Product Intelligence: Its Conceptualization, Measurement and Impact on Consumer Satisfaction

In the last decade, companies have developed a large number of intelligent products. Due to the use of information technology, these products, for example, are able to work autonomously, cooperate with other products, or adapt to changing circumstances. Although intelligent products appear an attractive category of products, they have received little attention in the literature. The present article provides a conceptualization of the new construct of product intelligence and describes the development procedure of a measure for the construct. In addition, the article sets up and empirically tests a conceptual framework in which product intelligence leads to consumer satisfaction through the innovation attributes of relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity. Managerial implications for new product development and marketing of intelligent products are considered and suggestions for further research provided.Adoption;Innovation;Intelligent products;New product development;Smart products

QUATERNARY DEFORMATION OF THE MAVROPIGI LIGNITE FIELD (WESTERN MARGIN OF PTOLEMAIS - KOZANI GRABEN, NW MACEDONIA, GREECE)

The present study aims to analyse in details the tectono-sedimentary processes of the western borderline of the intra-continental graben of Ptolemais-Kozani in NW Macedonia, given the presentday mining activity of Public Power Corporation. Field studies in combination with drilling analysis revealed the extremely geometrical complexity of the sedimentary fill as the result of the recent Quaternary deformation. Bearing in mind, the recognition of left-lateral strike-slip component of movement in the western border fault zone-Mavropigi shear zone, the geometrical coincidence of the morphological shapes of the present-day morphology-of the top-of the bottom of the Pliocene earthy lignite sequence and of the sub-surface morphology of the pre-Cretaceous Pelagonian basement as well as the discovery of several reverse faults in the surrounding area have allowed us to accept the action of a composite Quaternary deformational pattern. For the first time in NW Macedonia, ductile-brittle type macrostructures (mega-anticlines) with NE-SW axis direction are confirmed, showing the simultaneous and progressive action of ductile and brittle deformation of all the geological formations of the western borderline, sedimentary fill and metamorphic basement. The aforementioned geometrical complexity and also the observed field structures strongly reveal the action of a rotational couple-type stress field in Ptolemais-Kozani graben, enclosed in the incapiate in-type deformation of NW Macedonia. In this framework, the occurrence of the extensional post-orogenic structures, which seems that they have been overestimated by previous researchers in the literature, is considered of secondary importance and constitutes part and expression of the complicated Quaternary tectonic structures of the sedimentary fill. This complex deformational pattern controls and also defines the spatial distribution of the lignite reserves in the Mavropigi Lignite Field with a southward increasing of them as well as causes regions with a composite or a simple post-orogenic geometry and evolution, directly reflected by the sub-surface geometry of the Pliocene lignite sequence. The aforementioned complicated geometry is of great importance, either for the planning and the future expansion of the Mavropigi Lignite Field in the western borderline, or for the better approach of the intra-plate deformational processes of Ptolemais-Kozani graben

The Relational Value of Perceived Brand Globalness and Localness

Despite the well-documented importance of consumer-brand relationships, international branding research has not yet investigated whether a brand's perceived globalness and localness influence consumers' identification with the brand. Drawing on brand relationship theory and global/local branding literature, the present research theorizes on how perceived brand globalness and localness influence consumer-brand relationship building and discusses how these influences vary for brands of domestic versus foreign origin. Two studies in mature and emerging markets, using several brands across multiple product categories, reveal that both perceived brand globalness and localness have positive effects on consumer-brand identification. These effects (1) hold in both mature and emerging market settings, (2) are independent of brand quality assessments, (3) interact in a mutually-reinforcing way, and (4) are moderated by brand origin in a substitutional manner indicating that the relational effects of brand localness (globalness) are stronger for foreign (domestic) than for domestic (foreign) brands

Lit Up or Dimmed Down? Why, When, and How Regret Anticipation Affects Consumers’ Use of the Global Brand Halo

Research has long established the existence of a global brand halo that benefits global brands by triggering “global equals better” inferences by consumers. Nevertheless, little is known about the conditions under which this halo may or may not be used or about whether and, if so, how it can situationally fade. Drawing from regret theory, the authors posit that anticipating regret can conditionally both attenuate and accentuate consumers’ use of the global brand halo and develop a serial conditional process model to explain the mechanism underlying regret’s influence. The results of two experimental studies show that anticipated regret affects global brand halo use—and subsequently relative preference for global or local brands—by increasing consumers’ need to justify their purchase decision. Whether and how consumers will use the global brand halo depends on consumers’ product category schema, while the intensity of the halo’s use depends on consumers’ maximization tendency. The findings offer a decision-theory perspective on the competition between global and local brands and empirically based advice on managerial interventions that can influence global or local brand market shares

Product Intelligence: Its Conceptualization, Measurement and Impact on Consumer Satisfaction

In the last decade, companies have developed a large number of intelligent products. Due to the use of information technology, these products, for example, are able to work autonomously, cooperate with other products, or adapt to changing circumstances. Although intelligent products appear an attractive category of products, they have received little attention in the literature. The present article provides a conceptualization of the new construct of product intelligence and describes the development procedure of a measure for the construct. In addition, the article sets up and empirically tests a conceptual framework in which product intelligence leads to consumer satisfaction through the innovation attributes of relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity. Managerial implications for new product development and marketing of intelligent products are considered and suggestions for further research provided

Risk factors for tuberculosis in dialysis patients: a prospective multi-center clinical trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Profound alterations in immune responses associated with uraemia and exacerbated by dialysis increase the risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) in chronic haemodialysis patients (HDPs). In the current study, was determined the impact of various risk factors on TB development. Our aim was to identify which HDPs need anti-TB preventive therapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prospective study of 272 HDPs admitted, through a 36-month period, to our institutions. Specific Relative Risk (RR) for TB was estimated, considering age matched subjects from the general population as reference group. Entering the study all patients were tested with tuberculin (TST). Using Cox's proportional hazard model the independent effect of various risk factors associated with TB development was estimated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>History of TB, dialysis efficiency, use of Vitamin D supplements, serum albumin and zinc levels were not proved to influence significantly the risk for TB, in contrast to: advanced age (>65 years), BMI, diabetes mellitus, tuberculin reactivity, healed TB lesions on chest X-ray and time on dialysis. Elderly (>70 years old) HDPs (Adjusted RR 25.3, 95%CI 20.4-28.4, P < 0.02), diabetics (Adj.RR 25.3, 95%CI 17.2-21.1, P < 0.03), underweighted (Adj.RR 72.3, 95%CI 65.2-79.8 P < 0.001), tuberculin responders (Adj.RR 41.4, 95%CI 37.9-44.8, P < 0.03), HDPs with fibrotic lesions on chest x-ray (Adj.RR 82.3, 95%CI 51.3-95.5, P < 0.03) and those treated with haemodialysis for < 12 months (Adj.RR 110.0, 95%CI 97.4-135.3, P < 0.001), presented significantly higher specific RR for TB even after adjusting for the effect of the remaining studied risk factors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The above mentioned factors have to be considered by the clinicians, evaluating for TB in HDPs. Positive TST, the existence of predisposing risk factors and/or old TB lesions on chest X-ray, will guide the diagnosis of latent TB infection and the selection of those HDPs who need preventive chemoprophylaxis.</p

Guidelines for choosing between multi-item and single-item scales for construct measurement: A predictive validity perspective

Establishing predictive validity of measures is a major concern in marketing research. This paper investigates the conditions favoring the use of single items versus multi-item scales in ter