Some analytical foundations of multidimensional scaling for ordinal data

"Ingwer Borg has contributed intensively and successfully to MDS, in theory and applications (e.g., Borg 1981a,b; Borg & Lingoes 1987; Roskam, Lingoes & Borg 1977). This paper offers some notes on the foundations of MDS, based on ranks of proximities. Two approaches are sketched, one working with contingencies of distance ranks, represented by boundaries in a dimensional space. The other approach uses the generalized betweenness relation, leading to configurations of object points. Details of the procedures and examples for both approaches are given for the one- and two-dimensional case. A procedure to find an optimal solution in a given dimensionality for data with random error is illustrated. The role of facet theory for theory testing by MDS is emphasized. Using the concepts of this paper will allow a fine-grained evaluation of a MDS solution for ordinal data." (author's abstract

Appalachian Farmers: Building Value from Values

This trio of authors has presented a microcosm of values-based shared business practices, involving local food production and distribution in a small, rural Appalachian region in the United States. They focus upon the collective activities of a group committed to advancing local business practices while eliminating unnecessary transportation costs, boosting the region’s economic infrastructure, and most importantly, bringing people together to share experiences and pass along knowledge designed to benefit their communities and generate a sustainable agricultural-based economy

On-demand medicine delivery services in Germany : an empirical analysis of consumer adoption

On-demand medicine delivery services are taking the next step toward a new e-pharmacy era and last-mile experience of e-commerce. Despite the fact that researchers and marketers are interested in the topic of on-demand delivery services empirical research on customer behavior in this field is limited. Consequently, this research aims to investigate the relation of consumer perceptions, attitudes, and values in the context of e-pharmacy, especially in on-demand medicine delivery services, and complement previous insights on consumer behavior. Empirical results gained through a mixed-methods study with qualitative expert and consumer interviews and a quantitative study with 194 online study respondents provide an overview, identification, and segmentation of consumers in the medicine purchasing environment. Based on the exploratory empirical findings of this study, researchers and marketers may understand the differentiation between consumer groups and their intentions and behaviors towards online medicine purchases. According to the findings, convenience factors like time-saving, urgency, and desired times of delivery as well as ease of use and the consumers' perception of quick delivery services are significant and important antecedent factors for consumer adoption. Further factors like the desired location of delivery, changes in consumers' life situations, and having friends or family using on-demand delivery services also positively impact adoption. This research presents companies and marketers with various practical and theoretical implications for increasing customers' willingness to adopt on-demand medicine delivery services and supports relevant strategy development through empirically verified insights.Os serviços de entrega de medicamentos estão a dar o próximo passo para uma nova era de farmácia eletrónica e na experiência last-mile de comércio eletrónico. Apesar de os investigadores e comerciantes estarem interessados no tema dos serviços de entrega, a investigação empírica sobre o comportamento dos clientes neste campo é limitada. Esta investigação visa estudar a relação das perceções e valores dos consumidores no contexto dos serviços de entrega de medicamentos. Os resultados empíricos obtidos através de um estudo de métodos qualitativos e quantitativos proporcionam uma visão geral, identificação e segmentação dos consumidores no ambiente de compra de medicamentos. Com base nos resultados empíricos exploratórios deste estudo, os investigadores e comerciantes podem compreender a diferença entre grupos de consumidores e as suas intenções e comportamentos em relação às compras de medicamentos online. De acordo com as resultados apurados, fatores de conveniência como a poupança de tempo, urgência e tempos de entrega desejados, bem como a facilidade de utilização e a perceção dos consumidores de serviços de entrega rápida, são fatores antecedentes significativos e importantes para a adoção por parte dos consumidores. Outros fatores como o local de entrega desejado, mudanças na vida dos consumidores, e ter amigos ou familiares a utilizar serviços de entrega também têm um impacto positivo na adoção. Esta investigação apresenta empresas e comerciantes com várias implicações práticas e teóricas para aumentar a vontade dos clientes de adotarem serviços de entrega de medicamentos a pedido

Ist Sozialkompetenz nur die Fähigkeit, “gut“ zu kommunizieren?

Wenn von Kommunikation im wirtschaftlichem Rahmen gesprochen wird, taucht fast immer das Wort „Sozialkompetenz“ auf, wie aus dem Nichts. Ist dies lediglich ein Sammelbegriff für die berühmten „Soft Skills“? Und wie sieht die Forschung die Verbindung zwischen Sozialkompetenz und Kommunikation