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Existing research on categorical ambiguity has mostly examined how consumers assimilate new products into familiar product categories. Extending these findings, this research investigates whether and under what circumstances consumers either create new mental categories for hybrid products or integrate them into existing categories. Specifically, we propose that this effect is influenced by the degree of product ambiguity and the availability of a new category label. We find that as ambiguity increases, the probability of new category creation augments, but product evaluation deteriorates. However, we also find that a new category label can reduce the effects of ambiguity and can improve product evaluation. Thus, the results fill the existing gap in research on the cognitive integration of hybrid products and shed light on how managers may position these products successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect that consumers’ country-related images have on their purchase decisions is known as the country-of-origin effect. Marketing researchers have thoroughly investigated COO effects in a range of contexts since the mid-1960s. However, since the 1980s it has been thought (e.g., ) that consumer needs and wants are converging and that nation states are artificial and superficial entities of little value as quality indicators. The argument is that since the world is changing and because young consumers are used to seeing products from a variety of countries they do not have the country biases that the COO effect stipulates. Indeed, a recent study () on young Chinese consumers and the COO effect seems to confirm that young consumers no longer are influenced by the COO effect. The aim of this research is to investigate if and how the relationship between young Australian consumers’ product-country image and their product evaluations is influenced by two contextual variables: their product involvement and their perceived product-origin congruency. The research reports the results and relevant implications for research and practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research examines how low-literate consumers use nutritional labels on packages and the ways such usage can be facilitated. Using research on nutritional labeling and on low-literate consumers as bases, the authors design an experiment to test specific hypotheses about the effects of graphic versus nongraphic formats on usage of nutrition information by consumers with different levels of literacy. The authors discuss implications of the findings for further research and for public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the use of sex appeal is on the rise in China to advertise products ranging from beer to cars, their effect on Chinese consumers is largely unknown and may be incongruent with the Chinese culture. This study adopts the congruency theory to examine the effects of sex appeal in international advertising and proposes several testable hypotheses. In an experiment, we adopt a three × two design including three levels of sex appeal and two models (Chinese and Caucasian) and test the advertisements with a group of Chinese consumers. The results suggest that the subjects respond more favourably to advertisements with non-sex appeal than those using sex appeal in terms of their attitudes toward the advertisement (Aad) and brand (Ab), and buying intention (BI). Chinese consumers also prefer advertisements featuring Chinese models to those using Caucasian models, even when strong sex appeal is used. Thus, international advertisers are cautioned with standardized strategies in advertising to Chinese consumers using sex appeal and Caucasian models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of different sales strategies on consumer product evaluation were investigated. It was expected that direct product experience could decrease economic product valuation. Experiments 1 and 2 studied the effects of product trials and money-back guarantees on consumer willingness to pay (WTP). It appeared that WTP was significantly lower after a product trial than with a money-back guarantee or normal sale. In Experiment 3 a structural equation model showed that product trials had a positive effect on attitude toward the product. Also, a negative effect on WTP was found when the effect was measured directly, but a positive effect when the effect was measured indirectly (through attitude). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Product designers need to fully understand consumers' emotional preferences and responses for product forms to improve products. However, users and designers have different understandings and concepts in the product evaluation process, which will lead to cognitive asymmetry in the product design and evaluating process. This phenomenon prevents designers to grasp users' needs, increasing the risk of product development failure. To this end, this paper proposes a product evaluation method that combines natural language processing techniques and fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making into a new integrated way to reduce the cognitive difference between users and designers, so as to solve the problem of cognitive asymmetry. This was done firstly by obtaining the review data of products from users on the Internet, based on a web crawler, and then constructing word vectors based on natural language processing techniques to realize the parametric expression of the Kansei image. Secondly, by using a statistical method to extract the product scheme that meets the preferences of users and designers, and then quantifying the relationship between the product form and Kansei image based on a grey relational analysis (GRA). Finally, by calculating the indicator weight based on the Entropy method and using the fuzzy TOPSIS method to explore the prioritization of the product design alternatives in view of the Kansei needs of users. Taking the smart capsule coffee machine as an example, the feasibility and effectiveness of this method are verified. In particular, the method proposed in this research can not only enable different cognitive subjects to achieve cognitive symmetry, but also filter out product forms that meet the cognitive needs of users. Moreover, this study provides a theoretical basis and practical significance for reducing the cognitive differences between cognitive subjects in the whole process of product design, and provides a systematic framework for the industry to effectively connect customer needs and product design decisions. At the same time, this study has introduced a new method for Kansei engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia is one ASEAN developing county, which has attracted the attention of foreign investors and marketers. ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which was realized in 2003, brings foreign products to Malaysian consumers with more affordable deals. The issue of globalisation that has been debated around the world could also carry the same impact or even more towards local products. One party that plays a major role in these issues is the Malaysian consumer. Do they think domestic products are of good quality? Are they willing to buy domestic products? These are the questions that should be answered in determining the future of domestic products. Consumer ethnocentrism is a marketing concept/construct that measures consumers' prejudice against imports. Consumers who score high on consumer ethnocentrism overestimate domestic products' and underestimate imports. The objective of this study is to investigate whether consumer ethnocentrism has an impact on Malaysian consumers buying preferences and domestic products' evaluations. Findings from this study showed that more than 80% of the respondents were highly ethnocentric consumers. Results also showed that consumer ethnocentrism has a significant relationship to buying preferences and domestic products' evaluations. Despite positive evaluation on domestic products' evaluation, preferences to buy domestic products found to be varied across types of products. The sample most preferred to buy domestic food products and rated no preference to domestic cars and personal computers. The study also found that demographic variables of age, gender, income and education have no significant relationship with consumer ethnocentrism. The implications of the study and future research areas are also discussed.

While consumers have been increasingly trying to reduce their meat consumption due to rising concerns about its impact on their health and the environment, many still find animal-based foods more attractive than plant-based foods, thus hindering their adoption. Could marketing cues such as product descriptors and packaging colors help make these products more attractive to consumers? Across two studies, we tested the effects of product descriptors and packaging colors on meat eating consumers' perceptions of, and behavioral intentions toward, plant-based meat alternative products. Study 1 revealed that a "plant-based" (vs. "meat alternative") descriptor positively impacted perceptions of healthiness and eco-friendliness, as well as trial likelihood, and negatively impacted predicted quantity consumed. Study 2 provided some evidence for the moderating role of packaging color, and more specifically for the (mis)matching effects of product descriptor and packaging color on product perceptions and behavioral intentions. Results revealed that, when using a "meat alternative" descriptor, mismatching (vs. matching) it with a green (vs. red) packaging color negatively impacted perceptions of eco-friendliness and trial likelihood. Conversely, when using a "plant-based" descriptor, matching (vs. mismatching) it with a green (vs. red) packaging color negatively impacted predicted satiety. Overall, our research suggests that marketing cues can, to some extent, impact consumers' perceptions of plant-based meat alternative products and related behavioral intentions, and offers many avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of design attributes on the importance of brand information in the product evaluation process by consumers. We examine how providing evaluation criteria of design influences consumers’ product evaluation concerning quality and brand equity. The results show that the presence of a predictive design attribute can lead to a reduction in the influence of brand names on quality judgments. The locus of equity shifts from the brand attribute to the design attribute. In addition, when evaluative criteria are provided, the effect of design attributes further reduces the effect of branding on product evaluation. The results are of significant importance and relevance to branding strategies designed to counteract leading market brands. Providing information regarding product design in an effective manner causes consumers to shift their attention from branding to the design, which effectively reduces the marketing advantage of strong brands.Journal of Brand Management (2008) 16, 195–212. doi:10.1057/bm.2008.29; published online 24 October 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Any product, once CE marked and licensed, can be used to treat a patient. The question is how do practitioners make that choice? And once made do we share our experiences of using the product with others? The purpose of this product evaluation is to test the Sidhil Trio mattress in the 'real world'. Two nursing homes used the mattress as part of their pressure ulcer prevention care for a maximum of 12 weeks with a total of 13 residents. During this time the staff and residents were asked about what they thought of the mattress and how well they felt it performed as users. Skin assessments were also undertaken weekly to assess the primary function of the mattress; does it help in the prevention of pressure damage. Of the 13 residents one developed superficial pressure damage but other residents did improve. Other positive functions of the mattress design were found; the hinged section allowed residents to sit up in bed while maintaining a therapy function and the 'solid' side panels gave stability for residents when sitting on the edge of the bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Terror Management Theory posits that after thinking about their own deaths, people take sides with and defend their culture by either increasing their support for worldview-consistent examples, decreasing support for worldview-threatening examples, or both. We tested the hypothesis that mortality salience leads to an increased preference for products from one’s own culture as compared to products from a foreign culture in terms of evaluation and consumption. In a product test, participants sampled local and foreign soft drinks (Study 1) or local and foreign chocolates (Study 2). As expected, relative to a control condition, mortality salience led to more accentuated evaluative preferences for local as compared to foreign products. Furthermore, the preference for the local product in terms of actual consumption was greater under mortality salience. Independent from cultural worldview defense effects mortality salience led to more impulsive behavior as indicated by an increased correspondence between eating behavior and an implicit measure tapping into impulsive processes in Study 2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The perceived quality of interactive products can be roughly divided into instrumental, task-related, pragmatic attributes (e.g., usefulness, usability) and non-instrumental, self-referential, hedonic attributes (e.g., novelty, beauty). Recent studies suggest that the weighting of both aspects in forming an overall evaluation of an interactive product heavily depends on features of the actual situation, such as whether an individual has to perform a specific task or not. The present paper extends these findings by assuming that a match between an individual’s motivational orientation and particular product attributes (i.e., pragmatic, hedonic) moderates the perceived value of interactive products. Specifically, it shows how differences in regulatory foci (promotion or prevention focus), that is, differences in the way goal-directed behavior is regulated, influence product evaluation and choice. Participants were either set in a prevention focus (concern for safety and the avoidance of negative outcomes) or promotion focus (concern for personal growth and the attainment of positive outcomes). Subsequently, they were asked to evaluate and choose between a primarily pragmatic and a primarily hedonic mp3-player. The results revealed the expected effect of the activated regulatory focus on evaluation and choice. Individuals in a promotion focus rated the hedonic player as more appealing and chose it more frequently compared to individuals in a prevention focus. Reverse results, albeit not as strong, were found for the evaluation and choice of the pragmatic player. Our findings support the idea that product appeal and choice is strongly context-dependent. It further extends previous findings by showing that not only major differences in the situation, such as providing a specific task or not, impact product appreciation but that more subtle, motivational orientations can have similar effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to assess and compare the validity of the portable VmaxST telemetry metabolic measurement device with that of a standard measurement system (Vmax29). Thirty asymptomatic, moderately active males provided written, informed consent and completed two maximal graded treadmill exercise tests (Bruce) using the VmaxST and the Vmax29 metabolic measurement systems. Tests were performed in random order on separate days to obtain peak values for time to exhaustion, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2), carbon dioxide production ([Vdot]CO2), ventilation ([Vdot]E), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed no significant main effect (P = 0.88) between the two systems across any variable, suggesting similar measurement capabilities between the two systems. Linear regression analyses revealed moderate to high coefficients of determination for [Vdot]O2 (r2 = 0.99), [Vdot]CO2 (r2 = 0.99), [Vdot]E (r2 = 0.99), and RER (r2 = 0.89). Furthermore, Bland-Altman analyses demonstrated that the VmaxST yielded similar values to the Vmax29, suggesting good agreement between the two systems. Agreement was confirmed when the differences between the methods resulted in a small range as identified by the 95% limits of agreement. Findings from the current study confirm that the VmaxST is a valid device for measuring metabolic and physiological variables during exercise within a controlled laboratory setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in the Caucus region and intensified conflict between Georgia and Russian Federation have brought the attention of both scholars and practitioners to the region. There is now an initiative proposed by the government of Turkey to create a regional pact among the countries of the area (Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Armenia, the Russian Federation, and Azerbaijan). Its sole purpose will be, in addition to resolving political disputes, to assist the further development of the countries of the region. Since its independence in 1991, Georgia has shown a gradual and steady increase in trade between it and its neighbor Turkey. In particular, increased Turkish exports have raised greater attention to perception of Turkish products in the regional markets. Turkey is one of the major trading partners of Georgia. Turkey achieved 12.6% of Georgian export and 14.2% of its imports. Although Russia is the country that exports to Georgia the most, Turkey is the largest product exporter to Georgia. After the collapse of former USSR, uncontrolled export traffic of low-priced, low-quality products toward the region have resulted an unfavorable "Made in Turkey" image for certain product classes such as clothing and leather goods. On the other hand, recent business dealings of more organized trade practices and entrance of better quality Turkish products into the region seems to improve made-in Turkey image for some product classes. This recent trading phenomenon increases the importance of studying Georgian consumer perceptions of products of Turkish origin. Within this general perspective, our research aims to determine Georgian consumers perception of products sourced from Turkey. The study focuses on Georgian consumers' assessment of different product categories. Results based on the analysis of data related to 313 responses indicate that products made in Turkey perceived as low in quality. Home maintenance products sourced from Turkey were relatively high-rated product class. Research results were discussed and certain tentative conclusions were drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses some of the issues facing new product development in the medical device sector and reviews some of the financial decision-making methods currently used to aid in project selection. The fundamental limitations and deficiencies of these methods are discussed. An alternative, real options (RO)-based approach to project management is proposed as a much better way of managing uncertainties and understanding the relationships between the risk and the opportunities in a product development lifecycle. Although the RO technique is not especially new, its application to the medical device sector is novel. An RO valuation example, using a binomial lattice approach, is given and the implications for project selection and company strategy are discussed.Journal of Medical Marketing (2008) 8, 101–112. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jmm.5050116 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The value of early customer input has long been recognized by companies. However, especially when breakthrough technologies are involved, more insight in valuable methods for collecting early customer input is needed. In this paper, we propose a method to evaluate a breakthrough technology with customers. First, a creative process should point out applications of the breakthrough technology. Applications allow customers to imagine the benefits of the technology behind it. By using early concept narratives, typically scenarios of somebody using and interacting with the application, this imagination process is enhanced. When no prototypes are available yet, it appears that narratives and visuals allow customers to really “see” the new world of the application, a process called transportation, which is a mix of imagery, feelings, and attention. In an experiment in which we make use of a case of an application of a breakthrough technology, we provide empirical support for our claim that early concept narratives could be a valuable tool to get valid customer reactions. Furthermore, we show which kind of visual format the applications should have in order to optimize transportation. The results of this study will support decision making about how to pursue breakthrough application evaluations early in the product development process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We develop a method for eco-efficiency analysis of consumer durables that is based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). In contrast to previous product efficiency studies, we consider the measurement problem from the policy perspective. The innovation of the paper is to measure efficiency in terms of absolute shadow prices that are optimized endogenously within the model to maximize efficiency of the good. Thus, the efficiency measure has a direct economic interpretation as a monetary loss due to inefficiency, expressed in some currency unit. The advantages as well as technical differences between the proposed approach and the traditional production-side methods are discussed in detail. We illustrate the approach by an application to eco-efficiency evaluation of Sport Utility Vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A formal, ethically approved, prospective product evaluation was undertaken in a nursing home setting. The aim of the study was to generate patient-focused clinical outcome data in a 'real world' setting to support use of the dynamic Sidhil Plus (mattress replacement) and Solo (mattress overlay) for patients who were at an elevated risk of pressure ulcers. The primary outcome was for patients to remain free from additional pressure damage while the products were in use. Secondary outcomes of interest included patient and carer views of the product. The results reported here indicate that for this client group these 'low-tech' products perform well. Of the 22 residents taking part, two developed pressure damage during the trial, however the position of the pressure damage indicated that the cause was most likely not the mattress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a methodology that integrates the assembly Product Design and Planning (PDP) activities with the Workplace Design and Planning (WDP) activities to improve the efficiency and quality of assembly design and planning at the early design stage. This methodology is implemented in an augmented reality (AR) assembly environment, where engineers can design and plan a product assembly and its assembly sequence through manipulating virtual prototypes in a real assembly workplace. In this AR environment, WDP information are fed back to the designers and engineers in real-time to aid them in making better decisions in assembly design and planning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated whether people's perception of the pleasantness and forcefulness of aerosol sprays can be influenced by the particular sounds that aerosols make when used. Participants had to rate the pleasantness and forcefulness of aerosol samples sprayed either in front of them (Experiment 1) or else onto their own bodies (Experiment 2). The aerosol sprays were perceived as being significantly more pleasant (but significantly less forceful) when either the overall sound level elicited by the spraying action was reduced, or when just the high-frequency sounds were attenuated. These results provide a proof-of-principal demonstration that auditory cues can modulate the perceived pleasantness and forcefulness of aerosol sprays. The novel psychophysical approach to affective design outlined here enables a product designer or engineer to rapidly evaluate a range of potential new product sounds in order to ascertain the kind of sounds that consumers like to hear when using a product. We also outline some of the current challenges in this area, such as the need to develop more ecologically valid product sound manipulations for use in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumer satisfaction literature has not, for the most part, integrated individual values into the product evaluation process. Yet a comprehensive understanding of consumer satisfaction can best be attained by including both consumer and product factors. To demonstrate the usefulness of including individual values, this research focuses on one consumer value, namely, materialism. The authors empirically explore how this individual value is linked to consumers' evaluations of products they have purchased. Using surveys, the authors collected data from a sample of college students (n = 211) and a sample of adults (n = 270). Across these two studies, using divergent samples and products, they find consistent evidence that materialism is negatively related to product satisfaction in product categories with high potential for status signaling, but unrelated to product satisfaction in product categories with lower potential for status signaling. The consumption goals that produce these product evaluations are empirically addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a design reuse methodology to facilitate product family design. Three major processes are defined, namely, information modelling, information processing, and solution synthesis and evaluation. The information content assessment (ICA) method is proposed for solution evaluation. This method defines logical steps to compute the information content that is used as a uniform, dimensionless metric of product performances. In a case study, product families of the cellular phone were developed using the design reuse methodology. It is demonstrated that the design reuse method proposed in this paper can effectively manage the product family design processes, and the ICA method provides a useful way for performance evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Today many companies decide to select free/open source software (F/OSS) products for various reasons, for example, economical or quality reasons. For many areas of application, they can choose from a variety of packages provided by different communities. Introducing a software tool into a company—either for supporting a certain business process or for the development of its own products—may be more or less critical depending on the application, which may range from explorative to mission critical. One of the most crucial problems in the usage of F/OSS is the actual decision to use a particular product. Although this is rather similar to the usual investment decisions, the consequences of an involvement in a software project are frequently underestimated. Whether a certain package is appropriate for the intended purposes in the given environment and is suitable to the overall business goals of the company is usually not determined systematically, but often arbitrarily. However, many important hints resulting from the development context of an F/OSS product as well as other technical and economical considerations could be helpful to make the product decision process more transparent and deterministic. In this article, we give a systematic approach for supporting a decision to incorporate a particular F/OSS product into an enterprise. Systematic decision support is provided by a rational approach that facilitates evaluating and interpreting the relevant project circumstances of an F/OSS product to be chosen. By this means, F/OSS projects can be critically reviewed in the light of the particular product requirements of the choosing organisation. The article addresses software managers and engineers in industry and academia. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose . Training of appropriate wheelchair propulsion methods may be beneficial to the individual who uses a wheelchair by reducing the incidence of pain and improving one's quality of life. This paper discusses the development and initial testing of a training device that was developed to aid in wheelchair propulsion techniques: GAME Wheels System. Methods . Two separate models of GAME Wheels have been developed: a GAME Wheels Clinical and a GAME Wheels Trainer. Details of the development process and the refinement have been included in this manuscript. To verify and compare the practicality and functionality of the two GAME Wheels systems, several focus groups were conducted: first to determine whether the systems could be set-up with informational materials and second to determine if the systems could be taught to novice users. Results . Results from the focus group indicate that the overall impressions of the systems were that they were ‘fun’ to play. Suggestions were raised to improve the design, which have been incorporated into further refinement of the GAME Wheels systems. Conclusions . This paper provides an overview of the development of a wheelchair-training device. Valuable information was gained to improve the design of the GAME Wheels systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Malaysian Smart School is one of the seven flagship multimedia applications which were established to propel the country to a developed and industrialised economy by the year 2020. The Ministry of Education Malaysia defines the Smart School as a learning institution that has been systematically reinvented in terms of learning-teaching practices and school management in order to prepare children for the Information Age. The objectives of the Smart School Curriculum are: to help students achieve overall balanced development; to integrate knowledge, skills, values, and correct use of language; to state explicitly intended learning outcomes for different ability levels; to offer multidisciplinary, thematic, and continuous learning; and to foster the knowledge, skills, and attitudes appropriate for success in the Information Age. The Curriculum was introduced in stages since 1999. This case study was a product evaluation of the implementation of the Smart School Curriculum in a secondary school in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. It was aimed at identifying the intended and unintended outcomes on the students of the implementation of the curriculum. Two questionnaires were used to collect data from the teachers and students. The quantitative data were analysed using Quest, an interactive computer analysis software based on Item Response Theory. Qualitative data from interviews were used to triangulate and complement the quantitative findings. It was found that with the exception of vertical integration, all the Smart School Curriculum objectives were achieved. The implementation of the curriculum had also brought about a multitude of positive unintended outcomes as well as a few negative outcomes on the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, direct experience (touch, taste, use, and so on) of physical products is impossible in an online environment. Knowledge of the experience attributes of these goods must therefore be obtained via an intermediary (vicariously). Unfortunately, little has been published about how to design online retail systems that help customers evaluate physical products. This paper addresses that gap by (1) surveying a wide range of sites, and (2) evaluating the features found using a grounded, rigorous evaluation method to induce a taxonomy of vicarious experience. The taxonomy is then used as the basis for some theory-based conjectures about the types of designs most suitable for different types of product. In particular, we propose that the type of information form and community used should differ for value-expressive and utilitarian goods, and for high and low-involvement goods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the current range of hydrophilic-coated catheters for intermittent self-catheterization, focusing on the adherence of the catheter to the urethral mucosa at the end of catheterization. Subjects and methods In a prospective randomized study, 61 community-based men tested each of four different hydrophilic-coated catheters available in the UK at the time. Subjects used each of the four test catheters for 1 week in a random order, and were provided with the number and size of catheter they normally used. To assess the products, the subjects: (i) timed seven catheterizations using a stop-watch to determine the time taken from extracting the catheter from the water-filled package, to removing the catheter from the penis, having emptied the bladder; (ii) recorded the severity of ‘sticking’ on catheter removal on a three-point scale (not at all, a little, a lot); and (iii) completed a product-performance questionnaire. Results There were no significant differences in ratings of ‘sticking’ between the ‘Easicath’ and ‘Lofric’ (P > 0.05), but there were significant differences between these two products and the ‘Aquacath’ and the ‘Silky’, which were found to ‘stick’ more (P < 0.001). The ‘Silky’ was reported to stick significantly more than the ‘Aquacath’ (P < 0.001). Conclusions Adherence to the urethral mucosa on catheter removal was a common problem, occurring with all catheters, but two products were significantly more likely to stick than the other two. The clinical importance of ‘sticking’ and the long-term implications are currently unknown. The relative ‘sticking’ of uncoated catheters has also not been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usability is a field that has drawn considerable attention in recent years, particularly in the area of the World Wide Web. Usability asks, “Can someone use this product without it being more trouble than it is worth?” This article describes a usability study of the library Web site at the University of Southern California, Norris Medical Library. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study aimed to provide practical implications for South Korean corporations seeking to enter the Chinese market. It explored the influences of brand image and favorability toward citizens in a product's country of origin (FCPCO) on consumers' product evaluation and repurchase intention, in addition to examining the moderating effects of procedural switching costs (economic risk costs, evaluation costs, learning costs, and set-up costs), financial switching costs (benefit loss costs and monetary loss costs), and relational switching costs (personal relationship loss costs and brand relationship loss costs) on the aforementioned influences. Although previous studies have established the relationships between some of the aforementioned variables, further research is required to determine the moderating effects of switching costs in various dimensions. Studies on the relationships of a product's country of origin with product evaluation and repurchase intention have rarely explored FCPCO. Through a questionnaire survey, this study obtained effective data from 302 respondents. Constituted of an exploratory research design, this study adopted PLS-SEM method for empirical analysis. IPMA analysis results indicated that brand image had a stronger influence on product evaluation than FCPCO did and that FCPCO had a stronger influence on repurchase intention than brand image did. Overall, the performance of FCPCO was higher than that of brand image. Moreover, economic risk costs and brand relationship loss costs positively moderated the relationship between brand image and product evaluation; monetary loss costs and brand relationship loss costs negatively moderated the relationship between FCPCO and product evaluation. These study results could help corporations gain competitive edge., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Shen and Ahmad.)

• Haptic rendering stimulation enhances consumer purchase intention. • Haptic rendering augments perceived sensory similarity. • Consumers process the texture of the screen as information for purchasing. • Consumers perceive the technology as a source of information for decision-making. • Instrumental NFT moderates the effect of haptic rendering on perceived similarity. Technology forecasting is a preliminary step in understanding social change. The response to COVID-19 will affect retailers and customers for years to come, forcing changes to interactions between individuals and technology. Innovative technologies that interrelate social and technological factors merit a re-examination, to explain the impact on consumer behavior where 'physical' and 'digital' are brought together. This paper explores the use of haptic rendering stimulation for pre-purchase decision-making. The objective is to identify how touching an interface can influence product evaluation and purchase intention. Drawing from an exploratory experimental design, the findings show the importance of interface touch for inferring product information or pleasure to interact with the product, confirming the relationship between knowledge and mental representation, body sensory-motor actions and online shopping contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is based on a symposium held at the Wound Essentials annual summer conference in Birmingham, UK, on 2nd July 2015. The symposium was an interactive session exploring the importance of patient experience within dressing evaluations, presenting results and findings from a 150-patient case series and gauging the delegates' views via voting buttons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]