bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Customers' Generational Differences Regarding In-Store Shopping Experiences
Authors: Bonfanti Angelo
Published: May 2019

This chapter aims to identify customers' needs in regard to in-store shopping experiences and to examine these results with specific reference to generational differences between the senior and younger customers. This exploratory study followed a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews conducted through focus groups. Specifically, four sessions were organized with 24 Italian customers, of whom 12 were baby boomers and 12 were millennials, who were frequent visitors to retail stores to undertake shopping activities. The pleasure, arousal, and dominance (PAD) model was used to explain customers' needs in regard to in-store shopping experiences. The research contributes to the current literature on both a theoretical and managerial level. From a theoretical perspective, it identifies customers' needs in regard to in-store shopping experiences with particular attention devoted to the generational perspective. In managerial terms, this study provides retailers with suggestions on possible strategic paths to be taken to create a personalized in-store shopping experience.
Effect of E-Retail Product Category on Performance
Authors: Vazquez Erik Ernesto
Published: May 2019

Literature on product categorization of e-retail products has adopted a consumer view and studied the direct effect on consumer-level variables such as purchase intent or customer satisfaction. In doing so, the moderating effect of product categorization of e-retail products on firm-level variables has been ignored. To address the implications of e-retail product categorization, this chapter asks the following question, What is the moderating effect of e-retail product category on sales performance? This chapter uses concepts of information economics, e-retailing, and the search-experience-credence (SEC) categorization of products to develop theoretical hypotheses. Using data from 500 US e-retailers, this chapter contends that the ease to evaluate retail products online has a positive effect on sales volume of e-retail firms. This effect is the result of increased web traffic and decreased conversion rates, which describes the e-retail market behavior with firm-level variables.
Assessing the Power of Social Media Influencers
Authors: Cassia Fabio , Magno Francesca
Published: May 2019

Despite the rapidly increasing popularity of social media influencers and of influencer marketing, academic and managerial knowledge on this phenomenon is still limited. The purpose of this chapter is to examine to what extent cultural and tourism social media influencers are able to influence their followers' consumption decisions. In particular, the chapter provides new evidence based on data collected among 341 followers of hospitality and tourism bloggers and 208 followers of cultural bloggers in Italy. By comparing the results from the two subsamples, conclusions about the effectiveness of bloggers in the two contexts are drawn. Based on the findings, some avenues for future research and some practical guidelines for social media influencers are suggested.
Strengths of Online Travel Agencies From the Perspective of the Digital Tourist
Authors: Marzo-Navarro Mercedes , Berne-Manero Carmen , Gómez-Campillo María , Pedraja-Iglesias Marta
Published: May 2019

Recent tourism literature reviews the movement of the current distribution landscape toward disintermediation as the Internet and mobile technologies provide consumers with more and more tools for researching suppliers/providers and purchasing products and services directly. This calls into question the necessity and role of retailers in the industry. Focusing on online travel agencies (OTAs), this chapter is aimed at solving three main research questions: What is the current position of online tourism retailers as indirect channels in the online tourism distribution system? What are the strengths of OTAs as seen by their customers? and How should OTAs face the future? A database drawn from a survey of Spanish digital tourists is used to illustrate the initial theoretical discussion and concluding remarks.
The University in a Retail Context
Authors: Hysa Xhimi , Gambarov Vusal , Zenelaj Besjon
Published: May 2019

On-campus retailing is a spread practice, but academia has almost underestimated its potential. Nevertheless, not every type of retail activity adds value to customers and society. When the proposed value is society-driven and sensitive to consumers' wellbeing, customers' engagement increases. One business model, through which it is possible to exploit the benefits of on-campus retailing by adding social value, is the Yunus Social Business. This is a case-based study aiming to describe, through the Social Business Model Canvas, the founding of an organic shop within a university that is supplied by administrative staff of the university that are at the same time also local farmers. Further, the shop aims to resell organic food to university staff and students. The case study is theoretically enriched by traditional Porterian frameworks and new service frameworks such as the service-dominant logic by emphasizing the role of value proposition, value co-creation, and value-in-context.
Relational Proximity With Customers in the Retail Industry
Authors: Sansone Marcello , Bruni Roberto , Colamatteo Annarita , Pagnanelli Maria Anna
Published: May 2019

This chapter uses a theoretical background to identify and explain a new proximity concept in retail sector. In particular, adopting a marketing and management approach, an innovative type of “proximity” is presented, explaining a set of numerous elements and relationships that could link retailer, customer, and territory: “the relational proximity.” The factors useful to describe the roots of “relational proximity” between retailer and customer are presented and identified in a specific case study. The new concept of relational proximity represents the originality of this study. It explains the mood coming out from the integration between the retail value offering and its contextualization with environment, society, and contemporaneity. Following this logic, the retailers in the future will focus their competitive advantage working with the customers, building day by day their relational proximity.
A Survey of Learning Needs of Street Vendors in Nigeria
Authors: Zuofa Comfort Chiegenashi , Olori Christian
Published: May 2019

This chapter investigated the learning needs and learning opportunities of street vendors for sustainable livelihood in Nigeria. Two research questions and one null hypothesis were developed to guide the study. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. The population for the study was 6,401 street vendors. The sample size was 335. Instrument for data collection was a questionnaire titled “Learning Needs and Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihood of Street Vendors” (LNOSLSV). It was face validated by three validates. An overall reliability coefficient value of .85 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha Statistical Tool. Data collected were analyzed using the mean to answer the research questions, while the multiple regression was used to test the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. Findings among others revealed a variety of learning needs. It was recommended that ICT facilities be strategically positioned to display the procedures for the acquisition of various skills by street vendors.
Incorporating Media in Promoting Lifelong Learning Among Street Vendors in Ghana
Authors: Biney Isaac Kofi
Published: May 2019

This chapter explores media promotion of lifelong learning among street vendors in Ghana. It looks at conceptual frameworks underpinning street vending and the relevance of media in empowering street vendors. It also examines challenges involved in street vending and strategies in integrating street vending into the formal sector of the economy of Ghana. The contributions of media in empowering street vendors and learning as a process of lifelong learning fashion are also discussed. Issues emerging from street vending and recommendations are discussed. The chapter concludes that the Government of Ghana should develop all-inclusive business policy to accelerate formalization of informal enterprises. Street vendors should also build strong front, and leadership, to foster effective collaboration and partnership with media houses to aid in deepening lifelong learning drive in Ghana.
Online Travel Trade in India
Authors: Gupta S. K. , Bhatt Vijay Prakash , Vaishnava Abhishek
Published: May 2019

India, as the second largest internet population after China with 330-370 million users which is expected to grow by at least 50 million yearly until 2020, is at the cusp of a digital revolution. Various reports show that India's revenue in the online travel booking segment amount to 569 million USD in 2018 and is expected to show an annual growth rate of 14.6% resulting in a market volume of 9,594 million USD in 2022. This article emphasizes the opportunities and challenges of online travel agencies (OTAs) particularly in India. For the success of e-tourism in India, it is essential to increase the operational efficiency of the staff and attitude/ behavior of the staff, delivery of services as committed, provision of customer data management and insurance coverage services. All of these are the keys for an excellent and prompt service delivery system and which effects the success of the online travel provider. A large youth population, changing lifestyle, plethora of travel deals and authenticated travel related information are some of the major opportunities and challenges for e-travel commerce in India. This article summarizes information on the challenges and opportunities of Indian online travel agencies, with a conviction that India will make a huge break through and be a success story particularly in online travel retail. This study will give insight to the industry players to understand the opportunities and challenges and develop strategies for retaining more satisfied users and increasing the number of repeat customers accordingly.
Content Analysis of Online Visual Merchandising for Indian Online Travel Agents
Authors: Choudhary Farah S. , Sharma Alka
Published: May 2019

The main objective of this chapter is to investigate the effect of online visual merchandising elements and identify the relative importance of the various visual merchandising cues to consumers' visits and booking through online travel agencies. In order to examine the relative importance of the visual merchandising of Indian travel agents, two most popular online travel agents, namely Makemytrip and Yatra, were selected. The data for the content analysis was collected from 100 respondents of each website who have visited each online travel agent namely Makemytrip and Yatra at least once. The respondents were asked to browse and explore the visual merchandising cues of the website and fill in the data at the same time. A detailed content analysis was done for both the online travel agents. For comparing the web portals chi-square has been used. The comparison analysis was performed on basis of various elements in the websites, namely website logo color, website main color, number of filters, bulletin board, comparison tool bar, interaction tool, search bar tools, detail information, custom made service, refund policy indication, number of travel service, ease of payment, image position, etc. A coding sheet was developed and designed to explain the various elements of online visual merchandising for these travel agent's portal in order to perform the content analysis. Findings showed the importance of online visual merchandising cues towards online travel agency websites. It also gave implications for online travel agents on how they can use online visual merchandising to attract and appeal consumers and travelers visiting their web portal. The study also reviews an extensive literature on online visual merchandising and presents a detail understanding of online visual merchandising and its elements and how online visual merchandising can be used differently and attractively in different web portals. The result of a chi-square test shows that there is a significant difference in all the factors of online visual merchandising cues. The chapter also gives implications for online travel agents as to how online visual merchandising can be used especially in online travel portals to attract travelers. The findings of the study provide valuable information for online travel agents for developing successful online portals using various web cues that may attract and draw interest of both the online browsers as well as the customers of web travel agents.
Impact of Consumer-Generated Content (CGC) on Travel-Related Decisions
Authors: Ambardar Ankush , Malik Himanshu
Published: May 2019

While online portals have improved accessibility of resources and information to potential travelers and tourists, there is less existing literature about the impact of consumer-generated content on travel decisions. The chapter has analyzed the factors of motivation for creating, accessing, and using consumer-generated content in order to have a better planned travel decision, which results in a memorable trip. The research resulted in ranking the factors of motivation for creating, accessing, and using consumer-generated content in order to identify the need of today's traveler.
E-Marketing as a Tool to Achieve Competitiveness in Travel Trade Industry
Authors: Malik Himanshu , Sharma Minky
Published: May 2019

E-marketing allows one to do business by using online sources. This internet source is also helping the travel and trade industries in getting the growth in their business or if the business man of small-scale industries were made aware of this then they can achieve much more in their travelling business along with the valuable customers. The chapter aims at identifying components of e-marketing that provide competitiveness in travel trade industry and address the use of e-marketing components that provide competitiveness in travel and tour industries.
Spatio-Temporal Hot Spot Analysis of Epidemic Diseases Using Geographic Information System for Improved Healthcare
Authors: V. Uma , Ganapathy Jayanthi
Published: May 2019

Health-care systems aid in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. Epidemiology deals with the demographic study on frequency, distribution and determinants of disease in order to provide better health-care. Today information technology has made data pervasive i.e. data is available anywhere and in abundance. GIS in epidemiology enables prompt services to mankind or people at risk. It brings out health-care services that are amicable for prevention and control of disease spread. This could be achieved when epidemiology data is modeled considering temporal and spatial factors and using data driven computation techniques over such models. This chapter discusses 1) the need for integrating GIS and epidemiology, 2) various case studies that indicates the need for spatial analysis being performed on epidemiologic data, 3) few techniques involved in the spatial analysis, 4) functionalities provided by some of the widely used GIS software packages and tools.
Digital Professionalism
Authors: Guerra Joana Vale
Published: May 2019

The widespread use of digital technology allows for a number of transformations in the organization of work which renders the importance of professional and expert knowledge more open to challenges. The digital age is impacting and changing many aspects of professional development, therefore must be examined in its effects on reshaping healthcare professions and its implications on professional autonomy and discretionary judgment. To achieve this goal, advantages and disadvantages will be highlighted about the usage of electronic health record software to the healthcare professional's autonomy and discretionary power. The increased use of digital technologies is deeply affecting most professional occupations, transforming their identities, structures, and practices. In recognizing the challenges and opportunities to professional work of the digital transformation is underlined the importance of trying to understand how to remain professional in different digital environments and how to work in contexts with ambient surveillance.
The Emerging Concept of an Inclusive mHealth Ecosystem in India
Authors: Nair Pradeep
Published: May 2019

The reason for considering ICT-based communication platforms, especially mobile phones, as the most efficacious media tool to interconnect health care providers, practitioners and other stakeholders to a substantially large number of consumers in the healthcare system is that the mobile phone subscribers in India has reached to 1,013.23 million in the third quarter of 2018. The prices of smartphones have also come down by 11 percent with a demand for 4G devices capturing 6 percent of smartphone unit demand in India. Hence, it is an appropriate time to understand that the future of healthcare business in India lies with mobile based healthcare services. This chapter explores some of the significant innovations taking place in mobile healthcare business in India and examines the emerging approach of integrated health care ecosystems to provide quality health services to everyone where and when it is required.
Healing Cultural Personae With the Media Dream
Authors: Schafer Stephen Brock
Published: May 2019

Issues of cultural morality and health in a mediated reality of simulated illusion may be addressed with Jungian principles. The psychological dynamics of interactive images projected as media images correspond with psychological dream images as defined by Carl G. Jung. Therefore, images in the media mirror patterns of energy and information in what Jung called the collective unconscious. Dream dynamics may be used to address global political hacking, cyber warfare, and neuromarketing with ICTs.
The Shifting Roles of Faculty in Digital Teaching and Learning
Authors: Biggane Jonathan , Sadrinezhad Arezoo , Steinbauer Robert
Published: May 2019

Technological advancements continue to shape faculties' pedagogical, social, managerial, and technological roles, making it increasingly difficult to navigate this ever-changing environment. The purpose of this chapter is to shed light on these changes and offer a prescriptive approach for how to thrive in the world of digital teaching and learning. To achieve this objective, the authors first review the evolution of digital technology in teaching and learning and evaluate the consequences of such changes on faculty roles. The authors then discuss common challenges associated with the shifting roles and, most importantly, provide the reader with effective approaches that have been shown to increase student engagement and enhance learning outcomes.
Supporting Learning Design as a Driver for Pedagogical Innovation Within an Integrated Model of Faculty Development
Authors: Ranieri Maria , Raffaghelli Juliana Elisa , Bruni Isabella
Published: May 2019

Research on faculty development supporting pedagogical innovation has gained momentum since effective teaching and learning are deemed a central piece for the modernization of higher education. However, the field is still characterized by a low level of conceptualization, fragmented approaches, and unclear strategies on organizational level. This chapter concentrates on the DIDe-L case, a strategic program of faculty development promoted by the University of Florence and based on an integrated approach to training. Specifically, it focuses on the “e-Learning Desk,” an institutional service ensuring instructional coaching for learning design. Through the analysis of teachers' reactions and renewed practices, the authors aim at exploring what institutional and organizational conditions may prevent or facilitate pedagogical innovation and change. Results showed that the approach characterizing the service had a positive impact on teachers' growth, although institutional obstacles like lack of recognition or support still prevent teachers to fully deploy pedagogical innovations.
Asynchronous Electronic Feedback for Faculty Peer Review
Authors: Rohrbacher Chad , McKee Jessica
Published: May 2019

This case study at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach (ERAU-DB) describes the process of facilitating a faculty peer observation model that uses asynchronous electronic feedback through the Teaching Partners program offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE). This practical, hybrid model of peer observation builds on practices found in current models and uses digital recording and web-based software to encourage faculty feedback that will positively impact their pedagogical practice. The results of this study suggest to truly cultivate a dialogue between faculty and/or education developer in the process, the goals should be clearly stated, the reflection should be clearly defined using the current research when possible, and the process should be modeled in practice. This comparative analysis also suggests that the hybrid model of evaluation, coupled with the implementation of video asynchronous electronic commenting system, resulted in increased faculty reflection that impacted classroom instruction.
The Interteaching Approach
Authors: Jones Joanne S.
Published: May 2019

Interteaching is a pedagogical technique designed to increase student engagement and facilitate peer-to-peer learning. Studies of interteaching have largely supported the efficacy of this approach with regard to academic performance and student satisfaction. In this chapter, the literature evaluating the effectiveness of interteaching is reviewed, and a study of the incorporation of interteaching into an associate-level course within the author's institution is described. Outcomes of the interteaching course are compared with those from the same course in a previous quarter utilizing more traditional teaching methods. The chapter concludes with practical suggestions for the application of interteaching within the classroom and in distance learning. Recommendations for the incorporation of digital teaching and learning applications to augment this pedagogical style are also provided.
The Role of Modern Information and Communication Technologies in Language Training of Technical University Students
Authors: Bagateeva Angelina Olegovna , Akhmetzyanova Guliya Nailevna , Valeyeva Nailya Shaukatovna
Published: May 2019

The structure of foreign language communicative competence is considered as a set of linguistic, speech, socio-cultural, strategic, and self-educational competences, each of which contains invariant and variable components. This chapter presents a theoretical model of modular technology of foreign language training based on the integration of the system, competence, personal activity, multicultural, acmeological approaches, and taking into account general didactic and specific (modularity, flexibility, agility, regionality, predictability) principles. Its structural components (theoretical-methodological, purposeful, meaningful, procedural-technological, resultant-evaluative units) are described. The description of the modular technology of foreign language training of technical university students is given. Information and communication technologies are considered as a means of information and methodological support and diagnostic tools for monitoring foreign language training. The results of experimental work are presented.
How to Foster Technology-Enhanced Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Ebner Martin , Hell Timotheus , Ebner Markus
Published: May 2019

In this chapter, the authors deal with the topic of integration of technology-enhanced learning in higher education. Due to the worldwide debate on digitalization for all possible areas, even educational institutions are asking how they can deal with this change or how they have to prepare for the future. At Graz University of Technology, a pre-project was started to elaborate a policy, which should help to start different projects afterwards. Therefore, a participatory approach was started following the idea that each university member (lecturers, researchers, administrators, or students) can give input. Different measurements divided into the fields of education, research, administration, and transformation were carried out, summarized, and consolidated to provide a final policy. The outcome of this publication will focus on the description of the whole process as well as the summary of the most interesting aspects which were used for the final policy. Furthermore, an outlook on how the digital policy will be brought to practice in the following years will be provided.
Technostress as a Factor Affecting the Use of Technology by Beginning Teachers
Authors: Çoklar Ahmet Naci , Efilti Erkan , Şahin Yusuf Levent
Published: May 2019

The use of ICTs has become an obligation rather than an option for teachers. This intense pressure leads to a modern adaptation disorder expressed as technostress. Technostress is one of the many problems experienced particularly by beginning teachers, and the technostress levels of these teachers were investigated. For this purpose, in the 2015-2016 academic years, data were collected from 83 teachers having a professional seniority of 0-5 years. It was concluded that the general levels of technostress of the teachers were moderate, which they had a moderate-level technostress at the learning-teaching process-oriented, technical-issue-oriented, and social-oriented technostress factors, and they had a low-level of technostress at the profession-oriented and personal-oriented technostress factors. When examined in terms of the variables, while the general level of technostress does not vary by gender and branch group, it varies by the variable of average use of the internet. Finally, the solution proposals for technostress were examined.
Resilience for Faculty Development in Global Higher Education
Authors: Lemoine Pamela A. , Seneca Sharon , Richardson Michael D.
Published: May 2019

Globalized higher education has created many challenges for faculty including the uncertainty and rapid change in the missions, faculty, and teaching. In this volatile environment, faculty are constantly bombarded with changing goals, job expectations, and how to deal with technology for teaching and learning. What are faculty to do? Since professional development is limited, most faculty must make the adjustments on their own with little institutional support. A possible answer for this dilemma is resiliency, which positions the faculty member to be their own best cultivator of the future they desire in higher education.
What Sports Do You Play? Actually, My Major Is Mathematics
Authors: Ramsay-Jordan Natasha N.
Published: May 2019

Although many different cultures contribute richly to the development of mathematics, many research scholars promote Western and Eurocentric perspectives of mathematics as dominant forces in mathematics history, texts, curriculum, and instruction. This absence of diverse mathematicians has worked to shape current negative narratives surrounding people of color in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Particularly, women of African descent remain underrepresented in STEM, comprising only 1.6% of STEM professionals with bachelor's degrees, and only 1.4% of those with doctoral degrees. Marked by the intersection of systemic and institutionalized racism and gender oppression, these women, experience “double bind” challenges. Using the author's personal story, she explores these challenges to highlight how institutionalized racism and sexism permeated her mathematics-STEM experience. Lastly, approaches of how to navigate, discretely and indiscreetly, the underrepresentation of young girls and women of color in STEM are offered.
The Restructuring of the Financial System in the 21st century
Authors: Pereira Elisabeth T.
Published: May 2019

The financial system on the first decades of the 21st century followed the trend of the last decades of the 20th century with corporate restructuring and international financial markets integration and delocalization being oriented by profits and mergers and acquisitions. The global economy and financial structure changes, in the current century, derived from financial innovations, market deregulation, globalization, technology, market structure changes, regulatory reforms, and (re)formulation of central banks' monetary policy. Currently, the financial system is interconnected, interactive, interdependent, and became over-leveraged. The present chapter focuses on the analysis of the evolution of the financial system and the main determinants of global financial markets restructuring on last decades to explain the relevant changes verified in the financial system in the 21st century. After a literature review, an evaluative and descriptive macro analysis of the financial system is presented to study the process of restructuring of the financial system in the main developed economies.
De-Internationalization of SMEs
Authors: Moreira Antonio Carrizo , Freitas da Silva Pedro Miguel , Mota Jorge , Gadim Hugo Oliveira
Published: May 2019

Existing literature has devoted high attention to the topic of internationalization. A common assumption is that companies progressively commit to international operations; however, with the increase of competition in international markets, there may be a backwards perspective towards international operations. In this chapter, the topic of de-internationalization is examined, and a case study of a Portuguese SME that de-internationalized conducted. The featured case highlights the drivers and the main challenges of internationalization, as well as the factors and the difficulties in a de-internationalization process. The chapter findings highlight the need to expand the existing research on the topics of de-internationalization and re-internationalization.
Causes of De-Internationalization
Authors: Meneses Raquel , Pinho Helder
Published: May 2019

Until a few years ago, internationalization was seen as a self-feeding process, resulting from decisions based on accumulated knowledge. De-internationalization is not an option. However, the reality shows us that enterprises have done international divestment. To this date, the research on de-internationalization remains somehow scarce and needs additional research. The authors want to understand the causes of de-internationalization. They use the grounded theory methodology, studying six Portuguese cases that already have a process of de-internationalization. Five firms cooperate with, presenting six cases. The authors distinguish causes that occur before/after the internationalization process begin and causes related to firm or external to firm. One of the main causes of de-internationalization is the incorrect internationalization process. The Misfit Micro-Location (the wrong choice of place inside a determined country) is a very important cause, which means that, after choosing the country, it is necessary to choose the best place to be located.
Proposing an Integrative Model for Reshoring Antecedents
Authors: Vaz Joel Pedroso , Soares Ana Maria , Pinho José Carlos M. R. , Costa e Silva Susana
Published: May 2019

The economic reasons that dictated offshoring for countries such as China are vanishing. Customers are increasingly demanding and more informed about the origin and methods of production of the products they buy, and governments are realizing the impact of manufacturing. This new reality is encouraging many companies to relocate their activities and, in some stances, returning manufacturing processes back to their home countries. This rather recent process, known as reshoring poses challenges of all kind with managerial implications in logistics, marketing, strategy, finances, commercial strategy, innovation, and human resources management. Reshoring antecedents are fundamental concepts for the understanding of the sources that may conduct those activities back home. This chapter takes one step in this direction and proposes a comprehensive model of the antecedents of reshoring that can be applied to a specific industry or sector. In particular, the authors examine the important role of economic, marketing, and social/political antecedents.
A Review of the Economic Benefits of Cyber Terrorism
Authors: Odeh Acheme
Published: May 2019

The internet technologies have made it even easier for terrorist activities to migrate smoothly to the internet. Nations are now benefiting from the act of cyberterrorism, making it more difficult to successfully fight this monster. This chapter aims to draw up a review on various published work addressing the financial benefits of cyberterrorism. The question is to know if economic benefits alone is significantly strong enough to encourage more cyberterrorism activities. Should this be the case, what can be done to curb this deadly cancer from spreading further? Scientific methods could prove to be a much efficient solution to the issue of cyber terrorism. But how is that going to happen and for how long should we wait to see this happen? Would it ever happen? Considering that the internet is an ever-growing technology with endless possibilities for both attackers and crime investigative specialist, do we forsee a cyber war between nations who can boost of better fighting and defending technologies? These questions and many more are discussed based on recent literature.
Explanations in Artificial Intelligence Decision Making
Authors: Vinson Norman G. , Molyneaux Heather , Martin Joel D.
Published: May 2019

The opacity of AI systems' decision making has led to calls to modify these systems so they can provide explanations for their decisions. This chapter contains a discussion of what these explanations should address and what their nature should be to meet the concerns that have been raised and to prove satisfactory to users. More specifically, the chapter briefly reviews the typical forms of AI decision-making that are currently used to make real-world decisions affecting people's lives. Based on concerns about AI decision making expressed in the literature and the media, the chapter follows with principles that the systems should respect and corresponding requirements for explanations to respect those principles. A mapping between those explanation requirements and the types of explanations generated by AI decision making systems reveals the strengths and shortcomings of the explanations generated by those systems.
Instrumental Music Design
Authors: Rodriguez Brayan Mauricio , Arce-Lopera Carlos , Arboleda Ana M. , Diaz-Cely Javier , Correa Julian , Montoya Pablo
Published: May 2019

The authors describe the importance of music design for background instrumental music and the effect on task performance. Three instrumental music conditions that differ in tempo, articulation, mode, and musical meter were tested using a complex task scenario. The task was performed using a complicated web-interface that required users to focus their attention and perform several specific interactions for successfully finishing the task. All the interactions with the interface were recorded. Moreover, a mixed assessment of the emotional state, perceived task performance, and music perception was asked to participants upon task completion. Experimental results revealed that music design has complex effects on task performance and emotion. Also, the results revealed important trends that can help design music environments to control frustration when confronted to complex and cognitively demanding tasks.
The Convergence Between Challenge-Based Learning and Game Design Thinking Methodologies
Authors: Siqueira da Silva Isabel Cristina
Published: May 2019

The process of game development is constantly evolving in order to meet the different demands of players as well as the need to adapt to the employment of new technologies and trends in the gaming market. The game design thinking methodology that adds quality to the game development once is focused on the game design and development based on design thinking, an interactive design process focused on collaboration between developers and users to propose user-centered solutions. The challenge-based learning methodology presents to the learners (and future professionals) a challenge scenario asking them to think about a number of possible solutions using a variety of interactive tools. This chapter proposes to combine both game design thinking and challenge-based learning methodologies into the process of game development in order to assist the game learners and professionals to be able to integrate different aspects necessary to the proposal of a game, considering its multidisciplinary nature and understanding the human needs involved.
Groupwise Non-Rigid Image Alignment Using Few Parameters
Authors: Aal-Yhia Ahmad Hashim , Tiddeman Bernard , Malcolm Paul , Zwiggelaar Reyer
Published: May 2019

Groupwise non-rigid image alignment is a difficult non-linear optimization problem involving many parameters and often large datasets. Previous methods have explored various metrics and optimization strategies. Good results have been previously achieved with simple metrics, requiring complex optimization, often with many unintuitive parameters that require careful tuning for each dataset. In this chapter, the problem is restructured to use a simpler, iterative optimization algorithm, with very few free parameters. The warps are refined using an iterative Levenberg-Marquardt minimization to the mean, based on updating the locations of a small number of points and incorporating a stiffness constraint. This optimization approach is efficient, has very few free parameters to tune, and the authors show how to tune the few remaining parameters. Results show that the method reliably aligns various datasets including two facial datasets and two medical datasets of prostate and brain MRI images and demonstrates efficiency in terms of performance and a reduction of the computational cost.
From the European Monetary Union to a euro–bancor: a stock–flow consistent assessment*
Authors: Mazier Jacques , Valdecantos Sebastian
Published: May 2019

The crisis of the euro area has questioned the fairness, sustainability and viability of the current setting of the European Monetary Union (EMU). In this article we use a four-country stock–flow consistent (SFC) model in the tradition of Godley/Lavoie (2007a) to examine to what extent an adaptation to Europe of Keynes's plan of a clearing union with bancor balances could help reduce the imbalances that, at least in part, drove the eurozone into crisis. Our simulation experiments suggest that the implementation of Keynes's ideas may conduct European countries to a stronger and more sustainable growth cycle.
From abstract to concrete: some tips for developing an empirical stock–flow consistent model
Authors: Passarella Marco Veronese
Published: May 2019

The main purpose of this paper is to show how a simple (medium-scale) empirical stock–flow consistent dynamic model can be developed from scratch. Eurostat data and conventional statistical packages (notably EViews, Excel and R) are used. On the theoretical side, the work builds upon the pioneering work of Godley/Lavoie (2007). Sectoral transactions–flow matrices and balance sheets are explicitly modelled and their evolution over time under different scenarios is analysed. On the empirical side, the model draws upon the applied work of Burgess et al. (2016). The case of Italy is considered, but the model can be replicated for other countries. Eurostat annual data (from 1995 to 2016) are used to estimate or calibrate most model parameter values (for example, consumption function and housing investment parameters). Remaining parameters are borrowed from the available literature or taken from a range of realistic values (for example, weight on past errors in agents' expectations). The model is then used to impose and compare alternative scenarios for Italian sectoral financial balances, based on different shocks to government spending.
On the design of empirical stock–flow consistent models
Authors: Zezza Gennaro , Zezza Francesco
Published: May 2019

While the literature on theoretical macroeconomic models adopting the stock–flow consistent (SFC) approach is flourishing, few contributions cover the methodology for building an SFC empirical model for a whole country. Most contributions simply try to feed national accounting data into a theoretical model inspired by Godley/Lavoie (2007), albeit with different degrees of complexity. In this paper we argue instead that the structure of an empirical SFC model should start from a careful analysis of the specificities of a country's sectoral balance sheets and flow-of-funds data, compared to the relevant research question to be addressed. We illustrate our arguments with examples for Greece and Italy. We also provide some suggestions on how to consistently use the financial and non-financial accounts of institutional sectors, showing the link between SFC accounting structures and national accounting rules.
Using Waste Heat to Dry RDF: a Technical and Environmental Assessment of the Low Temperature Belt Dryer Technology
Authors: Conceição Sandro , Rolim João
Published: May 2019

In 2015, the Portuguese cement production company Cimpor modified the alternative fuel supply operation of refuse derived fuel (RDF) co-processing in the main burner of one of its cement kilns in Souselas. This modification resulted in the installation of an RDF drying unit with low temperature belt dryer (LTBD) technology that uses cascading energy available in Souselas cement plant. Implementation of the dryer project improves production and efficiency of the industrial process, while also resulting in environmental benefits as it decreases moisture and increases the lower calorific value of RDF, improving its quality. This paper intended to determine these environmental benefits and the added value that the project brings to the industry by presenting an energy balance and environmental assessment. This methodology allowed to compare the use of available heat as an energy source for the dryer instead of fossil fuels, such as natural gas or coal, which concluded that the waste heat available at the cement plant for the dryer would allow the saving of 75 to 84 kg of CO2-eq per tonne of wet RDF to be dried. Projects such as this one may greatly help address the main barriers of using RDF from municipal solid waste and other waste streams with high moisture content.
Fraud and Performance of Deposit Money Banks
Authors: Mawutor John K.M. , Enofe Augustine , Embele Kemebradikemor , Ndu Anayochukwu R. , Awodola Oluwaseyi E.
Published: May 2019

Banks serves as an indispensable part of the financial system, performing a crucial role in intermediation which results in a flow of financial resources in an economy. However, the recurring nature of fraud has hindered the effective performance of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs). The broad objective of this study was to examine the impact of fraud on DMBs in Nigeria. The study was driven by the positivist research philosophy. Hence, the study adopted a quantitative research design using the ex-post facto strategy. Data was sourced from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) annual reports covering the period of 2006 to 2016. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used to predict the impact of fraud on DMBs after fulfilling major regression assumptions. It was revealed that total fraud amount was negative, although insignificantly affect the performance of DMBs; the number of reported cases significantly and positively affect the performance of DMBs and lastly it was discovered that the total staff involved also significantly and positively affect the performance of DMBs in Nigeria. Therefore, the study concluded that the impact of fraud in the banking sector affects the performance of DMBs in Nigeria. The regulation and supervision of DMBs should be stricter, that is, the CBN and NDIC should tighten their grip in regulating and supervising so as reduce the increasing fraud incidence.
NEW HORIZONS IN HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT AND HYGIENE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Blenkharn Ian
Published: May 2019

The International Health Academy has recently the International Journal of Hospital Environment & Hygiene Management. This is an editorial article outlines the scope, aims and objectives of the journal and call for publication in this new journal.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND NANOMECHANICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF MAGNEVIST NANO-ENCAPSULATED DENDRIMERS BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
Authors: Abdelhady Hosam Gharib
Published: May 2019

Objectives: This research aims at investigating the effect of nano-encapsulating the MagnevistTM, a magnetic resonance imaging agent, within generation four, 1, 4- diaminobutane core polyamidoamine dendrimers on their molecular morphology and their nano-mechanical properties in liquid.Methods: Atomic force microscopy was applied in its imaging and force measuring modes to investigate, on the molecular scale, the morphological and nano-mechanical changes in generation four, 1, 4-diaminobutane core polyamidoamine dendrimers due to the nano-encapsulation of Magnevist in liquid.Results: The weight gain of dendrimers indicates the loading of ~ 30 Magnevist molecules. This has increased the rigidity of the dendrimer molecules, compared to unloaded dendrimers. Atomic force microscopy showed individual well-defined nano-spherical particles with nanoscopic dimensions of (40±13 nm in diameter and 4.38±0.54 nm in height). In contrast, imaging of non encapsulated dendrimers revealed loose aggregates of 15±3.5 nm in diameter and 0.9±0.2 nm in height.Conclusions: The atomic force microscopy, in liquid, was successfully applied to differentiate between Magnevist nano-encapsulated and non-encapsulated dendrimers, in their morphology and in their nano-mechanical properties. The results confirm the nano-encapsulation of Magnevist within generation four, 1,4-diaminobutane core polyamidoamine dendrimers. This loading increased the rigidity of the nanoencapsulated dendrimer, packed ~ 9 Magnevist-G 4 molecules together and may probably enhance the magnetic resonance images and increase their duration of time in the bloodstream when compared with Magnevist alone. Thus elongating the imaging sessions without the need for additional contrast agent doses.
Christelijke identiteit als cultureel gegeven in Nederland
Authors: Smalbrugge Matthias
Published: May 2019

Christian identity as cultural dimension in the Netherlands

The Dutch approach of religious matters is still characterized by an approach that fits in the 19th century, not in the 21st. This approach considers religion as a private matter without taking into account the cultural dimension of religion. Such an approach is not keeping the pace of the development of religion in a post-secular world and it loses sight of the modern debate on religion elsewhere in Europe. In particular it tends to ignore the cultural value of Christianity by pointing at the deconfessionalization. The article focuses on the role the Christian narrative has in making visible the issue of power.
Het boeddhisme en de ideale staat
Authors: van der Velde Paul
Published: May 2019

Buddhism and the ideal state

Buddhism has very specific ideas about an idealized form of government in Asia. These ideas may be ancient but they very often play a part in the background of politics up to modernity. Even within republics where religious monarchy has long since disappeared, a certain supernatural foundation on the basis of which a government functions may still be present. Opposition to a government can often imply resistance to a world order that is actually of supranatural origin. This article focuses on historical dimensions of this phenomenon (the position of the Buddha, the origin of the monarchy and Emperor Ashoka), but also on modern forms (Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar). Concerning Myanmar, the recent developments around the Rohingyas are placed in a cultural perspective.