Solar cycle variation and its impact on critical frequency of F layer

The ionosphere exhibits the variability over different time scales. In the present paper we present the long term solar activity variations of mid latitude ionosphere. To accomplish this study we have considered a famous Australian station namely Hobart (42.88°S, 147.32°E), which falls in the mid latitudinal region. The variability has been examined over the previous three solar cycles i.e, 21, 22 and 23 solar cycles. To characterize the long term variability of the solar activity we have used four indices namely sunspot number (Rz), solar radio flux (F 10.7cm), Mg II core to wing ratio and solar flare index. Similarly, for ionospheric variability we have the critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2). From our study, we found that the long term changes in the solar activity indices which are closely and synchronously reflected in the ionospheric foF2. To quantify the magnitude of association between the long term solar activity variations and the ionsopehric variations we have performed the single regression analysis and computed the correlation coefficients between the two types of indicies, and found that there exists an extremely strong correlation between the two types of indices for all the three solar cycles. Hence, it has been concluded that the ionospheric foF2 is strongly influenced by solar activity with an 11-year variability

Purchase intention of Indian customers: a study on solar PV technology

Purpose With the growing acceptance of renewable energy sources in the world, new energy sources are pursued and investigated by customers. In India, residential PV technology is in an early stage of development and very less in demand among households. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the major variables and its impact on customers purchase intention towards solar PV technology, especially in the context of central India. Design/methodology/approach Based on literature reviews, this study identifies six major independent variables having a relationship with purchase intentions. Using convenience sampling method, 413 customers’ data has been collected by the researcher and was investigated through structural equation modelling, using SmartPLS 2.0 and SPSS-20 software. Findings The study findings suggested that the construct promotional strategies, societal influence, customer awareness and government initiative plays an important role in generating customers purchase intention towards solar PV technology. While the constructs environmental concern and availability &amp; cost having relationship, showed insignificant influence. Research limitations/implications The study outcomes provide some valuable insights to the government and policymakers in designing their policies and strategies to increase customer involvement in solar PV technology. This study suggested that the service providers need to offer more benefits in the form of subsidies and schemes that motivate customers to willingly show their purchase intention. Originality/value The major contribution of this study is the empirical analysis of six independent variables, which affects the customer purchase intentions towards solar PV technology over available conventional energy sources in an emerging Indian market. </jats:sec

Brand trust and brand loyalty in mall shoppers

PurposeIn today's competitive business environment the success of an organisation depends on its ability to create brand trust and loyalty in the customers. Therefore, the present study focusses on some major constructs of emotional attachment that help in creating brand trust and brand loyalty.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modelling using SmartPLS 2.0 software has been utilised to analyse 332 mall shoppers' data from the age group between 16 and 30 years, as they are highly brand conscious and willing to purchase branded products.FindingsThis study findings show that brand loyalty is not only directly or indirectly influenced by emotional attachment antecedents such as perceived quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction and perceived differentiation but also directly affected by brand trust. Moderating analysis on different income group structures shows that the high-income group customer moderates the result findings, as he/she is highly brand conscious and loyal towards a particular brand.Research limitations/implicationsResearch outcome provides some valuable insights to the retailers for further expansion of consumer market by using various promotional programmes and strategies that focus on the emotional factors of the customer and generate strong brand attachment. This study also suggests some useful factors such as buying pattern, paying capacity and lifestyle, which the future researchers can focus.Practical implicationsThis study suggested that shopping mall retailers should try to increase customer involvement and perception towards the brand during shopping process and clearly differentiate their brand from competitive brands by showing why and how it is better than alternative brands.Originality/valueMajor contribution of this study is the empirical analysis of emotional attachment antecedents such as perceived quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction and perceived differentiation on brand trust and loyalty especially in emerging organised retail markets.</jats:sec

Role of consumer traits and situational factors on impulse buying: does gender matter?

Purpose With the growing acceptance of organised retail in Central India, it is important to understand the impulse buying phenomenon and how it is influenced by consumer traits and situational factors. The purpose of this paper is to examine the combined effect of three consumer traits and four situational factors on impulsive buying. Design/methodology/approach Using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SmartPLS 2.0 software), responses from 417 hypermarket and supermarket consumers of Central India in the proposed research framework were analysed and validated. Findings The resulted values for the construct impulse buying tendency, shopping enjoyment tendency, materialism, person’s situation, motivational activities by retailers and product attributes show positive significant influences, whereas the construct store environment having relationship with impulse buying shows negative influence. Importantly, the findings also demonstrate that the gender moderates the relationship between various factors of consumer traits and situational factors with impulse buying. Research limitations/implications The study develops a research framework with three specific variables of consumer traits and four variables of situational factors, triggers impulse buying. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate some other variables, such as interpersonal influence, consumer involvement and consumption patterns, so that more affluent insights can be obtained. The study presents useful insights to retailers, academicians and researchers, regarding impulse buying behaviour of Indian consumers in a still developing organised retail sector in Central India. Originality/value The study focussed on the combined effect of consumer traits and situational factors on impulse buying for the first time in Central India, as earlier studies focussed on impulse buying behaviour at the USA and metro cities of India. </jats:sec