An Adaptive Parameter-Free Optimal Number of Market Segments Estimation Algorithm Based on a New Internal Validity Index

An appropriate optimal number of market segments(ONS)estimation is essential for an enterprise to achieve successful market segmentation,but at present,there is a serious lack of attention to this issue in market segmentation.In our study,an independent adaptive ONS estimation method BWCON-NSDK-means++is proposed by integrating a newinternal validity index(IVI)Between-Within-Connectivity(BWCON)and a newstable clustering algorithmNatural-SDK-means++(NSDK-means++)in a novel way.First,to complete the evaluation dimensions of the existing IVIs,we designed a connectivity formula based on the neighbor relationship and proposed the BWCON by integrating the connectivity with other two commonly considered measures of compactness and separation.Then,considering the stability,number of parameters and clustering performance,we proposed the NSDK-means++to participate in the integrationwhere the natural neighbor was used to optimize the initial cluster centers(ICCs)determination strategy in the SDK-means++.At last,to ensure the objectivity of the estimatedONS,we designed a BWCON-based ONS estimation framework that does not require the user to set any parameters in advance and integrated the NSDK-means++into this framework forming a practical ONS estimation tool BWCON-NSDK-means++.The final experimental results showthat the proposed BWCONand NSDK-means++are significantlymore suitable than their respective existing models to participate in the integration for determining theONS,and the proposed BWCON-NSDK-means++is demonstrably superior to the BWCON-KMA,BWCONMBK,BWCON-KM++,BWCON-RKM++,BWCON-SDKM++,BWCON-Single linkage,BWCON-Complete linkage,BWCON-Average linkage and BWCON-Ward linkage in terms of the ONS estimation.Moreover,as an independentmarket segmentation tool,the BWCON-NSDK-means++also outperforms the existing models with respect to the inter-market differentiation and sub-market size.

The Chinese Consumers’Service Quality Satisfaction Differences of Cruise Tourism and Precision Marketing Strategy

The paper selected Chinese Cruise Line as the case study. Having based on the survey data of Chinese cruise tourism consumers, the factor analysis method, one-way analysis of variances method, cluster analysis method, and other quantitative and qualitative methods were taken to analyze Chinese consumers’ satisfaction differences of cruise tourism service quality with different segmentation markets and clusters markets, and the reasons of satisfaction differences were also explored. Then precision marketing strategy of Chinese cruise tourism with different segmentation markets and clusters markets from the supply-side reform perspective was discussed. The purpose of current research was to provide suggestions of precision management and precision marketing of Chinese cruise tourism for relevant enterprises and government departments.

The U.S. Men＇s Shaving Cream Market： A Competitive Profile

Porter identifies high market share with cost leadership strategy which is based on the idea of competing on a price lower than that of the competition. However, in most consumer markets a business should serve the middle class by competing in the mid-price segment, offering quality better than that of the competition at a somewhat higher price. It is this path that can lead to market share leadership： a strategy that can be both profitable and sustainable. The U.S. men＇s shaving cream market consists of two major product-market segments： gel and foam. We test the hypothesis that the best-selling brand is very likely to be a member of the mid-price segment with a price tag that is higher than that of the nearest competition. This study is based on annual U.S. sales data for 2008 and 2007 from discount retail stores, food stores, and drug stores. We performed two separate analyses for 2008 and 2007, using cluster analysis as the main analytic tool. The results were remarkably consistent between the two years. In the gel segment--by far the most important--the price-quality segmentation analysis supported our hypothesis. An interesting finding is that, for both the gel and foam segments, we found the rank order correlation of brand unit price between 2007 and 2008 as highly significant. This means that in this market management considers the price of a brand as a strategic rather than a tactical variable. Although, technically the results for the foam segment were negative, this does not necessarily contradict our hypothesis. Finally, we discovered six strategic groups in the industry and have tried to articulate what their competitive strategy is.

Exploring switch tendency between cyclists and non-cyclists using market segmentation approach

This work aimed to explore the switch tendency of bicycle use between cyclists and non-cyclists.The attitude based market segmentation approach was proposed to achieve the research objective.The filed investigations were conducted in Nanjing,China,to obtain travelers' actions and attitudes towards bicycle uses.The structural equation modeling(SEM) was used to identify the attitudinal factors indicating variables and to explore the interrelationships among them.The SEMs were developed separately for the cyclist group and the non-cyclist group.All respondents were clustered into eight distinct segments by six selected attitudinal factors.The mode switch tendency and attitude in each segment is different from others,indicating that different segments have particular policies or strategies to encourage cycling.Policy implications that best serve the potential bicycle users were discussed to reduce the number of cyclists who have high tendency to use other modes,and increase the possibility of using bicycle in the non-cyclists group with the moderate and high switch tendency.

Market segmentation and its applications intransit industry

The role of marketing in the transit industry has undergone numerous changes in past morecomplicated. The paper identifies application of market segmentation, including its definition,characteristics, functions and limitations. Its applications in transit system are extensively reviewed,including travel demand analysis, transport policy, transport planning and management, travel pattern and behavior, transit marketing and mode choices, etc.

Segmentation of electricity market for households in Slovenia

This paper investigates the electricity market for households in Slovenia. The focus is on the investigation of some empirical facts in the Slovenian electricity market for households focusing on market segmentation, market concentration measures, real electricity price developments, and their implications for electrical energy consumption and consumer welfare. The authors apply descriptive statistics, Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient of concentration, and demand function using regression framework on time-series data. The authors found that the market liberalization and entry of new competitors have slightly caused variations in the patterns in real electricity price developments. Households＇ real income and real electricity prices for households are found as the crucial determinants for the electrical energy demands by households.

Financial Valuation of Segment-Specific Marketing Activities and Market Segment Development

By applying methods of investment appraisal, this paper offers a financial approach for determining the optimal level of segment-specific marketing activities and market development under the conditions of imperfect markets and uncertainty. Within the scope of marketing planning and controlling, the model is suited to optimizing an enterprise＇s market activities and taking interdependencies between market segments, production, and investments into account. Applying duality theory of linear programming allows for identifying the income determinants and deriving formulas for a correct valuation by using （corrected） net present values （NPVs）. Under certain conditions, they can also be used to easily evaluate and financially interpret the effects of parameter changes. The author uses sensitivity analysis to support these findings and to obtain more information on the effects of these determinants.

The Analysis of Bases of Market Segmentation

This paper analyses the characters of different bases of market segmentation and classes the bases into four kinds： observable general bases, observable product-specific bases, unobservable general bases and unobservable product-specific bases. The result can be used in the future research of market segmentation.

A critique of Porter＇s cost leadership and differentiation strategies

Porter identifies high market share with cost leadership, citing GM as a successful practitioner of this strategy. However, GM became a market share leader in the American automobile industry due to a strategy of market segmentation, differentiation and a broad scope shaped during the 1920s. Porter argues that cost leadership and differentiation offer an equally viable path to competitive success. Nevertheless, a differentiation strategy based on superior quality compared to competition is more profitable than cost leadership strategy. It can lead a business to become a market share leader, and consequently even a low-cost leader. Research indicates that differentiation and cost leadership can co-exist. However, Porter insists that each generic strategy requires a different culture and a totally different philosophy. The problem is that Porter＇s generic strategies are too broad. It is not his logic that is flawed, but his basic premise that prescribes cost leadership strategy as the only route to market share leadership, and presents a narrow view of differentiation with a unique product--sold at a premium price--on the one hand, and a ＂standard, or no-frills＂ product on the other. Mintzburg （1988） says Porter＇s cost leadership strategy should be called ＂price differentiation＂： a strategy that is based on a lower price than that of the competition. He suggests that business strategy has two dimensions： differentiation and scope. Thus, setting scope aside, competitive strategy has only one component： differentiation. So, the key question is not whether to differentiate, but how？ First, make customer-perceived quality as the foundation of competitive strategy because it is far more critical to long-term success than any other factor. Second, serve the middle class by competing in the mid-price segment, offering better quality than the competition at a somewhat higher price. It is this path that can lead to market share leadership--a strategy that can be both profitable--and sustainable.

Strategic group theory： A customer-oriented view

Barney and Hoskisson （1990） argue that the strategic group research has neither established the existence of strategic groups, nor their relationship to firm performance. The primary reason behind the unsatisfactory results is the lack of a theoretical framework： what strategic variables to include in the analysis and their relative importance; the definition of an industry, and how to make competitive strategy operational. First, the author presents a customer-oriented theory of management which submits that, like Procter and Gamble, understanding customers should be the primary focus of a business. Second, the author proposes an integrated approach to competitive strategy. Because customer-perceived quality is far more critical to long-term success than any other factor, it should be the centerpiece of competitive strategy. The author suggests that competitive strategy should be divided in two interdependent dimensions： external and internal. It is the external strategy that should be considered the primary dimension because it reflects the customers＇ perspective, and provides a sense of direction regarding how the internal resources should be used. Next, the author presents an operational framework of competitive strategy which proposes that the best route to market share leadership in consumer markets is competing in the mid-price segment, offering superior quality compared to competition at a somewhat higher price： （1） to maintain an image of quality, and （2） to ensure that the strategy is profitable and sustainable. Finally, the author offers a framework of business or industry definition that extends Abell＇s （1980） three dimensions to seven. He suggests that an integrated approach to market segmentation provides the foundation for conducting strategic group analysis in consumer markets. So, in strategic group research, we need a bottom-up approach that begins with a product-market segment. In each product market, real competition occurs at the brand level. This is the ground where actual competitive wars are fought, and this is where the rich dynamics of competition often come to light.

An analysis of first-time and repeat visitors to Korean national parks from 2007 and 2013

This paper examined visitors to Bukhansan National Park in Korea based on first-time and repeat visitation. Bukhansan National Park is Korea's most heavily visited national park with annual visitation of six million visitors in 2015. Data used in this article were collected on-site in the park in 2007 and 2013 by the Korea National Park Service(KNPS).The study variables included socio-demographics,travel behavior, motivation, and satisfaction with park attributes, services and facilities. Data were analyzed by each study year for first-time and repeat visitors.Results showed significant differences for both firsttime and repeat visitors on several socio-demographic,travel behavior, and motivation variables within each study year. For satisfaction with park attributes,facilities and services, first-time visitors were significantly different from repeat visitors on seven variables for both years. Implications are given regarding programs and services to improve visitor satisfaction and sustain the natural, cultural and historical resources at Bukhansan National Park and other national parks in Korea. Future research suggestions are provided to learn more about visitor characteristics, standards of quality and preferences in the national parks.

Contributors to Urban Earnings Inequality： 1988-2007

Along with further reforms of the state-owned sector and rapid growth of the private sector, the earnings structure of urban residents has undergone significant changes that have led to growing earnings inequality. Using data collected by the China Household Income Project （CHIP）, this paper analyzes the widening earnings inequality of urban residents and the factors behind it. Results verify that rising returns from human capital have become the primary contributor to the rising earnings inequality. In addition, widening earnings gaps between genders and across different regions have also contributed to this inequaliOa.

The Effect of Class and Employment Type on the Awareness of Irregular Work Issues in Korea and ｜apan

Recently, there is greater recognition and increased attempts to protect the rights of irregular workers within Korea and Japan, especially in Korea. This is because of more and more public awareness of the polarization in material conditions between regular workers and irregular workers. So, this study focuses on the main factors explaining awareness of irregular worker issues of each of the classes, and relationship between class consciousness in both countries. The result shows that among factors affecting awareness of irregular work issues, negative effect of subjective employment stability was significant in both countries. In regard of anti-flexibility, while strong class effect was observed in Korea, negative effect of anti-neoliberalism was observed in Japan. This is seemingly contradictory that who opposes neoliberal economic policies agrees with labor market flexibilisation. This phenomenon could be explained by labor market characteristics in Korea and Japan. Japanese labor market is characterized by low flexibility and strong segmentation, while Korean labor market is characterized by high flexibility and strong segmentation. Interaction of these two characteristics increases the labor market inequality in Korea.

Labor Market Segmentation, Job Mobility and the Two-track Model of Chinese Urban Workers＇ Acquisition of Economic Status

Using data from the ＂Survey of Social Networks and Occupational Experience in Chinese Cities in 2009＂ on five cities （Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Jinan and Xi＇an）, this paper examines factors influencing Chinese urban workers＇ patterns of job mobility and acquisition of economic status in the post-reform era. The results show that workers with high educational levels and those with low educational levels occupy different segments of the labor market and have completely different paths to economic status acquisition. In the case of workers with a low educational level, job mobility is the most Jmpo^ant factor boosting income levels, while human capital variables （years of schooling and work experience） have no effect on income. By contrast, job mobility has no effect on the income of workers with a high educational level, whose income stratification Js most affected by their human capital. This research reveals the two-track model of urban workers＇ acquisition of economic status in different urban labor markets in transitional China.

Ski Tourism Experience and Market Segmentation from the Perspective of Perceived Value:A Case Study on Chongli District of Zhangjiakou

As an emerging mountain vacation tourism product,ski tourism is becoming increasingly important in the domestic tourism market.As an important theory for studying the quality of consumer experience,perceived value has been widely employed in tourism research in recent years,and improving the ski tourism experience value has become the focus of competition among ski tourism destinations.Taking the ski tourists in Chongli District of Zhangjiakou as an example,305 valid questionnaires were collected by using online and offline methods.Based on the theory of perceived value,this paper adopted principal component analysis and cluster analysis to conduct a preliminary study of ski tourism experience and market segmentation.In addition,this paper examined the differences in demographic and behavioral characteristics of different types of ski tourists.This study finds that:(1)The perceived value of ski tourism experience includes four dimensions:facility value,perceived price,safety value and service value.(2)Using the perceived value to segment ski tourists,three different customer segments are identified:comfort-pursuant,price-sensitive and safety-oriented.(3)There are significant differences in key metrics,such as number of visits and stay time,among different types of ski tourists according to their demographic characteristics such as gender,age,monthly income,and behavioral characteristics.These results reveal the different dimensions of the perceived value of ski tourism experience and determine the market segments and characteristics of ski tourists.Developing a corresponding marketing strategy based on the different market segments can better promote the perceived value of ski tourists,and ultimately strengthen the competitiveness of the enterprises.

A New Perspective on Raising Energy Efficiency:A Test Based on Market Segmentation

A comparison of the facts at the micro-and macro-level indicates that although some Chinese enterprises are at the international frontier in terms of micro-level energy efficiency,overall energy efficiency at the industrial and national level is seriously lagging behind.Hypotheses based on a market segmentation framework indicate that this is because market segmentation inhibits energy efficiency through its effect on technical efficiency,scale efficiency and allocation efficiency.This effect has been demonstrated by empirical research based on Chinese provincial panel data.

Market Transition, Labor Market Segmentation and Organizational Mobility

On the basis of data from the 2008 Chinese General Social Survey, this paper analyzes the changing organizational job mobility patterns of members of society in a segmented labor market. The structure of labor market segmentation is based on differences in the power of different labor sectors to distribute social resources, leading to further differences in their power of ＂attraction＂ or ＂repulsion＂ that influence people＇s organizational mobility. These forces are strongest in the primary labor market, lessening the possibility that workers will leave their jobs and raising the possibility of cross-sector mobility. In the course of China＇s market transition, changes in the power to allocate social resources have entailed changes in the structure of labor market segmentation, changes that have been reflected in organizational mobility. Our examination of changing modes of organizational mobility reveals that the structure of urban labor market segmentation has changed from being mainly systemic at the outset of reform and opening up to the current coexistence of systemic segmentation and market segmentation.

Labour market segmentation by ownership type and gender wage gap in urban China:evidence from CHIP2013

This paper explores the labour market segmentation by ownership type and its impact on the gender wage gap in urban China.Using the latest data of the China Household Income Project(CHIP)survey conducted in 2014(CHIP2013)and based on the Brown et al.model,I employ the decomposition analysis in this study.It is found that although both inter-sector differentials and intra-sector differentials affect the gender wage gap,the effect of intra-sector differentials is greater.In addition,in considering the effect of intra-sector differentials,the influence of unexplained differentials is greater than that of explained differentials.The results indicate that when other factors are held constantly,discrimination against female workers in a given sector is more serious,which is the main factor that causes the gender wage gap in urban China.

APPLYING PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION AND HONEY BEE MATING OPTIMIZATION IN DEVELOPING AN INTELLIGENT MARKET SEGMENTATION SYSTEM

Data mining has been successfully applied in many fields to find useful information stored in vast databases. Market segmentation, which segments data into homogenous clusters by using cluster analysis, is among the most important of the applications in data mining. In this study, we propose a clustering system which integrates particle swarm optimization and honey bee mating optimization methods （PSHBMO）. Simulations for a benchmark test function show that our proposed method is better equipped to find the global optimum than other well-known clustering algorithms. Finally, the proposed clustering system is applied to a real-world consumer electronic company to perform market segmentation via the RFM model.