Give Me a Formula Not the Concept! Student Preference to Mathematical Problem Solving

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study was to assess student preference for procedural (formula-driven) versus conceptual (concept-driven) approaches to solve mathematical problems. Additionally, we evaluated differences in preferences among students who performed above average and those who performed at or below average on simple arithmetic problems. Methods/Design and Sample: We used a single-factor (Instructional Approach: conceptual vs. procedural) between-subjects experiment. Instructional approach was manipulated using short embedded instructional videos. Students evaluated each approach on a five-point scale. Results: We found that students (above-average and average/below-average) preferred the procedural approach to the conceptual approach. Interestingly, however, although students preferred the procedural approach when first introduced to it, above-average students evaluated the conceptual approach more positively if they were unable to solve a problem correctly and were presented with additional conceptual instruction. On the other hand, there was no change in the evaluation of the procedural approach. Value to Marketing Educators: The findings of this study indicate that students develop mathematical knowledge and understanding differently. Faculty who teach courses with a high degree of mathematics concepts should work to provide multiple experiences that include both procedural and conceptual techniques to develop a holistic understanding of mathematics

Realignment Strategies in the US Retail Industry During a Recessionary Time Dominant Themes, Trends, and Propositions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the range of realignment strategies employed by retailers in the USA in response to the 2008 economic recession. Design/methodology/approach – Following the grounded theory approach, National Retail Federation News Briefs published between 2008 and 2011 were analyzed by sorting them into thematic categories and comparing trends in strategic decisions during the recession (2008-2009) and after the recession (2010-2011). Based on the emergent categories, propositions were developed to provide theoretical explanations of the findings. Findings – The authors found five thematic categories of realignment strategies: promotional, organizational, price, operational, and product realignments. In line with contingency theories, retailers used these strategies to achieve a greater fit with the altered business environment and consumer consumption patterns. While promotional realignment was most prevalent, followed by organizational realignment, different realignment strategies were pursued based on the strategic focus and long-term vs short-term orientation of the retailers. Originality/value – The contribution of the findings is twofold: filling a critical gap in the literature examining the range of realignment decisions of the US retail industry in response to the recent economic recession; and enhancing the theoretical understanding of underlying factors or mechanisms of specific realignment decisions in the context of a turbulent economic environment

Enabling Multidisciplinary Perspective in Student Design Project: Fast Fashion and Sustainable Manufacturing Systems

Fast fashion retailers are growing faster than any other type of retailer due to their ability to offer trendy low-cost clothing mimicking latest runway trends with turnaround times as low as two weeks. Fueled by short production and distribution lead times, fast fashion retailers combine rapid prototyping, small batches of fashionable product designs, and efficient transportations and delivery. Among others, the methods applied in fast-fashion industry include mass customization and personalization, and lean manufacturing. Current trends in manufacturing lean towards the application of digital and rapid manufacturing methods and increased use of product lifecycle management, knowledge management systems and computer integrated manufacturing. Furthermore, modern fashion systems span geographical regions, wherein design and manufacturing is not necessarily done at the same location and it requires coordination of many pairs of hands and machines, followed by multiple processes and treatments to meet the demands of ever decreasing time-to-market. Hence, there are connections that can be used as a benefit for multidisciplinary student projects which would include fashion merchandising students and engineering students. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present a model of a project which would include a team of students with diverse backgrounds and experiences in fashion, engineering, and industrial technology in order to examine various manufacturing system concepts that can be used to enhance the sustainability of fast-fashion systems. These activities would be embedded in their current courses and they would expose engineering students to a fashion manufacturing industry and fashion students to engineering concepts of product lifecycle management and computer aided manufacturing. Special emphasis would be given to female engineering students who are not necessarily exposed to this kind of industry in their major

Fashion retailing – past, present and future

This issue of Textile Progress reviews the way that fashion retailing has developed as a result of the application of the World Wide Web and information and communications technology (ICT) by fashion-retail companies. The review therefore first considers how fashion retailing has evolved, analysing retail formats, global strategies, emerging and developing economies, and the factors that are threatening and driving growth in the fashion-retail market. The second part of the review considers the emergence of omni-channel retailing, analysing how retail has progressed and developed since the adoption of the Internet and how ICT initiatives such as mobile commerce (m-commerce), digital visualisation online, and in-store and self-service technologies have been proven to support the progression and expansion of fashion retailing. The paper concludes with recommendations on future research opportunities for gaining a better understanding of the impacts of ICT and omni-channel retailing, through which it may be possible to increase and develop knowledge and understanding of the way the sector is developing and provide fresh impetus to an already-innovative and competitive industr

To retrench or invest? Turnaround strategies during a recessionary time

By analyzing retail news published between 2008 and 2011, we examined retrenchment and investment strategies employed by retailers in the U.S. in response to the Great Recession. We found four categories of retrenchment (store closings, buyouts, bankruptcies, and pull backs) and five categories of investment (market expansion, product development, service development, strategic partnerships, and corporate social responsibility). Retrenchment decisions were constrained by retailers\u27 financial strength, whereas investment decisions varied with firms\u27 strategic orientations and resource capabilities. Findings of this study enhance theoretical understanding of underlying factors of specific retrenchment and investment decisions that retailers pursued during a challenging economic time

Self-Compassion as a Moderator between Stress and Eating Behavior

The purpose of this study was to examine the role self-compassion has on stress and eating behavior. Ninety-one participants completed a series of online surveys that measured student life stress, self-compassion, and eating behaviors. Results suggest that self-compassion did not moderate the relationship between stress and eating behavior. Self-compassion was found as a mediator, indicating that the effect stress has on eating behavior can be explained by self-compassion. Students with low stress tended to have high self-compassion, which was linked with healthier eating habits

Accessing opportunities in apparel retail sectors in IndiaPorter\u27s diamond approach

Purpose: The Indian retailing industry has undergone dramatic changes because of the government\u27s recent liberalization in retail sectors along with the country\u27s rapid economic development and emerging consumer groups with market power. Despite the increasing importance of India in the global market, little is known about apparel retail sectors in India and the information available is fragmented and under-developed. The purpose of this paper is to assess the competitiveness of the Indian apparel retail industry and the changing market conditions since the 2006 retail trade liberalization to identify the opportunities and challenges of operating in the Indian market. Design/methodology/approach: This study employs Porter\u27s diamond model as the theoretical framework. This study conducts an extensive review of published documents including academic journals, trade publications, and government and industry web sites and discusses them within the framework of the diamond model. Findings: By analyzing the multi-determinants of the diamond model (factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, firm strategy and rivalry and the role of government), the authors identified key opportunities and challenges of entering the Indian apparel retail industry. Originality/value: This study provides a comprehensive view of the rapidly evolving Indian apparel retailing industry by evaluating multi-dimensions of competitive conditions in Porter\u27s model