bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of LOM process quality using design of experiments approach
Authors: Kechagias John 
Published: September 2007

PurposeTo investigate laminated object manufacturing (LOM) process quality, using a design of experiments approach.Design/methodology/approachThe quality characteristics measured were in‐plane dimensional accuracy, actual layer thickness (ALT), and mean time per layer. The process parameters tested were nominal layer thickness (LT), heater temperature (HT), platform retract (PR), heater speed (HS), laser speed (LS), feeder speed (FS) and platform speed (PS). A typical test part has been used, and matrix experiments were carried out based on Taguchi design. Optimal process parameter values were identified and finally, additive and regression models were applied to the experimental results and tested using evaluation experiments.FindingsThe statistical analysis of the experimental results shows that error inXdirection was higher than error inYdirection. Dimensional accuracy inXdirection depends mainly on the HS (89 percent) and HT (5 percent), and inYdirection on HS (50 percent), LT (31 percent), LS (9 percent), PS (6 percent), and HT (3 percent). On the other hand, ALT depends mainly on the nominal ALT (96 percent), HS (2 percent), HT (1 percent), and PR (1 percent). Finally, mean time per layer depends mainly on HS (59 percent), LS (17 percent), FS (17 percent), and PS (4 percent).Research limitations/implicationsFuture work should involve extensive matrix experiments using parameters such as dimensions of test part (Xmax,Ymax,Zmax), hatch spacing inXandYdirections, and delay time between sequential layers.Practical implicationsUsing the extracted models, the quality of LOM parts can be predicted and appropriate process parameter values selected. This means minimization of post processing time, easier disengagement between supporting frame and part, easier decubing, process optimization, less finishing and satisfactory final LOM parts or tools. Also, ALT prediction and mean time per layer analysis could be used to improve LOM build time predictions.Originality/valueThe above analysis is useful for LOM users when predictions of part quality, paper consumption, and build time are needed. This methodology could be easily applied to different materials and initial conditions for optimisation of other LOM‐type processes.
Exploring how the effect of attributes varies with fashion product e‐tailer type
Authors: Lee Jihyun , Lee Yuri 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to find different effects of e‐tailer attributes on consumer attitude in fashion product purchase situations according to e‐tailer types.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative study with a survey method was adopted to test the significance of the paths which construct the structural equation model.FindingsAs a result of the study, e‐tailers were classified into three types: comprehensive mall, fashion specialty mall, and limited brand mall. In addition three attribute dimensions were derived from the statistical analyses: transaction fulfillment, variety, and accessibility. Transaction fulfillment and variety were the critical dimensions for the comprehensive mall and the limited brand mall, whereas variety was the only significant dimension for the fashion specialty mall. According to the multi‐group comparison, it was found that similar strategic implications can be applied to comprehensive and limited brand malls.Research limitations/implicationsThe variety dimension be further researched. With variety being equally important for all of the e‐tailer types, specific sub‐dimensions need to be identified.Originality/valueThe paper provides value in classifying the e‐tailer type and investigating the attributes.
Online visual merchandising (VMD) of apparel web sites
Authors: Ha Young , Kwon Wi‐Suk , Lennon Sharron J. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine visual merchandising (VMD) elements of apparel retail web sites, to describe the state of apparel online VMD and to develop a taxonomy of online VMD cues whose effects can be studied empirically.Design/methodology/approachA total of 50 US and 50 Korean web sites were content analyzed in terms of environment, manner of presentation, and path finding.FindingsResults of the study revealed that many VMD features of offline stores have been implemented online. In addition, some VMD features of online apparel stores do not have a direct offline parallel. The taxonomy of VMD cues can be used by researchers to systematically study the effects of the cues following the SOR Model.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the descriptive nature of the study important discussions about possible effects of various VMD elements on consumer behaviors cannot be addressed. Future research needs to investigate the effects of different VMD features introduced in the study on diverse consumer behaviors.Practical implicationsUsing the VMD categories developed and coded in the study, online apparel retailers may be able to gain knowledge about online VMD features they can use to create desirable effects simulating those of in‐store VMD.Originality/valueIn spite of the strategic importance of VMD in online apparel stores, specific online VMD features that may influence consumer attitudes and behaviors have not been identified. Findings provide a comprehensive list of online VMD elements available from apparel web sites that are comparable to traditional offline VMD.
Cultural differences between Korean and American apparel web sites
Authors: Sook Lee Mi , Geistfeld Loren V. , Stoel Leslie 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether cultural differences could explain differences between Korean and American apparel web sites.Design/methodology/approachThe contents of American and Korean apparel web sites are compared. The chi‐square test of independence is used to determine significant differences between the contents of the two countries apparel web sites.FindingsThe paper finds that American web sites provide specific information related to products and online purchase of products, while Korean web sites provide information related to consumers' relationships to the larger community. This difference could be due to cultural differences: the Korean culture tends to reflect collectivism while the American culture tends to reflect individualism.Research limitations/implicationsThe fundamental limitation of this research is that it is descriptive.Practical implicationsThis research suggests that transcultural web sites may not be appropriate and that e‐tailers need to be sensitive to cultural differences.Originality/valueThe primary contribution of this paper is the identification of clear differences between Korean and American apparel web sites and that Hofstede's collectivism/individualism cultural value is a possible explanation of the difference between the two countries.
The effect of consumer demographic characteristics on the perception of fashion web site attributes in Korea
Authors: Ju Kwon Hyun , Joshi Preeti , Prier Jackson Vanessa 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify demographic variables affecting consumers' perception of fashion web site attributes.Design/methodology/approachDescriptive analysis, factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, t‐test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Scheffe test for post hoc tests were used for data analysis. The online and offline survey conducted in 2004 resulted in a total of 1,026 usable responses.FindingsThe paper finds that there were significant differences in the consumers' demographic variables (gender, marital status, age, education, monthly income, and occupation) on their perception of fashion web site attributes (6C: commerce, customization, contents, community, connection, and communication).Research limitations/implicationsThe findings implied that the fashion e‐retailers should reformulate their current strategies by focusing on personalization to satisfy individual customer. However because the research was conducted in Korea, the findings may not be generalizable to other countries.Originality/valueThis research takes into consideration the opinion of both online and offline consumers. This study is in the forefront of examining e‐consumer behavior in the fashion industry.
Capturing college students on the web: analysis of clothing web site attributes
Authors: Seock Yoo‐Kyoung , Norton Marjorie J.T. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis study seeks to identify the dimensions of web site attributes that represent online shoppers' perceptions of their favorite clothing web site and to examine the relationship with the evaluation of the relative importance of various clothing web site attributes.Design/methodology/approachUS college students, who had online shopping experience and favorite clothing web sites that they especially like to visit, were surveyed. Hypothesized relationships between the relative importance of general clothing web site attributes and the perceptions of favorite clothing web sites were tested using canonical correlation analysis.FindingsThe results revealed three variables, the product information, customer service and navigation factors, were closely related to each other and create a well‐defined dimension in representing the respondents' perceptions of their favorite clothing web sites. These dimensions were fairly well predicted by the following set of independent variables: the product information, navigation, and customer service factors of general clothing web site attributes.Research limitations/implicationsResults cannot be generalized to all young adult consumers and to other consumers. Future research should include other population groups.Practical implicationsThis research offers new insights to apparel e‐tailers in building effective web sites that can attract young adult online shoppers to the company and retain them through the web sites.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate young adult online consumers' perceptions of their favorite internet web sites in relation to their evaluations of the relative importance of general clothing web sites attributes.
Attitude toward internet web sites, online information search, and channel choices for purchasing
Authors: Seock Yoo‐Kyoung , Norton Marjorie 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis study aims to examine the influence of attitudes toward particular clothing web sites, specifically favorite ones, on information search at those web sites and on the choice to purchase items from those web sites and from non‐internet channels after finding the items at the web sites.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data from 414 US college students who had online shopping experience and favorite clothing web sites that they especially like to visit, hypothesized relationships among attitude toward internet web sites, online information search and channel choices for purchasing were tested using path analysis.FindingsResults showed that participants' attitudes toward their favorite clothing web sites had a direct, positive effect on their intentions to search for information at those web sites as well as intentions to purchase clothing items from those web sites after finding the items there. Additionally, operating through information‐search intentions at the web sites, participants' attitudes toward those web sites had an indirect, positive effect on their intentions to purchase clothing items from non‐internet channels after finding the items at the web sites.Research limitations/implicationsResults cannot be generalized to the larger population of young consumers and to other consumer groups. Future research should include other population groups.Practical implicationsThis research provides insights into how college students' attitudes toward internet web sites affect their information search at the web sites and their channel choices for purchasing. Our results suggest potential benefits of multi‐channel retailing for online clothing retailers targeting US college students and the importance of building effective web sites to elicit those consumers' positive attitudes toward the web sites.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate young adult online shoppers' attitude towards internet web sites and their information search and channel choices for purchasing.
An exploratory investigation of the virtual community MySpace.com
Authors: Boyd Thomas Jane , Okleshen Peters Cara , Tolson Holly 
Published: September 2007

PurposeVirtual communities are increasing in popularity and changing the way apparel fashion information is learned and shared by consumers. According to Agins, consumers, as opposed to élite designers, are now dictating fashion trends and pinpointing the ideal places of distribution. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the fashion‐related discussion which is taking place on perhaps the best known of these communities, MySpace.com. The three research questions driving this study include: “What are consumers saying about fashion within this particular virtual community?”; “What commonalities exist among the plethora of fashion‐related information available in this context?”; and “What kinds of insights can marketers draw from the categories of fashion‐related information being presented in MySpace.com?”Design/methodology/approachContent analysis was selected as the method for investigation. Within the forum Fashion and Style, the subgroup FashionLOVERS was selected for investigation because it represented a general discussion of fashion. The first 200 forum topical areas with five or more posts were selected for analysis. A total of 6,623 individual posts were examined and each of the three authors independently reviewed the posts noting the general topical categories of content. Interrater reliability for the coders was computed.FindingsEight recurring categories of fashion related information were identified in the study. The four most popular discussion categories were personal style, brands and designers, tips and advice, and retailers. The prevalence of these four topics suggests that consumer driven marketing is a growing and influential component of fashion marketing.Research limitations/implicationsThis study makes an important contribution to the study of virtual communities. Results provide insight into the complex, multi‐layered, interactive fashion‐related communication that occurs within virtual communities.Practical implicationsFashion marketers and retailers are encountering an untapped resource with these virtual communities. Findings highlight the power of consumers in virtual communities and suggest a need for fashion marketers and retailers to closely monitor communication within virtual communities.Originality/valueThis research is particularly valuable because it provides insight into the popular virtual community, MySpace.com. Detailed investigation into types of fashion information that are shared with community members is presented and discussed.
The coming of age of knowledge‐based development
Authors: Carrillo Francisco Javier 
Published: September 2007

PurposeTo introduce the 2007 annual special issue on knowledge‐based development (KBD), from the perspective of the institutionalization of KBD as a field of study and practice, followed by an outline of the contents.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is a discussion of the issues involved.FindingsThe consolidation of KBD and knowledge cities as a distinctive field of R&D, as well as professional practice, becomes apparent when considering structural elements such as affluents, issues, cases, sources, events, organizations and initiatives. This consolidation seems to underlie the progression of contributions through this special issue and prior ones on the same subject.Originality/valueThis special issue may contribute to raise new questions and stimulate further research into knowledge cities, regions and countries.
Working and learning in a knowledge city: a multilevel development framework for knowledge workers
Authors: Garcia Blanca C. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present results of a four‐year qualitative research project on the dynamics of skill development strategies in e‐learning workplace environments.Design/methodology/approachA potential knowledge city, Greater Manchester relies on its human (individual and collective) capitals, put to work in knowledge engines such as its universities. Such context has become a complex and uncharted territory for research. Research analysis within knowledge‐based higher education territory clearly demands knowledge‐based tools. Therefore, the research behind this paper has adopted Carrillo's generic system of capitals, an integrative KM3 taxonomy. Such framework has been instrumental in identifying contextual aspects, drivers and rooted strategies of k‐facilitators' adaptation to emergent learning environments.FindingsThe grounded model reported here further conceptualised how Mancunian e‐learning practitioners seemingly follow an embedded process of adaptation. Practitioners actually develop strategies to adapting in emerging learning spaces while they adapt to swiftly changing conditions in their workplace environments. The skill developments facilitators undertake seemingly allow them to link and connect to learning spaces, as well as to the existing university social systems and networks of learning. Those systems and networks are integrated to the city's knowledge capitals, and beyond.Originality/valueBy exploring Greater Manchester (UK) universities' e‐learning strategies, this paper contributes to KM theoretical understanding of how facilitators develop their knowledge‐based skills in emergent higher education learning spaces.
The social management of embodied knowledge in a knowledge community
Authors: Raza Ahmad , Rashid Kausar A. , Paul David 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the patterns of social management of knowledge in a knowledge‐community, reflecting on multiple social processes at work.Design/methodology/approachThis is a social epistemological critique of management of knowledge.FindingsFirst, knowledge communities are essentially multiple interactive social structures ranging from localization in space to emergent cross‐boundary social spaces operating at micro, meso and macro‐social levels. Second, patterns of knowledge management in different contexts such as organizations, groups, communities and virtual communities are predominantly social in nature and new knowledge emerges through social interactions.Originality/valueThe paper underscores the significance of a social‐epistemological view of knowledge communities and management of knowledge.
An integrated decision support model for a knowledge city's strategy formulation
Authors: Ergazakis Kostas , Metaxiotis Kostas , Psarras John , Askounis Dimitrios 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe concept of knowledge cities (KCs) offers advantages to any urban region. Many cities globally claim themselves as being already KCs, while other cities have elaborated strategic plans in order to integrate this concept into their operational structures. The examination of their approaches reveals however that these initiatives are fragmented. The purpose of this paper is to present a multi‐dimensional and integrated decision support model for a KC's strategy formulation.Design/methodology/approachReference is made to a methodological approach (KnowCis) for the integrated development of a KC, consisting of five main phases and taking into account nine different dimensions. The strategy formulation phase is a particularly complex procedure for any authority (e.g. local government or city's development agency). The reasons for this complexity are related to the amplitude of the KC concept, to the variety of the factors to be considered as well as to the challenge for balancing the needs and interests of different target groups.FindingsThe proposed model consists of the following building blocks: identification of the appropriate actions (based on the KnowCis methodology), modeling of the city's current status as a KC (via the development of related indicators), assessment of actions' necessity (based on the indicators' outcomes and through the benchmarking of other successful KCs cases), selection of the most appropriate form for each proposed action (based on their efficiency during the last reference period) and, finally, prioritisation of the proposed actions (based on a multi‐criteria approach).Research limitations/implicationsThe main suggestion for future research is the development of an intelligent information system which will incorporate the building blocks of the proposed model.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the paper is that the proposed model can be a really helpful decision support tool for any city which is developing a knowledge‐based strategy.
Regional development through knowledge creation in organic agriculture
Authors: Morales Galindo Isabel 
Published: September 2007

PurposeRural regions have rarely been the topic of inquiry in economic development studies or research related to knowledge management. Most studies on knowledge management have focused on high‐tech regions. The purpose of this paper is to present a case which illustrates the mechanism and factors of learning regions with knowledge‐based development engaged in growing agricultural activities such as organic agriculture.Design/methodology approachThe paper is a case study of a Mexican cooperative.FindingsThe case study illustrates how organic agriculture standards and the attractiveness of the market change the rural setting by promoting knowledge creation and application in the field. The results of such knowledge generation are endogenous growth practices for people who otherwise abandon agriculture as a means of living. Learning, innovating and networking are requirements and outcomes of following organic standards. Simultaneously, the creation of efficient institutions and the solidity of local governance are promoted within the region.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper focuses on the description of the case rather than the theoretical features. This paper highlights characteristics and critical elements present in an agricultural success through the depiction of knowledge creation within a cooperative and surrounding community, that pose elements which consequently can be extended to promote regional development in other rural settings.Originality/valueCharacteristics of the organic industry place a region in a competitive position and encourage community involvement to coordinate, to learn, and to improve processes. The organic agriculture industry requires a knowledge foundation essential for meeting industry standards and, thus, requires organization of the community including farmers as well as local institutions.