This research extends the seminal work on the role of haptic (touch) information for consumers’ purchase decisions in both online and store shopping settings. Especially, this research focuses on which information consumers rely on as substitutes for haptic information when they cannot touch products at online shopping. A conceptual model is developed to investigate and compare the relative importance of touch, brand, virtual word-of-mouth, and product design. The proposed model is tested with the data collected from 380 consumers in an Asian country (Japan). The empirical results on two product categories (leather bags and smart phone cases) suggest that 1) consumers rely on other information than touch for online shopping, 2) the priority of substitute information differs depending on product categories, and 3) the priority also changes between online and store shopping for the same product category.

Accurate information on the genetic and phenotypic characteristics and diversity of the indigenous Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR) is the basis on which their present and future sustainable utilization and conservation should be made. The paper describes the objectives, structure, functionality, content, utility and future prospects of the Country- Domestic Animal Genetic Resources Information System (DAGRIS) of ILRI. This electronic database is designed to cater for the needs of researchers, policy makers, development practitioners, eachers, students and farmers in developing countries for efficient access to available published and grey literature from past and present research results on the origin, distribution, diversity, present use and status of selected Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR) of the countries. Development of the country-modules of c-DAGRIS in English and French for Anglophone and Francophone countries is finalized and ready to be used.