Irene Kamenidou

An exploratory study on the reasons for purchasing imported high fashion apparels

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the reasons that Greek consumers purchase imported high fashion apparel over Greek designers high fashion apparel. The objective of the research is to detect the underlying factors that affect their purchasing behaviour.Design/methodology approach – Qualitative research was conducted through discussions with consumer focus groups, all purchasers of imported high fashion apparel. Quantitative research was undertaken by means of a questionnaire with 28 items referring to the reasons for purchasing imported high fashion apparel. The sample consisted of 200 high fashion consumers from the city of Larissa, Greece. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, reliability, as well as factor analysis by principal component analysis with Varimax rotation.Findings – Results indicate that the consumers perceive that the imported high fashion apparel have better aesthetics, a better line and are produced from quality textiles, compared to the domestic high fashion a...

Examining leisure constraints for ski centre visitors: implications for services marketing.

ABSTRACT This study forms a determination research into the existence of constraint factors in the demand of ski centre services. After collecting 1,316 questionnaires from twelve ski centre destinations in Greece, the power efficiency of three important theoretical classifications (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints) was explored through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings support two out of three theoretical constraint categories, namely, intrapersonal and structural constraints, while the validity of the final measurement tool was explored. Practical implications for services marketing are also discussed.

Counterfeit purchase typologies during an economic crisis

Purpose – This paper aims to explore, and attempts to explain, consumer perspectives on the purchasing of counterfeit brands. The economic crisis has become a global phenomenon, although in Europe it mostly affected the Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe. In times of economic stress, counterfeit products increase their market share. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilized an email-based open-ended questionnaire as its data collection method. The research used a sample of 83 participants belonging to Generation Y (younger and older) and upper-medium- and high-income class brackets. Findings – Purchasing behaviour of counterfeit products during the economic crisis enabled this study to identify four types of consumers. Furthermore, the results indicated that some consumers have significant interest in counterfeits, whereas some consumers show apathy or indifference towards counterfeiting. Furthermore, some consumers believe that the government’s economic austerity policies cause high-level ...

Purchase Decisions of Greek Consumers: An Empirical Study☆

Abstract The present study empirically investigates the shopping culture and behavior of Greek consumers, taking under consideration various factors that affect their purchase decisions. Consumer culture has become one of the most powerful characteristics that influence both individual and groups decisions. Even though consumer behavior and purchase intention models are continuing to dominate the academic research and everyday practice of the management science, they could not imprint the whole picture of todays culture evolution. Today, consumers operate in a dynamic and constantly changing environment that dictates the constant re-evaluation of purchase intentions and decisions. In order to investigate the impact of contextual factors, brand loyalty and brand switching on consumer purchase decisions a empirical survey was conducted with the use of a structured questionnaire on a sample of Greek consumers, aged between eighteen (18) and fifty five years (55). The size of the sample was four hundred and fifty (450) questionnaires. The findings reveal that contextual factors have the strongest influence on purchase decisions and have an impact on both brand loyalty and brand switching. Moreover, the findings provide important insights rega rding the factors that practitioners should enhance in order to tailor their marketing approaches. In general, the present study offers knowledge to managers and researchers on the issues of purchase decisions, brand loyalty, brand switching, and contextual factors.

Segmenting Customers based on Perceived Importance of Wellness Facilities

Abstract The increased consumers’ shift towards a healthier lifestyle resulted also in a change towards a natural way of healing and curing diseases and disorders. Therefore, the health and wellness industry grew rapidly all over the world, making it a dynamic tourism market in a countrys economy. Under this context, this study aims in segmenting customers of the thermal spring baths of Pozar Aridaia, Greece, based on perceived importance of the wellness facilities. Field research was actualized on the premises of the thermal springs, employing a questionnaire designed specifically for this purpose and based on the results of qualitative research and previous literature review. Sixteen wellness facilities were rated on a five point scale by 263 customers. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, reliability, and factor and cluster analysis. Three factors derived based on visitors’ perceptions accounting for 76.4% of the total variance. Cluster analysis exported three clusters: the customers with high demands, the ones with moderate demands and the mostly indifferent in demands customers. The results of this research are considered necessary for the thermal spring/spa of Pozar in order to satisfy its customers and maintain its market share.

Implications for the financing and sustainability of enterprises based on a ranking methodology for categorical financial data

Purpose – The aim of the study is to present the implications for the financing and sustainability of enterprises based on a ranking methodology for categorical financial data.Design/methodology/approach – Taking advantage of the optimal scaling properties of correspondence analysis (CA), a ranking‐clustering procedure is proposed. The proposed method was applied to categorical financial variables (i.e family farm income, gross profit, gross income, labour income and profitability) collected from a stratified random sampling of 80 Greek pig farms using a structured questionnaire.Findings – The cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups of pig farms. Several recommendations for managerial practices and financial development resulted from this study. For the farms belonging to cluster C1, that present low rankings on both criteria, a development planning process must be applied that will focus on organizational and management issues. For the farms belonging to cluster C2, that present low rankings on t...

Tourism and Ecologically Sensitive Areas: The Case the Prefecture of Preveza from Citizens’ Point of View

The immeasurable value and necessity of protecting and promoting the natural wealth that distinguishes a geographical unit demand the adoption and implementation of a multifaceted strategy, aiming to preserve and manage an ecologically sensitive area systematically and, by extension, to ensure the viable development of tourism. All this must be accepted by the citizens in order for changes to occur without people’s complaint and protests. Under this assumption, the objective of this paper is to investigate the attitudes and beliefs of residents regarding ecotourism development in the Preveza prefecture, an area mainly characterized as Natura and Ramsar protected. It also reflects the citizens’ beliefs regarding the possibility of developing modern forms of tourism activities near or within the environmentally sensitive area, in the light of a viable-sustainable development in the prefecture. In order for this to be accomplished, field research with the means of a questionnaire, developed especially for this reason, was undertaken. Sample involved 150 permanent residents of the Preveza prefecture from all three municipalities (Zirou, Parga, and Preveza) via mall-intercept personal interview. Thus, residents rated their point of agreement for tourism exploitation of nine nature-related attraction sites and seven modern forms of tourism activities within these nature attractions sites. Residents consider that alternative tourism (92.0%) and not mass tourism is indicated for the area and specifically in the form of ecotourism (94.5%) for sustainable development (86.4%) of the region. Regarding the nature-related point of interests which could be potential tourist attractions, locals consider all sites as potential tourist attractions, but the ones with the highest rate are Acheron river (delta) Alonaki Beach- Nekromanteion (necromancy, 93.9%) and the straits of Acheron river-Trikastro-Skala Tzavelena (91.7%). As to modern types of tourism, they rated biking and hiking-trekking as the best for the region (89.5%). Moreover, they consider that the responsible bodies for tourism development of Preveza, which should keep nature protected and unspoiled, are mainly the local authorities and operators (59.4%). The expected benefits of recording citizens’ opinions and beliefs aim at rational regional planning and are very important. Results are discussed, and recommendations for implementation are provided.