Talha Harcar

The effects of export barriers on perceived export performance

Purpose – As a key crucial point, this study aims to examine the relationship between export barriers and the perceived export performance of Turkish SMEs. Design/methodology/approach – Major export barriers perceived by SMEs in Turkey are identified and, subsequently, the relationship between export barriers and export performance are examined. A web‐based questionnaire method was conducted among 2,000 SMEs that listed export associations with 7.25 percent response rate. The empirical analysis was conducted in two phases. The first step was to perform an exploratory factor analysis to 20 export barriers. The second step was to run a structural equation model to determine which barrier groups have a greater effect on perceived export performance. Findings – The findings suggest that procedural barriers and competition in foreign markets have the most effective impact on export performance. Both structures have negative effects as expected. In other words, as the procedural and competition barriers decrease, export performance also increases. Research limitations/implications – First of all, not all export barriers that might affect export performance were examined. Another limitation is that, the data obtained related to a very specific period. Export performance was measured by only subjective method with Likert scale. In the context of future research, export barriers of the Turkish exporters in relation to individual countries of origin should be investigated. Practical implications – The analysis of exporting problems on the basis of firm differences between domestic and foreign markets, procedural barriers, internal inefficiency barriers, competition and governmental barriers can provide both corporate and public policy makers with valuable guidelines for the formulation of suitable export marketing strategies and national export assistance programs respectively Originality/value – This study generally confirms the literature, but comes to some original further conclusions, based on export barriers of Turkish exporters.

American consumers' attitudes towards commercial banks

Purpose – This article demonstrates the application of geodemographic segmentation to the service industry by using commercial banking as a case example.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. Two sets of variables were used to profile market segments.Findings – Study results indicate that there are substantial differences between customers of local and national US banks in their evaluation of the relative importance of bank service charges and overall confidence in the bank. Compared to national banks, local banks were evaluated more positively by customers in areas such as extra services offered by the bank, image of the bank, and convenience of the bank.Originality/value – More focused and concentrated marketing strategies are suggested to achieve better local bank performance.

Consumer attitudes towards online banking: a new strategic marketing medium for commercial banks

Due to recent advances and developments in electronic banking, the physical location of a bank has become less important since transactions can now be completed in cyberspace. In recent years, banks have increasingly adopted internet-based systems to transact banking operations with other businesses, private consumers, and government departments/agencies. The banking industry is continuously enhancing and augmenting services on the internet, including bill payment, electronic checking, tracking of expenditures and credit cards, monitoring transaction history, transferring money between bank accounts, investment tracking, analysing securities, etc. In this paper, consumer attitudes towards online banking are examined. The empirical study findings indicate that online bank marketing will gain importance and its use will accelerate at a faster rate in the coming years. More hybrid bank marketing as well will gain popularity across different population strata.

Life‐style orientation of rural US and Canadian consumers

Purpose – In view of the existing void in the current international and cross‐national/cultural marketing literature, the purpose of this paper is to look into the similarities and differences of life‐style orientations prevalent among US and Canadian consumers. The AIO (Activities, Interest, and Opinions) and VALS (Values, Attitudes, and Life‐Styles) statements adapted from the current cross‐cultural marketing literature were utilized to determine different US and Canadian consumer market segments. The research tools and techniques used in this study help retail businesses as well as manufacturing companies of the two countries to develop and execute more effective target marketing strategies.Design/methodology/approach – The data for this study were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered in two different locations. First, in Brandon, Canada and second, in the rural part of south central Pennsylvania (York and Lancaster counties). Both regions are similar...

Market Segmentation by Exploring Buyer Lifestyle Dimensions and Ethnocentrism Among Vietnamese Consumers: An Empirical Study

ABSTRACT Studying consumer lifestyles and ethnocentrism is a unique way of finding out buyer behavior and market segmentation. This paper identifies consumer market segments existing among Vietnamese consumers by using lifestyle patterns and ethnocentrism. Data for the study was collected through personal interviews in two main cities in Vietnam, Ho-Chi Min City and Hanoi, which attract growing urban industrialization and population migration rapidly degrading places. Survey findings indicated that ten lifestyle dimensions among the Vietnamese consumers had an influence on their ethnocentric tendencies and buying behavior. The findings provide some implications to marketers who currently operate in or are planning to enter into the Vietnamese market in the near future.

A Multi‐National Study of Family Decision‐making

In the globalization age, with worldwide increases in dual income households, decision‐making has become more difficult and even more important than in the past. In this article, a five‐countries cross ‐ cultural comparisons of husband and wife decision‐making roles in the purchase of various goods and services in unlike environments is presented. Despite substantial cultural variation, there are surprisingly high degrees of similarities in family purchasing decision roles among the five countries. This study provides insights for managerial and public policy makers on the implications of cross‐cultural similarities and differences in consumer decision‐making.

A cross-national comparison of American and Turkish consumer satisfaction with dental care services

Customer satisfaction may be considered as one of the most important elements contributing to competitive advantage. This is particularly important for service firms where increased loyalty can substantially increase profits (Reichheld and Sasser, 1990; Reichheld, 1996). Therefore, similar to any other service organizations, health care providers are increasingly becoming conscious of the value of satisfied customers and importance of understanding customer perceptions of quality of care provided. Although a number of studies in the marketing literature have focused on investigating differences in consumer satisfaction with different services across nations/cultures, such comparative studies are limited in the areas of dental care services.

A systematic approach for healthcare marketing behaviour in developing countries: the case of Turkey

This study investigates the impact of healthcare marketing on the wellness and preventive healthcare of Turkish citizens. The findings suggest a non-significant link between preventive healthcare behaviours and health knowledge. Moreover, those programmes instituted by the Public Health Ministry and other health-oriented businesses which have an impact on healthy lifestyle do not seem to be a total success. Evidently there is a different perspective that exists regarding the use of advertising and promotion campaigns to inform and educate citizens about the importance of healthcare.

Expatriate Women's Success in International Assignments: Exploring the Relationship Between Family Issues and Human Resource Policies

ABSTRACT This study examines the effect of family issues on expatriate womens international assignments. Among all other factors, the study focuses on spouse, spouses employment and children and how HR policies of companies could support expatriate womens work/family balance. It has suggestions to improve HR policies for training and other arrangements towards expatriate women and their families in international assignments.

Turkish students’ perceived relevance of Facebook as a marketing tool

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore Turkish students’ perceived relevance of Facebook, the value of Facebook advertisements and the ethics of Facebook targeting users with advertisements. Design/methodology/approach Latent class cluster analysis is estimated to determine whether segments exist and whether covariates differ among segments. Findings Segments differ on Facebook relevance and advertisement targeting ethics and usefulness and the covariates gender, hours spent on Facebook during the week and personality. The segment that finds Facebook most relevant and uses it the most disapproves of Facebook’s targeted advertisements. Facebook is an organization that relies heavily on advertising dollars for survival. This fact should be emphasized; otherwise, Facebook may not be able to sustain itself. Originality/value The paper provides an understanding of Facebook from a marketing perspective for a country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.