Country of origin attitudes in a developing country and implications for investment and trade

As a consequence of globalization and free trade, the Mauritian market is now flooded with foreign products. The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer attitudes in Mauritius towards local and foreign products against a background of increasing prevalence of foreign products with different countries of origin. Two hundred and four consumers were interviewed over a two-month period through a structured questionnaire administered through personal and telephone interviews. Attitudes towards products categorised as domestically produced and foreign produced, which was further divided into developed and developing countries foreign products were measured by seven-point Likert scales. The findings revealed that the quality, design, branding, packaging, status and esteem, and value for money associated with developed countries foreign products and price and value for money associated with developing countries foreign products were perceived to be superior to local brands. These findings have serious implications for importers of foreign products, local manufacturers and potential investors in the Mauritian market

A study of service quality of stockbrokers in Mauritius : a multi-expectations framework

The stockbroking industry is a service-oriented industry where brokers act as agents for investors when a security is bought or sold and are compensated with a commission. Stockbrokerage houses have much to gain if they can understand investors' expectations since this would assist them in serving their clients better and build long-term relationships with them. This study aimed to develop a measure of service quality for the stockbrokerage industry. Data were collected from investors in Mauritius and findings revealed that the SERVQUAL scale needs to be modified for the stockbroking industry. The relationship between antecedents such as locus of control and investors' expertise, and desired and adequate service expectations were generally very strong. This study also ascertained the relationship between MSS, MSA and satisfaction

The implications of Facebook marketing for organizations

With the explosive popularity of Facebook as a social media, there has not been much research that examines Facebook marketing and its implications for businesses. This paper represents an exploratory effort into this direction and analyzed existing Facebook marketing practices and tools, their benefits, and concerns associated with this type of social media marketing. Practical implications were suggested for organizations using Facebook as a social marketing tool and areas for future research were identified

The implications of Facebook marketing for organisations

With the explosive popularity of Facebook as a social media, there has not been much research that examines Facebook marketing and its implications for businesses. This paper represents an exploratory effort into this direction and analyzes existing Facebook marketing practices and tools, their benefits, and concerns associated with this type of social media marketing. Practical implications are suggested for organizations using Facebook as a social marketing tool and areas for future research are identified

Examining the relationship between market orientation, service quality and business performance : the case of stockbrokers in Mauritius

This paper explores the relationship between market orientation, service quality and the business profitability of stockbrokerage firms when serving their valuable customers. A sample of 20 stockbrokers and managers was interviewed over a two-month period. A positive relationship was found among service quality, marketing orientation and business performance

A study of service quality of stockbrokers in Mauritius : a multi-expectations framework

The stockbroking industry is a service-oriented industry where brokers act as agents for investors when a security is bought or sold and are compensated with a commission. Stockbrokerage houses have much to gain if they can understand investors' expectations since this would assist them in serving their clients better and build long-term relationships with them. This study aimed to develop a measure of service quality for the stockbrokerage industry. Data were collected from investors in Mauritius and findings revealed that the SERVQUAL scale needs to be modified for the stockbroking industry. The relationship between antecedents such as locus of control and investors' expertise, and desired and adequate service expectations were generally very strong. This study also ascertained the relationship between MSS, MSA and satisfaction

Assessing the service quality of banking technologies in Mauritius

In this era of intense competitive pressures, the banking sector has often been the subject of service quality assessment. However, service quality assessment of banking technologies in emerging economies is rare. Hence, the main aim of this study is to measure and analyse the service quality of banking technologies in Mauritius. The SERVQUAL instrument with five dimensions, namely tangibility, reliability, assurance, empathy and responsiveness, was used. The study reveals customers' expectations of service from banks across most of the dimensions, in particular, aspects relating to responsiveness and reliability dimensions

A critical analysis of e-assessment with particular emphasis on the use of different types of online quizzes

Assessment plays an important role in the learning process. The advent of information technology has considerably changed the education sector. This paper aims to evaluate online quizzes as an assessment tool in higher education by focusing on different modes of assessment. The evaluation is practice-focused: two courses with different modes of online quizzes were considered. One of the main arguments of the paper was that regular online assessed quizzes motivated students to study regularly although over-assessment could increase the stress level of students. Further research needs to be carried out to determine the degree of learning taking place with online quizzes as opposed to traditional methods

A Critical Analysis of e-Assessment with Particular Emphasis on the use of Different Types of Online Quizzes

Assessment plays an important role in the learning process. The advent of information technology has considerably changed the education sector. This paper aims to evaluate online quizzes as an assessment tool in higher education by focusing on different modes of assessment. The evaluation is practice-focused: two courses with different modes of online quizzes were considered. One of the main arguments of the paper was that regular online assessed quizzes motivated students to study regularly although over-assessment could increase the stress level of students. Further research needs to be carried out to determine the degree of learning taking place with online quizzes as opposed to traditional methods

The implications of Facebook marketing for organisations

With the explosive popularity of Facebook as a social media, there has not been much research that examines Facebook marketing and its implications for businesses. This paper represents an exploratory effort into this direction and analyzes existing Facebook marketing practices and tools, their benefits, and concerns associated with this type of social media marketing. Practical implications are suggested for organizations using Facebook as a social marketing tool and areas for future research are identified