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Article
Publication date: 16 February 2010

Neil Towers

410

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 38 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Book part
Publication date: 10 December 2015

Dekar Urumsah

The concept and practice of e-services has become essential in business transactions. Yet there are still many organizations that have not developed e-services optimally. This is…

Abstract

The concept and practice of e-services has become essential in business transactions. Yet there are still many organizations that have not developed e-services optimally. This is especially relevant in the context of Indonesian Airline companies. Therefore, many airline customers in Indonesia are still in doubt about it, or even do not use it. To fill this gap, this study attempts to develop a model for e-services adoption and empirically examines the factors influencing the airlines customers in Indonesia in using e-services offered by the Indonesian airline companies. Taking six Indonesian airline companies as a case example, the study investigated the antecedents of e-services usage of Indonesian airlines. This study further examined the impacts of motivation on customers in using e-services in the Indonesian context. Another important aim of this study was to investigate how ages, experiences and geographical areas moderate effects of e-services usage.

The study adopts a positivist research paradigm with a two-phase sequential mixed method design involving qualitative and quantitative approaches. An initial research model was first developed based on an extensive literature review, by combining acceptance and use of information technology theories, expectancy theory and the inter-organizational system motivation models. A qualitative field study via semi-structured interviews was then conducted to explore the present state among 15 respondents. The results of the interviews were analysed using content analysis yielding the final model of e-services usage. Eighteen antecedent factors hypotheses and three moderating factors hypotheses and 52-item questionnaire were developed. A focus group discussion of five respondents and a pilot study of 59 respondents resulted in final version of the questionnaire.

In the second phase, the main survey was conducted nationally to collect the research data among Indonesian airline customers who had already used Indonesian airline e-services. A total of 819 valid questionnaires were obtained. The data was then analysed using a partial least square (PLS) based structural equation modelling (SEM) technique to produce the contributions of links in the e-services model (22% of all the variances in e-services usage, 37.8% in intention to use, 46.6% in motivation, 39.2% in outcome expectancy, and 37.7% in effort expectancy). Meanwhile, path coefficients and t-values demonstrated various different influences of antecedent factors towards e-services usage. Additionally, a multi-group analysis based on PLS is employed with mixed results. In the final findings, 14 hypotheses were supported and 7 hypotheses were not supported.

The major findings of this study have confirmed that motivation has the strongest contribution in e-services usage. In addition, motivation affects e-services usage both directly and indirectly through intention-to-use. This study provides contributions to the existing knowledge of e-services models, and practical applications of IT usage. Most importantly, an understanding of antecedents of e-services adoption will provide guidelines for stakeholders in developing better e-services and strategies in order to promote and encourage more customers to use e-services. Finally, the accomplishment of this study can be expanded through possible adaptations in other industries and other geographical contexts.

Details

E-services Adoption: Processes by Firms in Developing Nations
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-709-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 October 2021

Kuei-Feng Chang, Maxwell Hsu and Scott Swanson

This paper aims to facilitate positioning strategy formation by decoding the relationship between consumers’ desired values, service attributes and expected consequences.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to facilitate positioning strategy formation by decoding the relationship between consumers’ desired values, service attributes and expected consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

Key informant depth interviews are followed by a questionnaire of self-cause-and-effect assessments. Total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) is used to identify hierarchical structures via pair-wise preference comparisons. The analytic network process (ANP) is used to compute relative weights to evaluate the overall image of identified alternatives. The feedback feature in the ANP is enabled to obtain objective assessments.

Findings

With the help of both TISM and ANP techniques, the hierarchical and interactive relationships among consumers’ desired values, expected consequences and service attributes are revealed in the context of international airline services.

Research limitations/implications

The approach presented can help organizations to identify which attributes influence consumer evaluations of a company/brand; obtain the hierarchical and interactive relationships among service attributes, expected consequences and desired values; assess consumer preferences toward identified service attributes; and obtain an objective assessment of the competitive landscape, which can facilitate the development of effective positioning strategies and associated tactics.

Practical implications

Organizations adopting the methods presented in this study can have a better understanding of the consumer value chain and deliver better customer experiences.

Originality/value

The current study provides an innovative application of the TISM in conjunction with a feedback-enabled ANP technique to address brand positioning challenges. Future studies may consider adopting the TISM-ANP method as a foundation whenever one attempts to explore the values-consequences-attributes hierarchy.

Article
Publication date: 21 April 2020

Sebastian Böhmelt, Nils Kielian, Michael Hagel, Marcus Stiemer, Marvin-Lucas Henkel and Markus Clemens

The purpose of this paper is to present the implementation of a balanced domain decomposition approach for the numerical simulation of large electro-quasistatic (EQS) systems in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the implementation of a balanced domain decomposition approach for the numerical simulation of large electro-quasistatic (EQS) systems in biology. The numerical scheme is analyzed and first applications are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The scheme is based on a finite element discretization of the individual domains obtained by decomposition and a physically consistent inter-domain coupling realized via Robin boundary conditions. The proposed algorithms can efficiently be implemented on a highly parallelized computing grid.

Findings

The feasibility and applicability of the method is proven. Further, a couple of technical details are found that increase the efficiency of the method.

Originality/value

The presented method offers an enhanced geometrical flexibility and extensibility to simulate larger cell systems with higher model resolution compared to other methods presented in the literature. The presented analysis provides an understanding of the balanced coupling scheme for large EQS systems.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2023

Bin Chen, Binsheng Xi, Nina Wan, Shuaibing Wang and Bo Tang

Because the nanocrystalline core is widely used in power electronic equipment, and the excitation waveform of its working mode is complex, the vibration at medium and high…

77

Abstract

Purpose

Because the nanocrystalline core is widely used in power electronic equipment, and the excitation waveform of its working mode is complex, the vibration at medium and high frequencies cannot be ignored. Therefore, this study aims to study the vibration mechanism of nanocrystalline strip and the vibration characteristics of nanocrystalline magnetic ring under different excitation waveforms.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the electromagnetic vibration mechanism between nanocrystalline strips is analyzed by finite element analysis, and the force of the magnetic ring with and without air gap is compared and analyzed. Then, the vibration of nanocrystalline magnetic ring under different excitation waveforms such as sine wave, triangular wave, symmetric rectangular wave and asymmetric rectangular wave is analyzed by experimental method. The acceleration time domain waveform measured by the experiment is analyzed by fast Fourier transform, and the vibration is analyzed according to the spectrum.

Findings

Because of the increase of magnetic flux leakage, the volume force density and the Maxwell force on the surface of the nanocrystalline magnetic ring will increase after the air gap is opened, resulting in the intensification of vibration. Under symmetric/asymmetric rectangular wave excitation, the vibration acceleration varies with the duty cycle. Due to the influence of harmonic excitation, the relationship between the main frequency of vibration and the excitation frequency is not two times, and its multiple decreases with the increase of excitation frequency.

Originality/value

The research and analysis of this paper can promote the application of new magnetic materials in electrical equipment in small and medium-sized and medium- to high-frequency fields.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 42 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2022

Margarida Custódio Santos, Célia Veiga, José António C. Santos and Paulo Águas

This study sought to assess the extent to which tourism research has considered sustainability as a success factor for tourism destinations. It also aims to identify the relevance…

1606

Abstract

Purpose

This study sought to assess the extent to which tourism research has considered sustainability as a success factor for tourism destinations. It also aims to identify the relevance of the economic, environmental and socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability for tourist destination success, identify gaps in the literature and draw theoretical and practical implications and make recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology consists of a systematic literature review on sustainability as a success factor for tourism destinations.

Findings

Research interest in the topic is recent and mostly focused on environmental sustainability. Developing a sustainable tourism policy and performing adequate destination management are crucial for tourism destination success. It is also acknowledged that perceiving a destination as sustainable has a significant positive impact on tourists' experiences, purchasing behaviour and loyalty.

Originality/value

This study's value arises from the fact that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no systematic literature review was yet been performed on the topic of sustainability as a success factor for tourism destinations.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 June 2018

Lujun Su, Yinghua Huang and Maxwell Hsu

The impact of destination reputation on tourists’ behavior has not received sufficient attention in the tourism literature. Built upon the signaling theory and the well-documented…

2168

Abstract

Purpose

The impact of destination reputation on tourists’ behavior has not received sufficient attention in the tourism literature. Built upon the signaling theory and the well-documented stimulus-organism-response framework, the purpose of this paper is to propose and assess a theoretical model that captures relationships among destination reputation, place attachment, tourist satisfaction, and the search for alternative destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the covariance-based structural equation modeling technique, this study empirically tested the conceptual model with a convenience sample of Chinese tourists who visited a popular coastal urban tourism destination in China.

Findings

Findings reveal that destination reputation positively impacts perceived place dependence, place identity, and tourist satisfaction. In addition, place dependence positively affects tourist satisfaction, but place identity has no significant impact on tourist satisfaction. As expected, tourist satisfaction negatively influences tourists’ search for alternative destinations; however, place identity positively influences tourists’ search for alternative destinations.

Originality/value

Few studies in the tourism literature explore the role of destination reputation in the tourist decision-making process. The present study’s unique contribution lies in its examination of destination reputation on tourists’ behavior. In addition, this study includes the search for alternative destinations as an important behavioral outcome into the proposed model. Some tourists explore alternative destinations even though they are willing to revisit and spread positive messages about the destination they already visited. Therefore, the continuous searching behavior is worthy of investigation in tourism studies.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. 1 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 December 2017

Lujun Su, Scott R. Swanson, Maxwell Hsu and Xiaohong Chen

This study aims to examine consumption emotions and customer–company identification as mediating variables to explore the association of perceived corporate social responsibility…

3386

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine consumption emotions and customer–company identification as mediating variables to explore the association of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) on green consumer behavior in a hospitality–lodging context.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a stimulus–organism–response framework, an integrated model is developed. The hypothesized relationships of the research model are tested using the structural equation modeling technique. Data were gathered from hotel guests at a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China.

Findings

Perceived CSR directly affects positive emotions, negative emotions and customer–company identification. Positive emotions significantly influence customer–company identification. Positive emotions and customer–company identification partially mediate the relationship between perceived CSR and green consumer behavior. Hotel type was not found to be a moderating factor.

Research limitations/implications

Perceived CSR can act to influence consumers’ behaviors more broadly via an increased likelihood of engaging in green consumer behavior. Implementing CSR strategies at the company level may provide additional benefits to society as a whole. The proposed relationships need to be replicated in other service organizations, segments and cultures to better assess the generalizability of the findings.

Originality/value

This study investigates the association between consumption emotions and customer–company identification, which has been missing in the tourism/hospitality literature. This study also extends previous CSR literature by examining the potential moderating role of hospitality type.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 29 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

A.S. Tonkoshkur, A.B. Glot and A.V. Ivanchenko

The purpose of this paper is to develop the models of the dielectric permittivity dispersion of heterogeneous systems based on semiconductors to a level that would allow to apply…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the models of the dielectric permittivity dispersion of heterogeneous systems based on semiconductors to a level that would allow to apply effectively the method of broadband dielectric spectroscopy for the study of electronic processes in ceramic and composite materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The new approach for determining the complex dielectric permittivity of heterogeneous systems with semiconductor particles is used. It includes finding the analytical expression of the effective dielectric permittivity of the separate semiconductor particle of spherical shape. This approach takes into account the polarization of the free charge carriers in this particle, including capturing to localized electron states. This enabled the authors to use the known equations for complex dielectric permittivity of two-component matrix systems and statistical mixtures.

Findings

The presented dispersion equations establish the relationship between the parameters of the dielectric spectrum and electronic processes in the structures like semiconductor particles in a dielectric matrix in a wide frequency range. Conditions of manifestation and location of the different dispersion regions of the complex dielectric heterogeneous systems based on semiconductors in the frequency axis and their features are established. The most high-frequency dispersion region corresponds to the separation of free charge carriers at polarization. After this region in the direction of reducing of the frequency, the dispersion regions caused by recharge bulk and/or surface localized states follow. The most low-frequency dispersion region is caused by recharging electron traps in the boundary layer of the dielectric matrix.

Originality/value

Dielectric dispersion models are developed that are associated with: electronic processes of separation of free charge carriers in the semiconductor component, recapture of free charge carriers in the localized electronic states in bulk and on the surface of the semiconductor and also boundary layers of the dielectric at the polarization. The authors have analyzed to situations that correspond applicable and promising materials: varistor ceramics and composite structure with conductive and semiconductor fillers. The modelling results correspond to the existing level of understanding of the electron phenomena in matrix systems and statistical mixtures based on semiconductors. It allows to raise efficiency of research and control properties of heterogeneous materials by dielectric spectroscopy.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Content available

Abstract

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 41 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

11 – 20 of 297