Informatics Publishing Limited

R. Alamelu ¹, L. Meena ²

Affiliations
1 School of Management, Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy University, Tanjore. No. 19, First Floor, Annai Teresa Nagar, Tanjore-613 005, IN
2 Department of Management Studies, Fatima College, Madurai, IN

Abstract

Searching product information and buying goods online are becoming increasingly popular activities, which would seem likely to affect shopping trips. Consumers are posited to make purchasing decisions based on the value they derive from a service provider. It is further argued that the value drivers of shopping for a basic need, such as groceries, are distinct from those for other goods. Within the grocery acquisition activity, it was the contention in this study that the value drivers of online grocery shopping are different than those of store grocery shopping. By relating individual value components to behavioral loyalty in these two grocery shopping formats, the study was able to verify the significance o f value in the prediction of loyalty, and compare between consumers of the two shopping mediums in terms of the importance they place on different components of value. Given the physical differences that exist between shopping in a store versus shopping online, this study specifically investigated the influence of the need to touch, smell, and see goods, and the need to interact with people in the grocery-shopping context. Overall the study found that consumers' assessments of value components do predict behavioral loyalty, and that store and online shoppers are indeed influenced by different value considerations. Store shoppers placed the most value on service quality and goods assortment, while online shoppers were most influenced by convenience, serves quality, and perceived monetary sacrifice. In addition, desire to touch and the need for social interaction were found to relate significantly to the loyalty of online shoppers, but not store shoppers. Results from this exercise suggest that a meaningful rise in online grocery usage is not likely to occur until over ten years from now. This finding relates closely with the idea that it will take a new generation of consumers to readily, and in critical mass, adopt what today seems like a "new" way of buying groceries.

Keywords

Store Grocery Shopping, Online Grocery Shopping, Customer Value Drivers.

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R. Alamelu ¹, L. Meena ², L. C. Cresenta Shakila Motha ³, V. Rengarajan ¹

Affiliations
1 School of Management, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Management Studies, Fatima College (Autonomous), Madurai, Tamil Nadu, IN
3 Department of Training and Placement, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Objectives: This paper examines the satisfaction level of villagers towards the public transport facilities provided by the Government with respect to factors like: frequency of public transport, waiting time by villagers for buses, bus provision to different areas in Madurai, number of buses operated in Utchapatti village route and service quality of public transports. Methods/Analysis: The study is a descriptive study with survey method. An interview schedule was prepared to solicit responses from villagers. The sample constituted 200 respondents from the Utchapatti village. Convenience sampling method was adopted for collecting the primary data through interview schedule. Secondary data were collected from websites and books. The data were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques such as Percentage analysis, weighted average, ANOVA and multiple regression. Findings: Compared to the bus provision to different areas and number of buses operated to the village, frequency of the bus operation is ranked high as per weighted average ranking. According to the multiple regression analysis, the variables frequency of buses and the commute time are identified as the major factors responsible for disparity in rural transport. Applications/Improvement: This paper provided a bird’s eye view of need for inclusive economic growth system which is to be initiated with mobility through provision of public transport to remote areas and the policy recommendations need to be reinvented by the Government.

Keywords

Madurai District, Public Transport, Regional Disparity, Transport Facilities, Village Transport.

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