scholarly journals Exploring Sellers' Experiences in the C2C Online Auction Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mai Anh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Online Auctions ◽  
Distribution Channel ◽  
Market Model ◽  
Online Auction ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flea Markets ◽  
Buying Behaviour

<p>Online auction websites are becoming increasingly important as an intermediary for both sellers and buyers. They offer consumers an alternative source of goods to those sold at retail stores and other second-hand traditional consumer-to-consumer (C2C) channels, such as garage sales or flea markets. They also represent a new market model which incorporates a new distribution channel and a new means of establishing prices. Some researchers predict that retailers are now facing a new competition and the potential for declining sales as a result of the cannibalisation effect of the C2C online auction market. Noticeably, although much research has been carried out in an attempt to understand online auctions in relation to buying behaviour, little effort has been made to investigate the dynamic nature of individual sellers, in particular C2C sellers, in the online auction environment. Therefore, this study is aimed at filling in the gaps by exploring the sellers' behaviour and experiences in the C2C online auction environment. Its objectives are: (1) to explore the learning process that individual sellers go through in the C2C online auction environment; and (2) to find out what skills and techniques are commonly used by sellers and how these skills have been applied when marketing their products in the online auction environment. This study used a qualitative method, and a market-oriented ethnography was adopted. Data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with sellers on TradeMe and from a wide range of archival documents. Nineteen sellers were recruited to participate into this study. Consequently, a learning model has been built, based on the consumer socialisation model, to explain the learning process of sellers as they become experienced in the C2C online auction environment. The findings from this study highlighted that sellers went through a learning process to become more experienced in online auctions. Moreover, different learning methods occurred at different stages of the learning process, including social interaction, observing and imitating, rewards and punishments, and other sources of information. This study also demonstrated the fact that sellers both implicitly and explicitly perceived the importance of marketing strategies and tactics and had extensively applied them. Several implications and recommendations arise from this study, including the need for more in-depth research on sellers' behaviour and experiences, using a longitudinal approach. Additionally, it is recommended that TradeMe should continue to improve their auction site in order to attract more sellers which, in turn, will lead to a greater number of buyers.</p>

scholarly journals Exploring Sellers' Experiences in the C2C Online Auction Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mai Anh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Online Auctions ◽  
Distribution Channel ◽  
Market Model ◽  
Online Auction ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flea Markets ◽  
Buying Behaviour

<p>Online auction websites are becoming increasingly important as an intermediary for both sellers and buyers. They offer consumers an alternative source of goods to those sold at retail stores and other second-hand traditional consumer-to-consumer (C2C) channels, such as garage sales or flea markets. They also represent a new market model which incorporates a new distribution channel and a new means of establishing prices. Some researchers predict that retailers are now facing a new competition and the potential for declining sales as a result of the cannibalisation effect of the C2C online auction market. Noticeably, although much research has been carried out in an attempt to understand online auctions in relation to buying behaviour, little effort has been made to investigate the dynamic nature of individual sellers, in particular C2C sellers, in the online auction environment. Therefore, this study is aimed at filling in the gaps by exploring the sellers' behaviour and experiences in the C2C online auction environment. Its objectives are: (1) to explore the learning process that individual sellers go through in the C2C online auction environment; and (2) to find out what skills and techniques are commonly used by sellers and how these skills have been applied when marketing their products in the online auction environment. This study used a qualitative method, and a market-oriented ethnography was adopted. Data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with sellers on TradeMe and from a wide range of archival documents. Nineteen sellers were recruited to participate into this study. Consequently, a learning model has been built, based on the consumer socialisation model, to explain the learning process of sellers as they become experienced in the C2C online auction environment. The findings from this study highlighted that sellers went through a learning process to become more experienced in online auctions. Moreover, different learning methods occurred at different stages of the learning process, including social interaction, observing and imitating, rewards and punishments, and other sources of information. This study also demonstrated the fact that sellers both implicitly and explicitly perceived the importance of marketing strategies and tactics and had extensively applied them. Several implications and recommendations arise from this study, including the need for more in-depth research on sellers' behaviour and experiences, using a longitudinal approach. Additionally, it is recommended that TradeMe should continue to improve their auction site in order to attract more sellers which, in turn, will lead to a greater number of buyers.</p>

Aspergillus sydowii Strain SCAU066 and Aspergillus versicolor Isolate BAB-6580: Potential Source of Xylanolytic, Cellulolytic and Amylolytic Enzymes

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Zaidah Zainal ariffin
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Enzymes ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Aspergillus Versicolor ◽  
Aspergillus Sydowii ◽  
Aspergillus Tamarii ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Amylolytic Enzymes ◽  
Potato Dextrose Broth ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries

Fungi is known to produce a wide range of biologically active metabolites and enzymes. Enzymes produced by fungi are utilized in food and pharmaceutical industries because of their rich enzymatic profile. Filamentous fungi are particularly interesting due to their high production of extracellular enzymes which has a large industrial potential. The aim of this study is to isolate potential soil fungi species that are able to produce functional enzymes for industries. Five Aspergillus species were successfully isolated from antibiotic overexposed soil (GPS coordinate of N3.093219 E101.40269) by standard microbiological method. The isolated fungi were identified via morphological observations and molecular tools; polymerase chain reactions, ITS 1 (5’- TCC GTA GGT GAA CCT GCG G3’) forward primer and ITS 4 (5’-TCC TCC GCT TAT TGA TAT GC-3’) reverse primer. The isolated fungi were identified as Aspergillus sydowii strain SCAU066, Aspergillus tamarii isolate TN-7, Aspergillus candidus strain KUFA 0062, Aspergillus versicolor isolate BAB-6580, and Aspergillus protuberus strain KAS 6024. Supernatant obtained via submerged fermentation of the isolated fungi in potato dextrose broth (PDB) and extracted via centrifugation was loaded onto specific media to screen for the production of xylanolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic enzymes. The present findings indicate that Aspergillus sydowii strain SCAU066 and Aspergillus versicolor isolate BAB-6580 have great potential as an alternative source of xylanolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic enzymes.

scholarly journals Goal-driven active learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Bougie ◽  
Ryutaro Ichise
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Reinforcement Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Real World ◽  
Imitation Learning ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fixed Set ◽  
Complex Decision Making ◽  
Complex Decision

AbstractDeep reinforcement learning methods have achieved significant successes in complex decision-making problems. In fact, they traditionally rely on well-designed extrinsic rewards, which limits their applicability to many real-world tasks where rewards are naturally sparse. While cloning behaviors provided by an expert is a promising approach to the exploration problem, learning from a fixed set of demonstrations may be impracticable due to lack of state coverage or distribution mismatch—when the learner’s goal deviates from the demonstrated behaviors. Besides, we are interested in learning how to reach a wide range of goals from the same set of demonstrations. In this work we propose a novel goal-conditioned method that leverages very small sets of goal-driven demonstrations to massively accelerate the learning process. Crucially, we introduce the concept of active goal-driven demonstrations to query the demonstrator only in hard-to-learn and uncertain regions of the state space. We further present a strategy for prioritizing sampling of goals where the disagreement between the expert and the policy is maximized. We evaluate our method on a variety of benchmark environments from the Mujoco domain. Experimental results show that our method outperforms prior imitation learning approaches in most of the tasks in terms of exploration efficiency and average scores.

Beyond Bias: Critical Analysis and Layered Reading of Mao-Era Sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 759-782
Author(s):  
Sigrid Schmalzer
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Source Material ◽  
The State ◽  
The Self ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Layered Approach ◽  
Flea Markets ◽  
Mao Era

Abstract Scholars of Mao-era history adopt a wide range of approaches to the selection and treatment of source material. Some scholars regard published sources as propaganda, and therefore as biased and unreliable. For many, archival sources are the gold standard; others question the reliability even of the archive and favor materials that escaped the filtering fingers of the state to be found in flea markets or garbage piles. Avoiding the false choice of either accepting sources as received wisdom or dismissing them as biased, the author argues that how scholars read their sources is more important than which they keep and which they throw away. She advocates for a layered approach that accounts for contexts of production and circulation, and further emphasizes the need to make this process of reading sources visible in our writing. A critical, layered reading of three unlikely sources demonstrates the myriad possibilities for analysis that combines the empirical, the discursive, and the self-reflexive.

scholarly journals Reputation and Internet Auctions: eBay and Beyond

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Snijders ◽  
Richard Zijdeman
Keyword(s):  
Online Auctions ◽  
Online Auction ◽  
Opportunistic Behavior ◽  
Internet Auctions ◽  
Reputation Mechanisms

AbstractEach day, a countless number of items is sold through online auction sites such as eBay and Ricardo. Though abuse is being reported more and more, transactions seem to be relatively hassle free. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is that the sites’ reputation mechanisms prevent opportunistic behavior. To analyze this issue, we first summarize and extend the mechanisms that affect the probability of sale of an item and its price. We then try to replicate the results as found in four recent papers on online auctions. Our analyses reveal that (1) it makes sense to differentiate between ‘power sellers’ and the less regular users, (2) there are variables that have an effect on sales that are often not controlled for, (3) one should carefully consider how reputation is operationalized, ( 4) neglecting heteroscedastidty in the data can have serious consequences, and (5) there is some support indicating that effects differ across auction sites.

scholarly journals THE USE OF COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH IN TEACHING READING DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Anna Robiana
Keyword(s):  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
Teaching Reading ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Communicative Approach ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Different Sources

Reading is central to learning process, by reading people can gain important information in this millennial era. Study reading aims to develop the reading skills that you need to find information quickly, to identify what is important in a text, to compare different sources of information and to read critically. The aim of this experimental research is to investigate the effect of communicative approach on reading competencies of 10th grade students of SMK SEHATI in the academic year of 2018/2019. It is about 60 pupilss were assigned as sample through random sampling. Data of student’s reading competencies were collected by using multiple choice of descriptive text test. The result shows there is significant effect at student’s reading comprehension. Keywords:  Communicative Approach, Performance Assessment, Reading Competency  

scholarly journals Transformations of the Teaching–Learning Process Towards Inclusive Education as a Result of the UDL Approach Implementation

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-118
Author(s):  
Jolanta Baran ◽  
Tamara Cierpiałowska ◽  
Ewa Dyduch
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Universal Design For Learning ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Design For Learning ◽  
Teaching Learning

AbstractThis chapter discusses the assumptions, implementation and deliverables of an action research project in a selected Polish class of integrated form. The main objective of the project was to trigger changes in the learning–teaching process based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach and thus promote inclusive education. The action research lasted one school semester. The empirical data, mainly qualitative, triangulating various sources of information and synthesising perspectives, were used to identify specific topics and threads identified in the gathered inputs, to present it in an orchestrated manner and to interpret it. It has been indicated that UDL approach implementation has a positive impact on the course of the teaching–learning process and optimises it to enhance the activity, commitment, self-reliance and responsibility of students and develops their cooperation, which breeds inclusion in education. Meanwhile, it stimulates teachers to change their mindset with a view to the essence of success in education and supports their daily practice.

scholarly journals BIM and DfMA: A Paradigm of New Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9591
Author(s):  
Sepehr Abrishami ◽  
Rocío Martín-Durán
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Wide Range

The main goal of this study is to explore the adoption of a design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) and building information management (BIM) approach during the whole lifecycle of assets. This approach aims to tackle issues inherent in the design of traditional construction methods, such as low productivity and quality, poor predictability and building performance, and energy use, through the implementation of a BIM library of off-site components. In recent years, a renewed interest has been directed to the attempt to provide solutions to these urgent problems through the adoption of new advancements in technologies. However, while there are studies focussing on a BIM-DfMA approach, there is a lack of research regarding how this approach should be adopted during the whole lifecycle of the assets. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, defining an efficient way of developing a component-based BIM object library has not yet been included in any of the available studies. A mixed methodology approach has been used in this research. A conceptual framework was developed as the result of an extensive literature review to investigate new advancements in the AEC sector. Following the literature review, the framework was tested and validated through a case study based on the production and adoption of a BIM library of off-site components at the design stage of an asset. The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has recognised the necessity of a new approach that helps to resolve the well-known issues presented in traditional methods of construction. The conceptual framework and case study proposed presents a valuable new method of construction that support the implementation of a BIM and DfMA approach, highlighting their benefits. This framework has been created using many valuable and reliable sources of information. The result of this research supports the idea of a novel new construction method that focuses on a manufacturing-digital-driven industry, with the use of DfMA in a BIM-integrated approach. This novel method will add significance and be beneficial for a wide range of aspects in the construction sector, contributing to the theoretical and practical domain.

Get-Rich Quick scheme: Malaysian current legal development

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aspalella A. Rahman ◽  
Ruzita Azmi ◽  
Rosylin Mohd Yusof
Keyword(s):  
Strict Liability ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Mens Rea ◽  
Financial Fraud ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Companies ◽  
Quick Scheme ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Common Facet

Purpose In Malaysia, Get-Rich-Quick scheme (GRQS) is one of the financial fraud activities prohibited under Malaysian law. The common facet of such schemes involves plans that promise unrealistic rates of returns, and this new scheme continues to proliferate every year as the list of illegal investment companies and websites are growing. Indeed, GRQS will remain proliferating as long as there are people who are easily lured by the promise that wealth can be generated with little skill, effort or time. This paper aims to explain the phenomenon of GRQS in light of the existing laws in Malaysia. This paper also highlights the current development of Australian law pertaining to GRQS for comparative purpose. Design/methodology/approach This paper mainly relies on statutes as its primary sources of information. As such, this paper analyses the scope and provisions of the relevant laws that regulate GRQS and compare the existing GRQS provisions that are equivalent with Australian law. Findings Malaysia has comprehensive laws to combat GRQS activities. However, these laws are far from perfection, and only with immediate amendments, GRQS problems can be resolved more effectively. One of the weaknesses of current Malaysian laws to tackle GRQS is the lack of more stringent punishment against the operators of GRQS as well as the participants of the scheme. A comparison with equivalent GRQS law in Australia demonstrates that Australian laws provide a wide range of punishment to the operators and prohibits participation in GRQS. More importantly, Australia regards the offense as a strict liability offense where the mens rea or guilty mind of the perpetrators is exempted. Indeed, numerous proceedings have been instituted in the Australian Court against the operators and participants of GRQS. Originality/value This paper analyses the scope of relevant laws in Malaysia to combat GRQS and examines the strengths and weaknesses of these laws. This paper also compares Malaysian law with equivalent GRQS-related laws available in Australia. This paper further suggests that Malaysia should regulate sterner punishment for operators and participants of the scheme and that the offense is categorized under a strict liability offense where the mens rea or guilty mind of the offender is exempted.

scholarly journals Vision and touch in relation to foraging and predator detection: insightful contrasts between a plover and a sandpiper

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1656) ◽  
pp. 437-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham R Martin ◽  
Theunis Piersma
Keyword(s):  
Visual Fields ◽  
Skeletal Structure ◽  
Visually Guided ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Predator Detection ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Binocular Field ◽  
Blind Area ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Breeding Grounds

Visual fields were determined in two species of shorebirds (Charadriiformes) whose foraging is guided primarily by different sources of information: red knots ( Calidris canutus , tactile foragers) and European golden plovers ( Pluvialis apricaria , visual foragers). The visual fields of both species showed features that are found in a wide range of birds whose foraging involves precision pecking or lunging at food items. Surprisingly, red knots did not show comprehensive panoramic vision as found in some other tactile feeders; they have a binocular field surrounding the bill and a substantial blind area behind the head. We argue that this is because knots switch to more visually guided foraging on their breeding grounds. However, this visual field topography leaves them vulnerable to predation, especially when using tactile foraging in non-breeding locations where predation by falcons is an important selection factor. Golden plovers use visually guided foraging throughout the year, and so it is not surprising that they have precision-pecking frontal visual fields. However, they often feed at night and this is associated with relatively large eyes. These are anchored in the skull by a wing of bone extending from the dorsal perimeter of each orbit; a skeletal structure previously unreported in birds and which we have named ‘supraorbital aliform bone’, Os supraorbitale aliforme . The larger eyes and their associated supraorbital wings result in a wide blind area above the head, which may leave these plovers particularly vulnerable to predation. Thus, in these two shorebirds, we see clear examples of the trade-off between the two key functions of visual fields: (i) the detection of predators remote from the animal and (ii) the control of accurate behaviours, such as the procurement of food items, at close quarters.

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