Irene Gil

Shopping-centre selection modelling: a segmentation approach

This paper highlights the relevance of implementing a segmentation strategy in shopping-centres as their competitive environment becomes more turbulent. We have undertaken empirical research that uses the methodology of consumer choice modelling, as a way to ascertain the determinants of shopping-centre preference, which should form the base of strategy design. We construct a multinomial logit model which uses perceived shopping-centre value dimensions as explanatory variables. We estimate the model, first, for the sample as a whole and, second, by consumer segment, with the objective of comparing model fit and predictive efficiency. The analysis of results shows that estimation at the segment level produces better model fit; moreover, the parameter estimates are different for each group, which indicates that the preference structures and the sensitivity to changes in shopping-centre perceived value vary among segments.

Consumer behavior in a religious event experience: an empirical assessment of value dimensionality among volunteers.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present volunteering in tourism events as a sort of spontaneous community participation that has far‐reaching consequences for destination management. It chooses the concept of value to explore volunteering experience in an international religious mega‐event, using Holbrooks value typology (efficiency, social value, play, spirituality).Design/methodology/approach – The authors undertake this objective by means of testing psychometric properties of the four value scales, as well as providing a causal model of relationships among value dimensions and overall perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty or commitment to volunteering in a special event tested with MBPLS, a particular algorithm for the partial least squares methodology.Findings – The results confirm the reliability and validity of the scales tested in a sample of 1,638 volunteers, collected via e‐mail from the database of a religious mega‐event held in Valencia in July 2006. They also confirm a relations...

A New Multiblock PLS Based Method to Estimate Causal Models: Application to the Post-Consumption Behavior in Tourism

This study presents a new algorithm for estimating causal models based on multiblock PLS method. This new algorithm is tested in a particular post-consumption behavior with the aim of validating a complex system of relations between antecedents of value, perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty. The results are compared with the classical LVPLS method: both methods support the proposed structural relations, but the explained variance is slightly higher with the new algorithm.

The impact of IT and customer orientation on building trust and commitment in the supply chain

The application of information technologies (IT) to logistics activities may have benefits beyond cost savings, as it can create bonds between the supply chain partners. The objective of this paper is to analyse the influence of customer orientation on the application of IT to the supply chain and of these on the development of channel relationships based on trust and commitment. A questionnaire-based personal survey was conducted among manufacturers. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesis contained in the theoretical model. The results indicate that customer orientation affects the application of IT to logistics, and IT has a positive impact on manufacturer and supplier commitment to the relationship.

Wine list engineering: categorization of food and beverage outlets.

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to identify and measure the main standards of the wine lists of upscale restaurants.Design/methodology/approach – Wine lists of a sample of 50 upscale restaurants were analyzed. A cluster analysis was performed.Findings – Three differentiated profiles of restaurants are identified according to their wine list management: selection, specialization and complementarity.Research limitations/implications – This study was exploratory and similar studies need to be performed covering more geographic locations.Practical implications – Restaurants differ in their current practices and key standards of their wine lists according to their positioning strategy. Upscale restaurants need to define their positioning strategy and elaborate their wine lists according to their strategy because this allows restaurants to target their customers more effectively.Originality/value – This study focuses on upscale restaurants and their wine lists, while most of the previous research in this ...

Research trends in retailing – a comparative approach: Spain‐Europe‐USA

This paper describes the evolution of research in retailing comparing three different geographic regions: Spain, Europe and the USA. Working on the basis of a bibliographic review of the academic research published between 1996 and 2000, together with a content analysis, the results of this study reveal a heterogeneous evolution in nine thematic areas related to the field of retailing. The differences are particularly noticeable when comparing those of Europe with those of the USA, and reveal different areas of interest over the last five years.

Expectations as the basis for predictive segmentation of university service quality

In the service sector in general and in the increasingly competitive area of education in particular, it is now being suggested that supply must be as closely adapted to the market as possible. The design of such strategies must be based on recognition and understanding of different market demands and needs. This work emphasises the use of student expectations as a subjective criteria to identify variety of demand in the context of university teaching. We offer proposals on the best way of evaluating the expectation concept based on the different approaches in the literature and we show how they can be used to analyse the different groups of students studied explaining the essential attributes for achieving the degree of service quality perceived by each group.

Empirical Evidence of Marketing Practices in the Nonprofit Sector: The Case of Performing Arts

ABSTRACT Arts organisations are adopting marketing practices as international literature suggests. However, there is an important lack of studies proving this. So, the overall goal of this article is to examine how performing arts institutions apply marketing principles in their management process. Specifically, we propose to group these organisations according to their implication with marketing practices. An empirical research design using univariate and multivariate techniques was drawn. The results showed that performing arts organisations are adopting marketing tools but with different levels of implication. So, the three groups found were labelled neutral, involved and image conscious due to the apathy, slight interest and image development show respectively towards marketing.