bias toward male management. Investigating how bosses and peers rated managers showed that males provide lower job evaluations than females, regardless of sex, but at the same time, male peers provided higher ratings toward their own gender. Bosses were indifferent to gender in their ratings. Affecting the evaluation could be factors of social homophily and interpersonal familiarity. Lower performance ratings and a gender bias could hold back female career progression and create an overall atmosphere of gender perception within the workplace. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Use of Opuntia ficus extract as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic media

2014 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 224-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Suarez-Hernandez ◽  
Jose G. Gonzalez-Rodriguez ◽  
Gloria F. Dominguez-Patiño ◽  
Alberto Martinez-Villafañe
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Green Inhibitor ◽  
Opuntia Ficus Indica ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acid Cleaning ◽  
Static Conditions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this investigation is to study the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (CS) using a “green” inhibitor, Opuntia ficus-indica, in an aerated, 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at different concentrations and temperatures. Design/methodology/approach – Weight loss determinations, surface studies, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization were applied during the investigation. Findings – It was observed that Opuntia ficus-indica extract can decrease the corrosion rate of CS, and its efficiency increases with increasing concentration up to 1,000 ppm and with time, but decreases with increasing the temperature from 25 to 600C. The inhibitory activity is due to the presence of phenolic compounds in its chemical structure. Research limitations/implications – The work was done under static conditions, whereas in acid cleaning conditions, there is a dynamic system. However, the findings may apply to both the systems. Practical implications – CS is used in acidic environments in the acid cleaning industry. Social implications – Results of this work show that it is possible to reduce the cost of repair of equipment and the environmental impact of corrosion. Originality/value – There are very few investigations on the study of Opuntia ficus-indica leaf extract as a green inhibitor in an acidic environment.

Gender differences in Taiwan’s hypermarkets

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung-Sheng Chang ◽  
Hsiaoping Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Customer Behavior ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Traditional Markets ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Hypermarkets face a very competitive environment, as their rivals also include traditional markets, convenient stores and supermarkets. In addition to offering innovative services, hypermarket managers must also pay attention to customer shopping patterns and behaviors in order to gain market share. The purpose of this paper is to posit that there will be significant differences between male and female hypermarket customers in terms of both shopping time and categories of goods purchased. Design/methodology/approach To investigate actual shopping behaviors, this study observed customers in hypermarkets and recorded how long they spent shopping and what they purchased. Findings The results of this study implied that gender is a key factor that affects both shopping time and the goods purchased in Taiwanese hypermarkets. The empirical findings also indicated that customers favor certain goods categories. Practical implications The results of this study provide details of the differences between male and female hypermarket customers, with which managers can use to develop better marketing strategies. Originality/value The purpose of this study is to show hypermarket retailers how gender differences affect customer behavior in this context. It also presents a consumer product categories list for hypermarkets, and this can be used as a reference for follow-up studies.

When, for whom and why expanding single-option offerings creates value: locomotion fit from choice between options

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-112
Author(s):  
Frank Mathmann ◽  
Mathew Chylinski
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Expert Selection ◽  
Product Value ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Emerging direct-to-consumer brands offer a single option to consumers before expanding their assortment as the business grows. This provides a counterexample to commonly held beliefs concerning consumers’ aversion to single options. The purpose of this paper is to study when, for whom and why offering two product options (vs a single option) is valued by consumers. Design/methodology/approach Across six experiments, this research investigates consumers’ locomotion orientation (a motivation for controlling progress), which affects the valuation of choice (vs single options). Findings Consumers’ locomotion orientation determines perceived product value for products chosen from a two-option set (vs when considering a single option) because choice offers active control, which is engaging for high-locomotion consumers. Expanding the set to six options has no such effect. Research limitations/implications Studies 1, 4a and 4b are set in the context of expert-selected single options, while Studies 2, 3 and 5 do not involve expert selection. However, the authors does not contrast expert vs non-expert conditions directly. Practical implications Managers can increase consumers’ willingness to pay by using advertisements to induce locomotion or segmenting consumers based on locomotion orientations. Originality/value Research suggests that consumers value choice between options, yet many emerging brands succeed with a single option. The authors reconcile this by providing insights into motivations that determine when, for whom and why choice (vs a single option) is valued.

Economic consequences of consumer repair strategies for electrical household devices

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Brusselaers ◽  
Ellen Bracquene ◽  
Jef Peeters ◽  
Yoko Dams
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Annual Life Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Repair Strategy ◽  
Repair Costs ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent a consumer’s repair strategy impacts the annual costs of ownership of a washing machine and two types of vacuum cleaner. Design/methodology/approach The annual cost of ownership is determined by calculating the annual life cycle cost (LCC) for the respective devices. The annual LCCs of the different scenarios allow a comparison of the different repair strategy options. A Monte Carlo simulation is run to introduce parameter variability. The device’s failure rate is estimated by a combination of data sets on the devices’ performance. Findings Results demonstrate that the repair of the devices considered is a more favourable option over replacement. A consumer who aims for the lowest annual LCC should allow for a high number of repairs per device, without putting a maximum on the cost per repair. However, the consumer should become more cautious when a device approaches the end of its expected lifetime. Finally, the purchase of warranty can be interesting when the warranty covers a sufficiently long proportion of the device’s (expected) lifetime and when its cost does not exceed a threshold proportion of the initial purchase price. Research limitations/implications The costs for repair might be overestimated. Future research can focus on the reduction of repair costs following self-repair. Practical implications The results provide strong arguments in favour of repair instead of replacement of broken devices. Originality/value This is the first research to quantify the influence of consumer behaviour in the context of repair of devices on the ownership costs of these devices.

Brand image and customers' willingness to pay a price premium for food brands

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Anselmsson ◽  
Niklas Vestman Bondesson ◽  
Ulf Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Price Competition ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Price Premium ◽  
Social Image ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Grocery Retailing ◽  
Packaged Food ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The aim is to understand customers' willingness, or unwillingness, to pay a price premium in the market for consumer packaged food and what kind of images brands can use in order to achieve a price premium. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a quantitative survey of brand images found in food and branding literature and their impact on loyalty as well as customers' willingness to pay a price premium for consumer packaged food. Findings – The survey shows that quality is a significant determinant of price premium, but adding other image dimensions doubles the predictability and understanding about price premium. The strongest determinants of price premium are social image, uniqueness and home country origin. Other significant determinants are corporate social responsibility (CSR) and awareness. Practical implications – The results help brand managers to recognise the importance of incorporating price premium and to develop a better understanding of what drives price premium in addition to more traditional dimensions as quality and loyalty. Originality/value – In grocery retailing, the competition for customers, margins and price premiums between manufacturer and private labels is fierce. Traditionally, the literature on this competition has focused on quality and product improvements as the main tool for creating distance to low priced competition. This study looks into other more branding related dimensions to distance from price competition.

Regulatory non-compliance and performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismaila Yusuf ◽  
Damola Ekundayo
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economy ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Nigerian Banking ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine regulatory sanctions from an emerging economy perspective and analyzing the impact of regulators imposed monetary sanctions on banks’ performance. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted correlational research design to examine the effect of regulatory penalties on the performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria. This study used panel data from a sample of 15 deposit money banks in Nigeria for the period of 2006-2015. Multiple regression analysis was carried out. Findings Results showed that penalties imposed by regulators in the Nigerian banking industry have no significant impact on the bottom line of the defaulters. Penalties imposed on foreign exchange and international trade related infraction showed that the cost of penalties is below the benefits enjoyed from such infractions. Practical implications The insignificant impact of penalties on performance implies that deposit money banks have considered penalties imposed by regulators as operational expenses and transferred such to customers. Originality/value The study differs from other studies that examined regulatory penalties on performance by focusing on financial performance and using data from an emerging economy perceived to have weak regulatory environment.

Developing proactive salespeople – a study and recommendations for sales management

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Michael L. Mallin
Keyword(s):  
Sales Management ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Sales Performance ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Proactive Behavior ◽  
Sales Managers ◽  
Organizational Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it provides the results of a study of key characteristics of proactive salespeople and the impact of salesperson proactive behavior on selling performance. Second, it provides recommendations for sales management to implement organizational strategies designed to develop, train and coach salespeople to be more proactive. Design/methodology/approach In all, 278 business-to-business salespeople were surveyed to identify key traits and outcomes of proactive salespeople. The average subject was 28 years of age with 5 years of selling experience. Scales from the management, organizational behavior and sales performance literature were used to identify the degree that subjects engaged in proactive behavior in their selling role, a self-assessment of their sales performance and individual traits thought to predict higher levels of proactive behavior. Findings The findings revealed that proactive salespeople exhibited high levels of selling behavior performance – an important contributor to measurable selling results. In addition, proactive salespeople were intrinsically motivated, confident in the tasks of selling and willing to take calculated risks. Practical implications Practical implications suggest that sales managers can play a key role in fostering proactive behavior among salespeople through development, training and coaching. First, sales managers can play a role in the development of salesperson intrinsic motivation by stressing the importance of asking good questions to understand their customer’s problems to the extent that they can be proactive and recommend solutions for change. Second, training programs to make salespeople more confident should center on fully understanding product/service functionality and applications to typical customer problems. Finally, coaching tools such as win–loss reviews, post-call analysis/feedback and role-playing are useful mechanisms to reinforce the right type of risk-taking selling behavior decisions. Originality/value The value of this research is to shed light on the importance of salesperson proactive behavior as a means to drive selling organizational performance and fostering long-term customer relationships. Understanding the drivers of proactivity among salespeople is the first step for sales management to be able to operationalize organizational strategies to develop, train and coach salespeople to be more proactive in their selling approach.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document