Customer concerns about uncertainty and willingness to pay in leasing solar power systems

Although solar power systems are considered as one of the most promising renewable energy sources, some uncertain factors as well as the high cost could be barriers which create customer resistance. Leasing instead of purchase, as one type of product service system, could be an option to reduce consumer concern on such issues. This study focuses on consumer concerns about uncertainty and willingness to pay for leasing solar power systems. Conjoint analysis method is used to find part worth utilities and estimate gaps of willingness to pay between attribute levels, including various leasing time lengths. The results show the part worth utilities and relative importance of four major attributes, including leasing time. Among concerns about uncertainties, government subsidy, electricity price, reliability, and rise of new generation solar power systems were found to be significantly related to the additional willingness-to-pay for a shorter leasing time. Cluster analysis is used to identify two groups standing for high and low concerns about uncertainty. People with more concerns tend to pay more for a shorter lease time

Optimization of product line design for environmentally conscious technologies in notebook industry

Promotion of green technologies related to notebook computer will have significant benefits in the environment. Notebook companies need to make a careful market assessment for green technologies. Due to the variety of consumer preferences for green technologies, as well as a hot competitive climate in notebook market, consumer preferences should be taken into consideration during the assessment process. This study classifies the green technologies of notebook industry. Some green technologies are not controlled by the environmental regulations but are popular among customers. This study named this kind of technologies niche green technologies. The product line design model can evaluate the design scheme based on customer preferences. Therefore, this study uses conjoin analysis to investigate the consumers' preferences for assorted technology. Subsequently, product line design model is utilized to seek the optimal scheme of niche green technologies adoption based on the consumers' preference. Results of conjoint analysis reveal that consumers value two attributes, including price and size. Furthermore, the preferences for niche green technologies in solid state drive disk and light emitting diode backlight surpass the former technology. After the assessment of market situation with product line design model, two types of niche green technologies, including lithium polymer battery and light emitting diode backlight are suggested for the adoption of new products design

empirical study of the implementation of green supply chain management practices in the electrical and electronic industry and their relation to organizational performances

This study aims to investigate the green supply chain management practices likely to be adopted by the electrical and electronic industry in Taiwan, which is dominated by Original Equipment Manufacturing and Original Designing and Manufacturing manufacturers, after the European Union implementation of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directives. The relationship between green supply chain management practices and environmental performance, as well as financial performance, is studied. The approach of the present research includes a literature review, in depth interviews and questionnaire surveys. The companies in the electrical and electronic industry approved by the International Organization for Standardization 14001 certification in Taiwan before December 2004 were sampled for empirical study. The data were then analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences, and structural equation modelling was used as a path analysis model to verify the hypothetical construction of the study. The results indicate that the original equipment manufacturing and original designing and manufacturing manufacturers in Taiwan's electrical and electronic industry have adopted green procurement and green manufacturing practices in response to the current wave of international green issues and have generated favorable environmental and financial performances for the respective companies