Physician ranking optimization based on patients' browse behaviors and resource capacities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Pan ◽  
Hanqi Wen ◽  
Ziwei Wang ◽  
Jie Song ◽  
Xing Lin Feng
Keyword(s):  
Information Overload ◽  
Approximation Methods ◽  
Ranking Problem ◽  
Internet Applications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Value Function Approximation ◽  
Ranking Algorithms ◽  
Physician Rating ◽  
Digital Healthcare

PurposeDigital healthcare has become one of the most important Internet applications in the recent years, and digital platforms have been acting as interfaces between the patients and physicians. Although these technologies enhance patient convenience, they create new challenges in platform management. For instance, on physician rating websites, information overload negatively influences patients' decision-making in relation to selecting a physician. This scenario calls for an automated mechanism to provide real-time rankings of physicians. Motivated by an online healthcare platform, this study develops a method to deliver physician ranking on platforms by considering patients' browse behaviors and the capacities of service resources.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a probabilistic model for explicitly capturing the browse behaviors of patients. Since the large volume of information in digital systems makes it intractable to solve the dynamic ranking problem, we design a ranking with value approximation algorithm that combines a greedy ranking policy and the value function approximation methods.FindingsThe authors found that the approximation methods are quite effective in dealing with the ranking optimization on the digital healthcare system, and it is mainly because the authors incorporate the patient behaviors and patient availability in the model.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to present solutions to the dynamic physician ranking problem. The ranking algorithms can also help platforms improve system and operational performance.

An agent-based supplier selection framework

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 180-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Jahani ◽  
Masrah Azrifah Azmi Murad ◽  
Md. Nasir bin Sulaiman ◽  
Mohd. Hasan Selamat
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Case Based Reasoning ◽  
Multi Agent Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Common Framework ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Case Based

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach that integrates three complementary perspectives, multi-agent systems, fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning. Unsatisfied customers, information overload and high uncertainty are the main challenges that are faced by today’s supply chains. In addition, a few existing agent-based approaches are tied to real-world supply chain functions like supplier selection. These approaches are static and do not adequately take the qualitative and quantitative factors into consideration. Therefore, an agent-based framework is needed to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed approach integrates three complementary perspectives, multi-agent systems, fuzzy logic and case-based reasoning, as a common framework. These perspectives were rarely used together as a common framework in previous studies. Furthermore, an exploratory case study in an office furniture company is undertaken to illustrate the value of the framework. Findings – The proposed agent-based framework evaluates supply offers based on customers’ preferences, recommends alternative products in the case of stock-out and provides a collaborative environment among agents who represent different supply chain entities. The proposed fuzzy case-based reasoning (F-CBR) approach reduces the information overload by organizing them into the relevant cases that causes less overall search between cases. In addition, its fuzzy aspect addresses the high uncertainty of supply chains, especially when there are different customers’ orders with different preferences. Research limitations/implications – The present study does not include the functions of inventory management and negotiation between agents. Furthermore, only the case description and case retrieval phases of the case-based reasoning approach are investigated, and the remaining phases like case retaining, case reusing and case revising are not included in the scope of this paper. Originality/value – This framework balances the interests of different supply chain structural elements where each of them is represented by a specific agent for better collaboration, decision-making and problem-solving in a multi-agent environment. In addition, the supplier selection and order gathering mechanisms are developed based on customers’ orders.

The use and non-use of the government financial report by Maltese Members of Parliament

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1124-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josette Caruana ◽  
Brady Farrugia
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Report ◽  
Members Of Parliament ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Questionnaire Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the use and non-use of the Government Financial Report by Maltese Members of Parliament (MPs). It refers to information overload theory to analyse the gap between financial reports and their relevance for decision making. Design/methodology/approach A mix of qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire) research tools are applied, with the Maltese MPs being the research participants. This method is acclaimed to be comprehensive, but this study highlights certain disadvantages when applied in the political arena. Findings The characteristics of the information itself could be the main cause of information overload, resulting in the non-use of the financial report for decision making. Politicians refer to financial data for their decision making, but not to the data presented in the financial report. Irrespective of the politician’s professional background, the data in the financial report is perceived as incomplete and outdated. Practical implications The cause of information overload and its effects are important considerations for preparers of financial information and accounting standard setters, if they wish that their production is relevant for decision makers. Originality/value There is an increase in research concerning politicians’ use of budgetary and performance information, at local and regional levels of government. This study investigates exclusively the use of the financial report by politicians at central level, in a politically stable environment.

An empirical investigation of the continuance intention using the bullet curtain

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengdi Wang ◽  
Dong Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Online Video ◽  
Continuance Intention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Effect

PurposeIn accordance with Bagozzi’s self-regulation theory, the aim of this paper is to explore the enablers and inhibitors of continuance intention from the perspective of bullet curtain, a new form of commentary on online video websites.Design/methodology/approachA total of 350 questionnaires were collected for the final analysis (covering 101 questionnaires for the pilot test) from China’s bullet curtain website. To analyze the model, the authors adopted SmartPLS 3.2, a structural equation modeling software.FindingsAs the results suggest, there is a positive correlation between satisfaction and continuance intention and a negative association between social network fatigue and continuance intention. In addition, synchronicity between the comments and video content, a dimension of synchronicity proposed in this study, improves the satisfaction. Furthermore, information overload significantly intensify social network fatigue.Practical implicationsThe results help bullet curtain providers offer better interactive environment and improve websites’ functions to stimulate users.Originality/valueBy combining positive effect and negative effect of commentary, this study investigates Bagozzi’s theory in a context of bullet curtain. Besides, combinations of these factors help to gain insights in how the bullet curtain works in online video websites. These offer useful guidelines for managers to optimize a better system.

Uberization in Paris – the issue of trust between a digital platform and digital workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Wentrup ◽  
H. Richard Nakamura ◽  
Patrik Ström
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Market Entry ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Foreign Market ◽  
General Assumption ◽  
Foreign Market Entry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Digital Platform

Purpose Using the lens of Uber’s digital workers in Paris, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how the trust-building mechanism is constructed between a digital platform and its digital workers in a foreign market entry. Design/methodology/approach This is a case study based on empirical data from in-depth interviews with 35 Uber drivers. A cross-disciplinary literature framework from mainly international business and internet geography theory and a reflexive qualitative methodology are applied. Findings Results show that the relationship between the digital platform and the digital workers is characterized by mistrust and suffers from decreasing commitment levels soon after market entry. Uber mitigates its mistrust via control and scarce mechanisms. The digital drivers’ “illusionary freedom”, a state in which they feel they can log on and log off at any time, enables the digital platform to gradually lower its commitment. The authors find that the mistrust does not seem to hamper the digital platform’s business performance. Research limitations/implications The paper mainly covers the digital workers’ perspective and the case of Uber’s market entry in Paris. Social implications This paper implies that digitally conveyed control seems to come at the cost of lowered human trust. Given the pace at which digital control systems are permeating society, this could eventually lower the whole societal trust level. Originality/value The authors criticize incumbent international business theory for not being sufficiently able to explain a contemporary digital business logic and the authors challenge the general assumption that successful internationalization is built through trust. The authors contribute with the conceptualization of a new technical market entry mode for digital platforms – “digitally controlled proxies”.

scholarly journals The role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in sharing economy post-adoption

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Oliveira ◽  
Iolanda Barbeitos ◽  
Antonela Calado
Keyword(s):  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Continuance Intention ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine use and sharing economy (SE) continuance intention, and the mediation effects of use between individuals' motivations and SE continuance intention. A theoretical model is developed to explain use and SE continuance intention as intrinsic and extrinsic motivated behaviour, as proposed by self-determination theory. Factors are derived from SE context and supported by published research on SE.Design/methodology/approachThe partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) technique is used to test the model in a quantitative study involving 256 users of SE services.FindingsFindings suggest that use and SE continuance can be explained by concurrent intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Moreover, high environmental concerns may restrain the use of SE services. Findings show that continuance intention is influenced by current use of SE services. Moreover, the study emphasizes the mediation effect of use between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and SE continuance intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis of use behaviour should be complemented with other measures of use and with data provided by qualitative methods of research. Further research should also consider the effect of different control variables and mediation effects.Practical implicationsBrand managers and companies providing services through digital platforms should address individuals' needs in order to stimulate voluntary engagement in persistent SE practices.Social implicationsThis study informs the consumer in general so that the SE can develop its potential alongside an economy based on the ownership of private property.Originality/valueThis study extends findings on continuance intention research by offering internal motivation factors as predictors of post-adoption behaviour and emphasizes the role of use on SE continuance intention.

Strategic framework showcasing Greece in the Chinese tourism market

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soultana Tania Kapiki ◽  
Jing Fu ◽  
Lei Mou
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
The Body ◽  
Western China ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Strategic Framework ◽  
Active Player ◽  
Chinese Tourists

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to take a holistic view of the body of knowledge of the second wave of Chinese outbound tourists so as to develop a strategic framework towards positioning Greece in the China outbound tourism market. Design/methodology/approach – The survey adopted a perspective from knowledge management, investigating a deeper understanding of the knowledge about, from and for the Chinese tourists, and Greece was taken as a case study. An online survey with quantitative aspects was conducted from October 2013 to January 2014. Findings – The knowledge about the Chinese tourists depicts a young, well-educated segment with a predominance of female and western China residents. The knowledge from the Chinese tourists reveals that they prefer: visiting islands and heritage sites; safety while travelling; a faster visa process; a direct flight between China and Greece; and making a trip combined with other Schengen countries. The knowledge for the Chinese tourists indicates that purchasing tourism products/services online provides better price, is enjoyable, convenient and time-saving; and the top five digital platforms often used are Ctrip, Qunar, QQ, Weibo and WeChat, which could be effective tools for the promotion of Greek tourism in China. Originality/value – This research offers a first step to investigate the knowledge of Chinese tourists for the destination of Greece. The findings help to propose a strategic knowledge framework for the Greek tourism authorities so that Greece can become a more active player in the Chinese outbound tourism market.

Legitimacy building of digital platforms in the informal economy: evidence from Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eko Heru Prasetyo
Keyword(s):  
Informal Economy ◽  
Chief Executive Officers ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Bottom Of The Pyramid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Executive Officers ◽  
Start Ups

Purpose This study aims to investigate how digital entrepreneurs develop platforms business models under an unregulated market and what approach they take to address informal economy (IE) activities. Design/methodology/approach The author used a qualitative method by interviewing sixteen respondents, including founders, Chief Executive Officers, and managers of digital-driven start-ups in Indonesia. I then analysed the interviews into several codes and themes for further discussion. Findings This study reveals distinctive approaches performed by startups within three-level institutions, namely, users, market and regulation. Each level represents digital entrepreneurs’ unique behaviour, which the author described as collective, narrative and compliant. Research limitations/implications This paper demonstrates that digital entrepreneurs leveraging informal sectors contribute to the process of formalisation. However, the author emphasise less on how it impacts informality and who receives incentives. Practical implications This study suggests appropriate strategies for entrepreneurs who build and develop a platform beyond immature setting and unveils different directions to comprehend their legitimacy building. Social implications This study also elucidates political implications such as how the dynamics between regulators’ response and entrepreneurs’ reaction shape the new regulative environment. An idea of self-regulate – entrepreneurs as actors instead of a subject of regulation – might be suitable to reflect how they overcome the bottom of the pyramid using technology innovation. Originality/value While previous studies focused primarily on sharing economy, this study provides a different array of discussion on the digitalisation of the informal economy in emerging markets.

Lean resilience: AURA (Active Usage of Resilience Assets) framework for post-COVID-19 supply chain management

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Operations Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Supply Chain Resilience ◽  
Resilience Capabilities

PurposeSupply chain resilience capabilities are usually considered in light of some anticipated events and are as passive assets, which are “waiting” for use in case of an emergency. This, however, can be inefficient. Moreover, the current COVID-19 pandemic has revealed difficulties in the timely deployments of resilience assets and their utilization for value creation. We present a framework that consolidates different angles of efficient resilience and renders utilization of resilience capabilities for creation of value.Design/methodology/approachWe conceptualise the design of the AURA (Active Usage of Resilience Assets) framework for post-COVID-19 supply chain management through collating the extant literature on value creation-oriented resilience and practical examples and complementing our analysis with a discussion of practical implementations.FindingsBuilding upon and integrating the existing frameworks of VSC (Viable Supply Chain), RSC (Reconfigurable Supply Chain) and LCNSC (Low-Certainty-Need Supply Chain), we elaborate on a new idea in the AURA approach – to consider resilience as an inherent, active and value-creating component of operations management decisions, rather than as a passive “shield” to protect against rare, severe events. We identify 10 future research areas for lean resilience integrating management and digital platforms and technology.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of our study can be used by supply chain and operations managers to improve the efficiency and effectiveness by turning resilience from passive, cost-driving assets into a value-creating, inclusive decision-making paradigm.Originality/valueWe propose a novel approach to bring more dynamics to the notion of supply chain resilience. We name our approach AURA and articulate its two major advantages as follows: (1) reduction of disruption prediction efforts and (2) value creation from resilience assets. We offer a discussion on ten future research directions towards a lean resilience.

Gender-based cybercrime is likely to rise in India

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Data Protection ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Customer Base ◽  
Personal Data Protection ◽  
Online Safety ◽  
Data Protection Law ◽  
Gender Based

Significance The experience of surfing the net is vastly different for women, who have been disproportionately at the receiving end of cybercrimes that undermine their safety online. As elsewhere, the forms of online offence included bullying, stalking, impersonation and non-consensual pornography. Impacts Lack of online safety will limit the female customer base of digital platforms. Entrenched weaknesses of the judicial systems impede reporting and conviction of cybercrime. Civil society demands for a personal data protection law will rise.

Mastering the challenge of business ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Denning
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Digital Ecosystem ◽  
Business Ecosystems ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The author discusses the challenges of implementing a digital ecosystem, a way of transcending the boundaries of a firm to include additional producers to provide more value to customers and also by making customers active partners. Design/methodology/approach An ecosystem is intentionally organized to generate, facilitate and benefit from interactions rather than transactions. Findings The author explains how firms can make the customers active participants in creating and evolving the network by embracing the dynamic concept of an ecosystem. Practical/implications The ecosystem becomes more valuable to users as more users join. Originality/value Essential reading for executives experimenting with corporate digital platforms.

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