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11 – 20 of over 2000John Robinson, Arun Arjunan, Ahmad Baroutaji, Miguel Martí, Alberto Tuñón Molina, Ángel Serrano-Aroca and Andrew Pollard
The COVID-19 pandemic emphasises the need for antiviral materials that can reduce airborne and surface-based virus transmission. This study aims to propose the use of additive…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic emphasises the need for antiviral materials that can reduce airborne and surface-based virus transmission. This study aims to propose the use of additive manufacturing (AM) and surrogate modelling for the rapid development and deployment of novel copper-tungsten-silver (Cu-W-Ag) microporous architecture that shows strong antiviral behaviour against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Design/methodology/approach
The research combines selective laser melting (SLM), in-situ alloying and surrogate modelling to conceive the antiviral Cu-W-Ag architecture. The approach is shown to be suitable for redistributed manufacturing by representing the pore morphology through a surrogate model that parametrically manipulates the SLM process parameters: hatch distance (h_d), scan speed (S_s) and laser power (L_p). The method drastically simplifies the three-dimensional (3D) printing of microporous materials by requiring only global geometrical dimensions solving current bottlenecks associated with high computed aided design data transfer required for the AM of porous materials.
Findings
The surrogate model developed in this study achieved an optimum parametric combination that resulted in microporous Cu-W-Ag with average pore sizes of 80 µm. Subsequent antiviral evaluation of the optimum architecture showed 100% viral inactivation within 5 h against a biosafe enveloped ribonucleic acid viral model of SARS-CoV-2.
Research limitations/implications
The Cu-W-Ag architecture is suitable for redistributed manufacturing and can help reduce surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, further optimisation may improve the virus inactivation time.
Practical implications
The study was extended to demonstrate an open-source 3D printed Cu-W-Ag antiviral mask filter prototype.
Social implications
The evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic brings new and unpredictable challenges where redistributed manufacturing of 3D printed antiviral materials can achieve rapid solutions.
Originality/value
The papers present for the first time a methodology to digitally conceive and print-on-demand a novel Cu-W-Ag alloy that shows high antiviral behaviour against SARS-CoV-2.
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This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
The paper finds that viral marketing's intended result is word‐of‐mouth (WOM) marketing. It suggests four important tips for employing viral marketing successfully: use tactics to build awareness and trial; no acquisition without identification; look beyond the transactional; and connect your advocates to product development.
Practical implications
The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
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Rishi Raj Sharma and Balpreet Kaur
The purpose of this paper is to identify factors influencing the opening and forwarding of commercial e-mails received directly from companies to further promote products via…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify factors influencing the opening and forwarding of commercial e-mails received directly from companies to further promote products via sharing by consumers to create viral infection.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is descriptive in nature and carried out in the country, India. A structural equation modeling technique was used to test the hypothesized relationships among the constructs pertaining to opening and forwarding of commercial e-mails.
Findings
The results indicate that mail opening intentions of the recipients are influenced by the perceived value of e-mail content and their positive relation with the sender, increasing the probability of further forwarding. However, relationships among consumers have a significant effect on intentions to forward the commercial e-mails. E-mails that arouse positive emotions in the minds of the receivers are forwarded. The study significantly contributes to literature with the findings that not only positive emotions additionally content leads to high arousal through positive emotions leading to viral infection.
Practical implications
The study has implications for marketers who are in the business of promoting their products through e-mails, need to redesign the message content to engender positivity and generate viral infection, which is the ultimate goal of viral marketing.
Originality/value
This study explains factors behind the creation of “viral infection” specifically with regard to commercial e-mails targeted to individuals with high networking potential.
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Mukesh Kumar Singh and Annika Singh
Protection of medical personnel against pathogenic viruses is a challenging task for the world scientific community. The purpose of this paper is to collect, analyze, critique…
Abstract
Purpose
Protection of medical personnel against pathogenic viruses is a challenging task for the world scientific community. The purpose of this paper is to collect, analyze, critique, rearrange and present the scattered information scientifically to form a base for product development for viral protection.
Design/methodology/approach
A huge range of recently available information has been collected, studied and arranged judiciously.
Findings
After an exhaustive study of this topic, it is possible to present all information in a manner that will be helpful to start product development activity on both sides of the Atlantic. Initially, various coated textiles with zero breathability were used to cover doctors, nurses and staff but thereafter microporous coatings replaced the poreless surface coatings. However, the pore size distribution in microporous films and coatings could not be controlled precisely and manufacturers could not claim the surface offered foolproof protection against viruses. Monolithic films are able to claim guaranteed protection against virus penetration, with sufficient breathability. Monolithic film technology has prime importance in protective clothing that has to be discussed judiciously. Permeability of block copolymers based monolithic films is an important feature for barrier materials, high performance impermeable breathable clothing and membrane separation processes.
Originality/value
This is a first paper in the field of viral barrier fabrics which will remain helpful to the scientific community to start further research work and product development.
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Today, with the introduction of concepts such as big data, social media, corporate social responsibility and e-commerce have become part of our lives, thus the transition to…
Abstract
Today, with the introduction of concepts such as big data, social media, corporate social responsibility and e-commerce have become part of our lives, thus the transition to Marketing 4.0 is accelerating. One of the most vital activities that affect consumers’ purchasing decisions is e-commerce. E-commerce plays a decisive role in purchasing stages and processes. For this reason, e-commerce has become an issue that increases the importance of individuals in the purchasing process and decision every day and needs to be emphasized. In line with all this, the concepts of digital marketing and e-commerce will be handled in a broad framework in this study. Moreover, the digitalization of e-commerce sites will be held in the review of literature beside the environment and techniques that can be used within the scope of digital marketing. New approaches and trends that guide modern marketing are changing day by day. The main reason for this change is based on the rapid transformation in information and communication technologies. For this reason, it is important for marketing managers to adapt to these transformations and to use media and techniques in digital marketing.
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Jordan Gamble and Audrey Gilmore
This paper aims to address the emerging post-millennium trends in co-creational marketing, in the context of how these trends apply to the recorded and live sectors of the music…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address the emerging post-millennium trends in co-creational marketing, in the context of how these trends apply to the recorded and live sectors of the music industry. Consideration of marketing as a broadened concept to include societal processes has implications not only for the marketing concept itself, but also for the roles of the parties implicitly involved in the marketing process. Therefore, the standard and polarising marketing clichés of “firm and customer”, “buyer and seller”, and “producer and consumer” may be replaced with a more contemporary marketing approach in which value can be created and shared by either party.
Design/methodology/approach
Initially the paper provides a review of contemporary literature on co-creational aspects of marketing and a subsequent identification of typologies of co-creation practices. Conceptual frameworks pertaining to the relationships of these typologies are then proposed. An extensive review and analysis of journal articles, industry reports and news sources on music industry marketing was conducted. From this review and analysis, 30 examples of co-creational marketing were identified. The music industry was chosen as it constitutes a relevant and contemporary marketing context due to the existence of interactive technology and changing consumer preferences regarding their interaction with music intermediaries and against a context of digital piracy.
Findings
Five typologies of co-creational marketing were found to be relevant to the music industry. Key examples of co-creational marketing within the music industry are discussed and analysed in relation to the identified typologies and conceptual frameworks.
Research limitations/implications
The relevancy of co-creational marketing practices to the music industry is investigated, followed by consideration of managerial implications and future research directions.
Originality/value
The theoretical prospect of value co-creation through active consumer contributions to the marketing process is not revolutionary or new, but the implications of such a potential shift in power or influence have developed into a contemporary challenge for marketers.
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Angela Dobele, Marion Steel and Tony Cooper
Social media has transformed conventional marketing methods. This medium offers a unique blend of asynchronous communication, opportunities to co-create and customer empowerment…
Abstract
Purpose
Social media has transformed conventional marketing methods. This medium offers a unique blend of asynchronous communication, opportunities to co-create and customer empowerment far removed from traditional firm-to-consumer, push-vs-pull marketing messages. The purpose of this paper is to examine how a company developed long-term effective relationships and sales growth by using their blog to generate and enhance viral word-of-mouth message diffusion.
Design/methodology/approach
The exploration of the blog includes analysis of both content and metrics for a real technology firm with an assumed name. Content and the ripples from blog posts were analysed to determine diffusion and use of messages.
Findings
Seven critical success factors for utilising blog marketing to maximum effect are presented to firms considering a similar strategy. Suggestions for managerial implications are also presented.
Research limitations/implications
There are two limitations, the focus on a single company which restricts generalisability. The advantage of the case study approach to research does afford depth into this topic. Second, the research questions addresses a small part of the whole social media and corporate marketing sphere, however, this focus allows for depth and richness of data.
Originality/value
The paper’s focus provides a unique opportunity to explore the effect of a company who manages points of connection, blogs and viral marketing, on customer relationships. Further, the study responds to the need for practical guidance for managers in relation to the management of blog marketing to facilitate customer relationships and enhance the viral impact of blogs.
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Sahar Hosseinikhah Choshaly and Marva Mirabolghasemi
Viral marketing through the internet is an important and cost-effective way to promote products. This study aims to examine the impact of viral marketing strategies (level of…
Abstract
Purpose
Viral marketing through the internet is an important and cost-effective way to promote products. This study aims to examine the impact of viral marketing strategies (level of information, level of entertainment, irritation level and source credibility) on the purchasing intention of eco-labelled products.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consists of a total of 200 shoppers in Hyperstar store in Tehran located in the Tehran Pars area. Data is analysed using descriptive analysis and structural equation modelling technique using Smart partial least squares 3.0.
Findings
Findings indicate that informativeness, entertainment and source credibility are positively related to the purchase intention of eco-labelled products, whereas, irritation is negatively related to the purchasing intention of eco-labelled products.
Practical implications
This study provides directions for green marketers to develop meaningful communication tools to make customers more knowledgeable about eco-labelled products and tries to promote some of the positive associations that consumers have through green viral communication behaviours.
Originality/value
This study offers empirical insights from the perspective of an emerging economy on the determinants of purchase intention of eco-labelled products.
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Absenteeism from work may be viewed as a viral infection which adversely affects, and is affected by, the overall health of the organisational system. Thus it is argued that in…
Abstract
Absenteeism from work may be viewed as a viral infection which adversely affects, and is affected by, the overall health of the organisational system. Thus it is argued that in developing an effective treatment for this bug, it is essential that the underlying causes of the condition are highlighted, and their effects on the health of the organisation be explored. Based on the findings of a study into employee absenteeism within local government organisations in Northern Ireland, it is argued that in order to effectively treat infections which cause and are caused by employee absence, organisations must adopt an approach which is holistic and systemic. The latter is likely to foster the creation of more healthy work organisations which are well placed to deal effectively with the challenges presented by hostile and turbulent operating environments.
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Rong Wang, Wenlin Liu and Shuyang Gao
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the use of Twitter hashtag as a strategy to enhance the visibility and symbolic power of social movement-related information. It…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the use of Twitter hashtag as a strategy to enhance the visibility and symbolic power of social movement-related information. It examined how characteristics of hashtag drove information virality during a networked social movement.
Design/methodology/approach
Twitter data from two days during the Occupy Wall Street Movement in 2011 were collected. With network analysis, the authors identified popular hashtag types and examined hashtag co-occurrence patterns during the two contrasting movement days. It also provides a comparative analysis of how major types of viral hashtag may play different roles depending on different movement cycles.
Findings
The authors found that the role of hashtag influencing information virality may vary based on the context of the tweets. For example, movement participants applied more strategic hashtag combinations during the unexpected event day to reach different social circles. Consistent patterns were identified in mobilizing influential actors such as public figures. Different use patterns of media outlet hashtag were found across the two days.
Originality/value
Implications on how hashtag type and event dynamics may shape hashtag co-occurrence patterns were discussed.
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