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Terms modified by Purchasing Selected AbstractsOrganizational Learning in Global Purchasing: A Model and Test of Internal Users and Corporate Buyers,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 2 2000G. Tomas M. Hult ABSTRACT This research examines a model centered on organizational learning in purchasing. Two different studies are conducted to test the hypotheses among purchasing users (Study 1) and buyers (Study 2). The user sample consists of users representing 355 strategic business units of a Fortune 500 multinational corporation. The buyer sample consists of corporate buyers of 200 multinational corporations drawn from the membership directory of the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM). In each study, the focus is on the learning relationships between corporate buyers and internal users in the purchasing organization. Based on the two studies, the results suggest that organizational learning in the purchasing process is influenced by the organizational culture factors of localness, transformational leadership, and openness. Organizational learning has a positive effect on information processing in the purchasing system, which, in turn, has a positive influence on the cycle time of the purchasing process. [source] A11. The influence of the media on eating disordersJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 5 2000S. Almond Background The cause of eating disorders is multifactorial. One of these is sociocultural factors which include family, peers and the media. It has been suggested that constant media pressures can lead to body dissatisfaction, which may result in distorted eating patterns. Aims To review the role of the media in relation to eating disorders Results There has been a shift in the media portrayal of the 'ideal' body size for women, from the voluptuous curved figure of Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s to a thinner 'waif-like' look of Kate Moss in the 1980s. In the mass media shape and weight define perfection. Women perceive themselves as being bigger than they actually are. Their figure deviates from the ideal thus resulting in self body dissatisfaction. 'All I see is these pretty models, I wish I could look like one of them.' ( Wertheim et al. 1997 ) The 'ideal' body image is far from the physiologic norm. Supermodels are born with a specific body type and what the public doesn't understand is that they cannot diet to achieve it. 'Women don't set out to be anorexic, they begin by thinking they're too fat because everywhere they go the media is telling them that they are right' ( Barrett, 1997) Products are often advertised displaying the ideal body shape in the hope that it will enhance the product and create body dissatisfaction. Purchasing the product is perceived as a positive step towards reaching the 'perfect' body image. Concern surrounds the appearance of such advertisements in magazines aimed at adolescent girls, as at this age they are particularly vulnerable to the influences of the media. Stice and Shaw (1994) stated that exposure to the thin 'idea' may have a negative effect on emotions leading to body dissatisfaction. Such emotions include depression, stress, guilt, shame, insecurity, unhappiness, and lower self-confidence. A study by Schotte et al. (1990) indicated that negative emotions can disrupt eating behaviour. Dieters watching a frightening film increased their food intake, whereas nondieters did not. Conclusion The media are not solely responsible for eating disorders but they do contribute by promoting the 'ideal' physique. There is some resistance to media messages, as the majority of people do not develop distorted eating patterns. [source] SO YOU ALREADY HAVE A SURVEY DATABASE?,A SEVEN-STEP METHODOLOGY FOR THEORY BUILDING FROM SURVEY DATABASES: AN ILLUSTRATION FROM INCREMENTAL INNOVATION GENERATION IN BUYER,SELLER RELATIONSHIPSJOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010SUBROTO ROY Across business disciplines, the importance of database research for theory testing continues to increase. The availability of data also has increased, though methods to analyze and interpret these data lag. This research proposes a method for extracting strong measures from survey databases by a progression from qualitative to quantitative techniques. To test the proposed method, this study uses the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) survey database, which includes data from firms in several European countries. The proposed method consists of two phases and seven steps, as illustrated in the context of the firm's incremental innovation generation for buyer,seller relationships. This systematic progression moves from a broad but valid empirical case study to the development of a narrow and reliable measure of incremental innovation generation in the IMP database. The proposed method can use supply chain survey databases for theory development without requiring primary data collection, assuming certain conditions. [source] The Impact of Purchasing and Supply Management Activities on Corporate SuccessJOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2002Lisa M. Ellram SUMMARY Purchasing and supply management (PSM) has gained a great deal of attention in recent years as both a source of cost savings (Ellram 1996) and a source of competitive advantage (Fine 1998). This article attempts to link PSM best practices to corporate success. The article begins with an introduction and a brief survey of the literature. The research method is presented, followed by a discussion of the hypotheses tested. Next, the results of the research are presented and discussed. The article concludes with managerial and research implications. [source] The Future of Purchasing and Supply: A Ten-Year Forecast,JOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2000Phillip L Carter SUMMARY The purpose of this research was the development of the 10-year forecasts for purchasing and supply based upon a close examination of key change drivers. The authors aimed at highlighting the most important areas of concern for purchasing executives. The research included trends of importance for organizations of all sizes, in all major industries , profit and nonprofit, private and public. To this end, the research team: ,,Identified the major economic, demographic, societal, competitive, and technological trends most likely to have major implications for the purchasing and supply management profession, its professionals, and organizationalprocesses ,,Projected the identified trends for 10 years (2008) ,,Determined the impact of these trends on purchasing and supply executives ,,Forecasted the environment for purchasing and supply in 10 years (2008) ,,Projected the changes to the purchasing and supply profession, its professionals, and organizational processes implied as a result of the research [source] Trade Usage and Disclaiming Consequential Damages: The Implications for Just-in-Time PurchasingAMERICAN BUSINESS LAW JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009Robert B. Bennett Jr. First page of article [source] Online visual merchandising (VMD) cues and consumer pleasure and arousal: Purchasing versus browsing situationPSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 2 2010Young Ha The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of various online visual merchandising (VMD) cues,high and low task relevant cues,on consumer pleasure and arousal under different situational involvement (browsing vs. purchasing). A random sample of 1634 female college students participated in an experiment in the context of online apparel shopping. The results of the study revealed a significant effect for high task relevant cues on pleasure and arousal under high situational involvement (purchasing situation). In addition, a significant effect for low task relevant cues on pleasure and arousal under low situational involvement (browsing situation) was found. Pleasure and arousal induced by various online VMD cues were positively related to consumer satisfaction, purchase intention, and approach behavior. The findings of the study emphasize a significant role of VMD cues on apparel Web sites, influencing pleasure and arousal, which in turn increase consumer satisfaction, purchase intention, and approach behavior. The study also provides an important implication for online apparel retailers developing Web sites that may attract both online browsers and purchasers. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Purchasing of cigarettes by New Zealand secondary students in 2000AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 5 2002Rob McGee Objective: To examine the prevalence of under-age sales of cigarettes to New Zealand secondary school students in 2000 and to identify correlates of buying cigarettes. Method: A randomly selected sample of 53 secondary schools from five geographic regions took part, and 2,896 Year 10 and Year 12 students completed a self-report questionnaire. Results: Some 30.3% reported smoking during the past 30 days and 61.8% of these students usually obtained cigarettes by purchasing from shops, from other students or from someone else buying them on their behalf. Local corner stores and service stations were the most popular source. Buying cigarettes was associated with more frequent smoking, more money to spend, a higher school decile rating and higher proportion of schoolmates also purchasing. Conclusions: Prohibition of cigarette sales to minors needs much greater attention in NZ than it is receiving at present if smoking among young people is to be reduced. [source] THINKING ABOUT A MOBILE HEALTH UNIT TO DELIVER SERVICES?AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2000THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING Purchasing a mobile unit to deliver health-care services can be an expensive undertaking for anyone interested in pursuing this option. Yet, little information is found in the literature on planning or designing such vehicles. A set of guidelines could help administrators to make better decisions regarding this approach for delivering healthcare. This article focuses on mobile health units (MHU). It provides a synthesis of the literature in addition to information from written and oral correspondence with the chief executive officers (CEO) of firms that manufacture MHU. On-site visits to agencies using an MHU were made by one of the authors (DM) to glean their perspective. The combined sources led to the development of guidelines and checklists that can assist administrators in planning the function, design and operation of an MHU to deliver health-care services to remote rural sites. [source] The implementation of socially responsible purchasingCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2010Charlotte Leire Abstract Social and ethical issues in the supply chain are gaining importance in all types of organizations. Therefore some public and private organizations have already started to introduce socially responsible purchasing practices. However, current practices are limited and seem unsystematic. There is also a difference between few front-running organizations and the rest. It is therefore useful at this early stage to disseminate the knowledge and experiences based on the best-performing organizations. This paper does that by developing a model of the socially responsible purchasing process that is based on the empirical and secondary data. The model reveals the five elementary steps that are necessary in the implementation of systematic socially responsible purchasing practices: developing internal policies; setting purchasing criteria that regard social issues; applying assurance practices; managing supplier relations; and building internal capacity. The model also points to the different activities in the process and their associated challenges. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] The Value of Production Schedule Integration in Supply ChainsDECISION SCIENCES, Issue 4 2001Lee Krajewski Abstract This study explores the value of integrated production schedules for reducing the negative effects of schedule revisions in supply chains involving buyer and supplier firms. A stochastic cost model is developed to evaluate the total supply chain cost with integrated purchasing and scheduling policies. The model minimizes the costs associated with assembly rate adjustment, safety stock, and schedule changes for all supply chain members. Through experimentation, the paper examines the impact of several environmental factors on the value of schedule integration. This study finds that schedule integration can lead to overall cost savings in a supply chain, but some firms may have to absorb costs in excess of those they would incur with independent scheduling. Environments with high inventory holding costs and long supplier lead times may not find it beneficial to adopt an integrated schedule. Forecast effectiveness plays a critical role in realizing the benefits of schedule integration. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research. [source] Organizational Learning in Global Purchasing: A Model and Test of Internal Users and Corporate Buyers,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 2 2000G. Tomas M. Hult ABSTRACT This research examines a model centered on organizational learning in purchasing. Two different studies are conducted to test the hypotheses among purchasing users (Study 1) and buyers (Study 2). The user sample consists of users representing 355 strategic business units of a Fortune 500 multinational corporation. The buyer sample consists of corporate buyers of 200 multinational corporations drawn from the membership directory of the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM). In each study, the focus is on the learning relationships between corporate buyers and internal users in the purchasing organization. Based on the two studies, the results suggest that organizational learning in the purchasing process is influenced by the organizational culture factors of localness, transformational leadership, and openness. Organizational learning has a positive effect on information processing in the purchasing system, which, in turn, has a positive influence on the cycle time of the purchasing process. [source] Prevalence and correlates of purchasing contraband cigarettes on First Nations reserves in Ontario, CanadaADDICTION, Issue 3 2009Rita Luk ABSTRACT Aims Non-First Nations people purchasing cigarettes on First Nations reserves do not pay applicable taxes. We estimated prevalence and identified correlates of purchasing contraband cigarettes on reserves; we also quantified the share of contraband purchased on reserves relative to reported total cigarette consumption and the associated financial impact on taxation revenue. Design Data from the Ontario Tobacco Survey, a regionally stratified representative population telephone survey that over-samples smokers. Setting Ontario, Canada. Participants A total of 1382 adult current smokers. Measurements Reported status of purchasing cigarettes on reserves and the quantity of cigarettes bought on reserves. The prevalence of purchasing cigarettes on reserves was assessed with descriptive statistics. A two-part model was used to analyse correlates of having recently purchased contraband. Findings A total of 25.8% reported recent purchasing and 11.5% reported usual purchasing. Heavy smoking, having no plans to quit and lower education were correlated with recent purchasing. Heavy smoking and not having plans to quit were also correlated with buying more packs of cigarettes on reserves. Contraband purchases on reserves accounted for 14.0% of the reported total cigarette consumption and resulted in an estimated tax loss of $122.2 million. Conclusions There was substantial purchasing of contraband cigarettes on reserves in Ontario, resulting in significant losses in tax revenues. The availability of these cheap cigarettes undermines the effectiveness of tobacco taxation to reduce smoking. Wherever indicated, governments should strengthen their contraband prevention and control measures, as recommended by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to ensure that tobacco taxation achieves its intended health benefits and that tax revenues are protected. [source] UK smokers' and ex-smokers' reactions to cigarettes promising reduced riskADDICTION, Issue 1 2007Saul Shiffman ABSTRACT Aims This study evaluated the impact of exposure to information about a novel cigarette claiming to reduce exposure to tobacco toxins (,potential reduced exposure product' cigarette or PREP-C) on smokers' and ex-smokers' perceptions of PREP-C, on quit interest among smokers and on interest in resuming smoking among ex-smokers. Design and Participants A random digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted in the United Kingdom with 500 current smokers and 106 ex-smokers who had quit within the last 2 years. Intervention The interviewer described a novel cigarette that claimed to significantly reduce exposure to smoke toxins. Measurements Respondents' interest in purchasing the PREP-C, beliefs about its safety and risk reduction and smokers' quit interest, as measured by stage of change, before and after exposure to PREP-C information. Findings Among smokers, 76.5% were interested in purchasing PREP-C; interest did not vary by stage of change. Almost all smokers (90.6%) thought PREP-C was safer than regular cigarettes, with 5.4% indicating that the health risks were equivalent to not smoking at all. Exposure to PREP-C description did not change quit interest. Among ex-smokers, 5.6% believed PREP-C carried no health risk and 7.1% expressed purchase interest. Conclusions Smokers and ex-smokers interpreted claims of reduced toxin exposure as reduced health risk and responded positively towards PREP-Cs. With the increasing introduction of PREP-Cs world-wide, evaluation of these products and their claims on quitting among smokers and on relapse among ex-smokers is a matter of public health urgency. [source] Taking Stock at Quantum University,/INVENTAIRE À L'UNIVERSITÉ QUANTUMACCOUNTING PERSPECTIVES, Issue 4 2007Gary Grudnitski ABSTRACT This case describes the operations and procedures of a major university's athletic equipment room. It details the functions of requisitioning, purchasing, and receiving of equipment and gear used by the university's sports teams; and the custody, management, and record keeping of these items. On the basis of this description, the student is asked to prepare a two-part report. In the first part of the report the student should identify the weaknesses and associated risks that existed in the operations of the equipment room and its inventory of athletic equipment, gear, and clothing. Furthermore, instances in the case that provide evidence of these weaknesses and risks should also be reported. Upon receiving feedback on the adequacy of the first part of the report, the student in the second part of the report should delineate the controls that might be implemented to address these weaknesses and mitigate their associated risks. RÉSUMÉ Le cas élaboré par les auteurs contient une description du fonctionnement et des méthodes de gestion de la salle de matériel de sport d'une grande université. Les fonctions de demande d'achat, d'achat et de réception du matériel et des appareils utilisés par les équipes sportives de l'université y sont décrites avec précision, de même que celles de la garde et de la gestion de ce matériel ainsi que de la tenue des registres de stock. À partir de cette description, l'étudiant est appelé à préparer un rapport en deux volets. Dans le premier volet doivent être relevés les faiblesses que présentent le fonctionnement de la salle de matériel de sport et la tenue de l'inventaire du matériel, des appareils et des vêtements de sport, et les risques qui y sont associés. Les données du cas établissant l'existence de ces faiblesses et de ces risques doivent aussi figurer dans le rapport. Lorsque l'étudiant reçoit une appréciation de la pertinence du premier volet du rapport, il doit, dans le second volet, décrire les contrôles qui pourraient être mis en ,uvre pour combler ces faiblesses et atténuer les risques qui y sont associés. [source] Online shoppers in Australia: dealing with problemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 1 2008Huong Ha Abstract Although the Internet is a convenient platform to conduct commercial transactions, consumers are disadvantaged in the online marketplace due to insufficient information about goods and services as well as business and transaction process, lack of access to redress and several other problems. The number of complaints regarding online transactions increased in Australia from 2001 to 2005, and the number of Internet-fraud related complaints reported to Consumer Sentinel (USA) also increased from 2003 to 2006. This, in turn, has undermined consumer trust and impeded the growth of e-retailing as well as added to the fear among e-consumers of falling prey to online fraud. In spite of this, the nature and effectiveness of e-consumer protection has not been adequately studied, notwithstanding extensive research into other aspects of e-retailing. This article examines (i) the level of awareness of the respondents in the survey in Australia of the current policy framework for addressing consumer protection about online shopping in terms of redress; and (ii) the behaviour of the two groups of respondents in this survey who have and have not encountered problems with online purchases. The findings suggest that most respondents are not aware of the following issues, namely (i) which organizations are involved in e-consumer protection; (ii) government regulations and guidelines; (iii) industry codes of conduct; (iv) self-regulatory approaches adopted by business; and (v) the activities of consumer associations to protect consumers in the online marketplace. The findings also show that most respondents would seek redress if they were unhappy with their online purchases and if they knew how to proceed, and that most of them would settle disputes directly with e-retailers. Also, online shoppers who had encountered problems were more likely to continue purchasing via the Internet than online shoppers who had not encountered any problems. This suggests that respondents find that the benefits offered by e-retailing outweigh the risks associated with it. [source] Beyond drinking: the role of wine in the life of the UK consumerINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 5 2007Caroline Ritchie Abstract Since the development of wine sales via supermarkets in the UK in the 1970s wine consumption has more than doubled so now the UK is the largest wine import market (by value) in the world. Wine is now consumed by approximately 61% of the UK adult population on a regular basis. For many social wine consumption has become part of their lifestyle. Given the international importance of the UK wine market, plus the increasing incorporation of wine into regular consumption behaviour, it is remarkable how few academic studies have been undertaken into the consumption behaviour of moderate, social UK wine consumers. This paper aims to start developing that knowledge, thus adding to our understanding of consumer behaviour in general. The results show that consumers use wine in very sophisticated ways via purchasing, gifting and consumption. The findings also show that social interaction with wine varies significantly, dependant upon occasion and environment. Behaviour also varies if the purchase, as gift and/or for consumption, is perceived as a private or public activity. This paper places UK wine consumer behaviour within a social context, and is able to show that all consumers display a range of behaviours in relation to wine which are situation and occasion dependant. [source] Polish and Belgian consumers' perception of environmentally friendly behaviourINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 1 2000Irene T. M. Roozen The aim of this study was to design a method for evaluating the importance that consumers place on the characteristics of environmentally friendly (EF) products and on consumer EF behaviour. Attitudes and opinions of consumers regarding the EF value of the different aspects of consumer behaviour , purchasing, using and disposing of goods , were measured. The perception of EF behaviour was analysed for Belgian and Polish consumers, a Western and an Eastern European country. The cultural, economic and political differences between Belgium and Poland may imply that their consideration of EF behaviour is different. The perception of consumers about buying, using and disposing of EF products does not necessarily indicate their own EF behaviour, but it gives an indication of what consumers think is EF behaviour. On the basis of the results, policy-makers and industry can diagnose the consumers' perceived cost,benefit relationship of EF consumer behaviour. An evaluation of what consumers think is EF can be made for the two countries. Marketers, government and EF organizations can draw on our research results when developing EF products and/or advertising campaigns. [source] Can a purchaser be a partner? nursing education in the English universitiesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2001E. Meerabeau Abstract Since the early 1990s, public sector management in England has been exhorted to follow the example of the private sector, and ,quasi-markets' have been established, for example in the health service. A quasi-market also exists between the NHS and higher education for the purchasing (or procurement) of nursing education. This paper uses policy documents such as the National Health Service Executive Circular (March 1999) on ,Good Contracting Guidelines' for Non-Medical Education and Training, plus other relevant literature on the commodification of higher education, quasi-markets and contract theory to examine this market, and the confusion of two rhetorics, those of competition and partnership. Nursing occupies a marginal place in higher education in England, having only recently become part of it. The emphasis of the quasi-market on the output of a trained ,fit for purpose' labour force combines with professional attempts to create an academic discipline, in complex ways which are as yet underanalysed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Holiday users of the Internet , ease of use, functionality and noveltyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Chris Ryan Abstract This study is based upon a sample of 517 international visitors to New Zealand. It suggests that Internet usage is based upon perceived usefulness and ease of system use. Of additional importance is user confidence about system security. Functional issues of purchasing seem to take priority over information search as users become more familiar with web pages. An additional finding is that entertainment needs are arguably better met by other Internet functions than those provided by destination web pages. Novelty on the Net is perhaps sought from specific sources, and not from the Net generally. Implications are discussed for both measurement and marketing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Explaining Non-Compliance with European Union Procurement Directives: A Multidisciplinary PerspectiveJCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue 2 2010KEES GELDERMAN Since their adoption in the 1970s, compliance with European Union (EU) procurement directives has been problematic. Many studies have reported on the effectiveness of the directives, mostly in terms of the impact on the openness of public procurement and the impact on cross-border trade. However, research on the explanation (or the lack) of compliance with EU directives is limited. This article identifies the directives which are most sensitive to non-compliance. A multidisciplinary model for explaining compliance is presented, drawing from criminal theory, economics, social psychology and public purchasing. The impact on compliance is quantified, using survey data from purchasing professionals of the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The results indicate that both the expected gains of compliance and the organizational pressure have a positive impact on compliance. In contrast, no support is found for the effect of certainty and severity of sanctions and the perceived resistance of suppliers in case of non-compliance. [source] Morgan Stanley Roundtable on Private Equity and Its Import for Public CompaniesJOURNAL OF APPLIED CORPORATE FINANCE, Issue 3 2006Article first published online: 4 OCT 200 The role of private equity in global capital markets appears to be expanding at an extraordinary rate. Morgan Stanley estimates that there are now some 2,700 private equity funds that either have raised, or are in the process of raising, a total of $500 billion. With this abundance of available equity capital, the willingness of private equity firms to participate in "club" deals, and the leverage that can be put on top of the equity, private equity buyers now appear able and willing to pay higher prices for assets than ever before. And thanks in part to this new purchasing power, private equity transactions reportedly account for a quarter of all global M&A activity as well as a third of the high yield and IPO markets. The stock of capital now devoted to private equity reflects the demonstrated ability of at least the most reputable buyout firms to produce consistently high rates of returns for their limited partners. Although a talent for identifying and purchasing undervalued assets may be part of the story, the ability to produce such returns on a consistent basis implies an ability to add value, to improve the performance of the operating companies they invest in and control. And in this round-table, a small group of academics and practitioners address two main questions: How does private equity add value? And are there lessons for public companies in the success of private companies? According to the panelists, the answer to the first question appears to have changed somewhat over time. The consensus was that most of the value added by the LBO firms of the,80s was created during the initial structuring of the deals, a process described by Steve Kaplan as "financial and governance engineering," which includes not only aggressive use of leverage and powerful equity incentives for operating managements, but active oversight by a small, intensely interested board of directors. In the past ten years, however, these standard LBO features have been complemented by increased attention to "operational engineering," to the point where today's buyout firms feel obligated, like classic venture capitalists, to acquire and tout their own operating expertise. In response to the second of the two questions, Michael Jensen argues that much of the approach and benefits of private equity-particularly the adjustments of financial policies and stronger managerial incentives-can be replicated by public companies. And although some of these benefits have already been realized, much more remains to be done. Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, is finding a way to transfer to public companies the board-level expertise, incentives, and degree of engagement that characterize companies run by private equity investors. [source] A Mathematical Programming Approach for Procurement Using Activity Based CostingJOURNAL OF BUSINESS FINANCE & ACCOUNTING, Issue 1-2 2000Zeger Degraeve Activity Based Costing and Management are important topics in today's management accounting literature. While there has been much attention paid in the Activity Based Costing literature to customer profitability analysis, process improvement and product design, there has been far less notice taken of purchasing. In this paper we develop an Activity Based Costing approach for the determination of procurement strategies. Vendor selection using an Activity Based Costing approach is choosing the combination of suppliers for a given product group that minimizes the total costs associated with the purchasing strategy. To this end we develop a mathematical programming model where decisions involve the selection of vendors and the determination of order quantities. The system computes the total cost of ownership, thereby increasing the objectivity in the selection process and giving the opportunity for various kinds of sensitivity analysis. [source] Consumer decision making in low-income families: The case of conflict avoidanceJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 5 2009Kathy Hamilton This paper explores consumer decision making in low-income families. The focus is on the issue of conflict avoidance within the family when making consumption choices. Whereas previous studies have focused on conflict resolution strategies, this paper considers the ways in which families prevent conflict from arising in the first instance. These include individual control in purchasing and budgeting decisions, giving in to the requests of children and ensuring open communication about the family's financial situation. Importantly, the connections between the poverty narrative and the family decision making narrative are considered as the decision making strategies employed are not only aimed at avoiding conflict but also making experiences of poverty more manageable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A cross-national examination of consumer perceived risk in the context of non-deceptive counterfeit brandsJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 1 2008Dr. Cleopatra Veloutsou This study investigates the relationships between six identified dimensions of perceived risk and the overall risk, and also their explanatory power to the overall risk when purchasing counterfeit brands in two different contexts. Using a self-administered instrument, a total of 525 responses were collected, 230 from the UK and 295 from China. The results support the hypothesised significant interrelationship between the dimensions of perceived risk in both contexts. However there are some differences. The models have a different exploratory power, with the one based on the British sample being stronger, while a somewhat different combination of the risk dimensions seems to predict the overall risk in each context. The psychological risk is the only dimension of risk that with no doubt contributes to the formation of the overall risk in both contexts. Although one could argue that when purchasing counterfeits social risk could be an issue, the evidence reported in this study does not support the view. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Materialism as a predictor variable of low income consumer behavior when entering into installment plan agreementsJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 1 2008Mateus Canniatti Ponchio This paper explores the influence of materialism on consumer indebtedness among low income individuals who live in poor regions of Sao Paulo. A materialism scale was adapted to this context and used to describe the level of materialism among the population surveyed. Results obtained relative to the relationship between materialism and socio-demographic variables are compared to those of previous studies. A logistic regression model was developed in order to characterize individuals who have an installment plan payment booklet,the main source of consumer credit for the population studied,and to differentiate them from those who do not, based on the materialism level, socio-demographic variables and purchasing and consumer habits. The proposed model confirms materialism as a behavioral variable that is useful for forecasting the probability of an individual getting into debt in order to consume. Income had the biggest relative influence on the regression model, followed by materialism and age, controlled by gender. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Family purchase decision making: exploring child influence behaviourJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 4 2007Elizabeth S. Thomson Children have long been acknowledged as playing an important role within family purchase decisions, with their ability to directly and indirectly influence decisions. The research discussed in this paper arose from an identified opportunity to develop knowledge surrounding the important role that children play within family purchasing by including them as direct research respondents. The methods adopted included an in-depth interview with parents and children separately, and the completion of a decision mapping tool followed by a family interview. The findings address a specific and important aspect of the data, namely the influence behaviour adopted by children during high-involvement family purchase decisions. The children in all of the respondent families were found to have direct influence over the purchases discussed. They demonstrated a range of sophisticated influence behaviours that included justifying and highlighting the benefits of purchases, forming coalitions, compromising and remaining persistent. These behaviours were underpinned and enhanced by the use of product-related knowledge and information, which was viewed positively and encouraged by parents. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Parental consumer learning or ,keeping up with the children'JOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 4 2007Karin M. Ekström Children are socialized as consumers earlier now than any other time in history. The rapidly changing pace of society especially with regards to technology, information processing, transportation, etc. makes it possible for them to experience purchasing and consumption at a much faster rate than that of their parents. Children may possess knowledge which their parents lack and they may share their experience and knowledge and in so doing influence their parents. It can result in parents learning about consumption from their children, something which has not been sufficiently acknowledged by previous research. The purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of how consumption patterns and knowledge are transferred from children to parents. In-depth interviews carried out with ,children' of age group 13,30 show that they contributed information prior to and during the purchase, but also afterwards by helping to instal or showing parents how to use a product. The adolescents and adult children had often introduced new products to their parents and made them aware of recent trends. Often they also seemed to deal more easily with new technology than their parents. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Consumers' product evaluation: a study of the primary evaluative criteria in the precious jewellery market in the UKJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 2 2001Dr Ahmad Jamal Lecturer in Marketing Abstract It is normally argued that consumers make their purchase decisions on the basis of their evaluation of, and knowledge about, the product attributes. This paper reports findings from a research study, which was conducted to determine the nature and type of evaluative criteria used by an individual while purchasing a piece of precious jewellery. In doing so, the study looked into the significance of product category knowledge, brand familiarity and brand consciousness in product evaluation. A questionnaire was sent to 500 consumers of precious jewellery in five major cities of the UK. Results indicate that, in general, subjective attributes are more important for people buying precious jewellery than the objective attributes. The significance of specific attributes during product evaluation could vary according to one's level of product category knowledge, brand familiarity and brand consciousness. The paper discusses implications for the marketers. Copyright © 2001 Henry Stewart Publications. [source] The Role of Debt Purchases in Takeovers: A Tale of Two RetailersJOURNAL OF ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, Issue 3 2006Thomas H. Noe In this paper, we examine acquisitions of two financially distressed retailers,Federated's takeover of Macy's, and Zell Chilmark's takeover of Carter Hawley Hale. In both cases the raider purchased some of the target's outstanding debt to launch its takeover attempt. These debt purchases appear to have been facilitated by two salient factors,the raider's expertise in dealing with distressed firm restructuring and the ability of the raider to acquire a large blockholding of debt. Our analysis indicates that, when these factors are present, it is optimal for a raider to initiate a takeover of a distressed firm through purchasing a block of the firm's debt. Target bondholder reaction will be favorable whereas shareholder reaction may be either favorable or unfavorable. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||