bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supplier risk assessment and monitoring for the automotive industry
Authors: Blackhurst Jennifer V. , Scheibe Kevin P. , Johnson Danny J. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis research aims to develop a supplier risk assessment methodology for measuring, tracking, and analyzing supplier and part specific risk over time for an automotive manufacturer.Design/methodology/approachSupply chain risk literature is analyzed and used in conjunction with interviews from the automotive manufacturer to identify risks in the supply base. These risks are incorporated into the development of a temporal risk assessment and monitoring system.FindingsA framework of risk factors important to the auto manufacturer is presented. A multi‐criteria scoring procedure is developed to calculate part and supplier risk indices. These indices are used in the development of a risk assessment and monitoring system that allows the indices to be tracked over time to identify trends towards higher risk levels.Research limitations/implicationsThere are a number of operational issues identified in the paper that could be investigated in future research. One such issue is the development of alternative risk assessment methods that would increase the sensitivity of the risk analysis.Practical implicationsThe framework is implementable in firms interested in understanding and controlling risk in their supply base. The research stems from an industry project with an automotive manufacturer. The method is designed to be practical and easy to implement and maintain. The system also has a visual reporting mechanism designed to provide early warning signals for potential problems in the supply base and to show temporal changes in risk.Originality/valueThis paper presents a dynamic risk analysis methodology that analyzes and monitors supplier risk levels over time.
Value in use through service experience
Authors: Sandström Sara , Edvardsson Bo , Kristensson Per , Magnusson Peter 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe aim of this article is to propose a framework for a new perspective on the total service experience, which dimensions influence it, and how a service experience is linked to value in use.Design/methodology/approachThe article is conceptual and suggests a new theoretical frame of reference describing value in use through service experience in technology‐based services.FindingsAccording to this article, a service experience is the total functional and emotional value of a consumed service. The service experience is unique to every individual customer and the service consumption situation. Value in use is the cognitive evaluation of the service experience.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework is discussed in the context of technology‐based services and will provide a basis for future research. Empirical studies are called for concerning service experiences in different kinds of service contexts.Originality/valueThis article contributes a new framework, illustrating the service experience, which dimensions influence the service experience, and how it is linked to value. The framework is placed in a context of technology‐based services. Unique to these kinds of services is a lack of personal interaction between the service producer and the customer.
Effects of e‐service quality on loyalty intention: an empirical study in online auction
Authors: Yen Chia‐Hui , Lu Hsi‐Peng 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to draw on expectancy disconfirmation theory (EDT) to explore e‐service quality and the factors influencing an individual's loyalty intention towards online auctions.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted an empirical study and data were collected from a total of 619 bidders in online auctions. A structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to assess the relationships of the research model.FindingsThe findings show that e‐service quality dimensions including efficiency, privacy protection, contact, fulfillment, and responsiveness have statistically significant influences on buyer's disconfirmation. Besides, buyers' disconfirmation of online auctions is positively associated with their satisfaction, and their satisfaction is positively associated with loyalty intentions.Practical implicationsThe auctioneer should focus on purchase efficiency and protect the buyer's privacy. The seller should actively make contact with the buyer, fulfill order delivery, and respond to problems. Thus, the performances of auctioneer and seller are the true reassurance to buyers.Originality/valueThis study, which aims to shed light on e‐service quality in online auctions, is the first study that has applied an EDT‐based model to investigate the determinants of buyer's loyalty intention in online auctions.
The role of emotion in service evaluation
Authors: Essén Anna , Wikström Solveig 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the role of emotions in consumers' evaluations of service quality.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses empirical qualitative data from in‐depth interviews with 26 senior citizens who are consumers of long‐term residential care services in a Swedish rural community. The empirical findings are analysed inductively in terms of dimensions derived from the literature on the role of emotions in consumers' evaluations of service quality.FindingsWhen explaining their overall evaluations of service quality, the respondents referred exclusively to service dimensions that had evoked emotional reactions. However, although these service dimensions were the only ones to influence the consumers' perceptions of service quality, respondents tended to reflect about these dimensions in a cognitive manner. The remaining service dimensions, which did not evoke any emotional memories, did not influence the respondents' perceptions of the overall quality of services rendered.Research limitations/implicationsEmotional reactions can direct the attention of consumers to certain service dimensions, and subsequently trigger cognitive evaluations of these dimensions. The emotional and cognitive responses of consumers to services are thus interrelated. More research is needed into the mechanism of this interaction.Practical implicationsService providers should recognise that consumers' emotional and cognitive reactions are intertwined. For providers of aged‐care services, this study suggests certain service dimensions that are worthy of further attention in seeking positive evaluations of services from users.Originality/valuePrevious research has tended to distinguish between emotional and cognitive evaluations of services. This study challenges this distinction by demonstrating that dimensions that have traditionally been viewed as “non‐emotional” can be influenced by “emotional” reactions. Thus, the study shows that “emotional bias” can lead to some dimensions having a disproportionate influence on overall evaluations of service.
The impact of satisfaction and image on loyalty: the case of Alpine ski resorts
Authors: Faullant Rita , Matzler Kurt , Füller Johann 
Published: April 2008

PurposeCustomer satisfaction is seen to be one of the main determinants of loyalty. However, the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty does not seem to be linear, many researchers have reported doubts about the predictability of loyalty solely due to customer satisfaction ratings which ignore image as predictor of loyalty. This paper aims to address the issues.Design/methodology/approachThe authors report a study of ski resorts where they first established a causal model of customer satisfaction and image predicting customer loyalty, and then map the scores in a four‐fields‐grid. Additionally the authors conducted a moderator analysis to assess the relative importance of image and satisfaction for loyalty intentions between two different groups (first‐time‐visitors, and regular guests).FindingsThe results show that those ski resorts with the highest satisfaction ratings and the highest image ratings have the highest loyalty scores. Among first‐time‐visitors overall satisfaction is more important than image, with increasing number of repeat visits the importance of overall satisfaction declines and that of image relatively augments.Practical implicationsBesides measuring customer satisfaction, managers must assess also image ratings in order to get a realistic view of the loyalty intentions of their customer base. The scores can than be mapped together with the ratings of other ski resorts, and serve as a benchmark study.Originality/valueSecond order analysis of image (comprising three different dimensions), the image‐satisfaction‐grid, moderating effect of experience to relative importance of satisfaction and image on loyalty.
Call centre service quality for the public: a Scottish framework for the future
Authors: Curry Adrienne , Lyon Wilma 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the quality of service provided by the Stirling Council call centre with a view to determining the essential elements of best practice.Design/methodology/approachThe method involves questionnaires to Scottish local authorities about their use of call centres, interviews with Stirling Council managers and call centre employees and some participant observation to gain a detailed view of both the management and operations of the call centre.FindingsThe findings are grouped into the topics of communication, training, quality and systems/technology, with improvements suggested in a few areas. Overall, the approach to service quality in the call centre tends to be more qualitative than quantitative with a good awareness of learning and management related issues.Originality/valueThe value/contribution of the paper lies in the definition of essential best practice call centre management components, presented in a framework involving aims, enablers and results. This model is proposed for generalised use in both the public and private sectors; it would henceforth benefit from some testing and further refinements.
A unified fractional step method for compressible and incompressible flows, heat transfer and incompressible solid mechanics
Authors: Nithiarasu P. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to present briefly a unified fractional step method for fluid dynamics, incompressible solid mechanics and heat transfer calculations. The proposed method is demonstrated by solving compressible and incompressible flows, solid mechanics and conjugate heat transfer problems.Design/methodology/approachThe finite element method is used for the spatial discretization of the equations. The fluid dynamics algorithm used is often referred to as the characteristic‐based split scheme.FindingsThe proposed method can be employed as a unified approach to fluid dynamics, heat transfer and solid mechanics problems.Originality/valueThe idea of using a unified approach to fluid dynamics and incompressible solid mechanics problems is proposed. The proposed approach will be valuable in complicated engineering problems such as fluid‐structure interaction and problems involving conjugate heat transfer and thermal stresses.
Parallel computation of multiscale phenomena in magnetically‐stirred solidifying melts
Authors: Li Ben Q. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to determine a parallel computational methodology for simultaneously predicting the macro/micro scale phenomena occurring during solidification processing with external electromagnetic stirring.Design/methodology/approachMacro and micro phenomena occurring in an electromagnetically‐stirred solidifying melt are simulated using a numerical model that integrates the finite element methodology for transport phenomena and the Monte‐Carlo cellular‐automata method for microstructure formation. Parallel algorithm is introduced to enhance the computational efficiency.FindingsComputed results show that parallel algorithm can be effective in enhancing the computational efficiency of a combined macro/micro model if it is applied appropriately. Also, electromagnetically induced stirring can have a strong effect on the nucleation and grain growth and hence the final solidification microstructure.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils a need for developing an efficient numerical methodology to simulate complex electromagnetically‐assisted transport phenomena and microstructure formation during solidification processing systems.
A numerical model for calculating the vaporization rate of a fuel droplet exposed to a convective turbulent airflow
Authors: Abou Al‐Sood Maher M. , Birouk Madjid 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a three‐dimensional (3D) numerical model capable of predicting the vaporization rate of a liquid fuel droplet exposed to a convective turbulent airflow at ambient room temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions.Design/methodology/approachThe 3D Reynolds‐Averaged Navier‐Stokes equations, together with the mass, species, and energy conservation equations were solved in Cartesian coordinates. Closure for the turbulence stress terms for turbulent flow was accomplished by testing two different turbulence closure models; the low‐Reynolds number (LRN) k‐ε and shear‐stress transport (SST). Numerical solution of the resulted set of equations was achieved by using blocked‐off technique with finite volume method.FindingsThe present predictions showed good agreement with published turbulent experimental data when using the SST turbulence closure model. However, the LRN k‐ε model produced poor predictions. In addition, the simple numerical approach employed in the present code demonstrated its worth.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is limited to ambient room temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions. However, in most practical spray flow applications droplets evaporate under ambient high‐pressure and a hot turbulent environment. Therefore, an extension of this study to evaluate the effects of pressure and temperature will make it more practical.Originality/valueIt is believed that the numerical code developed is of great importance to scientists and engineers working in the field of spray combustion. This paper also demonstrated for the first time that the simple blocked‐off technique can be successfully used for treating a droplet in the flow calculation domain.
Population balance models for subcooled boiling flows
Authors: Ho M.K.M. , Yeoh G.H. , Tu J.Y. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis study aims to examine both the population balance approach based on the MUltiple SIze Group (MUSIG) model and the average bubble number density transport equation (ABND) model for 3D, low pressure, gas‐liquid, subcooled boiling, vertical flows. The purpose is to assess the ability of both models to predict the radial profile of void fraction, bubble Sauter mean diameter and interfacial area concentration which characterise subcooled boiling.Design/methodology/approachImprovement in the ABND model to simulate gas‐liquid bubbly flows with heat transfer was achieved by combining the condensation expression with the gaseous mass transport equation within the CFD commercial code CFX4.4.FindingsOverall, both the ABND model and the MUSIG model provided good results in terms of the above‐mentioned criteria when compared against experimental measurements. However, the ABND model was found to have limitations in predicting high‐subcooled boiling flows due to the lack of bubble size resolution to adequately capture the effect of condensation over a range of bubbles sizes.Originality/valueIt is shown that the ABND model provides an economic alternative to the MUSIG model in terms of complexity and computational time, as long as one is aware of the limitations in simulating high‐subcooling flow regimes.
Application of high‐order spatial resolution schemes to the hybrid finite volume/finite element method for radiative transfer in participating media
Authors: Coelho P.J. , Aelenei D. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper sets out to implement bounded high‐order (HO) resolution schemes in a hybrid finite volume/finite element method for the solution of the radiative transfer equation.Design/methodology/approachThe hybrid finite volume/finite element method had formerly been developed using the step scheme, which is only first‐order accurate, for the spatial discretization. Here, several bounded HO resolution schemes, namely the MINMOD, CLAM, MUSCL and SMART schemes, formulated using the normalized variable diagram, were implemented using the deferred correction procedure.FindingsThe results obtained reveal an interaction between spatial and angular discretization errors, and show that the HO resolution schemes yield improved accuracy over the step scheme if the angular discretization error is small.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the HO resolution schemes reduce the spatial discretization error, they do not influence the angular discretization error. Therefore, the global error is only reduced if the angular discretization error is also small.Practical implicationsThe use of HO resolution schemes is only effective if the angular refinement yields low‐angular discretization errors. Moreover, spatial and angular refinement should be carried out simultaneously.Originality/valueThe paper extends a methodology formerly developed in computational fluid dynamics, and aimed at the improvement of the solution accuracy, to the hybrid finite volume/finite element method for the solution of the radiative transfer equation.
Effect of thermophoresis particle deposition on mixed convection from vertical surfaces embedded in saturated porous medium
Authors: Duwairi H.M. , Damseh Rebhi A. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to formulate and analyze thermophoresis effects on mixed convection heat and mass transfer from vertical surfaces embedded in a saturated porous media with variable wall temperature and concentration.Design/methodology/approachThe governing partial differential equations (continuity, momentum, energy, and mass transfer) are written for the vertical surface with variable temperature and mass concentration. Then they are transformed using a set of non‐similarity parameters into dimensionless form and solved using Keller‐box method.FindingsMany results are obtained and a representative set is displaced graphically to illustrate the influence of the various physical parameters. It is found that the increasing of thermophoresis constant or temperature differences enhances heat transfer rates from vertical surfaces and increases wall thermophoresis velocities; this is due to favorable temperature gradients or buoyancy forces. It is also found that the effect of thermophoresis phenomena is more pronounced near pure natural convection heat transfer limit, because this phenomenon is directly temperature gradient‐ or buoyancy forces‐dependent.Research limitations/implicationsThe predicted results are restricted only to porous media with small pores due to the adoption of Darcy law as a force balance.Originality/valueThe paper explains the different effect of thermophoresis on forced, natural and mixed convection heat, and mass transfer problems. It is one of the first works that formulates and describes this phenomenon in a porous media. The results of this research are important for scientific researches and design engineers.
Analysing an adaptive finite volume for flow in highly heterogeneous porous medium
Authors: Khattri Sanjay Kumar 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to develop an adaptive finite volume algorithm, and to present an extensive numerical analysis of it.Design/methodology/approachThe effectiveness of the developed algorithm is demonstrated through practical and computationally challenging problems. The algorithm is tested for a wide range of singularities.FindingsThe convergence of the presented algorithm is independent of the regularity of the problems. It is shown that the our algorithm produces more accurate and well conditioned matrix systems.Research limitations/implicationsThough the presented algorithm works for extreme singularities on rectangular meshes, it may not be as efficient if the underlying meshes are distorted, and it may not converge. Further research is under way for including the multi‐point approximation technique into the algorithm.Practical implicationsAlmost all reservoir simulators use the two‐point method, and this algorithm is based on this method. The algorithm can be easily incorporated into the reservoir simulators. The results show that such an implementation will greatly improve the computational efficiency of the simulators. The work is useful for computational scientists, and especially for the researchers in oil industries. The paper reports the numerical work with practical applications.Originality/valueThe paper develops an adaptive finite volume algorithm. It is shown that adaptive meshes represent the underlying problem more accurately, and matrix systems associated with adaptive meshes are easier to solve compared with matrix systems associated with uniform meshes.
Turbulent flow and heat transfer in stationary and rotating cooling passages with inclined ribs on opposite walls
Authors: Iacovides Hector , Raisee Mehrdad 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to compute flow and heat transfer through a straight, orthogonally rotating duct, with ribs along the leading and trailing walls, in a staggered arrangement and at an angle of 45° to the main flow direction.Design/methodology/approachFlow computations have been produced using a 3D non‐orthogonal flow solver, with two two‐layer models of turbulence (an effective‐viscosity model and a second‐moment closure), in which across the near‐wall regions the dissipation rate of turbulence is obtained from the wall distance. Flow comparisons have been carried out for a Reynolds number of 100,000 and for rotation numbers of 0 (stationary) and 0.1. Temperature comparisons have been obtained for a Reynolds number of 36,000, a Prandtl number of 5.9 (water) and rotation numbers of 0 and 0.2 and also at a Prandtl number of 0.7 (air) and a rotation number of 0.FindingsIt was found that both two‐layer models returned similar flow and thermal predictions which are also in close agreement with the flow and thermal measurements. The flow and thermal developments are found to be dominated by the rib‐induced secondary motion, which leads to strong span‐wise variations in the mean flow and the local Nusselt number and to a uniform distribution of turbulence intensities across the duct. Rotation causes the development of stronger secondary motion along the pressure side of the duct and also the transfer of the faster fluid to this side. The thermal predictions, especially those of the second‐moment closure, reproduce the levels and most of the local features of the measured Nusselt number, but over the second half of the rib interval over‐predict the local Nusselt number.Originality/valueThe work contributes to the understanding of the flow and thermal development in cooling passages of gas turbine blades, and to the validation of turbulence models that can be used for their prediction, at both effective viscosity and second‐moment closure levels.
The spirituality@work protocol
Authors: Marques Joan 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to provide a practical, easily understandable protocol toward implementing spirituality in the workplace for business and non‐profit executives and the workforce.Design/methodology/approachUsing the initial letters of the words “Spirituality at Work”, the paper outlines the main characteristics of the phenomenon that can bring individual and organizational benefits.FindingsThe paper describes, with organizational examples, how the protocol can promote elevated human satisfaction, increased return on investment and enhanced quality and quantity of output.Practical implicationsThe paper advances the view that the protocol can be used for every work environment and at every level.Originality/valueThe paper argues, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, that people who live by the principles of spirituality at work can “be the change they want to see in the world”.