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The purpose of this paper is to calculate near field and far field scattering of SH waves by multiple multilayered anisotropic circular inclusions using parallel volume integral equation method (PVIEM) quantitatively.

The PVIEM is applied for the analysis of elastic wave scattering problems in an unbounded solid containing multiple multilayered anisotropic circular inclusions. It should be noted that this numerical method does not require the use of the Green’s function for the inclusion – only the Green’s function for the unbounded isotropic matrix is needed. This method can also be applied to solve general elastodynamic problems involving inhomogeneous and/or anisotropic inclusions whose shape and number are arbitrary.

A detailed analysis of the SH wave scattering problem is presented for multiple multilayered orthotropic circular inclusions. Numerical results are presented for the displacement fields at the interfaces and the far field scattering patterns for square and hexagonal packing arrays of multilayered circular inclusions in a broad frequency range of practical interest.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the solution for scattering of SH waves by multiple multilayered anisotropic circular inclusions in an unbounded isotropic matrix is not currently available in the literature. However, in this paper, calculation of displacements on interfaces and far field scattering patterns of multiple multilayered anisotropic circular inclusions using PVIEM as a pioneer of numerical modeling enables us to investigate the effects of single/multiple scattering, fiber packing type, fiber volume fraction, single/multiple layer(s), the multilayer’s geometry, isotropy/anisotropy and softness/hardness.

A new literature is emerging around the role of self‐service technologies (SSTs) such as airline ticketing machines, automatic teller machines, and computer‐based shopping services in the strategic offering of service providers. SSTs allow (or force) consumers to help produce their own service encounters via machine interaction rather than by interacting with a firm’s service personnel. Firms which introduce SSTs wish to gain rapid acceptance and usage of these technologies by potential consumers. This study investigates whether the provision of more personal control to consumers can reduce their perceived risk, enhance the perceived value of the SST, and induce greater adoption intention associated with the innovation. Propositions are tested using an experiment. Multiple analysis of covariance and follow‐up tests either fully or partially supported 11 out of 12 hypotheses. A set of managerial implications and recommendations is provided.

The study aims to examine the factors influencing the choice of private and public hospitals in Ghana.

Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used in selection of 225 respondents for the study. An independent samples t-test was used in ascertaining the significant difference in the opinions of both groups. Finally, binary logistics regression was used in ascertaining the factors that significantly influenced the choice of hospitals in Ghana.

In Ghana, patients’ choice of private or public hospital was significantly influenced by service quality, word-of-mouth, type of ailment and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Patients who made choice decision based on service quality were more likely to attend a private hospital. Word-of-mouth influenced the choice of public hospitals more than private hospitals. Patients preferred visiting public hospitals for more complicated ailments such as spinal defects, HIV/AIDS, heart-related problems, etc. Patients registered under the NHIS also preferred visiting public hospital to private hospital. Although services from private hospitals were more expensive, patients were more satisfied with services provided, as compared to patients from the public hospital. Cost of service and patient satisfaction, however, did not have a statistically significant effect on the choice of hospital.

Most comparative studies done on private and public hospitals studied in isolation focused on service quality, customer satisfaction, national health insurance and cost of health care or a combination of them. This study, however, considered all these selection criteria and extended it by adding word-of-mouth and the type of ailments suffered. The study, thus, provided a more comprehensive hospital selection criteria. The use of logistics regression in this particular area of study was also quite unique.

This study aims to elucidate how different relationship investment efforts by a service firm affect its customers’ perceived relationship investment; to determine how perceived relationship investment influences various dimensions of relationship strength; and to explore the moderating effects of customer innovativeness and complaint propensity on the relationship between the perceived relationship investment and relationship strength.

To minimize common method variance, data were collected from pairs of life insurance agents in China and their clients using self-report questionnaires. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

The results indicate that customers value financial effort most followed by social effort and structural effort. Perceived relationship investment influences the affective strength most strongly, followed by cognitive strength and conative strength. Customer innovativeness and complaint propensity both moderate the effectiveness of perceived relationship investment in influencing two of the three dimensions of relationship strength.

This study is among the first to specify how service employees can guide consumer perceptions of relationship investment by applying three types of relationship investment effort. The impact of perceived relationship investment on different dimensions of relationship strength was assessed to demonstrate how service providers can benefit from investing in building consumer relationships. The moderating impact of consumer innovativeness and of complaint propensity was quantified. The research findings have important implications for managing different relationship investment as well as recruiting and training service employees.