scholarly journals Analysing Clusters of Consumers Who Use Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Products

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8648
Author(s):  
Roxana-Larisa Cadar ◽  
Antonio Amuza ◽  
Diana Elena Dumitras ◽  
Mihaela Mihai ◽  
Cristina Bianca Pocol

The trend towards health and environmental protection has led to an increase in the consumption of medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) products. The market for MAP products is influenced by consumer behaviour and therefore the aim of this study was to identify consumer segments that use MAP products for phytotherapeutic, cosmetic and personal care purposes according to their perceptions, attitudes and consumption habits and possible correlations between consumption of MAP products and interest in a healthy lifestyle and sustainable behaviour. Data collection was performed by administering a questionnaire to Cluj-Napoca residents. The final sample consisted of two groups of MAP consumers: the first with 231 respondents who use these products for phytotherapeutic purposes, the second group—with 297 respondents who use them as cosmetic and personal care products. The collected data were statistically analysed using the k-means clustering model, resulting in two distinct clusters in both consumer groups: cluster 1, the “Curious”, and Cluster 2, the “Knowledgeable”. For the consumers of the second cluster, consumption was positively correlated with healthcare and environmental protection, while they exhibited a growing interest in environmentally certified MAP products. The results obtained contribute to a better understanding of the MAP products consumption behaviour while tackling the practical implications for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry through the development and innovation of products tailored to consumer needs.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Ilina Cenevska

Abstract This case comment explores the relationship between two intertwined objectives – ensuring security of electricity supply and environmental protection – in the context of the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Inter-Environnement Wallonie ASBL and Bond Beter Leefmilieu Vlaanderen ASBL v. Conseil des ministres. The analysis focuses on the application of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the Habitats Directive to the facts of the case, which concerns the extension by a ten-year period of the operation of two Belgian nuclear power stations (Doel 1 and Doel 2) as part of a national energy policy strategy to ensure the security of Belgium's electricity supply. The case comment also considers the legal and practical implications that arise as a result of employing the ‘security of electricity supply’ exemption to enable derogation from the requirements of the aforementioned Directives in circumstances where a Member State considers the security of its electricity supply to be under threat.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Moaz Gharib ◽  
Kamaal Allil ◽  
Omar Durrah ◽  
Mohammed Alsatouf

PURPOSE: Trust is vital to all positive relationships. This empirical study explores the effect of three facets of organisational trust (trust in supervisors, in co-workers and in the organisation) on employee commitment in Salalah Mills Co. in the food industry in the Sultanate of Oman. METHODOLOGY: Data were collected via an online survey sent to all employees working in Salalah Mills Co., Oman. The final sample consisting of 102 responses with a response rate of 54 percent were analysed using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The findings revealed that two facets of organisational trust (trust in co-workers and trust in supervisors) were found to have a significant positive effect on employee commitment, while trust in the organisation was found to have no significant effect. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Trust in supervisors and trust in co-workers directly affect employee commitment. Therefore, managers should consider promoting both of these forms of trust to enhance employee commitment. VALUE: Although previous studies have examined the link between organisational trust and employee commitment, a focus on Oman and the food sector has been particularly rare, so this study offers new insights. The findings will help decision-makers on design strategies and policies to improve employee commitment through trust.


Author(s):  
Sharif Mahmud ◽  
Taslima Akter ◽  
Sarah Hernandez

Truck parking is currently ranked by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) as the fifth most critical issue for the trucking industry and, more importantly, as the second most important issue for truck drivers. Part of the problem can be attributed to inadequate supply of parking and federal hours of service (HOS) regulations. Recent truck driver stated-preference surveys reveal that amenities including restrooms, fuel, and showers are important considerations while seeking available parking. A link between parking usage patterns and facility amenity bundles can guide transportation agency investments in relation to the design and type of parking facilities with high potential to mitigate overcrowding issues, and can be used for predictive modeling in real-time parking availability algorithms and information systems. This paper used historical, anonymous truck global positioning system (GPS) data to determine the extent to which hourly parking usage patterns, that is, average parking duration, percentage of parked trucks, and parking usage ratio, vary by amenity availability. A K-means clustering model grouped parking facilities by time of day parking usage patterns, season, and geographic region. Each cluster, represented by parking usage patterns, was then tied to unique amenity bundles. Three usage pattern clusters were identified: overnight usage with long parking durations ( Cluster 1), off-peak usage with long parking durations, ( Cluster 2), and off-peak usage with short parking durations ( Cluster 3). In general, overnight and longer duration parking was associated with facilities that had fewer amenities, notably without showers, while peak and off-peak hours and shorter duration parking was associated with full-service facilities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 2310-2330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongseop (Sam) Kim ◽  
Ja Young Choe ◽  
Aejoo Lee

Purpose This paper aims to gain insight into the preferences of US customers regarding Korean food, and to categorize these customers according to the reasons for their preferences. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with a sample of customers in Korean restaurants in the USA. Findings Cluster 1 was a group whose members were attracted to Korean culture; Cluster 2 was a group whose members were passionate about Korean food; Cluster 3 was a group seeking healthy and exotic food; and Cluster 4 was a low-interest group. Each cluster had a different socio-demographic profile, favored a different Korean menu, identified different success factors for Korean restaurants, described different expectations and experiences of Korean restaurants and had different preferences regarding Korean food services. Practical implications Active promotion of Korean food and Korean culture may be appropriate for Cluster 1, while developing a healthy and exotic menu may attract Cluster 3. Maintaining Cluster 2 is deemed important, while a strategic approach is necessary to appeal to Cluster 4. Originality/value This study will contribute theoretically and practically to understanding food globalization, ethnic restaurants and segmentation by preference reasons.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-136
Author(s):  
Laima Jeseviciute-Ufartiene

Abstract Research purpose. Consumer is becoming demanded one in the purchasing process. Thus, consumer behaviour analyses thinking about his or her involvement in the purchase process could be a solution for marketers. This article concentrates on the consumer’s choice of food products in the purchase process because the author is interested to clarify the connection amongst choice, purchase and wasting of food. The research purpose is to evaluate the consumer’s consciousness in choosing food product in the purchase process. Design/Methodology/Approach. Quantitative method using questionnaire was applied to 643 respondents whilst implementing formulated aim. Cronbach’s alpha analyses of 35 items (0.870) showed reliability of the research. Findings. The research results indicated that consumer in the food purchase process is low conscious because he or she does not understand that he or she is buying more than what he or she needs and thus some of his or her purchase becomes waste. Consumer’s consciousness could be seen in the consumer’s lifestyle such as preferences for homemade food. Originality/Value/Practical implications. The research results could be used in practice and science. Food-producing companies might use some research results making their packaging solutions. The research results could give incites for scientists for future research.


2009 ◽  
pp. 125-132
Author(s):  
Krisztián Lőrinczi

Consumer lifestyle and health are relevant factors to understanding consumption preferences. In the last few decades the number of lifestyle diseases has dramatically increased. The main cause for these diseases is the change in lifestyle; including a lack of attention to physical activity and good nutrition. Health and lifestyle are important factors by purchase decision process. In accordance with these, I examine the consumer behaviour toward soft drinks with special regards to healthy lifestyle and the state of health. My examinations can be considered mainly as aqualitative research, which can serve as a basis for further analyses and research, however, the conclusions and experience gained from it are worthy of consideration. I differentiated five soft drink categories: ice tea, carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, mineral waters, sport and energy drinks and studied the consumer behaviour toward them. The study focuses on the consumption of these and the factors influencing their purchase with special regards to lifestyle.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 700-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Iglesias ◽  
Concepción Varela-Neira ◽  
Rodolfo Vázquez-Casielles

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of attributions on the efficacy of service recovery strategies in preventing customer defection following a service failure. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical investigation is carried out on the retail banking industry with a final sample of 448 real cases of customer retention or defection after a service failure. Findings – The results of the study not only highlight the relevance of intentionality as an additional factor in explaining customer defection, but also show the effects of some attributional dimensions (intentionality and controllability) on the efficacy of some recovery strategies (redress, apology and explanation) applied by companies to prevent post-complaint customer defection. Practical implications – The efficacy of the recovery strategies depends on the causal attributions that the customer makes about the service failure. Originality/value – This study analyzes not only the effects of traditional dimensions of attribution (stability and controllability), but also the additional effect that intentionality attributions may have on actual customer defection (not intentions). Moreover, it analyzes their effects on the effectiveness of recovery strategies in preventing customer defection. Most of these effects have never been empirically analyzed in the literature.


Author(s):  
Alyssa Eve Brown

This paper seeks to better understand the festivalgoers’ experience by determining what festivalgoers want at UK rock music festivals. Examining the experience journey, important attributes were identified in pre-, peri- and post-festival phases. Qualitative data was collected from 124 festivalgoers through semi-structured group interviews that were conducted on-site at three different UK rock festivals. Thematic analysis revealed the importance of co-creation and engagement through each phase of the festivalgoer experience. The practical implications of this study provide festival organisers with the opportunity to direct their management efforts on the strategic optimisation of experiences that may promote preferred consumer behaviour through positive word of mouth and future reattendance. Moreover, this article offers a conceptual model of the festivalgoer experience.


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