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International exchange students have been known for an often-neglected population in tourism research and their intention to revisit the host country has not been explored. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among international exchange students’ memorable experiences, nostalgia, satisfaction and revisit intention.

Data were collected from students (N = 169) with recent international exchange experience using snowball sampling approach through various online platforms. The hypothesised relationships were tested using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Results showed that memorable experiences had a positive effect on nostalgia and satisfaction, and nostalgia significantly affected satisfaction. Satisfaction was also found to have a positive effect on revisit intention. In addition, memorable experiences and nostalgia had indirect effects on satisfaction and intention to revisit a host country in the near future.

The findings of this study contribute to the extant literature on international exchange students’ experience and provide tourism marketers with strategies to encourage them to revisit a host country.

我还会回来吗？由高校学生难忘的交换项目经历而激发的故地重游

摘要

国际交换生在旅游研究中是经常被忽视的一个群体, 且他们再访交换国家之意图尚未被探讨。因此, 本研究之目的是研究国际交换生难忘的经历, 怀旧, 满意度和再访意图之间的关系。

本研究的样本以滚雪球抽样的方式在各种网路平台收集有国际交换经验的学生（N = 169）, 且使用偏最小平方-结构方程模型（PLS-SEM）检验了研究模型中的假设关系。

本研究发现, 难忘的经历对怀旧情绪和满意度有正向的影响, 而怀旧会显著影地响满意度, 且满意度对再访意图有正向影响。此外, 难忘的经历和怀旧情绪对满意度以及再访交换国家意图有间接的影响。

此研究结果贡献于现有国际交换生体验的文献, 并为旅游营销人员提供了鼓励他们重新访问交换国家的策略。

¿Volveré? Evocar nostalgia a través de experiencias memorables del programa de intercambio de estudiantes universitarios.

Los estudiantes de intercambio internacional han sido conocidos por una población a menudo descuidada en la investigación turística, y su intención de volver a visitar el país anfitrión no ha sido explorada. En consecuencia, el propósito de este trabajo fue examinar las relaciones entre las experiencias memorables de los estudiantes de intercambio internacional, la nostalgia, la satisfacción y la intención de volver a visitar.

Se recolectaron datos de estudiantes (N = 169) con experiencia de intercambio internacional reciente utilizando el método de muestreo de bola de nieve a través de varias plataformas en línea. Las relaciones hipotéticas se ensayaron utilizando los mínimos cuadrados parciales — modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (PLS-SEM).

Este estudio encontró que las experiencias memorables tuvieron un efecto positivo en la nostalgia y la satisfacción, y la nostalgia afectó significativamente la satisfacción. También se determinó que la satisfacción tenía un efecto positivo en la intención de volver a visitar. Además, las experiencias memorables y la nostalgia tuvieron efectos indirectos en la satisfacción y la intención de volver a visitar un país anfitrión en un futuro próximo.

Los hallazgos de este estudio contribuyen a la literatura existente sobre la experiencia de los estudiantes de intercambio internacional y proporcionan a los vendedores de turismo estrategias para alentarlos a volver a visitar un país anfitrión.

This study aims to examine the perceived value of service digitalization in fine-dining restaurants in France. No study exists on this topic, and its aim is to address this research gap. To do so, a conceptual framework of the perceived benefits and costs of the service digitalization was developed. This study also provides actionable recommendations for fine-dining restaurant managers to create and manage an optimized fine-dining experience for their customers.

To obtain in-depth information, the authors opted for a qualitative research approach. The authors interviewed 24 fine-dining restaurant managers (listed in the Michelin Guide) and 29 customers of fine-dining restaurants using a video titled “The Restaurant of the Future.”

The findings underline the perceived benefits and costs of service digitalization for both restaurant managers and their customers. This study highlights that fine-dining restaurants are highly experience-centric compared to other types of restaurants and recommends which services should be digitalized and which should not be to create and manage experiences throughout the customer journey.

This research provides restaurants with actionable recommendations in terms of service digitalization to enhance customers’ fine-dining experiences.

This research fills a gap by proposing a conceptual framework to examine the digitalization of services in fine-dining restaurants.

The development and application of systematic procedures enabling Kaizen methodology development are still very rare, especially in the service industry. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a set of innovative improvement methodologies of service quality to enhance the extent and depth of Kaizen in the service domain.

Combining the importance-performance analysis (IPA) method with impact matrix cross-reference multiplication applied to a classification (MICMAC), which is more convenient in calculation and application, and Fuzzy theory not only effectively integrates opinions of multiple experts, but also improves the conventional MICMAC method, which can only make binary judgment on the mutual influence of elements, by making it able to judge the degree of influence, thereby delivering more accuracy in evaluating the results.

This innovative method which integrates Fuzzy-MICMAC with IPA displayed its usability in the analysis and research of a certain university library on service quality, and significant differences were found on comparing it with the conventional IPA method. The comparison and suggestion were proposed.

The number of the experts involved and samples under investigation were limited, hence findings were not comprehensive enough and cannot be generalized. This sets the direction for future research.

This proposed method helps in overcoming the lack of systematic procedures enabling Kaizen methodology for service quality. It has the advantage of integrating existing tools and models effectively, which not only improve the shortcomings of the conventional methods, but also result in more convenient calculation and application, to promote Kaizen in service domain.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a methodology to integrate both the dynamics of competitors' performance and the dynamics of customer preference, along with their interaction, into a quality function deployment (QFD) analysis.

A systematic dynamic benchmarking methodology is proposed with an illustrative example.

The analytic hierarchy process's (AHP's) relative measurement might serve as a better way to elicit the customer's judgment over time in the QFD, not only in the importance rating part, but also in the competitive benchmarking part. It is also possible to quantitatively model the AHP priorities' change over time, and incorporate it in the QFD decision‐making process.

It might take a certain amount of time and efforts to collect the necessary data over time. However, it might be justified considering the improved accuracy of the QFD results. It is also important that the data collection should be carried out in a specific customer segment.

QFD practitioners may find a more systematic method to continually evaluate the current performance, identify areas for improvement, and eventually set goals for the future.

There are two novel approaches used in the methodology. First, it is the use of an exponential smoothing‐based forecasting technique to model the trend of the AHP‐based importance rating values and the competitive benchmarking information. Second, it is a strength‐weakness‐opportunity‐threat‐based competitive weighting scheme, which serves as a more systematic way to substitute the traditional QFD customer competitive target setting and sales point value determination.

In recent years, selective laser sintering (SLS) has been used in the biomedical field, including building small‐scaled biomedical devices such as tissue engineering scaffolds and drug delivery devices. A compact adaptation system for the SLS is needed to obtain a more effective and efficient way of sintering small‐scale prototypes so as to reduce powder wastage. Limitations of available smaller‐scale adaptation devices include the need of additional electrical supplies for the device. The purpose of this paper is to report the development of such a system to be mounted at the SLS part bed without any additional energy supply.

The compact adaptation device works on the concept of transferring the motion of the SLS part bed onto the part bed of the compact adaptation device. The device is an integrated attachment that is fixed onto the building platform of the SLS. The gear system of the device lifts the powder supply bed at both sides of the device simultaneously when the part bed at the center of the device is lowered. To further increase powder saving, an improved powder delivery system named alternative supply mechanism (ASM) is mounted on top of the roller to be coupled together with the compact adaptation device.

Powder saving up to 6.5 times compared to using full build version of the Sinterstation 2500 has been achieved by using the compact adaptation device. Furthermore, powder wastage has been reduced by 84 percent when using the ASM compared to the compact adaptation device alone.

The paper demonstrates the development and viability of adaptation devices for SLS to significantly reduce powder consumption by using solely mechanical means to build small parts without using external power supply.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical properties and porosity relationships in fused deposition modelling (FDM) fabricated porous structures.

Porous structures of numerous build architectures aimed at tissue engineering (TE) application were fabricated using the FDM. The employment of FDM to fabricate these non‐random constructs offers many advantages over conventional scaffold fabrication techniques as patient specific scaffolds with well‐defined architectures and controllable pore sizes can be fabricated accurately and rapidly. There exist several FDM parameters that one needs to specify during the scaffold fabrication process. These parameters, which can be interdependent and exhibit varying effects on scaffold properties, were identified and examined using the design of experiment (DOE) approach. Essentially, the effects of five FDM process parameters, namely air gap, raster width, build orientation, build layer and build profile, on the porosity and mechanical properties of acrylonitrile‐butadienene‐styrene (ABS) scaffold structures with three‐dimensional interconnectivity were investigated in two designed experiments. Statistical analyses of the data were performed and the respective factors that have significant influence on the porosity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were identified. The relationship between scaffold's mechanical properties and porosity was thereafter established empirically.

Models of TE scaffolds of numerous build architectures were successfully fabricated using different parameter settings on the FDM. The DOE approach determined air gap and raster width as the most significant parameters in affecting the porosity and mechanical properties of the ABS scaffold structures. The relationship between scaffolds' mechanical properties and porosity was determined to be logarithmic, with the best mechanical properties observed in scaffolds of low porosity.

The paper highlights how the application FDM to tissue scaffold application can overcome most of the limitations encountered in the conventional techniques.

The purpose of this paper is to based upon the joining and characterization (mechanical and metallurgical) of ferritic stainless steel (SS)-430 using a microwave hybrid heating (MHH) phenomenon.

The preliminary experiments were conducted using nickel-based powder as interface material using a domestic microwave oven at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and 900 W power for 720 s. The processed joint was metallurgically characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Field emission scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical characterization was done by means of tensile and Vickers’ microhardness testing to check the hardness and strength of the joint.

The metallurgical study revealed that the microstructure and formation of numerous phases of Fe₂Si₃ accompanied by chromium and nickel carbides. The average hardness of 359 Hv at the center of the joint and 637 Hv around the boundaries of the joint was observed. The tensile strength of the joint was observed to 471 MPa with an elongation of 9.02%. The worn surface of the joint signifies the presence of plastic deformation and it was limited due to the presence of harder phases such as Ni₃Si and Ni₃C.

The concept of microwave joining of metals is a very challenging task as the temperature can not be controlled in the inert atmosphere of the microwave. It has been also observed that at certain elevated temperatures, the material starts absorbing the microwaves; which is unknown. So, a more intensive study is required to overcome these kinds of limitations.

MHH technique can be used to process different materials such as ceramics, composites and polymers. SS-430 joined by microwave heating is highly corrosion resistive and has wide applications in refrigerators cabinet panels, dishwasher linings, chimney liners, lashing wires, etc.

As of the author’s best knowledge, no work has been reported on the joining of SS-430 which has huge potential in the industries. Also, no work has been reported on the characterization of microwave joined SS-430.

Employee Stock Options are the most widely used incentive compensation tool, and prior research has shown their advantages. However, research among different peer groups, different time frames, different research methodologies, and the constantly changing public opinion prevents unanimous agreements on the various benefits of Employee Stock Options. In this paper we apply a number of research hypotheses tested in recent US studies to a European sample of EuroStoxx 50 companies. Due to the globalisation, the similar accounting regulations and the IT and telecommunications revolu tions, Europe and the United States have grown closer together than ever before and are expected to display similar business practices. This assessment should be especially relevant for the large European companies, which mostly have a dual listing in the United States and are therefore essentially forced to manage according to American practices. How ever, the results differ significantly from the existing US research, providing insufficient grounds to accept previous findings for European companies.

The purpose of this paper is to fabricate acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/high impact polystyrene (HIPS) based multi-material geometries using a low cost polymer printer. At the same time, efforts have been made to investigate the mechanical characteristics of the obtained prints and to perform the optimization using the Taguchi-Grey (TGRA) method.

Initially, the feedstock materials were in-house fabricated in the form of filament wires, workable with fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique, of 1.75 ± 0.1 mm diameter by using a single screw extruder. Multi-material structures were fabricated using variable parameters (such as: raster angles, layer height, fill density and solid layers) and the experimentation was conducted as per Taguchi L18 array. Mechanical responses obtained by performing tensile, impact and bending test were studied in response to input variables and ultimately optimized settings were obtained, for individual as well as multiple parameters). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed to analyze the fractured surfaces.

The Signal/Noise (S/N) plots for the quality characteristics highlighted that selected input parameters significantly influenced the obtained values for tensile strength, impact strength and flexural strength. Micrographs of the fractured specimens showed the occurrence of brittle fracture with higher levels of perimeter, infill density and solid layers. The extent of delamination was also increased under the bending load and further increased by increasing solid layers.

The results of the study strongly advocated the utility of fabricated multi-materials structures in automotive, aerospace and other manufacturing industries.

This work represents the fabrication, testing and analysis of polymer-based multi-material structures for engineering applications.