bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cure depth control for complex 3D microstructure fabrication in dynamic mask projection microstereolithography
Authors: Choi Jae‐Won , Wicker Ryan B. , Cho Seok‐Hyun , Ha Chang‐Sik , Lee Seok‐Hee 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe paper's aim is to explore a method using light absorption for improving manufacturing of complex, three‐dimensional (3D) micro‐parts with a previously developed dynamic mask projection microstereolithography (MSL) system. A common issue with stereolithography systems and especially important in MSL is uncontrolled penetration of the ultraviolet light source into the photocrosslinkable resin when fabricating down‐facing surfaces. To accurately fabricate complex 3D parts with down‐facing surfaces, a chemical light absorber, Tinuvin 327™ was mixed in different concentrations into an acrylate‐based photocurable resin, and the solutions were tested for cure depths and successful micro‐part fabrication.Design/methodology/approachTinuvin 327 was selected as the light absorber based on its high absorption characteristics (∼0.4) at 365 nm (the filtered light wavelength used in the MSL system). Four concentrations of Tinuvin 327 in resin were used (0.00, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 percent (w/w)), and cure depth experiments were performed. To investigate the effects of different concentrations of Tinuvin 327 on complex 3D microstructure fabrication, several microstructures with overhanging features such as a fan and spring were fabricated.FindingsResults showed that higher concentrations of Tinuvin 327 reduced penetration depths and thus cure depths. For the resin with 0.15 percent (w/w) of the Tinuvin 327, a cure depth of ∼30 μm was achieved as compared to ∼200 μm without the light absorber. The four resin solutions were used to fabricate complex 3D microstructures, and different concentrations of Tinuvin 327 at a given irradiance and exposure energy were required for successful fabrication depending on the geometry of the micro‐part (concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 percent (w/w) provided the most accurate builds for the fan and spring, respectively).Research limitations/implicationsAlthough two different concentrations of light absorber in solution were required to demonstrate successful fabrication for two different micro‐part geometries (a fan and spring), the experiments were performed using a single irradiance and exposure energy. A single solution with the light absorber could have possibly been used to fabricate these micro‐parts by varying irradiance and/or exposure energy, although the effects of varying these parameters on geometric accuracy, mechanical strength, overall manufacturing time, and other variables were not explored.Originality/valueThis work systematically investigated 3D microstructure fabrication using different concentrations of a light absorber in solution, and demonstrated that different light absorption characteristics were required for different down‐facing micro‐features.
Hybrid moulds: effect of the moulding blocks on the morphology and dimensional properties
Authors: Gonçalves Martinho Pedro , Jorge Bártolo Paulo , Sérgio Pouzada António 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the influence of the materials used in moulding blocks of hybrid moulds on the injection moulding setup and the properties of the mouldings.Design/methodology/approachAn instrumented (pressure and temperature) hybrid mould with exchangeable moulding blocks, produced by rapid prototyping and tooling techniques (RPT), was used to produce polypropylene tubular mouldings. The configuration of the mould was varied with combinations of moulding block materials, namely, an epoxy resin composite processed by vacuum casting and steel. The processing conditions were adjusted to obtained steady processing conditions. The mouldings were assessed in terms of the microstructure and the shrinkage.FindingsDue to the properties of the moulding block obtained by RPT being different from tool steel, the injection moulding processing conditions and the plastics parts properties are different when hybrid moulds are used. The cycle time depends on the moulding block properties and must be adjusted to the desired running temperature. The morphology of the mouldings is strongly affected by the thermal properties of the moulding block materials. When different materials are used in the core and the cavity asymmetric structures develop in the part. The shrinkage of the mouldings, when resin cores are used is also affected by the deformation of the core caused by the injection pressure.Originality/valueThis paper makes a contribution to understanding the morphology of semi‐crystalline mouldings obtained using hybrid moulds and enhances the importance of the core deformation on the shrinkage of the mouldings.
The effects of clustered data on standard error estimates in covariance structure analysis
Authors: Vocino Andrea 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to present an empirical analysis of complex sample data with regard to the biasing effect of non‐independence of observations on standard error parameter estimates. Using field data structured in the form of repeated measurements it is to be shown, in a two‐factor confirmatory factor analysis model, how the bias in SE can be derived when the non‐independence is ignored.Design/methodology/approachThree estimation procedures are compared: normal asymptotic theory (maximum likelihood); non‐parametric standard error estimation (naïve bootstrap); and sandwich (robust covariance matrix) estimation (pseudo‐maximum likelihood).FindingsThe study reveals that, when using either normal asymptotic theory or non‐parametric standard error estimation, the SE bias produced by the non‐independence of observations can be noteworthy.Research limitations/implicationsConsidering the methodological constraints in employing field data, the three analyses examined must be interpreted independently and as a result taxonomic generalisations are limited. However, the study still provides “case study” evidence suggesting the existence of the relationship between non‐independence of observations and standard error bias estimates.Originality/valueGiven the increasing popularity of structural equation models in the social sciences and in particular in the marketing discipline, the paper provides a theoretical and practical insight into how to treat repeated measures and clustered data in general, adding to previous methodological research. Some conclusions and suggestions for researchers who make use of partial least squares modelling are also drawn.
The development of market orientation: a consideration of institutional influence in China
Authors: Kshetri Nir 
Published: January 2009

PurposeChina has followed an unique transition from central planning to a market economy. The purpose of this paper is to examine how China's unique blend of capitalism and socialism has influenced Chinese firms’ market orientation.Design/methodology/approachBroadly speaking this paper's methodological approach can be described as a positivistic epistemology.FindingsThe paper provides insights into how Chinese institutions facilitate or hinder firms’ market orientation practices through direct effect, externality effect and indirect causal chains. The central theme is that, compared with other countries, China's unaltered political institutions and newly created market institutions have led to unique roles of coercive, normative and mimetic pressures in the diffusion of market orientation among Chinese firms. Especially, regulative institutions’ influence on other institutions is more salient in China than in many other countries.Research limitations/implicationsA lack of primary data and empirical documentation and a lack of in‐depth treatment of some of the key issues are major limitations here.Practical implicationsThe paper analyses institutional pressures facing firms operating in China and their variation across different types of firms. An understanding of these pressures is essential to devise market‐oriented approaches in the country. It also examines different institutional factors (e.g. Chinese professional associations) that influence a firm's capability to implement market‐oriented practices.Originality/valueThis paper's greatest value stems from the fact that it employs institutional theory as a lens to understand firms’ market orientation. The institutions‐market orientation nexus is a very important but highly underexamined subject.
Cross‐national invariance of the effect of personal collectivistic orientation on brand loyalty and equity
Authors: Yoo Boonghee 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis study seeks to examine whether or not the effect of personal cultural orientation on brand‐related consumer behaviors functions invariably at the individual level in two culturally opposite countries (South Korea and the USA).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from college students from South Korea and the USA. A total of 415 eligible questionnaires were collected: 212 South Korea and 203 USA. Data analysis was conducted using Multivariate analysis of variance.FindingsIt was found that personal collectivistic orientation had a significant effect on both brand loyalty and equity among both Americans and Koreans. Brand loyalty was higher among people of high collectivism than those of low collectivism across brands in both the US and South Korean samples. Likewise, brand equity was also higher among people of high collectivism than those of low collectivism across brands in both countries. These findings indicated that regardless of their national culture, collectivist consumers would show higher brand loyalty and equity than individualist consumers.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation was that only one product category was examined in only two countries. Future research will need the validate the findings by including more product categories across more countries. In addition, other types of personal cultural orientation need to be investigated.Originality/valueOne major contribution of the study is that it examines the personal cultural orientation, not stereotyping consumers by their country or subculture membership. The other contribution is that the effect of personal collectivistic orientation holds regardless of country‐level culture.
Cross‐cultural analysis of gender roles: Indian and US advertisements
Authors: Khairullah Durriya H.Z. , Khairullah Zahid Y. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe objective of this research is to examine gender roles portrayal in Indian and US magazine advertisements. The impact of the socio‐cultural influences on the gender roles portrayal in magazine advertisements of the two countries is examined.Design/methodology/approachAdvertisements appearing in popular Indian and US magazine advertisements were analyzed with respect to the portrayal of male and female models shown in the print advertisements. The advertisements for five products were examined and observations were recorded. The role portrayals of the male and female models in the two countries are compared and discussed.FindingsThe study concludes that there are both significant differences and some similarities in characteristics of gender roles as manifested in Indian and US magazine advertisements. The findings are consistent with those of the few earlier researchers comparing gender roles in different countries. The overall results of the present study suggest to international advertisers that in developing their advertising campaigns for international markets it is important to reflect the cultural values of the society in which they wish to do business.Research limitations/implicationsIt is important to take into consideration the limitations of the study with regard to the advertising medium (magazines) and the products advertised. The study was restricted to selected magazines and products; other media such as TV and other products were not considered. The Indian magazines selected for this study are popular Indian national magazines in English which target the educated, well‐to‐do, middle‐class, affluent, urban Indians who can afford to buy these products.Originality/valueThere are few cross‐cultural studies that have examined gender roles portrayal in US advertising vs those of developed and developing countries and this study adds to that body of knowledge. The results are important for guiding marketers in developing advertising campaigns.
Regulation of soft issues in advertising in Confucian societies: a comparative examination
Authors: Gao Zhihong , Kim Joe H. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper sets out to examine the formal regulatory framework of controlling soft issues in six Confucian societies: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and Japan. It aims to investigate whether these societies adopt a similar approach to soft issues.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of historical analysis and textual analysis.FindingsJapan stands out among Confucian societies in regulating soft issues. The other five societies share considerable similarities, though each society's approach ultimately reflects the entanglement and interaction between various economic, political, cultural and historical factors in the local context.Practical implicationsFor international advertisers, the ideological facet of advertising regulation in some Confucian societies spells unpredictable traps and troubles.Originality/valueOnly a very few works have systematically examined soft issues in advertising, and few have focused on East Asia. The paper contributes to the literature by comparing how societies with similar cultural traditions regulate soft issues.
Analysis of a customer satisfaction survey using Rough Sets theory
Authors: Chen Wei‐Shing 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to present the use of Rough Sets (RS) theory as a processing method to improve the results in customer satisfaction survey applications.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology is to apply an innovative tool to discover knowledge on customer behavior patterns instead of using conventional statistical methods. The RS theory was applied to discover the voice of customers in market research. The collected data contained 422 records. Each record included 20 condition attributes as well as two decision attributes. The important attributes that ensured high quality of classification were generated first. Then decision rules for classifying high and low overall satisfaction and loyalty categories were derived.FindingsThree important facts were found: the important product and service attributes that lead to overall satisfaction and loyalty; the percentage of latently dissatisfied customers; and customer decision rules.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited by the case company and its experience. These rules were presented to the company's sales and marketing managers who believed that they provided them with valuable information for creating strategies to increase customer satisfaction and retention.Originality/valueRS theory provides a mathematical tool to discover patterns hidden in survey data. The paper describes a new attempt of applying a RS‐based method to analyze overall customer satisfaction and loyalty behavior through regular satisfaction questionnaire surveys.
An application of integrating SERVQUAL and Kano's model into QFD for logistics services
Authors: Baki Birdogan , Sahin Basfirinci Cigdem , Murat AR Ilker , Cilingir Zuhal 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide new solutions to cargo companies’ service quality efforts by integrating different scientific methodologies.Design/methodology/approachStrengths and weaknesses of logistics services of a well known cargo company in Turkey are defined by using a service quality scale (SERVQUAL), service quality attributes are categorized using the Kano model in order to see how well these attributes are able to satisfy customer needs, and findings are transferred to quality function deployment (QFD).FindingsThe findings of the Kano model show that ten of the 27 service quality attributes can be categorized as “attractive”, implying the maximum effect on consumer satisfaction. Through the customer priority level of QFD, the three most important service quality attributes are found to be: VIP Service, informing customers about delivery time before sending, and taking deliveries from customers’ addresses. Also, strengthening information technology infrastructure is the most important technical requirement to focus with the highest technical importance level.Research limitations/implicationsThe study involves only one cargo company, it concerns just Trabzon city center branch offices and its sample includes only individual customers instead of individual and institutional customers together.Practical implicationsOffering a case study, the paper presents a guide for cargo companies to employ different scientific methodologies in their service quality development efforts.Originality/valueIntending to offer scientific approaches to cargo companies as a tool of development in their practical procedures, the paper tries to bridge the current gap between academicians and practitioners and adds to the relatively limited theoretical literature.
Would Indian consumers move from kirana stores to organized retailers when shopping for groceries?
Authors: Goswami Paromita , Mishra Mridula S. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis article seeks to understand whether Indian consumers are likely to move from traditional kirana stores to large organized retailers while shopping for groceries.Design/methodology/approachTwo hypotheses were proposed: H1: customer patronage differs for different grocery store attributes and H2: customer perceptions of grocery store attributes differ for kirana stores and organized retailers. The study was carried out across four Indian cities‐ two major and two smaller cities with around 100 respondents from each city. Stratified systematic sampling design with a sample size of 409 was used for the study. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze the data collected with the help of a structured questionnaire.FindingsCustomer patronage to grocery stores was found to be positively related to location, helpful, trustworthy salespeople, home shopping, cleanliness, offers, quality and negatively related to travel convenience. Kiranas do well on location but poorly on cleanliness, offers, quality, and helpful trustworthy salespeople. The converse is true for organized retailers.Research limitations/implicationsKiranas have major disadvantages on all customer perception scores except location. These scores being less important determinants of patronage compared with location, in the short run kiranas may not be ousted out of customers’ favour. However, in the long run if they do not work on these other factors, they would face oblivion.Practical implicationsKiranas need to upgrade their facilities to be able to compete with the organized retailers, who are expected to improve their location scores rapidly in the near future.Originality/valueThe paper predicts whether the foray of large organized grocery retailing would close down millions of kirana shops and result in loss of livelihood, suggesting measures to counter the onslaught.
Why do customers utilize the internet as a retailing platform?
Authors: Ming‐Sung Cheng Julian , Shih‐Tse Wang Edward , Ying‐Chao Lin Julia , Vivek Shiri D. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of perceived value on customer intention to use the internet as a retailing platform and, more specifically, the impact that perceived value (comprising functional, social, emotional and epistemic values) has on Taiwanese customer intention to conduct the two distribution channel functions, i.e. information collection and order placement, through the internet.Design/methodology/approachA total of 295 usable survey responses were collected in the main commuter district of Taipei, Taiwan.FindingsThe findings indicate that both functional and epistemic values have a significant impact on information collection and order placement. Nevertheless, social value has an impact only on information collection, whereas emotional value has a significant impact only on order placement.Originality/valueThe aforementioned issue has rarely been researched but is essential to the development of a channel of distribution theory and is of immediate relevance to marketing practices. The paper pioneers the study of the impact of perceived value in this context work that empirically investigated such an issue.
Selecting key capabilities of TV‐shopping companies applying analytic network process
Authors: Liao Sen‐Kuei , Chang Kuei‐Lun 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help Taiwan TV‐shopping companies to effectively select the key capabilities by introducing a multiple criteria decision‐making method, the analytic network process (ANP), that has been employed in many areas of managerial decision making.Design/methodology/approachReviewing the literatures about the balanced scorecard and interviewing the executives obtains the perspectives and criteria to construct the hierarchy for selecting the key capabilities of TV‐shopping companies. Selecting perspectives and criteria of the balanced scorecard are interrelated. Owing to the interdependent relations in decision making, ANP is applied, which captures the outcome of dependency between the perspectives and criteria for handling such problems.FindingsAfter reviewing the literatures about the balanced scorecard and interviewing the executives, ten critical criteria are retained: proposal, employee satisfaction, data integrity, risk, treatment, customer satisfaction, brand, revenue growth, cost, budget.Practical implicationsAccording to the ten important criteria, Taiwan TV‐shopping companies could select the optimal key capabilities more effectively. Moreover, a practical application of ANP presented in section 4 is generic and also suitable to be exploited for Taiwan TV‐shopping companies.Originality/valueAs TV‐shopping channels have been increasing and the industry prospering, a more specified and scientific selection method is essential for the more complex decision making of determining key capability, a critical source of core competitiveness. The paper contributes to selecting the optimal key capabilities more effectively.
The influence of core‐brand attitude and consumer perception on purchase intention towards extended product
Authors: Wu Shwu‐Ing , Lo Chen‐Lien 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis study aims to determine and discuss relevant factors and relationship models affecting consumers’ purchase intention towards the extended product, PC for Microsoft. The results are to serve as a reference for managers when implementing brand extension strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe two major factors, “core‐brand attitude” and “consumer perception fit”, have been included in studying their influence on consumer purchase intention towards extended products. Of the questionnaire surveys distributed to PC users in Taiwan, 667 valid samples were returned. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to establish the relationship model.FindingsThe results indicate that consumers in Taiwan show a relatively high purchase intention towards virtually extended products, Microsoft PC. The relational structure shows that brand awareness has a significant influence on core‐brand image (parent‐brand image), thus indirectly affecting core‐brand attitude and causing impacts on consumer purchase intention towards extended products. On the other hand, consumer perception fit has greater influence than core‐brand attitude, denoting that both the brand association and product connection have a remarkable influence on consumer purchase intention towards extended products.Originality/valueThe study proposes an effective structural model and notes significant influence factors for consumers’ purchase intention towards extended products.