Communication needs of medical tourists: an exploratory study in Thailand

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anothai Ngamvichaikit ◽  
Rian Beise-Zee
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Information ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Effective Transfer ◽  
Informative Communication

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to contribute a conceptualization of the information and communication needs of medical tourists from Western countries in an Asian health care context. Design/methodology/approach – Multi-phase, semi-structured, in-depth interviews and observations were conducted with 27 multi-source informants who have communication experience in the international healthcare setting. Findings – Multi-level information provision should be used to address communicative incongruence in Asian healthcare provider – Western patient encounters as was self-reported by the participants and observed by authors. The use of an informative communication model is proposed in order to facilitate interaction and the effective transfer of information with Western patients to overcome negative, underlying emotions and enable autonomous decision making by the patients. Research limitations/implications – This exploratory study is focused on Western patients and Asian practitioners in Thailand. Future research in other countries and with patients from other geographical areas could expand to generalize findings. Practical implications – Fostering information sharing with Western patients by using an integrative communication model can improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes. The need for developing and implementing these improved practices for communicating with Western patients is reflected by the healthcare industry's current developmental trends helping to lead to a future of health service internationalization. Originality/value – This is the first empirical study to provide insights concerning the communication needs and coping strategies of Western patients with Asian doctors in developing countries.

Examining brand communities among children and adolescents: an exploratory study

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Ann Flurry ◽  
Krist R. Swimberghe ◽  
Janna M. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Community Involvement ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Brand Community ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Membership ◽  
Brand Communities ◽  
Online Panel

Purpose – Online communities designed to appeal to children are on the rise. The success of this marketplace phenomenon indicates that adolescents are likely candidates for brand community membership; however, the literature has yet to examine this trend. This research aims to address this gap and establish the likely existence of brand community involvement among adolescents. It further seeks to explore the characteristics which may differentiate children who are more likely to become involved in brand communities and examine what impact their involvement may have on adolescents' psychological well-being. Design/methodology/approach – A national online panel was employed to collect survey data from respondents aged 7-18 and their parents. Findings – The results support the existence of a high brand community involvement segment among adolescents. Adolescents high in brand community involvement are found to display noteworthy differences in attitudes, values, and marketplace behaviors. Several interesting avenues of future research are proposed. Originality/value – To the authors' knowledge this is the first study attempting to measure differences between adolescents who measure high and low in brand community involvement. Of particular interest are the results indicating that adolescents involved in brand communities may have important distinguishing attitudes and values and exhibit noteworthy differences in their marketplace behavior.

scholarly journals Multi-stakeholder perspectives on indicators for sustainable maintenance performance in production contexts: an exploratory study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Franciosi ◽  
Valentina Di Pasquale ◽  
Raffaele Iannone ◽  
Salvatore Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Sustainable Manufacturing ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Sustainability Research ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

PurposePoor maintenance management leads to non-negligible economic, environmental and social impacts and obstacles to the sustainable manufacturing paradigm. Studies evaluating maintenance impacts on sustainability underline growing interest in the topic, but reports on the industrial field are lacking. Therefore, this paper investigates the industrial environment and the indicators that manufacturing companies use for measuring their maintenance impacts.Design/methodology/approachIn this pilot survey study, several stakeholders of production enterprises in the south of Italy were interviewed to unveil the spread of the measurement of maintenance impacts on sustainability and the indicators used by those companies.FindingsThe interview results showed a low level of awareness among stakeholders about maintenance impacts on sustainability. Maintenance stakeholders are mainly focused on technical and economic factors, whereas environmental, quality and safety stakeholders are becoming more aware of maintenance impacts on environmental and social factors. However, both groups need guidelines to define sustainability indicators to assess such impacts.Originality/valueThis exploratory study allowed us to investigate the current situation in industrial organisations and achieve the first variegated and diversified vision of the awareness of company stakeholders on maintenance impacts on the sustainability of several business functions. This paper provides a valuable contribution to “maintenance and sustainability” research area in production contexts and sheds light on non-negligible maintenance impacts on sustainability, providing preliminary insights on the topic and an effective basis for defining future research opportunities. Moreover, this study enables increased awareness among internal and external manufacturing company stakeholders on the role of maintenance in sustainable production.

Progress on the role of ICTs in establishing destination appeal

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ante Mandić ◽  
Daniela Garbin Praničević
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Information Accessibility ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in establishing destination appeal and reflect on the implications for smart tourism destination development. The focus is on identifying and analysing technological solutions by considering six elements shaping tourism destination appeal, namely, attractions, public and private amenities, accessibility, human resources, image and character and price. Design/methodology/approach To deliver public and private sector implications, the authors have reviewed and analysed relevant papers that were published in hospitality and tourism journals (42 Q1 and Q2 ranked journals based on SCImago Journal Rank) between 2010 and 2018. Findings ICTs affect the marketing and management of tourism destinations. They foster their innovativeness (e.g. interpretation of destination factors, new travel trends, innovative products, VA and AR), contribute sustainability (e.g. visitor management and reducing the use of resources) and improve accessibility (e.g. information provision, navigation, availability of sites and travel planning). The adaptation of technological solutions in the hospitality industry can be related to increased productivity, profitability and quality of services. Additionally, ICTs facilitate visitor decision-making (e.g. online distribution channels and information accessibility), influence overall travel experience and enable the sharing of visitors’ impressions. Research limitations/implications The significant limitations of this study include restrictions on the timing of publication and on journal selection. Originality/value This paper reviews full-length research papers that were published in relevant tourism and hospitality journals. This paper complements the current literature by addressing the role of ICTs in establishing destination appeal and reflecting on implications for smart destination development and future research.

Proxy advisory voting recommendations in India – an exploratory study

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proxy Voting ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
New Research

Purpose This paper aims to explore the voting recommendations made by proxy advisory firms in India by descriptively analyzing the “Vote Against” recommendations made by two proxy advisory firms for shareholder resolutions for the listed Indian firms. It also empirically tests the relationship between proportion of “Vote Against” recommendations and the parameters which are proved to be influencing corporate governance practices of a firm. Design/methodology/approach Empirical analysis of proxy voting recommendations for a sample of 77 listed non-financial Indian firms across four financial years. Findings The paper finds that two categories of shareholders proposals, “reappointment of non-executive directors” and “remuneration of statutory auditors”, account for 83.5 per cent of “Vote Against” recommendations. Further, there are significant differences in the proportion of “Vote Against” recommendations based on the type of “controlling ownership” of the firms. The regression analysis indicates that the relationships between proportion of “Vote Against” recommendations and determinants of corporate governance practices are mostly in line with the a priori expectations, as far as ownership is concerned but requires further analysis for other parameters. Research limitations/implications Exploratory nature of this paper opens up new research issues in the upcoming Indian Proxy advisory industry. It suggests that the future research should consider the controlling ownership as an important parameter while analyzing the proxy firm recommendations. Practical implications Indian proxy advisory industry requires lots of nurturing from the regulators, and this exploratory study provides the basic insights in this regard. It also highlights potential corporate governance issues where the regulators need to tighten the corporate governance norms, like reappointment of independent directors and appointment of statutory auditors. Originality/value Pioneering Study in understanding the proxy advisory voting recommendations in an emerging market.

Multistage market segmentation: an exploration of B2B segment alignment

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 821-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Market Segmentation ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Sales Force ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Market Segments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility of identifying market segments in multistage markets and assessing whether their alignment could provide a useful managerial approach to find competitive advantage and better understand market opportunities. Design/methodology/approach Using data from a pilot project, need-based market segments from different market stages were identified and their potential alignment evaluated. The data were not designed to test hypotheses, nor were they originally intended to be used to align segments. Nevertheless, they provided a unique opportunity to explore multistage segmentation and segment alignment in a business-to-business (B2B) setting. Findings Overall, the findings of this exploratory study should encourage both academics and practitioners to continue to explore the possibility of studying and aligning multistage market segments. The possibility of aligning segments was demonstrated using visual alignment based on managerial judgment of data and alignment based on a combined cluster analysis of customers across the multistage markets. Research limitations/implications First, the market research was not specifically designed to formulate and test hypotheses about the feasibility of aligning segments in multistage markets – it is an exploratory study. The research was based on a pilot project, and the survey-derived databases were conveniently available for analysis. While sample sizes were small, they are typical of many B2B markets. Second, to more effectively study complex relationships in multistage markets, it would have been desirable to include a more comprehensive set of needs. Each market stage has not only a set of their own perceived needs but also a set of perceptions of the needs of other stages. Third, as in many B2B studies, the data used in this pilot project were based on single informants. Practical implications A common complaint among firms is that B2B market segmentation does not really work that well for them. An unexplored reason for this may be that true market segmentation does not stop with one’s direct customer, but should also include the customer’s customer and so on, in a multistage market segmentation structure. One implication of the research presented here suggests that better understanding the segmentation structure in a multistage market can enlighten the opportunities and risks of implementing such a strategy. Multistage market segmentation alignment may lead to innovative positioning and message levers for the sales force to use as an argument to gain advantage according to common and unique aligned segment needs. Social implications The process may be applied to social institutions in addition to commercial organizations. Originality/value While it is obvious that market segmentation can be applied to any single market of customers, the question of applying it to complex multistage markets needs additional exploration. The original idea in this paper is that the potential for strategically aligning multistage markets and segments can have both conceptual and managerial implications for establishing competitive advantage and more efficient and effective resource allocation. The paper shows that that such alignment is possible; however, research and research methods in this area are nascent and will require continued step-by-step learning about these complex market structures to build up to a more definitive understanding of the processes involved to guide future research and managerial thinking.

Digital labelling in the retail environment: a domain-specific innovativeness perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1336-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean A. Tanner ◽  
Mary B. McCarthy ◽  
Seamus J. O’Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Mobile Marketing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Qr Code ◽  
Qr Codes ◽  
Specific Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This is an exploratory study leveraging a domain-specific innovativeness (DSI) perspective to understand adoption of QR code delivered mobile marketing. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of “innovativeness” and “risk aversion” on QR code adoption and usage in the low-involvement context to address tensions between risk and innovation literatures. Design/methodology/approach Participants were assigned to “laggard” (n=19) and “innovator/early adopter” (n=19) segments using the DSI scale. A combination of qualitative reductionism (means-end chain analysis) and qualitative holism (semi-structured interviewing) was employed. Findings Confusion regarding the functionality and purpose of QR codes adversely affected willingness to use and utility perceptions. Source trust and information credibility emerged as key concerns for those considering QR codes, with consumer risk aversion and innovativeness orientations influencing the nature of trust concerns. A perceived lack of complementarity between QR codes and retail environments reduced perceived relevance. For low-involvement products, marketers should consider moving beyond brand-level communication to align offerings to the broader foodscape. Research limitations/implications Findings are limited to the low-involvement product context. Although DSI was considered, the impact of technological innovativeness was not explored. Future research may consider the impact of information provision at the broader foodscape rather than product-specific level when exploring QR code applications in the food domain. Originality/value This is the first study to explore the role of product category innovativeness, as distinct from technological innovativeness on the acceptance and usage of mobile marketing applications in the low-involvement context. This research builds on existing risk and innovation literatures and addresses tensions between these literatures presented by QR codes within the low-involvement context.

The effect of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt on beer-banana value chains in central Uganda

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Margaretha Rietveld ◽  
Wellington Jogo ◽  
Samuel Mpiira ◽  
Charles Staver
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Banana Production ◽  
Banana Xanthomonas Wilt

Purpose – Beer-bananas in Central Uganda are important for smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, especially for those that process the banana into beer and spirits. The purpose of this paper is to understand how actors in the beer-banana value chain are affected and how they are managing disease has become an important issue since the outbreak of the bacterial banana disease Xanthomonas Wilt. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted an exploratory study focusing on producers of beer-bananas; brewers and non-brewers, and on retailers in Central Uganda and in Kampala. The authors conducted surveys with these value chain actors and we used baseline data, collected through a household survey in the project sites. Findings – Results showed that Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) has drastically reduced productivity of beer-banana systems, resulting in reduced sales volumes of beer-bananas and processed products and consequently reduced incomes. Application of disease control measures was generally higher among those farmers that brew. Research limitations/implications – This being an exploratory study, the samples for the different value chain actors were rather small. Future research should address: product quality and opportunities for differentiation; effects of beer-banana processing on rural communities; adoption of BXW control measures. Originality/value – Beer-bananas are often neglected in research; this paper shows that is unfounded since beer-banana production and processing are important for many people’s livelihood. More insight into what motivates farmers to control the disease is essential to protect these people’s livelihoods.

scholarly journals Beliefs about Islamic advertising: an exploratory study in Malaysia

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Shafiq ◽  
A. Haque ◽  
K. Abdullah ◽  
M.T. Jan
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Islamic Ethics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Rich Data

Purpose This paper aims to explore people’s beliefs towards Islamic advertising. Design/methodology/approach Being exploratory in nature, this paper applies qualitative method of research by adapting thought elicitation technique of data collection. This method rests in the projective techniques of data collection and is also known as “word association technique”. It allows free thinking of respondents that helps in generating rich data which is most required in qualitative studies. Findings Various beliefs regarding Islamic advertising were extracted and categorized into different dimensions. These dimensions pertained to Islamic advertising’s possibility, nature, characteristics, real-time decisions and potential outcomes. Research limitations/implications Being an exploratory study, the data are collected from a small sample, hence raising generalization issues. Though, the same opens avenue for future research in that these dimensions should be subject to validation via large sample size. Practical implications This research will help in developing a scale to measure attitudes towards Islamic advertising, which the researchers can use to find justification for using Islamic advertising. Such application has great implications for businesses, as Islamic advertising concept stands contrary to the contemporary practices. Social implications With a growing concern for business ethics, this research is an attempt to bring Islamic ethics into advertising practice. This will not only eradicate the ill-effects of contemporary advertising but also provide sound evidence for revising advertising policies. Originality/value It adds to the developing field of Islamic marketing, by being the first attempt of its kind in paving the way for Islamic advertising.

scholarly journals What goes on between customers? A cross-industry study of customer-to-customer interaction (CCI)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Service Industries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Study ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Transaction Efficiency ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

PurposeThis study aims to provide service managers and researchers with a deeper understanding of the direct on-site interactions taking place between customers.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Critical Incident Technique (CIT), 284 incidents are analysed to develop a typology of how service customers experience direct on-site CCI.FindingsThe research reveals a wide range of CCI. A typology consisting of nine distinct categories of CCI emerged: (1) shared use space, (2) assigned space and possessions, (3) information provision, (4) assistance, (5) social conversations, (6) disrespectful attitude, (7) queuing discipline, (8) transaction efficiency and (9) undesired customers and ‘camouflaged customers’. These categories can accommodate a multitude of customer behaviours that impact, negatively or positively, on the service experience of other customers.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies could be conducted following a more inclusive research design capable of gaining CCI insights from employees and managers.Practical implicationsPractitioners can use the typology to systematically identify the full range of specific CCI behaviours affecting their businesses. It also assists them in the analysis and understanding of individual C2C (customer-to-customer) interactions. For academics the typology makes available a comprehensive framework to guide future research into CCI.Originality/valueThe study constitutes the first systematic attempt to classify direct on-site CCI across a wide range of services. The typology, unrestricted by any single-industry bias, is robust and conceptually broad, and therefore highly portable across service industries.

Measuring knowledge management performance in industrial enterprises

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 310-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Yin Rebecca Yiu ◽  
Kit Fai Pun
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
The Self ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
Potential Applicability

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss an integrated paradigm that aligns the measures of knowledge management (KM) performance to attain corporate goals in organisations. It presents the main findings of an exploratory study on the use of the paradigm and the accompanied self-assessment scheme in industrial enterprises in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Design/methodology/approach – An integrated knowledge management (IKM) model was derived, incorporating the guiding principles of the Total Quality Management/Business Excellence Models. A host of 20 elements was advocated under 5 assessment criteria, namely, Senior management leadership, KM processes, people development, continuous improvement and results orientation. A four-level self-assessment scheme was developed for facilitating users to determine the maturity status of IKM performance in organisations. An exploratory study was conducted with respondents of 18 companies in T&T. A results-oriented methodology with a self-assessment instrument (includes a set of questionnaire and facilitative tools) was used to acquire the industry practitioners’ views on the potential applicability of the IKM model. The study compared the current with the expected organisational performance and explored the relevance of integrating KM and PM practices in these participating organisations. Findings – The findings provided some useful data sources and managerial insights in integrating KM/PM initiatives with reference to groups of large enterprises vs small- and medium-sized companies in T&T. Empirical evidence showed that the self-assessment analysis could help participating organisations utilise their resources and keep up with improvement progress. The objectives, emphasis and administrative context of the KM/PM integration could be changed with varying resources, constraints and maturity status of organisations. Research limitations/implications – Future research could validate the self-assessment paradigm of KM performance in enterprises across various industry sectors, with the emphasis on human–technology–organisation interactions. Originality/value – It is anticipated that adapting the IKM model and using it for regular self-assessments could help industrial enterprises to enhance their KM and PM capabilities for attaining improvement goals. The results could facilitate information sharing of best practices and create conditions conducive to continuous performance improvement.

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