Identifying Brand Consistency by Product Differentiation Using CNN

This paper presents a new method of using a convolutional neural network(CNN)in machine learning to identify brand consistency by product appearance variation.In Experiment 1,we collected fifty mouse devices from the past thirty-five years from a renowned company to build a dataset consisting of product pictures with pre-defined design features of their appearance and functions.Results show that it is a challenge to distinguish periods for the subtle evolution of themouse devices with such traditionalmethods as time series analysis and principal component analysis(PCA).In Experiment 2,we applied deep learning to predict the extent to which the product appearance variation ofmouse devices of various brands.The investigation collected 6,042 images ofmouse devices and divided theminto the Early Stage and the Late Stage.Results show the highest accuracy of 81.4%with the CNNmodel,and the evaluation score of brand style consistency is 0.36,implying that the brand consistency score converted by the CNN accuracy rate is not always perfect in the real world.The relationship between product appearance variation,brand style consistency,and evaluation score is beneficial for predicting new product styles and future product style roadmaps.In addition,the CNN heat maps highlight the critical areas of design features of different styles,providing alternative clues related to the blurred boundary.The study provides insights into practical problems for designers,manufacturers,and marketers in product design.It not only contributes to the scientific understanding of design development,but also provides industry professionals with practical tools and methods to improve the design process and maintain brand consistency.Designers can use these techniques to find features that influence brand style.Then,capture these features as innovative design elements and maintain core brand values.

Model of Vertical Product Differentiation Based on Triangular Distribution

Supposing that the consumer preference compiles with triangular distribution instead of uniform distribution, we establish the model of vertical product differentiation. The simulation shows that there exists stable equilibrium along with unstable equilibrium. In stable equilibrium, high quality products gain an advantage over low quality products. In unstable equilibrium, the former does not possess an apparent advantage in competition, likely to be at a disadvantage. In order to evolve from unstable equilibrium to stable equilibrium, it is necessary for firms to solve such problems as high prices and consumers＇ perception of scarcity on product qualities. In general, both product qualities and firm profits increase with the consuming capacity and quality perception, and the latter more rapidly.

Multi-Dimensional Product Differentiation

We analyze product differentiation in a multi-dimensional model with non-uniform consumer distribution.The level of product differentiation is measured by both unit transport costs and firms'locations.Our analysis concerns both measures.First,fixing firms'locations,we show that equilibrium prices can increase or decrease with unit transport costs.The overall result depends on the interplay of a shifting effect and a rotating effect-the latter exists only in multi-dimensional models.Second,fixing unit transport costs,we find that under non-uniform distribution,there may exist no equilibrium where firms maximize differentiation on one dimension but minimize differentiation on other dimensions.Instead,there may exist an equilibrium where firms choose intermediate locations,contrary to common findings in existing studies which assume uniform distribution.

Differentiation-Based Analysis of Environmental Management and Corporate Performance

By building a duopoly model based on product differentiation, both of the clean firm＇s and the dirty firm＇s performances are studied under the assumptions that consumers have different preferences for the product environmental attributes, and that the product cost increases with the environmental attribute. The analysis results show that under either the case with no environmental regulation or that with a tariff levied on the dirty product, the clean firm would always get more profit. In addition, the stricter the regulation is, the more profit the clean finn would obtain. This can verify that from the view of product differentiation, a firm could improve its corporate competitiveness with environmental management.

THIRD-ORDER DIFFERENTIAL SUBORDINATION RESULTS FOR ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS INVOLVING THE GENERALIZED BESSEL FUNCTIONS

In the present paper, we derive some third-order differential subordination results for analytic functions in the open unit disk, using the operator Bcκf by means of normalized form of the generalized Bessel functions of the first kind, which is defined as z（Bκ＋1^c f（z））′= κBκ^c f（z）-（κ- 1）Bκ＋1^c f（z）,where b, c, p ∈ C and κ = p ＋（b ＋ 1）/2 ∈ C ／ Z0^-（Z0^-= {0,-1,-2, … }）. The results are obtained by considering suitable classes of admissible functions. Various known or new special cases of our main results are also pointed out.

On Self-Adjointness of the Product of Two Second-Order Differential Operators

In this paper, the problem of self-adjointness of the product of two differential operators is considered. A number of results concerning self-adjointness of the product L2L1 of two second-order self-adjoint differential operators are obtained by using the general construction theory of self-adjoint extensions of ordinary differential operators.

PRICE AND SERVICE COMPETITION WITH MAINTENANCE SERVICE BUNDLING

In many equipment manufacturing industries, firms compete with each other not only on products price, but also on maintenance service. More and more traditional products oriented finns are offering their customers products bundled with maintenance service （P＆S bundles）. In this study, we examine finns＇ incentive to offer customers products bundling with long-term maintenance or repair support service in a duopoly competitive environment. When providing P＆S bundles, a finn need to determine the service level （in terms of average response time guarantee for the service in this paper） to offer and needs to build a service facility to handle the maintenance service requirements. Based on the analysis of three sub-game models, we characterize the market conditions in which only one firm, both finns or neither finn will offer P＆S bundles. Finally, we analyze the affects of serval market factors on firms＇ strategy choices.

Factors for wireless operators'collusion and competition

This article analyses on why China Mobile and China Unicom have chosen price war rather than tacit collusion these years. On the basis of the analysis on factors that influence tacit collusion, and combined with the facts of wireless communication market, the author suggests that the market asymmetries, cost asymmetries, and product differentiation are the basic factors, which trigger price competition between the Chinese wireless operators. By constructing a game model based on Chum rate, this article discusses how these factors cause a fight between the operators and how vigorous the price competition will be. At last, the author suggests that to keep vigor in this industry, continuous structural adjustment is essential. Besides, the number portability policies may cause tacit collusion.