Exploring the effect of online shopping motivations on purchase intention applied to cosmetics

This thesis’ aim is to explore the effect of online shopping motivations in the online purchase intention of cosmetics. A proposed conceptual model that helps to understand what are the main motivations that lead consumers to purchasing cosmetics online is presented. Specifically, this thesis research model proposal is about online cosmetics consumers’ behavior considering their motivations and online purchase intention. The ultimate goal of this study is to understand what motivations are relevant for increasing online purchase intention of cosmetics by consumers. In order to understand consumers’ motivations and degree of online purchase intention, the previously developed studies about motivations and purchase intention (Dodds et al., 1991; Arnold et al., 2003; Martínez-López et al., 2014) were consulted and the scales were adapted to fit the present study research, applied to the Portuguese consumers. A quantitative and exploratory study was conducted. For data collection, an online questionnaire was applied to 286 individuals. Results showed that online shopping motivations are a great predictor of online purchase intention. Also, findings showed that utilitarian motivations not only are a predictor of online shopping motivations of cosmetics, but also that availability of information, assortment and economic value were the dimensions among motivations that better explained online purchase intention. This theoretical framework helps understanding consumer behavior towards online shopping and may be an important tool for managers and marketers to develop strategies with the most relevant motivations in mind.O objetivo desta tese é explorar os efeitos das motivações de compra online na intenção de compra online de cosméticos. O modelo conceptual apresentado ajuda a compreender quais as principais motivações que levam os consumidores a comprar cosméticos pela internet. Mais especificamente, o modelo conceptual sobre comportamento do consumidor deste estudo tem em consideração as motivações de compra online dos consumidores e a sua intenção de compra. Para compreender as motivações do consumidor e o seu grau de intenção de compra, estudos previamente desenvolvidos sobre o assunto foram adaptados e usados (Dodds et al., 1991; Arnold et al., 2003; Martínez-López et al., 2014) para o estudo que foi aplicado a consumidores portugueses. Um estudo quantitativo e exploratório foi conduzido. Durante a recolha de dados, um questionário online foi preenchido na totalidade por 286 indivíduos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as motivações de compra online são uma ótima maneira de prever a intenção de compra online. Os resultados mostraram também que as motivações utilitárias são melhores a explicar as motivações de compra online e a intenção de compra online. A informação, a variedade e o valor económico foram as dimensões das motivações online que mais afetavam a intenção de compra online. Este modelo ajuda-nos a perceber o comportamento dos consumidores no que toca a compras online e pode ser uma importante ferramenta para gestores e marketers desenvolverem estratégias direcionadas para as motivações que mais influenciam a intenção de compra

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved