A Rasch analysis of service performance in a tourism context

2022 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 338-353
Author(s):  
Gregory J. Brush ◽  
Geoffrey N. Soutar
Author(s):  
B. M. Culbertson ◽  
M. L. Devinev ◽  
E. C. Kao

The service performance of current dental composite materials, such as anterior and posterior restoratives and/or veneer cements, needs to be improved. As part of a comprehensive effort to find ways to improve such materials, we have launched a broad spectrum study of the physicochemical and mechanical properties of photopolymerizable or visible light cured (VLC) dental composites. The commercially available VLC materials being studied are shown in Table 1. A generic or neat resin VLC system is also being characterized by SEM and TEM, to more fully understand formulation variables and their effects on properties.At a recent dental research meeting, we reported on the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) characterization of the materials in Table 1. It was shown by DSC and DMA that the materials are substantially undercured by commonly used VLC techniques. Post curing in an oral cavity or a dry environment at 37 to 50°C for 7 or more hours substantially enhances the cure of the materials.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Bonino ◽  
Federica Graziano ◽  
Martina Borghi ◽  
Davide Marengo ◽  
Giorgia Molinengo ◽  
...  

Abstract. This research developed a new scale to evaluate Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS). The aim of this study was to investigate dimensionality, item functioning, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the SEMS scale. Data were collected from 203 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (mean age, 39.5 years; 66% women; 95% having a relapsing remitting form of MS). Fifteen items of the SEMS scale were submitted to patients along with measures of psychological well-being, sense of coherence, depression, and coping strategies. Data underwent Rasch analysis and correlation analysis. Rasch analysis indicates the SEMS as a multidimensional construct characterized by two correlated dimensions: goal setting and symptom management, with satisfactory reliability coefficients. Overall, the 15 items reported acceptable fit statistics; the scale demonstrated measurement invariance (with respect to gender and disease duration) and good concurrent validity (positive correlations with psychological well-being, sense of coherence, and coping strategies and negative correlations with depression). Preliminary evidence suggests that SEMS is a psychometrically sound measure to evaluate perceived self-efficacy of MS patients with moderate disability, and it would be a valuable instrument for both research and clinical applications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 84-99
Author(s):  
Ilias Danatzis ◽  
Jana Möller ◽  
Christine Mathies

Low-quality service providers who are unable or unwilling to compete through superior performance increasingly use humour in their marketing communication to generate positive service outcomes. Yet it remains unclear whether using humour to communicate poor service quality is indeed effective. Based on an online experiment in the context of budget hotels, this study finds that using humour to deliberately communicate poor service quality leads to higher purchase intentions and service quality evaluations by reducing both technical and functional service quality expectations. Theoretically, this study extends humour and service research by providing first empirical evidence for the viability of using humour as an effective tool for leveraging customer expectations of service quality rather than improving service performance. Managerially, these insights highlight how reducing customer expectations is an alternative strategy for attracting new customers and for achieving superior quality evaluations.


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