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The existing link between brands and individuals represents an ongoing challenge for both implied parties given the high complexity of involved elements, actions, experiences or required knowledge processes. In the case of the automotive industry the situation is no less intricate. To be accounted into attention are both the high dynamic of consumer’s needs or demands towards lifestyle simplification thru any possible procedure or instrument as well as the constant involvement demonstrated by the brands in this area which’s mail goal remains the leadership on market, while having in vision consumers as central elements, along with environment imprint and a fundamental strong, unique and values-based company culture. The decluttering process of the convoluted dependency appeals for a better understanding of the peculiar premises that generate certain situations with impact on social, economic, financial or phycological patterns. The current preliminary study generates an insight into the direct relationship existent between the two participants: companies, as brand representatives and major role players within a market state of being at a point in time and consumers, as final elements in the business model, with a similar high importance part, in shaping traits of successful interaction models. The interdependency of the two mentioned factors generates remarkable variations which authorizes flexibility and proactivity to contribute to objectives attainment, while sharing the common ground that allows a proper functioning of commercial activities within the studied field, automotive industry for this case.

Introduction: Survey development represents a complex process that requires verification of its usefulness before its application. At an international level, there are few instruments to measure the perception of anaesthetic care in elective surgeries, without forgetting that most of them were created in English; therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a brief survey on anaesthetic care as an indicator of quality in the Mexican population. Material and methods: This is a qualitative study that involves the construction phase of a survey in which a review of the international and local literature of the instruments to measure satisfaction in anesthesiology was carried out. Subsequently, informal random interviews were conducted with 82 patients on the most sensitive issues associated with the anaesthetic act for the construction of items. Results: The proposal consists of 16 items divided into three sections corresponding to the three basic anaesthetic evaluations in elective surgery and that explore five domains: communication, autonomy, timely care, adequate treatment, and satisfaction. Conclusions: The proposal made in this project is a potential instrument that could reflect the perceived quality of anaesthetic care in our population, so to strengthen this process it will be necessary to continue with their respective validations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-harvest strawberries are hard to store and can easily rot during cold chain transportation (CCT). This leads to considerable economic losses. This paper proposes a strawberry quality perception method used in CCT, based on the correlation between environmental parameters and strawberry quality parameters. The proposed method constructs a shelf-life prediction model based on a back propagation (BP) neural network, using four kinds of environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, to perceive the quality of post-harvest strawberries, and builds a cold chain transportation quality perception system (CCT-QPS) with the help of LabVIEW software for monitoring the cold chain environment and commodity quality constantly. The results showed that the proposed method could precisely predict the remaining shelf-life of post-harvest strawberries. In addition, the proposed system could reflect the vehicle operation in real time, such as commodity quality and the internal environment of transport carriages. Moreover, the quality perception approach can inform decision making for managers and effectively improve the related regulatory measures in the strawberry supply chain.

Background: COVID-19 caused a paradigm shift for educators, and raised many questions about the future of technology in the delivery of educational content. Literature highlights numerous benefits of using e-learning solutions, yet many still consider ‘online learning’ as the cheap/‘low-quality’ alternative to traditional ‘face-to-face’ models. In this research we ask two questions that are critical to the effective development of future e-learning solutions: Do students prefer face-to-face (traditional) learning methods or e-learning technology enabled solutions? Does perception of e-learning, and/or device preference, vary between individuals? Methods: A three part, quantitative questionnaire was developed, based on previously used questionnaire items, which collected: demographic data, student preference concerning learning, and individual variance - via use of the Cultural Value (CV) Scale dimension test. Data was collected from 518 participants using convenience sampling from a range of universities in Pakistan. EFA and CFA showed that questions and factor loading was good. CV Scale results show clear loading and model fit at the individual level, allowing application of results beyond Pakistan. Results: By considering the CV Scale dimensions, our results highlighted three distinct technology preference clusters: i) students, with a high-power distance score, who prefer traditional face-to-face teaching methods; ii) students with low power distance and high uncertainty avoidance scores, who prefer use of e-learning on their mobile devices, and iii) students with low power distance and low uncertainty avoidance scored, who prefer to use laptop devices. Conclusions: This paper highlights that the majority of students are happy to engage with online blended learning solutions, however a one-solution fits all approach to technology use in education fail to satisfy the interaction preferences need of all student groups. Only by embracing flexible and mixed blend delivery models, supporting interaction across a range of pervasive devices, can we maximize student perception towards education service provision.

In our rapidly changing world, consumers are being exposed to an increasing amount of product information day by day, while they are trying to make the best choice in the light of this information. This provides a broad scope for marketers involved in marketing practice or research processes to examine the impact of different product information on consumption behavior. The country-of-origin information is seen as a point in consumers mind that has an impact on the quality perception of the relevant products, purchasing preferences and other issues. Consumers may have tendencies to prefer the products of certain countries or have positive perceptions of that country's product. Although it is a crucial issue for both marketing practitioners and academicians, there is still a lack of literature about the impact of consumers' perceptions towards country of origin of the products on their willingness to pay more and purchase intentions. The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between country of origin (COO), willingness to pay more and purchase intention. Within the scope of the research, the data obtained from 720 consumers were analyzed and then the research model was tested. As a result of the analysis, a significant and positive relationship between the quality perception of the country of origin (COO) and the purchase intention is found. In addition, it was determined that willingness to pay more has an intermediary role in the effect of the quality perception of COO on the purchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An advanced multi-touch sensor surface aimed at musical expression was recently equipped by the authors with interactive multi-point localized vibrotactile feedback. Using such interface, a subjective assessment was conducted that measured how the presence and type of vibration affect the perceived quality of the device and various attributes related to the playing experience. Two clearly distinct sound settings each with three vibrotactile feedback strategies were tested. At each trial, the task was to play freely while comparing two related setups which used the same sound setting and differed only in the presence/absence of vibration. Independent of the sound setting, as compared to the respective non-vibrating setups, vibrations conveying frequency and amplitude dynamics cues coherent with the player’s gesture and/or sonic feedback had the most positive effect. Vibrotactile feedback especially improved the enjoyment of playing and the perceived potential for musical expressivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to measure the quality of health services which expected and perceived by adult patients who were referred to the health institution and to provide feedback to the institution. In the study, the Servqual scale developed by Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry in 1985 was used. The study was carried out on adult patients referred to a university hospital. The sample size of the study was determined as 552 persons. 565 patients participated in the study. Significance level was taken as p

The present research had as an objective to develop an evaluation model about behavior, quality perception and user´s satisfaction of the drinking water service regarding the drinking water service in Trujillo - Peru in the year 2018. The population was made up of the inhabitants with drinking water connections in the district of Trujillo that make a total of 62,166. The sample was made up of 651 people who reside in the district. The applied technique was the survey and the instrument was the questionnaire, which includes the user´s characterization, the user´s environmental behavior, either connected or not connected to public network. The results obtained were the habits and/or customs in the use of water by the users of the drinking water service and 14% believe that it is convenient; as far as the repairs on the public network in the users of the drinking water service, 92% do it externally and in relation to the sanitary guarantee in the drinking water by the users of the drinking water service, 61% consider it moderate. It is concluded that there is an optimal evaluation model about behavior, quality perception and user´s satisfaction regarding the drinking water service in Trujillo-Peru-2018.

This research intends to study the interface of key concepts of Marketing and Quality in relation to Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Customers. Marketing variables i.e. product, price, place and promotion are exogenous variables, quality perception is the endogenous variable whereas Word of Mouth (WOM) is the mediating variable for this study. For achieving the objectives of this research and test the developed hypotheses, a quantitative research strategy has been followed. In order to collect data, on the basis of literature, a questionnaire has been developed by the researcher. This research has significance in terms of its contribution both theoretically and practically as it has developed an instrument for measuring FMCG customers’ quality perception. Moreover, a model has also been developed which is statistically validated. Data have been collected from 466 customers from Lahore using Stratified Random Sampling Technique. AMOS has been used for developing structural model and testing of hypotheses. Findings of the research conclude that all marketing variables i.e. price, place and promotion except product has an interface with perceived quality of FMCG customers and these relationships are mediated through WOM.

We often estimate, or perceive, the quality of materials, surfaces, and objects, what the Japanese refer to as 'shitsukan', by means of several of our senses. The majority of the literature on shitsukan perception has, though, tended to focus on the unimodal visual evaluation of stimulus properties. In part, this presumably reflects the widespread hegemony of the visual in the modern era and, in part, is a result of the growing interest, not to mention the impressive advances, in digital rendering amongst the computer graphics community. Nevertheless, regardless of such an oculocentric bias in so much of the empirical literature, it is important to note that several other senses often do contribute to the impression of the material quality of surfaces, materials, and objects as experienced in the real world, rather than just in virtual reality. Understanding the multisensory contributions to the perception of material quality, especially when combined with computational and neural data, is likely to have implications for a number of fields of basic research as well as being applicable to emerging domains such as, for example, multisensory augmented retail, not to mention multisensory packaging design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the most important attributes on beef purchase decision in the city of Dracena, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was carried out face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, in which was performed a Best-Worst Discrete Choice Experiment of case 1. The answers were analysed by Best-Worst Score. The preference heterogeneity was assessed through factorial analysis. It was found that the appearance of beef is the most important attribute on consumers’ purchase decision and it is followed by its freshness, packaging/expiry date, smell and texture. It was observed the existence of groups of consumers with different preferences by factors that group the evaluated attributes. For example, men attach more importance to the attributes (organic and fat amount) of the healthy dimension while women give more importance to the attributes from expiry data/packaging dimension.

Mango is a climacteric fruit with a very short shelf-life due to its rapid ripeness after harvest. Generally, fruit from tropical countries and directed to longer transportation (EU markets), are in general harvested firm, before complete ripening (mature-green stage). This harvest practice usefully for mango fruit storability and transportability, generally causes fruits quality and taste decrease. The present study was conducted to evaluate quality attributes and consumer preference of fresh or imported mangoes in Italy. Mango fruit imported from abroad (cv Keitt, Kent and Osteen) were collected from 2 different large-scale organized distribution markets (LD). Mango fruits (cv Keitt, Kent and Osteen) produced in Italy, were harvested from a commercial orchard (Furiano, Messina), at mature-green (GR) and mature-ripe stage (MR). Imported and local mango fruits were analyzed in terms of firmness, total soluble solids content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and flesh disorders. Both categories of mango fruits (imported and local) were subjected to sensory evaluation and consumer acceptability. Our results confirmed that mango ripening leads to increased expression of quality and sensory attributes, as well as, aromas, tropical flavor, and taste. Mango fruit harvested in Italy (local) showed the best quality performances in terms of weight, firmness, TSS and TA. Sensorial analysis and consumer test, confirmed this behavior, in fact, these quality attributes, were perceived by the trained panel and by the consumers, that preferred local mango fruits.

INTRODUCTION: This study, was carried out in order to develop and reliable measurement tool to determine the quality perceptions related to the services offered by health workers' METHODS: Methodologically this study is in design phase, implemented in 5 hospitals which are located in Ankara and having quality certification. In this study draft item pool of scale is composed by means of interviews with 30 health workers and it is presented experts' point of views. Content validity analysis and pre-implementation of a 30 person group is made. Validity and reliability work is made on 620 health workers sample. Datas are analized in SPSS 0.20 program. RESULTS: Scale item pool which is created in direction of theoretical structure, presented to experts' point of views. Nine experts' opinions are taken for clarity and suitability of items and content validity index (CVI) is found by 0,948. In pilot scheme, scale is tested by implementing on 30 persons. In order to test reliability of scale over time, test-repeat test analysis is used and values are calculated as t=1,76 p=0,088. For reliability study, 7 items whose total score correlation values under r=.40 are taken out and scale item number is decreased to 70. Correlation ciefficients between r=.63 and.94 are found to be meaningful. Confirmatory factor analysis is made in construct validity and factor loads of items are found between 0.40 and 0.97. In terms of reliability, total Cronbach Alfa coefficient of internal consistency analysis is found as 0.94, reliability coefficients of sub dimensions are found between α=.78and.94. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Results: In this study, improved "Quality Perception Scale of Health Workers"is identified as valid - reliable scale.

Abstract Background This is a facility-based study designed to assess perceived quality of care and satisfaction of reproductive health services under the output-based approach (OBA) services in Kenya from clients’ perspective. Method An exit interview was conducted on 254 clients in public health facilities, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations and private facilities in Kitui, Kilifi, Kiambu, and Kisumu counties as well as in the Korogocho and Viwandani slums in Nairobi, Kenya using a 23-item scale questionnaire on quality of reproductive health services. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability test, and subgroup analysis using linear regression were performed. Results Clients generally had a positive view on staff conduct and healthcare delivery but were neutral on hospital physical facilities, resources, and access to healthcare services. There was a high overall level of satisfaction among the clients with quick service, good handling of complications, and clean hospital stated as some of the reasons that enhanced satisfaction. The County of residence was shown to impact the perception of quality greatly with other social demographic characteristics showing low impact. Conclusion Majority of the women perceived the quality of OBA services to be high and were happy with the way healthcare providers were handling birth related complications. The conduct and practice of healthcare workers is an important determinant of client’s perception of quality of reproductive and maternal health services. Findings can be used by health care managers as a guide to evaluate different areas of healthcare delivery and to improve resources and physical facilities that are crucial in elevating clients’ level of satisfaction.

This paper discusses information input and its influence on the consumerdecision process. Authors conducted an experiment to determine, whether the information available to consumers havethepotentialto influence how they perceive product quality and as a result, influence the output of the consumerdecision process as well. The assumption was verified by conducting qualitativeresearch –a wine tasting experiment. The aim of this paperisto bring attention to the presence of irrational consumer behavior in a situation, where the authors deliberately seek to influence consumers’ sensory evaluation of product quality by providing them with certain information.

Copyright of Journal of Social Sciences Research / Sosyal Bilimler Arastirmalari Dergisi is the property of ODU Journal of Social Sciences Research 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 existing link between brands and individuals represents an ongoing challenge for both implied parties given the high complexity of involved elements, actions, experiences or required knowledge processes. In the case of the automotive industry the situation is no less intricate. To be accounted into attention are both the high dynamic of consumer's needs or demands towards lifestyle simplification thru any possible procedure or instrument as well as the constant involvement demonstrated by the brands in this area which's mail goal remains the leadership on market, while having in vision consumers as central elements, along with environment imprint and a fundamental strong, unique and values-based company culture. The decluttering process of the convoluted dependency appeals for a better understanding of the peculiar premises that generate certain situations with impact on social, economic, financial or phycological patterns. The current preliminary study generates an insight into the direct relationship existent between the two participants: companies, as brand representatives and major role players within a market state of being at a point in time and consumers, as final elements in the business model, with a similar high importance part, in shaping traits of successful interaction models. The interdependency of the two mentioned factors generates remarkable variations which authorizes flexibility and proactivity to contribute to objectives attainment, while sharing the common ground that allows a proper functioning of commercial activities within the studied field, automotive industry for this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was motivated by previous studies on the perceptual influence of chromatic impairments, where was observed that specific chromatic impairments might have a different influence, related to the represented content. Hence, in this study, chromatic impairments were applied to specific color clusters and the resulting perceptual influence was analyzed. The applied chromatic impairments influence on the images naturalness was assessed using a Single Stimulus Continuous Quality Evaluation (SSCQE) and the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) was calculated. Furthermore, during the image assessment, the eye movements were registered using an eye tracking device and the Relative Fixation Time (RFT) was computed. It was concluded that the induced chromatic impairments, lead to lower MOS values than the original images, revealing a perception of quality loss. Furthermore, when nature colors are changed, subjects revealed a larger perception of the impairment, resulting in smaller MOS and producing evident changes in the RFT's. The comparative analysis between the MOS and the RFT's reveals high Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) results (p = 0.79 ± 0.14). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Informe Gepec is the property of Informe Gepec 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.)

Copyright of Mediterranean Journal of Communication / Revista Mediterránea de Comunicación is the property of Revista Mediterranea de Comunicacion / Mediterranean Journal of Communication 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.)

Copyright of Panorama Económico is the property of Universidad de Cartagena 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.)

This study aimed to recognize effective factors on perception of faculty members of Uromia University from web-based information quality based on CC/LC IQ model. Descriptive-survey was used as research method. Data was collected from a sample of 124 faculty members, selected out of the 367 participants of the main society as study population. The data was gathered using Knight’s questionnaire (2007) named “perceptions of information quality”. According to the Results, the contextual information quality (IQ) was of most importance for the users and the representational IQ was of least importance. Accessibility IQ and Intrinsic IQ were of third and fourth importance. The results of this test about the importance of web-based information quality factors show that consistency with the average of 15.78 was the most important factor. Efficiency and value-added factors with the average of 10.35 and 9.80 followed consistency. Conciseness, accuracy and availability with the average of 6.44, 5.42 and 4.41 were the least important factors. Probability levels hypotheses show that there is no significant difference between web-based information quality perception and the individual differences (specialty, academic rank, age and gender) of faculty members of Uromia University. Based on hypotheses test, all the four hypotheses were rejected.

Citrus fruits are among the most important crops for Italy both in terms of production and the area invested but their consumption appears to be slightly down and an in-depth study of their potential in the market becomes necessary in view of a relaunch in commercial terms. The aim of this survey was to investigate the main aspects of consumption, through the analysis of the dynamics related to the process of buying fresh citrus fruits, looking at a sample of consumers from northern Italy and a sample of consumers from southern Italy. In order to comply with the lines of research, the surveys were conducted in two different areas: the first located in northern Italy, particularly in the metropolitan areas of Milan (MI) and Turin (TO), and the second in the Calabria region, in the five different provinces. A total of 846 face-to-face surveys were carried out: 346 units in northern Italy and 500 in southern Italy. Citrus fruits confirm their 'health function' as they are strongly associated with nutritional and health benefits. Oranges and clementines have almost similar levels of appreciation in both areas, even for mandarins there are no particular differences, although perhaps in northern Italy there is a slightly higher appreciation. Among other citrus fruits only lemons show a certain degree of appreciation, while minor citrus fruits such as grapefruits, citrons, bergamots, and limes do not seem to significantly attract the sample considered in any of the areas examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, several service quality variables and concepts were used to examine differences in the perception of education quality, and the main factor affecting that perception, between students in the USA and the UK. 322 US and UK postgraduate business school students were asked about their satisfaction with their education, compared with their expectations with respect to various quality aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the effect of price perception, perception of quality, and consumer attitudes toward the purchase intention. Samples of this research are tourists visiting Magetan leather industrial district that has purchase intention. The data collection was done by giving a set of questions to the respondent or written questions to be answered (the questionnaire). The scale used is a Likert scale with a range of five options that are used as the measurement instrument that has been collected kuesioner. Data then tested the consistency and precision of the measuring instrument through validity and reliability test. Based on the analysis, this study indicates that the perception of quality and price perception in a positive effect on the formation of consumer attitudes. This indicates that the perception of quality and price is an important variable to consider in influencing consumer attitudes. The results also indicate that the positive effect on consumer attitudes and purchase intent of consumers, so the higher the consumer’s attitude, the higher purchasing intentions.

Game meat is constantly present on the European meat market, but a limited number of consumers are interested in its consumption. Considering the unique features of wild animal meat, we should explore what pushes consumers to include it in their diet. To identify the motives determining the choice of game meat, a quantitative survey based on the computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) method was conducted among 450 participants. The statistical analysis based on the logistic regression model allowed us to assess the significance of emotional motives leading to game eating and to investigate the importance of the rational motives related to the quality attributes of game for consumers. It was shown that rational motives influence the consumers’ choice more than emotional factors, while the most important motives are connected with healthcare issues. Consumers, for whom the crucial attributes of quality are taste, nutritional value, and low fat content, constitute a group that might more often include game in their diet in the future. Among the emotional motives, the familiarity, described as a feeling of knowing the product, also has a statistically significant impact on the consumers’ choice. The results obtained may be useful for academic theoreticians and market experts as well.