Search

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of consumer ethnocentrism and xenocentrism beliefs in influencing purchase behavior in India. Given its status as the most populous nation globally, with diverse consumer cultures and backgrounds, understanding Indian consumers' biases toward domestic and foreign products holds significant value for both researchers and practitioners in refining their marketing communication strategies. A technology product, specifically a laptop computer, was selected to examine the ethnocentrism and xenocentrism tendencies of Indian consumers. Data (n = 373) for the study were collected through personal interviews with Indian consumers. The study's results indicate that both perceived brand image and brand attitudes exerted a robust positive influence on Indian consumers' purchase intentions for laptop computers. While the direct effects of ethnocentrism and xenocentrism on purchase intentions were minimal, they acted as moderators in the relationship between brand image, brand attitude, and purchase intentions for foreign brands. Developing a strong brand image and fostering positive brand attitudes should be prioritized in marketing communication campaigns to enhance global brand management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the critical role entrepreneurship plays in socioeconomic development, investigating the factors that motivate students to pursue an entrepreneurial career track in higher education is important for researchers and policymakers. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence Chilean college students' intentions to choose entrepreneurship education. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 435 students studying in various private and public colleges in Talca, Chile. The results indicate that students' interest in selecting entrepreneurship as a major is mainly driven by their perceptions of self-employment, self-confidence levels, and the type of college they attend. Additionally, our study findings reveal that students' intentions to major in entrepreneurship and their prior exposure to entrepreneurship (e.g., having entrepreneur friends/family) are closely related to their likelihood of starting a business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) spectrum is an essential enabler to the fifth generation (5G) wireless technology. Humans are one of the most noticeable blockers that cause temporal variation in indoor radio channels. This paper presents human blockage measurements at 28 GHz, with several humans of different sizes. The effect of the crossing orientations of the human bodies is investigated for three different transmitter heights. A human blockage model based on the Fresnel diffraction scheme is shown to be applicable in estimating the human blockage loss in indoor radio links considering various body sizes, different crossing orientations, and different transmitter heights. The findings reported in this paper could help improve indoor radio channel models at 28 GHz bands for 5G technologies considering the presence of human body blockages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to investigate entrepreneurial intentions among university students in China and Mexico. Findings reveal that students' perceptions of an entrepreneurship major, self-employment, and self-confidence levels influence their entrepreneurial intentions. In addition, we found that external structural support had a significant moderating effect on the self-confidence and entrepreneurial intent relationship. The aforementioned moderating relationship was mitigated by access to and availability of external support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companies in emerging markets have found that exporting is the most popular mode of entry in international business. However, popularity does not necessarily equate to successful export performance. This study applies the Resource-Advantage (R-A) theory as the platform to understand why some export companies perform better than others. Using survey data of 346 small and medium-sized Turkish exporters, results suggest that both export market orientation and marketing capabilities have direct positive effects on export performance. Moreover, competition intensity weakened the effects of export market orientation on export performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores B-school students' perceptions of subject areas in international business/marketing as well as their preferred learning methods. We compared the responses of students from Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, and China. We found the students from the three Latin American countries mostly shared common perceptions of international marketing curriculum and pedagogies, but they were statistically different from their Chinese counterparts. Mexican and Peruvian students preferred multi-media, hands-on learning, and case analysis learning methods while Guatemalan students preferred having guest speakers in the classrooms. Chinese students, by contrast, preferred lectures, and hands-on applications. With respect to international marketing education, the biggest differences in subjects' views from various countries were observed in the areas of product adaptation decisions. We also report some differences in international marketing subject areas and preference for methods of learning by gender and age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) has been widely used as a strong indicator of loyalty and growth in organizations. However, despite extensive use in various industries, its application in higher education has been limited. To address this gap, we explore the use of NPS in the identification and investigation of the characteristics as well as behaviors of 3 groups of undergraduate business students: promoters, passives, and detractors. We also investigate the role of university experience and satisfaction on students’ likelihood to recommend their academic program to their friends. Using survey data from 3 regional state universities in the US, with a combined sample size of 493 business students, we calculated the NPS by asking the question, “How likely is it that you would recommend the business program to a friend?” Upon calculating the NPS, 75 detractors, 165 passives and 253 promoters were identified and categorized. Based on our findings, recommendations were provided to assist university administrators in their efforts towards minimizing the number of detractors, positively converting passives, and increasing the number of promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vandetanib is a wide spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and various other cancer types. Although it is usually well-tolerated ıt has been linked to a variety of severe dermatologic reactions. Our study aimed was to investigate adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) on vandetanib-induced skin damage. A total number of 18 rats were divided into three equal groups as vandetanib group (VDB), vandetanib plus ATP group (VAT), and healthy group (HG); 25 mg/kg ATP was injected intraperitoneally (ip) to the VAT group. Normal saline was given to the HG and VDB groups as solvent via intraperitoneally. One hour later, 25 mg/kg vandetanib was applied orally via an orogastric catheter in the VAT and VDB groups. This procedure was repeated once daily for 4 weeks. After that period, all animals were sacrificed and their skin tissues removed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) levels in rats' skin tissues were evaluated with histopathological analyses. MDA and TOS levels measured higher in the VDB group compared to the VAT and HG groups (p < 0.001). tGSH and TAS levels of the VDB group measured lower than the VAT and HG groups (p < 0.001). The structure and morphology of skin tissue were normal in the control group. In the VDB group, skin tissue damage with thinner epitelium, ruptured and degenerated hair follicles, abnormal accumulation of abnormal keratin on the epithelium and oedematous areas in the dermis was observed. In the VAT group, these findings were significantly improved. We demonstrated that adenosine triphosphate can prevent vandetanib-induced skin toxicity in rats for the first time. The promising results denote that further studies testing this agent in other animal models and in humans are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer ethnocentrism (CE) has been a popular research topic in international marketing. However, limited CE research is available from the emerging markets. Heightened concerns about globalization and increased political support for restricting international trade around the world increases the importance of updated empirical findings on consumer ethnocentric behavior. Hence, the purpose of this empirical study is to examine consumer ethnocentrism and consumer willingness to buy foreign products in two emerging markets: Turkey and Colombia. Data was collected using online surveys from subjects in Turkey and Colombia. Results show that CE inversely influenced consumers' willingness to buy foreign products in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-n-vinylimidazole) (Fe3O4@poly (EGDMA@VIM)) microspheres were prepared by suspension polymerization method using magnetite Fe3O4 nano-powder and the porosity, morphology, chemical composition and structure of the magnetic polymer microspheres were characterized. The specific surface area and swelling ratio of the Fe3O4@poly(EGDMA@VIM) microspheres were found to be 278.6 m2·g–1 and 48%, respectively. The Fe3O4@poly(EGDMA@VIM) microspheres were used as an adsorbent for phenol removal. The effects of the parameters such as adsorbent dosage, temperature, pH and initial concentration of phenol solutions on the adsorption were investigated. The experimental adsorption equilibrium data obtained were fitted with Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms and the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra–particle diffusion kinetic models. The adsorption equilibrium data agreed well with the Freundlich isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum capacity of the Fe3O4@poly(EGDMA@VIM) microspheres was calculated to be 33.83 mg·g–1 at 298 K and natural pH from Langmuir isotherm. The Fe3O4@poly(EGDMA@VIM) microspheres were found to be reusable for removal of phenol after desorption for several times. The result indicated that the Fe3O4@poly(EGDMA@VIM) microspheres are potential candidate for removal of phenol in wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bionanocomposites with different loadings of silver (Ag) were prepared via synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the wet chemical reduction method in the lamellar space layer of the organo-sepiolite/chitosan (O-SEP/CS). The prepared O-SEP/CS/Ag bionanocomposites were characterized using various analysis methods for their structure, morphology, and optical properties. The characteristic absorption bands from the UV–visible absorption spectrum confirmed the formation of AgNPs. The antibacterial activities of O-SEP/CS/Ag bionanocomposites were investigated against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using the disc diffusion method. The results suggest that O-SEP/CS/Ag bionanocomposites can be useful in wide range of bio-medical applications because of high antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social responsibility aspect of the luxury product concept has recently started to receive more attention from researchers and practitioners. However, the luxury product perceptions measurement in the literature often does not incorporate the sustainable environment friendly dimensions of the luxury goods consumption. Therefore in this study, we attempt to investigate the role of sustainable environment benefits in consumers' value perceptions of the luxury products. Data for the study was collected from n = 218 female consumers who were shopping in high-end luxury apparel retailers located in exclusive shopping centers in Turkey. Study results show four dimensions (exclusiveness, normative beliefs, self-directed pleasure, and social/prestige) of luxury goods perceptions of female Turkish consumers. Practical and research implications of the study findings are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Content analysis is an important methodology in advertising research. A key issue in content analysis is the level of agreement across the judgments which classify the objects or stimuli of interest. A review of articles published in the Journal of Advertising indicates that many authors are not fully utilizing recommended measures of intercoder agreement and thus may not be adequately establishing the reliability of their research. This paper presents a SAS MACRO which facilitates the computation of frequently recommended indices of intercoder agreement in content analysis. In particular, the MACRO calculates measures which correct for chance agreement and allow for multiple coders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive selling and customer orientation have been considered imperative for successful salespeople. Although these topics have been frequently studied in the literature, most studies have been conducted in a developed country environment and such studies are limited in other cultural contexts. Moreover, cross-country/cultural comparison of the role of adaptive selling and customer orientation is even scarcer. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to examine the role of adaptive selling and customer orientation on salesperson performance in two distinct markets of Europe and Asia—namely Finland and Macau. Using personal interviews, data were collected from salespeople operating in both countries. The study results indicate that customer orientation had significant effect on sales performance, customer satisfaction, and adaptive selling behavior of salespersons. Furthermore, salesperson adaptive selling behavior had significant effect on sales performance and customer orientation but not on customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-N-methacryloyl-l-tryptophan methyl ester) [poly(EGDMA-MATrp)] beads (average diameter = 106–300 µm), which were synthesized by co-polymerizing of N-methacryloyl-l-tryptophan methyl ester (MATrp) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), were used for diethyl phthalate (DEP) adsorption. The various factors affecting the adsorption of DEP from aqueous solutions such as pH, initial concentration, contact time and temperature were analysed. Adsorption behaviour of DEP on the poly(EGDMA-MATrp) beads was investigated by varying pH values of solution, contact time, initial concentration and temperature. An optimum adsorption capacity of 590.7 mg/g for DEP was obtained at 25 °C. The present adsorption process obeyed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. All the isotherm data can be fitted with the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH = 7.745 kJ/mol, ΔS = 81.92 J/K/mol and ΔG = −16.69 kJ/mol to −18.31 kJ/mol with the rise in temperature from 25 °C to 45 °C indicated that the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemically modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) (PVTri) composites were prepared via in situ emulsion polymerization. The morphological and structural properties of the surface-modified MWCNT and the synthesized MWCNT/PVTri composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrical properties of the composite material were analyzed by conductivity measurements. The thermal analysis and the Tgvalue of the polymer were determined by differential scanning calorimetry technique. The obtained novel MWCNT/PVTri composites exhibited excellent solubility and possessed a slightly higher glass transition temperature than that of the pure polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines a complex multiple-encounter service environment - hospitals in a developing country - and suggests that service quality measures ought to be tied to key actors' performance metrics. Based on face-to-face surveys of 400 hospital patients in Bangladesh and using structural equations modeling, our findings show that for multiple-encounter services, the three dimensions of service quality that emerged reflect key actors' performance. We also corroborate, as a validation of our model, that there is a positive link between service quality and satisfaction, as well as between satisfaction and loyalty, reflecting a mediating role of patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While previous researchers have explored the relationship between market orientation and firm performance in larger organizations, such studies in microenterprises are scarce. This empirical study uses a structural equation model to examine the role of market orientation on firm performance of microenterprises operating in Ghana. To measure market orientation, we used a well-known scale (MARKOR), and the data (N= 347) for this study were collected from Ghanaian microenterprises using personal interviews. Study results indicated that the MARKOR scale provided a good measure of market orientation in Ghanaian microenterprises. The conceptualized model provided a good fit to the relationship between market orientation and the performance of Ghanaian microenterprises, indicating that market orientation as measured by MARKOR had a statistically significant positive impact on performance. However, the explanatory power of the model was relatively low, indicating the potential impact of other factors that were not incorporated in the model. Study implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Each culture has its own dominant construct of time that influences the value placed on the use of time by individuals. This empirical study examines how time orientations influence attitudes toward advertising in a high-context culture of an Asian economy. Data was collected through surveys in Macau. Findings show that Macanese are more future orientated but less enthusiastic towards advertising; they switch to another channel and engage in other activities during commercial breaks. Results also show that past orientation has the strongest impact on advertising avoidance. The authors offer managerial implications for the development of effective advertising programs in this emerging market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, U.S. firms have successfully used American appeal (hard-sell approach) as a unique selling proposition in Europe, Japan and in the developing world. However, the anti-American sentiments around the world due to the Iraqi and Afghan wars and recent upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa have negatively influenced consumer judgments about American-labeled global brands in international markets during the last decade. Such consumer perceptions may lead to a favorable environment for new competitors to emerge in specific markets, and these products may take significant market share away from global U.S. brands. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Globalization has created significant opportunities of cost reductions for players to take advantage of location specific benefits. Simultaneously, it has presented significant opportunities for countries, such as China, to actively participate in global trade, attract foreign direct investment, and improve the economic wealth of their nations. However, literature cautions marketers about consumers’ biased evaluations of products based on their country of production. Moving production to low-cost countries could potentially harm brand trust, quality evaluations, and purchase intentions due to unfavorable biases for the country of production. The objective of this study is to investigate country of production biases of Turkish consumers for two global brands, Philips and Adidas. Data for the study (N = 1,608) were collected using mall-intercepts from the 17 largest cities of Turkey. Study findings show that brand trust, perceived quality, and purchase intentions declined sharply for both brands when consumers learned that the product was manufactured in China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study is aimed at the synthesis and characterization of the mesoporous magnetic-poly(divinylbenzene-1-vinylimidazole)[m-poly(DVB-VIM))microbeads(average diameter = 53–212 µm); their application as adsorbent in the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The mesoporous m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads were prepared by copolymerizing of divinylbenzene (DVB) with 1-vinylimidazole (VIM). The mesoporous m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads were characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, ESR, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and swelling studies. At fixed solid/solution ratio the various factors affecting adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions such as pH, initial concentration, amount of mesoporousm-poly(DVB-VIM)) microbeads, contact time, and temperature were analyzed. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkvich isotherms were used the model adsorption equilibrium data. The Langmuir isotherm model was the most adequate. The pseudo first-order, pseudo-second-order, Ritch-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were used to describe the adsorption kinetics. The experimental data fitted to pseudo second-order kinetic. The study of temperature effect was quantified by calculating various thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes. Morever, after the use in adsorption, the mesoporous m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads with paramagnetic property was separated via the applied magnetic force. These features make the mesoporous m-poly(DVB-VIM) microbeads a potential candidate for support of Cu(II) ions removal under magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Past studies have indicated that there are cross-cultural/national differences among people's perception of time and how they use time available for them and what factors affect their time-related purchasing and consumption decisions. It is stated that each culture or subculture could have its own dominant construct of time. The present study examines time use and orientation and time attitudes toward different activities, including advertising in an emerging economy of Georgia. Study results indicate that present orientation and consciousness of future, planning orientation, time saving, realization of present in the light of past, and action orientation are salient factors channeling time orientations of Georgian consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet activation. An increased MPV is associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and long-term mortality. The aim of this study was to compare MPV in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Also, we investigated the value of MPV on in-hospital mortality and long-term prognosis of patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. We studied 429 patients with AMI (70.4% male, 61.9 ± 12.4 years; 279 patients with STEMI, 150 patients with NSTEMI). MPV and platelet count were similar in both groups. Elevated MPV increased the risk of death by 3.1-fold ( p < 0.001) in STEMI group during the hospitalization. However, increased MPV was not associated with in-hospital mortality in NSTEMI group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MPV was 0.868 (95% CI, 0.830-0.907) for predicting two-year mortality. A cut-off point of 11.1 fL showed a sensitivity of 81% and a specifity of 77% for prediction of two-year mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed two-year mortality rate of 12.5% in patients with MPV >11.1 fL versus 9.9% in patients with MPV <11.1 fL ( p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed MPV to be an independent predictor of two-year mortality (Hazard ratio 1.7; 95% CI 1.5-1.9; p < 0.001). An increased MPV is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI. However, elevated levels of MPV did not predict in hospital mortality in NSTEMI group. The increase in MPV values was independently correlated with two-year mortality in all study patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, magnetic metal-chelate beads, m-poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-vinyl imidazole) [m-poly(EGDMA–VIM)] with an average diameter 150–200 μm was synthesized by copolymerizing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) with vinyl imidazole (VIM). The spesific surface area of the m-poly(EGDMA–VIM) beads was found 63.1 m2/g. Cu2+ ions were chelated on the m-poly(EGDMA–VIM) beads and used in immobilization of Aspergillus niger glucoamylase in a batch system. The maximum glucoamylase adsorption capacity of the m-poly(EGDMA–VIM)–Cu2+ beads was observed as 120 mg/g at pH 6.5. The optimum pH for free and m-poly(EGDMA–VIM)–Cu2+ immobilized glucoamylase were found 4.0 and 4.5, respectively. The optimum temperature of glucoamylase was not changed after immobilization and determined as 60 o C for free and immobilized enzyme preparations. The glucoamylase adsorption capacity and adsorbed enzyme activity slightly decreased after 10 batch successive reactions, demonstrating the usefulness of the enzyme-loaded beads in biocatalytic applications. Storage stability was found to increase with immobilization. The effect of various experimental parameters such as pH, glucoamylase concentration, contact time and temperature in aqueous solution were also investigated. Adsorption isotherm obtained for m-poly(EGDMA–VIM)–Cu2+ was consistent with Langmuir model. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process agreed with both the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the modified Ritchie's-second-order kinetic model. Various thermodynamic parameters, free energy (ΔG 0), enthalpy (ΔH 0) and entropy (ΔS 0), were also calculated and the results showed that the adsorption process strongly depended on temperature of medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes an improved slope uniform theory of diffraction model for fast and more accurate field prediction for multiple wedge diffractions in the transition zone. The proposed method is based on the slope uniform theory of diffraction and the Fresnel zone concept, called the slope uniform theory of diffraction with convex hull. The article also provides simulation results for the comparison of the uniform theory of diffraction based algorithms with respect to the computation time and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement results for human body shadowing and local environmental effects in short-range indoor radio channels are presented. A narrowband measurement system, comprising a signal generator, two identical triangular monopoles and a spectrum analyser, was used in the measurements. When the radio link was periodically blocked by a human body with various objects in and around the link, fading depths of up to 15 dB and even more were observed at spot frequencies of 3-11 GHz band. Standard deviation and its range for human body blockage are estimated for different radio link scenarios simulating real environments. The distribution of human body shadowing was analysed and compared with known distribution functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Latin American Business Review is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study is to prepare magnetic beads which can be used for the removal of heavy metal ions from synthetic solutions. Magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-vinyl imidazole) [m-poly(EGDMA-VIM)] beads were produced by suspension polymerization in the presence of magnetite Fe3O4 nano-powder. The specific surface area of the m-poly(EGDMA-VIM) beads was found to be 63.1 m2/g with a size range of 150-200 µm in diameter and the swelling ratio was 85%. The average Fe3O4 content of the resulting m-poly(EGDMA-VIM) beads was 12.4%. The maximum binding capacities of the m-poly(EGDMA-VIM) beads were 32.4 mg/g for Cu2+, 45.8 mg/g for Zn2+, 84.2 mg/g for Cd2+and 134.5 mg/g for Pb2+. The affinity order on mass basis is Pb2+>Cd2+>Zn2+>Cu2+. Equilibrium data agreed well with the Langmuir model. pH significantly affected the binding capacity of the magnetic beads. Binding of heavy metal ions from synthetic wastewater was also studied. The binding capacities were 26.2 mg/g for Cu2+, 33.7 mg/g for Zn2+, 54.7 mg/g for Cd2+ and 108.4 mg/g for Pb2+. The magnetic beads could be regenerated up to about 97% by treating with 0.1 M HNO3. These features make m-poly(EGDMA-VIM) beads a potential candidate for support of heavy metal removal under magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market orientation has been considered a key factor in successful business operations across different markets. To test this assertion, the authors examine the influence of a firm's market orientation on small business performance in the Chilean retail environment. They go on to report empirical information about the characteristics of the market-oriented retailers in Chile. The Kohli, Jaworski, and Kumar (1993) MARKOR scale is used in the study to assess the market orientation in the context of a developing country environment. Data for the study were collected from small retailers in Chile through self-administered questionnaires using a drop-off/pick-up method. The results show a significant correlation between market orientation and small business performance. Path analyses found that the best structure among the Market Orientation dimensions is: Intelligence Generation → Intelligence Dissemination → Responsiveness. Moreover, these performance measures differed significantly among the three different partitions obtained using a k-means cluster analysis. The findings indicate that the MARKOR scale is both valid and reliable in a diverse Chilean small business environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the characteristics and behavioral tendencies of Swedish consumers in relation to their involvement with various types of retail stores as well as their shopping and patronizing behaviors under varying circumstances. In particular, the study focuses on examining the underlying dimensions of Swedish consumers' retail shopping behavior incorporating their lifestyles and attitudinal orientations as well as demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Data for the study were collected through personal interviews in Sweden.

Conventional marketing wisdom holds that a market orientation provides a company with a better understanding of its customers, competitors, and environment, which subsequently leads to superior firm performance. While researchers have explored the relationship between market orientation and business performance in different organizations, such studies in small-sized service retailers are scarce. This study investigates potential influences of market orientation on small-sized service retailer performance. Data for this study were collected through personal interviews, and Kohli, Jaworski, and Kumar's market orientation scale was used to specify the dimensions of a market-oriented organization. Results indicated that Kohli, Jaworski, and Kumar's market orientation scale provided a good measure of market orientation in this setting. Also, the results of analyses indicated a significant link between market orientation and small-sized service retailer performance. The managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the boundary conditions given by Weinstein (1969) are employed to simulate two corrugated half-planes with the same slot height but different slot width. The scattering mechanism at the junction of these half-planes is investigated via the Fourier transform technique, which leads to two coupled Wiener–Hopf equations. The solution of the Wiener–Hopf system is obtained by the Daniele–Khrapkov method and some numerical results are presented about the analysis of the scattered field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While researchers have explored the relationship between market orientation and firm performance in commercial organizations, such studies in non-profit organizations are scarce. This paper uses a structural equation mode! to show the impact of market orientation on the performance of nonprofit organizations. To conduct the study, the authors employed the Kohli, Jaworski and Kumar (1993) market-orientation scale (MARKOR). Data for this study was collected by mail survey. One thousand market orientation surveys were sent to the executive directors of non-profit organizations across the U.S. One hundred forty-eight non- profit agencies responded to the survey, representing 14.8% response rate. The performance criterion was based on the self-stated funding activities for the non-profit organizations collected in this sample. Results indicated that the Kohli, Jaworski and Kumar (1993) market-orientation scale provided a good measure of market orientation in non-profit organizations. The model of the relationship between market orientation and the performance of a non-profit organization supported the theory. The managerial implications are discussed for non-profit organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of roof shapes on multiple diffraction loss in cellular mobile communication systems are investigated. Building roofs are modelled as finitely conducting wedges with different included angles (peaked roofs). Multiple diffraction loss, a measure of diffraction loss due to multiple building geometry, is computed by using the method of UTD (uniform theory of diffraction) for 90° and 120° wedges over the communication paths oblique to building blocks. The results, compared with the absorbing edge model, 0° wedge, show that multiple diffraction loss decreases with increasing wedge angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to ascertain whether during the evolution of marketing concept in a transition economy banking sector, banks of different type and characteristics exhibit similar behaviors and tendencies observed in free market economies of the Western countries. More specifically, a concerted effort was made to determine the differences in the perceived importance of different controllable decision variables of the marketing function performed by banks in a transition economy of Central Asia. As well, the study tried to distinguish between the actual practice of marketing orientation among marketing oriented and non-marketing oriented banks. MARKOR (Kohli, Jaworski, and Kumar, 1993) scales developed and used in the USA and a select number of Western countries were translated into Russian and were administered to state and private bank executives of Kyrgyz Republic. Study results indicate that there are significant differences between marketing-oriented bank managers and those of non-marketing oriented managers in terms of their responses to MARKOR statements. Managerial and public policy implications of the study are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents a study which examined the globalization process of developing country public sector enterprises. General characteristics of public sector enterprises; International marketing policies and strategies for public sector enterprises; Suggestions for future research.

No abstract available for this article. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

No abstract available for this article. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents several abstracts of articles on international marketing. `On the Internationalization Process of Firms: A Criticial Analysis,' by Otto Andersen; `Global Marketing: A Road Less Traveled,' by Bryan Batson; `Global Advantage: National Bases of International Competitive Strategy,' by Lance Eliot Brouthers.

Presents information on a study which analyzed dimensions of missing data or item omission in global mail surveys. Practices in treating missing observations; Contextual factors in the transfer of high technologies; Relationship between valid responses and sociodemographic characteristics.

Investigates product-country images (PCI), lifestyles and ethnocentric behaviors of Turkish consumers. PCI of Turkish consumers; Analysis and results.

In recent years, a major food consumption trend in North America is that more people are eating more meals outside their homes. It is predicted that this trend will accelerate in the future. As a result, fast-food markets will offer greater growth opportunities for marketers. Along with the socio-economic, demographic and behavioral changes, consumer demand for eating out and purchasing of fast foods has drastically changed. The comparative study presented here investigates consumers' perceptions of and preferences for fast-food restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. The results of this study can have very important implications for developing marketing strategies and targeting promotional efforts. Findings of the study offer need-oriented type of marketing strategies for both franchisors and franchisees in the North American fast-food industry to enable them to be more competitive in this fast-changing business environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Store brands play an important role in retail strategy, but little recent research has examined the factors assumed to influence the selection of store brands in emerging markets of developing nations. This exploratory study investigates Turkish consumers' perceptions and preferences of store brands of dairy products. Using personal interviews, data for the study are collected from consumers shopping in different supermarkets in the capital city of Turkey. The most striking finding of this study was that Turkish consumers have strong preferences toward national brands across all factors of purchase reasons investigated. Findings indicate that national brands were perceived as high in quality, distributed widely, healthy, fresh, and offering more product choices, whereas store brands were perceived as low-priced alternatives. Also, habitual buying and brand image played important roles in their purchase decisions. The results of the study show that there are two distinct store brand preference segments among Turkish consumers, which were nicknamed "Product Attribute Sensitive" and "Price Sensitive," and these segments differed in terms of demographics and socioeconomic profiles as well as the reasons for purchase. Managerial and research implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]