Consumer preferences for water billing structures: A choice modelling approach

The structure of water tariffs is attracting the interest of scholars concerned about the efficacy of the present pricing arrangements. However, finding consensus on the 'appropriate' structure of water and wastewater tariffs has proven problematic. In addition, relatively little is understood of the preferences of consumers in this context. This paper reports the findings of a recent study that developed empirical models of consumer preferences for billing structures for urban water use in regional Victoria.Consumer/Household Economics,

Subsidising consumer services: effects on employment, welfare and the informal economy

It is widely agreed that the opportunities for expansion of aggregate employment in the OECD area must be sought mainly in the private service sector. Thus,because of budgetary problems and voter resistance to higher tax rates, the scope for further expansion of public sector employment seems limited in most OECD countries. Furthermore, the primary sector will undoubtedly continue to release labour resources and, with normal growth rates, there is little prospect of a secular rise in manufacturing employment, since the increase in demand for manufactures is likely to be met through increases in labour productivity. In particular, the ongoing shifts in the international division of labour and the associated transition to the ‘knowledge-based economy’ within the OECD are likely to destroy a large number of manufacturing jobs for unskilled and lowskilled workers in the OECD area.

Harmful Freedom of Choice: Lessons from the Cellphone Market

This article focuses on the relationship between provider and customer, specifically on the complexity of available contracts in the cellphone market and the ways this complexity might be harmful to consumers. This article aims to elucidate the issues, fleshing them out both as a general phenomenon and as a specific implementation in the cellphone context. The aim is not to provide ultimate solutions, but to show the directions these solutions might take and the difficulties involved

Consumers’ Trade-Off Between Relationship, Service Package, And Price: An Empirical Study In The Car Industry

The prime objective of our study is to assess whether consumer segments based on relational aspects, service aspects, or price aspects have different preferences concerning these three key decision making variables when buying a car. In addition, we assessed consumer segments resulting from simultaneously incorporating relationships, service package, and price. We investigated a large sample of Mitsubishi drivers in the Netherlands emphasizing consumers’ trade-off between dealer relationship, service package and price. Conjoint analysis showed that dealer relationships (as opposed to price) represent a very important decision making variable when buying a car and consumer preferences concerning relationships provide a useful instrument for segmenting markets. Cluster analyses on the basis of three aspects simultaneously revealed that some consumers do value relationships, while others emphasize the service package in their purchase, both opposed to the third segment that is most probably not inclined to be loyal to a car dealer at all.Our study clearly indicates that different consumer segments can be distinguished on the basis of preferences for relationships and service packages rather than on the basis of price. This knowledge enables car dealers to use their resources more effectively.marketing ;

A planned study of the impact of B2C logistics service quality on shopper satisfaction and loyalty

Purpose of the paper: This paper reports on an in-progress study of the impact of business to consumer (B2C) logistics service quality (LSQ) on in-store shopper satisfaction and loyalty. Methodology: A comparative research approach is being used across the UK, France and Germany to also investigate country-specific differences of consumer shopping behaviour and channel strategies. The first stage, in-line with a deliberate integrated supply chain approach, consists of structured in-depth interviews conducted with managers at the producer/retailer interface, e.g. producer category captains and retail category managers. This qualitative stage will be followed-up by a quantitative survey stage targeting consumers as shoppers to determine how their expectations of retail LSQ and associated activities influence their satisfaction and ongoing loyalty. Findings: A broad literature review has generated over 40 variables of interest for both LSQ and loyalty, and almost 10 variables of satisfaction. This study will contribute theoretically by considering a B2C setting for LSQ, which is the final aspect of point of origin to point-of-consumption, whereas most general LSQ literature and LSQ’s impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty has been dominated by business to business (B2B) designs from point-of-origin to point of sale, that is they assume consumer expectations are a given or a different domain. Research limitations: Although covering three major European grocery retail markets, this study might not be considered as representative, especially when adopting a world-wide perspective. Practical implications: As this study emphasises consequences of B2C LSQ on downstream or consumer satisfaction and loyalty, rather than considering the upstream origins of related problems that dominate extant research, it will contribute practically by providing managers with an understanding of the components of LSQ considered critical by consumers

Internal and external effects of quality on competitiveness: Applications for the hotel sector in Spain

The aim of this paper is to analyze — from a global perspective — the main relationships existing between service quality and businesses competitiveness. To this end, a simultaneous equations model is presented. This model enables distinguishing between the external and internal effects of quality on competitiveness, and empirically verifies a set of hypotheses of great significance for the hotel industry. The data used to empirically verify this model were gathered from hotels owned by a national hotel company in Spain. The client survey carried out by the hotel — in the form of questionnaires — was the basis for creating the service quality indicators and establishing their most relevant dimensions. The quality indicator was created for each hotel based using Structural Equation Modelling (S.E.M.). On the other hand, the economic and financial data pertaining to the hotels served to create competitiveness indicators for each of them. The sign and value of the coefficients estimated by the model presented lead to a series of conclusions regarding the complex sequence of direct and indirect causal relationships between quality and competitiveness. The estimation obtained was used to empirically verify a set of key hypotheses regarding the competitiveness of these hotels and to propose measures designed to improve it.

Economic valuation of household preference for solid waste management in Malaysia: A choice modeling approach

This study estimated the economic values of household preferences for improved solid waste management (SWM) service attributes in Malaysia. The Choice Model (CM) was employed on 859 randomly selected urban households in Kajang and Seremban areas. The study found that households were willing to pay a premium for improvements in the SWM system. More specifically, the study ascertains that households on average are willing to pay a charge of RM1.57 per month for a change in collection frequency - from 3 irregular times to either 3 scheduled times or 4 times per week, ceteris paribus; RM3.32 if waste disposal method was improved from control tipping to sanitary landfill, ceteris paribus; and RM2.48 if transportation mode was improved from a mix of compactor and open trucks to either compactor or a mix of compactor and covered trucks, ceteris paribus. The CM has also shown that households derive positive utility from the provisions of recycling facilities and compulsory kerbside recycling with an implicit price (willingness to pay) of about RM3.51 monthly. Results from the study can be used by service providers to identify any mismatch between what the public actually wants and are willing to pay for and the affordability of supply on the part of service providers

Does B2C online logistics service quality impact urban logistics?

This paper reports on an in-progress research study regarding the impact of business to consumer (B2C) online logistics service quality (OLSQ) for shopper satisfaction and loyalty on urban logistics across the UK, France and Germany to also investigate country-specific differences of consumer online shopping behaviour and channel strategies. A two-stage approach is adopted consisting of firstly of qualitative research conducted with managers at the producer/retailer interface and secondly a quantitative survey stage targeting consumers as online shoppers to determine how their expectations of OLSQ and associated activities influence their satisfaction and ongoing loyalty. This study should contribute theoretically by considering a B2C setting for OLSQ, which is the final aspect of point-of-origin to point-of-consumption, as most general literature on these topics has been dominated by business to business (B2B) logistical designs, and also identify any discrepancies between consumer expectations or behaviour as it may affect urban logistics solutions. Further, this study should contribute practically by providing managers with an understanding of the components of OLSQ considered critical by consumers