Structural equation modelling of complex sample survey : an application to brand signalling data

The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical analysis of complex sample data with regard to the biasing effect of nonindependence of observations on standard error parameter estimates. In a two-factor confirmatory factor analysis model, using real data, we show how the bias in standard errors can be derived when the nonindependence is ignored. We demonstrate that the standard error bias produced by the nonindependence of observations can be considerable and we briefly discuss solutions to overcome the problem.<br /

Context effects and decompositional choice modeling

This paper describes the application of the extended or universal logit model to decompositional or "stated" choice modeling in order to increase the scope and validity of such choice models. In this approach, choice experiments are designed that permit the estimation of utility functions that include the effects of context variables like choice set composition and decision background. The approach is illustrated with some simple calculated examples concerning consumer choice of shopping center, housing, and transportation mode

Predicting consumer response to new housing : a stated choice experiment

This paper discusses problems typical of eliciting housing preference. It will be argued that stated preference and choice models are potentially powerful in eliciting consumer housing preferences. This approach is illustrated in an example of new housing construction in Meerhoven. The design of the stated choice experiment is outlined and the estimated part-worth utilities of the attributes are presented. Furthermore, choices for houses in low- and high-density environments are predicted and it is examined how much more households are willing to pay for low-density housing

Brand awareness of new technology in the introduction stage: A study of Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD format

The introduction of a new technology into the marketplace generally is a risky endeavour for a company, however, when there are competing new technologies of which it is believed only one can survive, winning over customers is one of the major corporate battles to be fought. This paper presents results of a survey among 1495 people regarding their awareness of the two DVD competing formats (Blu-ray and HD-DVD) in the early stages of the recent DVD format war. The results reveal that in the early stages of the format war more people were aware of the HD-DVD than of the Blu-ray format. A model is presented that predicts format awareness from four consumer characteristic constructs and four demographic variables

How preferences change after receiving new product information in an experimental choice task

Discrete choice experiments typically assume that preference structures remain stable over time and over multiple exposures to information about choice alternatives. However, this assumption may not be valid when the study concerns a new product, which individuals are less familiar with. This paper tests how attribute preferences shift when respondents are exposed to new product information in an experimental choice task. The findings indicate how attribute utilities vary across the before and after exposure conditions; further analysis however shows these effects to partly disappear when the effect of information on the scale constant is accounted for