-
Large-Scale Agent-Based Models in Marketing Research: The Quest for the Mythical Free Lunch
Alexandru Voicu,
Cristina Galalae
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
33-40
Received:
20 May 2013
Published:
10 June 2013
Abstract: Positioned as an alternative to equation-based methods, agent-based modelling (ABM) has shown notable promise in dealing with cases where the latter has proven inadequate. One of the areas where the limitations of traditional approaches are most pronounced is that of consumer behaviour research. A primary trait encountered within this scope is that of adaptability, and agent-based methods appear to be ideally suited to the task of capturing this dimension. It therefore follows that marketing researchers are likely to gain novel and extensive insight by way of constructing large-scale, complex ABMs. However, the computational cost of complex simulations can be prohibitive. Furthermore, the literature makes little effort to elucidate means of making such ABMs feasible, beyond relying on natural hardware evolution. Unfortunately, the latter source of growth has grown stagnant, and the only avenue for the continued expansion of performance appears to be the move to parallel platforms and programming. The present research presents a cross-section of the current state-of-the-art in high-performance ABM frameworks, and proposes a novel approach to levering the as of yet untapped potential of cheap, ubiquitous Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). This insight is mapped into the space of consumer behaviour research, and a consistent argument is made in favour of larger, more detailed, ABMs, both as alternatives to current approaches as well as a development of prior forays into this area. In conclusion, a call to action is formulated, both to marketing researchers as well as computational economists, emphasizing the interdisciplinary requirements of ABM usage in the field of marketing.
Abstract: Positioned as an alternative to equation-based methods, agent-based modelling (ABM) has shown notable promise in dealing with cases where the latter has proven inadequate. One of the areas where the limitations of traditional approaches are most pronounced is that of consumer behaviour research. A primary trait encountered within this scope is that...
Show More
-
Influence of Personality in Buying Consumer Goods-A Comparative Study between Neo-Freudian Theories and Trait Theory Based on Khulna Region
Sandip Sarker,
Tarun Kanti Bose,
Mollika Palit,
Md. Enamul Haque
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
41-58
Received:
14 May 2013
Published:
10 June 2013
Abstract: Consumer’s attitudes play a direct and influential role in consumer behavior. Attitude study is important for the marketers of service organization because it affects consumer’s selective processes, learning and ultimately the buying behavior. Measuring consumer’s attitudes may help a service marketer to get a better picture on both present and potential markets. This paper has explored the factors that create personality problems in consumer buying decision making particularly among the consumer goods purchaser in the Khulna metropolitan area. At first a structured questionnaire has been developed measuring 9 constraints variable for two theories. The factors creating personality problem in consumer buying decision in Khulna metropolitan area have been evaluated by those 9 variables in the form of: compliant, aggressive, detached for the neo-Freudian theory and dogmatism, need for uniqueness, social character, consumer innovativeness, ethnocentrism and compulsiveness for trait theory. The relationship of the variables was evaluated by the survey outcomes. Results show that several factors are influential in creating personality problems among the customers of consumer goods in Khulna region. Some of these are compliant, aggressive, detached, dogmatism, ethnocentrism. The study also reveals the problems and identified probable solutions to overcome these problems.
Abstract: Consumer’s attitudes play a direct and influential role in consumer behavior. Attitude study is important for the marketers of service organization because it affects consumer’s selective processes, learning and ultimately the buying behavior. Measuring consumer’s attitudes may help a service marketer to get a better picture on both present and pot...
Show More
-
Apply Activity-Based Costing to Calculate Product Cost in Small and Medium Enterprises
Tandung Huynh,
Guangming Gong,
Ngocminh Ngo
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
59-68
Received:
29 May 2013
Published:
10 June 2013
Abstract: Traditional costing (TDC) has been used many decades and very popular with organizations because it is simple and inexpensive. In today’s business environment, overhead cost has a significant proportion in total cost, using TDC for assigning overhead cost lead to inaccuracy of product cost. Activity-Based Costing (ABC), until now, is considered as a modern costing method that overcomes the limitations of TDC and it has been popular in developed countries. However, it is until new method in developing countries, so it needs to be more diffused in this countries.This paper conducted the project on ABC method in Van Chinh enterprise in Vietnam. We defined ten activities centers as shown in table 4. Then, we applied ABC method to calculate cost of products and compared with the results calculated by TDC method. This paper concluded that ABC method is practical and appropriate for such a Van Chinh enterprise and provides more accurate information for cost management and management decision-making.
Abstract: Traditional costing (TDC) has been used many decades and very popular with organizations because it is simple and inexpensive. In today’s business environment, overhead cost has a significant proportion in total cost, using TDC for assigning overhead cost lead to inaccuracy of product cost. Activity-Based Costing (ABC), until now, is considered as ...
Show More
-
Credit and Employment Growth among Small Enterprises in Kenya
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
69-76
Abstract: Policy makers in Kenya expect micro and small enterprises to provide the bulk of new jobs created in the economy yet these enterprises face significant credit constraints. This study applied regression analysis to establish the link between the credit constraint and employment growth of small enterprises in Kenya. The results failed to confirm any important role for the credit constraint in limiting small firm employment growth. However, the credit constraint variable posted significant results when interacted with other variables such as access to workspace, access to technology and formality status of the enterprise. This was interpreted to mean that the marginal effect of the credit constraint on firm growth mainly depended on access to workspace, access to technology and formality status. This leads to the conclusion that the current emphasis on credit alone and the minimalist paradigm need to be re-evaluated.
Abstract: Policy makers in Kenya expect micro and small enterprises to provide the bulk of new jobs created in the economy yet these enterprises face significant credit constraints. This study applied regression analysis to establish the link between the credit constraint and employment growth of small enterprises in Kenya. The results failed to confirm any ...
Show More
-
The Incidence of Agricultural Support on Trade of Refined Sugar
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2013
Pages:
77-83
Received:
28 June 2013
Published:
20 July 2013
Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of the market price support on trade of refined sugar. We use a balanced panel of bilateral trade data are on exports of refined sugar among 22 countries over the period 1995-2007. We employ the theoretical motivated gravity model and spatial econometric techniques to account for spatial interdependence among trade flows. Results suggest that ignoring the spatial dependence in the cross sectional change the magnitude and statistical significance of the estimated parameters. Our results also indicate the benefit of the reduction in the market price support to increase trade of refined sugar.
Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of the market price support on trade of refined sugar. We use a balanced panel of bilateral trade data are on exports of refined sugar among 22 countries over the period 1995-2007. We employ the theoretical motivated gravity model and spatial econometric techniques to account for spatial interdependence among trad...
Show More
