Carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) have long been a mainstay of the beverage business but changing consumer tastes and rising health awareness have necessitated a thorough study of the variables impacting consumer choices. This study intends to explore the complex web of customer preferences, purchasing behaviour, and perceptions related to carbonated soft drinks. This research analyses how numerous variables, including gender, affect these preferences and choices via careful examination. The purpose of thepresent research is to determine the perception of consumer influencing customer choice preferences for the consumption of carbonated soft drinks, influence of gender and the role of advertisement in finalizing the choice. It would be helpful to do further research to better understand how these highlighted variables affect purchasing choices, especially gender-based variances. The important influence of gender on consumer behaviour has been acknowledged. For this study, a structured questionnaire was distributed through online social media to individuals of 12–45 years of age from the period of April–May 2023. For analysis of the data collected, SPSS 22.0 was used. The study has confirmed that consumption of Coca-Cola is higher than any other soft drink in almost the entire country. The factors like youthfulness, tradition, status symbol and level of carbonation have different influences on the buying behavior of male and female consumers.

This empirical study explores the influence of Hollywood product placements on cultural perceptions and teaching practices of preservice English teachers in higher education in China. Hollywood movies and TV series routinely use product placements as a tactic to blend commercial goals with compelling storylines, which could possibly influence the perceptions, and potential teaching practice of Chinese preservice English teachers. The purpose of this study is to determine the degree to which material culture in the form of product placement in Hollywood affects preservice English teachers’ image of America, and their future teaching practice, altering their expectations and goals as well as how they view the West. The study uses a quantitative study method by means of an online questionnaire (N = 497) and applies structural equation modelling to conduct data analysis. The results find notable significant relationships including those from food, architecture, transportation, and electronic devices to positive image of America, as well as architecture and transportation to potential teaching practice. The most prominent path is from image to teaching. However, certain relationships, including those from fashion to image and food to teaching, do not demonstrate statistical significance. These results contribute to the theoretical and practical understanding of how preservice English teachers see Hollywood’s material culture, and how it affects their perception and possible teaching methods. The findings also demonstrate how preservice teachers’ perceptions and educational approaches are shaped by Hollywood’s material culture in the form of product placement, while simultaneously emphasizing the significance of integration of media literacy and upholding their cultural identity amidst these influences.

The presented article focusses on the analysis of perception of the university social responsibility through the eyes of Slovak university students. The aim is to compare how the values, efficiency of the organisation (university), and the educational process influence the perception of social responsibility among university students themselves. The research is based on the application of quantitative methodology towards the evaluation of differences and similarities in perceptions using two types of tests for statistical analysis, comparative (Mann-Whitney U test) and correlational (bivariate correlation matrix of Spearman’s rho).The results of the research provide a deeper understanding of how universities can shape students’ approach to social responsibility through their values and educational processes, which has important implications for the development of university policies and practices.

The rapid advancement of financial technology (Fintech) has revolutionized the way financial transactions are conducted, with E-payment services becoming increasingly integral to daily commerce. This paper examines consumer perceptions and attitudes towards E-payment services offered by Fintech companies, identifying key factors that influence their acceptance and usage. Employing a quantitative approach, the research integrates quantitative data from surveys and applied SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) through AMOS. Out of 450, 420 respondents have given their views on perceptual preferences and attitudes with the help of SPSS. KMO and Bartlett’s Test are executed to understand and to check the factors for implementing factor analysis further through extractions. Anticipated findings are expected to reveal a spectrum of consumer attitudes shaped by factors such as trust, security, convenience, and technological familiarity. It contributes to the existing literature by providing updated insights into consumer behaviour in the Fintech sector and suggesting actionable strategies for service providers to enhance user engagement and satisfaction. It holds the potential to inform both theoretical frameworks in technology acceptance and practical marketing strategies for Fintech companies aiming to optimize E-payment services for diverse consumer bases.

Perceptions of women’s roles and leadership in urban governance vary from country to country and culture to culture. While women are represented and participate fully in political decision-making in some countries, in Togo women’s participation in local governance is still limited. The aim of this research is to analyse perceptions of women’s leadership in urban governance in the communes of greater Lomé. Specifically, the study of the influence of general perceptions of the role of women on the development of their leadership in the urban governance of greater Lomé (i) and the implications of these perceptions on the participation of women in the urban governance of greater Lomé (ii). Semi-structured interviews were conducted in all the town halls of the thirteen greater Lomé autonomous district communes with 222 women and 162 men, i.e., a total of 384 people. The corpus created from the interviews, which were transcribed in their entirety, was analyzed using the theory of social dominance developed by Sidanius and Pratto to explain power relations and inequalities between social groups. The results show that perceptions of women’s participation in urban governance vary and are generally associated with several significant implications. The general perception is that women are not as competent or legitimate as men in political and administrative leadership roles. However, there is a growing recognition of the value of gender diversity in urban governance, with a growing awareness of the importance of including women in decision-making processes. From the point of view of the significant implications of perceptions, positive perceptions favor increased representation of women, innovation, and creativity, strengthening legitimacy, reducing inequalities, and presenting women as positive role models in urban governance.

This study investigates how digital transformation influences visitor satisfaction at 12 World Heritage Sites (WHS) across eight coastal provinces in Eastern and Southern China. Utilizing 402 valid survey responses, it explores the impact of demographic factors—education, age, and income—on visitors’ perceptions of digital services, particularly focusing on usability, quality, and overall experience. The findings reveal that younger, higher-income, and STEM-educated visitors express significantly higher satisfaction with digital services, while older, lower-income visitors report lower levels of engagement and satisfaction. This research highlights the need for tailored digital strategies that cater to diverse demographic groups, ensuring the balance between technological innovation and the preservation of cultural authenticity at heritage sites. The originality of this study lies in its focus on non-Western contexts, particularly China’s rapidly developing coastal regions, which have been largely overlooked in the global discourse on digital tourism. By applying established theoretical frameworks—such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Expectation-Confirmation Theory (ECT)—to a non-Western setting, this research fills a crucial gap in the literature. The insights provided offer actionable recommendations for heritage site managers to enhance visitor engagement, adapt digital services to demographic variations, and promote sustainable tourism development.