Suchergebnisse

Nowadays consumers are in an increasingly complex market and they faced growing number of information as well as the broader complexity of products and services selection. Therefore, the government and marketers need to empower consumer and arise consumer's awareness. This study aimed to analyze the level of consumer empowerment index of Bogor Agricultural University students' particularly undergraduate students. The number of respondents were 262 undergraduate students from various majors. The results of the study indicated that among the four dimensions of consumer empowerment, the lowest ones was awareness about unfair business practices and consumer rights as well as consumer assertiveness. Overall, consumer empowerment index was still low. The lowest sub-dimension was related to the proposing complaint and redress. Contrary, respondents were classified as empowered in the terms of basic skills, skills of reading product labels, and tendency to talk. However, in general, the consumer empowerment index between men and women were not significantly different. The older, female, and the more cosmopolite of respondents, preferably would increase consumer skills and assertiveness. In the other hand, the older and the more cosmopolite of respondents would decrease experience on unfair business practice.Â

Today, courts proceedings remain complex and expensive for consumers. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) are means of consumer redress. Nevertheless, they have not achieved its full potential, partly due to the lack of consumer awareness. Currently, there are different legislative initiatives at the EU level devoted to improving consumer empowerment as well as, more particularly, ADR and ODR. Moreover, Information technology (IT) devices such as smartphones are improving consumers' access to information and they may contribute to empowering consumers and giving them better access to justice. Further to this contextual framework, this article presents Geoconsum, an open source mobile application that contains a database on consumer mediation entities and a compendium of consumer legislation applicable in Catalonia. In the near future, this application may be integrated with an online mediation platform. This article shows the databases' methodology and implementing process. Furthermore, it shows the mobile application functionalities and the search and retrieval capabilities, based on parameterised searches as well as on geolocation technology. The device also works as a mapping service application since it offers a route planner to access the nearest consumer mediation entity.

Through a conceptual framework derived from 1960's Christian Liberation Theology this paper examines the impact of e-commerce upon the social transformation of spatially isolated Scottish communities. While many studies have highlighted the impact of internet adoption upon individual choice and the co-creation of value, this paper argues that such advantages are mediated by structural impediments that constrain its potentially empowering effects. Viewing e-commerce through the lens of liberation theory acknowledges the influence of the economic, political and social environment upon consumer emancipation. While empowerment remains con-textually determined and reflects the desire of groups and individuals to reassert control over their own existence , established hierarchies seek to dominate the power logic and reinforce existing market inequalities.

The Guidelines are recommendations to international business for conduct in such areas as labour, environment, consumer protection and the fight against corruption. The recommendations are made by the adhering governments and, although not binding, governments are committed to promoting their observance. This Annual Report provides an account of the actions taken by the 41 adhering governments over the 12 months to June 2009 to enhance the contribution of the Guidelines to the improved functioning of the global economy. In nine years, the Guidelines have consolidated their position