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The purpose of this paper is to propose a game-based learning (GBL) content design model that replicates the two-dimensional Bloom cognitive process in GBL units. The proposed model, called the knowledge and cognitive-process representation (KCR) model, enables a game player to access three types of Bloom knowledge by allowing the learner to experience-related cognitive processes that can be replicated in the GBL units via appropriate representation approaches.

To validate the feasibility of the proposed KCR model, 14 GBL units for a Cisco-certified network associate (CCNA) certification training program were designed and installed on several servers. Players played the GBL units via internet browsers. According to the problem-solving theory, three game components, including a tool, feedback, and goal, are necessary for game playing and should be adopted to implement three sub-cognitive processes. A three-phase experiment was performed for one year. Subjects were university sophomores and a randomized block experiment design was implemented.

The experimental results show that, compared with a traditional web-based learning platform, the GBL platform is more efficient and it enables learners to achieve improved learning performance. In addition, most hypotheses support the fact that particular cognizance processes should be implemented by a specific representation approach in GBL. Finally, a KCR model for GBL content design is inferred to represent a cognitive process appropriately that can be referenced for both the digital content instructor and the game developer.

Because the CCNA training material does not include meta-knowledge of Bloom knowledge type and the creation of the Bloom cognitive process, the KCR model should be further extended. In addition, others certification training materials (such as Oracle DBA, Java programmer) can be implemented on the basis of the KCR model for general validation as further research.

Players can acquire specific types of knowledge, such as factual knowledge, by experiencing a particular cognitive process, such as the “remembering & understanding” processes, which can be represented with a computer tool. The KCR model can provide both the instructor and the game developer with design recommendations and accelerate GBL content implementation.

GBL is a learning platform that can stimulate a learner by improving the motivation to learn and the learning experience. To ensure high-learning performance, the learner should perform specific cognitive processes and acquire knowledge. This research proposes a content design model for GBL units that appropriately replicate the Bloom framework in a computer game.

This study aims to investigate insurance policy loan applicant characteristics. Additionally, it reveals the behaviour patterns of heavy users who have applied for at least two loans. A policy loan prediction model is established which is designed to increase loan application rates.

The proposed model is implemented using data‐mining techniques and comprises two mechanisms: a business rule generator and a recommendation mechanism. Two analytical approaches, the C.5 and Apriori algorithm, are employed to analyse the profile and browsing log DBs of insured individuals. The prediction model is verified by actual data from a Taiwanese insurance company.

The data‐mining results reveal that five attributes are ultimately used to establish the prediction model, namely: gender, marketing channel, insurance type, area of policy owner, and assumed interest rate. Additionally, the analytical results also indicate that insured individuals apply for loans as a result of arbitrage inducement. The accuracy of loan applicant prediction can exceed 70 per cent. Finally, some interesting patterns emerge for heavy users, such as the finding that loan applicants are used to applying for loans continuously (loan application repetition is on average two to three times).

Some policy owners who are unfamiliar with the web interface prefer to contact insurance personnel directly to discuss their insurance needs, and thus no browsing records are available for such users. In such cases only the profile could be collected and analysed.

The proposed model enables insurance firms to locate potential loan applicants according to the data‐mining results. As in the illustration scenario in the paper, insurance personnel can contact these potential loan applicants before they submit loan applications to the bank. Additionally, loan‐related information is provided for online insurance users based on their browsing logs. The loan application rate is thus expected to increase, along with interest revenue.

As long as the policy proceeds, the interest income from the policy loan seems to be a good option for extending insurance company operational earnings. Understanding the characteristics of loan applicants will provide helpful information. Besides, the proposed mechanism will be more appropriate to online users, who are unwilling to deal with unwanted information.

The purpose of this guest editorial is to introduce the papers in this special issue.

A brief introduction about the issue of web‐mining applications in e‐commerce and e‐services is provided, along with a summary of the main contributions of the papers that are included in the special issue.

The value of web‐mining techniques can be enhanced through applying them to real environments such as e‐commerce and e‐services. The research fields of web mining, e‐commerce and e‐services can also be expanded.

An overview of the special issue and related research is provided in this paper.

This research aims to examine the indirect relationship between feminine traits and employee contextual performance through transformational leadership. Additionally, it explored the role of leaders’ sex in moderating the relationship between feminine traits and transformational leadership through a moderated mediation model that subsequently influences employee contextual performance.

This study tested and validated the moderated mediation model using a two-wave survey with 295 samples. Bootstrapping was adopted for model testing.

The results indicated that leaders’ sex moderated the relationship between feminine traits and employee contextual performance through transformational leadership, such that the indirect effect was stronger for female leaders than for male leaders.

Female leaders can improve employee contextual performance by demonstrating transformational leadership with feminine traits. Organizations must implement measures (i.e. training) to promote the acceptance and application of leader gender and gender-role trait diversity, reduce the prevalence of gender stereotypes and help leaders benefit from learning and implementing the effective combination of leadership and feminine traits.

The study demonstrated the joint effects of leaders’ sex (difference) and gender-role traits on employee contextual performance through transformational leadership. These results provide female leaders with feminine traits to gain a leadership advantage and an in-depth understanding of role congruity theory from the perspective of leadership effectiveness.

The cruise industry has witnessed steady growth, with passenger volume increasing from 17.8 million in 2009 to 30 million in 2019. In the context of global competition and an uncertain business environment, competition in business has changed dramatically from battles of “firm versus firm” to “supply chain versus supply chain”. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to understand the cruise industry from a chain perspective, which has not drawn widespread research attention.

This paper brings together the insights, opinions, concepts and frameworks from a literature review of different disciplines (maritime shipping, tourism management, logistics management, operations management and supply chain management) and analysis results from 22 semi-structured interviews to make an early attempt to conceptualise the cruise supply chain (CSC).

The cruise supply chain is elaborated on the process, the role of each entity and its characteristics by comparing with the maritime supply chain and tourism supply chain. Based on the understanding of the CSC, two specific characteristics of the Chinese CSC are examined, which need further investigation.

The CSC is articulated with detailed processes and characteristics based on the literature review and empirical study. The findings of this paper not only advance the knowledge of the supply chain in the cruise industry but also highlight the importance of further research on the CSC.

This study provides an insight into and a solution for the conflict among marketing channel members in China. It also examines the application of a Western channel conflict management (CM) model in China and suggests future research directions for CM of marketing channel members.

A replication research study with extensions was conducted following previous studies' suggestions. Using a Chinese sample, the author further evaluates a Western conceptual framework with hypothetical relationships of variables. Different from the original study using students in a simulated network environment, this study used channel members involved in actual network activities. Data were collected by a questionnaire survey and analyzed.

The results show CM of channel members in China and do not fully support the hypotheses in the Western model. This study identifies the determinants of an effective approach toward resolving conflicts among members from the perspectives of network outcomes, conflict types and management styles. The choice of CM style is imperative to member performance, especially for achieving specific network outcomes or CM goals.

This study contributes to existing studies of CM of marketing channel members by providing empirical evidence of managing conflict of members in the Chinese channel, revealing the effectiveness of CM of members with different cultural norms, providing managers with practical solutions to effectively manage conflicts among members and providing future research directions regarding this topic.

From the academic perspective, there are challenges to develop an appropriate evaluation model that is linked to both theoretical and professional viewpoints for online knowledge community evaluation (KCE). These challenges are mainly the evaluation principles, the method used to derive the evaluation items, and the techniques used to determine the importance of evaluation items to formulate the evaluation model. The purpose of this paper is to propose and develop an online KCE model by considering the Delphi method, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique, and balanced scorecard (BSC) approach that contains facets of member, strategy, learning and growth, and internal process.

The qualitative study was used to develop the KCE model. The BSC approach was used to construct the facets of evaluation model. The Delphi method and AHP technique were utilized to derive structural measure items and to determine item weight in the development process, respectively. An illustrated practical case was used to demonstrate the proposed KCE model.

The member facet is perceived the most important facet while the internal process the least, implying that the invited participants perceive that community members, as represented by member satisfaction and loyalty, are the most important factors. In the knowledge management process sub-facet, knowledge creation obtains the highest weight compared with knowledge acquisition, dissemination, and utilization. Data analysis results based on 822 survey samples for the demonstrated Yahoo!Kimo Knowledge+ case are obtained. Findings and implications are also addressed.

Unlike the exclusively quantitative approach, the proposed KCE model balances both qualitative and quantitative approaches. First, it performed a face-to-face collaboration based on the Delphi method to deal with the unstructured cognition, opinions, and comments of the invited participants. Second, it developed an evaluation model based on the consensus of the invited participants by using the AHP technique in which the perceived importance of measure item to their immediate super item (qualitative variable) is transformed into number (quantitative variable).

A tension leg platform (TLP) is a vertically moored, floating structure which is normally used for offshore oil/gas production. However, these types of structures can be damaged by vibration responses that are too large. The purpose of this paper is to consider the influence of the external waves on oceanic structures.

A mathematical model of an ocean environment was constructed, in which wave‐induced flow fields cause structural surge motion, then solutions to the mathematical model were analytically derived.

The Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy model is employed in the approximation of the oceanic structure. The stability analysis of the TLP system is carried out using the Lyapunov direct method.

The dependence of the wave‐induced flow field and its resonant frequency on the wave characteristics and the structural properties of the platform, which include width, thickness and mass, can be drawn using a parametric approach.

Mathematical modeling is applied to find the wave‐induced displacement due to the surge motion. The vibration of the mechanical motion of the platform structure caused by wave force is also discussed.

The purpose of this paper is to maximize the load-carrying capacity (LCC) of a rotating ring, a numerical model optimizing both the surface and bottom shape of its surface textures is proposed.

The Reynolds equation is used to evaluate the film pressure and LCC obtained by integrating the film pressure is set as the objective function. Around the center of the computational domain, radial lines with an equal angle between adjacent ones are produced and the surface contour of textures is obtained by connecting the endpoints using a spline curve. The bottom profile is then obtained by connecting the endpoints of two vertical lines at the circumferential ends of textures. Lengths of these lines are set as design variables and genetic algorithm is used to solve optimization models.

Results show that optimum textures have an “apple-like” surface contour and a “wedge-like” bottom profile, which are both expressed by smooth spline curves. Optimum wedge-bottom textures generate higher LCC than optimum flat-bottom textures. Moreover, the optimum textures have the highest LCC compared with optimum grooves proposed previously, which validates the practical value of the current optimization model.

This work presents a comprehensive optimization method of texture geometry, which provides a new idea of the design of surface textures.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a rigorous methodology to undertake systematic literature reviews for coffee and tea tourism, thereby providing prospects and challenges of developing these niche markets for destinations.

The approach taken in this research is via a systematic literature review on past studies conducted in English related to coffee and tea tourism. In total, 30 articles related to coffee tourism and 33 papers on tea tourism were analysed.

The research revealed that studies to date are largely fragmented, often using the lens of a coffee or tea tourism context or the perspectives of a single stakeholder such as consumers or producers. Few studies have attempted to undertake interdisciplinary frameworks to study coffee or tea tourism, which this research then documents as future avenues of investigation.

This study is conducted through the analysis of secondary data published academic material related to coffee and tea tourism in English and would have omitted other relevant resources that have been documented in the realm of other languages. Empirical, quantitative studies conducted based on this systematic literature review can also validate some of the key arguments central to this qualitative piece of work.

The research synthesises academic literature to date, providing a succinct overview of what is known about coffee and tea tourism based on the dominant themes and frameworks, thereby increasing practical knowledge and awareness of best practices in the field.

This paper contributes to uncovering the scope of coffee and tea tourism literature to date.