MEASURING THE EFFECTS OF GENERIC PRICE AND NON-PRICE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES: THE CASE OF WASHINGTON APPLES

This paper develops a monthly domestic demand and supply equilibrium model for Washington apples that can be used to assess the effectiveness of price and non-price promotional activities. The econometric methodology employed takes into account market differences across the U.S. and is based on data pertaining to individual retail stores located throughout the U.S. The period of analysis is from September 1990 through August 2000 on a regional basis. A unique feature of the model is its explicit allowance for multiplier effects to exist between the level of print media (newspaper ad and flyers) expenditures provided by the Washington State Apple Commission (WAC) in support of apple demand and supplementary funds provided by retailers in support of apple promotion. In particular the model allows for the fact that Commission funds oftentimes represent only a relatively small fraction of the overall print media expenditures made in support of apple sales, and that Commission funds are often effectively only "pump priming" or serve as inducements for additional promotional activities by other entrepreneurs in the marketing chain. Also, the subset of promotional activities (print media and price reductions) provided by retailers is modeled in a dynamic fashion, whereby market conditions feedback affects the level of apple promotion provided by retailers. The overall model includes a set of retail demand equations, a set of retail-F.O.B. price linkage equations, a set of ad lines - WAC Ad buys linkage equations, and an aggregate industry supply function. Additional factors such as asymmetry in retail-F.O.B. price response, the effects of information technology in retail pricing, and the effects of the large crops and the Asian and the Mexican crises on domestic supply are all simultaneously considered. Results of this analysis indicate that, in the aggregate, price promotion is a significant factor positively impacting apple sales. Furthermore, price promotion elasticities were relatively high when compared to non-price promotional activities, leading to a conclusion that greater gains with respect to returns on promotional investment may occur when retail price reductions are pursued. Despite an increased domestic supply and the effects of the Mexican and the Asian crises, among the non-price promotional activities, results indicated that both non-trade (TV and Radio) and trade-related efforts (in store demonstrations, point of sale displays, promotional give-aways, and ad buys) have contributed to increased demand for Washington apples. Sensitivity analysis of trade and non-trade expenditures indicated that trade-related activities were more effective in increasing demand at current expenditure levels relative to non-trade activities. Promotional efforts in the form of billboards, food service expenditures, and other miscellaneous activities, which the industry also carried out during the historical period of analysis, did not have a measurable impact on demand in any of the regions. It was also found that WAC ad buy expenditures resulted in a multiplier effect on the total number of ad lines. While the direct effect of these Commission expenditures on demand would be relatively small without the supplementary efforts forthcoming from retailers, the fact that retailers multiplied the Commission's expenditures into a substantially larger promotional effort resulted in a significant positive effect on apple sales when viewing the promotion program as a whole. Key words: price and non price promotion, trade and non trade activitiesprice and non price promotion, trade and non trade activities, Marketing,

Weak antilocalization in high mobility Ga(x)In(1-x)As/InP two-dimensional electron gases with strong spin-orbit coupling

We have studied the spin-orbit interaction in a high mobility two-dimensional electron gas in a GaInAs/InP heterostructure as a function of an applied gate voltage as well as a function of temperature. Highly sensitive magnetotransport measurements of weak antilocalization as well as measurements of Shubnikov--de Haas oscillations were performed in a wide range of electron sheet concentrations. In our samples the electron transport takes place in the strong spin precession regime in the whole range of applied gate voltages, which is characterized by the spin precession length being shorter than the elastic mean free path. The magnitude of the Rashba spin-orbit coupling parameter was determined by fitting the experimental curves by a simulated quantum conductance correction according to a model proposed recently by Golub [Phys. Rev. B 71, 235310 (2005)]. A comparison of the Rashba coupling parameter extracted using this model with the values estimated from the analysis of the beating pattern in the Shubnikov--de Haas oscillations showed a good agreement.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.

«Med rom for alle» Kvalitetssikring av spesialundervisning i Lillehammerskolen.

Artikkelen er opprinnelig utgitt i tidsskriftet "Spesialpedagogikk". Forlagets sider finnes her: https://www.utdanningsnytt.no/spesialpedagogikk/Denne artikkelen omhandler et FOU-arbeid som er blitt gjennomført i tidsrommet 2011–2015 i Lillehammer kommune. Vinteren 2011/12 foretok Senter for praksisrettet utdanningsforskning ved Høgskolen i Hedmark en evaluering av i hvilken grad skolene oppfyller kravet om å drive tilpasset opplæring, ved å undersøke forholdet mellom ordinær opplæring og spesialundervisning i Lillehammerskolene. Resultatene fra dette arbeidet danner grunnlag for et utviklingsarbeid som fortsatt pågår i kommunen

What helps or inspires busy moms while grocery shopping?

The purpose of this master thesis is to understand how busy moms experience their grocery shopping trips and the in-store environment. In gaining this knowledge, we aim at being able to suggest ways to improve the grocery shopping experience of busy moms; and present insights that can help food retailers in targeting this consumer group in-store. Methodology: We use an iterative approach, and work with photo elicitation interviews. We let our respondents capture their experiences in photographs, which then aid in recalling their memories in follow up interviews. Theoretical perspective: We base our theoretical perspective on environmental psychology where we use the original M-R model, and include personal and situational variables suggested by Bäckström and Johansson (2006); where the latter variable includes the views by Turley and Milliman (2000). We combine the theoretical perspectives to understand the effects on consumer minds (viewed as a black-box) and relate it to resulting response of the grocery shopping experience. Empirical data: The study comprised the views of 9 busy moms whom could visit 4 different grocery retailers. Further, we use literature from the fields of in-store marketing, atmospherics and consumer behavior. Conclusion: From the views of our 9 respondents, we have identified some of busy mom’s grocery shopping dilemmas and can suggest some improvements to stores to make future store visits more positive and satisfactory

Enhanced spin-orbit scattering length in narrow Al_xGa_{1-x}N/GaN wires

The magnetotransport in a set of identical parallel AlGaN/GaN quantum wire structures was investigated. The width of the wires was ranging between 1110 nm and 340 nm. For all sets of wires clear Shubnikov--de Haas oscillations are observed. We find that the electron concentration and mobility is approximately the same for all wires, confirming that the electron gas in the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure is not deteriorated by the fabrication procedure of the wire structures. For the wider quantum wires the weak antilocalization effect is clearly observed, indicating the presence of spin-orbit coupling. For narrow quantum wires with an effective electrical width below 250 nm the weak antilocalization effect is suppressed. By comparing the experimental data to a theoretical model for quasi one-dimensional structures we come to the conclusion that the spin-orbit scattering length is enhanced in narrow wires.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Calculation of soil volume loss caused by drilling of anchors

Accurate prediction of ground settlements related to deep supported excavations or foundation works are key in risk assessments of vulnerability of neighboring assets. Several studies show that rotary percussive duplex drilling of casings for tieback anchors and piles can cause substantial local soil volume loss (cavities) around the casings resulting in ground settlements. This paper presents FE back-analysis of a well-documented deep supported excavation in soft clay to investigate the influence from such soil volume loss on the surrounding ground. The analysis demonstrates a simple approach to estimate potential installation effects from overburden drilling by modelling volume loss in specified soil clusters. The method can be implemented in early-planning risk assessments in building projects to assess influence areas and suitability of drilling methods.Calculation of soil volume loss caused by drilling of anchorspublishedVersio

Population genomic structure of the gelatinous zooplankton species Mnemiopsis leidyi in its nonindigenous range in the North Sea

Nonindigenous species pose a major threat for coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Risk management requires genetic information to establish appropriate management units and infer introduction and dispersal routes. We investigated one of the most successful marine invaders, the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, and used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to explore the spatial population structure in its nonindigenous range in the North Sea. We analyzed 140 specimens collected in different environments, including coastal and estuarine areas, and ports along the coast. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were called in approximately 40 k GBS loci. Population structure based on the neutral SNP panel was significant (F-ST .02; p < .01), and a distinct genetic cluster was identified in a port along the Belgian coast (Ostend port; pairwise F-ST .02-.04; p < .01). Remarkably, no population structure was detected between geographically distant regions in the North Sea (the Southern part of the North Sea vs. the Kattegat/Skagerrak region), which indicates substantial gene flow at this geographical scale and recent population expansion of nonindigenous M. leidyi. Additionally, seven specimens collected at one location in the indigenous range (Chesapeake Bay, USA) were highly differentiated from the North Sea populations (pairwise F-ST .36-.39; p < .01). This study demonstrates the utility of GBS to investigate fine-scale population structure of gelatinous zooplankton species and shows high population connectivity among nonindigenous populations of this recently introduced species in the North Sea. OPEN RESEARCH BADGES This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally-shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at: The DNA sequences generated for this study are deposited in the NCBI sequence read archive under SRA accession numbers -, and will be made publically available upon publication of this manuscript