"June 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-148). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest dissertations and theses, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Wong, Yuen Chau. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-83). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Motivation --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objective --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Our contribution --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.6 / Chapter 2 --- Related Work --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Existing Sentiment Classification Approach --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2 --- Existing Sentiment Analysis Approach --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- Our Approach --- p.11 / Chapter 3 --- Extracting Product Feature Sentences using Supervised Learning Algorithms --- p.12 / Chapter 3.1 --- Overview --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2 --- Association Rules Mining --- p.13 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Apriori Algorithm --- p.13 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Class Association Rules Mining --- p.14 / Chapter 3.3 --- Naive Bayesian Classifier --- p.14 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Basic Idea --- p.14 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Feature Selection Techniques --- p.15 / Chapter 3.4 --- Experiment --- p.17 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Data Sets --- p.18 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Experimental Setup and Evaluation Measures --- p.19 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Class Association Rules Mining --- p.20 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Naive Bayesian Classifier --- p.22 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Effect on Data Size --- p.25 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.27 / Chapter 4 --- Extracting Product Feature Sentences Using Unsupervised Learning Algorithms --- p.28 / Chapter 4.1 --- Overview --- p.28 / Chapter 4.2 --- Unsupervised Learning Algorithms --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- K-means Algorithm --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Density-Based Scan --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Hierarchical Clustering --- p.30 / Chapter 4.3 --- Distance Function --- p.32 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Euclidean Distance --- p.32 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Jaccard Distance --- p.32 / Chapter 4.4 --- Experiment --- p.33 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Cluster Labeling --- p.33 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- K-means Algorithm --- p.34 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Density-Based Scan --- p.35 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Hierarchical Clustering --- p.36 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.37 / Chapter 5 --- Extracting Product Feature Sentences Using Concept Clustering --- p.39 / Chapter 5.1 --- Overview --- p.39 / Chapter 5.2 --- Distance Function --- p.40 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Association Weight --- p.40 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Chi Square --- p.41 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Mutual Information --- p.41 / Chapter 5.3 --- Experiment --- p.41 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Effect on Distance Functions --- p.42 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Extraction of Product Features Clusters --- p.43 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Labeling of Sentences --- p.45 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.48 / Chapter 6 --- Extracting Product Feature Sentences Using Concept Clustering and Proposed Unsupervised Learning Algorithm --- p.49 / Chapter 6.1 --- Overview --- p.49 / Chapter 6.2 --- Problem Statement --- p.50 / Chapter 6.3 --- Proposed Algorithm - Scalable Thresholds Clustering --- p.50 / Chapter 6.4 --- Properties of the Proposed Unsupervised Learning Algorithm --- p.54 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Relationship between threshold functions & shape of clusters --- p.54 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Expansion process --- p.56 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Impact of Different Threshold Functions --- p.58 / Chapter 6.5 --- Experiment --- p.61 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- Comparative Studies for Clusters Formation and Sentences Labeling with Digital Camera Dataset --- p.62 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- Experiments with New Datasets --- p.67 / Chapter 6.6 --- Discussion --- p.74 / Chapter 7 --- Conclusion and Future Work --- p.76 / Chapter 7.1 --- Compare with Existing Work --- p.76 / Chapter 7.2 --- Contribution & Implication of this Work --- p.78 / Chapter 7.3 --- Future Work & Improvement --- p.79 / REFFERENCE --- p.80 / Chapter A --- Concept Clustering for DC data with DB Scan (Terms in Concept Clusters) --- p.84 / Chapter B --- Concept Clustering for DC data with Single-linkage Hierarchical Clustering (Terms in Concept Clusters) --- p.87 / Chapter C --- Concept Clusters for Digital Camera data (Comparative Studies) --- p.91 / Chapter D --- Concept Clusters for Personal Computer data (Comparative Studies) --- p.98 / Chapter E --- Concept Clusters for Mobile data (Comparative Studies) --- p.103 / Chapter F --- Concept Clusters for MP3 data (Comparative Studies) --- p.109

In order to successfully implement service internationalisation, a detailed knowledge of the target foreign culture is required (e.g., beliefs, values, lifestyles, symbols, psycholinguistics, and attitudes). This information may be used to manage the alignment of service offerings with local tastes, and create perceptual stimuli to foster trust and encourage consumption (Fugate 1996). Credible tools are therefore required to provide the market intelligence required to understand the cultural context and inform adaptation to local preferences. Service quality modelling and measurement perform such a role in reporting customer perceptions of the effectiveness of service marketing effort. However consideration of culture�s influence upon service quality evaluation has hitherto received only periphery attention within the literature. While numerous researchers have examined the role that values play as an antecedent of the service quality construct (e.g., Donthu and Yoo 1998; Furrer et al. 2000; Mattila 1999; Winsted 1997) there are no published studies adopting a more comprehensive view of culture�s role. The widespread adoption of values as a proxy for understanding culture�s influence upon the service quality construct appears flawed as there is no theoretical justification to isolate values from the rest of the cultural field (Bourdieu 1990; Radcliffe-Brown 1949). Values alone, such as Hofstede (1984a) and Schwartz and Bilsky�s (1987) schemas, cannot fully explain how individual consumers reconcile their individual preferences with broader cultural influences (e.g., institutions, beliefs, regulations, and artefacts). In this study Bourdieu�s (1986) structuralist perspective of culture is utilised as a framework to explore how culture influences service quality. In this perspective the social world is viewed as being comprised of rules and systems that guide/inform an individual�s behaviour. Values are only one element of this social system. In this study a case approach is adopted to map the role of culture in constructing service quality preferences. While the breadth of the research agenda means there is a large population of possible cases, Taiwan is selected as the case boundary principally due its logistical accessibility. Case selection in this study can therefore be classified as a convenience sample. However, to facilitate intensive study (Stake 2005) complexity is added to the case design through purposeful sampling (Patton 1990). In addition to seeking the perspectives of local Taiwanese outside perspectives are sought from expatriate New Zealanders and Taiwanese who have lived in New Zealand. Through purposive triangulation (Patton 1990) of both the sample underpinning the case and an interpretive multi-discipline analysis the researcher constructs a model of culture�s influence upon service quality evaluation within this case boundary. No evidence is found within either the primary data or critical literature review that Taiwanese culture has any impact upon the evaluation of service quality at the primary dimensional level (i.e., �Process/Outcome Quality�, and the �Personal Interaction Quality�). Indeed apriori modelling of the construct has similarly modelled how consumers separately evaluate interpersonal aspects from other key evaluative criteria (e.g., Dabholkar et al. 1996; Gronroos 1984). This level of the dimensional hierarchy is therefore tentatively determined to be etic (Pike 1967), subject to further cross-cultural studies. A moderate level of cultural influence was however noted amongst the second-order dimensions. Finally, the third and subsequent level indicators were widely found to display extensive cultural influence and require significant adaptation efforts for local cultural preferences.

<p>With the presumption of change as an inevitable phenomenon, the aim of this study is to explore ways in which insurance companies can enhance their ability of meeting the constant changes in customers’ preferences in an increasingly competitive environment. In order to conduct this study, we have used a qualitative research strategy to gain a better understanding of young customers’ preferences about the services provided by insurance companies. Based on these preferences we provide useful suggestions for insurance companies. Existing theory suggests that customers change their preferences according to their life circumstances and while certain preferences are well-defined others can be inconsistent. In an increasingly competitive environment, where insurance companies fight for the same customers, having a customer-oriented culture is extremely important not only to retain customers, but also to acquire new ones. This study presents various theories on the changes in customers’ preferences as well as theories regarding organizational strategy and change.</p><p>The empirical data has been collected through two focused group interviews with students under 28, in Västerbotten, Sweden and through a group interview with leading representatives of a dominant insurance company in the county. The findings suggest that young consumers’ preferences regarding insurance services are based on their life situation. Price is a decisive factor in the choice of insurance company and their services. The results also showed that many of the respondents are skeptical towards the intentions of and services provided by insurance companies. The complex nature of insurances and the intangibility of services in general, can be possible explanations. Strengthening the evidence in existing studies, we also conclude that there is a vast amount of information insurance-takers would like to have access to before, during, and after purchasing insurance. Additionally, customers would like flexible insurance bundles with the possibility to add and subtract components as life situations change. Finally, based on these results, we suggest how insurance companies could turn these findings into opportunities. We suggest how and when to meet the customers, and how to build long lasting, trust-based relationships which could lead to increased customer loyalty over time.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-219).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2003. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-96). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

No description available.

Η μελέτη ασχολείται με την δυνατότητα δημιουργίας πολυκαταστήματος προιόντων υγείας μέσω της διερεύνησης των αγοραστικών συμπεριφορών των καταναλωτών και των προτιμήσεών τους για διάφορα καταστήματα πώλησης τέτοιων προιόντων.Η έρευνα έγινε με διανομή ερωτηματολογίων την περίοδο Δεκέμβριος 2004-Ιανουάριος 2005.Από τη συλλογή και επεξεργασία των δεδομένων με το λογισμικό SPSS 13.0, φαίνεται πως οι καταναλωτές επιθυμούν τη δημιουργία πολυκαταστήματος, και σε αυτήν μεσολαβούν διάφορα χαρακτηριστικά τους όπως τα καταναλωτικά τους πρότυπα και δημογραφικά χαρακτηριστικά. / Τhis study concerns the possibility of the construction of a drugstore and it investigates the buying behaviour and the consumers preferences of existing stores that sell health products. The survey was conducted with the dispence of questionaires during the period between December 2004-January 2005.From the statistical analysis of the collected data, which was made with SPSS 13.0, it is suggested that consumers wish the constructin of a drugstore.Their wish is mediated by certain consumers characteristics, such as their buying decision-making process and demographic factors.

With the presumption of change as an inevitable phenomenon, the aim of this study is to explore ways in which insurance companies can enhance their ability of meeting the constant changes in customers’ preferences in an increasingly competitive environment. In order to conduct this study, we have used a qualitative research strategy to gain a better understanding of young customers’ preferences about the services provided by insurance companies. Based on these preferences we provide useful suggestions for insurance companies. Existing theory suggests that customers change their preferences according to their life circumstances and while certain preferences are well-defined others can be inconsistent. In an increasingly competitive environment, where insurance companies fight for the same customers, having a customer-oriented culture is extremely important not only to retain customers, but also to acquire new ones. This study presents various theories on the changes in customers’ preferences as well as theories regarding organizational strategy and change. The empirical data has been collected through two focused group interviews with students under 28, in Västerbotten, Sweden and through a group interview with leading representatives of a dominant insurance company in the county. The findings suggest that young consumers’ preferences regarding insurance services are based on their life situation. Price is a decisive factor in the choice of insurance company and their services. The results also showed that many of the respondents are skeptical towards the intentions of and services provided by insurance companies. The complex nature of insurances and the intangibility of services in general, can be possible explanations. Strengthening the evidence in existing studies, we also conclude that there is a vast amount of information insurance-takers would like to have access to before, during, and after purchasing insurance. Additionally, customers would like flexible insurance bundles with the possibility to add and subtract components as life situations change. Finally, based on these results, we suggest how insurance companies could turn these findings into opportunities. We suggest how and when to meet the customers, and how to build long lasting, trust-based relationships which could lead to increased customer loyalty over time.