The main object of my thesis was to analyse shopping and consumer behaviour on the market with processed cheese. On the basis of this analysis I worked out on the recommendations for producer of processed cheese. First I studied expert literature and secondary sources. It the second part of my thesis I have done a consumer research. I received 305 completed questionnaires. I processed results into coding format to create the graphs. I made a recommendations for producer of processed cheese.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto da adição do óleo de Echium em mortadelas com teor de sódio reduzido. Os efeitos de diferentes níveis de redução de cloreto de sódio foram avaliados, tendo sido processados quatro mortadelas: Controle, T20, T40 e T60 (20, 40 e 60% de redução do NaCl por PuraQ® Arome NA4). Os produtos foram caracterizados por análises físico-químicas, microestruturais e de aceitação sensorial. Os resultados mostraram que o nível máximo de redução de cloreto de sódio em mortadela, ainda bem aceita pelos consumidores, e mantendo suas características físico-químicas adequadas, foi de 40%. Técnicas de pesquisa com consumidores por Conjoint Analysis (CA) e Grupo Focal foram conduzidas de forma a avaliar a percepção e aceitação do conceito de mortadelas com menor teor de sódio e enriquecidas com ômega-3. Embalagens hipotéticas de mortadelas mais saudáveis foram avaliados por 263 consumidores na CA e por dois grupos contendo 8 participantes no Grupo Focal. Ambas as técnicas demonstraram que os consumidores aprovariam e consumiriam o produto com alegações de \"menos sódio e com ômega-3\". Definido o nível máximo de sódio e a percepção de uma mortadela com alegações, três formulações de mortadelas com alto teor de lipídios foram elaboradas para avaliar a adição do óleo de Echium em diferentes níveis: Controle (sem adição de óleo), T25 e T50 (com 25 e 50% de substituição da gordura animal por óleo, respectivamente). As amostras foram avaliadas quanto às suas características físico-químicas e microestruturais. Nos tempos zero, 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias de estocagem à 4ºC a estabilidade das mortadelas foi avaliada por meio de análises físico-químicas (índice de TBARs, cor objetiva, valor de pH), microbiológicas e sensoriais. A substituição de 50% de gordura pelo óleo afetou negativamente (p<0,05) a textura, microestrutura e aceitação da mortadela. Todavia, a substituição de 25% não prejudicou as suas propriedades tecnológicas, sua estabilidade e nem sua aceitação sensorial, durante todo seu período de estocagem, sobretudo, houve melhoria significativa no perfil lipídico da mortadela, sendo possível, atribuir o claim de alto teor de ômega-3. De forma a descrever sensorialmente as mortadelas, termos sensoriais foram desenvolvidos para análise CATA (check-all-that-apply). O CATA mostrou que a amostra T50 diferiu (p<0,05) em alguns atributos do controle, entretanto, a T25 não diferiu do controle, apresentando características sensoriais semelhantes. Por fim, foi avaliado o efeito da substituição da gordura suína por 50 e 100% do óleo de Echium, em mortadelas com teor de sódio reduzido e contendo 12% de lipídios totais. Três produtos foram formulados: Controle (sem adição de óleo), T50 e T100 (50 e 100% de substituição da gordura animal por óleo). As amostras foram caracterizadas por análises físico-químicas, microestruturais e sensorial. A substituição de 100% da gordura animal pelo óleo de Echium na mortadela não afetou suas características tecnológicas e foi considerada aceita pelos consumidores, com índice de aceitação de 70,77%. Conclui-se que a substituição de gordura animal por óleo de Echium em mortadelas é tecnologicamente viável de forma a enriquecer mortadelas, tornando esse produto ainda mais saudável. / The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of Echium oil on bologna sausages less sodium. Effects of different levels of sodium reduction were evaluated by following treatments: Control, T20, T40 and T60 (20, 40 and 60% NaCl replacement per PuraQ® Arome NA4). The products were characterized by physicochemical analysis, microstructure and sensory acceptance. The results showed that the level maximum of sodium reduction accepted by consumers and maintaining its adequate physicochemical characteristics was 40%. Consumer researches by techniques of Conjoint Analysis (CA) and Focus Group were conducted in order to evaluate the perception and acceptance from bologna sausages less sodium and enriched with omega-3. Hypothetic packages of Bolognas were evaluated by 263 consumers in CA and by two group with 8 participants each one in Focus Group. Both techniques demonstrated that consumers would approve and purchase the bologna \"less sodium with omega-3\" claims. Based on the maximum level of sodium reduction and the consumers perception of bologna with claims, three formulations of bologna with high total lipis, less sodium, were made in order to evaluate the addition of Echium oil in different levels: Control, T25 and T50 (25 and 50% fat replacement by oil, respectively). The samples were evaluated per physicochemical and microstructure characteristics. At the times zero, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of storage period at 4ºC the stability of bolognas was evaluated by physicochemical (TBARs color, pH value), microbiology and sensory analyses. The replacement of 50% of fat affected negatively (p<0.05) the texture, microstructure and acceptance of bologna. However, 25% of replacement did not harm the technological properties, stability or sensory acceptability, during all period of storage, but, there was a significant improvement in the lipid profile of T25 bologna, being possible to add the claim \"high content of omega-3\". In order to sensory describe the bolognas sensory terms were developed to apply in CATA (check-all-that-apply) analysis. CATA results showed that T50 differed (p<0.05) in some attributes of the control, however, T25 did not differ significantly showing same sensory descriptions from control. Finally, the replacement of pork fat by 50 and 100% of Echium oil in bologna sausages with 12% fat contained and less sodium were evaluated. Three products were formulated: Control (without oil), T50 and T100 (50 and 100% animal fat replacement by oil). The samples were characterized by physicochemical, microstructure and sensory analyses. The replacement of 100% of animal fat by Echium oil in bologna sausage did not affect the technological characteristics and was considered accepted by consumers, with acceptability index of 70.77%. Concluding that, the replacement of animal fat by Echium oil in bologna sausages is technologically feasible in order to enrich bolognas making this product healthier.

Abstract The present study develops our understanding of consumers’ emerging interest in novel mobile services by adopting two approaches. First, structural equation modeling is used as a statistical tool to create a context-sensitive model for consumer acceptance of novel mobile services. Secondly, the study creates an interpretive framework of contemporary consumer culture to help understand how consumers construct their emerging practices in novel mobile services based on their actual experiences. The empirical data was gathered at a Housing Fair, where a Mobile Fair Diary was piloted, and it is that Mobile Fair Diary application that provides the selected tool of the empirical study. Therefore, real user experience played a significant role in how our consumers perceived mobile services and the way the cultural discourse was produced. The model developed indicates that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, anxiety, trust and attitude have an impact on consumers’ intention to use mobile services. Furthermore, the various representations related to mobile services were identified in order to understand emerging practices. Consumers are likely to change the routines involved in the management of information if useful alternatives are available to them. An ongoing insecurity emerging from technology change is often a characteristic of the contemporary life of consumers. On the one hand, consumers are dependent on technology, but on the other hand, do not fully understand it. Therefore, consumers have to be active to keep up with the continuous changes going on around them. Furthermore, consumers need support from the service provider and their social context. Consumers should also believe in their own capability to learn and their power to make choices, which will result in changes to their practices.

The study proposes and tests a model of consumer bank choice behavior in a south eastern city in the USA, based on the economics of information theory. The model expands the domain of inquiry beyond the initial level attributes to the first-order latent construct and the second-order (composite) levels. Results suggest that consumer bank choice behavior can be represented as a global construct with three viable components (search, credence and experience) and provide implications for bank managers.

No description available.

Yes / Toy industry in the US is product driven and full of challenges. This case presents an overview of the California-based Micro Games of America (MGA) Entertainment, which is a consumer entertainment products company, engaged in innovative lines of proprietary and licensed products including toys and games, dolls, consumer electronics, home decor, stationery and sporting goods. It had more than 200 licences. In 2001, MGA launched a fashion doll called ‘Bratz’, and it sold 150 million Bratz dolls all over the world. Bratz line surpassed the legendary brand ‘Barbie’—Mattel, Inc.’s flagship brand—in a short span of time through many innovative marketing strategies and different product placement, roll-outs, tie-ins and other promotional tactics, despite facing many challenges, such as, fast-changing demographics, shorter product life cycle (PLC) and negative perceptions about brand. This case can be used to address two issues: first, structural change drivers and trends that shaped the toy industry in developed economies and, second, how to develop effective marketing strategies for product with shorter PLC in highly product-driven market?

Yes / Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose that consumer choice be guided by price fairness judgements to increase consumer satisfaction and subsequently enhance market efficiency. Consumers en masse lack the information to judge price fairness, thereby causing their ability to influence the economy to be overlooked. Design/methodology/approach – This is an argumentative and conceptual work that aims to initiate a debate on this important yet unexplored issue. The arguments presented in the paper are based on economic and technological considerations. Findings – The measure for enabling a consumer price fairness judgement is unit cost information – the cost incurred by a firm to produce a product and/or service. The benefits and challenges stemming from the availability of unit cost information (i.e. cost transparency) to consumers and companies are presented and the likely impact of cost transparency on addressing information asymmetries between buyers and sellers are discussed. Originality/value – Although a significant body of knowledge exists on issues such as price transparency and how it is driven and enabled by the growth of the Internet, there is little or no evidence of research yet on issues related to cost transparency. The authors believe this work would create a new line of research for scholarly community leading to an impact on practice.

Esta pesquisa analisa a importância de empresas supermercadistas que já operam com centrais de negócio, onde buscam obter melhores condições competitivas de mercado, mais especificamente denominados supermercados de vizinhança, destacando os fatores que podem ser mais facilmente percebidos pelos clientes dessas lojas. Apesar da reconhecida importância das centrais de negócios no contexto brasileiro, ainda existe pouco conhecimento aprofundado do assunto. Esta iniciativa ganhou força no País apenas nos últimos cinco anos e a maioria dos estudos encontrados na literatura possui caráter predominantemente exploratório. Neste sentido, a presente pesquisa buscou, por meio do levantamento bibliográfico e do estudo de caso, obter a opinião dos clientes acerca da percepção de benefícios ao comprarem produtos nas lojas que pertencem a uma central de negócio, quando comparados com lojas equivalentes, consideradas concorrentes. Foi realizada uma pesquisa com abordagem quantitativa, no formato estudo de caso utilizando-se amostragem por conveniência. A coleta de dados da amostra foi feita através de questionário estruturado. Para analisar os dados foi utilizado o teste de Mann- Whitney, cuja aplicação é indicada quando estão em comparação dois grupos independentes. Os resultados permitiram identificar a existência de percepção de benefícios dos consumidores ao comprarem em supermercados de vizinhança pertencentes a uma central de negócio, bem como identificar os aspectos mais representativos dos referidos benefícios. / This research analyzes the importance of the supermarket enterprises, more specifically called \"vicinity supermarkets\" or \"neighborhood supermarkets\" which that already work organized under central business cells, in order to gain better competitive market conditions, highlighting the factors that are easily recognized by their clients. In spite of the already known importance of this kind of business in the Brazilian context, there is not a deep knowledge about the subject. The implementation of these central business cells has been carried out in Brazil only in the last 5 years, and most of the studies found in the references show a nature predominantly exploratory. In this sense, the present research is composed of a bibliographic review and a case study. The objective of the case study was to identify the clients\' opinion related to the perception of benefits on buying from the stores that belong to a central business cell and from other competitors. It was undertaken 236 (two hundred thirty six) interviews conducted in a quantitative approach, using a case study that involved a sample for convenience.. The data obtained were analyzed though the Mann-Whitney statistic test, which is indicated to be used when two independent groups are under comparison. The results allowed identifying the existence of benefit\'s perception of consumers when buying at neighborhood supermarkets that is part of a central business cells, as well as the more relevant aspects of these benefits.

With the emergence of digital cameras on phones, photography has become a popular routine. For some people, it is close to a form of ritual, every moment of the present is preciously archived and possibly shared to relatives on social media. This consumption of photography contrasts radically with the one practiced 20 years ago. Analogue photography was more occasional, because it is more time-consuming and also more costly. However, we observe today a resurgence of analogue photography and more particularly among young generations. This phenomenon goes hand in hand with the popularity of transforming contemporary pictures into old-looking ones with services like Instagram. Therefore, there is a regain of popularity for old devices and old aesthetic among young generations which indicates the existence of nostalgic behaviours among these consumers. The present study aims to explore these two phenomena in order to identify patterns of consumption about nostalgic behaviour among young generations. In order to achieve this, a comparative design is adopted to evaluate the differences and similarities between analogue photography and Instagram practice. This study generates knowledge about the changes in consumption since the digitalization of photography. Indeed, Instagram and analogue photography are rooted in the need to provide alternatives to digital photography which has made photography pervasive and less personal. Instagram and analogue consumers express different attitudes to achieve this desire to create meaning. Thus, the findings reveal that Instagram consumers give value to their everyday life experience by using nostalgic effects. This is interpreted by the fact that old-looking pictures are perceived as more narrative so they have more power to tell stories. Conversely, analogue users renew old practices in order to give more meaning to their photographic experience. It allows them to be more involved in a process of creation which does not exist anymore in digital photography.

The notion of community remains an important concern, for individuals, in urban planning practice, and more recently in consumer research. This thesis research explores community at the junction of these areas, through a grounded study of the consumption practices of a place based consumer tribe that exists within an inner city suburb undergoing urban renewal. The process of urban renewal is positioned as a means to revitalise under-utilised inner city areas, and broaden opportunities for city residents and visitors to experience an inner city lifestyle. It can also be seen as a standardising project that commodifies diversity and devalues existing communities and is associated with gentrification. Both perspectives can obscure the possibility that consumption practices can be used to build community like connections. This thesis applies a framework of literature from marketing and consumer research to an urban renewal context, to explore this area of ambiguity. The result of this exploration is a grounded theory of assuming a 'local' identity through consumption experiences in servicescapes. This thesis argues that consumers seek out individual servicescapes for the value experiences that they offer, which can be identity defining. In particular the interaction generated through these experiences can work to build tribal connections to, and within, that servicescape. These consumption experiences can also be used to make assumptions regarding the identity of others; both of the businesses themselves, and the individuals encountered within them. The tribal connections these experiences may generate can have individual benefits in that they can build into existing social networks, but through repetition and shared experiences, may also link an individual to a broader place based community. This thesis also proposes that servicescapes can work to encourage this process, by encouraging identity defining consumption experiences. Like individuals, businesses can come to be assumed to be tribe members and this 'localness' can become a symbolic operant resource that is valued by the tribe. As key sites in which members of the 'local' tribe reinforce their commitment to the tribe, locally owned businesses may benefit by being more likely to be chosen over their 'non-local' competitors. However, as an element of their tribal membership these businesses have a moral responsibility to reinforce the collective ethic of the tribe and assist in integrating new tribe members. In this way they can become ambassadors for the identity of the community, communicating the shared values of the tribe to members and non-members alike. Such a place based tribe is primarily based on public interaction, thus the servicescapes and public spaces that link them can come to work as a theatre in which the tribe is manifested and its rituals performed. As the experience of a sense of shared value is repeated across a range of geographically united servicescapes, this shared experience can be displaced from any one servicescape and generalised into a localness experience that is grounded within the geographic community. It is here that the physical and ideological aspects of the community combine, and the experienced value of a shared identity that originated in a servicescape based consumption experience can come to symbolise the values of the greater community itself. These research findings have implications for inner city urban renewal developments, suggesting that the increased availability of consumption activities that are associated with urban renewal may also be considered as an increased opportunity to build place based consumer tribes. This thesis proposes ways of encouraging this process.