Academic literature on the topic 'Exotic leather'

This study investigates to turn the stomach of cow into exotic leather and then leather products that would add value to the end of leather industry. For this purpose, three pieces of cow stomachs are taken to convert into leather through pre-tanning, tanning and post tanning operations i.e. soaking, liming, deliming, bating, pickling, tanning, retanning, dyeing, fatliquoring, finishing etc. Some mechanical operations are also carried out, such as drying and stacking. Several mechanical investigations have been conducted, including tensile strength, stitch tear strength colour rub fastness and shrinkage temperature in order to assess the overall physical properties of prepared leather. Chemical analyses have also been carried out (chromic oxide content, fat content and pH) to find out the quality of leather. It is observed that tensile and stitch tear strengths are much lower than any of the grained upper leather. But the results demonstrate that colour rub fastness is good enough to meet the standard value. Among the different chemical analyses, pH and % of fat content meet the standard value, but chromic oxide content (%) of one sample is below than the standard value of grained upper leather. All these might be due to the prevalence of difference in composition between hide/skin and the stomach of animals. The prepared stomach leather could be used in making of fancy leather goods like key ring, wrist watch belt, hair clip, bracelet etc.

The objective of this study was to discern opportunities for improving leather-making properties of hides originating from beef production systems based on indigenous Afrikaner cattle via crossbreeding. Data were previously unpublished breed means from purebred Afrikaner, Brahman, Charolais, Hereford and Simmental, top-crosses of Brahman, Charolais, Hereford, and Simmental sires on (1) Afrikaner dams producing F1 progenies and (2) Brahman × Afrikaner, Charolais × Afrikaner, Hereford × Afrikaner, and Simmental × Afrikaner F1 females producing both backcross and three-breed cross progenies. Hide yield (%), leather yield (dm2/kg), force 20% extension (Mpa), extension grain crack (%), extension break (%), force break (Mpa), slit tear force (N/mm), distension grain crack (%), and force grain crack (N/mm) were evaluated. Breed direct effects and individual heterosis, but not maternal effects, may be important for most of these traits. Direct effects due to the exotic breeds reduced hide yield but generally improved leather properties relative to the indigenous Afrikaner. For both hide and leather yields, individual heterosis effects arose primarily from indicus × taurus crosses with the Hereford × Brahman effect being most pronounced. Thus, there may be opportunities to improve leather yield and quality through crossbreeding relative to the straightbred Afrikaner. A top-cross mating plan may be recommended to enhance production by subsistence level farmers having access to Afrikaner females, provided that management can ensure appropriate use of the terminal sires.

We developed additive-free fruit leather made from snake fruit (Salacca sp.), one of the exotic fruits of Madura, Indonesia. Mature snake fruit variety native of Bangkalan Regency was peeled, the seed was discarded, and flesh was blanched for 5 minutes, cooled and then crushed in an electric blender to form a smooth slurry. The slurry was then cooked until thick, spread onto a flat surface, and then dried in an oven at 60°C until dry. Fruit leather with a water content of around 10% was kept in aluminium foil or polypropylene plastic bag at 25 and 35°C for 3 weeks. Every week, fruit leather was examined for tensile strength, water activity, colour (L, a b*values), and titratable acidity. Sensory analysis was performed using ten semi-trained panellists to score hardness, chewiness, sweetness, astringency, aroma, shininess, and cohesiveness. Results indicated that tensile strength apparently increased during storage. Polypropylene bag showed lower water activity and value, but higher titratable acidity of fruit leather. Storage time increased water activity, titratable acidity, but reduced all colour parameters. Higher storage temperature led to higher L and b values. On the contrary, sensory analysis results indicated the limited effect of factors studied. The shininess of fruit leather reduced with the progress of storage, and cohesiveness increased in the first week of storage only, followed by constant reduce towards the storage time. Astringency in snake fruit is a limiting factor. However, snake fruit leather showed moderate level (4.6 out of 9 score) of astringency.

AbstractThe sixteenth century was a golden age for botany, a time when numerous naturalists devoted themselves to the study and documentation of plant diversity. A very prominent figure among them was the German physician, botanist, and traveler Leonhard Rauwolf (1535?–1596), famous for his travel account and luxurious book herbarium containing plants from the Near East. Here, we focus on the less studied, early book herbaria of Rauwolf. These form a three-volume plant collection bound in leather and gold, which contains over 600 plants that Rauwolf collected between 1560 and 1563 in S. France and N. Italy when he was a student of medicine. We show the botanical value of Rauwolf’s early book herbaria, exemplified by two exotic American specimens, namely one of the oldest surviving specimens of tobacco (Nicotiana rustica), collected in Italy, and the oldest known French record of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica). These well-preserved specimens indicate that Rauwolf was eager to collect exotic plants already in his early botanical steps. We further discuss Rauwolf’s professional botanical network during his student years and suggest that the famous Swiss botanist Johann Bauhin (1541–1613), friend and companion of Rauwolf during his field excursions and their medical studies in Montpellier, has played a significant role in the compilation of this precious historical plant collection. We also show that Leonhart Fuchs (and not Carolus Clusius) extensively annotated the three book herbaria. Finally, we reconstruct the story of making of the book herbaria, as evidenced through observations of paper watermarks and handwritten texts in the book volumes, and show that all four book herbaria of Rauwolf were probably bound between 1577 and 1582.

The groups of settlers who arrived in Punta Arenas in Southern Patagonia in the second half of the 19th century, established the trade in hunting products, leather and exotic feathers. They organized the first companies as trading houses between individuals and friends. The capital accumulation of these immigrants promoted take-off and productive control based on external trade routes, an evidence of prior connections abroad. From 1881, the multiplication of some family companies boosted out controlling branches and suppliers of value productive chains through different association to foreign groups encouraged by the offer of land concessions. Partnership by friendship and family also added anonymous societies with a shareholder scheme including family members. The major article’s goal is to analyze first family business in this context, through a genealogy business approach. Theoretical concepts and method used here include debates of economic history and entrepreneurial history focused on family business. The core is social and commercial structures for understanding the family continuity, and also business survival in specific contexts. We elaborate three intertwined commercial and family genealogies that worked first in Punta Arenas before 1908 and later in Argentina. And, we analyze strategies by family members of second and third generations achieved for survival, and configuration of the Braun-Menéndez Behety business family. We relate some findings to the connections between Punta Arenas economy and European capitalism; interregional connections; the family as a socio-cultural dimension in entrepreneurship; management innovations in rural contexts and the pathways followed to establish the firsts mother-firms in Austral Patagonian Area.

Kulit Ular merupakan elemen utama yang sangat menentukan kualitas suatu produk kerajinan. CV. Asia Exotica Medan pada mulanya merupakan industri yang hanya menerima kulit dari pembudidaya ular, dan kemudian sekarang berkembang mengolah kulit ular untuk dijadikan produk dan kerajinan lainnya. Karena kurangnya pengetahuan perusahaan Kulit dibidang industri ini mengakibatkan terjadi kesulitan dalam menentukan keputusan memilih kulit untuk dijadikan bahan kerajinan Tas, Jaket, Sepatu , Dompet dan Aksesoris lainnya yang bagus dan berkualitas, padahal untuk menentukan sebuah kulit layak atau tidaknya sebagai bahan kerajinan diperlukan perhitungan yang sistematis dan akurat agar diperoleh pengambilan keputusan yang tepat. Penggunaan perangkat lunak sistem pendukung keputusan (SPK) dengan metode Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP) ini terdiri dari 3 kriteria, yaitu kriteria ukuran kulit, fisik kulit dan warna kulit pada suatu kulit ular dan yang menjadi alternatif kulit phyton, sunbean, radiata dan sunbean. Setelah mengetahui parameter, langkah selanjutnya adalah menganalisis kebutuhan sistem, merekayasa pengetahuan, menerapkan metode dan pengujian sistem dengan menggunakan software Super Decisions.Snake skin is the main element that will determine the quality of a craft product. CV.Asia Exotica was originally a field that only accepts industry of cultivators snake skin, and then now grown to be a snake skin processing and other handicraft products .Because Less of knowledge in the field of industrial enterprises has resulted leather happened difficulty in determining the decision to choose the skin to be used as craft Bag, Jacket, Shoes, Wallets and other accessories are good quality, but to determine whether or not a leather craft materials required as a systematic calculation and accurately in order to obtain the right decision. The use of decision support software system ( DSS ) with Analytical Hierarchy Process ( AHP ) is composed of three criteria, namely is criteria skin, physical skin, skin color in a snake skin and python skin is a viable alternative, sunbean, radiata and sunbean. After knowing the parameters, the next step is to analyze the need of the system, manipulating knowledge, implement the method and system testing using the Super Decisions software.

Abstract ContextEach year, millions of reptile skins are commercially exported from Southeast Asia for exotic leathers. Quotas are commonly used to regulate this trade, but quotas are sometimes exceeded and do little to ensure harvest sustainability. AimsTo explore the relationship between the size of live pythons and their skins, and to assess whether skin measurements can be used to enforce the application of limits on the size of harvested snakes. MethodsWe measured the body size of three heavily harvested python species (Malayopython reticulatus, Python breitensteini and Python brongersmai) in Indonesia and Malaysia and examined the relationship with skin length, skin width, the size of the ventral scale and its adjacent dorsal scale. Key resultsMeasurements of 2261 pythons showed strong relationships between the size of live pythons and measurements made on their skins. Skins can be stretched 30% longer than the body length of snakes from which they came and inter-facility and country differences in stretching technique result in different relationships between the sizes of live snakes and the measurements made on their skins. Male and female Malayopython reticulatus differed in their skin dimensions relative to the size of the live snake, but these differences were minor. ConclusionsDespite variations in stretching techniques, in functional terms, this variation is minor (maximum 3.5% relative to each mean measurement) and does not limit application of skin sizes for regulating trade within an acceptable level of error. However, differences in the stretched length of Indonesian and Malaysian skins were much greater (5.9% of the mean length of skins), and, thus, each country should apply its own limits and predictive tools. ImplicationsThe strong relationship between the skin size and the size of the live snake offers great potential for regulating trade by using skin-size limits. Inspection of the size of skins can be used to enforce harvest-size limits and focus harvesting away from sexes and life stages most critical for population persistence. This management tool has numerous advantages over current regulatory practices (quotas) and should be considered for management of trade in Asian reptile skins.

Means-end Chain theory posits that consumers choose certain products or services based on their attributes in an attempt to produce certain outcomes (Gutman, 1997). This results in consumers thinking about products and services in terms of the product's attributes, the consequence resulting from the use of the products and finally in achieving important personal values (Gutman, 1997). The process of utilising Means-end Chain theory involves the researcher asking various "why" probes, usually starting with the attribute of the product, in an attempt to uncover the attribute-consequence-value relationship the consumer has with the product in question (Gutman, 1997; Reynolds & Gutman, 1988), and allows for an in-depth analysis of which attributes consumers find most important in certain products, the consequence the attribute holds and the personal value that is satisfied by purchasing the product. With regard to luxury exotic leather accessories, consumers might prefer certain intrinsic or extrinsic product attributes more than other, that lead to negative or positive consequences, and in turn lead to the consumer fulfilling either a terminal or an instrumental value. Therefore the aim of this study was to explore affluent South African female consumers' luxury value perceptions of exotic leather accessories, by utilising the Means-end Chain theory. Affluent female consumers aged 30 to 60 were used as the unit of analysis for this research study. These affluent South African female consumers resided in Gauteng and the City of Cape Town and formed part of the LSM 7-10 consumer segment. This LSM 7-10 market segment entails that these consumers are more likely to be working full time, to be qualified and earn R10 255 to R29 512, monthly, a higher than average household income (SAARF Segmentation Tool, 2012:59-62).Convenience, and snowball sampling were used to collect data in the Gauteng and Cape Town areas. The measuring instrument used for this study was a self-administered questionnaire, and a total of 40 usable questionnaires were collected. The findings of this study indicate that the luxury value perceptions these affluent female consumers sought to fulfil were Functional and Individual value, and that these value perceptions were driven by the Usability and Self-identity consequence of use that were based on the Colour and Design attributes of the exotic leather accessory. This indicates that the affluent South African female participants that took part in this study sought aesthetic intrinsic product attributes (design and colour) to fulfil both Usability (functional) and Self-identity (psychological) consequences that are driven by Functional (terminal) and Individual (instrumental) values. This was attributed to the participants valuing exotic leather handbags that are durable, versatile and cleverly designed (Functional Value), while allowing them to express who they are and make them feel good (Individual Value).
"Means-end Chain" teorie postuleer dat verbruikers sekere produkte of dienste kies gebaseer op hul eienskappe in 'n poging om sekere uitkomste te produseer (Gutman, 1997). Dit lei tot verbruikers wat dink oor produkte en dienste in terme van die eienskappe van die produk, die gevolg van die gebruik van die produkte wat dan uiteindelik lei tot die bereiking van belangrike persoonlike waardes (Gutman, 1997). Die proses van "Means-end Chain" teorie behels dat die navorser verskeie "hoekom" vrae vra, die proses beign gewoonlik met die kenmerk van die produk, in 'n poging om die kenmerk-gevolg-waarde verhouding wat die verbruiker met die betrokke produk het te ontbloot (Gutman, 1997; Reynolds & Gutman, 1988), en maak voorsiening vir 'n in-diepte analise van die eienskappe wat verbruikers die belangrikste vind in sekere produkte, die gevolg van die eienskap en die persoonlike waarde vervul word met die aankoop van die produk. Met betrekking tot luukse eksotiese leer bykomstighede, kan verbruikers sekere intrinsieke of ekstrinsieke produk eienskappe verkies meer as ander, wat lei tot negatiewe of positiewe gevolge, en op sy beurt lei tot die verbruiker se vervulling van sy/haar terminale of instrumentele waardes. Daarom was die doel van hierdie studie om welgestelde Suid-Afrikaanse vroulike verbruikers se luukse waarde persepsies van eksotiese leer bykomstighede te verken, deur gebruik te maak van die "Means-end Chain" teorie. Welgestelde vroulike verbruikers, tussen die ouderdomme van 30 tot 60 jaar, is gebruik as die eenheid van analise vir hierdie navorsingstudie. Hierdie welgestelde Suid-Afrikaanse vroulike verbruikers woon in Gauteng en die Stad Kaapstad en het vorm deel van die LSM 7-10 verbruiker segment. Die LSM 7-10 marksegment behels dat hierdie verbruikers is meer geneig om voltyds te werk, gekwalifiseerd is, en verdien R10 255 tot R29 512, maandelikse, 'n hoër as gemiddelde huishoudelike inkomste (SAARF Segmentation Tool, 2012:59-62). Gerief, en sneeubalsteekproeftrekking is gebruik om data in die Gauteng en Kaapstad gebiede in te samel. Die meetinstrument wat gebruik word vir hierdie studie was 'n self-geadministreerde vraelys, en 'n totaal van 40 bruikbare vraelyste is ingesamel. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie dui daarop dat die luukse waarde persepsies wat die welgestelde vroulike verbruikers wat deel maak van die studie probeer vervul was Funksionele en Individuele waardes, en dat hierdie waarde persepsies gedryf word deur die bruikbaarheid en self-identiteit gevolge van die gebruik van die produk, wat gebaseer is op die kleur en ontwerp eienskappe van die eksotiese leer bykomstighede. Dit dui daarop dat die welgestelde Suid-Afrikaanse vroulike deelnemers wat deelgeneem het aan hierdie studie, estetiese intrinsieke produk eienskappe (ontwerp en kleur) gesoek het vir beide Bruikbaarheid (funksionele) en self-identiteit (sielkundige) gevolge wat gedryf word deur die vervulling van funksionele (terminale) en Individuele (instrumenteel) waardes. Dit is toegeskryf aan die deelnemers se waardeering van eksotiese leer handsakke wat duursame, veelsydig en slim ontwerp (Funksionele waarde) is, wat teselfdetyd die deelnemet toelaar om hulle identiteit te vertoon en hul maak goed voel oor hulself (Individuele Waarde).
Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
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The study investigated South African female consumers' purchase intent for luxury exotic leather accessories, with specific reference to exotic crocodile leather, as well as their perceived values of luxury exotic leather products and brands. A survey was conducted across South Africa that included representation of the following ethnic groups: African, White, Coloured, Asian and Indian. All the individuals surveyed were female. Consulta Research, a consumer research company, assisted the research study in collecting data. Data was collected by means of a non-probability convenient sampling method. Consulta Research distributed an online questionnaire to female participants on their database. Three hundred and thirty seven (337) usable questionnaires were completed and returned. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Spearman's correlation analysis and Cohen's d correlation analysis. All of the demographic and lifestyle characteristics were useful in describing the South African female consumer. The findings indicated that the majority of the respondents were not willing to spend market-related prices for genuine crocodile leather accessories. The study confirmed that luxury value perceptions may include five dimensions that are distinguished in literature, namely Social, Individual gifts, Individual pleasure, Financial, and Functional value perceptions. Functional value perceptions were found to be more important to South African respondents, although previous studies in other countries have shown that Social and Individual value perceptions are more important. According to the literature presented in the study, it was confirmed that purchasing intent is part of the decision-making process, since intention is evident in an individual's readiness to perform a given behaviour. The findings showed that South African female respondents have a weak Purchasing intent for exotic crocodile leather accessories. The study, however, also showed that in the future at some point a substantial percentage of respondents might buy (24.00% + 18.60% + 20.70%), have the intention to buy (23.40% + 17.50% + 21.30%) and have an interest to buy (23.10% + 17.80% + 18.90%) an exotic crocodile leather accessory. A high practical significance was also found for the correlation between Purchasing intent and Functional value perceptions. This might be an indicator of the important role that functionality would play in respondents' final decision to buy or not buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory. This has implications for industry stakeholders because Functional value perceptions, according to the study, can be described as superior quality, quality assurance, high quality standards and substantive attributes and performance factors. Therefore industry stakeholders within the luxury exotic crocodile leather industry, be it suppliers, manufacturers, breeders, farmers, retailers or marketers, should take these consumer values into consideration in order to maximise the ultimate value delivered by the supply chain. Various recommendations are made based on the findings of this study, to either expand or build onto this existing research. Topics related to luxury exotic crocodile leather accessories and luxury consumers in South Africa can definitely be explored further to fill the current gap in knowledge in this field.
Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
Unrestricted

This study explored South African female consumers’ value perceptions as well as their needs for traceable information on exotic crocodile leather accessories. The Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels' Luxury Value Perception Scale (2007) and the Consumer Decision-making Process (Solomon & Rabolt, 2004:354) served as conceptual framework for the study. A questionnaire was distributed across South Africa and completed by willing participants. All participants were South African citizens, females of varyin g cultural backgrounds, including: African, Caucasian, Indian, Asian and Coloured individuals. The Consulta Research (Pty) Ltd used their extensive database of female consumers for sampling purposes. They managed to collect three hundred and thirty seven (337) completed and usable questionnaires. The Spearman's Correlation Coefficient, descriptive statistics, as well as exploratory factor analysis were used for data analysis. The results indicate that respondents to this questionnaire were not willing to pay marketrelated prices for exotic crocodile leather accessories. Findings of this study uncovered five luxury value perceptions as opposed to the four originally recognised by Wiedmann et al. (2007), namely Functional, Social, Financial, Individual gifts and Individual pleasure value perceptions. Of these luxury value perceptions, respondents indicated that the functional value perception was the most important to them. Traceable intrinsic and extrinsic-related attributes which can have an impact on decision-making by consumers were also explored. Results indicate that respondents found intrinsic-related attributes moderately important when deciding to purchase an exotic crocodile leather accessory. With regard to extrinsic-related product attributes, results indicate that most respondents found these extrinsic-related attributes moderately important. The notable exception was the position brand-holders held on child labour, which was indicated as important by most respondents. Results further indicated weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationships between functional value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic-related as well as extrinsic-related information. Weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationships were also conversely found between financial value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic-related information. There was a weak but statistically highly significant relationship between the individual giftvalue perception and the importance of extrinsic-related information as well as, conversely, a weak-positive statistically significant relationship between individual gift-value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic-related information. Purchase intent is an important determinant when consumers make decisions. Research results for this study have, however, indicated that respondents had a weak purchase intent for exotic crocodile leather accessories. Most respondents reported that they would never, at any time, buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory. Neither would they at some stage have the intention to buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory, or have a purchase interest for an exotic crocodile leather accessory. Finally, results show that there was a weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationship between the importance of extrinsic-related product attributes and purchase intent. Results of this study make positive contributions towards the decision-making of various role players within the exotic crocodile leather accessory industry. Role players such as farmers, manufacturers, distributers, retailers and marketers can all benefit from the results. Based on the results of this study, recommendations for industry and future research are made.
Dié studie ondersoek Suid-Afrikaanse vroueverbruikers se waardepersepsies asook hul behoeftes aan navolgbare inligting oor eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstighede. Die Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels's Luxury Value Perception Scale (2007) en The Consumer Decisionmaking Process (Solomon & Rabolt, 2004:354) dien as die konseptuele raamwerk vir dié studie. 'n Vraelys is dwarsoor Suid-Afrika versprei en voltooi deur vrywillige deelnemers. Alle respondente was Suid-Afrikaanse burgers, vroue van 'n verskeidenheid etniese herkomste, waarby ingesluit: Afrikaan, Kaukasiese, Indiese, en kleurlingindividue. Consulta Research (Pty) Ltd het van hul uitgebereide databasis van vroueverbruikers in hul steekproef gebruik gemaak. Hulle het daarin geslaag drie om honderd sewe en dertig (337) voltooide en bruikbare vraelyste te bekom. Die Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient se beskrywende statistiek en oorsigtelike faktore-ontleding is gebruik in die data-analiese. Die bevindings dui daarop dat respondente op die vraelys nié bereid is om markverwante pryse te betaal vir eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede nie. Verdere bevindings in dié studie het vyf luukse waardepersies blootgelê, teenoor die vier aangedui deur Wiedmann et al. (2007), naamlik: Funksionele, Sosiale, Finansiële, Individuele geskenke, en Individuele plesierwaardepersepsies. Van dié luuksewaardepersepsies het respondente aangedui dat die funksionele waardepersepsie vir hulle die belangrikste is. Opspoorbare en navolgbare intrinsieke of ekstrinsieke eienskappe wat 'n invloed kan hê op die besluitnemening deur verbruikers was matig-belangrik in die besluitproses vir die aankoop van 'n eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstigheid. Met betrekking tot ekstrinsieke produkeienskappe, dui resultate daarop dat respondente grootliks hierdie ekstrinsieke eieskappe ook as matig-belangrik geag het. Die opmerklike uitsondering is beleidstandpunte wat handelsmerkeienaars ten opsigte van kinderarbeid handhaaf en wat as belangrik deur respondente bejeën is. Resultate dui verder daarop dat swak-positiewe, maar 'n statisties hoogs belangrike verband bestaan tussen fuksionele waardepersepsies en intrinsiek-verwante asook ekstrinsiekeverwante beskouings. Verder is ook aangedui dat hoogs belangrike verbande tussen finaniële waardepersepsies, individuele geskenkwaardepersepsies en die belangrikheid van intrinsieke en ekstrinsieke inligting teenwoordig is. Daar was 'n swak, maar hoogs belangrike verband tussen die indivuele geskenkwaardepersepsie en die belangrikheid van ekstrinsieke-verwante inligting asook die omgekeerde statisties-belangrike, swak-positiewe verband tussen individuele geskenkwaardepersepsies en die belangrikheid van intrinsiek-verwante inligting word beklemtoon. Die aankoopvoorneme is 'n belangrike oorweging in verbruikers se besluitneming. Resultate in hierdie studie, dui egter daarop dat verbruikers 'n swak aankoopvoorneme vir eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstighede het. 'n Meerderheid van die respondente het aangedui dat hulle nooit 'n bykomstigheid van krokodilleer sal koop nie. Verder sal hulle in geen stadium enige voorneme koester om 'n krokoldilleerbykomstigheid aan te skaf of belangstel om só 'n produk te bekom nie. Laastens dui resultate op 'n swak-positiewe, maar statisties hoogsbetekenisvolle verband tussen die belangrikheid van ekstrinsieke produkeieskappe en koopvoorneme. Resulate van dié studie maak 'n positiewe bydrae tot die besluitneming van verskeie rolspelers binne die eksotiese krokodilleer-industrie. Rolspelers soos boere, vervaardigers, verspreiders, handelaars en bemarkers kan almal baat vind by dié bevindings. Sleutelwoorde: Vroueverbruiker van luukse bykomstighede; industrie vir luukse krolodilleerbykomstighede; luuksewaardepersepsies; intrinsieke produkeienskappe; ekstrinsieke produkeienskappe; aankoopvoorneme.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
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With this study the researcher investigated the sustainable luxury value perceptions, supply chain information needs, and purchasing intent of American and Chinese tourists for South African manufactured luxury exotic leather products. Online survey data was collected from 1 043 individuals from American (518) and Chinese (525) decent. A non-probability convenient sample method was followed for data collection purposes. A self-administered questionnaire based on the works of Hennigs, Wiedmann, Klarmann and Behrens (2013c) and Cervellon and Shammas (2013) was used to test individuals’ sustainable luxury value perceptions. A self-developed scale tested the need for supply chain information. Purchasing intent was determined based on the research of Spears and Singh (2004). Data analysis consisted of descriptive and inferential statistics with correlation coefficient determination between constructs. The findings confirmed the “sustainable excellence” perception conceptualised by Hennigs et al. (2013c). It was furthermore found that only slight differences existed between American and Chinese consumers sustainable luxury value perceptions. Furthermore, it was found that American and Chinese consumers had a strong need for supply chain information relating to luxury exotic leather products, with a clear distinction existing between their operational and originality supply chain information needs. The findings showed that consumers from both nationalities had a high intention to purchase luxury exotic leather products when visiting South Africa. In addition, significant correlations were found between American and Chinese consumers’ sustainable luxury value perceptions, their supply chain information needs, and purchasing intent. Various exotic leather industry stakeholders, such as crocodile and ostrich farmers, tanneries, product designers, manufacturers, retailers, and marketers, can benefit from the findings of this study, to position their products competitively.
Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
Unrestricted

The study investigated Eastern and Western tourists’ luxury value perceptions regarding exotic leather products, the e-luxe value perceptions that drive their preference for specific attributes of an exotic leather product’s social media presence and the influence this has on their purchasing intent. A survey was conducted that focused on American and Chinese luxury consumers and was facilitated by an international independent company, Qualtrics. Qualtrics assisted with collecting the data by means of a non-probability convenient sampling method. Online questionnaires were distributed to consumers on their data basis and 1043 usable questionnaires were collected, of which 525 were from Chinese respondents (translated to Cantonese and Mandarin) and 518 were from American respondents. The statistical analysis that was conducted consisted of descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Levene’s test of equality of variance and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. The demographic and consumer behaviour findings assisted in better understanding the Eastern and Western tourist. The study’s findings showed that almost all of the respondents were aware that South Africa is known for its exotic crocodile and ostrich leather. Most of the respondents fell in the millennial age group. The most common type of purchase made by Americans were accessories for themselves, while the Chinese rather purchased souvenirs on their trips. Chinese respondents mostly used Blogs, while Americans preferred to use Facebook, to gain information. This study also showed that the luxury value perceptions might be different between cultural groups. Both the groups conceptualised their luxury value perceptions completely different to what previous literature states. Two luxury value perceptions could be identified for the American respondents, namely “Me” value and Financial value, while there were three luxury value perceptions for the Chinese respondents, namely “Pleasure” value, Social value and Financial value. This difference in the luxury value perceptions was also evident in the respondent’s e-luxe value perceptions. The self-developed scale based on the values of e-luxe model showed that both groups also conceptualised their e-luxe values differently. The two e-luxe value perceptions identified for the Americans were “American Experience” e-luxe value and “Perceived Me” e-luxe value. The two e-luxe values that could be identified for the Chinese respondents were “Chinese Experience” and “Price”. The study also found that both the groups expressed very strong purchasing intentions for exotic leather products with no significant difference between the two groups. The results also showed significantly strong positive correlations between American respondents’ “Me” and Chinese respondents’ “Pleasure” luxury value perceptions, and their purchasing intent. Significantly strong positive correlations were also seen between American respondents’ “American Experience” and Chinese respondents’ “Chinese Experience” luxury value perceptions, and their purchasing intent. This serves as a guide to South African and international retailers and marketers to position their exotic leather products in such a way that it communicates important luxury values to international tourists and thereby influences their purchasing intent in a positive way.
Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
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The study investigated the role of knowledge (objective knowledge and subjective knowledge) and the importance of country-of-origin in female consumers’ purchasing intent of exotic crocodile leather accessories. The study was conducted across South Africa and specifically concentrated on exotic crocodile leather accessories, which is a subset category in the luxury apparel industry. Consulta Research is a professional research company and was consulted to assist with the data collection. A quantitative descriptive approach was followed by developing an electronic survey design. Data was collected by using a selfadministrated online questionnaire, which was distributed by a research company. A crosssectional study was used to conduct the research. The data was collected by means of nonprobability convenient sampling. A total of 337 questionnaires were completed. Scales from previous research studies were adapted for the purpose of this study. The questionnaire was part of a bigger study and only five sections of the questionnaire were relevant to this specific study. Descriptive and association methods were used to analyse the data. Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation were used to analyse the data by means of relationships between variables. This study attempts to differentiate between consumers’ objective and subjective knowledge of luxury leather accessories. The construct objective knowledge was theoretically divided into intrinsic-related attributes and extrinsic-related attributes of the products of investigation. The relationship between objective knowledge and purchasing intent as well as the relationship between the importance of country-of-origin information and purchasing intent of exotic crocodile leather accessories was investigated. The findings regarding exotic crocodile leather accessories showed that females’ objective and subjective knowledge is limited, did not seem to find country-of-origin information important, had a weak purchase intent, and indicated that there was statistical significance only between the female consumers’ purchasing intent and their objective knowledge regarding the intrinsicrelated attributes of exotic crocodile leather accessories. The limitations of the study are that the results are based on non-probability convenience sampling, therefore the findings cannot be generalized to the whole South Africa, or to all the exotic leather industry markets for affluent consumers. One would have liked to have approached a population group that consisted of affluent respondents with an annual household income of more than R100 000. The study’s findings can contribute to the South African exotic crocodile leather industry and specifically to retailers, manufacturers, tanneries, and marketers. The findings and conclusions drawn in this study contribute to existing theory and could serve as the basis for future research in consumer behaviour, consumer science and the luxury exotic leather industry in South Africa.
Die studie het die rol van produk-kennis (objektiewe kennis en subjektiewe kennis) en die belangrikheid van inligting aangaande land-van-oorsprong in vroulike verbruikers se koopintensie met betrekking tot eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede ondersoek. Die studie is regoor Suid-Afrika uitgevoer, en daar is spesifiek gekonsentreer op eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede, wat ʼn sub-kategorie in die luukse klerebedryf uitmaak. Consulta Research is ʼn professionele navorsingsmaatskappy en is geraadpleeg om te help met die data-insameling. ʼn Kwantitatiewe deskriptiewe benadering is gevolg deur ʼn elektroniese opname-ontwerp te ontwikkel. Die data is ingesamel deur die gebruik van ʼn selftoegepaste aanlyn-vraelys, wat deur ʼn navorsingsmaatskappy versprei is. ʼn Dwarssneestudie is gebruik om die navorsing te doen. Die data is ingesamel deur middel van niewaarskynlikheids- gerieflikheid-steekproefneming. ʼn Totaal van 337 vraelyste is voltooi. Skale uit vorige navorsingstudies is aangepas vir die doeleindes van hierdie studie. Die vraelys het deel gevorm van ʼn groter studie en slegs vyf afdelings van die vraelys het betrekking op hierdie spesifieke studie. Pearson-korrelasie en Spearman-korrelasie is gebruik om die data deur middel van die verhoudings tussen veranderlikes te analiseer. Hierdie studie poog om te onderskei tussen die verbruikers se objektiewe en subjektiewe produk-kennis van luukse leer-produkte. Die produk wat genavors word se objektiewe kennis is teoreties onderverdeel in intrinsiek-verwante kenmerke en ekstrinsiek-verwante eienskappe. Die verhouding tussen objektiewe kennis en koopintensie, asook die verhouding tussen die belangrikheid van inligting aangaande die land-van-oorsprong en die koopintensie met betrekking tot eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede is ondersoek. Die bevindinge met betrekking tot eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede het getoon dat vroulike verbruikers beperkte objektiewe kennis en subjektiewe kennis beskik, blykbaar nie inligting aangaande land-van-oorsprong as belangrik beskou nie, ʼn swak koopintensie het, en het aangedui dat daar statistiese beduidendheid was slegs tussen die vroulike verbruikers se koopintensie en hul objektiewe kennis aangaande die intrinsiek-verwante eienskappe van eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede. Die beperkinge van die studie is dat die resultate gebaseer was op nie-waarskynlikheidsgerieflikheidsteekproefneming, wat beteken dat die bevindings nie veralgemeen kan word na die hele Suid-Afrika nie, of na al die eksotieseleer-bedryfsmarkte vir welgestelde verbruikers nie. ʼn Mens sou graag ʼn populasiegroep wou kon bestudeer wat bestaan uit welgestelde respondente met ʼn jaarlikse huishoudelike inkomste van meer as R100 000. Die studie se bevindinge kan bydra tot die Suid-Afrikaanse eksotiese krokodilleerbedryf en spesifiek vir kleinhandelaars, vervaardigers, leerlooierye, en bemarkers. Die bevindinge en gevolgtrekkings in hierdie studie dra by tot bestaande teorie en kan dien as die basis vir toekomstige navorsing in verbruikersgedrag, verbruikerswetenskappe en die luukse, eksotiese leerbedryf in Suid-Afrika.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
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This study explored the relevance of sustainability labelling for Chinese consumers’ perception of the luxuriousness of, and purchase intent for sustainability-labelled exotic leather accessories. The Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels’ Luxury Value Perception Scale (2007), as well as the Vigneron and Johnson’s (2004) Brand Luxury Index (BLI) model as adapted by Kim and Johnson (2015) served as the conceptual framework for the study. An online questionnaire was distributed across China and completed by willing participants. Qualtrics, a reputable international market research platform, used their extensive database of consumers for sampling purposes and managed to collect 526 completed and usable questionnaires. All participants had visited South Africa in the last five years or have the intention of visiting in the next five years. Both males and females were included in the study provided that they fell into the millennial generational cohort as of the year 2019 (born between 1979 and 2000). Data analysis was achieved through exploratory factor analysis and the calculation of the Cronbach alpha coefficients and eigenvalues. The outcome of the factor analysis for the sample identified three factors instead of the four factors proposed by the original Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels (2007) scale, namely “Pleasure”, “Others” and “Financial”. It seems that the Chinese millennials in this study considered everything that exotic leather accessories can do for them on a functional an individual level as one concept, named “Pleasure”. Additionally, respondents indicated that the “Pleasure” value perception was also the most important to them. Social items of the original scale loaded on the “Others” factor and although a little less important than the “Pleasure” factor, it is particularly important to the respondents in this study to know what others think of people who use certain exotic leather accessories. Finally, Financial items of the original scale loaded on the respondents’ “Financial” factor, which was considered to be the least important for the respondents in this study. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to investigate whether the sample differed with regard to their perceptions of the factors “Pleasure”, “Others” and “Financial”. Post hoc analyses showed that there were significant differences with regard to all pairwise comparisons. The highest score was obtained on Pleasure, followed by Financial and Others. The outcome of the factor analysis for the sample’s perception of the luxuriousness of the four different sustainability-labels identified one identical factor for each of the four labels, instead of the five factors of the revised Kim and Johnson (2015) scale. The factor was named “Luxuriousness”. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to investigate whether the sample differed with regard to the respondents’ perceptions of the luxuriousness between the four labels, however post hoc analyses revealed no significant differences with regard to any pairwise comparison. The outcome of the factor analysis for the sample’s purchasing intent, based on Spears and Singh’s (2004) scale indicated that the respondents had in all four cases a very strong purchasing intent for the sustainable exotic accessories, with only small differences between the four differently labelled exotic leather accessories. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to investigate whether the sample differed with regard to their purchase intentions for the four labels. Post hoc analyses showed that there was a statistically significant difference between respondents’ purchase intent for Label 2 and Label 4, as well as a statistically significant difference between respondents’ purchase intent for Label 3 and Label 4. Respondents’ purchase intentions for both Labels 2 and 3 were therefore significantly higher than their purchase intent for Label 4. According to the results, there were statistically highly significant strong, positive correlations between the respondents’ most important Pleasure luxury value perception and their Purchase Intent for all four labels. Therefore, the more important the Pleasure luxury value perception becomes, the stronger becomes the respondents’ Purchase Intent for all four sustainability labelled accessories. Results of this study make positive contributions for various role players within the exotic leather industry. Manufacturers, retailers and marketers can all benefit from the results of the study. Recommendations for industry and future research are made.
Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
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The objective of this paper was to evaluate the corporal revenues, determine the chemical composition of the filet and evaluate the physical-mechanic resistance of the Nile tilapia leather (Oreochromis niloticus) produced in dug fishponds and cages. The results obtained of the corporal characteristics , the revenues results, the morphometric relations, the chemical composition of the filets and the physical-mechanic tests of the tilapia leather from both raising systems have undergone variance analysis (ANOVA). When statistic differences were observed (p<0,05), the Tukey test was applied in 5% of significance, using the software Statistica7.1. Significant differences were observed (p<0,05) for the average values of corporal characteristics between both raising systems for the total and standard length, total weight, pectoral fin and filet weight. As for the morphometric relations, chemical composition of the filets and the resistance of the leather significant differences were not observed (p>0,05). Therefore it is concluded that the systems did not influence on the corporal revenue, morphometric relations, quality of the meat and in the physical-mechanic tests of the leather.
Este estudo objetivou-se avaliar o rendimento corporal, determinar a composição química do filé e avaliar a resistência físico-mecânica do couro de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) produzida em viveiros escavados e tanques-rede. Os resultados obtidos para as características corporais, os resultados de rendimentos, as relações morfométricas, a composição química dos filés e os testes físico-mecânicos do couro de tilápia de ambos os sistemas de criação foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA), e quando observado diferenças estatísticas (p<0,05), aplicou-se o teste de Tukey a 5% de significância, utilizando o software Statistica 7.1. Foram observadas diferenças significativas (p<0,05) para os valores médios das características corporais entre os dois tipos de criação para o comprimento total e padrão, peso total, nadadeira peitoral e peso do filé. Quanto às relações morfométricas, composição química dos filés e resistência do couro, não foram observadas diferenças significativas (p>0,05). Portanto conclui-se que os sistemas de cultivo não influenciaram no rendimento corporal, relações morfométricas, composição da carne e nos testes físico-mêcanicos do couro.