An exploratory study into the role and interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic cues in Australian consumers’ evaluations of fish.

This study explores the role and interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic cues when evaluating fish quality and in shaping consumers' attitudes toward fish consumption. A sensory analysis of nine different fish including five variants of barramundi was conducted to determine how consumers evaluated the fish on intrinsic cues. Focus groups were then conducted to explore the impact of extrinsic cues on attitudes and purchase intentions. While the sensory analysis revealed distinct differences between barramundi variants on intrinsic cues (notably taste), the focus groups revealed that, as a brand, barramundi is perceived much more favourably and consistently. Consumers used extrinsic cues, particularly country of origin, as surrogate indicators of quality. Aquaculture producers need to ensure intrinsic product quality and consistency, as while consumers use the extrinsic cue of "Australian grown" as a surrogate indicator of quality, as their familiarity and confidence with seafood grows, this overreliance on extrinsic cues may diminish

Conducting Qualitative Research in Russia: Challenges and Advice

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of East-West Business on 08 Aug 2014, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10669868.2014.935548This article addresses some of the challenges of conducting qualitative research across cultures, focusing on the challenges of being a Western researcher conducting in-depth interviews in Russia. To conduct quality business research in a foreign cultural setting, it is important to gain understanding of cultural differences that may influence the research and the means of managing them. Despite of a need for more exploratory and theory-generating studies in international business research and growing recognition of the benefits associated with qualitative methods, there has been little examination of specific challenges arising in their application in an international context. This conceptual article is based on literature addressing qualitative research, elite interviewing, and Russian culture, combined with descriptions of the researchers' experiences. It addresses how culture may challenge cross-cultural business research related to gaining access, balancing power, and attaining openness