Purpose -This study seeks to examine the practicality and applications of a customer-based brand equity model in the Chinese sportswear market.Design/methodology/approach -Based on Aaker's well-known conceptual framework of brand equity, this study employed structural equation modeling to investigate the causal relationships among the four dimensions of brand equity and overall brand equity in the sportswear industry. The present study used a sample of 304 actual consumers from China's two largest cities, Beijing and Shanghai.Findings -The findings conclude that brand association and brand loyalty are influential dimensions of brand equity. Weak support was found for the perceived quality and brand awareness dimensions.Research limitations/implications -Future research needs to be done if the results are to be expanded into other regional Chinese markets in light of the significant gaps between different regions. Further research also could strengthen this analysis by adding performance measurement into the model.Practical implications -The paper shows that sportswear brand managers and marketing planners should consider the relative importance of brand equity in their overall brand equity evaluation, and should concentrate their efforts primarily on building brand loyalty and image.Originality/value -This study contributes to the scant literature testing the applicability of consumer-based brand equity in the sportswear industry. Since China is the world's fastest-growing market for sportswear products, this study also provides important insights about the understanding of Chinese consumers' perceptions of overall brand equity and its dimensions.
Recycling textiles is a process that affects many entities. It avoids the punitive costs of landfill, provides employment, helps charity, and moves clothing to areas of the world where it is needed. This study uses systems theory as a theoretical framework. The purpose of this study is to present a conceptual model and a schematic of the textile recycling process for postconsumer apparel and textile waste. The conceptual model presents the categories of sort classifications and suggests that an inverse relationship exists between the volume of goods and the value of goods. The schematic presents the wide variety of textile recycling markets that are available for the sorted goods. This research is based on nearly 5 years of qualitative data collection.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine how attitudes and subjective norms predict channel migration across the three channels based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA). Design/methodology/approach -A self-administered questionnaire was administered to the participants comprised of staff, faculty, and students from four different universities in the southern and midwestern USA. The survey instrument was administered online and a total of 503 completed surveys were obtained. Findings -TRA was successful in predicting channel-migration intention in brick-and-mortar stores, catalogues, and the internet. Utilitarian beliefs were more relevant in predicting attitude toward channel migration for all three channels. Normative beliefs for bricks-and-mortar stores and catalogues were significant in predicting subjective norms, the relationship was negative. Attitude and subjective norms were the predictors of the channel-migration intention for all three channels. Research limitations/implications -These findings may not be generalizable to the study population because the sample was restricted to a small area. Additionally, the survey was administered online, which made it difficult to calculate the response rate. Originality/value -The paper adds insights into the subject by examining channel-migration behaviour using TRA.
The explosive increase in the number of postdocs in biomedical fields is puzzling
for many science policymakers. We use our previously introduced parameter in this journal,
the basic reproductive number in academia (R0), to make sense
of PhD population growth in biomedical fields. Our analysis shows how
R0 in biomedical fields has increased over time, and we
estimate that there is approximately only one tenure-track position in the US for every
6.3 PhD graduates, which means the rest need to get jobs outside academia or stay in
lower-paid temporary positions. We elaborate on the structural reasons and systemic flaws
of science workforce development by discussing feedback loops, especially vicious cycles,
which contribute to over-production of PhDs. We argue that the current system is unstable
but with no easy solution. A way to mitigate the effects of strong reinforcing loops is
full disclosure of the risks of getting PhD.
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