A comparison of two approaches to the optimal positioning of a new product in an attribute space

This paper is concerned with the optimal positioning of a new product in an attribute space. A deterministic optimization model that relies on the axiom of choice is compared with the model byShocker/Srinivasan [1974] that incorporates a probabilistic measure of choice. Investigating the assumptions and the construction of both models, it is shown that the probability function byShocker/Srinivasan is based on a controversial assumption and incorporates a parameter that has not been given an economic explanation. Furthermore, both models are applied to complex configurations. It is demonstrated that the optimal positions for the new product resulting from the model byShocker/Srinivasan depend heavily on the parameter just mentioned and may run contrary to plausible consequences of the axiom of choice.

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Zusammenfassung Für die optimale Gestaltung neuer Produkte, d.h. ihrer Positionierung in einem Raum von Produkteigenschaften, wird ein Modell angeboten, das auf einer deterministischen Kaufentscheidung beruht, ein anderes, das eine stochastische Kaufentscheidung unterstellt. Es wird gezeigt, daß der zuletzt genannte Modelltyp stark von der Spezifikation eines ökonomisch bisher nicht erklärten Parameters abhängt und z.T. Konsequenzen aufweist, die dem Wahlaxiom zuwider laufen, auf das das erstgenannte Modell aufbaut. Durch einen Vergleich auch komplexer Konfigurationen von Käuferbeurteilungen neuer Produkte wird gezeigt, welche Gestaltungsentscheidungen auf der Grundlage der beiden Modelle zur Optimierung einer Zielfunktion zu treffen sind.

     

On the Fourier transformation on spaces of (p,q)-multipliers

LetG denote a locally compact abelian topological group. The aim of the present paper is to prove an “intermediate” result between two well-known results ofL. Hörmander andG. I. Gaudry concerning the structure of the spaces ?_G?μ?t ^p,q (G).     

V-positivity,poverses and the economic global unicity theorems of Gale and Nikaido

Summary Strong theorems concerning globally unique solutions to nonlinear inequalities have been obtained byGale andNikaido via P-matrix characterizations of theJacobians of the mappings involved. We introduce two new concepts here: v-positivity and the poverse. These permit us to state and prove significant generalizations of the theorems just mentioned and, equally important, provide access to preliminary results concerning linear inequalities by the powerful direct techniques of linear programming theory.

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Zusammenfassung Gale undNikaido haben starke Sätze über globale, eindeutige Lösungen nichtlinearer Ungleichungen erhalten für den Fall, daß dieJacobi- Matrix der auftretenden Abbildung eineP-Matrix ist. Darauf aufbauend werden zwei neue Konzepte vorgestellt: v-positivity und die poverse. Diese erlauben es, Verallgemeinerungen der erwähnten Sätze aufzustellen und zu beweisen und, was von gleicher Bedeutung ist, die Verbindung zu früheren Ergebnissen über lineare Ungleichungen durch die wirkungsvollen direkten Verfahren der Theorie der Linearen Optimierung herzustellen.

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This Research was partly supported by Project No. NR 047-021, ONR Contracts NO 0014-67-A-0126-0008 and NO 0014-67-A-0126-0009 with the Center for Cybernetic Studies, The University of Texas.     

Two questions in diophantine approximation

The first question is about a possible variation on Dirichlet's approximation theorem for linear forms x+y+z, wherex,y are restricted topositive integers. The second question, which turns out to be related to the first, is about approximation to elements in a power series fieldk((t ^–1)) by solutions of first order linear differential equationsx+y+z=0, wherex,y,z are polynomials int. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. E. Hlawka on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

An Experimental Study of a Flux Modulated Solid State Metathesis Reaction

A solid state metathesis (SSM) reaction was investigated with respect to the formation of rare‐earth carbodiimides, the role of the co‐produced salt (LiCl), and the eutectic flux medium (LiCl/KCl). A SSM reaction is characterized by an exothermic reaction in which a salt (often LiCl) is coproduced. When the salt melts, it can serve as a useful medium for the crystallization of a desired product. An improved crystal growth can be observed by using an eutectic flux. However, the composition of an eutectic LiCl/KCl flux is altered when LiCl is produced during the reaction. The thermal effects concerning the endothermic melting of the flux and the exothermic ingnition of the SSM reaction may compensate each other, which is not necessarily a drawback for the reaction to proceed.     

Magnetic Anisotropy of Dichlorobis(η5‐cyclopentadienyl) Complexes of Vanadium,Niobium, and Tantalum

Abstract. The magnetic behavior of the mononuclear nd¹ systems MCp₂Cl₂ (M = V⁴⁺[3d¹], Nb⁴⁺[4d¹], Ta⁴⁺[5d¹], space group P2₁/c, pseudosymmetry of the molecules C_2v) deviates from pure single ion spin magnetism on account of ligand field effect (H_lf), spin‐orbit coupling (H_so), and intermolecular spin‐spin exchange interactions (H_ex). For both VCp₂Cl₂ and NbCp₂Cl₂ excellent adaptations to the measured susceptibility data were obtained (2 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K) on the basis of spectroscopic data (lf, so) and cooperative metal–metal interactions (ex) of antiferromagnetic nature [molecular field model (mf)]. For TaCp₂Cl₂ experimental term structure data are not available. Therefore, Jørgensen's spectroscopical series (g‐factor of the central ion) was applied to extrapolate the data set for TaCp₂Cl₂. H_lf, H_so, and H_ex (antiferromagnetic) increase in the order 3d¹ → 4d¹ → 5d¹ leading, with rising atomic number of the metals, to a distinct enhancement of the magnetic anisotropy. At 4 K the μ_eff components μ_eff,y (oriented perpendicular to the cg–M–cg plane; “cg” = center of gravity of the Cp ring), μ_eff,z (oriented along the twofold pseudoaxis), and μ_eff,x are 1.73, 1.69, 1.68 (V), 1.73, 1.62, 1.59 (Nb), and 1.71, 1.59, 1.49 (Ta). While μ_eff,y is independent of T, both μ_eff,z and μ_eff,x decrease with decreasing T.