Thesis (doctoral)--Universiteit Twente, 1998. / Summary in Dutch. Includes bibliographical references (p. 249).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1972. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1981. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-200).

The dissertation studies a model of an economy which produces and exports durable goods. It analyzes the optimal monetary policy for such a country. Generally, monetary policy has a bigger economic effect on durable goods relative to non-durable goods because durable goods can be stored and households get utility from the stock of durable goods. This dissertation shows that, in Nash equilibrium, the central bank of a durable goods producing country can control changes of the price level with smaller changes in the monetary policy instrument. In the cooperative equilibrium, the monetary authority of the country which imports non-durable goods and exports durable goods should raise the interest rate by more, relative to the Nash case, in response to a rise in foreign inflation. On the other hand, the monetary authority of the country which imports durable goods and exports non-durable goods should raise the interest rate by less than the other country.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Research supported by the NSF, M.I.T. Energy Laboratory and EPRI.

This dissertation is concerned with strategic decision processes in markets where products are both durable and differentiated in quality. Thus, a commodity is differentiated in a two dimensional space (a) its consumption time location, and (b) its quality characteristics. Consumers "self-select" a product among various differentiated products. There exists a one-to-one correspondence between a consumer group and a product with a certain quality in a certain period. A monopolist seller, a monopolist lessor, and a sequential entry duopoly seller market are studied in the framework of a two-period, two-quality model. When product diversification is feasible, the monopoly power of the seller is greatly increased. A seller adopts strategic quality introduction sequence so that the amount of competition from the second-hand market is endogenously selected by the seller. Hence, a seller is able to discriminate among consumers in both intertemporal and contemporaneous fashion. Equilibria are sensitive to the speed of technological advancement. If technology develops slowly, a seller adopts a strategic quality introduction sequence such that it introduces high quality first and low quality later, so that the creation of second-hand market is eliminated. When technology advancement is significant over time, a seller introduces low quality first and high quality later, so that a group of consumers will update the quality of the product they consume over time.

As durables are essential in many households, the level of ownership is high and, due to the high degree of penetration, a vast proportion of the current sales are replacement purchases. Even though a lot of research attention has been paid to decision making and decision processes many models are oriented towards non-durable goods and although a majority of purchases of many durable goods are replacements, few studies seem to make a distinction between a replacement purchase decision and a decision to buy an item for the first time. The purpose of this thesis has been to increase the understanding of the consumer decision process in replacement purchase. More specifically, the research focus has been on the cognitive mechanisms behind the formation of a replacement decision and on factors affecting the timing of a replacement purchase of durable goods. Choosing to study the timing of replacement decisions reflects the emphasis on the ongoing process, not merely on what is happening at a certain moment. Many studies in the consumer behaviour research are cross-sectional and by using cross-sectional data, there is a risk of identifying cohort effects rather then identifying effects stemming from the individual process over time. This thesis' focus on the process is reflected in and emphasised by the choice of method, both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study have been undertaken. In order to address the research question, a theoretical framework and model were developed. The model is based on the traditional idea that many actual purchase decisions are realised through the approach of problem solving, entailing problem identification, information search, evaluation of alternatives, choice, and action. The underlying assumption of the model is that purchase expectations are related to a comparison between an aspiration level, defined in accordance with Simon's (1956) satisficing principle, and an evaluation of the currently owned product (current level). Purchase expectations are believed to be the result of a cognitive process encompassing the comparison between aspiration level and current level. When the discrepancy between aspiration level and current level goes beyond a noticeable difference, a purchase expectation is assumed to be formed and the purchase process initiated. The results from this studyreveal that the cognitive mechanism behind a replacement decision can be explained in accordance with the proposed model: Consumers compare the currently owned product with requirements of product for the same usage and if the current product falls below the requirements, replacement plans are formed. The timing of the replacement is therefore argued to depend both on factors effecting the requirements of a product for the same usage (the aspiration level), and on factors affecting the perception of the current product (the current level). Moreover, the study indicates that problem identification initiated through a change either in aspiration level or in current level might evoke different decision strategies and consequently, the problem identification stage might be more important for marketing strategies than previously assumed. The results aslo highlight the importance of considering the consumers present stage in the decision process for achieving an efficient segmentation for market communication as product attributes important early in the process might not be important later in the process. / <p>Diss. Umeå : Univ.</p> / digitalisering@umu

Habilitationsschrift--Bonn, 1971. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [209]-217) and index.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / Statement of the Problem. - The major thesis is that cyclical sensitivity of New England Standard Metropolitan Areas is a function of any one or a combination of the following variables: 1. specialization in manufacturing industries as opposed to non-manufacturing industries, 2. specialization in durable goods industries as opposed to non-durable goods industries, 3. specialization in a few major "S.I.C. two-digit" manufacturing industries, 4. degree of transition in the structure of manufacturing [TRUNCATED]