Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to develop a holistic understanding of customers’ value perceptions and experiences within the online apparel industry. In doing so, the authors’ hope to develop managerial guidelines for companies to utilize. This will be done with a customerdominant logic approach. Design/Methodology/Approach As the study aims to understand behavior and perceptions, the authors have used an inductive, qualitative method to gain the deepest possible customer insight. By using a case study, the authors have been able to further understand the given context. Using focus group interviews resonated in the authors aim to understand why the participants reasoned as they did, as they would in a focus group session argue for their standpoint. The interview template was influenced by the theories on value formation within customer-dominant logic. Findings This study strengthens the relevance of CD logic empirically and provides a deeper understanding of customers’ value perceptions and the reasons behind them. Functional elements of value were proven to be important, yet it was the values derived of emotional and life-changing elements that created true value. Based on the findings of this study, the authors have proposed a new term, true value, which refers to a state-of-mind in which a person finds in psychological well-being through the experiences derived from a product or service. Furthermore this study highlights social media’s importance within the given context. Originality/Value Previous research on customer-dominant logic has mainly been on a theoretical level. This research contributes to service research by studying the phenomena through empirical research within the online apparel industry. Furthermore, this research develops managerial guidelines for companies applying customer-dominant logic within the given context. Research Implications/Limitations Awareness of the importance of social media within the online apparel industry can provide insight and assist businesses in shaping marketing strategies. This research was limited by time, demographical group and geographical location. Furthermore, the generalizability of the results is limited to the given context.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-97). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-97). Also available on the Internet.

Orientador: José Paulo Alves Fusco / Banca: Marcel Andreotti Musetti / Banca: Fernando Bernardi de Souza / Resumo: Esta pesquisa analisa as estruturas e os relacionamentos em uma rede de empresas do setor metal-mecânico, localizada no interior do Estado de São Paulo. Entende-se que, por meio da atividade econômica de cada empresa, forma-se a estrutura da rede de empresas, na qual são negociados insumos e produtos entre os atores. Nessa mesma estrutura, configura-se uma rede de relações organizacionais que pode influenciar o desempenho da empresa, por meio de seus laços relacionais diretos ou indiretos. Os resultados das atividades organizacionais dependem das relações e posicionamento dos várioss atores da rede de empresas (fornecedores, clientes, provedor logístico, agente financeiro, associações, entre outros). Nesse contexto, esta dissertação apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre redes de empresas, ferramentas de análise de redes, análise posicional das redes e valor. O principal objetivo é compreender como o posicionamento dos atores pode influenciar a formação de valor, em função das operações exploradas por uma rede de empresas em um determinado negócio. Para tanto, propõe-se uma abordagem metodológica para analisar de que modo os aspectos de posicionamento (estruturais e relacionais) dos atores influenciam a formação de valor. A rede de empresas foi delimitada e mapeada a partir de uma empresa da rede (ator central). Foram escolhidos outros três atores com maior interação e intensidade no relacionamento com o ator central. Na pesquisa de campo, foram identificados os principais elementos para a formação de valor. O método de pesquisa utilizado é principalmente qualitativo e os dados obtidos serviram como exemplo de aplicação de uma rede de empresas do setor metal-mecânico. A técnica utilizada foi a de etapas formais de estudo de caso para garantir a validade do trabalho. O uso da abordagem metodológica proposta envolve os aspectos ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This theses examines the structures and relationship in an inter-firm network or the metal-mechanic sector, located in a specific region of the Sao Paulo state in Brazil. It is understood that by means of economic activity of each company is formed the structure of the inter-firm network, in which are traded materials and products among the actors. On the same structure, it is configured a networkt of organizational relationships that can influence the performance of the company, through indirect or direct relational ties. The results of the organizational activities depend of relations and positioning of various actors of the interfirm network (suppliers, customers, logistics provider, financial agents and associations, among others). In this context, this research presents a review of the literature on inter-firm networks, network analysis tools, positional analysis of networks and value. The main goal is to understand how the positioning of the actors (in this case, a business unit) may influence the formation of value, depending of the operations used by an inter-firm network. In addition, it proposes a methodological approach to analyze how the positioning aspects (structural and relational) of actors influence the formation of value. The inter-firm network has been defined and mapped from a company (central actor). Three actors were chosen, based on greater intensity and interaction in the relationship with this central actor. In the field research have been identified the main elements for the value formation. The methodological approach is mainly qualitative, and the data obtained was used as an application example in an inter-firm network of the metal-mechanic sector. The research method which was used is the formal steps of the case study to ensure the validity of the work. The use of a methodological approach involves the structural and relational aspects of the network studied ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-12-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:54:28Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gobbo_sco_me_bauru.pdf: 920329 bytes, checksum: 02590233be1daeaf6b848f4a8cd93765 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Esta pesquisa analisa as estruturas e os relacionamentos em uma rede de empresas do setor metal-mecânico, localizada no interior do Estado de São Paulo. Entende-se que, por meio da atividade econômica de cada empresa, forma-se a estrutura da rede de empresas, na qual são negociados insumos e produtos entre os atores. Nessa mesma estrutura, configura-se uma rede de relações organizacionais que pode influenciar o desempenho da empresa, por meio de seus laços relacionais diretos ou indiretos. Os resultados das atividades organizacionais dependem das relações e posicionamento dos várioss atores da rede de empresas (fornecedores, clientes, provedor logístico, agente financeiro, associações, entre outros). Nesse contexto, esta dissertação apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre redes de empresas, ferramentas de análise de redes, análise posicional das redes e valor. O principal objetivo é compreender como o posicionamento dos atores pode influenciar a formação de valor, em função das operações exploradas por uma rede de empresas em um determinado negócio. Para tanto, propõe-se uma abordagem metodológica para analisar de que modo os aspectos de posicionamento (estruturais e relacionais) dos atores influenciam a formação de valor. A rede de empresas foi delimitada e mapeada a partir de uma empresa da rede (ator central). Foram escolhidos outros três atores com maior interação e intensidade no relacionamento com o ator central. Na pesquisa de campo, foram identificados os principais elementos para a formação de valor. O método de pesquisa utilizado é principalmente qualitativo e os dados obtidos serviram como exemplo de aplicação de uma rede de empresas do setor metal-mecânico. A técnica utilizada foi a de etapas formais de estudo de caso para garantir a validade do trabalho. O uso da abordagem metodológica proposta envolve os aspectos... / This theses examines the structures and relationship in an inter-firm network or the metal-mechanic sector, located in a specific region of the Sao Paulo state in Brazil. It is understood that by means of economic activity of each company is formed the structure of the inter-firm network, in which are traded materials and products among the actors. On the same structure, it is configured a networkt of organizational relationships that can influence the performance of the company, through indirect or direct relational ties. The results of the organizational activities depend of relations and positioning of various actors of the interfirm network (suppliers, customers, logistics provider, financial agents and associations, among others). In this context, this research presents a review of the literature on inter-firm networks, network analysis tools, positional analysis of networks and value. The main goal is to understand how the positioning of the actors (in this case, a business unit) may influence the formation of value, depending of the operations used by an inter-firm network. In addition, it proposes a methodological approach to analyze how the positioning aspects (structural and relational) of actors influence the formation of value. The inter-firm network has been defined and mapped from a company (central actor). Three actors were chosen, based on greater intensity and interaction in the relationship with this central actor. In the field research have been identified the main elements for the value formation. The methodological approach is mainly qualitative, and the data obtained was used as an application example in an inter-firm network of the metal-mechanic sector. The research method which was used is the formal steps of the case study to ensure the validity of the work. The use of a methodological approach involves the structural and relational aspects of the network studied ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)