"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.

This study aims to examine the effects of animosity on consumers’ willingness to buy hybrid products (i.e. products that involve affiliations of two or more countries - such as branded in Japan but made in China). While consumers’ reluctance to purchase foreign products from countries that they have animosity towards is clearly evident in the current literature, little is known about consumers’ attitudes towards hybrid products. As such, the study introduces this new construct (i.e. willingness to buy hybrid products) to the animosity model to determine if animositic consumers would be more receptive or willing to accept hybrid products where the animositic tendencies towards foreign countries in question can be negated by the products’ domestic affiliations. To conduct this investigation, the study is undertaken in China where the Chinese consumers’ animosity towards the Japanese was examined. The data with a usable sample size of 435 were collected in the Chinese city of Nanjing. The findings of the study revealed that the high level of animosity present against the Japanese resulted in the Chinese consumers’ unwillingness to buy Japanese products. More importantly, results showed that the Chinese consumers are not any more receptive to hybrid products as such domestic affiliations have not diluted the animosity. Consistent with the literature, the study has also validated that consumer animosity to be a higher-order construct indicated by war and economic animosity. Under the conditions of extreme animosity, consumer ethnocentrism does not take a significant role in influencing other constructs in the animosity model.

<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>

According to Engel, Blackwell, and Miniard (1993), evaluative criteria is defined as "the standards and specifications used by consumers to compare different products and brands" (p.51). Many studies have investigated factors that might influence the importance of clothing evaluative criteria used by consumers in the decision making process. However, few studies have been directed to examine the relationship between consumers' shopping motivations and their use of clothing evaluative criteria. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of consumers' shopping orientations on the importance placed on the clothing evaluative criteria. Hedonic and utilitarian shopper dichotomy was applied in this study. Self-administered questionnaires which included four sections of questions were used for data collection. The four sections, with 7-point Likert scales, asked about respondents' clothing evaluative criteria used in general and specific purchase context, shopping values, and demographic information. The data were collected at Oregon State University in summer 2005. A convenience sample of 452 students from nine departments was obtained. The frequency and descriptive statistics, cross tabulation and chi-square statistics, Principal Components Factor Analysis with Varimax Rotation, and Pearson Correlation were used to analyze the data. Respondents were classified into hedonic shoppers, utilitarian shoppers, or neutral shoppers, who were dropped in comparison analysis. Results indicated that hedonic shoppers were more likely to be female and younger than were the utilitarian shoppers. Hedonic shoppers were found to be more engaged in un-planned clothing purchases, go clothing shopping more frequently, and spend more money on clothing each month then utilitarian shoppers. Moreover, hedonic shoppers more often went clothing shopping in department stores, closed malls and specialty stores than did the utilitarian shoppers. Principal Components Factor Analysis was conducted to classified clothing evaluative criteria used in both general and specific purchase situations, and new variables were generated for Pearson Correlation Analysis. Results of Pearson Correlation analysis were used to test the hypotheses. Results showed that hedonic shopping value was positively and significantly related to "Aesthetics" and "Symbolic" dimensions of clothing, which supported the first hypothesis. However, utilitarian shopping value was not found to have positive and stronger relationship with "Performance" and "Economic" dimensions of clothing than hedonic shopping value, thus, the second hypothesis was not supported. Apparel manufacturers, retailers, and marketers can draw implications from the study result to develop more effective marketing communication mix. Also, consumer behavior researchers can further investigate hedonic shopping behavior based on the research findings. / Graduation date: 2006

According to Engel, Blackwell, and Miniard (1993), evaluative criteria refer to "the standards and specifications used by consumers to compare different products and brands" (p. 51). Many studies have examined the importance of clothing evaluative criteria used by consumers in their decision making. However, few studies have compared the clothing evaluative criteria used by consumers in different countries. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to compare the influence of culture on the importance placed on clothing evaluative criteria between Taiwanese and United States college women. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Seven-point scales were used to measure the importance of 12 clothing criteria: fabric, comfortable to wear, size/fit, quality, country of origin, color, pleasing to others, suitability, price, style, and coordination. The questionnaire also measured respondent's demographic characteristics. The questionnaire was first developed in English, translated into Chinese, and then back-translated into English. Questionnaires were handed out in classes at Oregon State University in the United States and at Fu-Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. A convenience sample of 233 female students received questionnaires (102 U.S. and 131 Taiwanese). Overall, 119 Taiwanese and 84 U.S. college women, who were qualified and completed the questionnaires, served as subjects. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using t-tests. The findings indicated that the importance placed on clothing evaluative criteria was partially influenced by the nationality of the respondents. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the importance of style, coordination, color, fabric, price, pleasing to others, and brand name (p>.05). However, significant differences were found between the two groups in the importance of comfortable to wear, size/fit, quality, country of origin, and suitability (p<.05). Despite the significant differences found for these evaluative criteria, the mean importance scores were very similar between the two groups. Based upon mean importance scores, the evaluative criterion, size/fit (mean: U.S.=6.69, Taiwan=6.29) was the most important criterion for both groups. Based on the results from this study, consumer decision making of U.S. and Taiwanese college females may be very similar for purchasing apparel. International marketers and retailers may use cross-national comparison studies related to Taiwan market that deal with the consumer decision process such as the present study for their international marketing strategies. / Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2003. / Title from title page screen (viewed Oct. 6, 2003). Thesis advisor: Kim L. Jensen. Document formatted into pages (x, 99 p. : col. ill., col. maps). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-66).

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1980.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1981.

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