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1 – 3 of 3Afamefuna Paul Eyisi and Emeka Emmanuel Okonkwo
The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand the perceptions of residents of Southeastern Nigeria about glocalizing tourism in the region to help improve their support…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand the perceptions of residents of Southeastern Nigeria about glocalizing tourism in the region to help improve their support for the sustainability of the industry. Emphasis is laid on their expectations and strategies to maximize the positive impacts while minimizing the negative aspects in a bid to address their specific local needs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts an ethnographic approach to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders in Southeastern Nigeria's tourism industry. These include traditional rulers, men, women and youth representatives, chief priests and local security agents. Decision-making theory is adopted to frame the study.
Findings
The findings identified residents' expectations from glocalizing tourism. They see tourism as an avenue for initiating community projects, creating jobs, patronizing farm produces, reviving cultural practices and addressing religious crises.
Research limitations/implications
This research focused only on selected communities within Southeastern Nigeria. The implication is that the findings do not represent what obtains in other communities within the region. Future research should extend to these areas to have a deeper understanding of how residents perceive the glocalization of tourism.
Practical implications
As the government and developers continue to invest in the tourism industry in the study area, glocalization could be a good way to address specific local needs and gain residents' support in the future.
Originality/value
This paper represents a new research approach for understanding the perceptions of residents about the Nigerian tourism industry.
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Srushti Gadge, Sneh Kasera, Rajiv Yeravdekar, Ankit Singh and Vivek Borlepawar
This paper aims to understand the underlying motivations and factors that drive millennials to embrace smartwatches as fashionable accessories, health monitoring tools and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the underlying motivations and factors that drive millennials to embrace smartwatches as fashionable accessories, health monitoring tools and eco-friendly alternatives.
Design/methodology/approach
In June–July 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted, gathering 285 complete responses through an online survey using convenience sampling. These responses were then analyzed to obtain valuable insights using structural equation modeling.
Findings
This study’s findings confirm the mediation effect of fashion innovativeness on the relationship between subjective norms and attitudes toward smartwatch usage (b = 0.034, lower limit confidence interval (LLCI) = 0.007, upper limit confidence interval (ULCI) = 0.086, p = 0.015). In addition, it highlights the mediating role of healthology in the association between subjective norms and attitudes toward using smartwatches (b = 0.062, LLCI = 0.006, ULCI = 0.151, p = 0.029).
Research limitations/implications
This research has limitations in terms of sample representativeness, self-reported data, cultural and regional factors and technological advancement.
Practical implications
Understanding millennials’ motivations behind smartwatch usage has implications for marketers, designers and manufacturers in targeting this generation effectively. By highlighting smartwatches’ fashion-forward and health-conscious aspects, companies can appeal to millennials’ preferences and develop innovative features that align with their values.
Social implications
This study provides validation for the increased level of environmental concerns among millennials, emphasizing its substantial influence on their purchasing decisions when it comes to smartwatches. Furthermore, it highlights that health-consciousness holds greater significance than fashion-forwardness as a determining factor for consumers of smartwatches.
Originality/value
This pioneering study explores the adoption intentions of smartwatch usage, examining it from the unique perspectives of health theology and environmental concerns. By delving into these novel dimensions, the research fills a significant gap in the existing literature. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors influencing millennials’ decision-making processes when embracing smartwatches.
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Chinmaya Prasad Padhy, Suryakumar Simhambhatla and Debraj Bhattacharjee
This study aims to improve the mechanical properties of an object produced by fused deposition modelling with high-grade polymer.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to improve the mechanical properties of an object produced by fused deposition modelling with high-grade polymer.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an ensembled surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm (SAEA) to optimize the process parameters for example, layer height, print speed, print direction and nozzle temperature for enhancing the mechanical properties of temperature-sensitive high-grade polymer poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) in fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing while considering print time as one of the important parameter. These models are integrated with an evolutionary algorithm to efficiently explore parameter space. The optimized parameters from the SAEA approach are compared with those obtained using the Gray Relational Analysis (GRA) Taguchi method serving as a benchmark. Later, the study also highlights the significant role of print direction in optimizing the mechanical properties of FDM 3D printed PEEK.
Findings
With the use of ensemble learning-based SAEA, one can successfully maximize the ultimate stress and percentage elongation with minimum print time. SAEA-based solution has 28.86% higher ultimate stress, 66.95% lower percentage of elongation and 7.14% lower print time in comparison to the benchmark result (GRA Taguchi method). Also, the results from the experimental investigation indicate that the print direction has a greater role in deciding the optimum value of mechanical properties for FDM 3D printed high-grade thermoplastic PEEK polymer.
Research limitations/implications
This study is valid for the parameter ranges, which are defined to conduct the experimentation.
Practical implications
This study has been conducted on the basis of taking only a few important process parameters as per the literatures and available scope of the study; however, there are many other parameters, e.g. wall thickness, road width, print orientation, fill pattern, roller speed, retraction, etc. which can be included to make a more comprehensive investigation and accuracy of the results for practical implementation.
Originality/value
This study deploys a novel meta-model-based optimization approach for enhancing the mechanical properties of high-grade thermoplastic polymers, which is rarely available in the published literature in the research domain.
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