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Farmers’ markets have received much attention in many countries, and the amount of research on farmers’ markets is gradually increasing. The consumption process of consumers at farmers’ markets include both economic and social aspects, but most past studies have only focused on a single aspect. The economic perspective mainly focuses on transaction issues such as purchase motives, quality, satisfaction, purchase behavior, and post-purchase behavior, whereas the social perspective focuses on the social relations and psychological feelings created when consumers go to markets. This study aimed to integrate the economic and social perspectives and analyze the relationships among product performance evaluation, relational capital, repurchase intention, and subjective well-being of consumers at farmers’ markets after their purchase experiences. I chose three recurrent farmers’ markets in Taiwan, obtained 358 valid samples, and performed structural equation modelling analysis. The results indicated that the economic product performance exerted a significant and positive influence on repurchase intention, but its influence on subjective well-being was not significant. In contrast, the social relational capital was found to be a positive and significant factor of both repurchase intention and subjective well-being. On the whole, relational capital is more important than product performance. The suggestions for practice were as follows. First, farmers’ markets have economic and social value and are thus worth being promoted by government agencies. Second, the managers of farmers’ markets should implement a set of management mechanisms to ensure product performance and also create a market atmosphere that facilitates social interactions between farmers and consumers.
Bi-Kun Tsai. Determinants of Consumers’ Retention and Subjective Well-Being: A Sustainable Farmers’ Market Perspective. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6412 .
AMA StyleBi-Kun Tsai. Determinants of Consumers’ Retention and Subjective Well-Being: A Sustainable Farmers’ Market Perspective. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (22):6412.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBi-Kun Tsai. 2019. "Determinants of Consumers’ Retention and Subjective Well-Being: A Sustainable Farmers’ Market Perspective." Sustainability 11, no. 22: 6412.
Farmers’ markets in Taiwan advocate for the sustainable consumption of locally produced food to support sustainability and social justice goals. Institutional trust and interpersonal trust are critical determinative factors in sustaining farmers’ farm-to-consumer venues for the long-run. The purpose of this research was to investigate determinants of customers’ actual purchase behaviors, and the relationships between trust, purchase intention, and actual purchase behavior in the context of farmers’ markets. A questionnaire approach with closed-ended survey questions was conducted with customers in farmers’ markets in different parts of Taiwan. The results revealed that both institutional and interpersonal trust could serve as driving forces influencing a consumer’s purchase intentions, which in turn reinforces their actual purchase behavior. Specifically, the interpersonal trust between consumers and producers includes positive interactions and sufficient communication, enabling producers to share the value and concepts underlying their production processes with the consumers, enhancing customers’ purchase intentions and intensity. Institutional trust generated from a producer’s endeavor to improve the quality of their own products by meeting market standards would impress consumers and build loyalty. It is recommended that farmers’ market farmers or managers continually examine both the institutional and interpersonal needs of customers (e.g., food safety, face-to-face interactions between farmers and consumers) to earn customers’ trust, and to accommodate their expectations by providing sufficient products and services.
Bi-Kun Tsai; Ku-Yuan Lee; Chi-Ming Hsieh; Pimpinan Somsong. Determinants of Actual Purchase Behavior in Farmers’ Markets. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5480 .
AMA StyleBi-Kun Tsai, Ku-Yuan Lee, Chi-Ming Hsieh, Pimpinan Somsong. Determinants of Actual Purchase Behavior in Farmers’ Markets. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (19):5480.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBi-Kun Tsai; Ku-Yuan Lee; Chi-Ming Hsieh; Pimpinan Somsong. 2019. "Determinants of Actual Purchase Behavior in Farmers’ Markets." Sustainability 11, no. 19: 5480.
The purpose of this study was to investigate how the role of workplace social support and gender affect the relationship between work stress and the physical and mental health of military personnel in Taiwan. The analysis results reveal that military personnel expressed significantly high perceptions of work-related stress. Social support from supervisors and colleagues is a crucial factor in buffering the effect of work-related stress on perceived health, and increasing the physical and mental health among military personnel. This study shows that male personnel who perceived higher stress and gained more social support from supervisors and colleagues than female personnel were less likely to have physical and mental issues than female personnel. Managerial implications and suggestions could serve as references in managing work-related stress, enhancing social support occurring in the military workplace, and reducing job dissatisfaction, which in turn improves the health and well-being of military personnel in Taiwan.
Chi-Ming Hsieh; Bi-Kun Tsai. Effects of Social Support on the Stress-Health Relationship: Gender Comparison among Military Personnel. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 1317 .
AMA StyleChi-Ming Hsieh, Bi-Kun Tsai. Effects of Social Support on the Stress-Health Relationship: Gender Comparison among Military Personnel. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (8):1317.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChi-Ming Hsieh; Bi-Kun Tsai. 2019. "Effects of Social Support on the Stress-Health Relationship: Gender Comparison among Military Personnel." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 8: 1317.
This study employed the travel cost method (TCM) to establish the on-site Poisson model to measure differences in the recreation benefits of Chinese inbound tourists based on the identified cultural distance clusters. Four clusters among the extracted factors of delineated perceptions on cultural distance were identified through the cluster analysis. This study finds that: (1) among four identified cognitive factors of the cultural distance, “social environment” and “personal relationship” were found to be more important than “living arrangement” and “verbal communication” factors; (2) the four cultural distance clusters differ significantly in terms of perceptions on the cultural distance; (3) the economic benefits of culture and heritage tourism ranged between US$4733 to US$6740 for average annual Chinese visitor numbers to Taiwan; (4) the “similar living habits” cluster had higher recreation benefits than the other three cultural distance clusters. The government and travel industries should pay attention to target segments in order to enhance the cultural heritage experience, by delivering an appropriate quality of service to match visitors’ needs and living habits, which in turn, impacts their revisit intent.
Chun-Hung Lee; Han-Shen Chen; Gwo-Bao Liou; Bi-Kun Tsai; Chi-Ming Hsieh. Evaluating International Tourists’ Perceptions on Cultural Distance and Recreation Demand. Sustainability 2018, 10, 4360 .
AMA StyleChun-Hung Lee, Han-Shen Chen, Gwo-Bao Liou, Bi-Kun Tsai, Chi-Ming Hsieh. Evaluating International Tourists’ Perceptions on Cultural Distance and Recreation Demand. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (12):4360.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChun-Hung Lee; Han-Shen Chen; Gwo-Bao Liou; Bi-Kun Tsai; Chi-Ming Hsieh. 2018. "Evaluating International Tourists’ Perceptions on Cultural Distance and Recreation Demand." Sustainability 10, no. 12: 4360.
As environmental awareness among the public gradually improves, it is predicted that the trend of green consumption will make green products enter the mainstream market. Hydrogen-electric motorcycles, with eco-friendly and energy-efficient characteristics, have great advantages for development. However, as a type of innovative product, hydrogen-electric motorcycles require further examination with regard to consumer acceptance and external variables of the products. In this study, consumer behavioral intention (BI) for the use of hydrogen-electric motorcycles and its influencing factors are discussed, using innovation resistance as the basis and environmental concern as the adjusting variable. Consumers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for hydrogen-electric motorcycles is estimated using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The results found that (1) perception barriers, viz., usage barrier, value barrier, risk barrier, tradition barrier, and price barrier are statistically significant, whereas image barrier is not; (2) a high degree of environmental concern will reduce the consumers’ innovation resistance to the hydrogen-electric motorcycles; (3) up to 94.79% of the respondents of the designed questionnaire suggested that the promotion of hydrogen-electric motorcycles requires a subsidy of 21.9% of the total price from the government. The mean WTP of consumers for the purchase of hydrogen-electric motorcycles is 10–15% higher than that of traditional motorcycles.
Han-Shen Chen; Bi-Kun Tsai; Chi-Ming Hsieh. The Effects of Perceived Barriers on Innovation Resistance of Hydrogen-Electric Motorcycles. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1933 .
AMA StyleHan-Shen Chen, Bi-Kun Tsai, Chi-Ming Hsieh. The Effects of Perceived Barriers on Innovation Resistance of Hydrogen-Electric Motorcycles. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (6):1933.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHan-Shen Chen; Bi-Kun Tsai; Chi-Ming Hsieh. 2018. "The Effects of Perceived Barriers on Innovation Resistance of Hydrogen-Electric Motorcycles." Sustainability 10, no. 6: 1933.
The successful and sustainable development of inbound tourism necessitates a long-term commitment, balancing between tourism supply and tourist demands. This study manipulated a performance appraisal of tourism service quality in Taiwan with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) by employing input and output constructs to assess service quality efficiency. The empirical results of the estimation of technical efficiency (TE) revealed that (1) the domestic tourism market is competitive, but still needs enhancements for tourism service; (2) Mainland Chinese tourists had the highest score among all foreign tourists, followed by Hong Kong and Macau tourists, tourists from other countries, Japanese tourists, and South Korean tourists; and (3) South Korean tourists had higher travel expenditure than others, but felt less satisfaction with travel services, which can be regarded as inefficient. Tourists from other countries had lower travel expenditure, but had higher satisfaction levels, which was considered efficient based on input and output index. The findings could contribute to bridging the gap between research and practice in assessing the efficiency of inbound tourist service. Tourism practitioners should be aware of tourists’ needs and interests, as these could be key fundamentals for improving tourists’ satisfaction with Taiwan’s service offerings.
Han-Shen Chen; Bi-Kun Tsai; Gwo-Bao Liou; Chi-Ming Hsieh. Efficiency Assessment of Inbound Tourist Service Using Data Envelopment Analysis. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1866 .
AMA StyleHan-Shen Chen, Bi-Kun Tsai, Gwo-Bao Liou, Chi-Ming Hsieh. Efficiency Assessment of Inbound Tourist Service Using Data Envelopment Analysis. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (6):1866.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHan-Shen Chen; Bi-Kun Tsai; Gwo-Bao Liou; Chi-Ming Hsieh. 2018. "Efficiency Assessment of Inbound Tourist Service Using Data Envelopment Analysis." Sustainability 10, no. 6: 1866.
Delivering a high-quality, valued, and recommendable experience to customers is crucial for the tourism industry. Our purpose in this research was to investigate the determinants of museum visitor retention and the moderating effect of membership status on the quality-value-loyalty chain at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan. Participants were 729 museum visitors who had made more than 2 visits in 1 year. Results identified significant interrelationships among visitors' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, perceptions of service quality, and perception of value, which determined their loyalty. We are the first researchers to explore the effect of membership status at a museum as a moderator influencing the quality-value-loyalty chain. Our findings can act as a guide for museum managers and promoters as to which service offerings will meet the needs of both member and nonmember visitors, and will encourage their loyalty.
Chi-Ming Hsieh; Tang-Ping Chen; Chi-Jen Hsieh; Bi-Kun Tsai. Moderating effect of membership status on the quality-value-loyalty chain at museums. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal 2018, 46, 107 -126.
AMA StyleChi-Ming Hsieh, Tang-Ping Chen, Chi-Jen Hsieh, Bi-Kun Tsai. Moderating effect of membership status on the quality-value-loyalty chain at museums. Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal. 2018; 46 (1):107-126.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChi-Ming Hsieh; Tang-Ping Chen; Chi-Jen Hsieh; Bi-Kun Tsai. 2018. "Moderating effect of membership status on the quality-value-loyalty chain at museums." Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal 46, no. 1: 107-126.
In recent years, increasing concerns regarding the energy costs and environmental effects of urban motorcycle use have spurred the development of hydrogen-electric motorcycles in Taiwan. Although gasoline-powered motorcycles produce substantial amounts of exhaust and noise pollution, hydrogen-electric motorcycles are highly energy-efficient, relatively quiet, and produce zero emissions, features that suggest their great potential to reduce the problems currently associated with the use of motorcycles in city environments. This study identified the significant external variables that affect consumers’ purchase intentions toward using hydrogen-electric motorcycles. A questionnaire method was employed with a total of 300 questionnaires distributed and 233 usable questionnaires returned, yielding a 78% overall response rate. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to test the research hypothesis. The research concluded that (1) product knowledge positively influenced purchase intentions but negatively affected the perceived risk; (2) perceived quality via hydrogen-electric motorcycles positively influenced the perceived value but negatively affected the perceived risk; (3) perceived risk negatively affected the perceived value; and (4) the perceived value positively affected purchase intentions. This study can be used as a reference for motorcycle manufacturers when planning their marketing strategies.
Han-Shen Chen; Bi-Kun Tsai; Chi-Ming Hsieh. Determinants of Consumers’ Purchasing Intentions for the Hydrogen-Electric Motorcycle. Sustainability 2017, 9, 1447 .
AMA StyleHan-Shen Chen, Bi-Kun Tsai, Chi-Ming Hsieh. Determinants of Consumers’ Purchasing Intentions for the Hydrogen-Electric Motorcycle. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (8):1447.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHan-Shen Chen; Bi-Kun Tsai; Chi-Ming Hsieh. 2017. "Determinants of Consumers’ Purchasing Intentions for the Hydrogen-Electric Motorcycle." Sustainability 9, no. 8: 1447.
Understanding residents’ attitudes is critical for successfully developing cultural tourism in aboriginal protected areas. This study developed an integration model combining two theories to identify the key determinants of indigenous residents’ attitudes toward cultural tourism development. Social exchange theory stresses the impact of the benefits derived from tourism on indigenous residents’ attitudes toward tourism development. Social capital theory embeds clear rationales for strengthening the internalization process of the formation of residents’ shared values and understanding, enabling them to trust each other and thus support tourism development. The present study was conducted within two indigenous communities in Eastern Taiwan. The results revealed that cultural tourism benefits and structural and relational capital effectively predict indigenous residents’ attitudes toward tourism development; structural capital plays a critical mediating role in the relationship between tourism benefits and residents’ attitudes. The managerial implications provide recommendations for aboriginal community developers or practical sectors to avoid problems or costs caused by tourism development when promoting cultural tourism activities within indigenous communities.
Chi-Ming Hsieh; Bi-Kun Tsai; Han-Shen Chen. Residents’ Attitude toward Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Development: An Integration of Two Theories. Sustainability 2017, 9, 903 .
AMA StyleChi-Ming Hsieh, Bi-Kun Tsai, Han-Shen Chen. Residents’ Attitude toward Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Development: An Integration of Two Theories. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (6):903.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChi-Ming Hsieh; Bi-Kun Tsai; Han-Shen Chen. 2017. "Residents’ Attitude toward Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Development: An Integration of Two Theories." Sustainability 9, no. 6: 903.
Improvements in communications technology enable consumers to receive information through diverse channels. In the case of avian influenza, information repeated by the mass media socially amplifies the consumer awareness of risks. Facing indeterminate risks, consumers may feel anxious and increase their risk perception. When consumers trust the information published by the media, their uncertainty toward avian influenza may decrease. Consumers might take some actions to reduce risk. Therefore, this study focuses on relationships among trust in messages, risk perception and risk reduction preferences. This study administered 525 random samples and consumer survey questionnaires in different city of Taiwan in 2007. Through statistical analysis, the results demonstrate: (1) the higher the trust consumers have in messages about avian influenza, the lower their risk perceptions are; (2) the higher the consumers’ risk perceptions are and, therefore, the higher their desired level of risk reductive, the more likely they are to accept risk reduction strategies; (3) consumer attributes such as age, education level, and marital status correlate with significant differences in risk perception and risk reduction preferences acceptance. Gender has significant differences only in risk reduction preferences and not in risk perception.
David Fang; Chen-Ling Fang; Bi-Kun Tsai; Li-Chi Lan; Wen-Shan Hsu. Relationships among Trust in Messages, Risk Perception, and Risk Reduction Preferences Based upon Avian Influenza in Taiwan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2012, 9, 2742 -2757.
AMA StyleDavid Fang, Chen-Ling Fang, Bi-Kun Tsai, Li-Chi Lan, Wen-Shan Hsu. Relationships among Trust in Messages, Risk Perception, and Risk Reduction Preferences Based upon Avian Influenza in Taiwan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2012; 9 (8):2742-2757.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDavid Fang; Chen-Ling Fang; Bi-Kun Tsai; Li-Chi Lan; Wen-Shan Hsu. 2012. "Relationships among Trust in Messages, Risk Perception, and Risk Reduction Preferences Based upon Avian Influenza in Taiwan." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 9, no. 8: 2742-2757.