No abstract

In this study a research model was proposed to examine the relationships between service quality, customer satisfaction in, customer trust of, and loyalty to Taiwanese e-banks. Questionnaires were completed by 442 respondents who had experience with e-banking and data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. It was found that e-banks must focus on service quality to increase customer satisfaction and trust and to obtain customer loyalty. Implications are discussed in relation to e-bank management.

Purpose-As multinational firms seek to acquire competitive cost advantages through global sourcing, it is also important for them to develop effective strategies to reduce possible damage of a negative country-of-origin (COO) effect. This study aims to examine whether brand image and evaluation mode could alleviate a negative COO effect. Design/methodology/approach-A 2(COO) £ 2(brand) £ 2(evaluation mode) experimental design was employed in order to examine whether brand and COO effects on product evaluation vary under different evaluation modes. The data were analyzed by a repeated measure MANOVA. Findings-The results showed that products made in favourable countries were rated higher in joint evaluation mode than in separate evaluation mode. Conversely, products made in unfavourable countries were better evaluated in separate evaluation mode than in joint evaluation mode. The results of the study are not in favour of the notion that a strong brand image could overcome the negative effect of COO. Research limitations/implications-Conclusions of the study suggest that the COO effect plays an equally important role in consumer product evaluation for both strong and weak brands. Thus, even for a product with strong brand image, the negative consequences of COO stemming from consumerš unfavourable attitudes towards the manufacturing country are not likely to be completely eliminated. Moreover, to alleviate the negative impact of unfavourable COO, marketers may want to avoid direct comparison between products made in unfavourable countries with those made in favourable countries, regardless of their brand strength. Practical implications-When marketing a product made in an unfavourable country, marketers should manage to create a selling environment facilitating a separate evaluation mode. In contrast, marketers should proactively manage to display products from favourable countries along with those from unfavourable countries in order to further enhance quality perceptions. Originality/value-The results of the study could help marketers employ advantageous merchandizing or advertising strategies to lessen the negative effect of COO.

Purpose -This study aims to examine the means by which influence strategies and social mechanisms (trust and shared vision) influence the flexibility of suppliers, and its ultimate effect on the performance of manufacturers. Design/methodology/approach -This study bases the major components of marketing research on previous studies related to influence strategies and flexibility in the supply-chain. This empirical study utilized 162 SMIT survey samples. Findings -Results show that using coercive influence strategies and developing a shared vision promote supplier flexibility and fully mediate the effects of trust on supplier flexibility. In addition, supplier flexibility has a significant positive impact on the performance of manufacturers.Research limitations/implications -The perceptions of manufacturers regarding influence strategies and social mechanisms formed the basis of this study. Future studies could focus on the reciprocal strategies of suppliers, and the influence of these actions on the effectiveness of the influence strategies employed by manufacturers. Practical implications -This paper adds to the existing management guidelines addressing the problem of ensuring increased flexibility from suppliers to enable a more rapid response to the demands of customers to enhance performance. Originality/value -The paper provides novel insights into the impact of influence strategies and social mechanisms on the flexibility of suppliers.

Only rarely have empirical studies analysed the responses of Taiwanese manufacturing firms to ISO 14001, despite firm responses to environmental issues being an important aspect of environmental management. This study empirically examines the determinants of firms' environmental self-governance. Export oriented Taiwanese firms, which face environmental concerns from foreign consumers, are found to be more likely than domestic focused firms to adopt ISO 14001. This study also finds that several firm attributes are decisive for firm adoption of ISO 14001. However, this study does not find any significant impact of local governors' political party affiliation on firms' ISO 14001 certifications. Copyright 2007 The Authors Journal compilation 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd