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The perspective that asymmetrical power relationship on vertical channel would lead to dominating partner exploitation with the use of coercive power is examined within the context of horizontal channel exchange relationship between department stores and tenant retailers. A power structure-action-outcome framework is offered to study casual links between dependence (structural aspects of power), use of coercive and noncoercive power (action), and three aspects of outcome - economic and social satisfaction, commitment and strategic performance. Data was collected through personal interview with 302 small, medium size retail tenants of department stores in PR China. Analysis of findings provided support to the model and the hypotheses. Results confirmed that dependence and use of power were only weakly related. The findings demonstrate the contextual influence of Chinese collectivistic culture on coercive power which involves the use of punishment or penalty. To further explore the relationship between dependence and power, investigation was carried out to examine if dependence moderates the effect of coercive power on economic satisfaction, with a positive result. On the other hand, use of non-coercive power showed positive results for economic and social satisfaction, which are positively related to commitment and strategic performance. It can be concluded that use of non-coercive power is strongly recommended for store-tenant relationship in the retail sector of China. Once again, the importance of channel context must not be ignored in the study of distribution channel issues. / This research project contributes to the channel literature by adding to the contemporary state of knowledge on the use of power in horizontal channel relationships with power asymmetry, and constructs were brought together that have not been empirically investigated within a single study. It is unique in that the model was tested in non-American setting, namely PR China.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-173).

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between the different education background of young female consumers, with and without medical education, and their buying behavior in the chain cosmeceutical shop based on concept of E.K.B. model ( Engel, Blackwell and Kollatt model ) , the decision making process model ( Engel, Blackwell and Kollatt ,1993) . Design: The study was empirically tested using data collected from 365 questionnaires answered by the female consumers in big Kaohsiung area. The structural equation modeling technique was used to evaluate the causal model and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model. Additionally, the linear regression was used to test the null hypothesis. Measurement: Questionnaire administered items measuring the buying behavior of young female consumers, store selection and consumer behavior, the satisfaction of chain cosmeceutical stores, the professional image of pharmacists and life style, in chain cosmeceutical stores. Results: The findings indicated that the satisfaction of chain cosmeceutical stores, the professional image of pharmacists, life style and educational background significantly affected the store selection and consumer buying behavior. Conclusion: This study provides a means to understand what factors impact on the young females¡¦ buying behavior in chain cosmeceutical stores and how this may affect their future consumption. In addition, this study reveals marketing implications relevant for chain cosmeceutical stores considering consumer segmentation of young females, and applies this customer segmentation as marketing strategy.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University,2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.134-141).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 390-407.

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references.

Microorganisms found in the indoor environment of retail stores are not well studied, despite potentially serious human exposure implications. In this study, filters from central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units were used to collect a time-integrated sample of the airborne indoor microbiome in 14 U.S. retail stores. The microbial communities recovered from the filter dust samples were analyzed with pyrosequencing to characterize the fungal and bacterial microbiome present. The objectives of this work were to: (1) characterize the microbial communities present in retail stores, (2) delineate relationships between the indoor microbiome and building or environmental parameters, and (3) evaluate the use of HVAC filter dust as a sample location for indoor microbial investigations. The microbiome in retail stores was observed to be diverse with 4,771 and 1,577 unique operational taxonomic units for bacteria and fungi, respectively. The diverse microbial community detected over time in the same store could not be fully explained by seasonal trends. That indicates that even when utilizing a long-term sampling approach like HVAC filter samples, the indoor microbiome cannot be completely characterized by a single sampling event. The bacterial community in retail stores was influenced by the outdoor microbiome and microbiota commonly associated with human skin. Physical location of the retail stores had some influence on the bacterial microbial community present and strongly impacted the fungal community recovered. Air exchange rate did not influence the observed bacterial or fungal communities. In a comparison to five other indoor air samplers, passive samplers including HVAC filter dust and settled dust captured a higher diversity of the microbial community. The collection of a more diverse sample may allow detection of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. However, there was significant difference in the microbial community structures recovered between samplers in the same sampling event which suggests sampling methodology has an impact on the inferred microbiome recovered. The overall results from this study indicate that retail stores harbor a diverse microbial community that varies over time. / text

The research concerns one of the more central components of store image, that of prestige or status. Relevant literatures include store image, occupational prestige, social class, and life style. The investigation focuses on two primary areas of inquiry. The first concerns establishing the construct validity of store prestige using a structural equations methodology. The second area examines the characteristics which cause individuals to differ in prestige grading and uses a similar methodology. Two scales are used to measure prestige, price, and quality of fifteen stores where clothing can be purchased. The results indicate that for this product class and the stores considered, individuals equate the three image dimensions at near unity. In this study the construct validity of store prestige is not supported. Future research using a broader range of retail institutions and different measurement techniques will lead to more definitive conclusions. Without firm conceptual standing of the measurement of store prestige, the second part of the dissertation is re-conceptualized. Store prestige dissensus and articulation are defined more generally as store image dissensus and articulation. The sample as a whole exhibits a substantial degree of agreement when ranking the stores according to any of the three image dimensions. Yet, for stores which may be considered more high culture, there is significantly less agreement in rankings. Although not statistically significant, there is a substantive trend toward increasing consensus in rankings among groups higher in education, occupational prestige, income, browsing, purchasing, and clothing involvement. Finally, with the exceptions of occupational prestige and income, all of these same characteristics are statistically significant predictors of store image articulation. The dissertation concludes with a model proposing cause and effect linkages of retail cognitive complexity. While the research was not originally pursued from a cognitive psychology framework, the results concerning store image articulation suggest several hypotheses involving the more general concept of cognitive complexity.

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