Consumers motivations to use self-checkout

Esta dissertação de mestrado tem como objetivo compreender a motivação dos consumidores para usar a opção de self-service checkout e entender o perfil dos seus usuários. Para atingir o objetivo, foi desenvolvida uma profunda revisão da literatura e, com esses fundamentos, foi proposto um modelo. Para validar as hipóteses elaboradas, um questionário on-line foi realizado e testado com 251 participantes. Para analisar os resultados, foi criada um modelo de Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Os resultados revelaram que os benefícios Economias de Tempo e Controlo estão positivamente correlacionados com a intenção de uso de um self-service checkout. Mas que uma característica psicológica como Necessidade de Interação representa um impacto negativo na intenção de uso. Também foi possível concluir que os consumidores mais velhos tendem a ser menos propensos ao uso de tecnologias de self-checkout. Habitualmente os self-checkouts estão mais presentes em supermercados. Contudo, estão a tornar-se numa tendência em diferentes tipos de retalho, como restaurantes, moda, lojas de desporto, beleza, entre outros. Para além da função típica de pagamento, algumas destas self-service checkouts têm funções adicionais e mais interativas. Quando bem aceites pelos consumidores e implementados corretamente, as caixas de self-checkout permitem que as empresas obtenham eficiência e reduzam custos. No entanto, embora, como regra geral, a aceitação de self-checkout esteja a aumentar, é importante ter em consideração que a implementação desta tecnologia representa: investimentos monetários, realocação de funções de funcionários, risco de roubo, e possível falta de aceitação por parte do cliente. Esta dissertação oferece informações relevantes que podem ser usadas do ponto de vista empresarial, para quem tenciona implementar ou publicitar um serviço semelhante.This master thesis aims to understand the consumers' motivation to use self-checkout and understand the profile of its users. To achieve the objective, a deep literature review was developed, and with those foundations, a model was proposed. In order to validate the designed hypotheses, an online survey was conducted and contended with 251 participants. To analyze its results, a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was created. The research reveals that benefits such as Time-Saving and Control are positively correlated with the Intention of Usage of a self-service technology (SST). But that a trait such as Need for Interaction represents a negative impact on the intention of usage. It was also possible to conclude that older consumers tend to be less prone to the usage of self-service technologies. Self-service checkouts were usually seen at supermarkets but are becoming a trend across different types of retails such as restaurants, fashion, sports, beauty, among others. As well as additional features, rather than the only common option to pay. When well accepted and correctly implemented, self-service checkouts allow companies to gain efficiency and reduce costs. However, even though, as a general rule, the self-service check-out acceptance by consumers, and use are increasing, it is important to take into account what the implementation of self-service technology (SST) represents: monetary investments, employee and employee's job function reallocation, risk of robbery and ultimately potential lack of customer acceptance. This paper provides important insights that can be used from a managerial point of view when thinking of implementing or advertising it an SST. Understandings of the traits of these consumers, demographics and preferences

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