bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How satisfying are Shanghai’s superior hotels? The views of international tourists
Authors: Wu Mao-Ying , Pearce Philip , Dong Wang 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
This study aims to assess international customers’ experiences in the leading hotels of the iconic city of Shanghai.

Design/methodology/approach
Leximancer, a qualitative analysis software program, was used to examine over 2,000 reviews appraising Shanghai’s superior hotels. The reviews were posted on Agoda.com.

Findings
Overall, the international tourists were actually quite satisfied with the superior Shanghai hotels. This study highlighted the continuing importance of the attentive and professional “staff”, physical attributes of the “hotel”, comfort of the “room”, “location”, proximity to a “shopping” area and co-creation possibilities to deliver some “beautiful” experiences. Segments of the market based on tourists’ origins, travel style and hotel management styles emphasized different expressive and instrumental features. Some strong commonalities were identified. The most satisfied customers, no matter what their backgrounds, were those who were more impressed with the expressive and intangible elements in the hotel, especially their interaction with and the service qualities of the hotels’ professional and attentive staff.

Practical implications
The work offers a potential range of insights and emphases for individual properties in Shanghai and other locations to help market and co-create experiences in their properties in distinctive ways.

Originality/value
The work is framed within the wider theoretical concerns of extending the meaning of co-creation in the experience economy. The work argues that co-creation is not limited to the on-site experience but rather that post-visit appraisals through user-generated contents constitute an extended form of interaction which may assist in understanding the full trajectory of the hotel experience.
Adoption and impact of marketing performance assessment systems among travel agencies
Authors: Magno Francesca , Cassia Fabio , Bruni Attilio 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess whether travel agencies that implement comprehensive marketing performance assessment systems (MPASs) enjoy superior overall performance. Drawing on the knowledge-based view, the authors propose and test a model demonstrating that the relationship between MPASs and overall performance is fully mediated by the depth of market-related knowledge absorbed by the travel agency.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey was administered to a sample of Italian travel agencies; 171 complete questionnaires were received. The suggested relationships were assessed using a covariance-based structural equation modeling approach, including the estimation of both the measurement model and the structural model.

Findings
The findings indicate that the implementation of sophisticated MPASs has a significant and positive effect on performance and that this relationship is fully mediated by the depth of market-related knowledge absorbed by the travel agency. In addition, the results highlight that the number of marketing metrics monitored by the travel agency has no effect on its performance.

Research limitations/implications
The specific features of the travel agency sector in Italy include a remarkable level of fragmentation. The cross-sectional design does not permit an assessment of the medium-term effects of the adoption of an MPAS.

Practical implications
Travel agencies selecting proactive marketing strategies can particularly benefit from the adoption of sophisticated MPASs. Suggestions are provided to assist managers in designing their MPAS.

Originality/value
This study enriches the field’s knowledge about marketing performance measurement and proactive marketing strategies, and indicates that the implementation of well-designed MPASs improves a firm’s overall performance. It also explains the knowledge-related processes that produce this positive effect.
Assessment of efficiency of manual and non-manual human resources for tourist hotel industry
Authors: Huang Chin-wei 
Published: April 2017

PurposeIn past literature, employee has been extensively utilized as input in most data envelopment analysis (DEA) studies, but different labor types are identically defined to be the same input factor without a specific assumption for their heterogeneity. The influence of manual and non-manual labor utilization on performance also has not been investigated in hotel efficiency analyses. The purpose of this study is to assess inefficiency indices derived from manual and non-manual labor, and analyze the influence of labor utilization on hotel’s operational efficiency.Design/methodology/approachBased on the different features of the two labor types, performance indicators are evaluated through the hybrid DEA model.FindingsMore than 32 per cent of tourist hotels are evaluated as efficient and more than half the hotels have an efficiency score lower than the average. The author evaluated the inefficiency caused by radial inputs that have a greater influence on efficiency. This finding indicates that most hotels are efficient in their utilization of non-manual labor. The investigation of external factors shows that excessive utilization of non-manual labor results in a slight influence on operational efficiency across many non-chain hotels. The author also found the efficiency of non-manual labor utilization to be lower at hotels located in resort areas.Originality/valueThis study used the hybrid DEA model, in which non-manual and manual labors are assumed as non-radial and radial inputs, respectively, to evaluate efficiency. Finding the significance of heterogeneous assumptions for manual and non-manual labor types is the main contribution to the theory of hotel efficiency measurement.
Relationships between brand experiences, personality traits, prestige, relationship quality, and loyalty
Authors: Choi Young Gin , Ok Chihyung “Michael” , Hyun Sunghyup Sean 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of coffeehouse brand experiences and brand personality traits on brand prestige, and the effects of brand prestige on brand relationship quality and loyalty in the coffeehouse industry.

Design/methodology/approach
Validated measurements were identified from a literature review. The measurement model and the conceptual model depicting hypothesized relationships were evaluated based on responses from 309 coffeehouse customers using confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation modeling, accordingly.

Findings
Brand experiences and brand personality traits had direct effects on brand prestige, which in turn influenced brand relationship quality and attitudinal loyalty. Brand relationship quality directly and indirectly influenced attitudinal and behavioral brand loyalty.

Research limitations/implications
The data were collected from coffeehouse customers in the USA; therefore, the results may not be generalizable to other regions or types of service industries. The results have important theoretical and practical implications for gaining a competitive advantage through brand experiences, brand personality traits and prestige.

Practical implications
To enhance the coffeehouse brand prestige, it is critical to enhance patrons’ experiential interactions by using sensory appealing equipment/tools, developing sentimental slogans, active/behavioral mascots and intellectual advertising. Furthermore, it is necessary for it to build and enhance its own brand personality characterized by sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication and ruggedness.

Originality/value
This study is the first to empirically test the relationships between brand experiences, brand personality traits and prestige in the coffeehouse industry.
The structural relationship between TQM, employee satisfaction and hotel performance
Authors: Amin Muslim , Aldakhil Abdullah Mohamed , Wu Chengzhong , Rezaei Sajad , Cobanoglu Cihan 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the structural relationships between total quality management (TQM) and employee satisfaction and hotel performance.

Design/methodology/approach
A judgmental sampling technique was employed in this study. A total of 25 (four- and five-star) hotels were selected in four cities in Malaysia. A total of 625 questionnaires were distributed randomly to both employees and managers.

Findings
The results of this study showed that seven TQM constructs have significant relationships with employee satisfaction and hotel performance. Leadership and customer focus play significant roles in enhancing employee satisfaction and hotel performance.

Practical implications
Employees who are highly satisfied with their jobs will be willing to support their coworkers. They will be loyal to their jobs and enhance hotel performance. Hoteliers must provide a friendly working atmosphere, as well as a blueprint and strategic map, to increase employee satisfaction and improve hotel performance.

Originality/value
This research study provides a substantial contribution to the hospitality management literature by explaining how TQM practices can be used as a predictor of employee satisfaction and consequently improve hotel performance. A better understanding of these relationships will help hoteliers in developing their marketing strategies to maintain the relationship with hotel customers.
Identifying and managing supply quality risk
Authors: Zsidisin George A. , Petkova Boyana , Saunders Lance W. , Bisseling Mark 
Published: April 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for identifying and managing supply quality risk (SQR).Design/methodology/approachThe research method began with a literature study to form a grounded model of how organizations identify and perceive SQR and associate various supplier quality management practices (SQMPs) with SQR sources. The second phase consisted of structured interviews at three companies in the food machinery industry in order to refine these concepts and examine causal relationships.FindingsThe findings from this study indicate that firms may be more likely to implement integrative supply chain practices when supplier or component sources of SQR are considered to be a significant threat. Conversely, market sources of SQR were generally not perceived as being significant, and therefore do not warrant as much direct intervention in their management.Research limitations/implicationsMost previous studies on supply chain risk focus on delivery disruptions. However, there is a lack of knowledge on identifying, assessing, and managing supply risk associated with quality. By addressing these issues and outlining future research directions the authors help provide a starting point for contributing to this line of study in supply risk theory and practice.Practical implicationsThe framework developed in this paper can aid supply chain professionals in understanding what constitutes SQR and providing insight to approaches for managing this form of supply risk.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study that the authors are aware of that links various sources of SQR to specific SQMPs.
Supply chain learning, integration, and flexibility performance: an empirical study in India
Authors: Willis Geoff , Genchev Stefan E. , Chen Haozhe 
Published: April 2017

PurposeSupply chain flexibility has been acknowledged as a necessity in the context of constantly changing operational and service requirements in the global marketplace. However, limited research has focused on analyzing and empirically testing the dynamics of achieving enhanced flexibility performance. Drawing upon the knowledge-based view of the firm, the purpose of this paper is to address this research gap by introducing supply chain learning (SCL) and integration as key factors in the process.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected in India. Structural equation modeling technique was used as the main analysis method to test the proposed conceptual model on SCL, integration, and flexibility performance.FindingsResearch findings indicate that the supply chain integration construct (in its internal and external dimensions) mediates the proposed SCL-flexibility performance relationship. The analysis also confirms the positive relationship between cross-functional integration and inter-firm integration.Research limitations/implicationsFocusing on only one country may limit the generalizability of the findings. Also, cross-sectional data collection may not be the ideal approach for evaluating the impacts of SCL. Therefore, future research with longitudinal data and in different contexts is warranted to validate the research results of this study.Originality/valueThe proposed conceptual model adds to the limited existing knowledge body of SCL and links SCL, integration, and flexibility performance. It also provides a new venue for future research in this area.
Slot allocation with minimum quantity commitment in container liner revenue management
Authors: Fu Yelin , Song Lianlian , Lai Kin Keung , Liang Liang 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose robust optimization models addressing the container slot allocation problem with minimum quantity commitment (MQC) under uncertain demand, which is faced by international companies export to USA.

Design/methodology/approach
A novel robust optimization approach handling linear programming (LP) with right-hand-side uncertainty is developed by incorporating new parameters: uncertainty level, infeasibility tolerance and reliability level. Two types of uncertainty, namely, bounded uncertainty and symmetric uncertainty are considered, respectively.

Findings
The present work finds that the expected revenue increases as the uncertainty level and the MQC decrease, as well as the infeasibility tolerance and the reliability level increase, no matter which type of uncertainty is considered.

Research limitations/implications
Typically, the capacity constraints in a container shipping model should include two major restrictions: (1) number of slots and (2) total weight of loaded and empty containers. However, this study only addresses the first restriction for simplicity. It is recommended that future research explore the optimal solutions with additional restriction (2).

Originality/value
This paper fills a theoretical and practical gap for the problem of slot allocation with MQC in container liner revenue management. Deterministic and tractable mixed integer LP is formulated to derive robust solutions which immunes to demand uncertainty. Illustrative examples are presented to test the proposed models. The present work provides practical and solid advice and examples which demonstrates the application of the proposed robust optimization approach for logistics managers.
The effectiveness of strategic performance measurement systems
Authors: Baird Kevin 
Published: April 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the characteristics of strategic performance measurement systems (SPMSs) influence the effectiveness of such systems. Specifically, the study examines the association between the following three strategic performance measurement approaches with the effectiveness of SPMSs: the use of multidimensional performance measures, the use of performance measures that are linked to value drivers, and the use of performance measures that are linked to strategy.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a mail questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 800 Australian manufacturing and service business units.FindingsThe use of multidimensional performance measures is found to positively influence the effectiveness of SPMSs.Practical implicationsOrganisations need to strive to design their SPMSs in a manner which considers the achievement of both performance- and staff-related goals, with the findings suggesting that managers need to focus on a broad set of performance measures relating to the four dimensions of the BSC (financial, internal, customer, and learning and growth measures).Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by examining the important role that SPMSs play in the achievement of organisational process outcomes. The incorporation of a measure of organisational process effectiveness, and the subsequent identification of the performance-related outcome and staff-related outcome dimensions, provides future researchers with an alternative approach to analyse SPMS effectiveness and provides managers with an insight into how to adjust their SPMS to improve their organisational processes.
TQM and organizational performance using the balanced scorecard approach
Authors: Mehralian Gholamhossein , Nazari Jamal A. , Nooriparto Golnaz , Rasekh Hamid Reza 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the implementation of total quality management (TQM) and organizational performance, using the balanced scorecard (BSC) approach.

Design/methodology/approach
In order to investigate the relationship between TQM and BSC, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 30 largest pharmaceutical distribution companies in Iran. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the measurement model and to test the research hypotheses using the data from 933 completed questionnaires.

Findings
The results supported the research model and revealed that TQM implementation can positively and significantly influence the BSC and its four perspectives.

Practical implications
Considering the strong association between TQM and all four perspectives of organizational performance (BSC), managers should strongly leverage the implementation of TQM practices in order to reach their strategic objectives.

Originality/value
This study is the first empirical study conducted on the association of TQM and BSC in the pharmaceutical industry. The findings of this study provide strong evidence supporting the implementation of TQM in the pharmaceutical context.
Aloe vera and garlic ameliorate deleterious consequences of thermoxidized palm oil diet on liver function and histology in rat
Authors: Ime Akaninyene Ubong , Ani Elemi John , Nna Victor Udo , Obeten Christiana Egong 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
A plethora of publications have reported several cytotoxic effects associated with chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil. This research aims to investigate the effects of garlic and Aloe vera on liver function and hepatic cytoarchitecture in rats fed thermoxidized palm oil diet.

Design/methodology/approach
Thirty-five male albino Wistar rats weighing 150-180 g were used for this study. They were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 7): control, thermoxidized palm oil diet fed (TPO), TPO plus garlic juice (TPO + G), TPO plus Aloe gel (TPO + A) and TPO plus garlic/Aloe gel (TPO + G + A). The TPO diet was prepared by mixing 15 g of cooled thermoxidized palm oil with 85 g of rat feed. The juice and gel were orally administered at doses of 2.00 ml/kg and 19.12 ml/kg, respectively. After 3 months of feeding and administration, the animals were sacrificed using standard methods and blood collected via cardiac puncture for analysis.

Findings
Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the TPO group compared to the control. This increase was reduced (p < 0.001) in all the treated groups compared to TPO, with the greatest decrease (p < 0.001) seen in TPO + A. Total bilirubin was increased (p < 0.001) in the TPO group compared to the control, whereas there was a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in all the treated groups. Serum proteins and plasma fibrinogen were lowered (p < 0.001) in the TPO group compared to the control but increased progressively in all the treated groups. TPO induced prominent histopathological derangements of the liver tissues. However, there were marked improvements following treatment with garlic and Aloe vera.

Originality/value
The results obtained in this study have revealed that chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil is hazardous to health by inducing hepatotoxicity, as seen in increased ALT, AST and total and unconjugated bilirubin and decreased total protein. However, these debilitating effects were seen to be greatly ameliorated following garlic juice and Aloe vera gel administration. If these results are to be extrapolated to humans, then the chronic consumption of thermoxidized palm oil diet should be seriously discouraged.
Acceptability of ellagitannin powder as an additive in preparation of sharbet
Authors: Kushwaha Satish Chandra , Kumar Pradyuman 
Published: April 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to look at the application of ellagitannin (ET) powder in sharbet (sugar syrup-based drink) as an additive to produce a polyphenol-enriched drink. ETs are important polyphenols extracted from pomegranate peel (an underutilized juice industry waste). ETs are known for many functional properties such as antioxidative, antibacterial and coloring agent. Naturally, sharbet lacks in polyphenol content; hence, there is a large scope to enhance the functional property of sharbet by addition of ellagitannin powder (ETP) as an additive.Design/methodology/approachETP at different concentrations (2, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/100 ml sharbet) was applied in plain sharbet (EPS) and lemon-flavored sharbet (ELS). Each concentration of both types of sharbet was analyzed for physicochemical parameters and sensory attributes by sensory panel. Data were analyzed by using statistical tools (t-test, ANOVA, PCA and graphs) and finding the acceptability of ETP application in sharbet.FindingsEach concentration of both sharbets was analyzed for chemical attributes, i.e. color (L, a, b) ranges (65.81-51.33, −0.24-0.24, −1.57-2.06, respectively), pH (6.30-3.95), titrable acidity as citric acid (0.01-0.1 per cent), total soluble solids (14.7-14.9 per cent), antioxidant activity as DPPH (12.6-71.6 per cent in EPS and 15.5-75.3 per cent in ELS) and sensory analysis (on Hedonic Scale) for sensory attributes, i.e. color, odor, taste and overall acceptability by a sensory panel (n= 24) of food technologists. Principal component analysis and sensory evaluation score have revealed that sharbet-flavored with lemon extract was liked more in comparison to plain sharbet. ELS containing 30 and 40 mg ETP per 100 ml sharbet was showed to have the highest acceptability index (92.13 and 91.67 per cent) in terms of overall acceptability by sensory panel. It is evident that the addition of ET in polyphenol-deficient beverages could be a market potential toward production of neutraceutical beverages which have antioxidative effects, good taste and are widely accepted.Originality/valueIn view of the neutraceutical food development, ETs could be a major polyphenolic component to fulfill the human health requirement. This research can be helpful for commercialization of ETs by the beverage industry.