Nonlocal spectral properties of disordered alloys

A general method is proposed for calculating a fully k-dependent, continuous, and causal spectral function A(k,E) within the recently introduced nonlocal version of the coherent-potential approximation (NLCPA). The method involves the combination of both periodic and anti-periodic solutions to the associated cluster problem and also leads to correct bulk quantities for small cluster sizes. We illustrate the method by investigating the Fermi surface of a two-dimensional alloy. Dramatically, we find a smeared electronic topological transition not predicted by the conventional CPA.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, Submitted to: J. Phys.: Condens. Matter Editorial receipt 25 May 200

An analysis of the relationship between quality cues and quality attributes in the purchase of fresh produce by Malaysian consumers

Consumers’ preferences and the decision to purchase fresh produce from a retail store are based on a variety of quality cues. In the quality perception process, quality cues are associated with desired quality attributes (values). Malaysian consumers in the Klang Valley most often associate the appearance of the fresh produce (freshness, colour and firmness) with good taste. Fresh fruit and vegetables without any chemical residues, freedom from pests and diseases, and the origin of the produce were suggested as having a strong correlation with food safety and a beneficial impact on the environment and worker welfare. However, the quality cues utilised by consumers to associate fresh fruit and vegetables that taste good, that are safe, and produced in a way that is good for the environment and worker welfare varies significantly between each desired value

What suppliers seek from their downstream buyers

The results of a study undertaken in the Western Australian apple industry suggest that what growers want from their downstream buyers and what they actually receive as a result of their transactions with their preferred trading partners are vastly different. While most growers want a return that is commensurate with the effort they put in, the prices offered by market intermediaries generally leave the growers dissatisfied. In order to reduce the risk and the uncertainty associated with the exchange, growers will invariably seek to establish long-term relationships with preferred trading partners. However, many customers prefer to maintain arms-length transactions and seem generally unwilling to provide the growers with either market information or technical advice

Consumer perceptions of food quality in Malaysia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of the quality cues that consumers look for in purchasing fresh meat and fresh fruit and vegetables in Malaysia. Through a perceived quality model, this paper identifies the implicit, intrinsic, extrinsic and credence quality cues consumers’ use in their decision to purchase fresh meat and fresh fruit and vegetables. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilised the shopping mall intercept survey method. Data were collected from traditional markets and modern retail outlets in the Klang Valley region in Malaysia. A structured questionnaire was designed to measure consumer’s perceptions and experiences of food quality when purchasing fresh meat and fresh fruit and vegetables from retail outlets. In this study, univariate data analysis (descriptive analysis, one-way analysis of variance) and exploratory factor analysis were performed to analyse the data sets. Findings – Freshness (intrinsic cue), was the most frequently cited variable when respondents thought about the quality of both product categories. Other variables included price and cleanliness (extrinsic cues) and Halal (credence cue), which was associated with the quality of fresh meat. Quality was associated with freshness, food safety, nutrition and value. Exploratory factor analysis identified food safety (implicit cue) as the most important construct in the respondents’ evaluation of quality for both fresh meat and fresh fruit and vegetables. Originality/value – There is a paucity of research focusing on consumer’s perceptions and experiences of food quality in the purchase of fresh meat and fresh produce in Malaysia. The findings of this research may assist the Malaysian food industry by providing new insights into the consumers’ perceptions of food quality

Growers' perceptions towards the needs of their downstream customers in the western Australian apple supply chain

To succeed in an agribusiness, growers must understand what is required by their downstream customers. This paper explores the perceptions of apple growers in Western Australia towards the needs of their downstream customers. The results indicate that the most important factors that are perceived by growers to influence their downstream customer's choice of supplier are quality, price and continuity of supply. On the other hand, for downstream buyers, quality, price and a favourable long-term relationship were the most important factors that they used in selecting their preferred supplier. The growers' perception of their downstream customer's needs, and indeed, the criteria by which customers evaluate their alternative suppliers, are closely aligned. Both growers and downstream intermediaries identified quality and price as the major factors in selecting their preferred trading partners

Exploring the factors influencing consumers' choice of retail store when purchasing fresh meat in Malaysia

This research explores the preferred place for Malaysian consumers to purchase fresh meat. From four focus group discussions, participants indicated that their decision to purchase fresh meat from either a modern retail outlet or the traditional market was influenced by five key variables: perceptions of freshness, Halal assurance, a good relationship with retailers, a competitive price and a pleasant environment for shoppers. Results were subsequently validated in a quantitative survey of 250 respondents in the Klang Valley. Despite the increasing number of supermarkets and hypermarkets, not only are the traditional markets able to coexist with modern retail formats, but they remain the preferred place for respondents to purchase fresh meat

Price-quality relationships in the fresh produce industry in Bali

As the number of tourist arrivals in Bali (Indonesia) continues to increase, a greater number of opportunities are emerging for local farmers to expand production to meet the increasing demand for food. While there are various production and marketing constraints which limit the ability of small farmers to individually meet the hotels quality specifications, this paper demonstrates how collector agents and distributors are able to assemble sufficient produce to meet the quality specifications imposed by the high class hotels. Intense competition between the many distributors for a share of the hotel patronage has resulted in a significant reduction in price, so much so, that the second grade produce which fails to meet the specifications of the high class hotels, often achieves a higher price in the wet market.Consequently, the small, lower class hotels, who purchase the majority of fresh produce they require from the wet market, experience much greater problems with both variable product quality and price. Not unexpectedly, under the current system of marketing, there are no financial incentives to encourage local farmers to improve product quality

Trust building behaviour within the Balinese fresh produce industry

Regression analysis confirms that relational satisfaction communication and the availability of alternatives have a significant positive relationship on the development of trust between vegetable farmers and traders in Bali. While no relationship between power/dependence and a strong personal relationship was found to influence trust, themaking of relational investments by traders had a significant negative relationship on trust, suggesting that such investments provide farmers with few tangible benefits

तटवर्ती जलकृषि विकास में एम पी ई डी ए की भूमिका

कृपया पूरा लेखा पढ