Browsing by Author "Corbishley, Karen Margaret"

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Measurements to support farmers’ markets - a South African German comparison
(ISER Explore, 2022-05-25) Dobbelstein, Thomas; Mason, Roger Bruce; Corbishley, Karen Margaret
Farmers’ markets have become fashionable places for shopping, entertainment, and socializing, and in many cases are not only sources of cheaper or more convenient shopping. With the growth of the craft and the organic food movements, such products are often marketed through farmers’ markets. Entertainment is also often provided. Such shopping locations often charge premium prices. Why farmers’ markets have become so popular may be due to a variety of reasons such as shopping, entertainment, and socializing. Furthermore, a variety of different factors may cause customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction. This research identifies what attracts customers to farmers’ markets and what creates satisfaction for the customer. A quantitative study was used, based on a sample of 1141 respondents from an e-mailed survey. It is also a comparative study between a developed nation (Germany) and a developing nation (South Africa). The research culminated in a Kano model for farmers’ markets in each of the countries. There was considerable similarity in the ‘delight’ and ‘performance’ factors in the two countries, but only South Africa has ‘basic’ factors, while Germany had none. The study has thus contributed to knowledge about consumer behaviour and attitudes towards farmers’ markets and provides suggestions to increase their attractivity.
Quick response and the supply chain in fast fashion in South Africa : a case study
(2021) Biyase, Nokwanda; Corbishley, Karen Margaret; Mason, Roger Bruce
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that comprise the quick response and supply chain activities in the fast fashion clothing industry in a developing country, namely South Africa, and then to investigate the relative importance of these factors via a case study of one of the main fast fashion retailers in South Africa. The research used a case study method with a quantitative, questionnaire-based survey to collect data from a sample of 100 employees, self-selected via a convenience sample, from departments that were purposively selected. Data was collected via an e-mailed survey, resulting in a 45% response rate. The study findings confirmed the importance of both quick response and supply chain efficiency to a successful fast fashion implementation in a developing country like South Africa, in terms of picking up trends quicker, faster lead times and less mistakes, all leading to greater competitiveness. An additional benefit identified was the revival of local production. Since this was the first research of its type in South Africa, it will contribute to knowledge about fast fashion in South Africa, and possibly in other developing countries, and hopefully will initiate a continuing stream of research into fast fashion, especially with other retailers and provide more detail on the key drivers of drivers and barriers of fast fashion implementation.
Social norm compliance and involvement with Covid-19: demographic differences in developing and developed countries
(www.ssbfnet.com/ojs/index.php/ijrbs, 2022-06-30) Mason, Roger Bruce; Corbishley, Karen Margaret; Dobbelstein, Thomas
Consumer decisions are influenced by various variables, including compliance with society’s social norms and by involvement by consumers with the issue under consideration. Both variables have influenced consumers’ actions during previous pandemics. Therefore, this study investigated involvement with the Covid-19 pandemic, together with social norm compliance (SNC), their mutual influence, and how demographic characteristics and country of residence influenced these three issues. The methodology involved a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey, with a quota sample of 1096 responses, based on age, gender, education, habitation, and income. The research was conducted with populations representing the consumers who patronize major retailers in a developed country (Germany) and a developing one (South Africa). Data was collected via questionnaires e-mailed to commercial consumer panels covering both countries. The findings showed that involvement is influenced by gender, age, education, habitation, and country of residence, but that SNC is not influenced by demographics but does differ according to country. Further findings were that involvement with Covid-19 strongly influences SNC and, similarly, SNC also strongly influences involvement with Covid-19. Furthermore demographics, excluding habitation, also influence these variables. However, the relationship between the involvement and SNC variables does not differ between the two countries. This study has provided a better understanding of consumers’ involvement with Covid-19 and SNC as components of consumer behavior, which is important since, during the Covid-19 pandemic, retailers have been instrumental in implementing health protocols. Therefore, understanding the relationship between involvement with Covid-19 and SNC, and how they are influenced by consumer demographics, is important.