bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking the service quality of airlines in the United States: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Min Hokey , Min Hyesung 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to help airlines gain a better understanding of passengers’ service concerns, identify opportunities for continuous service improvement, and then develop service benchmarking standards that can be a yardstick for the airline’s competitiveness.Design/methodology/approach– This paper develops a set of target performance standards that helps airlines monitor their service delivery process, identify relative weaknesses, and take corrective actions for continuous service improvements using exploratory data analysis and competitive gap analysis.Findings– This study reveals that a service attribute considered most important to the airline customers’ impressions of service quality are air safety. This result reflects a growing concern over potential terrorism against airlines in the wake of the September 11 incident. The authors also found that proper baggage handling, competitive airfare, and on-time arrival/departure were next most important service attributes, whereas frequent flier and code-sharing programs were least important. Furthermore, the authors discovered that airline passengers’ perceived service quality influenced their choice of airlines. That is to say, airline service quality can be an important gauge of airline market share and revenue.Research limitations/implications– The current study is limited to the evaluation of comparative service quality of airlines in the USA. Thus, this study cannot be generalized to the airline passengers’ perceived service quality in other countries or different cultural settings. Also, this paper focuses on the performance aspect of benchmarking rather than the strategic aspect of benchmarking.Practical implications– With rising costs of fuel, labor, maintenance, and security, many airlines are at a crossroads where they have to decide between succumbing to restructuring pressures in a form of mergers/acquisitions and reinventing their service offerings. One viable means of reinventing airline service offerings is to learn more about what airline passengers truly value and appreciate in terms of service offerings and then figure out what it takes to win the hearts of customers and then how the airline can differentiate its service offering from those of its competitors. With this in mind, this paper develops viable service improvement strategies for the airline that can enhance its competitiveness in the struggling airline industry.Originality/value– This paper is one of a few attempts to identify a list of service attributes most important to airline service quality based on the actual survey of airline passengers, and then develop a benchmark standard of airlines in the USA from a customer (passenger) perspective.
Exploring antecedents of extended supply chain performance measures
Authors: Dubey Rameshwar , Ali Sadia  Samar 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of Indian firms practicing green manufacturing practices and their impact on extended supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach
– In this paper the authors have adopted systematic literature review (SLR) to derive research objectives and questions. In order to answer research questions the authors have proposed a theoretical framework and derived research hypotheses. The authors identified constructs and items through extant literatures and developed a structured questionnaire which was pretested before using for final survey. The data were collected in two phases and also performed wave analysis to check non-response bias to avoid any significant impact of non-response bias on statistical analysis. The data has been used to conduct exploratory factor analysis using varimax rotation which reduces variables into five parsimonious and orthogonal factors. The factor analysis output was further used as an input of regression analysis.

Findings
– The factor analysis output has further validated the findings from literature review. The factor analysis output suggests that total quality management (TQM), supplier relationship management (SRM), R
&
D and technology and lean manufacturing practices are important determinants of Indian firms practicing green manufacturing practices which impact extended supply chain performance. The regression analysis output has further established that TQM and R
&
D and technology are strong determinants of extended supply chain performance. However, present study does not support SRM and lean manufacturing practices from respondent’s perspective. However, it further needs to be explored.

Research limitations/implications
– The present study is limited to medium-sized manufacturing firms. Second, the conclusive model explains only 31.9 percent of the total extended supply chain performance. The study provides an insight to managers that those companies which have implemented TQM and green technology have realized superior performance in comparison to those which have not successfully implemented.

Originality/value
– The present study is toward understanding Indian green manufacturing practices.
Survey of reverse logistics practices in manufacturing industries: an Indian context
Authors: Ravi V , Shankar Ravi 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current status of reverse logistics practices used on four sectors of Indian manufacturing industry, namely, auto, paper, food and beverage processing, and electronics.

Design/methodology/approach
– A nationwide questionnaire-based survey has been used to assess reverse logistics practices in Indian context.

Findings
– It was seen from the survey that Indian companies considered implementing reverse logistics programs in their organization as a strategic-level decision. Volume of products entering the return stream is a key driver of reverse logistics activities. One of the important observations of this research is that Indian companies have primarily adopted reverse logistics due to the economic benefits associated with them.

Research limitations/implications
– The results reported in this research are the bird’s eye view of reverse logistics practices in the Indian context only. The low level of questionnaire responses is also one of the limitations of this study. Numerical data related to companies could not be reported in this research as companies were reluctant in giving sensitive data.

Practical implications
– The present research would be useful for benchmarking professionals/managers for understanding strategic, tactical and operational-level issues of reverse logistics with respect to Indian context. Also, logistics managers can evolve suitable strategies for successful implementation of reverse logistics programs.

Originality/value
– The literature review indicates that only a few frameworks available give a holistic perspective of the current status of reverse logistics operations in an Indian context. This research is an attempt in this regard.
Estimating customer lifetime value for new product development based on the Kano model with a case study in automobile industry
Authors: Shahin Arash , Mohammadi Shahiverdi Somayeh 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– In previous studies, historical information of customer had been used for determining customer lifetime value (CLV). The purpose of this paper is to modify CLV estimation to be applied before producing a new product.

Design/methodology/approach
– In this study, the CLV estimation has been modified using Kano satisfaction coefficient. The Kano satisfaction coefficient has been assumed as loyalty indicator in estimating CLV and related equations have been developed for allocating Kano requirements to various phases of product life cycle. The proposed approach has been examined in two new product options of the automobile industry. Finally, by using customers’ purchase records during three years, CLV has been calculated for both product development options.

Findings
– Findings indicate that CLV of the first development option is equal to 407 million and 500,000 toumans and of the second option is equal to 392 million toumans, this difference is related to different requirements of the Kano model, and as a result, to different satisfaction coefficients. Therefore, the first option has been suggested for investing in developing new product.

Research limitations/implications
– Application of the proposed approach is limited to short time periods. The findings are limited to the automobile industry.

Originality/value
– The modified approach of estimating CLV can be applied for prospective new product development in addition to traditional approaches in which, only the historical data of sold products are used. In addition, using Kano satisfaction coefficient in estimation of CLV in short periods, seems an appropriate approach for competitive industries that focus on dynamic needs of customers.
A practical introduction to methods for analyzing longitudinal data in the presence of missing data using a marijuana price survey
Authors: Miles Jeremy N.V , Hunt Priscillia 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– In applied psychology research settings, such as criminal psychology, missing data are to be expected. Missing data can cause problems with both biased estimates and lack of statistical power. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– Recently, sophisticated methods for appropriately dealing with missing data, so as to minimize bias and to maximize power have been developed. In this paper the authors use an artificial data set to demonstrate the problems that can arise with missing data, and make naïve attempts to handle data sets where some data are missing.

Findings
– With the artificial data set, and a data set comprising of the results of a survey investigating prices paid for recreational and medical marijuana, the authors demonstrate the use of multiple imputation and maximum likelihood estimation for obtaining appropriate estimates and standard errors when data are missing.

Originality/value
– Missing data are ubiquitous in applied research. This paper demonstrates that techniques for handling missing data are accessible and should be employed by researchers.
Application of bifactor models in criminal psychology research: a guide to researchers
Authors: Hyland Philip 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to the nature of confirmatory bifactor modelling. Confirmatory bifactor modelling is a factor analytic procedure that allows researchers to model unidimensionality and multidimensionality simultaneously. This method has important applications in the field of criminal psychology.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper begins by introducing the topic of factor analysis and explains how confirmatory bifactor modelling is similar yet distinct to the more familiar factor analytical procedures in the psychological literature.

Findings
– Through practical examples this paper explains the value of this analytical technique to researchers in criminal psychology. Examples from the existing criminal psychological literature are used to illustrate the way in which bifactor analysis allows important theoretical questions to be addressed.

Originality/value
– This paper highlights the strengths and limitations associated with traditional “restricted” confirmatory bifactor models and introduces the notion of the “unrestricted” bifactor model. The unrestricted bifactor model allows greater flexibility for addressing interesting research questions. The paper concludes by providing the reader with an annotated Mplus syntax file for how to perform confirmatory bifactor modelling.
Location strategies: methods and their methodological limitations
Authors: Glatte Thomas 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to analyze methodological limitations of methods used for the evaluation of sites as part of location strategies for corporations.Design/methodology/approach– Based on the available methods for site selection, which are pointed out, various challenges for quality- and quantity-related criteria are derived and explained, whereby all common approaches have some methodological deficiencies.Findings– Those defects have an impact on the result of site selection projects. Therefore, knowledge of these limitations in using certain methods is of essence for the right interpretation of the results. The respective methodological deficiencies are explained and conclusions are drawn.Research limitations/implications– Research in the area of site selection has been limited mostly to rather comprehensive approaches or national views. A holistic approach toward especially property-related matters is not available in current textbooks.Originality/value– As common practice proves, the outlined deficiencies are mostly unknown or not considered. It is the aim of this paper to seek understanding of the respective methodological limitations and, as a result thereof, achieve substantially improved results of future site selection projects or location strategies.
Low back pain assessment application for construction workers
Authors: Adeyemi H.O. , Adejuyigbe S.B. , Ismaila S.O. , Adekoya A.F. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to develop an expert system capable of assessing risk associated with manual lifting in construction tasks and proffer some first aid advices which are comparable with those obtainable from human experts.Design/methodology/approach– The expert system, musculoskeletal disorders – risk evaluation expert system (MSDs-REES), used Microsoft.Net C# programming language to write the algorithm of the fuzzy inference system with variables load, posture and frequency of lift as inputs and risk of low back pain as the output. The algorithm of the inference engine applied sets of rules to generate the output variable in crisp value.Findings– The result of validation, between the human experts’ calculated risk values and MSDs-REES-predicted risk values, indicated a correlation coefficient of 0.87. Between the predicted risk values generated using MSDs-REES and the existing package (MATLAB version 7.8), there was a strong positive relationship statistically with correlation coefficient of 0.97.Originality/value– The study provided a very simple expert system which has the ability to provide some medical-related injury prevention advice and first aid information for injury management, giving it a unique attribute over the existing applications.
Alleviating feature fatigue in product development based on the bass model
Authors: Wu Mingxing , Wang Liya , Li Ming , Long Huijun 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to propose a novel method to predict and alleviate feature fatigue. Many products now are loaded with an extensive number of features. Adding more features to one product generally makes the product more attractive on the one hand but, on the other hand, may result in increasing difficulty to use the product. This phenomenon is called “feature fatigue”, which will lead to dissatisfaction and negative word-of-mouth (WOM). Feature fatigue will damage the brand’s long-term profit, and ultimately decrease the manufacturer’s customer equity. Thus, a problem of balancing the benefit of increasing “attractiveness” with the cost of decreasing “usability” exists.

Design/methodology/approach
– A novel method based on the Bass model is proposed to predict and alleviate feature fatigue. Product capability, usability and WOM effects are integrated into the Bass model to predict the impacts of adding features on customer equity in product development, thus helping designers alleviate feature fatigue. A case study of mobile phone development based on survey data is presented to illustrate and validate the proposed method.

Findings
– The results of the case study demonstrate that adding more features indeed increases initial sales; however, adding too many features ultimately decreases customer equity due to usability problems. There is an optimal feature combination a product should include to balance product capability with usability. The proposed method makes a trade-off between initial sales and long-term profits to maximize customer equity.

Originality/value
– The proposed method can help designers predict the impacts of adding features on customer equity in the early stages of product development. It can provide decision supports for designers to decide what features should be added to maximize customer equity, thus alleviating feature fatigue.
Economic growth and cost stickiness: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Awad Elsayed Awad 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to examine whether costs respond asymmetrically to demand change, and examine the influence of economic growth on cost stickiness, in the pre- and post-2008 financial crisis periods.Design/methodology/approach– This study uses multiple regression models to investigate the behavior of three costs: selling, general and administrative (SG & A), cost of goods sold (COGS) and operating costs (OCs) for the 2004-2011 period. Moreover, the study compares cost stickiness during the economic prosperity period (2006-2008) with cost stickiness during the economic recession period (2009-2011).Findings– The results reveal that SG & A increased by 0.38 per cent but decreased by 0.08 per cent, and COGS increased by 1.02 per cent but decreased by 0.57 per cent for a 1 per cent demand change, which proves cost stickiness. However, OC increased by 0.91 per cent, but decreased by 1.03 per cent for a 1 per cent demand change, which proves cost anti-stickiness. Moreover, SG & As were sticky during the prosperity period, but anti-sticky during the recession period. COGSs were sticky in both periods; however, the extent of cost stickiness is larger in the prosperity period. In contrast, OC were statistically insignificant in both periods.Originality/value– The results imply that managers should not use the same cost model all the time, as the economic growth fluctuations were found to affect the nature and extent of cost behavior. In addition, researchers should provide a modified cost model that considers the nonlinearity of correlation between costs and activity.
Ask me anything: what is Reddit?
Authors: Anderson Katie Elson 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– This article aims to provide an overview of the popular website Reddit.

Design/methodology/approach
– In many cases, items that are popular on Reddit become viral, appearing on other social media sites and in the news several days later.

Findings
– The site’s content is supplied by its users, and the popularity of that content is also determined by the membership. While the site can be described simply as an aggregator of user provided content, this simple description does not adequately capture the essence of the Reddit community and the impact of that community and its generated content on society.

Originality/value
– Librarians should be aware of this impact and the potential that Reddit possesses for connecting with a number of different communities.
Conference report of INTED 2015, the International Technology and Education for Development Conference
Authors: Kesselman Martin 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– This article is a conference report dealing with instructional technology.

Design/methodology/approach
– The methodology adopted is an overview of a conference report.

Findings
– There is much to take away from INTED2015.

Originality/value
– This article is the only report of INTED2015.
Disturbance alters beta‐diversity but not the relative importance of community assembly mechanisms
Authors: Myers Jonathan A. , Chase Jonathan M. , Crandall Raelene M. , Jiménez Iván 
Published: June 2015

Summary

Ecological disturbances are often hypothesized to alter community assembly processes that influence variation in community composition (β‐diversity). Disturbance can cause convergence in community composition (low β‐diversity) by increasing niche selection of disturbance‐tolerant species. Alternatively, disturbance can cause divergence in community composition (high β‐diversity) by increasing habitat filtering across environmental gradients. However, because disturbance may also influence β‐diversity through random sampling effects owing to changes in the number of individuals in local communities (community size) or abundances in the regional species pool, observed patterns of β‐diversity alone cannot be used to unambiguously discern the relative importance of community assembly mechanisms.

We compared β‐diversity of woody plants and inferred assembly mechanisms among unburned forests and forests managed with prescribed fires in the Missouri Ozarks, USA. Using a null‐model approach, we compared how environmental gradients influenced β‐diversity after controlling for differences in local community size and regional species abundances between unburned and burned landscapes.

Observed β‐diversity was higher in burned landscapes. However, this pattern disappeared or reversed after controlling for smaller community size in burned landscapes.

β‐diversity was higher than expected by chance in both landscapes, indicating an important role for processes that create clumped species distributions. Moreover, fire appeared to decrease clumping of species at broader spatial scales, suggesting homogenization of community composition through niche selection of disturbance‐tolerant species. Environmental variables, however, explained similar amounts of variation in β‐diversity in both landscapes, suggesting that disturbance did not alter the relative importance of habitat filtering.

Our results indicate that contingent responses of communities to fire reflect a combination of fire‐induced changes in local community size and scale‐dependent effects of fire on species clumping across landscapes.

Synthesis. Although niche‐based mechanisms of community assembly are often invoked to explain changes in community composition following disturbance, our results suggest that these changes also arise through random sampling effects owing to the influence of disturbance on community size. Comparative studies of these processes across disturbed ecosystems will provide important insights into the ecological conditions that determine when disturbance alters the interplay of deterministic and stochastic processes in natural and human‐modified landscapes.
Nominating women for Europe: Exploring the role of political parties' recruitment procedures for European Parliament elections
Authors: Fortin‐Rittberger Jessica , Rittberger Berthold 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDrawing on an original dataset covering more than 100 political parties in over 20 European Union Member States, this article analyses how political recruitment procedures affect the proportion of women nominated on party lists in the context of the 2009 European Parliament elections. The findings show that the inclusiveness of the selectorates in the early stage of candidate selection processes is a key determinant of the representativeness of lists regarding their gender composition. Moreover, it is found that neither territorial centralisation nor the inclusiveness of the selectorate in the later stage of candidate selection play a significant role. The key to the puzzle, therefore, lies in the composition of the initial pool of potential candidates and those who make initial nominations.