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Product differentiation design under sequential consumer choice process

delete2014-09-09
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Xiaofeng Shao *
DOI:10.1080/00207543.2014.951091delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
We consider a product variety design problem with respect to both vertical and horizontal differentiation dimensions under a sequential consumer choice process. Consumers have heterogeneous valuations for product quality as well as different preferences for product type. We consider two sequential consumer choice processes: a quality-based choice model where consumers consider product quality first and then product type, and a type-based choice model with the reversed order. Under the quality-based model, the category manager can either adopt vertical differentiation strategy or bi-dimensional differentiation strategy, whereas under the type-based model, the category manager can either adopt horizontal differentiation strategy or bi-dimensional differentiation strategy. We characterise the structure of optimal product category and prices for each product differentiation strategy and develop efficient algorithms for the quality-based consumer choice model. We find that under the quality-based choice model, vertical differentiation strategy is more profitable than bi-dimensional differentiation strategy, whereas under the type-based choice model, horizontal differentiation strategy is preferred over bi-dimensional differentiation strategy. The result is robust considering the impact of heterogeneity in consumer choice process. Thus, further differentiation in quality or type is actually not preferred when consumers follow a sequential consumer choice process.
Keywords:
horizontal differentiation
type-based choice model
vertical differentiation
bi-dimensional differentiation
quality-based choice model
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Journal

International Journal of Production Research cover
International Journal of Production Research
IF:
7.3
Papers:
1.1W
Citations:
3.7W

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