Research on consumers response to pricing tactics has been plentiful and is still ongoing. One strategy that research has sought to explain and endorse is pennies-a-day (Gourville, 1998), where the cost of a product is expressed as a small ongoing expense. This dissertation tests two competing theories that may explain the effect of PAD on consumer participation intentions. The first theory, marketing exchange (Bagozzi, 1975) predicts different effects across exchange type; in particular, generalized exchange (charity) and restricted exchange (consumer products and services). The second theory, mental budgeting (Heath and Soll, 1996) predicts different effects across expense type; this study addresses recurring and non-recurring expenses. This research then extends this framework to a cause-related marketing (CRM) context. First, a pretest and one experiment test the competing theories, while considering process measures, such as sympathy and deliberation, to explain the effect of PAD on participation intentions. Results provide evidence that the relationship between PAD frame and participation intentions is moderated by exchange type. Consistent with the predictions, PAD frame improved perception of offer attractiveness and increased sympathy towards the object of the offer in a generalized exchange context (charity); the same was not supported in a restricted exchange context (consumer products). Second, a pilot test and two experiments test the effect of PAD on participation intentions in a CRM context. The studies explore the effects of sympathy, deliberation, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and attitude towards the manufacturer (ATTM) as mediating variables. Results provide support to the moderating role of donation amount on the effect of PAD on participation intentions. While PAD did not have a significant impact on participation intentions as donation amount increased, aggregate frame led to a significant increase in participation intentions. Results highlighted the mediating role of sympathy, CSR, deliberation, and ATTM between donation amount and participation intentions. Overall, this research helps companies to frame prices to improve consumers likelihood of participation. In addition, it helps companies to frame donations in CRM campaigns to improve participation. This research also identifies several variables with a potential to affect the relationships between price frame, donation amount, and participation intentions.

Negative self-conscious (SC) emotions are important to examine in the field of consumer behavior. These emotions have been identified as drivers of social behavior; each day consumers make decisions and form attitudes and thoughts based on the negative self-conscious emotions they experience. Thus, these emotions are a common occurrence in the marketplace, making them particularly relevant to examine in the consumption experience. The purpose of this dissertation is to build a framework to identify how each one of these emotions function in the consumption experience. Specifically, five objectives are addressed: 1) Introduce and identify why negative SC emotions are important in the consumption experience; 2) Differentiate guilt, embarrassment, and shame in the consumption experience; 3) Identify unique antecedents for each emotion; 4) Identify coping strategies for each emotion; and 5) Identify a set of implications for marketing managers, consumer behavior researchers, and consumer welfare advocates. Essay 1 examined all three negative SC emotions (guilt, embarrassment and shame) in consumption experiences. The objectives discussed above were achieved using qualitative data from ten in-depth interviews. Results indicated that each negative SC emotion is present in the consumption experience. In addition, antecedents and coping mechanisms were identified for each emotion. These unique antecedents and consequences allowed the researcher to distinguish the three emotions from each other, as well as identify implications relevant to marketing managers, consumer behavior researchers and consumer welfare advocates. Essay 2 and Essay 3 examined the specific role of consumer guilt in the relationship marketing paradigm. Specifically, Essay 2 considered the antecedents of consumer guilt. This was achieved by data collected from an exploratory study. The results were used to build a conceptual framework, which was then examined empirically using structural equation modeling. Findings revealed that consumer guilt arises from consumer norm violations. Essay 3 sought to indentify the consequences of consumer guilt. This was achieved through analyzing a conceptual model using structural equation modeling. Findings reveal consumer guilt impacts of the outcome variables of affective and normative commitment, word-of-mouth and patronage intentions. Theoretical and managerial implications are offered.

This dissertation investigates choice scenarios where consumer preference is a non-linear function of determinant product attributes. Chapter One reviews the extant literature, identifies a number of research questions, develops a conceptual framework, and creates a propositional inventory; a central aspect of the conceptual framework is a proposed typology consisting of a two (mechanism: attribute tradeoff or target-attribute matching) by two (attributes: single or multiple) classification scheme. Two empirical essays test the conceptual model in a single attribute context (Chapter Two) and a multi-attribute context (Chapter Three). The purpose of the dissertation is to advance our understanding of the cognitive mechanisms that are responsible for various types of preference parabolas and to identify the factors that affect these quadratic functions.

The theme of this thesis for Master of Management of public health-care is of significant importance. Health care is considered to be a priority sphere in many states with pharmaceutics constituting a ground for a secure society. Increase of funding for health care demonstrates continual endeavors of Lithuanian Government to guarantee the best health care for Lithuanian people as well as affordable medication and the latest science achievements applicable in the course of medical treatment. Aim of the study: to determine the expansion opportunities of X pharmacy network. Objectives : 1. To assess drugs market in Lithuania. 2. To explore the main suppliers of drugs and changes in drugs market. 3. To evaluate competitive state of X pharmacy network and to discuss the prospects. Methods – on the basis of five forces model of M. Porter, the outer and inner situation of the pharmacy network have been analyzed as well as the statistical data, reports and sources of information, both Lithuanian and foreign. Rezults: 1.Medication market in Lithuania is subject to constant annual rise. Pharmacy market is being increasingly quickly filled, the amount of producers and drugs is getting optimal to the needs of the market. In 2004, retail marked constituted 1,188 billion Litas with an increase in 14,10 per cent in comparison with year 2003 (1,05 billion Litas). In 2003, expenditure from Obligatory Health Insurance Foundation amounted to 360 million Litas, in 2004, it amounted to almost... [to full text]

The aspects of the formation of strategies in the work of Siauliai College are analysed in the Master’s Paper. The process of strategy development in education institution is analysed in the paper on purpose to determine the main problems and obstacles in the development of strategies. The main objective of the paper is to show how the strategy of an organisation is chosen in consideration of its possibilities, advantages and disadvantages. The main tasks of the paper are to research the present state of the chosen organisation, forecast its state in the nearest future, and after the investigation of the variety of strategies and consideration of the results of the research to choose the most suitable strategies. The work is carried out using the analysis of scientific literature, analytical review of the statistical information on the question, the analysis of the documents of the organisation. Full-scale research of internal and external environment was carried out, the most suitable strategies were chosen. The conclusion of the research and suggestions are presented in the final part of the paper. I suppose that this paper can be useful to the leadership of Siauliai College for the development of strategies.

The U.S. beverage container industry is a highly competitive industry in which firms compete for market share. This study has two purposes. The first purpose of this study is to show the relationship between beverage container market share and container-specific variables, which affect beverage container demand. The second purpose of this study is to show the nature of beverage container competition in terms of the container-specific variables. To show the relationship between market share and container-specific variables, this study developed a model of the beverage container industry. This model was a multiplicative competitive interaction (MCI) attraction model. The theoretical basis of the model is the attraction of beverage container "consumers," consisting of beverage companies and end consumers, toward competing containers. The model was applied to the two principal markets of the beverage container industry: the beer market, and the soft drink market. The competitors in each market were aluminum cans, steel cans, one-way glass bottles, returnable glass bottles, and plastic bottles (soft drink market only). The explanatory variables used in each model were raw material prices, primary product prices, aluminum can recycling rate, and scrap prices. The models were estimated using ordinary least squares, applied separately to each container equation. To show the nature of beverage container competition, this study used market share elasticities. These elasticities were calculated from the parameter estimates of the beer and soft drink market models, and from average market shares. This study found that beverage container competition is different in the beer and soft drink markets. In the beer market, the market share responses of aluminum cans and glass bottles are similar. In the soft drink market, the market share responses of aluminum cans and plastic bottles are similar. Also, the market share responses of steel cans and glass bottles are similar. Of the models' variables, steel sheet prices and aluminum ingot prices have the largest impact on beer container market share. In the soft drink market, steel sheet prices and aluminum can recycling have the largest impact.

The master final paper analyzes the qualitative and quantitative aspects of TV commercial. It gives the analysis of TV commercial development aspects and its peculiarities, presented in Lithuanian and foreign literature, it also presents the role of modern business organizations in communication process. It emphasizes the advantages and disadvantages of TV commercial, the TV commercial development and organizational principles in order to ensure the maximum advertising effect on target audience. The empirical part presents the research results in order to estimate the audience, that are the advertising clients’ potential buyers, attitude to Šiauliai Region Television; and the peculiarities of their behaviour. It also estimates the attitudes and motivation of the clients that use the advertising products provided by Šiauliai Region Television. The research results enabled to confirm the hypothesis and to state that firstly, the audience differentiation should be applied in order to ensure the effectiveness of TV commercial; secondly, Region Television could be socially and economically efficient, if the TV commercial clients’ essential target market segments are this region residents.

Vikšnienė A. „Policy and prospects of Lithuanian country heritage” / scientific research adviser associate professor A. Baležentis, Mykolo Riomerio university Faculty of strategic governing and politics Department of environmental politics and governing. - 2006. Research object: Lithuanian country heritage. Rapid disappearance of country heritage is a very actual topic. It is very important to revive old traditions and customs as well as develop the new ones. Protection of cultural values in the countryside is very complicated because of problems in governing of cultural value protection, property regulations, and lack of finances. The purpose of the research: to estimate what regulations and methods have been employed in order to protect Lithuanian country heritage and how these means are put into practice. Main tasks of this research: 1. to discuss the theoretical subject of cultural heritage: main concepts and terms, institutional structure and legitimacy aspects; 2. to discuss the status of country heritage, its governing and usage as well as the problems in protection of country heritage; 3. to analyse Lithuanian laws, strategic and programme documents, which govern the protection of country heritage; 4. to provide the prospects for cultural heritage in Lithuania. Currently national policy of cultural real estate heritage has been formed by Seimas, Government and Ministry of cuture. The department of cultural heritage is responsible for administration and governing of... [to full text]

Neįgalių asmenų fizinis aktyvumas – aktuali mokslinė problema. Nepaisant įgyvendinamos žmonių su negalia visokeriopos integracijos, asmenų su negalia sportinis aktyvumas Lietuvoje yra žemas. Darbo tikslas – įvertinti neįgalių asmenų galimybes sportuoti Kauno mieste. Šiam tikslui pasiekti iškelti tokie uždaviniai: 1) pristatyti neįgaliųjų fizinio aktyvumo sampratą bei apžvelgti sportuojančių neįgaliųjų situaciją Lietuvoje; 2) apibrėžti veiksnius, skatinančius neįgalius asmenis sportuoti; 3) išanalizuoti fizinę negalią turinčių asmenų galimybes sportuoti Kauno mieste veikiančiuose neįgaliųjų sporto klubuose bei įvardinti su šiuo reiškiniu susijusias problemas. Darbas susideda iš įvado, trijų pagrindinių dalių, apibendrinimo, išvadų, pasiūlymų ir rekomendacijų, literatūros sąrašo ir priedų. Pirmojoje pagrindinėje dalyje pristatyta mokslinės literatūros apžvalga analizuojamos tematikos kontekste (neįgaliųjų fizinio aktyvumo samprata, sportuojančių neįgaliųjų situacijos Lietuvoje apžvalga, neįgaliųjų sporto istorija). Antrojoje darbo dalyje pristatyta tyrimo metodika, kurioje nurodyta, kad tyrimas buvo atliekamas 2014 m. balandžio mėnesį Kauno mieste, apklausiant 148 fizinę negalią turinčius neįgaliuosius, sportuojančius sporto klubuose. Trečiojoje darbo dalyje pristatyti atlikto empirinio tyrimo rezultatai. Svarbiausios tyrimo išvados. Pagrindiniai respondentus sportuoti motyvuojantys veiksniai - konkurenciniai ir socialiniai motyvai. Pagrindinis respondentus sportuoti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The mobility of the disabled person is under researched area and needed further investigation. Even though there are many schemes that are trying to help for people with mobility disabilities, the people with disabilities are not greatly involved into sports in Lithuania. The purpose of the paper- is to find what is missing for people with disabilities to have sporting abilities in the city of Kaunas. In order to find out these, the following were completed: 1) to introduce people with disabilities physical activities and overview the current situation 2) to find out the factors, that would encourage and increase the physical activities of people with disabilities 3) to oversee the problems, which can be faced by the people with disabilities in the gyms in the city of Kaunas. The academic paper consists of the introduction, 3 main paragraphs, conclusions and future recommendations and implications, references and appendixes. The literature review in the first part is about the relevant academic papers (the physical activity of people with disabilities in Lithuania and the sports history of the people with mobility disabilities). The second part of the paper will be the research, in which are conducted interviews with people with disabilities. Overall it is 148 interviews taken from people with disabilities. The results of the research are explained in the third part of the paper. Main issues and facts. It is evident from the in depth interviews, that the main motivational... [to full text]

This paper deals with the research study of the impact that advertising makes on consumers’ behaviour and the selected methodology for the research of the impact of advertising on consumers’ behaviour that was adapted on practical level providing it with the investigation and interpretation of the corresponding research results. The paper includes the analysis of theoretical impact of advertising on consumers’ behaviour, investigation of the clients’ that order an advertising campaign, viewpoint on the importance of advertising, conclusions and proposals. While carrying out the theoretical analysis of the impact of advertising on consumers’ behaviour, the study of foreign and Lithuanian scientific works that deal with the impact of advertising on consumers’ behaviour has been made. In pursuance of the first research, a direct verbal survey of employees at the advertising company „Aukštaitijos reklama „ („Advertising of Higher Lithuania“) has been conducted. While conducting this survey, a standardized interview was used, five employees were interviewed by asking them the same questions, that were prepared in advance, about the viewpoints of the clients that order an advertising campaign towards the necessity and importance of advertising and the sum of money budgeted for it. In pursuance of the second research, a survey of the consumers of Šiauliai town and region has been conducted giving them questionnaires in order to sort out the impact of advertising on them. 240... [to full text]