bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A critical review of techniques for classifying quality attributes in the Kano model
Authors: Mikulić Josip , Prebežac Darko 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is: to review the most commonly used approaches to the classification of quality attributes according to the Kano model; to identify the theoretical/practical strengths and weaknesses of these techniques; and to provide guidance for future research and managerial practice in this area.Design/methodology/approachBased on an extensive review of the literature on the Kano model and the relevant marketing/management literature, five approaches (Kano's method; “penalty‐reward contrast analysis”; “importance grid”; qualitative data methods; and “direct classification”) are evaluated in terms of their validity and reliability for categorising attributes in the Kano model. Several illustrative examples provide empirical evidence for the theoretical arguments advanced in the study.FindingsThe Kano questionnaire and the direct‐classification method are the only approaches that are capable of classifying Kano attributes in the design stage of a product/service. Penalty‐reward contrast analysis (PRCA) is useful for assessing the impact of product/service attributes on overall satisfaction with a product/service, but its applicability to the classification of Kano attributes is questionable. The importance grid (IG) is not recommended for use with the Kano model. The critical incident technique and the analysis of complaints/compliments are valid for the Kano model, but have questionable reliability.Originality/valueThe study makes some important points about accurate semantic terminology in describing issues related to the Kano model. In particular, researchers should be aware that an attractive quality element (must‐be quality element, respectively) might in fact be a dissatisfier (satisfier, respectively), due to significant conceptual differences between performance in terms of the Kano model (i.e. objective performance) and subjective performance perceptions.
Relational impact of service providers' interaction behavior in healthcare
Authors: Singh Gaur Sanjaya , Xu Yingzi , Quazi Ali , Nandi Swathi 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine how patients' loyalty, and confidence in their doctors, are influenced by doctors' interaction behavior, namely, listening and explaining behavior.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected through a survey of patients in an advanced developing economy – India. Patients visiting the same specialist doctor more than three times a year, in selected clinics in the city of Mumbai, were asked to complete the study instrument. All the constructs were measured using multiple items and well‐established scales were revalidated to suit the context of the research. A total of 320 responses were analyzed to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsResults confirm that the doctor‐patient relationship is positively influenced by the interaction behavior of service providers, i.e. doctors. The study demonstrates that doctors' interaction behavior is instrumental in developing an effective relationship with their patients and boosts patients' confidence in their doctors. Furthermore, effective interaction enhances patients' loyalty to their service providers.Originality/valueThis would appear to be the first study of its kind conducted in the context of an advanced developing economy. The study suggests that development of effective communication skills in doctors warrants due attention in medical education. Furthermore, this study validates relevant measurement scales in India's context.
Storytelling research on international visitors
Authors: Martin Drew , Woodside Arch G. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeUsing brand netnography (analyzing consumers' first‐person on‐line stories that include discussions of their product and brand use), this article aims to probe how visitors interpret the places, people, and situations that they experience while traveling in Japan.Design/methodology/approachThrough analysis of online consumer stories about their trip experiences, Heider's balance theory is applied to visitors' trip experiences. Follow‐up contact with the consumers allows application of autodriving methodology to gather additional post‐trip insights.FindingsThe results show immediate and downstream positive and negative associations of concepts, events, and outcomes in visitors' stories. Maps of consumer stories identify kernel concepts and include descriptions of how visitors live a specific destination's unique promises (e.g. distinct cultural history). Using the kernel concepts as a basis, Holt's five‐step strategy for building icons is applied to the travel destination to show how a destination can create a brand identity.Research limitations/implicationsBloggers reporting their travel experience may not be representative of the population of travelers. On the other hand, travel blogs potentially can influence trip planning by other visitors collecting travel information.Practical implicationsBlog reports represent an unobtrusive method of collecting emic interpretive information from consumers. Emic reporting provides deep insights about consumers' trip interpretations. Tourism and hospitality managers can use this information to improve service experiences and design communication strategies to strengthen positive iconic imagery reported by consumers.Originality/valueEmic and etic interpretations of travel experiences create a bricolage of the travelers' experiences. Autodriving methodology is extended to tourism research to gather additional insights and to better clarify informants' interpretations. This article also expands on a revisionist proposal to Holt's five‐step strategy for building destinations as iconic brands and suggestions for tourism management.
An exploration of men's brand relationships
Authors: Tuncay Zayer Linda , Neier Stacy 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of the consumer‐brand typology developed by Fournier to a segment of heterosexual male shoppers of fashion and grooming products.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews, collage constructions, and shopping trip observations are the three methods of inquiry in this research.FindingsA total of 13 of the 15 brand relationships detailed by Fournier are affirmed. Three new relationships emerge in the data demonstrating the fluidity of the typology across market segments and sociocultural contexts.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings provide implications for other consumption contexts which aid in identity construction. In addition, some of the new relationships that emerge from the text may be prevalent among other segments of men, and/or women.Practical implicationsManagers must be cognizant of the variety of brand relationships that men form with regard to fashion and grooming in order to effectively appeal to this growing market. The new relationships identified exhibit the goal‐driven nature of men's engagement with brands. The prevalence of secretive and adversarial relationships also demonstrates that marketers and retailers must be mindful of men's boundaries of consumption.Originality/valueFournier highlights the importance of context to brand relationships. However, little research has investigated the relevance of the original typology across contexts and across segments. This research explores a particular sociocultural consumption context and discovers new relationship forms not previously identified among a segment of male shoppers.
Applying the nominal group technique to specify the domain of a construct
Authors: Lloyd Stephen 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide research insights into stakeholder specifications of the domain of the corporate reputation (CR) construct thereby obtaining greater content validity of scale items.Design/methodology/approachA simple research technique is identified (the nominal group techniques (NGT) which, when used in the context of a formal procedure, addresses content validity issues.FindingsThe study confirms the value of NGT in providing content validity through stakeholder (rater) involvement in construct definition and domain specification.Research limitations/implicationsThe stakeholder makes a vital contribution to construct definition and to scale item development.Originality/valueThe development of a method based on what is in the minds of stakeholders and which has relevance at the level of meaning as well as explanation. Stakeholders have not so far been involved directly in CR scale item development.
Remodelling the corporate visual identity construct
Authors: Bartholmé Roland H. , Melewar T. C. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeDespite a well‐established corporate identity construct there is still ambiguity and disorientation regarding the corporate visual identity construct. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inconsistent use of terminologies such as “symbolism” and “corporate design” as well as pointing towards an insufficient conceptualisation of the corporate identity and visual identity construct vis‐à‐vis other sensory dimensions.Design/methodology/approachA review of existing categorisations and conceptualisations of the corporate identity and visual identity construct is provided.FindingsThe paper presents a remodelled corporate visual identity construct that takes a holistic sensory perspective and proposes the corporate sensory identity construct as a more adequate and flexible reflection of current business reality.Practical implicationsThe paper offers fundamental guidance for managers regarding the integrated and holistic utilisation of a set of sensory communication activities as part of their corporate identity management.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the further understanding of the complexity of corporate identity management by addressing additional sensory dimensions apart from visual identity management. Moreover, by stressing the particular relevance of music and sound, this paper stimulates the integration of the auditory dimension as additional facet of a communication tool kit.
Naming an organisation: a (socio)linguistic perspective
Authors: Fox Renata 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue for the usefulness of the sociolinguistic perspective and sociolinguistic theories for knowledge production in corporate naming research.Design/methodology/approachCompanies' naming practices have been researched from various aspects, mainly within the disciplinary frame of organisational studies, and with a focus on corporate branding. Because a company name is a sociolinguistic representation, and corporate naming a sociolinguistic process, it is logical to assume that corporate naming research can benefit significantly by embracing a sociolinguistic perspective.FindingsThe paper explains how (socio)linguistics can help organisational scholars to view corporate naming practices as interacting with cognition, society and social knowledge, and as a product of defined social circumstances. Once perceived as accredited within organisational studies, (socio)linguistics, the paper suggests, will become an integral part of theorising both organisational discourse and corporate naming as a part of that discourse.Practical implicationsAn increased transdisciplinarity of the research into corporate naming practices will definitely contribute to the marketability and commercial value of the knowledge thus produced.Originality/valueAdvocating a dialogue between corporate naming research and (socio)linguistics, this paper constitutes yet another step towards overcoming limitations the disciplinary frame of organisational studies imposes upon research into discourse‐related issues within an organisation.
A sequential triggering technique in cascaded current source for low power 12‐b D/A converter
Authors: Cui Zhi‐Yuan , Choi Ho‐Yong , Cho Tae‐Won , Kim Nam‐Soo 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a low power digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC) by using a sequential triggering technique in cascaded current source.Design/methodology/approachThe block of current cell consists of current switch and source. A sequential switching on process is implemented with the current triggering technique in source. An experiment of 12‐b 150‐MS/s DAC has been integrated in a single‐poly four‐metal 0.35 μm CMOS process.FindingsCompared with conventional cell array in 12‐b 150‐MS/s DAC, the proposed cell array shows that more than 30 percent of power consumption is reduced in full digital bit operation with allowable linearity error of 0.4 LSB.Originality/valueThis paper presents a new operation method of cell array in a current‐steering digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC) to reduce the power consumption significantly.
Study of electrical characteristics of ZnO Schottky photodiode on Si substrate
Authors: Chuah L.S. , Hassan Z. , Tneh S.S. , Teo S.G. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the n‐ZnO/p‐Si Schottky photodiodes.Design/methodology/approachA Zn film was deposited on silicon substrate by dc sputtering deposition technology from high purity zinc (Zn) targets. Then, the Zn films were then annealed under flowing oxygen (O2) gas environment in the furnace. ZnO nanorods morphologies have been successfully prepared through a simple method. No catalyst is required.FindingsThe structures and morphologies of the products were characterized in detail by using X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive X‐ray, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to experimental results, the current‐voltage characteristics of the device show the typical rectifying behaviour of Schottky diodes. The UV photocurrent measurement was performed using an UV lamp under a reverse bias.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that the n‐ZnO/p‐Si diodes exhibit strong rectifying conduct described by the current‐voltage (I‐V) measurement under a dark and illumination conditions.
Evaluation of the electrical properties under extreme stress in photovoltaic solar modules
Authors: Sidawi J. , Abboud N. , Jelian G. , Habchi R. , Salame C. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the effect of electric reverse stress currents on the performance of photovoltaic solar modules.Design/methodology/approachThe effect of a reverse introduced current as a function of time is studied on the I‐V and C‐V characteristics and parameters which were extracted and analyzed using numerical analysis based on a reliable double exponential model.FindingsThe effect of an introduced reverse current for different periods simulated the effect of accumulated extreme reverse currents which may arise in solar cells and modules due to different reasons, causing dramatic changes in the shunt resistance as well as other characteristics, mainly when the time of the current application exceeded a certain limit.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the research on the damaging effects of reverse currents on the normal operation of the solar cells and modules.
Temperature cycling analysis for ball grid array package using finite element analysis
Authors: Nubli Zulkifli Muhammad , Azhar Zahid Jamal Zul , Abdul Quadir Ghulam 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the capability of finite element analysis (FEA) in performing the virtual thermal cycling reliability test to evaluate the reliability of solder joints in a ball grid array (BGA) package.Design/methodology/approachThermal cycling test has been used to evaluate the reliability or fatigue life of the solder joints in BGA package using commercially available FEA software, ANSYS™. The effect of different temperature cycling condition is studied by applying different value of dwell time and ramp rate. Two types of analyses are used namely, the physics‐based analysis and the statistical‐based analysis. Two screening design methods namely, central composite design (CCD) and Box‐Behnken Matrix Design method are used to isolate the most important factors amongst six selected design variables. The optimization process is carried out using response surface methodology (RSM).FindingsIt is observed that changes in ramp rate produce significant effect in solder fatigue life than changes in dwell time but the dwell time at high temperature has a negligible contribution to solder fatigue life. It has been found that the thickness of the mold has a significant effect on the performance of the solder joint reliability (more than 50 percent) as compared to that from other factors. Besides, the effect of individual factor, the interaction among factors also changes the solder joint reliability. RSM based on Box‐Behnken Matrix design offers the highest characteristic solder joint fatigue life with a value of 2,861 cycles.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive method to evaluate the reliability of solder joints in terms of physics and statistical‐based analysis.
A novel application of planar‐type meander sensors
Authors: Djuric Snezana M. , Nagy Laszlo F. , Damnjanovic Mirjana S. , Djuric Nikola M. , Zivanov Ljiljana D. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the measurement performances of a planar‐type meander sensor installed in robot foot in order to examine its potential application as ground reaction force sensor.Design/methodology/approachA planar‐type meander sensor is composed of two pairs of meander coils. Variation of input inductance between coils serves as a measure of small displacements in a plane. Pairs of meander coils are installed in an actuated robot foot to measure displacements proportional to normal or tangential components of ground reaction force which acts upon the foot. The sensor was modeled by the concept of partial inductance and a new simulation tool was developed based on this concept.FindingsPairs of meander coils were tested against angular displacements, and results showed that the sensor gives correct information about displacement regardless how the foot touches the ground with its whole area. Deviations between position of computed and real acting point of ground reaction force are relatively small. Owing to good results obtained, a miniaturized sensor was developed having the same performances as previously developed prototype.Originality/valueThis paper presents initial work in implementing a planar‐type meander sensor in robot foot as to measure ground reaction force. Developed simulation tool gives accurate analysis of inductance variation of meander structures. In addition, the measurement error and sensor's nonlinearity are analyzed. Calculated results show a good agreement with experimental results. Hence, miniaturized sensor, easier for implementation, is proposed.
Influence of Mg2+substitution on the magnetic and electrical properties of Li‐Zn ferrite thick films synthesized with PVA matrix
Authors: Rendale M.K. , Kulkarni S.D. , Kulkarni D.C. , Puri Vijaya 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of Mg2+substitution on the magnetic and electrical properties of Li0.35−x Mg2x Zn0.3 Fe2.35−xO4 thick films synthesized with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix.Design/methodology/approachThe nanoferrites Li0.35−x Mg2x Zn0.3 Fe2.35−xO4 (x=0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21, 0.28 and 0.35) were synthesized by chemical technique using aqueous solution of PVA (the matrix) and thick films were fabricated by screen printing technique. The DC magnetic hysteresis measurements, AC magnetic susceptibility and DC electrical resistivity were measured as a function of temperature.FindingsThe lattice parameter of thick film Li0.35−x Mg2x Zn0.3 Fe2.35−xO4 (x=0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21, 0.28 and 0.35) increases with the substitution of Mg2+ions for Li1+and Fe3+. The surface morphology of the thick films showed the grain size increasing with Mg2+substitution till x=0.21 and then decreasing for the higher concentrations of magnesium. The magnetic moment nB (μB) computed from the Ms obtained by extrapolation of the magnetization curve showed a gradual decrease with the composition till x=0.21, beyond which a sudden decrease was observed. The resistivity of the films at room temperature had variation with composition x, similar to that of magnetic moment. The activation energies ΔEF and ΔEP were found to vary with composition x of the ferrite system.Originality/valueThe paper reports, for the first time, the magnetic and electrical properties of fritless Li0.35−xMg2xZn0.3Fe2.35−xO4 thick films using PVA polymer matrix. Up to x=0.21 (Mg2+), grain size increases and Curie temperature decreases beyond which reverse effect takes place.
Innovation modes and design as a source of innovation: a firm‐level analysis
Authors: Filippetti Andrea 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to contribute to the empirical literature, which investigates innovation modes, by exploring the role of design as a source of innovation.Design‐methodology/approachThe empirical analysis is carried out at the firm‐level, on the ground of a recent survey covering more than 5,000 European firms. A factor analysis is carried out first, followed by a cluster analysis based on identified factors in order to ensure a significant number of homogeneous groups of firms.FindingsThe paper finds that: design and R&D are complementary sources of innovation; design is predominant in firms characterized by a complex innovation strategy and intense interactions with the external environment; and these types of firms also show better economic performance.Social implicationsPolicies should recognize the importance of design‐based competences, as they differ from those related to R&D activities.Originality/valueTo date, in this empirical research, R&D activity is regarded as the major internal source of knowledge, as well as a fundamental driver of firms' competitiveness. This paper's results show how design enters in this framework and suggests future research directions.
Small manufacturing and service enterprises as innovators: a comparison by size
Authors: Forsman Helena , Rantanen Hannu 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on innovation development in enterprises with fewer than 50 employees. It explores differences in innovation capacity and in the diversity of developed innovations across the four enterprise size categories within the small manufacturing and service enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical evidence is based on quantitative data gathered through an e‐mail questionnaire, which yielded 708 responses from the representatives of Finnish small enterprises. The analysis is based on non‐parametric tests.FindingsThe findings display a broad diversity of innovation patterns among small enterprises. The evidence identifies differences and similarities in innovation capacity and innovation development across the different size categories within the manufacturing and service sectors. Finally, a summary of the characteristics of small enterprises as innovators across size categories is provided.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper studies innovation patterns based on innovation capacity and developed innovations. There is a need to study how innovation capacity has been transformed into innovations; thus, the innovation process should be included in the examination.Practical implicationsAt a public policy level, the results of this study give ideas for encouraging innovation development in small enterprises. The evidence suggests that there are significant discrepancies between the enterprises as innovators. It should be acknowledged that small enterprises comprise several divergent target groups for policy making.Originality/valueThis study makes a contribution to academic literature by crystallizing the relationship between the size of an enterprise and innovation development. Applying these results will provide more specific questions for studying the nature of innovation development in small enterprises.