Why do undergraduate marketing majors select marketing as a business major? Evidence from Australasia

This research examines the reasons behind marketing majors’ decision to select marketing as a major, where students have the option to select more than one major toward their undergraduate degree. Results of surveys conducted at two universities, one in Australia and one in New Zealand, provide some new findings as well as extending findings from earlier studies. This research complements existing studies on the topic by providing empirical evidence from Australasia. The results also suggest that marketing is the most popular first-choice major for Australasian marketing majors

An Investigation of Asphalt Mixtures Using a Naturally Occurring Fibre

In this study, the researchers investigated the effects of using a locally available fiber called Sisal fiber as a stabilizer in Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) and as an additive in Bituminous Concrete (BC). The composition of a bituminous mixture typically includes coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, filler, and binder. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) refers to a bituminous mixture where all the constituents are mixed, placed, and compacted at high temperatures. SMA is a type of HMA that is gap graded, while BC is a Dense Graded mix (DGM) also known as Bituminous Concrete. SMA requires stabilizing additives such as cellulose fibers, mineral fibers, or polymers to prevent the drainage of the mix. The researchers aimed to study the impact of adding Sisal fiber, a naturally available fiber, as a stabilizer in SMA and as an additive in BC. To prepare the mixes, the researchers followed the aggregate gradation specified by MORTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways). The binder content was varied from 4% to 7%, and the fiber content ranged from 0% to a maximum of 0.5% of the total mix. In the preliminary study, fly ash was found to yield satisfactory Marshall Properties, so it was used in subsequent mixes. Using the Marshall Procedure, the Optimum Fiber Content (OFC) for both BC and SMA mixes was determined to be 0.3%. Similarly, the Optimum Binder Content (OBC) for BC and SMA was found to be 5% and 5.2% respectively. The BC and SMA mixes prepared at these optimum levels were then subjected to various performance tests, including Drain Down test, Static Indirect Tensile Strength test, and Static Creep test, to evaluate the effects of fiber addition on mix performance. The study concluded that the addition of Sisal fiber improves the mix properties, such as Marshall Stability, Drain Down characteristics, and indirect tensile strength, for both BC and SMA mixes. It was also observed that SMA performed better than BC in terms of indirect tensile strength and creep characteristics

Production of Natural Straw-Derived Sustainable Polymer Composites for a Circular Agro-Economy

n this study, attempts were made for the first time to explore theunexploited wheat straw particulates (WSP) as a reinforcement filler withconcentrations up to 100% in a thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) matrix to producea new type of wood plastic composites. The WSP-PP composites were developed bymelt blending using the injection molding technique and were investigated for theirmechanical, structural, and thermal properties. The present study showed low-densitycomposites with densities varying from 0.84−1.04 gm/cc. Compared to virginpolypropylene, WSP-PP composites showed enhanced impact strength, improvedflexural strength and moduli, and lower water absorption. With increasing WSPconcentration, the mechanical strength increases, and at 20−30% filler concentration,the composite showed a maximum tensile strength of 27.21 ± 0.67 MPa and flexuralstrength of 44.48 ± 0.48 MPa. The maximum impact strength of WSP-PP composites(2.04 ± 0.11 kJ/m2) was recorded at 40% filler concentration along with lower waterabsorption (1.67%). The addition of WSP was found to decrease the thermal conductivity of the WSP-PP composites. The findingsof this study confirmed the scope of wheat straw as a potential cellulosic reinforcing filler for manufacturing a new class of greencomposites of high-performance characteristics which could be explored and beneficial for electrical applications, civil infrastructure,automotive parts, etc. Further, the utilization of this inexpensive raw material for the development of composites leads to a reductionin the practice of open straw burning in fields, thereby causing a decrease in CGH emissions. Thus, the realization of this innovativework will contribute to achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals with a sustainable approach toward building acircular economy.

Recycling marble wastes and Jarosite wastes into sustainable hybrid composite materials and validation through Response Surface Methodology

During marble processing such as cutting, polishing and grinding, a considerable amount of fine residues refereed as marble processing rejects (MPRs) are produced and have become a serious environmental issue. So the current study deals with the conversion of MPRs into hybrid ceramic composite bricks (CCB) with Jarosite waste in a clay matrix system. Mix design and optimization of CCB was performed to illustrate the potentials of MPRs and Jarosite wastes as low-cost high-value composites materials. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) model was also used in this work for simulation and to optimize the process for improving CCB quality employing classic mixture approach. Detoxification through mineralogical changes was achieved during firing composite bricks at 960 °C ± 2 °C and was confirmed using the XRD analysis. Compressive strength of CCB using 15% MPRs with 1:1 Jarosite waste - clay matrix ratio met the standard quality (>35 kg/cm2) for its use in construction purpose. It is evident from the RSM model results and statistical analysis for the response compressive strength, shrinkage, water absorption capacity, density and leachate concentration of Cd as well as Pb in the CCB is in laudable agreement with actual experimental performance

A consumer-based method for retailer equity measurement: Results of an empirical study

This research extends the consumer-based brand equity measurement approach to the measurement of the equity associated with retailers. This paper also addresses some of the limitations associated with current retailer equity measurement such as a lack of clarity regarding its nature and dimensionality. We conceptualise retailer equity as a four-dimensional construct comprising retailer awareness, retailer associations, perceived retailer quality, and retailer loyalty. The paper reports the result of an empirical study of a convenience sample of 601 shopping mall consumers at an Australian state capital city. Following a confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling to examine the dimensionality of the retailer equity construct, the proposed model is tested for two retailer categories: department stores and speciality stores. Results confirm the hypothesised four-dimensional structure

Predictive validity of two firm innovativeness scales: empirical evidence

Innovativeness is an important determinant of firm success. However, most of the current research has investigated this phenomenon from the managerial perspective. Responding to calls by innovation scholars, for a customer-oriented approach, researchers have recently developed customer-based scales for firm innovativeness measurement (e.g. Firm Reputation for Product Innovation - Henard & Dacin, 2010; Perceived Firm Innovativeness - Kunz et al., 2011). Despite the importance of valid and reliable measurement, current research does not provide satisfactory advice on the effectiveness of these measures. To fill this important gap, the present research contributes by examining the relative effectiveness of these scales in two product categories and across four brands. The results indicate that while the Reputation for Product Innovation scale performs better in terms of scale sensitivity the two scales have displayed different degrees of ability in predicating the four outcome variables included