Empirical studies provide evidence that many consumers prefer a flat-rate, even though their billing rate would be lower on a pay-per-use tariff. When it comes to tariff choices, some consumers thus seem to be subject to a cognitive error, a so-called “flat-rate bias”. Based on survey data, we analyse causes and strategies to enhance the occurrence and intensity of flat-rate biases within 2 studies. The results of study 1 (n=104) point out to five important drivers of flat-rate biases, namely the taximeter, insurance, overestimation, convenience and smart-shopping effect. Within study 2 (n=416), we subsequently evaluate the effectiveness of advertisements using the identified causes for a flat-rate bias as setting levers to increase consumers' tariff-specific willingness-to-pay. Our findings show that the most effective way to enhance the return on flat-rate bias would be to enhance communication of the fact that consumers can protect themselves from fluctuations in the billing amount through a flat rate (insurance effect) and that consumers must not worry about costs when using a flat rate (taximeter effect).

Every company is buzzing “innovation” these days, while continuously developing and launching new products. However, empirical research points to high failure rates of innovations, indicating that most new products fail as they are rejected by consumers due to their resistance to innovation. Using a scenario-based experiment, we show that innovation resistance evolves from individual’s inclination to resist changes (cognitive resistance) and status quo satisfaction (situational resistance), inhibiting new product adoption. While consumers high on cognitive or situational resistance were shown to exhibit negative effects, that were similar in their magnitude, consumers high on both dimensions show the strongest predisposition to resist innovations. Thus, these consumers represent the most crucial segment when it comes to new product launches.

A comparative study is made on root bending fatigue performance of spur gears and plane bending fatigue performance of notched test bars. R = 0 root bending fatigue tests are made on small spur gears with critical root radius 1.0 mm. The results are compared to plane bending fatigue tests of 0.9 mm radius notched specimens. Results are presented for tests on 4%Ni/2%Cu/1.5%Mo prealloyed PM steel with addition of about 0.6% graphite. Predicted values from the test bars coincide well with the results obtained from the gear root fatigue tests.

Powder grades pre-alloyed with 1.5-3 wt% chromium can be successfully sintered at the conventional temperature although well-monitored sintering atmospheres are required to avoid oxidation. Mechanical properties of the Cr-alloyed PM grades are enhanced by a higher sintering temperature in the range , due to positive effects from pore rounding, increased density and more effective oxide reduction. Astaloy CrM (Fe-3 wt% Cr-0.5 wt% Mo) with 0.6 wt% graphite added obtains an ultimate tensile strength of 1470 MPa and an impact strength of 31 J at density , after sintering at followed by cooling at and tempering.

Optimized choice of material for two principally different types of PM components is presented. The first is characterized by high stresses in areas with high stress concentrations (for example synchronizer hubs with very sharp notches, typically <0.25mm in the pre-synchronizer slot and the inner splines). The second type has slightly larger notch radii (small spur gears and sprockets with typically notch radii between 1- 3mm). Diffusion alloyed materials are well suited for sharp notch components. Pre-alloyed materials are also well suited for applications with sharp notches if compressive residual stresses in the notch roots are created by appropriate process control. A free choice of material is available for components with the larger notch radii.