Damijan Mumel

The relationships among perceived quality, perceived risk and perceived product value

Perceived value is an extremely important concept in marketing and many authors have dealt with it in recent years. In Slovenia perceived value of product is a rather neglected aspect of the research. Moreover, nobody has empirically researched the impact of individual factors on perceived value of a product. The researched target group was students – the fastest growing segment among the users of mobile phones in Slovenia. In their research the authors focused on two of the perceived value impact factors: perceived product quality and perceived risk. Based on literature and our own findings, their main researched objective was to design the model of relationships among perceived value, perceived quality and perceived risk. After the model had been tested with the method of structural equation modeling (LISREL 8.0), the authors found that statistically significant relationships (positive and negative, direct and indirect) among the concepts researched exist.

The measurement of perceived differences in service quality — The case of health spas in Slovenia

The authors concentrate on the importance of service quality elements in health spas. In the introduction the authors describe general characteristics of the health spa industry in Slovenia. They also point out the expanding emphasis on the service elements of products, their perceived quality and their influence upon the management practices of organisations. The main characteristics of the theoretical discussion on quality of services are presented, as well as the background of the research project. This 1999 study was a replication of part of a research project on the health spa industry in Slovenia conducted in 1991 using the SERVQUAL instrument. The project dealt with the assessment of the overall service quality in two health spas, the identification of important profiles of health spa service quality components and the identification of possible differences between important profiles of service quality components identified in 1991 and those seen in 1999. Most of the important differences in the structure of the service quality elements emerged during the interval between both research projects.

Grey consumers are all the same, they even dress the same – myth or reality?

Purpose – The purpose of this research was to test the statement. “All older people are the same” and answer the question if professional and social activity play an important role in dividing the respondents into different segments in the field of apparel shopping. We examined seven aspects of apparel consumer behaviour: where do our respondents buy apparel and how often in each retail place, do they like shopping, how often they buy apparel, how much they spend, who/what influence them to buy, who/how influence on their clothing style and other statements about consumer behaviour related with apparel.Design/methodology/approach – First, the results of 271 older consumers of apparel through multiplicity sample were collected. Then an a priori segmentation based on social and professional activity was conducted.Findings – Based on the survey, it can be concluded that it is not true that “all older people are the same”, as far, as the apparel business is concerned. The population observed is not homogeneou...

The Examination of Factors Relating to the Leadership Style of Nursing Leaders in Hospitals

Abstract Theories often describe leadership with different classifications, based on personality and behaviour, and have been used to establish the traits and behaviours that determine an effective leadership style. We used the quantitative methodology to investigate the determinants of the leadership style among nursing leaders in Slovene hospitals. Based on the results, we determined that demographic characteristics such as gender, age, length of employment, and level of education do not affect the choice of the leadership style. Internal organizational characteristics such as job position, emotional intelligence, communication, personal characteristics, and the decision-making process are positively associated with the leadership style. Personal characteristics are considered important when it comes to using specific leadership styles, regardless of the choice of the leadership style, which also depends on the situation and external influences.

Mobbing in Slovenia: Prevalence, mobbing victim characteristics, and the connection with post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract An increasing number of organizations face the problem of mobbing, which represents a serious, widespread problem with numerous consequences for victims, organizations, and society. We also recognize the connection this phenomenon has with the emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD poses one of the most critical consequences for victims of mobbing, who mostly consist of employees at lower organizational levels. Our research focuses on the prevalence of mobbing in Slovenia, its correlation to PTSD, and some differences in the subjective and objective assessments of being exposed to mobbing. We found that the prevalence of mobbing in Slovenia can be compared to some previous assessments as well as data from other countries. Among the studys participants, 24% could be classified as regular victims of mobbing. For the first time, we link mobbing with PTSD using a Slovenian sample. We also recorded some interesting differences between subjective and objective assessments of mobbing, thereby indicating the importance of subjective conceptualizations of mobbing acts, which should be investigated in greater detail in future research.

The optimal selection of internal communication tools during change in organisations

In order to effectively implement their goals, vision, and mission, organisations have at their disposal a wide range of internal communication tools from which to choose. The challenge does not lie in the use of all possible and available internal communication tools, but in the selection of those that will facilitate the most effective communication in accordance with the organisational culture. Hence, the optimal selection of internal communication tools is even more important during change, when employees are much more sensitive to the information they receive. This article tackles these questions and provides fresh empirical data on the selection of internal communication tools for use during change from a professional internal communicators point of view. It also provides insight into internal communication tools that are considered crucial for the near future. The data evaluated and analysed were gathered on the basis of research carried out in 2012 among 71 professional internal communicators of large and medium-sized companies.

How Does the Evaluation of Visibility and Necessity of Product Use Indicate the Scope of Influence of Reference Groups on the Choice of Product and its Brand Name

AbstractIn the contribution we present the results of the research, which derive from research work of Bearden in Etzel (1982). In this research Bearden and Etzel explain the influence of necessity/nonnecessity and visible/private consumption as factors for determining the power of the reference group impact. Bearden and Etzel define the impact of reference group on (a) possessing the product and (b) on selection the brand of the product. They distinguish between four categories: public necessities, public luxuries, private necessities and private luxuries.Despite all eminence of this research, its weakness is in categorical approach. From didactic point of view categorical approach is perhaps better, because it enables better memorising and clear view in the problem. Categorical approach is questionable because the world is not categorical but dimensional in nature. Our opinion is that the dimensional approach would be more proper. Probably in majority of products the necessity and visibility are middle and so is the reference group influence on possessing the product and selection the brand of product.The main purpose of the research was:1.Analysis of the product regarding visibility and regarding necessity of the product separately.2.Analysis of the product regarding both dimensions at one time.3.With cluster analysis find out if exists the groups of similar products regarding the visibility and necessities of the products. Products: in the research we analysed 43 products (the concept product we use in the broadest sense; we include material and non-material products; product is every result of the human physical or mental activity).Respondents: 113 female students of the University of Maribor (age 21).In research we present:(a)the products sort on both dimensions: visibility and necessity of products;(b)picture/map of the 43 products. From the position of the product on the map we can infer on the impact of the reference group on product and brand.(c)dendrogram — the result of cluster analysis with which we separate the 43 products in 6 clusters — groups of products. The results do not have only theoretical, but also a practical value. On the basis of the estimation of the visibility and necessity of the product we can for each product define the influence of the reference group on choosing the product and product brand. From this reason the results give us a starting point for decision to use or not to use the reference groups as one of the factors in building the strategy for product promotion, distribution and sale.Every research has limitations. In this research the limitations were at least: product selection and respondent selection.

A Conceptual Model of the Relationship between Personal Values and Personal Tax Culture Regarding the Perception of Tax System Fairness

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between personal values and personal tax culture regarding the perception of a tax system’s fairness. The paper deals with the main theoretical starting points of the fundamental cornerstones of the general tax culture such as tax evasion, tax compliance and tax system. Based on findings in Schwartzs model of personal values, the paper discusses some of individual personal values, categorized into ten groups within a two-dimensional circular design, along two bipolar dimensions. Because this field of research is largely unexplored and based on the previous theoretical research, a conceptual model for analysing this relationship was developed.

Segmenting female consumers: high-involvement personal services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure attitudes towards cosmetic surgery services among women and to determine the potential segments of women according to their attitudes towards cosmetic surgery services and discover the main differences among them. Design/methodology/approach The research was implemented on a sample of 258 women in Slovenia. A quota sample was chosen for this research following the age characteristics of the Slovenian female population. The data collection method used was personal interviews. Convergent validity for the attitudes towards cosmetic surgery services was assessed with exploratory factor analysis. The segmentation analysis procedure was implemented in two phases. First, hierarchical clustering with Ward’s method was deployed, and in the second step K-means cluster analysis was used. Findings The results show that four clusters were clearly distinctive according to three dimensions, namely, intrapersonal, social and consider component. In further analysis, four segments of women were analysed regarding the fear of ageing, the importance of appearance, body image and self-esteem. Results show that all four segments are unique and distinguish one from another. Practical implications Through segmentation analysis, authors of this study indicate two segments (target groups) that are possibly interesting for providers of cosmetic services. Marketing communication activities should mainly be focussed on the woman’s appearance. Originality/value Based on a theoretical hypothesis and use a quantitative method, the aim of this paper is to provide a deeper analysis and understanding of attitudes and views of different woman profile regarding cosmetic surgeries. It presents a more structured view on differences that exist among segments of female consumers while also adding new insights into the factors that influence attitudes towards cosmetic procedures.

The Relationship between Spiritual Intelligence and Work Satisfaction among Leaders and Employees

Abstract This study aims to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction among both leaders and employees. Most studies in this area have focused on researching the relationship between employees’ spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction, so we also researched the relationship between leaders’ spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction. Our leading thesis was that leaders and employees with a higher level of spiritual intelligence have a higher level of work satisfaction. In our study, we found no significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and work satisfaction for leaders, but we found a significant positive relationship between spiritual intelligence and workplace satisfaction for employees.