Finding Good Attribute Subsets for Improved Decision Trees Using a Genetic Algorithm Wrapper; a Supervised Learning Application in the Food Business Sector for Wine Type Classification

This study aims to provide a method that will assist decision makers in managing large datasets, eliminating the decision risk and highlighting significant subsets of data with certain weight. Thus, binary decision tree (BDT) and genetic algorithm (GA) methods are combined using a wrapping technique. The BDT algorithm is used to classify data in a tree structure, while the GA is used to identify the best attribute combinations from a set of possible combinations, referred to as generations. The study seeks to address the problem of overfitting that may occur when classifying large datasets by reducing the number of attributes used in classification. Using the GA, the number of selected attributes is minimized, reducing the risk of overfitting. The algorithm produces many attribute sets that are classified using the BDT algorithm and are assigned a fitness number based on their accuracy. The fittest set of attributes, or chromosomes, as well as the BDTs, are then selected for further analysis. The training process uses the data of a chemical analysis of wines grown in the same region but derived from three different cultivars. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this innovative approach in defining certain ingredients and weights of wine’s origin

Market orientation and performance: An empirical investigation in the retail industry in Greece

Due to a void in the literature, the object of this study was to examine the adoption of market orientation and its impact on performance in a retail context. Supermarket chains with nation-wide stores in Greece were specifically selected. Findings clearly demonstrate a positive effect of market orientation on retail performance and support the notion that market orientation is an important determinant of firm performance. Retailers acknowledge the importance of implementing market orientation within their organizations. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Internal marketing impact on business performance in a retail context

Purpose: The majority of research pertaining to internal marketing (IM) is conceptual and still remains so even at present. The lack of widely accepted definitions of the IM concept and a relevant valid measure has lead to increased attempts by academia to investigate the relative concepts and measures. The purpose of this paper is to examine a synthesis of IM and investigates its effect on business performance in a retail context. Design/methodology/approach: The context of this paper is within supermarket chains in Greece with nation wide coverage. A survey is designed and implemented using the branch managers. Findings: SEM analysis indicates five dimensions of the IM construct: formal interaction, reward systems, feedback, internal procedures and policies and internal customer orientation (ICO). Retailers seem to adopt in an embryonic stage a concept of IM. IM indeed has a positive effect on business performance. Research limitations/implications: Single key informant, single context of the paper are considerations when examining research limitations. Practical implications: The embryonic stage of adopting and implementing IM within supermarket chains illustrates a certain manner of managing the internal customer; centralisation of procedures and tactics. Even if the concept of IM is partially exploited, the respective organisational behaviours clearly have a positive impact on both financial and non-financial aspects of retail performance, thus revealing their importance. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the rare empirical investigation of the IM notion in the firm and provides evidence on both its synthesis and its impact on business performance. The authors synthesize the concepts of internal market and ICOs providing a new approach to IM. Construct and research propositions have been axiomatic and in an only conceptual context until recently. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Finding Good Attribute Subsets for Improved Decision Trees Using a Genetic Algorithm Wrapper; a Supervised Learning Application in the Food Business Sector for Wine Type Classification

This study aims to provide a method that will assist decision makers in managing large datasets, eliminating the decision risk and highlighting significant subsets of data with certain weight. Thus, binary decision tree (BDT) and genetic algorithm (GA) methods are combined using a wrapping technique. The BDT algorithm is used to classify data in a tree structure, while the GA is used to identify the best attribute combinations from a set of possible combinations, referred to as generations. The study seeks to address the problem of overfitting that may occur when classifying large datasets by reducing the number of attributes used in classification. Using the GA, the number of selected attributes is minimized, reducing the risk of overfitting. The algorithm produces many attribute sets that are classified using the BDT algorithm and are assigned a fitness number based on their accuracy. The fittest set of attributes, or chromosomes, as well as the BDTs, are then selected for further analysis. The training process uses the data of a chemical analysis of wines grown in the same region but derived from three different cultivars. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this innovative approach in defining certain ingredients and weights of wine’s origin

Male and female attitudes towards stereotypical advertisements: A paired country investigation

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences in male and female attitudes and establish a causal relationship between general (a priori) attitudes towards female stereotypical advertisements and attitudes towards specific advertising stimuli, providing evidence from Greece and Cyprus. Design/methodology/approach: Male and female respondents (158 in Cyprus and 156 in Greece) indicated their general attitudes towards female stereotypes in advertising and were subsequently exposed to three stereotypical advertisements, to which they expressed their specific attitudes. Findings: The results of the study prove that in countries with similar cultural backgrounds, such as Greece and Cyprus, general attitudes towards stereotypes in advertising do not have significant differences. General attitudes towards sex role portrayal in advertising directly impact attitudes towards specific advertisements. Further, it was demonstrated that respondents' gender plays a key role in attitude formation. The age of the respondents is also of interest, given that differences exist in general attitudes towards stereotypes in advertising and in attitudes towards specific stereotypical advertisements within respondents of the same gender, but of a different age bracket. Originality/value: The key potential contribution of this study is threefold. First, it investigates the effect of gender and age on attitudes towards stereotypes in advertising. Second, it establishes a causal relationship between general attitudes towards stereotypical advertisements and attitudes towards specific advertising stimuli. Third, the study further validates the established relationship and the relevant measures across culturally similar countries. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Male and female attitudes towards stereotypical advertisements: a paired country investigation

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences in male and female attitudes and establish a causal relationship between general (a priori) attitudes towards female stereotypical advertisements and attitudes towards specific advertising stimuli, providing evidence from Greece and Cyprus. Design/methodology/approach: Male and female respondents (158 in Cyprus and 156 in Greece) indicated their general attitudes towards female stereotypes in advertising and were subsequently exposed to three stereotypical advertisements, to which they expressed their specific attitudes. Findings: The results of the study prove that in countries with similar cultural backgrounds, such as Greece and Cyprus, general attitudes towards stereotypes in advertising do not have significant differences. General attitudes towards sex role portrayal in advertising directly impact attitudes towards specific advertisements. Further, it was demonstrated that respondents' gender plays a key role in attitude formation. The age of the respondents is also of interest, given that differences exist in general attitudes towards stereotypes in advertising and in attitudes towards specific stereotypical advertisements within respondents of the same gender, but of a different age bracket. Originality/value: The key potential contribution of this study is threefold. First, it investigates the effect of gender and age on attitudes towards stereotypes in advertising. Second, it establishes a causal relationship between general attitudes towards stereotypical advertisements and attitudes towards specific advertising stimuli. Third, the study further validates the established relationship and the relevant measures across culturally similar countries. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited