Title: Measuring brand equity of cosmetic chain stores by hybrid multiple criteria decision making methods

Authors: Tsu-Ming Yeh; Pei-Ling Hsieh

Addresses: Department of Leisure and Recreation Management, Dayeh University, No. 168 University Rd., Dacun, Changhua 51591, Taiwan ' Department of Leisure and Recreation Management, Dayeh University, No. 168 University Rd., Dacun, Changhua 51591, Taiwan

Abstract: This study evaluates brand equity criteria divided into five dimensions (product, service quality, sales strategy, the professional sales personnel's ability and corporate image), using 20 indicators in a questionnaire, for analysis using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). Frequent patrons of cosmetics chain stores are selected as the subjects for the questionnaire-based survey, and the data analysed using the VIKOR method to rank the preference for five cosmetics chain stores in the following order: The Body Shop, Skin Food, Etude House, Candy Shop and The Face Shop. The results of the analysis using FAHP indicate that consumers' are mostly influenced by the products sold in a cosmetics store and least influenced by the manufacturer's corporate image.

Keywords: fuzzy AHP; analytical hierarchy process; FAHP; VIKOR; cosmetic chain stores; brand equity; cosmetic brands; cosmetics; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; cosmetic products.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2015.068700

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2015 Vol.21 No.1, pp.27 - 49

Published online: 10 Apr 2015 *

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