J. Irša and A.N. Galybin
The purpose of this paper is to consider reconstructions of potential 2D fields from discrete measurements. Two potential processes are addressed, steady flow and heat conduction…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider reconstructions of potential 2D fields from discrete measurements. Two potential processes are addressed, steady flow and heat conduction. In the first case, the flow speed and streamlines are determined from the discrete data on flow directions, in the second case, the temperature and flux are recovered from temperature measurements at discrete points.
Design/methodology/approach
The method employs the Trefftz element principle and the collocation. The domain is seen as a combination of elements, where the solution is sought as a linear holomorphic function a priori satisfying the governing equations. Continuity of piecewise holomorphic functions is imposed at collocation points located on the element interfaces. These form the first group of equations. The second group of equations is formed by addressing the measured data, therefore the matrix coefficients may reflect experimental errors. In the case of fluid flow, all equations are homogeneous, therefore one normalising equation is added, which provides existence of a non‐trivial solution. The system is over‐determined; it is solved by the least squares method.
Findings
For the heat flow problem, the determination of heat flux is unique, while for the fluid flow, the determined streamlines are unique and the determination of speed contains one free multiplicative positive constant. Several examples are presented to illustrate the methods and investigate their efficiency and sensitivity to noisy data.
Research limitations/implications
The approach can be applied to other 2D potential problems.
Originality/value
The paper studies two novel formulations of the reconstruction problem for 2D potential fields. It is shown that the suggested numerical method is able to deal directly with discrete experimental data.
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T.C. Wong, Mohamed Yacine Haddoud, Y.K. Kwok and Hongwei He
The purpose of this paper is to propose a research model to identify the key determinants and examine their impact towards online pro-brand and anti-brand community citizenship…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a research model to identify the key determinants and examine their impact towards online pro-brand and anti-brand community citizenship behaviours (CCBs).
Design/methodology/approach
A survey based on the research model is used to collect empirical data from 260 and 200 members of online pro-brand communities (OBCs) and online anti-brand communities (OABCs), respectively. A two-stage approach employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis and artificial neural network (ANN) is first applied to uncover new observations.
Findings
Moral identity and positive brand emotion (BE) are the two most influential factors driving both online pro-brand and anti-brand CCBs. A higher level of internalisation might be required to exhibit online anti-brand CCB as opposed to online pro-brand CCB. This contradicts the current understanding that anti-brand behaviours are less morally restricted given the virtuality and anonymity of online communities. OABC members may need to better justify themselves internally to overcome positive BE when exercising anti-brand action. Also, brand identification, brand dis-identification and BE would be used to identify two types of OABC members.
Research limitations/implications
The effect of motives other than pro-social remains unclear on online pro-brand and anti-brand CCBs.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to develop two new dimensions which provide a more complete definition of CCB. Also, some new observations are uncovered by comparing the effect of different key determinants on online pro-brand CCB against that of online anti-brand CCB. The research model can be used to define and improve member (or brand) engagement which would enhance the management of OBCs and OABCs.
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In recent years, we have seen a paradox. No matter how much the government strives to incorporate technology into classrooms as a learning resource for students, both national and…
Abstract
In recent years, we have seen a paradox. No matter how much the government strives to incorporate technology into classrooms as a learning resource for students, both national and international reports prove that this is a difficult aim to achieve purpose. Training both preservice and in-service teachers is vitally important for technology to become part of everyday school life. But to achieve this, we must move away from the techno-centric focus of technology. This chapter analyzes the importance of focusing on implementing technologies in the learning activities that teacher-trainers design to prepare preservice teachers. We describe seven types of activities: assimilative, informative management, applicative, communicative, productive, experiential, and evaluation. All of these technology-based learning activities, organized in learning sequences, potentially help teachers to come to terms with technological knowledge in their pedagogical content area.
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Mehdi Abbasi, Nahid Mokhtari, Hamid Shahvar and Amin Mahmoudi
The purpose of this paper is to solve large-scale many-to-many hub location-routing problem (MMHLRP) using variable neighborhood search (VNS). The MMHLRP is a combination of a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to solve large-scale many-to-many hub location-routing problem (MMHLRP) using variable neighborhood search (VNS). The MMHLRP is a combination of a single allocation hub location and traveling salesman problems that are known as one of the new fields in routing problems. MMHLRP is considered NP-hard since the two sub-problems are NP-hard. To date, only the Benders decomposition (BD) algorithm and the variable neighborhood particle swarm optimization (VNPSO) algorithm have been applied to solve the MMHLRP model with ten nodes and more (up to 300 nodes), respectively. In this research, the VNS method is suggested to solve large-scale MMHLRP (up to 1,000 nodes).
Design/methodology/approach
Generated MMHLRP sample tests in the previous work were considered and were added to them. In total, 35 sample tests of MMHLRP models between 10 and 1,000 nodes were applied. Three methods (BD, VNPSO and VNS algorithms) were run by a computer to solve the generated sample tests of MMHLRP. The maximum available time for solving the sample tests was 6 h. Accuracy (value of objective function solution) and speed (CPU time consumption) were considered as two major criteria for comparing the mentioned methods.
Findings
Based on the results, the VNS algorithm was more efficient than VNPSO for solving the MMHLRP sample tests with 10–440 nodes. It had many similarities with the exact BD algorithm with ten nodes. In large-scale MMHLRP (sample tests with more than 440 nodes (up to 1,000 nodes)), the previously suggested methods were disabled to solve the problem and the VNS was the only method for solving samples after 6 h.
Originality/value
The computational results indicated that the VNS algorithm has a notable efficiency in comparison to the rival algorithm (VNPSO) in order to solve large-scale MMHLRP. According to the computational results, in the situation that the problems were solved for 6 h using both VNS and VNPSO, VNS solved the problems with more accuracy and speed. Additionally, VNS can only solve large-scale MMHLRPs with more than 440 nodes (up to 1,000 nodes) during 6 h.
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Khalid Rasheed Memon, Bilqees Ghani and Heesup Han
Using employee voice to advocate for customers' requirements, improves hospitality service. Organizations must understand what motivates or deters employee customer-oriented voice…
Abstract
Purpose
Using employee voice to advocate for customers' requirements, improves hospitality service. Organizations must understand what motivates or deters employee customer-oriented voice behaviour (COVB) to achieve its goals and enhance performance. This research investigates the predictors and outcomes of COVB of front-line employees (FLEs) in the hotel industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to steer the article search, screening, and inclusion. The research identified the extant studies conducted in both, high/low power distance countries that met the search criteria using the databases of SCOPUS, Web of Science, EBSCOHost and through snowballing of references.
Findings
The content analysis of 55 selected studies identified four themes that explain FLEs’ COVB in the hospitality industry. These four themes include customer-related, employee-related, organizational and leadership factors. Moreover, it was found that theoretical frameworks of the most of published studies are dominated by social exchange and conservation resource theories.
Practical implications
This study suggests hospitality firms to develop management strategies to foster FLEs COVB especially long-term personality trainings for FLEs is suggested for innovative and novel ideas.
Originality/value
This is the first study, as per our knowledge, on the hospitality industry that has been conducted to analyse and synthesize the literature related to FLEs’ COVB.
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S.M.T. Fatemi Ghomi and B. Asgarian
Finding a rational approach to maintain a freshness of foods and perishable goods and saving their intrinsic attributes during a distribution of these products is one of the main…
Abstract
Purpose
Finding a rational approach to maintain a freshness of foods and perishable goods and saving their intrinsic attributes during a distribution of these products is one of the main issues for distribution and logistics companies. This paper aims to provide a framework for distribution of perishable goods which can be applied for real life situations.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a novel mathematical model for transportation inventory location routing problem. In addition, the paper addresses the impact of perishable goods age on the demand of final customers. The model is optimally solved for small- and medium-scale problems. Moreover, regarding to NP-hard nature of the proposed model, two simple and one hybrid metaheuristic algorithms are developed to cope with the complexity of problem in large scale problems.
Findings
Numerical examples with different scenarios and sensitivity analysis are conducted to investigate the performance of proposed algorithms and impacts of important parameters on optimal solutions. The results show the acceptable performance of proposed algorithms.
Originality/value
The authors formulate a novel mathematical model which can be applicable in perishable goods distribution systems In this regard, the authors consider lost sale which is proportional to age of products. A new hybrid approach is applied to tackle the problem and the results show the rational performance of the algorithm.
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Wenzhu Lu, Haibo Wu, Shanshi Liu, Zisheng Guo and Xiongtao He
Based on the person-environment (P-E) fit theory, this study aims to explore the effect of customer mistreatment on the reduced service performance of hospitality employees…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the person-environment (P-E) fit theory, this study aims to explore the effect of customer mistreatment on the reduced service performance of hospitality employees mediated by person-job (P-J) fit perceptions and moderated by job crafting.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors tested this study’s hypotheses with a nine-day diary study involving 83 service employees located in Lanzhou, China; a total of 548 daily surveys were completed. The authors used multilevel structural equation modeling to analyze the data.
Findings
Employees who experienced daily customer mistreatment suffered diminished P-J fit perceptions, leading to lower levels of service performance the next day. In addition, job crafting significantly buffered the impact of customer mistreatment on P-J fit perceptions and the indirect impact of customer mistreatment on service performance through P-J fit perceptions.
Practical implications
Given the damaging effect that customer mistreatment has on service performance, where employees’ P-J fit perceptions are impaired, hotel managers should implement service competence improvement training programs and managerial preventions to reduce the possibility of customer mistreatment behavior. The moderating role of job crafting behavior suggests that managers should offer supportive practices (i.e. job autonomy) to encourage job crafting behaviors among employees.
Originality/value
This study reveals that individuals’ P-J fit perceptions can explain the damaging impacts of customer mistreatment on service performance, a finding that contributes valuable information to the literature on customer mistreatment and P-E fit. Second, this study also tests the impact of individuals’ job crafting behaviors in terms of mitigating the negative effect of customer mistreatment. Finally, this study’s findings broaden the scope of predictors of P-J fit perceptions by revealing that customer mistreatment can pose a threat to hospitality employees’ P-J fit perceptions.
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Yung-Kuei Huang and Linchi Kwok
This study aims to assess a moderated-mediation model to account for the relationship between customer mistreatment and frontline hotel employees’ customer-focused voice, where…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess a moderated-mediation model to account for the relationship between customer mistreatment and frontline hotel employees’ customer-focused voice, where their organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) served as a mediator and their felt trust (reliance and disclosure) by supervisors served as a moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through paper-based questionnaires in a cross-sectional survey, consisting of 319 valid supervisor-employee-paired responses from 33 international tourist hotels in Taiwan. Regression analyses were used for hypothesis testing.
Findings
OBSE mediates the negative effect of customer mistreatment on customer-focused voice. Employee felt reliance intensifies the negative impact of customer mistreatment on OBSE, and this interaction effect, in turn, reduces customer-focused voice through OBSE. The employee felt disclosure marginally significantly buffers the effect of customer mistreatment on OBSE.
Practical implications
Given the adverse effect of customer mistreatment on customer-focused voice through OBSE, hotels should strengthen employees’ service mindset and value their suggestions. The double-edged effects of felt trust suggest that managers should form a trusting relationship with their subordinates and reassure them that isolated incidents of customer mistreatment will not jeopardize their reputation.
Originality/value
This study integrated sociometer and self-consistency theories to examine OBSE as a psychological mechanism to explain the mistreatment-voice process. Besides assessing felt trust’s two-dimensional effects, this research is possibly the first attempt to examine felt trust as an enabling force or a threat to OBSE in the context of customer mistreatment.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the anti‐money laundering laws of Hong Kong, in particular the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the anti‐money laundering laws of Hong Kong, in particular the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance.
Design/methodology/approach
An analysis of the legislation with respect to anti‐money laundering as well as relevant case law.
Findings
Hong Kong authorities are serious about fighting money laundering crimes. The statutory scheme in Hong Kong is comprehensive and in line with international standards.
Originality/value
By discussing the key statutory provisions and the important cases, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the anti‐money laundering laws of Hong Kong. This paper is of value to lawyers, prosecutors, academics, law students, etc. in not only Hong Kong, but in the region including mainland China.
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This critical reflection aims to initiate an engaging dialogue about the labor shortage challenge facing the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry. This paper discusses RQ1. Will…
Abstract
Purpose
This critical reflection aims to initiate an engaging dialogue about the labor shortage challenge facing the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry. This paper discusses RQ1. Will the worsening labor shortage challenge improve in the short term? RQ2. How can industry professionals and academic leaders/professors work together to address the labor shortage issue? RQ3. How can academic research help address such a challenge?
Design/methodology/approach
RQ1 was answered with three propositions in a critical reflection of relevant news updates, industrial/market reports and carefully selected relevant literature. Suggestions were made to respond to RQ2 and RQ3 in three areas of talent management: talent acquisition, learning and development and talent retention.
Findings
The worsening labor shortage challenge will likely continue for some years due to an imbalance in labor supply/demand. The H&T industry should work closely with the H&T programs (one key supplier of managerial talent) to find solutions to the ongoing problem.
Research limitations/implications
This reflection focuses only on preliminary suggestions but could inspire related research endeavors.
Practical implications
This paper suggests numerous industry–academia collaboration initiatives under talent management to address the worsening labor shortage.
Social implications
A strong industry–academia collaboration would address low enrollment in H&T programs, helping them recruit and retain top students. Eventually, a larger student candidate pool for managerial talent could help the industry meet the shifting labor demand.
Originality/value
This timely reflection addresses a critical, worsening labor shortage situation in the H&T industry by offering original ideas and calling for a broader and more in-depth discussion among all H&T stakeholders.