bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Five processes of response distortion: a model of response filters
Authors: Scholl Norbert 
Published: January 2009

PurposeHonesty and spontaneity are regularly discussed in articles on qualitative market research. The focus is mostly on specific types of response tendencies, and the tendencies are mostly emotional in nature (e.g. self presentation). The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive framework that describes and explains the different types of response processes, based both on an emotional‐cognitive dimension and an internal‐external dimension. These tendencies are coined as “response filters”.Design/methodology/approachThis model of response filters is drawn up as a hypothetical model, inspired by the theory of Daniel Katz on the four functions of attitudes: instrumental, ego‐defensive, value expression and knowledge organisation. It is likely that these functions not only determine why we have certain attitudes, but also how we present them to others. The author, a social psychologist with 20 years of experience as a qualitative market researcher, proposes a framework of response tendencies in qualitative research, using the theory of attitude functions as a basis.FindingsUsing the analytical framework of Katz, the author first describes five main processes that play a role in the answering process. A model of response filters is consequently developed, based on the emotional‐cognitive dimension and the internal‐external orientation dimension, and finally the author describes strategies and techniques for interviewers, to deal with the described response tendencies.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the model seems to be comprehensive and will probably match the experiences of most qualitative market research practitioners, it is speculative in nature. Its main purpose is to offer an insightful framework, that helps students and practitioners to get a better understanding of the dynamics of interviewing; the factors that are involved and how to deal with them to reach a deeper understanding of people's attitudes.Originality/valueIn the area of quantitative studies, a large amount of research and documentation is available on so‐called response tendencies in closed questions and ranking tasks. In qualitative market research, however, one has not yet come across a comparable overview of the various psychological mechanisms that are relevant to open questions.
Blind insights: a new technique for testing a priori hypotheses with qualitative methods
Authors: DeRosia Eric D. , Christensen Glenn L. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and illustrate blind qualitative hypothesis testing, which is a qualitative research technique that further generalizes the well‐known notion of “blindness” in research to include a qualitative researcher. The technique introduces a method to test a priori hypotheses using qualitative, emergent observation and analysis without the biasing influence of prior knowledge of the hypotheses being tested.Design/methodology/approachIn essence, the proposed technique is as follows. After forming a set of a priori predictive hypotheses, a theoretical researcher (who may or may not be a qualitative researcher) engages the cooperation of a qualitative researcher to perform an empirical study. The qualitative empirical researcher is given adequate guidance to perform a study but is kept blind to the hypotheses. After the qualitative empirical researcher makes observations and forms his or her conclusions, the qualitative empirical researcher and the theoretical researcher jointly determine the extent to which the conclusions support or disconfirm the hypotheses. The qualitative empirical researcher then identifies emergent themes and inductive conclusions that contribute beyond the a priori hypotheses. A study testing consumer response to advertising is described as an illustration of the proposed technique.FindingsThe proposed technique diminishes the influence of the ontological assumptions of researchers on hypothesis tests. By reducing a priori expectations, the proposed technique frees practical and academic market researchers to more fully immerse in the context of interest and better recognize subtle phenomena and imbricated, complex intrapersonal and/or social interactions. Furthermore, the proposed technique provides a new way for qualitative methods to go beyond the “supportive” and “exploratory” role to which they have often been limited.Originality/valueAn ability to test hypotheses gives qualitative researchers another way to contribute to the literatures currently dominated by constricted and pallid questionnaire‐based methods within the positivist tradition. Such literatures will benefit from the methodological pluralism encouraged by the technique introduced here because some benefits of qualitative research (including an ability to identify unanticipated, emergent findings) offer much needed compensation for inherent flaws in questionnaire‐based methods.
Targets of commitment in service provider‐consumer relationships: a prototyping study
Authors: Jones Tim D. , Taylor Shirley F. , Bansal Harvir S. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the question of whether or not there are three distinct targets of commitment in consumers' relationships with their service providers; commitment to the service company, commitment to the individual service provider, and commitment to the individual provider as a friend or acquaintance.Design/methodology/approachInitial theories regarding targets of commitment in service relationships are developed with reference to the literature in psychology, organizational behavior, and marketing. Exploratory research into the commitment construct in service relationships is conducted using a prototyping approach. The prototyping approach involves the exploration of natural language concepts including the identification of a concept's attributes, and the concept's relationship to other concepts.FindingsThe results of the prototyping analysis give us preliminary evidence to suggest that that the three targets of commitment while related, are independent. Each target of commitment has a number of unique and central attributes.Originality/valueCommitment is an important variable in the study of relationship marketing; however, in most marketing studies, the target of a customer's commitment is not clearly defined, nor have potential differences between various targets of commitment been fully explored. This research highlights the fact that relationship commitment is a multi‐level variable. In addition, this research demonstrates the effectiveness of the prototyping methodology in the exploration of abstract concepts and the relationship between them.
Exploring the origins of enduring product involvement
Authors: Bloch Peter H. , Commuri Suraj , Arnold Todd J. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe aim of this research was to explore possible origins of enduring involvement (EI) with products and stimulate relevant research. In addition, this study also examined the conditions that affect involvement development and change.Design/methodology/approachAutobiographic narratives were gathered from consumers identified as being highly involved with cars, photography, fashion, or jazz. The data were analyzed at the surface structure, the narrative level, and the deep level, to arrive at chronic structures of the episodes discussed in the narratives.FindingsEI is a dynamic construct that emerges due to socialization and influences endemic to the product class. Numerous contextual and intervening conditions, such as product tractability, switching costs, disposable variables, and role demands appear to affect the overall development and growth of EI.Research limitations/implicationsIn both the design of a product, as well as the facilitation of product‐centered social interaction, marketers can significantly influence the development of a consumer's enduring product involvement. Such a development has long‐term implications for consumer spending and behavior in relation to a product category or specific brand.Originality/valueThe research is among the first works in consumer behavior to map specific elements associated with the development of EI. Further it also helps understand why consumers, rather than become bored, turn increasingly connected and involved with a product category over a period of time. Future research, both qualitative and quantitative, might build upon the results.
Rethinking assessment of marketing research skills and knowledge: a new approach
Authors: Segal Madhav N. , Hershberger Edmund K. , Osmonbekov Talaibek 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an approach to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by a job market by systematically analyzing classified advertisements of position openings. It suggests appropriate methodological techniques to conduct such a study and compares these to traditional methods.Design/methodology/approachWhile this paper discusses several methods used to assess the skill, knowledge, and ability (SKA) needs in the marketing research industry, it focuses on a new approach: content analysis. Content analysis is a systematic and an objective qualitative research technique used to identify the needs of hiring firms through the analysis of classified advertisements of position openings in marketing research. These openings (listings available online and through print classified advertisements) can be examined for the general and specific marketing research skills and knowledge areas identified as critical workplace competencies for employers.FindingsContent analysis is an alternative, or supplemental method, not meant to replace, but rather to enhance other methods of assessing the industry's SKA needs.Practical implicationsHuman resource managers and personnel responsible for developing professional training and development programs will also benefit from these findings. Assessment results can also be useful in designing marketing research programs, adjusting existing marketing research curricula, and enhancing marketing research career service development efforts.Originality/valueWhile content analysis has previously been used to assess advertisements, this is a unique application of the method which adds objectivity to marketplace assessment.
A hard look at hard laddering
Authors: Phillips Joan M. , Reynolds Thomas J. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to outline the fundamental assumptions regarding the laddering methodology (Reynolds and Gutman), examine how some “hard” laddering approaches meet or violate these assumptions, provide a review and comparison of a series of studies using “soft” and “hard” laddering approaches to examine the hierarchical structure of means‐end theory, and assess if the discrepant conclusions from this series of studies may be attributed to violations of the fundamental assumptions of the laddering methodology.Design/methodology/approachA series of published empirical works using “hard” and “soft” laddering approaches, which aim to examine the hierarchical structure of means‐end theory (Gutman), are reviewed and compared to integrate research findings and to examine discrepancies. Discrepant conclusions, which appear to be attributable to violations of the assumptions underlying the laddering methodology, are explored through a reanalysis and reclassification of the content codes.FindingsThe paper validates the case for laddering and the care needed to gauge how conclusions can be affected when violations of fundamental assumptions of the laddering methodology occur.Research limitations/implicationsMeans‐end chain research and, more specifically, the laddering methodology are in need of investigations that assess the importance of its underlying assumptions. Additional work validating both the “hard” and “soft” laddering approaches is also needed.Practical implicationsResults of means‐end research are more interpretable and less ambiguous when the fundamental assumptions of the laddering methodology are met. In practice, means‐end theory benefits managers by providing a useful structure to aid in the interpretation of laddering data.Originality/valueThis paper outlines the fundamental assumptions regarding the laddering methodology to provide methodological guidelines for laddering researchers. This paper also reviews the academic literature examining the hierarchical structure of means‐end theory and explores how violations of the fundamental assumptions of the laddering methodology may impact research findings.
Robust and efficient algorithms for rapid prototyping of heterogeneous objects
Authors: Kou X.Y. , Tan S.T. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeApart from the geometries to be dealt with, rapid prototyping (RP) of heterogeneous objects requires additional material information to be processed. This generally involves a large amount of information to be processed simultaneously. The robustness and efficiency problems, which seem less critical in homogeneous solid fabrications, become an issue. The direct impetus of this paper is to present robust and efficient algorithms for RP of heterogeneous objects.Design/methodology/approachThe robustness is benefited from using the proposed non‐manifold heterogeneous cellular model, which guarantees gap‐free material depositions around material interfaces. The efficiency enhancement is achieved by eliminating repetitive boundary intersections and using a heuristic material interrogation approach.FindingsBy using the proposed algorithms, the robustness and efficiency of RP of heterogeneous objects can be improved. It is found that an average 30 percent efficiency improvement is obtained using the proposed heuristic material interrogation approach.Originality/valueNon‐manifold heterogeneous cell representation (HC‐Rep) is used in RP fields for the first time. Based on the HC‐Rep, the robustness and efficiency of RP of heterogeneous object is addressed in this paper.
Rapid prototyping assisted surgery planning and custom implant design
Authors: Singare Sekou , Lian Qin , Ping Wang Wei , Wang Jue , Liu Yaxiong , Li Dichen , Lu Bingheng 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to describe computer‐aided design and rapid prototyping (RP) systems for the preoperative planning and fabrication of custom‐made implant.Design/methodology/approachA patient with mandible defect underwent reconstruction using custom‐made implant. 3D models of the patient's skull are generated based on computed tomography image data. After evaluation of the 3D reconstructed image, it was identified that some bone fragment was moved due to the missing segment. During the implant design process, the correct position of the bone fragment was defined and the geometry of the custom‐made implant was generated based on mirror image technique and is fabricated by a RP machine. Surgical approach such as preoperative planning and simulation of surgical procedures was performed using the fabricated skull models and custom‐made implant.FindingsResults show that the stereolithography model provided an accurate tool for preoperative, surgical simulation.Research limitations/implicationsThe methods described above suffer from the expensive cost of RP technique.Practical implicationsThis method allows accurate fabrication of the implant. The advantages of using this technique are that the physical model of the implant is fitted on the skull model so that the surgeon can plan and rehearse the surgery in advance and a less invasive surgical procedure and less time‐consuming reconstructive and an adequate esthetic can result.Originality/valueThe method improves the reconstructive surgery and reduces the risk of a second intervention, and the psychological stress of the patient will be eliminated.
Research on laser engineered net shaping of thick‐wall nickel‐based alloy parts
Authors: Zhao Jing , Cao Wenbin , Ge Changchun , Tan Yongsheng , Zhang Yan , Fei Qunxing 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe paper seeks to investigate the laser engineered net shaping (LENS) of metal thick‐wall parts from Ni‐based alloy powders.Design/methodology/approachThe composition of Ni‐based alloy powders was determined from phase diagram, which was 84Ni14.4Cu1.6Sn. The powders were prepared by gas atomization. Deoxygenation and screen separation were applied to the powders to improve the sintering ability and narrow the particle size distribution before shaping. Thick‐wall metal parts were built by LENS under different conditions. The microstructures, surface morphologies of the prepared parts were characterized.FindingsThe gas atomized powders were almost uniformly spherical after sieving. Most of oxygen contained in the alloy powders could be removed in H2 atmosphere for heating at 550°C for 2 h. These nickel‐based alloy powders with 150‐200 mesh size were suitable for powder feed system. And these powders were shaped successfully by LENS. Thick‐wall parts with thickness ranged from 20 to 25 mm were fabricated. The thickness of each layer was between 400 and 600 μm by scanning electron microscope. Metallographs revealed that dendritic structures with different characteristics were grown on XY‐, YZ‐ and XZ‐section.Research limitations/implicationsThe present experiments were limited by the atmosphere control during the LENS process. The oxide at the interface between two neighbor layers could decrease the mechanical properties if without good inert gas protection, such as a protective atmosphere chamber.Originality/valueThis paper describes a refined experimental program that is needed to resolve the remaining technical issues in LENS of thick‐wall parts. The nickel‐based alloy powders suitable for the LENS process were studied and prepared. After pretreatment, the self‐made powders have good shaping ability. Microstructure features were first discussed with the variation of the face orientation. The dendrite arm distance obtained by this experiment is between 8 and 20 μm, well conforming to the theory. The thick‐wall parts with dense structures were fabricated successfully to widen the field of application of LENS.
Development of dynamic masking rapid prototyping system for application in tissue engineering
Authors: Cheng Yih‐Lin , Lee Meng‐Long 
Published: January 2009

PurposeIn order to manufacture scaffolds for tissue engineering, a dynamic mask rapid prototyping system to cure UV‐curable biodegradable material was developed. The aim of this paper is to document this system.Design/methodology/approachA digital micro‐mirror device (DMD) was used as the dynamic mask generator, with each layer's mask pattern dictated by our self‐developed software. To build the scaffolds, UV light reflected by the DMD was then focused onto the biodegradable material to cure it. The biodegradable material used in this experiment was a mixture of 85/15 PLGA, PEG‐HEMA, and a photo‐initiator.FindingsThe dynamic mask rapid prototyping system was successfully built and scaffolds made of UV‐curable biodegradable material were fabricated to verify the system capacity. The working exposure time for each layer was 45 s except for the first layer, which was 60 s. Scaffolds with 0°/90° and 60°/120° strips in alternating layers were fabricated and the pore size error inXandYaxes of 0°/90° design was found to be 7.33 and 2.13 percent, respectively. Preliminary cell culture tests indicate the fabricated scaffold is not harmful to MG‐63 cell growth.Research limitations/implicationsDifferent scaffold designs and more UV‐curable biodegradable materials may be further implemented and tested through this system.Originality/valueThis research developed a novel system for tissue engineering scaffold fabrication which can process UV‐curable biodegradable material.
Extrusion freeforming of millimeter wave electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures
Authors: Lu Xuesong , Lee Yoonjae , Yang Shoufeng , Hao Yang , Evans Julian , Parini Clive 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to provide an easy method of extrusion freeforming to fabricate microwave electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) crystals. EBG crystals are periodic dielectric structures that can block wave propagation and generate a bandgap. These crystals can be used in high capability antennae, electromagnetic wave semiconductors, microresonators, high‐reflectivity mirrors and polarizing beam splitters.Design/methodology/approachThe effects of extrusion process parameters and paste characteristics were investigated. Finally, one‐period and two‐period woodpile EBG crystals with bandgaps in the frequency region of 90‐110 GHz were fabricated and the bandgap was measured.FindingsThe filament diameter is influenced by whether extrusion is carried out with or without a substrate and by the free fall‐distance from the nozzle. The quality of lattice structures is dependent on paste flow and properties. A ceramic paste with 60 vol. % (the fraction of ceramic powder based on solvent‐free polymer) was well suited to fabrication. The solvent content also influenced the fabrication. The experimental results show that under ∼12 per cent solvent mass fraction in the paste and relatively high extrusion ram velocity (more than 0.014 mm/s) at a pressure of 14 MPa, samples with high quality were fabricated.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that the rapid prototyping method of extrusion freeforming can be applied for the fabrication of EBG crystals from ceramic powders and the important factors which influence the product quality are identified.
Development of translucent and strong three dimensional printing models
Authors: Suwanprateeb J. , Suwanpreuk W. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe aim is to investigate the feasibility of increasing the transparency of the samples or models which were fabricated by three dimensional printing technology and study the properties of such developed system.Design/methodology/approachPolymethyl methacrylate powders were mixed with maltodextrin binders and used as raw materials for 3DP machine to fabricate samples. The samples were then divided into two groups either infiltrating with heat‐cured acrylate infiltrant or subjected to binder elimination prior to infiltration. As‐fabricated and two types of infiltrated samples were characterized to compare the influence of post‐processing on properties such as shrinkage, light transmittance and flexural properties including modulus, strength and strain at break.FindingsIt was observed that the combination of binder elimination and resin infiltration showed the greatest increase in flexural properties and transmittance percentage approaching the values of polymethyl methacrylate sheet and stereolithography samples. Infiltration without binder elimination increased the transmittance of samples slightly in comparison to as‐fabricated samples. This is related to the level of porosity in the samples and the difference in refractive index of different compositions within the samples namely PMMA, binder and infiltrant.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional step of binder elimination prior to infiltration is needed and this may take time to complete.Practical implicationsThe technique presented can be used to fabricate a translucent and strong 3DP models.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates the factors that are needed to consider increasing the transparency and even strength of 3DP models.