Customer loyalty in mid-market fashion e-commerce

Mid-market fashion is a growing industry that is primarily focused on offering high-quality apparel with reasonable prices to niche audiences. Simultaneously, fashion e-commerce has seen phenomenal growth during the past decade as more businesses and consumers have moved online. To stay afloat in today’s competitive market, the im-portance of customer loyalty has become more crucial than ever. By understanding how loyalty is formed, businesses can create long-lasting customer relationships and increase their profitability. This study discusses how customer loyalty is formed in the industry of mid-market fashion e-commerce. The purpose of this study is to understand the above by investigat-ing different e-loyalty drivers and explore how consumers’ values reflect on their loyal-ty. The theoretical background of the study consists of literature related to customer loyalty, especially in an online context. This study adopts qualitative research methods, and the empirical research is based on seven consumer interviews. The interview data was collected in the spring of 2020, and all representatives were young professionals living in London, who frequently shop for mid-market fashion online. This study finds that e-loyalty in the context of mid-market fashion is primarily driven by hedonic values, which is the basis for the entire purchasing process. E-loyalty has been found to be a product of trust, perceived value, and satisfaction, which are driven by multiple factors. Ultimately, satisfaction, which is the key to repeat purchas-ing and hence e-loyalty, can be achieved by fulfilling the customers’ expectations. Loyalty in mid-market fashion e-commerce has so far been an unresearched topic. This research provides an overarching framework on how e-loyalty is formed in mid-market fashion e-commerce. In addition to the theoretical contribution, the results of this study are valuable for online retailers who operate in the mid-market fashion sector.Keskitason muoti on kasvava muodin ala, joka tarjoaa laadukkaita tuotteita kohtuulliseen hintaan, keskittyen rajattuihin asiakasryhmiin. Samanaikaisesti nettikauppa on kasvattanut suosiotaan räjähdysmäisesti viimeisen vuosikymmenen aikana. Jotta yritykset selviäisivät nykypäivän kovasta kilpailusta, uskolliset asiakaat ovat tärkeämpiä kuin koskaan. Ymmärtämällä kuinka asiasuskollisuus muodostuu, yritykset voivat luoda pitkäaikaisia asiakassuhteita ja kasvattaa kannattavuuttaan. Tämä tutkimus tutkii asiakasuskollisuuden muodostumista keskitason muodin nettikaupan alalla. Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on ymmärtää mikä johtaa asiakasuskollisuuteen. Niinpä tutkimus tutkii seikkoja, jotka johtavat uskollisuuteen. Samalla tutkimus pyrkii ymmärtämään, miten asiakkaiden arvot vaikuttavat uskollisuuteen. Tutkimuksen tavoitteen saavuttamiseksi tutkittiin olemassaolevaa akateemista kirjallisuutta asiakasuskollisuuteen liittyen, eriyisesti nettiuskollisuuteen keskittyen. Tämän lisäksi tutkimus käytti kvalitatiivisia tutkimusmenetelmiä, ja empiirinen tutkimus perustuu seitsemään kuluttajahaastatteluun. Haastatteluaineisto kerättiin keväällä 2020, ja kaikki haastateltavat olivat nuoria ammattilaisia, jotka asuvat Lontoossa ja ostavat keksitason muotia netistä toistuvasti. Tämä tutkimus osoittaa, että nettiuskollisuus keskitason muodin parissa pohjautuu pääasiassa hedoistisiin arvoihin, jotka ovat edellytys koko ostoprosessille. Nettiuskollisuuden todettiin olevan luottamuksen, oletetun arvon sekä tyytyväisyyden tuotos, jotka puolestaan johtuvat useista eri tekijöistä. Tyytyväisyys, joka on tärkein ehto nettiuskollisuudelle, pohjautuu ennen kaikkea asiakkaiden odotusten täyttämiseen. Nettiuskollisuus keskitason muodin parissa oli toistaiseksi tutkimaton aihe. Tämä tutkimus laati teoreettisen viitekehyksen sille, miten nettiuskollisuus kehittyy keskitason muodin parissa. Teoreettisen kontribuution lisäksi tutkimuksen tulokset ovat hyödyllisiä keskitason muodin vähittäismyyjille

Quaternionic k-Hyperbolic Derivative

Complex holomorphic functions are defined using a complex derivative. In higher dimensions the meaningful generalization of complex derivative is not straight forward. Sudbery defined a derivative for quaternion regular functions using differential forms. Gurlebeck and Malonek generalized that for monogenic functions. In this paper we find similar characterizations for k-hypermonogenic functions which are holomorphic functions based on the Riemannian metric ds(2) = dx(0)(2) + dx(1)(2) + dx(2)(2)/x(2)(2k) When k = 0 , we obtain the hypercomplex derivative by Gurlebeck and Malonek. Just like in the complex case derivative of k-hypermonogenic is the usual partial derivative with respect to the first coordinate.Peer reviewe

Analysis on generalized Clifford algebras

In this article, we study the analysis related to generalized Clifford algebras Cn(a), where a is a non-zero vector. If {e1, . . ., en} is an orthonormal basis, the multiplication is defined by relations (Equation presented) for aj = ej · a. The case a = 0 corresponds to the classical Clifford algebra. We define the Dirac operator as usual by D = Σj ej∂xj and define regular functions as its null solution. We first study the algebraic properties of the algebra. Then we prove the basic formulas for the Dirac operator and study the properties of regular functions.Peer reviewe

Vekua systems in hyperbolic harmonic analysis

In this paper we consider the solutions of the equation , where is the so called modifier Dirac operator acting on functions defined in the upper half-space and taking values in the Clifford algebra. We look for solutions where the first variable is invariant under rotations. A special type of solution is generated by the so called spherical monogenic functions. These solutions may be characterize by a Vekua-type system and this system may be solved using Bessel functions. We will see that the solution of the equation in this case will be a product of Bessel functions

Hypermonogenic plane wave solutions of the dirac equation in superspace

In this paper, we obtain Cauchy-Kovalevskaya theorems for hypermonogenic superfunctions depending only on purely bosonic and fermionic vector variables. In addition, we use these results to construct plane wave examples of such functions

Suuren patenttisalkun optimointi

This master's thesis studies the systematic management and optimization of large patent portfolio. The objective is to explore the main characteristics of large patent portfolio management and to create systematical logic for the selection and management processes. The created logic will also be tested in a practical case. The study is constructive and it is conducted as an action research. It combines both qualitative and quantitative data. The main emphasis of the research is the computational management of patents as a portfolio. The questions concerned are business decision making choices and the study doesn't cover questions like the exact valuation of a single patent or patent portfolio. The studied industry assumed to be the electronic and telecommunication industry. First, the study explores the management of patents as a whole. Subsequently, different mathematical and computational methods are explored to understand, what kind of model and algorithm is needed. A model for managing patents computationally is presented as well as an algorithm for defining which patents should be studied for the decision of discarding them. The procedures also help to evaluate, which parts of the portfolio need additional investments. Finally, the study and assumptions beneath are discussed. The study contributed to the existing knowledge by studying the factors affecting decisions about large patent portfolios and presented a model for the discarding process. It helps the managerial practices by listing the possible patents that could be further studied for discarding decisions. Additionally, it can help to justify the decisions of adding, keeping and discarding patents.Tässä tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan ison patenttiportfolion systemaattista hallintaa ja optimointia. Tarkoituksena on tutkia keskeiset ison patenttiportfolion hallintaan liittyvät tekijät ja luoda systemaattinen logiikka valintaan ja hallintaan. Luotu logiikkaa pyritään myös testaamaan käytännön tapauksessa. Tutkimus on konstruktiivinen ja se tehdään toimintatutkimuksena. Tutkimuksessa yhdistyy sekä laadullinen että määrällinen tieto. Keskeinen painotus on laskennallisessa portfolionhallinnassa. Käsitellyt kysymykset liittyvät liiketaloudellisiin päätelmiin, eikä tutkimus kata esimerkiksi yksittäisen patentin tai portfolion arvottamista. Ensimmäiseksi tutkitaan patenttien hallintaa kokonaisuudessaan, jonka jälkeen tutustutaan erilaisiin laskennallisiin metodeihin, jotta ymmärrettäisiin, millaista mallia tai algoritmia tarvitaan kyseisessä ongelmassa. Tämän seurauksena esitellään malli patenttien laskennallisesta hallinnasta ja algoritmi, joka päättää mitä patentteja kannattaa tarkemmin tutkia hylkäämispäätöstä varten. Käytetyt menetelmät myös auttavat arvioimaan, mitkä portfolion osat kaipaavat lisäinvestointeja. Lopuksi pohdiskellaan itse tutkimusta ja siihen käytettyjä oletuksia. Tutkimus lisää olemassaolevaa tietoa tutkimalla keskeisiä vaikuttimia päätöksenteossa ja esittelemällä mallin ja algoritmin hylkäämisprosessille. Luotu työkalu helpottaa liikkeenjohdollisia käytäntöjä listaamalla mahdolliset hylättävät patentit, joita voidaan tarkemmin tutkia. Tämän lisäksi se auttaa perustelemaan päätöksiä koskien uusia investointeja, patenttien pitämistä sekä patenteista luopumista

Conversion of paper to film by ionic liquids : manufacturing process and properties

In this study, we investigate the “chemical welding” of paper with the ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]OAc) using a two-step process. First, the IL is transported into the structure of the paper as a water solution. Then, partial dissolution is achieved by activation with heat (80–95 °C), where the water evaporates and the surfaces of the fibres partially dissolve. The activated paper is washed with water to remove IL, and dried to fuse fibre surfaces into each other. The “chemically welded” paper structure has both elevated dry and wet strength. The treatment conditions can be adjusted to produce both paper-like materials and films. The most severe treatment conditions produce films that are fully transparent and their oxygen and grease barrier properties are excellent. As an all-cellulose material, the “chemically welded” paper is fully biodegradable and is a potential alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics.Peer reviewe

All-Wood Composite Material by Partial Fiber Surface Dissolution with an Ionic Liquid

Synthetic structural materials of high mechanical performance are typically either of large weight (for example, steels, and alloys) or involve complex manufacturing processes and thus have high cost or cause adverse environmental impact (for example, polymer-based and biomimetic composites). In this perspective, low-cost, abundant and nature-based materials, such as wood, represent particular interest provided they fulfill the requirements for advanced engineering structures and applications, especially when manufactured totally additive-free. Here, we report on a novel all-wood material concept based on delignification, partial surface dissolution using ionic liquid (IL) followed by densification resulting in a high-performance material. A delignification process using sodium chlorite in acetate buffer solution was applied to controllably delignify the entire bulk wooden material while retaining the highly beneficial structural directionality of wood. In a subsequent step, obtained delignified porous wood template was infiltrated with an IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM]OAc and heat activated at 95 degrees C to partially dissolve the fiber surface. Afterward, treated wood was washed with water to remove IL and hot-pressed to gain a very compact cellulosic material with fused fibers while retaining unidirectional fiber orientation. The obtained cellulose materials were structurally, chemically, and mechanically characterized revealing superior tensile properties compared to native wood. Furthermore, suggested approach allows almost 8-fold tensile strength improvement in the direction perpendicular to fiber orientation, which is otherwise very challenging to achieve.Peer reviewe