The role of Perceived risk in sustainable consumption contexts Essay

The role of Perceived risk in sustainable consumption contexts - Essay Example Research and development projects have found out that most car demanders have perceived risks about hybrid cars; however, marketing can address the perceived risk barriers to change the attitudes of consumers towards these vehicles. Barriers Associated with Perceived Risk in Decision-making for Hybrid Cars The first barrier associated with perceived risk is lack of warrants. Hybrid companies do not give customers warrants in most cases. This causes lack of guarantee among the customers concerning the functionality of the hybrid cars. Consumers find it difficult to trust hybrid cars because they are not afforded some period of protection should the car fail to meet all dimensions of product quality (Blackwell, Miniard and Engel 101). Sometimes, hybrid car manufacturers offer extremely short period of warrants, which leaves consumers with doubts; customers tend to belief that the reason for this is that these cars could be having short Mean Time To Repair (MTTP) periods. Additionally, hybrid manufacturers fail to avail information concerning earlier purchases that could encourage customers to buy these cars. According to the social learning theory, human beings are naturally attracted to things that society members demand most because they believe that many people demand good things. Car buyers hold a belief that the speed and distance covered by the hybrid cars leads to excessive consumption of fuel and energy during driving. The general assumption is that the higher the speed, the more the engine consumption of fuel. Car consumers, therefore, have a perception that these cars may cause them spend more on fuel than they could spend in conventional cars. The hybrid cars typically attempt to increase the mileage while overcoming the shortcomings of an electric and gasoline car. Apart from the energy costs, hybrid cars are believed to cause accidents easier than conventional cars. The braking system of a hybrid car is automatic and highly sensitive to slight paddle s. Drivers believe that this may encourage them to over-depend on emergency brakes, which may expose them to fatal accidents. The root causes of these perceptions are lack of proper information and false generalizations. Marketers and manufacturers have not invested in consumer education to ensure they have clear knowledge of hybrid cars and their functionality (Blackwell, Miniard and Engel 80). Despite hybrid cars being environmentally friendly and offering great savings on gas than their conventional counterparts, they are associated with several risks. Hybrid cars have gigantic sizes and high voltage batteries. When accidents occur, the high voltage batteries pose a risk of causing acid spills and electric shocks. The force involved in accidental collision or falling of cars causes the high voltage batteries to burst and spray hot acids. Acids may lead to burns of victims while shocks may make it difficult for volunteers who are attempting to save the victims. Sometimes excessive sprays of acids and shocks lead to fires that burn the whole car and victims who might not have escaped. Further concerns arise from the fact that the large battery pack at the rear can accumulate up to 300 volts (Swanson 27). The cables connecting this battery to the engine may rupture or leak and deliver a nasty wallop. Marketing Recommendations to

Design a questionnaire for a service or attraction which operates in Essay

Design a questionnaire for a service or attraction which operates in the events, tourism or hospitality environment - Essay Example I will be honoured to have you complete the questionnaire and hand it back to me for further analysis by the 20th of January, 2015. Please note that the required information is only intended for educational purposes, and will not, as such, be used for any other purposes apart from the above described role. If you have any doubts or inquiries, kindly contact the university hotline on the number †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. or email †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Kindly note that this survey does not require you to publish identifiable details about yourself at any point. In line with my university’s standards I am bound to ensure that such information is not included in the survey. Consequently, please avoid listing any information that is considered sensitive, such as your name, residence or names of your relatives. Kindly provide the most suited responses based on your own position and according to the attached guideline. The survey is only intended to take around 10 to 15 minutes of your time – I dearly appreciate your input and dedication. The above table and pie chart show the results of the analysis based on the main motivational factors for the survey participants. Among the listed factors, family activity was the leading motivator (30.7%) followed by education (21.8%), culture (15.8%), and sightseeing (13.9%). Based on the results presented in table 1 above (also replicated in figure 1), the least common reasons why visitors went to museums were listed under the category â€Å"others† (comprising 11.9%), and special events (5.0%). Huh (2002) listed sighseeing as the leading motivator for museum visits, a finding that is also corroborated by Lien (2010). However, it is Jonsson and Devonish (2008) who link rising educational forums as a leading factor for museum visits, as was found in this analysis. Based on table 2 (and figure 2) below, the majority of visitors

Creativity & innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Creativity & innovation - Essay Example ticket number, phone number e.tc. It can be used to pay for the event either by using cash or bank cards. This will cut some cost incurred to pay the cashier. Indeed, this key card is intelligent it will work smartly and deliver as it is expected. The key ring will come in different pattern or shape, for example, monkey, panda, rabbit e.tc. The client will choose the best shape they wish. The key ring will have a small card inside that has a chip embedded on it. The chip will require a period of 3-5 months to design and produce. Designing and producing the key ring will have to involve the stakeholders in the banking industry since the purchasing of the tickets will use bank cards. One of our team members has volunteered in the designing of the key card. The chip will be made by chip manufacturing, company which will do the following processes. The silicon from sand is refined till it is 100 percent pure. The silicon is molten and referred to as ingot; it is then sawed into a wafer. Upon completion of the chip manufacturing, the chips will be sent to us and we insert it to the different shapes, which we get from toy shops. People will be able to purchase the king ring from an automatic vending machine or online. Using any of the platforms, the king ring will be delivered to the client at no additional cost. Upon receiving the king card, the client will just swipe the key ring on the machine, then, choose on the classification that they want e.g. vocal concert. The event that will be held some later days will pop-out and they choose which one they will attend. They can buy the tickets by either pay using cash or bank cards. After payment is done, they swipe the king ring again and the relevant information will be saved e.g. ticket number. On the day of an event, one will just need to swipe the king ring at the check-in office and attend the event. To ensure this service is efficient, we

The role of Perceived risk in sustainable consumption contexts Essay

The role of Perceived risk in sustainable consumption contexts - Essay Example Research and development projects have found out that most car demanders have perceived risks about hybrid cars; however, marketing can address the perceived risk barriers to change the attitudes of consumers towards these vehicles. Barriers Associated with Perceived Risk in Decision-making for Hybrid Cars The first barrier associated with perceived risk is lack of warrants. Hybrid companies do not give customers warrants in most cases. This causes lack of guarantee among the customers concerning the functionality of the hybrid cars. Consumers find it difficult to trust hybrid cars because they are not afforded some period of protection should the car fail to meet all dimensions of product quality (Blackwell, Miniard and Engel 101). Sometimes, hybrid car manufacturers offer extremely short period of warrants, which leaves consumers with doubts; customers tend to belief that the reason for this is that these cars could be having short Mean Time To Repair (MTTP) periods. Additionally, hybrid manufacturers fail to avail information concerning earlier purchases that could encourage customers to buy these cars. According to the social learning theory, human beings are naturally attracted to things that society members demand most because they believe that many people demand good things. Car buyers hold a belief that the speed and distance covered by the hybrid cars leads to excessive consumption of fuel and energy during driving. The general assumption is that the higher the speed, the more the engine consumption of fuel. Car consumers, therefore, have a perception that these cars may cause them spend more on fuel than they could spend in conventional cars. The hybrid cars typically attempt to increase the mileage while overcoming the shortcomings of an electric and gasoline car. Apart from the energy costs, hybrid cars are believed to cause accidents easier than conventional cars. The braking system of a hybrid car is automatic and highly sensitive to slight paddle s. Drivers believe that this may encourage them to over-depend on emergency brakes, which may expose them to fatal accidents. The root causes of these perceptions are lack of proper information and false generalizations. Marketers and manufacturers have not invested in consumer education to ensure they have clear knowledge of hybrid cars and their functionality (Blackwell, Miniard and Engel 80). Despite hybrid cars being environmentally friendly and offering great savings on gas than their conventional counterparts, they are associated with several risks. Hybrid cars have gigantic sizes and high voltage batteries. When accidents occur, the high voltage batteries pose a risk of causing acid spills and electric shocks. The force involved in accidental collision or falling of cars causes the high voltage batteries to burst and spray hot acids. Acids may lead to burns of victims while shocks may make it difficult for volunteers who are attempting to save the victims. Sometimes excessive sprays of acids and shocks lead to fires that burn the whole car and victims who might not have escaped. Further concerns arise from the fact that the large battery pack at the rear can accumulate up to 300 volts (Swanson 27). The cables connecting this battery to the engine may rupture or leak and deliver a nasty wallop. Marketing Recommendations to

Creativity & innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Creativity & innovation - Essay Example ticket number, phone number e.tc. It can be used to pay for the event either by using cash or bank cards. This will cut some cost incurred to pay the cashier. Indeed, this key card is intelligent it will work smartly and deliver as it is expected. The key ring will come in different pattern or shape, for example, monkey, panda, rabbit e.tc. The client will choose the best shape they wish. The key ring will have a small card inside that has a chip embedded on it. The chip will require a period of 3-5 months to design and produce. Designing and producing the key ring will have to involve the stakeholders in the banking industry since the purchasing of the tickets will use bank cards. One of our team members has volunteered in the designing of the key card. The chip will be made by chip manufacturing, company which will do the following processes. The silicon from sand is refined till it is 100 percent pure. The silicon is molten and referred to as ingot; it is then sawed into a wafer. Upon completion of the chip manufacturing, the chips will be sent to us and we insert it to the different shapes, which we get from toy shops. People will be able to purchase the king ring from an automatic vending machine or online. Using any of the platforms, the king ring will be delivered to the client at no additional cost. Upon receiving the king card, the client will just swipe the key ring on the machine, then, choose on the classification that they want e.g. vocal concert. The event that will be held some later days will pop-out and they choose which one they will attend. They can buy the tickets by either pay using cash or bank cards. After payment is done, they swipe the king ring again and the relevant information will be saved e.g. ticket number. On the day of an event, one will just need to swipe the king ring at the check-in office and attend the event. To ensure this service is efficient, we

Perception and intelligence Essay Example for Free

Perception and intelligence Essay Popular ideas of human development need revision to encompass the experience of older persons. In our too quick assumption that old age is a relentless downhill course, we ignore the potential of older persons for strength as well as for a richer emotional, spiritual, and even intellectual and social life than may be possible for the young. Overall physical health of the body plays critical role in determining the energies and adaptive capacities available to older people. They experience a great deal more acute and chronic disease than the younger population. If significant breakthroughs occur in research and treatment of diseases of the aged (heart disease, cancer, arthritis, chronic arteriosclerosis, and acute and brain syndromes), one can envision a very different kind of old age. Assuming adequate environmental supports, including proper nutrition, old age could become a time of lengthy good health with a more gentle and predictable decline. The Process of Becoming Old The kind of personality one carries into old age is a crucial factor in how one will respond to the experience of being old; personality traits produce individual ways of being old. But we will explore the general characteristics of old age and the changes that are fairly common to the aging population at least in the west particularly in the United States, which could also be attributable to other countries (Butler et al. , 1998). Physical changes: Some of the outward alterations experienced by older persons are graying of hair, loss of hair and teeth, elongation of ears and nose, loss of subcutaneous fat, particularly around the face, wrinkling of skin, fading of eyesight and hearing, postural changes, and a progressive structural decline that may result in a shortened trunk with comparatively long arms and legs. Not all of these changes happen to everyone-nor at the same rate. Recent researches have revealed that some or perhaps many of these changes are results of disease states that occur with greater frequency in late life and may be treatable, either by slowing the course of the disease or by preventing it entirely. The potential for life can be lengthened and enhanced, but mysterious flow of human existence from birth to death will prevail (Schaie Willis, 1996; Hurlock, 1982 Peterson, 1989). Although internal changes are not as readily observable as external ones, they are nevertheless are pronounced and as widespread. The muscles tend to become progressively less elastic over time. The most obvious consequence of diminished muscle tone is tiredness and decreased physical strength (Peterson, 1989). The density of our bones become more porous, brittle, fragile (Belsky, 1999) and are subject to fractures and breaks, which are increasingly slow to heal as age progresses (Hurlock, 1986). Internal organs go through a marked transformation. Atrophy is particularly marked by spleen, liver, testes, heart, lungs, pancreas, and kidneys. Perhaps the most marked change of all is in the heart and least and the last affected are the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary tract, and the smooth muscle organs. The senses: Vision and hearing become less sensitive with age. But most of this deterioration is cumulative, beginning early in life. The sensitivity of the other sense of taste, touch, smell and balance also decline with age, though the implications of these changes are generally less serious than for vision and hearing (Schaie Wills, 1996 Peterson, 1989). The motor system: The brain’s rate of electrical activity declines during old age and the conduction speed of the impulses along neuronal fibers throughout the body also decreases. There is slowing down in reaction time-the ability to quickly and accurately take action after a signal to respond appears- with age. It has three major components: sensory transmission time; motor execution time, and central processing time, which involves interpretation, decision, and association. The decreasing speed of processing information could account for many of the observed age differences in learning, memory, perception, and intelligence (Schaie Willis, 1996; Peterson, 1989; Belsky, 1999).

HM and its communication strategy

HM and its communication strategy The characteristics of the corporate communication of an organisation depend upon the standards and the structure of market it is competing with. This report provides a critical analysis of HMs Corporate Communication Strategy taking different frameworks and models into consideration and successfully applying it on the organisation. Today HM has about 2206 stores widespread over 38 countries all over the globe. So it becomes really very significant for the organisation to have an efficient communication strategy. This report portrays the efficiency of communication strategy of HM. Introduction According to Joep Cornelissen (2004, p.23) Corporate communication is a management function that offers a framework and vocabulary for the effective coordination of all means of communications with the overall purpose of establishing and maintaining favourable reputations and stakeholders groups upon which the organisation is dependent .In other words we can say that the Communication strategy of an organisation performs an essential role in the growth, unification and maintenance of different stakeholder groups, its Image, Reputation and Identity. Cornelissen has summarised corporate communication via historical vista. He viewed that every organisations engaged through communication with the number of groups in environment to stay economically afloat in the early 1900s. In the 20th century, the job of managing communications had been determined principally via public relations and marketing functions. But this being an intrinsically parochial approach, the contemporary figures of co mmunication management have consolidated these divisions into the extensive corporate communication function. Moreover due to the shift from inflexible to flexible market scenario and growing competitive marketplace, this jointly with the greater call from society for corporate citizenship has resulted in thrusting many organisations into stakeholder management strategies. He specified corporate communication to be the management function that has come to fulfilment in this stakeholder era and to establish and administer relationships with the stakeholder groups upon which the organisation depends economically and socially. Riel(1995,p.26) has defined Corporate Communication is an instrument of management by means of which all conscious used form of internal and external communications are harmonised as effectively and efficiently as possible, so as to create a favourable basis for the relationships with the groups upon which the company is dependent HM opened its first Hennes store in Vasteras, Sweden in 1947. At first it sells only womens clothes but in 1968 with the takeover of Mauritz Widforss, it began to sell both mens and womens clothes and the name were changed to Hennes and Mauritz. Corporate Communication Strategy of H M At present HM is operating in 38 countries having 2206 stores (30 Nov. 2010) with 76000 employee working on the same philosophy i.e. to provide fashion and quality at the best price. HM carry out its strategy by focusing on three main characteristics of business ((AR1 2008) :- Price: HM controls price by limiting middlemen, buying in outsized quantity and appropriate merchandise and sustaining effectual distributing process. Design: The designing of the products is done in-house and production is totally outsourced. Quality: Main focus is on superiority with widespread testing and warranting less environmental harm. The Corporate Communication strategy of HM can also be well explained by The total communication domain model by Aberg, L., (1990). The model looks like a wheel having four sections:- 1 Support of Core Operating:- HM most valued assets are its employers working in the organisation which could be well understood by the statement issued by its CEO. He said that it is only its employee who makes its corporate strategy possible. He stated that HM delegate a lot of corporate responsibility on its employers and they boost people to take own steps and initiatives. (AR1, 2008) 2 Profiling HM arrange a seminar both at home and abroad in order to understand various cultures, arrange exhibitions and inspires employees to study fashion magazines, watch movies and many more things. 3 Informing HM informs the stakeholders about the rectifications of internal as well as external information regarding the activities. 4 Socialising HM cheers its employees of various ethnic groups to work collectively and to gain experience and acquaintance from one and all. image002 External and Internal Communication External communication is the method of information outside the organisation. Bovee and Thill, 2005 The external communication links the organisation with the outside world of customers, suppliers and investors. HM use the following model for the effective external communication. HM conveys all the newly made products to the customers by the medium of Newspapers, Magazines, and Websites etc. HM dont have any industries but it works with 800 suppliers and around 2700 production units. HM keeps transparency by publishing monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annually the financial reports. It organises general meetings annually. Customers Suppliers Investors HM Stakeholders Environment and Community Internal Communication is a method by which the exchange of information takes place within an organisation. Every employee of an organisation is it the director or a small employee has some information that needs to send both internally and externally. The internal communication system has transformed to downward, upward, horizontal and diagonal communication from the downward communication. HM everyone is approachable to one another and that clearly shows that everyone has got equal status in HM. This is known as Lateral or Horizontal Communication. HMs Internal Communication model can be explained by using Evan,1990 model. Corporate Identity, Image and Reputation:- Corporate identity is described as the tangible manifestation of the personality of a company. (Gregory and Weichmann, 1999, p.64) has defined Corporate Identity to be a visual statement of who and what a company is. The Berkigt and Stadler model of corporate identity (Cornelissen, 2nd edition, p.67) explains the HMs corporate identity. The model illustrates HMs organisational culture, its mission, vision and how it wants to be recognised as by the stakeholder groups outside organisation. The HM communication aspires to assemble the brand in the long and the short term as well as communicating its offer. Costumers should be acquainted with what HM stands for, i.e. Fashion and Quality at best price. HM do a lot of heavy marketing of its diverse products to attract its targeted audiences and convey them what HM stands for. C:Users21119444AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.IE5BUHE4KG2p%20001[1].jpg The Birkigt and Stadler model of corporate identity According to Dowling, 1986, Corporate Image can be defined as a set of meaning by which an object is known and through which people describe, remember and relate to it as a result of interaction of a persons beliefs, ideas, feelings and impression about an object. The corporate image of HM can be explained by applying the corporate image model of Dowling. HM provides its employees an open door policy in order to put forward any work related issues to the management HM consider open and constructive dialogue with the trade unions as an essential aspect and it has a positive experience of it. Examples include its agreement with Union Network International and European Works Council (AR1, 2008). HM gives key focus on skill development of its employees by providing training on customer service, CSR, garment handling etc. (HM, CSR, 2008, p.47). Formal Communication Policies Employees image of the company External group image of company Organizational culture External interpersonal communication Previous product experience Support by the members of distribution channel Marketing media communication According to Balmer, 2001 Corporate Reputation is enduring perception held of an organisation by an individual, group or network. HM uses its brand image and reputation for taking advantage over its competitors and to satisfy the different stakeholders. Internal- The Role of HR and corporate communication It is always seen that the work of role of HR is never given much prominence in wider communication strategies. HR departments are mostly excluded from the spheres of departments of communications. HM is operating its business in 38 countries and their staffs come from culturally widespread background. Whenever HM opens any new store anywhere, it employs the local staff. Right form the process of recruitment to the process of rotating jobs, rewarding employees, developing guidelines etc, HR plays an important role. Turner (2003, p20) has given a model that links HRM with performance. Here the author has suggested good communication to attach the HR policies and HR strategies. For the HR practises the author has suggested effective management of people to the line managers and for performance he has suggested effective communication of good people practise which is quite important for HM which is a big MNC. Role of technology in corporate communication:- Oliver (1997, p128) has given a communication framework related to the IT technology. The framework shows the cultural values and beliefs aligned with the vision of the organisation. He has put forward a model which is designed by Goldberg and Sifonis named as Communication Framework which depends on hypothesis of management taken on intuitive ground and should be imparted using internal and external stakeholders. HM is using smart technology like semacode bar through their mobile phones so that they can products shown in the advertisements instantly. It is an outstanding utilization of the technology. Culture and its influence in corporate communication The culture clarifies the models of hypothesis and behavioural statements by humans for their environment whether it is a state, a local community, a market or an industry. No doubt a firm render guidelines, hand-outs and norms in the indigenous language but still it requires more than just the translation. To tackle it HM chose and recruit present and future employees on the basis of culture where it is operating. This help in creating organisational culture in HM which in turn helps in efficient management, inspires employees for effective teamwork and provides opportunities to them for growth. HM venerates the local customs. HM has a task oriented culture. It pays much emphasis on local recruitment so as to fit in the countries organisational culture. Think globally and Act locally is the success reason for HM or we can say HM is Glocal. Determinants of Effective Communication of HM can be demonstrated as (Linda Beamer, Iris varner 2001 p,351):- 1 HM trains Employees at different level so as to enhance their intercultural business communication skills. 2 HM send top employees to foreign subsidiaries which is more productive. 3 HM starts training employees from the age above 16. This means the employees are more flexible and easy to afford. 4HM carefully looks for employees not just with the technical skills but also the one who can fit in the culture and stimulating frameworks. 5 More important, HM creates an atmosphere where the employees much freedom to express, speak and be open minded. Determinants of Effectiveness of Message Conclusion . The various Frameworks, the models and the Approaches shows the advantages and the disadvantages which depends on the organisation on which these frameworks and models are applied. HM functions in a very high competitive environment. HM enjoys outstanding corporate identity, image and reputation. The various frameworks and models used evaluates the effectiveness of HMs communication policies and its communication internally and externally. They also reflects the comprehension of the various communication policies and reflects the requirement for efficient communication in modern era. HM is using latest technology for its effective corporate communication. HM is a glocal brand that works globally but acts locally. To conclude wecan say that HM has a very effective operational communication model to administer near about 76000 employees from 38 countries working in 2206 stores.