Psychological and cultural insights into consumption of luxury western brands in India

India has always had wealthy elites such as the maharajas, upper class and royalty that consume luxury products throughout its consumption history. The relatively recent economic rise of the middle class with an increase in disposable income is leading to consumption of luxury en mass. This qualitative study examines why consumers buy luxury, what they believe luxury is and how their perception of luxury impacts buying behaviour in the context of India. The present study explores luxury constructs drawn from the literature and provides some explanation for luxury consumption behaviour in India. The findings reveal that psychological and cultural factors in Indian society play a major part in shaping luxury consumption. While the findings suggest little support for homogenous luxury preference, Indian consumers share cultural characteristics of lavish consumption of luxury and display of wealth in social functions. Luxury reflects conspicuous consumption and status, and signals wealth for individuals, and conveys social identity and status in Indian society

Brand origin and country of production congruity: Evidence from the UK and China

The process of manufacturing and marketing international products is increasingly complex and especially for multinational corporations that strive to lower production costs while adapting their products and services to match local preferences. Localization of international business has been shown to generate differing country of origin (COO) effects in terms of the brand origin and country of production (COP) congruity issue. Both country of production and brand origin may not be the same, which questions the effect of incongruity on a brand, consumer ethnocentrism and localization issues particularly when a well known brand are from a developed country and COP is in a developing country. This study extends past studies on the COO effect to examine whether a negative COP affects consumer product perception and consumer purchase decision of a well-known brand. Hypotheses are tested empirically against survey consumer data from the UK (developed country) and People's Republic of China (developing country) using Sony as a global brand. The main findings show that both brand origin and COP are particularly important for consumers in a developed country in their product evaluations while perceived brand image of a developing country and price are key factors for consumers in a developing country. In addition, knowledge of the extent of consumer ethnocentrism can be a major determinant for branding decisions related to using product information cues about country of production and/or an international brand image

Internal social capital and international firm performance in emerging market family firms: The mediating role of participative governance

Family firms benefit from internal social capital, which refers to resources related to structural, relational and cognitive aspects of family relationships. However, it is not clear if and how possession of internal social capital can enhance the international performance of emerging economy family firms. Based on the data collected from 192 small and medium sized family firms from Turkey, we show that family firms can improve their international firm performance by utilising the internal social capital of family relationships. Our findings also demonstrate that the relationship between internal social capital and international firm performance is mediated by participative governance capability. In participative governance, family members as well as board members have the capability to contribute to strategic decision-making and implementation. We also show that all structural, relational and cognitive aspects of internal social capital should be developed in order to improve international firm performance

Utilising Virtual Reality in Car Visualisation

This paper illustrates and investigates the potential of using 3D Studio Max in enhancing the car visualisation effects. 3D Studio Max is an alternative tool that can be used in presenting car visualisation. This paper describes the implementation processes and the lessons learned in the “findings” throughout the development process by using various software. The objectives are to obtain information on the process behaviour without a real implementation of the car physical body yet, shortening set up times of producing a car visualisation by utilising virtual reality (VR), minimising costs in terms of not creating the physical body of the car yet but through car visualisation to view on the car, and comparison of advantages and disadvantages between 3D Studio Max and Cortona VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language) Client-Overall the conclusions answer the objectives which have been stated in the early stage. First it allows obtaining information on the process behaviour without a real implementation of the car physical part. This is because from the preliminary design the specific kind of design is being set. Then through the design stage after the car visual&ion is being animated, the car visualisation can be seen without making the car model yet. Next the project answers the objective of shortening set up times because the project only takes 3 months to do the car visualisation. Besides it also minimise costs because we can see the final outcome through car visualisation. Lastly, the comparison advantages and disadvantages between 3D Studio Max and Cortona had been made. The significant from the project is that 3D Studio Max can serve as an alternative tool for car visualisation. However there are limitations of the software. If compared to Cortona, it is a better tool for interaction because the user can interact with the car visualisation by using the "walkthrough" option. Cortona also has its own limitations compare to 3D Studio Max. In future, the car visualisation can be implemented into designing the new industrial product features before implementing it

Are incumbent banks bygones in the face of digital transformation?

Digital transformation has received considerable scholarly attention in areas of management, business, information systems, information technology, and marketing. In particular, retail banks have been at the forefront of technological revolution characterized by rapid deployment and innovation of digital services, exponential pace of change and innovative breakthroughs that alter conventional banking practice. However, the term digital transformation is often misunderstood as a straightforward deployment of latest information communication technologies. In practice, technological investments entail not only risk but also require an understanding of the relationship between technological, organizational culture and institutional change within certain boundaries of regulatory framework. Digital transformation is far from simple, certain or predictable and likely to be disruptive or transformative with immutable impacts upon associated organizational outcomes related to technical capabilities and behaviors. The present study attempts to explore and develop a framework for understanding digital transformation by examining the development, deployment and use of digital technologies in retail banking. Within a social informatics perspective, this study examines the effects of digital technologies on retail banks operations, structure and capabilities of those who deploy, implement and use it. Using a grounded theory approach the study explores theoretical constructs by reviewing the literature and analysing primary field data including data from retail banks and interviews with senior professionals. The findings provide the pitfalls and successful approaches towards the digital transformation journey. This includes the ordinary dilemmas that the managers face in order to deliver the projects at hand

The role of media socialization agents in increasing obesity health literacy among Malaysian youth

Obesity is a global emerging issue. In Malaysia, there has been a significant increase in such cases in the past few years. It is a big challenge for authorities to find out the effectiveness of newspaper as a medium for disseminating obesity information among Malaysian youth. This study aimed to examine the influences and effectiveness of newspaper in conveying health literacy of obesity among Malaysian youth. It focused on their awareness level and perception towards obesity. In this study, 300 Malaysian youth aged 18-25 participated in a survey. It was found that the newspaper-oriented respondents have higher awareness of obesity than the non-newspaper oriented respondents. However, the awareness among the overall respondents is still mainly average. The results also indicate that newspaper is still resourceful in disseminating health information. It is significantly positively related to the youth health literacy