No description available.

No description available.

Technological advancements in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have developed alongside increases in vehicle size and the introduction of vehicle styling more similar to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Increases in the distance a BEV can travel on a single charge have been accompanied by the ability to recharge the vehicle much faster than the BEV models available just 10 years ago. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports for model year 2021 include 40 BEV models and many manufacturers have signaled plans to increase the number of battery electric vehicle models offered. As more consumers consider purchasing a battery electric vehicle the question of how well that vehicle can meet all their needs is asked more frequently. This research examines the current DC-Fast charging infrastructure to evaluate how the current distribution of chargers impacts consumer convenience for non-commute routes. No study has evaluated the impact that the current DC-Fast charging infrastructure has on the consumer driving experience and we fill this research need because it will allow consumers to understand more accurately how a (BEV) may meet their needs while also allowing BEV manufacturers to better understand the impacts of potential investments in charging infrastructure. The authors examine over 30,000 pairs of simulated BEV and ICEV routes and compare the distance and duration variations for each pair. Due to our effort to consider the suitability for long distance trips, we have ensured that more than 50% of the simulated routes have a minimum travel distance of 500 miles and over 15% of the routes exceed 1000 miles. Working from this data, 99.7% of the locations in a sample of 360 places in the contiguous U.S. can be reached without relying on the ability to charge a BEV overnight. We further identify a median increase in BEV trip duration of 13.1% and a median increase in distance of 0.06%. The differences in median travel time, particularly when trips exceed 400 miles suggests that long trips made with a BEV may result in longer total travel time, however, differences in route length between BEVs and ICEVs were minimal. These findings serve as the foundation to discuss challenges and solutions related to widespread non-commuter adoption of BEVs in a variety of geographic locations, including how and where the consumer experience may vary. The results from this work will support consumer awareness about the ability of a BEV to meet their needs as well to aid in the evaluation of infrastructure investment as it relates to improving the consumer experience. The methods employed serve as a foundation for future work to investigate the relationship between vehicle type and consumer experience as well as to advance algorithms capable of evaluating routes that require a selection to be made from a set of optional stops. / Master of Science / Technological advancements in battery electric vehicles have developed alongside increases in vehicle size and the introduction of vehicle styling more similar to the gasoline powered internal combustion engine vehicles that many people currently own. Increases in the distance a vehicle can travel on a single charge have been accompanied by the ability to recharge the vehicle much faster than the battery electric vehicle models available just 10 years ago. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that there are 40 battery electric vehicle models available for model year 2021 and many manufacturers have signaled plans to increase the number of battery electric vehicle models offered. As more consumers consider purchasing a battery electric vehicle the question of how well that vehicle can meet all their needs is asked more frequently. This study examines one of the factors that impact the answer to that question: how does the driving experience vairy between gasoline powered vehicles and battery electric vehicles when long trips must be made. The distance and total time to complete the trips were compared across more than 30,000 pairs of routes within the lower 48 states of the United States and the District of Columbia. Battery electric vehicle routes were modeled based on the capabilities of Tesla vehicles due to the well-developed charging infrastructure that supports them. More than 50% of the routes examined exceed 500 miles, emphasizing the focus on long distance travel. Many routes with a total length of less than 400 miles were found to have little or no difference in total travel time or travel distance. However, when trips with a length of 500 miles or more are included the median difference in travel time is 13.1% accompanied by a minimal difference in travel distance of 0.06%. Due to the rapidly increasing travel range of battery electric vehicles and the speed at which they can recharge combined with the frequent installment of new charging locations throughout the United States it is expected that these differences would be smaller today than at the time this study was conducted. The results of this study can be used by consumers to establish realistic expectations regarding how the experience of traveling long distances in a battery electric vehicle may compare with the gasoline powered vehicle they are already familiar with. Battery electric vehicle manufacturers and others considering investments in charging infrastructure may also apply the findings discussed in this study to better communicate the long-distance performance of their vehicles with consumers and identify locations where improvements in the charging infrastructure would be most beneficial to the consumer experience. Future work is needed to explore how the long-range travel experience has continued to improve. The framework of this study provides a foundation for further evaluation of the impact that vehicle and infrastructure developments may have on the consumer experience.

Research has indicated that college-age women are not consuming the recommended daily servings of dairy foods, and therefore, have inadequate calcium intakes as well. Four focus groups were conducted with a total of 29 college women to explore their perceptions, opinions, thoughts, and feelings about dairy foods. Single, non-Hispanic white females, aged 19-22, enrolled in state-funded colleges and universities in Virginia were recruited for the study. Discussion questions addressed preferences for dairy foods, advantages and disadvantages of dairy foods, factors that influence dairy consumption, and ideas for product improvements. Focus group discussions were audio taped, transcribed by the researcher, then checked for accuracy by a Virginia Tech undergraduate student. Major themes and subthemes were identified, and results were reported in the following theme categories: 1) health and nutrition perceptions of dairy foods, 2) external influences on dairy food consumption, 3) characteristics of dairy products, and 4) ideas for product improvements. Women in this study perceived the high calcium content of dairy foods to be a health benefit. Women thought calcium was important for the prevention of osteoporosis; however, most women did not seem to perceive osteoporosis as an immediate health concern. A predominant theme throughout all focus groups was that college women thought many dairy foods were high in fat. Use of calcium supplements as well as other vitamin/mineral supplements to meet nutrient requirements was common among this sample of college women. Other factors that influenced women's dairy food choices included family influences (especially mothers), college lifestyle, and media sources. Specifically, mothers encouraged women to drink milk during childhood and to use supplements. Women's busy lifestyles at college influenced them to choose convenient dairy foods. Women's concern with body weight and image played a role in their lower fat dairy food choices. Sensory characteristics of dairy foods, particularly taste, were important to the college women's dairy food choices. Women wanted convenient and "easily accessible" dairy foods, and their ideas for product improvements included smaller package sizes, easier opening of packages, and improved availability of low fat dairy options in restaurants and dining halls. Nutrition educators should strive to emphasize the importance of adequate dairy food consumption to college women now to prevent osteoporosis in the future. Continued promotion of low fat dairy choices is important to help ensure that women receive adequate intake of calcium and other important nutrients. / Master of Science

M. S.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-06-26T18:08:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese LMBR.pdf: 4645855 bytes, checksum: f9c9fbd979a6bc69113a891ee67d3075 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-06-27T13:38:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese LMBR.pdf: 4645855 bytes, checksum: f9c9fbd979a6bc69113a891ee67d3075 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-06-28T20:18:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese LMBR.pdf: 4645855 bytes, checksum: f9c9fbd979a6bc69113a891ee67d3075 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-28T20:27:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese LMBR.pdf: 4645855 bytes, checksum: f9c9fbd979a6bc69113a891ee67d3075 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-08 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Convenience food can provide individuals with savings in time and effort – both physical and mental – at all stages of food provisioning, from meal planning to cleaning up. In this sense, its consumption fits into the contemporary changes in eating habits, attitudes towards the act of cooking, and also into increasingly stressful lifestyles. Although there is an increasingly shift on the demand from raw foods to foods with some degree of convenience in Brazil, national studies portraying this topic are still scarce. In order to contribute to this debate, this thesis proposes a conceptual model relating attitudinal and socio-demographic variables – directly and indirectly – to the declared consumption of convenient food. This framework is based on premises of two main theories: the theory of domestic production and the convenience orientation approach. The methods we employed include a systematic bibliographic research, followed by a survey with consumers of the state of São Paulo. In order to test the proposed hypotheses we employed a structural equation modeling approach based on a valid sample of 1391 consumers. The use of convenient foods was mainly promoted by an individual’s convenience orientation on the food provisioning process, in the stages of meal planning and preparation and cleaning up, and by an individual’s perception of time constraint. The main attitudinal factors that are likely to restrict the consumption of those products were the desire to keep a healthy and natural way of eating and the pleasure achieved by culinary activities. Based on the impact of certain attitudinal variables on the use of convenient foods, the results deepen the discussion regarding the set of factors supporting the growth of the trend of convenient food consumption in the Brazilian market. By understanding the dimensions of this trend, food manufacturers are able to better seize the emerging opportunities to position their products successfully in the market. / Os alimentos convenientes podem proporcionar aos indivíduos economias de tempo e esforços – físicos e mentais – em todos os estágios do aprovisionamento de alimentos, do planejamento das refeições à limpeza da cozinha. Dessa forma, seu consumo se enquadra nas mudanças contemporâneas dos hábitos alimentares e atitudes em relação ao ato de cozinhar, bem como em estilos de vida cada vez mais atribulados. Embora haja um crescente deslocamento da demanda de alimentos brutos para alimentos com algum grau de conveniência no Brasil, estudos sobre esse quadro ainda são escassos. Visando avançar nesta discussão, esta tese propõe um modelo conceitual que relaciona, direta e indiretamente, variáveis atitudinais e sociodemográficas ao consumo declarado de alimentos convenientes, com base em premissas de duas teorias principais: a teoria da produção doméstica e a abordagem de orientação para conveniência. Os métodos empregados incluíram pesquisa bibliográfica sistemática, seguida de survey com consumidores do estado de São Paulo. Os dados foram tratados com a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais, a fim de testar as hipóteses propostas com base numa amostra válida de 1391 consumidores. O uso de alimentos convenientes foi principalmente promovido pela orientação para conveniência no aprovisionamento, nos estágios de planejamento e preparo de refeições e limpeza da cozinha, e pela percepção de restrição de tempo do indivíduo. Os principais fatores atitudinais que tendem a restringir o consumo desses produtos foram a busca por uma alimentação natural e saudável e o prazer relacionado às atividades culinárias. Os resultados elencados permitem o aprofundamento da discussão sobre o conjunto de fatores que sustentam o crescimento da tendência de consumo alimentos convenientes no mercado brasileiro, com base no impacto de determinados fatores atitudinais sobre a utilização desses produtos. Ao entender as dimensões dessa tendência, os fabricantes de alimentos serão capazes de melhor aproveitar as oportunidades emergentes e posicionar seus produtos com sucesso no mercado.

This paper examines the effects of Ikea store establishment in Kalmar and Karlstad on the trade and retail inside the two cities, and as well on the trade and retail in the close neighboring municipalities and in further peripheral municipalities in both regions. After the establishment of Ikea store, Kalmar and Karlstad have experienced significant growth in trade and retail. The question, however, is how big this growth is in both cities? And how different locations on different distances from Ikea have been affected? What impact there was on different segments of the retail? How different business branches have been affected? How large the catchment area for the emerging new large-scale retail locations is? These questions, in addition to few others, are investigated in this paper. The thesis starts with an introduction chapter containing a background of the topic, problem description, the investigated questions, the purpose, and the outline of the paper. The next chapter includes the frame of reference which consists of literature review and theoretical framework about the external shopping centers and their impact on retail and regional trade development. It includes also information gathered from previous studies technical reports and other available sources about the subject. The third chapter includes description for the methods used to collect the primary and secondary data needed for the purpose of this study. Then the empirical framework which demonstrates the results of the conducted research followed by analysis and concluded in discussion and conclusion. Mixed methods are used as research strategy in this thesis, and the method to conduct the research is based on telephone interviews for the primary (qualitative) data, and documents and desk research for the secondary (quantitative) data. The gathered data is analyzed and designed in a way that allows the usage of comparative analysis technique to present the findings and draw conclusions. The results showed that new established Ikea retail store outside the city boundaries results with many effects on the city center and on the neighboring municipalities as well. The city center seems not to be affected negatively, but on the contrary positive effects were witnessed in both regions, these positive effects are linked to the increase inflow of customers from the external retail area which is known as spillover effect. III On the other hand, the neighboring towns and municipalities are more negatively affected especially with the trade of con-convenience goods as the consumers in these towns and municipalities start to go to the area of Ikea and the large external retail center to do their purchasing, the substitution effect is then said to be occurred. Moreover, the further far municipalities do not seem to be significantly affected by the establishment of Ikea. These effects whether positive or negative could be monitored by looking to few trade parameters such as the turnover, the sales index, and the consumers’ expenditure, these parameters can be very useful to measure the developments and changes in the trade and retail in a given place.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto das variáveis da \"Teoria da Estocagem\", como custo de oportunidade e estoque, sobre a \"base\" dos contratos futuros de soja negociados na BM&FBOVESPA, para um período de cinco anos e com dados diários, de outubro de 2013 a março de 2017. Foi proposta uma análise semelhante à de Fama e French (1987) a qual verificou o impacto dos custos de oportunidade do capital e de uma proxy para o estoque de soja, visando capturar os custos de estocagem e o benefício de conveniência, derivados da teoria da estocagem. Verificou-se que o custo de oportunidade dos agentes de mercado impacta positivamente a base, da mesma forma, o estoque também impacta de forma positiva a base. Os resultados encontrados estão em conformidade com a teoria de estocagem proposta por Working (1949). Assim, a principal contribuição do trabalho é fornecer à literatura evidências empíricas que sustentem o comportamento da base de soja no Brasil / The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the \"Theory of Storage\" variables based on the soybean futures contracts traded on BM&FBOVESPA for a period of five years with daily data, from October 2013 to March 2017. An analysis similar to that of Fama and French (1987) was proposed, which verified the impact of the opportunity costs of capital and a proxy for the soybean stock, aiming to capture the storage costs and the benefit of convenience, derived from the theory of storage. It was verified that the opportunity cost of market agents has a positive impact on the basis, in the same way, the stock also has a positive impact on the basis. The results found are in accordance with the \"Theory of Storage\" proposed by Working (1949). Thus, the main contribution of the work is to provide the literature with empirical evidence to support the behavior of the soybean basis in Brazil

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto das variáveis da \"Teoria da Estocagem\", como custo de oportunidade e estoque, sobre a \"base\" dos contratos futuros de soja negociados na BM&FBOVESPA, para um período de cinco anos e com dados diários, de outubro de 2013 a março de 2017. Foi proposta uma análise semelhante à de Fama e French (1987) a qual verificou o impacto dos custos de oportunidade do capital e de uma proxy para o estoque de soja, visando capturar os custos de estocagem e o benefício de conveniência, derivados da teoria da estocagem. Verificou-se que o custo de oportunidade dos agentes de mercado impacta positivamente a base, da mesma forma, o estoque também impacta de forma positiva a base. Os resultados encontrados estão em conformidade com a teoria de estocagem proposta por Working (1949). Assim, a principal contribuição do trabalho é fornecer à literatura evidências empíricas que sustentem o comportamento da base de soja no Brasil / The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the \"Theory of Storage\" variables based on the soybean futures contracts traded on BM&FBOVESPA for a period of five years with daily data, from October 2013 to March 2017. An analysis similar to that of Fama and French (1987) was proposed, which verified the impact of the opportunity costs of capital and a proxy for the soybean stock, aiming to capture the storage costs and the benefit of convenience, derived from the theory of storage. It was verified that the opportunity cost of market agents has a positive impact on the basis, in the same way, the stock also has a positive impact on the basis. The results found are in accordance with the \"Theory of Storage\" proposed by Working (1949). Thus, the main contribution of the work is to provide the literature with empirical evidence to support the behavior of the soybean basis in Brazil

Tjia Sau-wah, Susana. / Includes Chinese questionaire. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-83). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF EXHIBITS --- p.vi / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.vii / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Organization of the Study --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- China's Economic Development --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- China's Industries --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Effect of the Economic Development --- p.3 / Chapter l .3 --- Fast Food Industry In China --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Environmental Factors Contributing to the Growth of Fast Food Chains in China --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- High Consumption Power --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- High Population Growth Rate --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Changing Consumer Taste --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4.4. --- Social Changes --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4.5 --- Keen Competition within the Hong Kong Fast Food Market --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5 --- Investment in China --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Overview of China Foreign Investment --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Doing Business in China --- p.11 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- The Regional Policy of China --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- China's Tertiary Industry --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.5 --- China's Investment Prospects --- p.17 / Chapter II. --- RESEARCH FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1 --- Research Interest --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Why Study Fast Food in China --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Why Shenzhen? --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Purpose of the Study --- p.21 / Chapter III. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.23 / Chapter 3.1 --- Highlights of Consumer Behavioral Studies --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2 --- Consumer Behavior --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Individual Differences --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Environmental Forces --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Psychological Processes --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3 --- Consumer Decision Making Process --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Problem Recognition --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Information Search --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Alternative Evaluation and Decision --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Post-Purchase Assessment --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4 --- Consumer Behavior's Role in the Design of the Marketing Strategy --- p.29 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Market Segmentation --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Product --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Pricing --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Promotion --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Distribution --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.32 / Chapter 3.5 --- Personal Influences --- p.32 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- The Concept of Group --- p.32 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Primary and Secondary Reference Groups --- p.33 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Group Influences --- p.34 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Word-of-Mouth Influence --- p.35 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Implications of Personal Influence --- p.35 / Chapter 3.6 --- Fast Food Operations --- p.36 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Origin of Fast Food --- p.36 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Considerations in Doing Fast Food Business --- p.36 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- The Definition of Fast Food --- p.37 / Chapter IV. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.38 / Chapter 4.1 --- Before Starting the Secondary Data Search --- p.38 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Secondary Data Search --- p.38 / Chapter 4.2 --- Primary Data Collection --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Field Observation --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Personal Interviews --- p.41 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Questionnaire --- p.42 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Sampling --- p.43 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Method of Administration --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Data Analysis --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Data Presentation --- p.46 / Chapter V. --- FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS --- p.47 / Chapter 5.1 --- General Purchase and Consumption Patterns --- p.47 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Definition of Fast Food --- p.47 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Brand awareness --- p.48 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Type of Fast Food Available --- p.48 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Frequency of Visits --- p.49 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Time of Consumption and Purchase --- p.49 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- Consumer Expenditure on Fast Food --- p.50 / Chapter 5.1.7 --- The Advertising Strategy --- p.51 / Chapter 5.1.8 --- Channels of Communication --- p.51 / Chapter 5.1.9 --- Ideal Location for Fast Food Shops --- p.52 / Chapter 5.1.10 --- Companions in Visiting Fast Food Shops --- p.53 / Chapter 5.2 --- Cross-Tabulation Analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Style of Food Choice --- p.54 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Frequency of Visits --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Expenditures on Fast Food --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Influence on Visits --- p.61 / Chapter 5.3 --- Marketing Mix Influencing Buying Decisions --- p.62 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Motivating Factors Influencing Buying Decisions --- p.62 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Impact of Promotional Activities --- p.63 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Impact of Location Aspects --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Impact of Product Attributes --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Impact of Service Quality --- p.66 / Chapter VI. --- RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.67 / Chapter 6.1 --- Target Markets for Fast Food --- p.67 / Chapter 6.2 --- Marketing Mix for Fast Food Operators --- p.68 / Chapter 6.3 --- The Recommended Marketing Mix --- p.69 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Product Strategy --- p.69 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Pricing Strategy --- p.71 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Place (Location) Strategy --- p.72 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Promotional Strategy --- p.74 / Chapter 6.4 --- Concluding Comments --- p.76 / Chapter VII. --- LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY --- p.78 / Chapter 7.1 --- Heterogeneous Population in China --- p.78 / Chapter 7.2 --- Time and Resource Constraints --- p.78 / Chapter 7.3 --- Sampling Method --- p.79 / Chapter 7.4 --- Small Sample Size --- p.79 / Chapter 7.5 --- Seasonal Factor --- p.79 / Chapter 7.6 --- Response and Non-response Bias --- p.80 / Chapter 7.7 --- Reliability and Validity --- p.80 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.81 / APPENDICES --- p.84