Helena A. Williams and Robert L. Williams
This book chapter focuses on The Hands-On Gastronomic Tourist. Hands-on in this context means active involvement of tourists in local food- and beverage-related activities when…
Abstract
This book chapter focuses on The Hands-On Gastronomic Tourist. Hands-on in this context means active involvement of tourists in local food- and beverage-related activities when they travel. The chapter illuminates who these tourists are and elucidates how and why they crave hands-on, immersive, authentic, local food or drink activities, or experiences (beyond eating a meal) when they travel locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. It provides examples, data, and models that explain what these tourists value and desire as well as why they are influential within the tourism industry. By understanding the characteristics and practices of this fast-growing tourist sector, hosts of food/beverage businesses, local community developers, and related stakeholders will know the minimal elements that must be in place if their businesses and communities are to succeed in creating and supporting sustainable gastronomic tourism initiatives that have the potential to elevate a geographic area to a recognised international gastronomic destination status. This chapter explains why co-marketing and ultimately delivering co-branded promises from like-minded businesses that attract these hands-on food tourists is critical to the economic sustainability of one of the fastest growing tourism sectors.
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Brian R. Hopkins and Robert L. Williams
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ohio University has designed, constructed, and controlled a new 6‐dof in‐parallel‐actuated platform, a combination and modification of…
Abstract
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Ohio University has designed, constructed, and controlled a new 6‐dof in‐parallel‐actuated platform, a combination and modification of existing designs. The 6‐PSU platform consists of six legs with a prismatic joint, spherical joint, and universal joint connecting links in each leg which move the platform in the six Cartesian freedoms with respect to the base. The prismatic joint is actuated while the other two joints in each leg are passive. The six prismatic joints move vertically with respect to the base, which appears to be a big improvement over the standard Gough/Stewart platform. Experimental results from the Ohio University manipulator are presented.
This paper presents a new method for deploying RoboCrane‐type cable robots, without the need for fixed rigid cable support points. That is, the system provides its own deployable…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents a new method for deploying RoboCrane‐type cable robots, without the need for fixed rigid cable support points. That is, the system provides its own deployable mobile overhead support points.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a new RoboCrane support concept based on rigid members, cable actuation, and cable suspension. It is self‐contained and provides mobility for the required six overhead cable connections, thus extending the workspace of the existing RoboCrane. The paper presents the RoboCrane support concept overview, followed by kinematics and statics analysis, plus a case study of a specific design.
Findings
Design for kinematic horizontality, workspace, and statics are competing so the designer must make tradeoffs for the best system performance according to specific design needs.
Research limitations/implications
Since the support system plus RoboCrane are both cable‐suspended robots, there are limitations in the pseudostatic workspace, i.e. since the cables can only exert tension and cannot push, the motion range is limited.
Practical implications
Specific system design and deployment is still remaining work – practical issues such as outriggers for moment and tipping resistance, easy portability, control of the mast from the ground, and safety must be solved in the future.
Originality/value
Enables RoboCrane applications in many more arenas, such as automated construction, where rigid overhead cable support points are simply unavailable.
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Aims to provide the reasons why libraries might consider using a thin client architecture for library public workstations.
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to provide the reasons why libraries might consider using a thin client architecture for library public workstations.
Design/methodology/approach
A summary of the main features of thin clients.
Findings
This article provides an overview of terminal services: what it is, how it works, and its benefits.
Originality/value
This paper is useful for information management professionals who seek greater understanding of thin client architecture implementations in libraries.
The severe underrepresentation of African American males in counseling and psychology is significant, especially in light of these fields’ mandates as health professions. In this…
Abstract
The severe underrepresentation of African American males in counseling and psychology is significant, especially in light of these fields’ mandates as health professions. In this chapter, I will use a within-race intersectionality paradigm (gender, class, skin color) to inform my analysis of factors that affect the presence of African Americans males on counseling and psychology faculties. I will briefly elucidate factors that, early on, effectively “weed out” African American males from the pool of aspirants for higher education, and thence, from counseling and psychology programs and faculties. I will apply cooperative inquiry – a radical peer-to-peer research method regarded as a well-developed action research approach – to explore Black males’ experience along a range of narratives.
Robert L. Williams, Maktoba Omar and Ujvala Rajadhyaksha
Addressing potential markets in emerging countries is an important development in international marketing, and over the last decade research has been energized by the model of the…
Abstract
Addressing potential markets in emerging countries is an important development in international marketing, and over the last decade research has been energized by the model of the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP). More recently the focus has shifted away from defining the BOP potential in terms of identifying the market at the BOP, and toward creating a market at the BOP, concurrent with the rephrasing of the potential as the Base of the Pyramid. The Value Flame at the Base of the Pyramid (VFBOP) model discussed here stresses not only that a leap in mindset and analysis is necessary to operate in the BOP, but that principles of mutual value and co-venturing are necessary, that is, not only enter into the BOP but collaborate within the BOP. Twenty-one VFBOP characteristics are summarized into four categories: (1) change the mindset; (2) don’t compete; (3) align all organization activities in pursuit of differentiation; and (4) create and capture new market demand. These characteristics can be a template of considerations for a company when designing and marketing a product or service to profitably meet the demands of the BOP market. To illustrate the VFBOP model and characteristics a case study is presented. Through the VFBOP model it can be seen that enormous opportunities may be available in these emerging economies.
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John J. Ottersbach and Robert L. Williams
The Pallet Handling Device (PHD) is a five degree‐of‐freedom (dof) robot system under development by Stewart‐Glapat Corporation for autonomous loading of pallets into semi‐truck…
Abstract
The Pallet Handling Device (PHD) is a five degree‐of‐freedom (dof) robot system under development by Stewart‐Glapat Corporation for autonomous loading of pallets into semi‐truck trailers at loading docks. The fully‐autonomous control is achieved using a programmable logic controller (PLC) and sensors. Ohio University has developed a one‐eighth‐scale prototype hardware system for PHD controls implementation and evaluation. This article describes the design and construction of this system, including the control architecture and PLC programming. The main objective of the scale hardware prototype is to demonstrate the autonomous control feasibility of the proposed full‐scale PHD system; this cannot be adequately performed in simulation.
Robert L. Williams, Maktoba Omar and John Ensor
Much has been written concerning the value and validity of the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) model, as a strategy for multi‐national corporation (MNC) growth. The model presented in…
Abstract
Purpose
Much has been written concerning the value and validity of the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) model, as a strategy for multi‐national corporation (MNC) growth. The model presented in this paper adds to the discussion of strategic possibilities to tap the potential of emerging markets. This paper seeks to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper first discusses trends in economic growth in emerging markets, global strategies, and the BOP market, then analyzes the blue ocean strategy (BOS) of value innovation.
Findings
The paper develops the Value Flame at the Base of the Pyramid (VFBOP) model by combining BOP and BOS strategies to potentially offer opportunities for MNC market entry as well as market supply, to drive revenues and expand global market share.
Research limitations/implications
As a concept, the model must be validated by empirical and case research to ascertain the shape and dynamics of the model. Future research can establish the parameters of the flame.
Originality/value
It is believed that the VFBOP model is the first to address some of the limitations of BOP strategy while profiting from the BOS model, in order to fully benefit from sourcing and selling to emerging markets.
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Danilo Hamann, Robert L. Williams and Maktoba Omar
The paper aims to propose a model to investigate the relationships between price, use, quality, and culture regarding the adoption of high‐technology branding strategy.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose a model to investigate the relationships between price, use, quality, and culture regarding the adoption of high‐technology branding strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the identified areas of influence – price, use, quality and culture – a questionnaire was designed and randomly sent out to 70 respondents via e‐mail. At the same time, those respondents were asked to pass on the e‐mail, resulting in a total number of 94 people from 21 different countries responding to the request. The findings were evaluated and analysed by using the computer‐aided data analysis programme SPSS.
Findings
The study concluded that people purchase high technology products primarily for prestige (usage) rather than to satisfy particular needs, and perception of change (culture) affected the adoption process of high‐technology.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the focus of this survey to discover the incentives behind the adaptation process, the possibilities of using the findings for more general purposes were narrowed down. In addition, the small amount of already existing knowledge in this area made the collection and the evaluation of data very difficult, which again influenced the way the research was designed.
Practical implications
In a globally competitive business environment the value of a strong brand in high‐technology marketplace is well documented. The difficulty in maintaining a basis for differentiation, and heightened consumer price consciousness reveals the necessity to understand consumer evaluation and purchase decision processes. Therefore, this study discovered and revealed the reasons behind individual buying decisions of high‐technology products.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous research has been done on this particular area, which makes the outcome of this survey very valuable. Furthermore, the practical implications of the findings show a high relevance regarding the design of present‐day business strategies while providing suggestions of improvement.
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Maktoba Omar, Robert L. Williams and David Lingelbach
This paper aims to present a case for the practical management of corporate reputation, in relation to two groups of concepts: communication, identity, and trust; and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a case for the practical management of corporate reputation, in relation to two groups of concepts: communication, identity, and trust; and communication, identity, and image.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of the current knowledge of corporate reputation, personality, identity, and image leads to development of a strategy framework to enhance/protect corporate reputation. A case study involving a corporate logo introduced into a developed market by an emerging multinational corporation (EMNC) is presented.
Findings
The paper identifies that credibility and trust are significant elements which must be managed and communicated to maintain the firm's corporate image and reputation.
Originality/value
A conceptual model is presented illustrating a series of internal and external factors affecting communication and trust, which influence the customer and assist in shaping corporate reputation. The case of the EMNC Chinese corporation Haier to introduce its brand into a developed market may enlighten others pursuing this path.