Service value optimization of cloud hosted systems using particle swarm technique

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 612-626
Author(s):  
Salah Eddin Murad ◽  
Salah Dowaji
Keyword(s):  
Service Provider ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Virtual Machines ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Mutual Influence ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Particle Swarm ◽  
Severity Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Model

Purpose – Cloud Computing has become a more promising technology with potential opportunities, through reducing the high cost of running the traditional business applications and by leading to new business models. Nonetheless, this technology is fraught with many challenges. From a Software as a Service (SaaS) provider perspective, deployment choices are one of the major perplexing issues in determining the degree to which the application owners’ objectives are met while considering their customers’ targets. The purpose of this paper is to present a new model that allows the service owner to optimize the resources selection based on defined metrics when responding to many customers’ with various priorities. Design/methodology/approach – More than 65 academic papers have been collected, a short list of the most related 35 papers have been reviewed, in addition to assessing the functionality of major cloud systems. A potential set of techniques has been investigated to determine the most appropriate ones. Moreover, a new model has been built and a study of different simulation platforms has been conducted. Findings – The findings demonstrate that serving many SaaS customer requests, with different agreements and expected outcomes, would have mutual influence that impact the overall provider objectives. Furthermore, this paper investigates how tagging those customers with various priorities, with reflection of their importance to the provider, permits controlling and aligning the selection of computing resources as per the current objectives and defined priorities. Research limitations/implications – This study provides researchers with a useful literature, which can assist them in relevant subject. Additionally, it uses a value-based approach and particle swarm technique to model and solve the optimization of the computing resource selection, considering different business objectives for both stakeholders, providers and customers. This study derives priority of a number of factors, by which service providers can make strong and adaptive decisions. Practical implications – The paper includes implications on how the SaaS service provider can make decisions to select the needed virtual machines type driven by his own preferences. Originality/value – This paper rests on the usage of Particle Swarm Optimization technique to optimize the business value of the service provider, as well as the usage of value-based approach. This will help model that value in order to combine the total profit of the provider and the customer satisfaction, based on the agreed budget and processing time requested by the customer. Another additional approach has been charted by using the customer severity factor that allows the provider to reflect the customer importance while making the placement decision.

Sustainable life cycle offers through cooperation

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Selberherr
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Business ◽  
Societal Level

Purpose – Sustainable buildings bear enormous potential benefits for clients, service providers, and our society. To release this potential a change in business models is required. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new business model with the objective of proactively contributing to sustainable development on the societal level and thereby improving the economic position of the service providers in the construction sector. Design/methodology/approach – The modeling process comprises two steps, the formal structuring and the contextual configuration. In the formal structuring systems theory is used and two levels are analytically separated. The outside view concerns the business model’s interaction with the environment and its impact on sustainability. The inside view focusses on efficient value creation for securing sustainability. The logically deductively developed business model is subsequently theory-led substantiated with Giddens’ structuration theory. Findings – The relevant mechanisms for the development of a new service offer, which creates a perceivable surplus value to the client and contributes to sustainable development on the societal level, are identified. The requirements for an efficient value creation process with the objective of optimizing the service providers’ competitive position are outlined. Research limitations/implications – The model is developed logically deductively based on literature and embedded in a theoretical framework. It has not yet been empirically tested. Practical implications – Guidelines for the practical implementation of more sustainable business models for the provision of life cycle service offers are developed. Social implications – The construction industry’s impact requires it to contribute proactively to a more sustainable development of the society. Originality/value – This paper analyzes the role for the players in the construction sector in proactively contributing to sustainable development on the societal level. One feasible strategy is proposed with a new business model, which aims at cooperatively optimizing buildings and infrastructures and taking the responsibility for the operating phase via guarantees.

scholarly journals Servitization strategies from customers’ perspective: the moderating role of co-creation

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 628-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
José L. Ruiz-Alba ◽  
Anabela Soares ◽  
Miguel A. Rodríguez-Molina ◽  
Dolores M. Frías-Jamilena
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the moderating role of co-creation in the implementation of servitization strategies in the pharmaceutical industry in a business-to-business (B-to-B) context. More specifically, this investigation explores the impact of different levels of services (base, intermediate and advanced) on servitization and on performance by using co-creation as a moderating factor. Design/methodology/approach A research framework was developed and empirically tested in the pharmaceutical sector. Data collection was conducted through the online distribution of questionnaires. The final sample included 219 pharmacy stores, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings Main findings suggest that when the level of co-creation of the design of services is high, there are significant effects of servitization on firm performance. The moderating effect of co-creation is illustrated in regard to intermediate and advanced services, but results referring to the impact of intermediate services on servitization appear non-significant with a low degree of co-creation. No significant effects could be found for the impact of base services on performance and servitization for both high and low degrees of co-creation. Findings show an impact of advanced services on performance through the mediating effect of servitization when the degree of co-creation is high. Originality/value Most research concerning servitization has been done from the perspective of manufacturers and service providers. This study adds value to the literature because it was designed from a customer’s perspective. Moreover, it contributes towards the conceptualization of the servitization research strategy and business models in a B2B context. This is accomplished through the investigation of the moderating effect of co-creation on the impact of the different levels of services on servitization and on performance.

Cloud Computing Service Provider Business Model Success Characteristics

2022 ◽  
pp. 124-148
Author(s):  
Ignitia Motjolopane ◽  
Tshinakaho Relebogile Seaba
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Cloud Computing Service ◽  
Information Technology Services ◽  
Successful Business

In a digital arena, information technology services provision is shifting to a cloud computing ecosystem. Cloud computing is an enabler for digital transformation with cloud computing service providers central to the digital transformation of both companies and higher education. As cloud computing service providers play the role of an ‘architect' for companies as supply chain is digitised and in supporting higher education institutions striving to deliver user-focused services in the face of increasing competition, an understanding of successful characteristics of cloud computing service provider business models is of main interest for providers and may also be of value for companies and higher education institutions when selecting cloud computing service providers. Despite the importance of cloud computing service providers' business models, information systems literature has provided limited analysis on the characteristics of successful business models. As such, the chapter aims to contribute to the emerging research on characteristics of successful business models.

An elephant herd grey wolf optimization (EHGWO) algorithm for load balancing in cloud

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-277
Author(s):  
Pooja Arora ◽  
Anurag Dixit
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Load Balancing ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Virtual Machines ◽  
Fitness Function ◽  
Optimization Technique ◽  
Grey Wolf Optimizer ◽  
Grey Wolf ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Computing Model

Purpose The advancements in the cloud computing has gained the attention of several researchers to provide on-demand network access to users with shared resources. Cloud computing is important a research direction that can provide platforms and softwares to clients using internet. However, handling huge number of tasks in cloud infrastructure is a complicated task. Thus, it needs a load balancing (LB) method for allocating tasks to virtual machines (VMs) without influencing system performance. This paper aims to develop a technique for LB in cloud using optimization algorithms. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a hybrid optimization technique, named elephant herding-based grey wolf optimizer (EHGWO), in the cloud computing model for LB by determining the optimal VMs for executing the reallocated tasks. The proposed EHGWO is derived by incorporating elephant herding optimization (EHO) in grey wolf optimizer (GWO) such that the tasks are allocated to the VM by eliminating the tasks from overloaded VM by maintaining the system performance. Here, the load of physical machine (PM), capacity and load of VM is computed for deciding whether the LB has to be done or not. Moreover, two pick factors, namely, task pick factor (TPF) and VM pick factor (VPF), are considered for choosing the tasks for reallocating them from overloaded VM to underloaded VM. The proposed EHGWO decides the task to be allocated in the VM based on the newly derived fitness functions. Findings The minimum load and makespan obtained in the existing methods, constraint measure based LB (CMLB), fractional dragonfly based LB algorithm (FDLA), EHO, GWO and proposed EHGWO for the maximum number of VMs is illustrated. The proposed EHGWO attained minimum makespan with value 814,264 ns and minimum load with value 0.0221, respectively. Meanwhile, the makespan values attained by existing CMLB, FDLA, EHO, GWO, are 318,6896 ns, 230,9140 ns, 1,804,851 ns and 1,073,863 ns, respectively. The minimum load values computed by existing methods, CMLB, FDLA, EHO, GWO, are 0.0587, 0.026, 0.0248 and 0.0234. On the other hand, the proposed EHGWO with minimum load value is 0.0221. Hence, the proposed EHGWO attains maximum performance as compared to the existing technique. Originality/value This paper illustrates the proposed LB algorithm using EHGWO in a cloud computing model using two pitch factors, named TPF and VPF. For initiating LB, the tasks assigned to the overloaded VM are reallocated to under loaded VMs. Here, the proposed LB algorithm adapts capacity and loads for the reallocation. Based on TPF and VPF, the tasks are reallocated from VMs using the proposed EHGWO. The proposed EHGWO is developed by integrating EHO and GWO algorithm using a new fitness function formulated by load of VM, migration cost, load of VM, capacity of VM and makespan. The proposed EHGWO is analyzed based on load and makespan.

scholarly journals Understanding technology mediation and new service provider roles in health care

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasia Daskalopoulou ◽  
Kathy Keeling ◽  
Rowan Pritchard Jones
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Advance Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Care Service Providers

PurposeService research holds that as services become more technology dominated, new service provider roles emerge. On a conceptual level, the potential impact of different roles has been discussed with regard to service provider readiness, job performance and overall experience. However, as yet, there is sparse empirical support for these conceptual interpretations. The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the new service provider roles that emerge due to the increase of technology mediation in services.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows a qualitative methodology. Insights are drawn from in-depth interviews with 32 junior and senior health-care service providers (across 12 specialties) and 5 information governance/management staff.FindingsThis analysis illustrates that new service provider roles include those of the enabler, differentiator, innovator, coordinator and sense-giver. By adopting these roles, health-care service providers reveal that they can encourage, support and advance technology mediation in services across different groups/audiences within their organizations (e.g. service delivery level, peer-to-peer level, organizational level). This paper further shows the relationships between these new service provider roles.Originality/valueThis study contributes to theory in technology-mediated services by illustrating empirically the range of activities that constitute each role. It also complements prior work by identifying that service providers adopt the additional role of sense-giver. Finally, this paper provides an understanding of how by taking on these roles service providers can encourage, support and advance technology mediation in services across different groups/audiences in their organization.

scholarly journals Factors influencing trust and behavioral intention to use Airbnb service innovation in three ASEAN countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-188
Author(s):  
Evelyn Lim Chua ◽  
Jason Lim Chiu ◽  
Candy Lim Chiu
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioral Intention To Use

Purpose The sharing economy is described as a community marketplace, particularly home sharing such as Airbnb, which is more prevalent. Airbnb changed the way renters and tourists find places to stay when they are traveling. The company introduced innovations in business models and technologies. So, Airbnb requires specific factors that will influence consumers’ trust because consumers intuitively seek out trusting factors to make judgments on innovative service providers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to understand the factors that influence travelers’ trust to use Airbnb within the three ASEAN nations. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from both qualitative and quantitative methods. The questionnaire was the main data-gathering instrument used in this study and supplemented by informal interviews. A self-administered questionnaire was provided to 130 Airbnb users from the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore using Hayes’ Process Macro as the statistical tool. Findings The correlation test was carried out to determine the strength and relationships among the independent, mediating and dependent variables. All independent variables are positively correlated with the mediating variable. The results reveal that ease of use, convenience, information social influence, normative social influence and security have a significant impact on trust and behavioral intention to use Airbnb. Originality/value This study contributes to the field of sharing economy, particularly home sharing, by examining different factors that influence trust and behavioral intention. This study focused on the case of Southeast Asian consumers, so this study is useful for marketing practitioners to enhance their marketing strategies in catering to this segment of the market.

scholarly journals “We(b)care”

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 486-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Dens ◽  
Patrick De Pelsmacker ◽  
Nathalia Purnawirawan
Keyword(s):  
Service Provider ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Trust ◽  
Patronage Intentions

Purpose – Consumers often discuss brands and companies online, but no research details how service providers’ responses to online reviews influence other readers’ perceptions of the reviews and responses. Based on justice theory and the accountability principle, both integrated in equity theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine how service providers should react to different degrees of negative reviews to enhance readers’ attitudes, patronage intentions, and intentions to spread positive word of mouth. Design/methodology/approach – A 3 (review set balance: positive, neutral, negative) × 6 (response strategy) full-factorial between-subjects experiment included 973 respondents. Findings – More negative balance demands more effort from the service provider to create positive attitudes and encourage behavioural intentions. If a minority of reviewers are dissatisfied, no response is necessary; if the review set is neutral, the service provider should apologize and promise to resolve the problem; if a majority of reviewers are dissatisfied, the most effective response includes both an apology, promise and compensation. These effects are mediated by readers’ perceived trust in the response. Word of mouth also requires more effort than favourable attitudes or patronage intentions. Research limitations/implications – This research reflects the authors’ choices with regard to review set balance and managerial responses, which ensure internal validity but may limit external validity. Originality/value – This study applies offline service recovery strategies to an online review context. It also explicitly incorporates the bystander (potential customer) perspective.

Interactive gaps and cause-effect-outcomes in processes and interfaces of teleological service encounters

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-271
Author(s):  
Göran Svensson ◽  
Carmen Padin
Keyword(s):  
Service Provider ◽  
Critical Incidents ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Learning Curves ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interactive Interface ◽  
Complaint Handling ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Outcome Sequence

Purpose The study aims to describe the interactive gaps between service receiver learning curves and service provider adaptive curves, as well as the cause-effect-outcome in processes and interfaces of service encounters, through the perspective of teleological actions. Design/methodology/approach This paper includes a qualitative study based on non-probability sampling of informants (air passengers). Findings The empirical findings indicate interactive gaps in teleological service encounters and a cause-effect-outcome sequence in the associated processes and interfaces. Research limitations/implications The study provides knowledge on how to manage the interactive interface between a service provider and a service receiver and a foundation for enhancing complaint handling in service encounters after critical incidents have occurred. Practical implications Service providers need to balance their teleological actions in relation to the service receivers’ teleological actions when critical incidents occur. Originality/value The paper takes into account service receiver teleological learning curves in relation to service provider teleological adaptive curves in an interactive transformative service encounter (TSE)-model that provides multiple opportunities for further research.

Accounting for needs? Formula funding in the UK schools sector

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Agyemang
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Local Education Authority ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Funding Formula ◽  
Formula Funding ◽  
Education Authority ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse whether the development of a needs‐based funding formula for resource allocation incorporates the needs of funders or the needs of the service providers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses interview data and documentary evidence gathered from a UK local education authority about the creation of a “needs‐based” formula for sharing resources to schools. It employs and extends a framework developed by Levačić and Ross to evaluate needs‐based formula funding.FindingsAlthough formula funding is purported to be a more objective method of resource allocation, the paper finds that as with other resource allocation methods the power relations between the funder and the service provider impacts on the extent to which service provider needs are incorporated into the funding formula.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper considers only the funding of schools. Further work is needed to investigate formula funding for other public services.Practical implicationsDebates between funders and service providers should be encouraged by policy makers to ensure that allocations based on the funding formula are acceptable to service providers.Originality/valueThe paper provides a useful analysis of a needs‐based funding formula for resource allocation in schools and whether this incorporates the needs of funders or the needs of the service providers.

Tourism will settle to a new normal after the pandemic

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Infrastructure Investment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mass Tourism ◽  
Business Ecosystem ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Tourism Service ◽  
Catalytic Effects

Subject Tourism outlook. Significance Tourism accounts for about 10% of global GDP and jobs, when direct, indirect, induced and catalytic effects are considered. The pandemic and associated travel restrictions have severely hit tourism and its business ecosystem. Social distancing will be enforced where possible until there is a vaccine or effective treatment, with major economic and social ramifications. It potentially threatens the wide accessibility of tourism. Impacts Mass tourism will become more expensive and could even be constrained by government policy. Tourism service providers will have to restructure their revenue management models to achieve higher yields with fewer customers. Destinations will rebrand to promote the benefits of lower tourist numbers; health-related infrastructure investment will grow. Sectors associated with tourism, such as construction and travel insurance, will need to adapt their business models carefully.

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