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on Marketing |
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Issue of 2007‒03‒03
three papers chosen by Joao Carlos Correia Leitao University of the Beira Interior |
| By: | Fuller, Frank H.; Beghin, John C.; Rozelle, S. |
| Abstract: | Using urban survey data collected by the authors in 2001-2002, this paper analyzes demographics, cultural factors, and purchasing behaviors influencing the consumption of fresh milk, yogurt, ice cream, and powered milk in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China. Results from estimation of a double-hurdle model of consumption show that income and marketing channels are the key determinants of milk consumption levels; however, education, advertising, and convenience play a more important role in consumption of other dairy products. There is some evidence that milk powder, as a consumer good, may be becoming an inferior product in urban China. Finally, the survey data suggest that the growing sophistication of China’s retail sector is influencing consumption of dairy products. |
| Keywords: | dairy products, demand analysis, survey data, limited dependent variable models, China |
| Date: | 2007–02–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genres:12730&r=mkt |
| By: | Ziqi Liao (Department of Finance & Decision Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University); Wing-Keung Wong (Risk Management Institute and Department of Economics, National University of Singapore) |
| Abstract: | This paper empirically explores the major considerations associated with Internet-enabled e-banking systems and systematically measures the determinants of customer interactions with e-banking services. The results suggest that perceived usefulness, ease of use, security, convenience and responsiveness to service requests significantly explain the variation in customer interactions. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability test indicate that these constructs are relevant and reliable. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms that they possess significant convergent and discriminatory validities. Both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have significant impact on customer interactions with Internet e-banking services. Perceived security, responsiveness and convenience also represent the primary avenues influencing customer interactions. In particular, stringent security control is critical to Internet e-banking operations. Furthermore, prompt reactions to the service requests from customers should encourage them to use Internet e-banking services. The findings have managerial implications for enhancing extant Internet e-banking operations and developing viable e-banking systems and services. |
| Keywords: | Customer interactions, determinants, Internet, e-banking, service operations management |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nus:nusewp:wp0701&r=mkt |
| By: | Philip Vermeulen (European Central Bank); Daniel Dias (Banco de Portugal); Maarten Dossche (National Bank of Belgium); Erwan Gautier (Banque de France); Ignacio Hernando (Banco de España); Roberto Sabbatini (Banca d’Italia); Harald Stahl (Deutsche Bundesbank) |
| Abstract: | This paper documents producer price setting in 6 countries of the euro area: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Portugal. It collects evidence from available studies on each of those countries and also provides new evidence. These studies use monthly producer price data. The following five stylised facts emerge consistently across countries. First, producer prices change infrequently: each month around 21% of prices change. Second, there is substantial cross-sector heterogeneity in the frequency of price changes: prices change very often in the energy sector, less often in food and intermediate goods and least often in non-durable non- food and durable goods. Third, countries have a similar ranking of industries in terms of frequency of price changes. Fourth, there is no evidence of downward nominal rigidity: price changes are for about 45% decreases and 55% increases. Fifth, price changes are sizeable compared to the inflation rate. The paper also examines the factors driving producer price changes. It finds that costs structure, competition, seasonality, inflation and attractive pricing all play a role in driving producer price changes. In addition producer prices tend to be more flexible than consumer prices. |
| Keywords: | price-setting, producer prices |
| JEL: | E31 D40 C25 |
| Date: | 2007–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bde:wpaper:0703&r=mkt |