scholarly journals POSSIBLE CAUSES INHIBITING THE PURCHASE OF CHINESE GROCERY OWN BRANDS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Song

The aim of this preliminary study is to identify the possible causes inhibiting consumers from purchasing Chinese own brands. In view of the absence of literature on this aspect of commerce in Asia, a review of Western literature was conducted. The data for this study is from semi-structured in-depth interviews with Chinese retail consultants and grocery shoppers in Shanghai, China. The results of the study show that negative low price image, low perceived own brand quality, and the importance of “face” in Chinese culture are the key factors resulting in negative sentiment toward Chinese grocery own brands. The results of this investigation are expected to provide a basis for making recommendations for the use of both international and Chinese retailers when building Chinese grocery own brands. The findings of this study have been generated from a small group of interviewees in a single city and thus cannot be considered conclusive. Therefore further research in other cities of China and other Asian countries should be conducted. The study offers novel views from the consumer perspective on the unwillingness to buy own brands in emerging markets.

Author(s):  
Lina Lee ◽  
Mary Lou Maher

Smart environments and the use of interactive technology has the potential to improve the quality of life for the senior community as well as to support the connections among the senior community and the world outside their community. In addition to the increasing number of studies in the field of aging and technologies, research is needed to understand the practical issues of user focus, adoption, and engagement for older adults to accept interactive technologies in their lives. In this study, we use two commercial technological interventions (uDraw and GrandPad) to understand technology-related perceptions and behaviors of older adults. We present five case studies that emerge from empirical observations of initial engagement with technology through research methods such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, observations, and diary studies. The contributions of this study are identification of the key factors that influence the initial engagement with interactive technology for older adults.


Author(s):  
Joyce Ayikoru Asiimwe

This paper communicates the results of a diagnostic evaluation of the performance of boys and girls in physical sciences at Ordinary level in Uganda after the adoption of the compulsory science policy. The objectives of the study were twofold: to examine the academic performance of boys and girls in the Uganda National Examinations from 2007 to 2010, and to highlight key factors that continue to influence the achievement of students, especially girls in sciences. Data was obtained from five co-educational secondary schools using documentary reviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The results revealed that the performance of both boys and girls have further declined after the implementation of the compulsory science policy. However, in comparison to the boys, girls in co-educational schools were still more likely to be among the poorest performers in sciences. This was attributed to a number of factors, key among them being girls' self-concept in sciences, and teachers' perception of girls' abilities in sciences. These findings reiterate the need to mainstream gender into both policy design and implementation.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Ungaro ◽  
Laura Di Pietro ◽  
Maria Francesca Renzi ◽  
Roberta Guglielmetti Mugion ◽  
Maria Giovina Pasca

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the consumer's perspective regarding the relationship between services and well-being, contributing to the knowledge base in transformative service research (TSR). More specifically the aim was to understand consumers' perceptions of the relationship between services and well-being and their views about how companies can contribute (directly and/or indirectly) to achieve the well-being.Design/methodology/approachTo reach the research aim, the study adopts an explorative inductive design, carried out through a qualitative approach and grounded in 30 in-depth interviews with consumers.FindingsService sustainability represents the fundamental characteristic that determines the service ability to be transformative, requiring the implementation of the triple bottom line dimensions: social, environmental and economic. It emerged that, in the consumer's mind, the service categories that present a stronger relationship between service and well-being are as follows: healthcare, financial and transport.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a conceptual framework to describe the consumer perspective of the services' transformative role in promoting well-being, providing a theoretical lens for conducting future research and continuing to expand transformative service research (TSR).


Management ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-235
Author(s):  
Bui Thi Thu Hang ◽  
Dinh Tran Ngoc Huy ◽  
Phan Thuy An ◽  
Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc ◽  
Huynh Thi My Duyen

SummaryThe research aimed to evaluate suitability of Bitcoin and its platform in emerging markets such as Vietnam. We used qualitative analysis combined with data collection method published, statistics, analysis, synthesis, comparison, to generate qualitative comments and discussion; evaluate results, the article analyzed and evaluated the impacts of Bitcoin and virtual currency on society of Vietnam, both positive and negative sides. It was found that virtual currency not accepted in Vietnam as means of payment yet, while many nations in the world accept it. We need to complete the legal framework for virtual currencies in general, Bitcoin in particular. The State should continue to have policies to improve information technology infrastructure, build and improve the capacity of the contingent of financial experts, encryption, and security experts and give warning risks in virtual currency transactions. The scientific value of paper is using experiences from previous studies in other countries to generate recommendations for conditions of Bitcoin development in merging markets. Last but not least, the research was limited to the case of Vietnam; hence, we can expand research to other Asian countries or other emerging markets.


Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 490-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nik Elyna Myeda ◽  
Michael Pitt

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the facilities management (FM) industry in Malaysia, looking at the development and focus in the industry in contrast with other countries where the FM industry is mature. The paper also focuses on the development hierarchy and initiatives taken by the Malaysian Government regarding public service in FM. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a mixed method approach. The first method used is an FM literature review; this is followed by a survey of Malaysian FM practitioners, which also acts as a preliminary study for this research. Findings – The paper proposes a set of elements in understanding FM development in Malaysia. These are categorised into seven key factors: level of growth, practice, service, profession, opportunities, demands and challenges. Research limitations/implications – The preliminary survey was carried out to ascertain the research gap and viability of the study. Although there was a participation constraint, it is believed that the responses have contributed significantly in indicating the way forward for this research. Practical implications – There is a lack of FM studies in the Malaysian context, which limits the knowledge and exploration of the research scope. This study gives more opportunities for future researchers to embark on research in this area. Originality/value – The paper gives comprehensive key factors defining development or progress of the FM industry in Malaysia. A further study exploring the element of FM service performance will be conducted based on a case study methodology.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002087282110211
Author(s):  
Tak-Mau Simon Chan ◽  
Yin-Nei Esther Cho

This study aims to explore the conception of masculinity in organizing the help-seeking behavior of Chinese males in Hong Kong. Twelve informants, who had experienced being abused in various relationships, participated in the in-depth interviews. Discourse analysis drawn from the analytical process per James Paul Gee is applied to examine the data. Six discourse positions are highlighted, including placating masculinity, counter-masculinity, fragmented identity, masculinity through sex, identity through gender, and finally, non-normative sexual identity. The complicity of the concept of masculinity in Chinese culture and implications for social workers are further discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 03004
Author(s):  
Qi Liu ◽  
Huagang Yang ◽  
Yiwei Zhang

Geomantic omen is both strange and familiar to the contemporary people. It is not only a part of the traditional Chinese culture, but also contains the contradictions and disputes in Chinese long history of thought, practice and theory. This article is based on the context of modern design, discuss the reason of the Geomantic omen cannot be the key factors of modern design from three perspectives, including research trend, discipline development, practice creation. Through the summary of data, typical cases, and geomantic theory, it is believed that modern geomantic research should be based on rational evaluation and theoretical research. Except that, geomancy can be study not only by using modern science and technology, but also through transcending the ideological level. Finally, the idea of the future development of geomantic is set up for the re-thinking and re-exploration of the contemporary research.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zong Xu-xiao ◽  
Duncan Vaughan ◽  
Norihiko Tomooka ◽  
Akito Kaga ◽  
Wang Xin-wang ◽  
...  

AbstractA set of 146 representative adzuki (Vigna angularis var. angularis and var. nipponensis) germplasm from six Asian countries with a tradition of adzuki bean production, together with an outgroup standard rice bean (Vigna umbellata), were analysed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methodology using 12 informative primer pairs. A total of 313 unambiguous polymorphic bands were created. According to the dendrogram, using cluster analysis based on AFLP banding, 143 of the accessions were distinct and revealed enough genetic diversity for identification and classification of accessions within Vigna angularis. A neighbour-joining tree was generated using the newly developed Innan's nucleotide diversity estimate from the AFLP data. From analysis, seven distinct evolutionary groups, named ‘Chinese cultivated’, ‘Japanese cultivated’, ‘Japanese complex-Korean cultivated’, ‘Chinese wild’, ‘China Taiwan wild’, ‘Nepal- Bhutan cultivated’ and ‘Himalayan wild’, were detected. Nucleotide diversity with geographical distribution of each group is discussed, regarding the evolutionary relationships between wild and cultivated adzuki beans. The preliminary results indicated that cultivated adzuki beans have been domesticated from at least four progenitors with at least three geographical origins.


Author(s):  
Peta Odgers

Background: It is widely recognised that the type of injury sustained plays a role in an individual's ability to return to work (RTW). Employers are quick to point out, though, that the injury alone does not always impact an injured/unwell worker's RTW outcome.Objectives: The objectives of this research were to provide Comcare with greater insights and a better understanding of the factors that influence RTW outcomes for workers in the Australian federal workers’ compensation scheme.Methods: A total of 47 in-depth interviews were conducted with injured workers from both premium paying and self-insured organisations in four Australian States and Territories. An independent research company conducted the interviews on behalf of Comcare between December 2012 and February 2013. A purposeful sampling approach was employed, however, this was influenced by the willingness of people to participate.Findings: Personal situation, expectations of the organisation, relationship with the organisation and personality traits were identified as key factors influencing an individual's ability to return to work. The two driving characteristics of ‘personal resilience’ and ‘trust in the employer’ were used to identify four key types of claimants – Strivers, Temporarily Floored, Defensive & Entitled, and Victims.Discussion: Although individuals were found to have a clear disposition towards one typology over another, it was apparent that they could move between these typologies depending on how their RTW journey was going. For example, a ‘Temporarily Floored’ individual encountering perceived ‘unfair or harsh’ judgement from their employer could develop a ‘Victim’ mindset.Conclusion: Understanding that core individual dispositions impact a person's readiness, preparedness and confidence to RTW, has provided Comcare with the framework to further explore how we can identify and use these personal characteristics at the beginning of a claim to improve the recovery and RTW outcomes of our claimants.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 14-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liu

AbstractRecent studies have shown what indispensable role mobile phones play as means of mobilization in contentious politics around the world. Nevertheless, there has been no clear elaboration of how mobile phone uses translate into mobilization in contentious politics. To fill this gap, the current study employs Passy’s (2003) framework of the threefold function of social ties as channels of mobilization to examine how mobile communication, embedding the dynamics of social ties, influences protest mobilization. It investigates two cases in rural and urban China in which Chinese people employed their mobile phones to mobilize participants for protests, and conducts 24 in-depth interviews with participants in these protests. Findings suggest that using mobile phones for mobilization registers the relational dynamics of social ties, which shapes participants’ perceptions of given protest issues, ensures the safety of protest recruitment and mobilization in a repressive context, and generates pressure on participation, all of which contributes to the mechanism of mobilization. This study concludes with the concept of ‘relational mobilization’, which addresses the embedment and relevance of social ties in the process of mobile-phone-mediated mobilization and its implication for Asian countries.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document