Impact of bookshelf locations using eye-tracking methodology

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 617-629
Author(s):  
Sho Sato ◽  
Yukari Eto ◽  
Kotomi Iwaki ◽  
Tadashi Oyanagi ◽  
Yu Yasuma
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
User Behavior ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Gaze Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Behaviors ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Vertical Location ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study aimed to understand better the user gaze behavior on bookshelves using eye-tracking technology.Design/methodology/approachAn eye-tracking experiment in a public library with 11 participants was performed. The impact of vertical shelf location of books on the number of times the books are looked at, the impact of horizontal location and the relationship between user behavior and location impact were examined by the findings.FindingsThe results showed that the vertical location of books has a significant impact on the number of times the books are looked at. More than 80% of the time spent looking at bookshelves was spent on books on the top to fourth rows. It was also revealed that the horizontal location of books has a little impact. Books located on the left side of shelves will be looked at significantly more often than those on the right side. No significant relationships between type of user behaviors and location impact were observed.Originality/valueThe study explored the impact of the vertical location of books on time spent looking at bookshelves using eye-tracking methodology. Few published studies do such experiments to address user gaze behavior on bookshelves. The study explored that the vertical location of books has a great impact, and horizontal location has a little impact on user gaze behavior.

Public libraries digital services and sustainability issues

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Michnik
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
Local Politicians ◽  
Physical Spaces ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how Swedish local politicians perceive the impact of public library digital services on public libraries and to discuss how this can affect the sustainable development of public libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local politicians from 19 different Swedish municipalities. Data were treated to qualitative content analysis and discussed based on the concept of sustainable organization. Findings – According to local politicians, public library digital services may affect public libraries through changes to libraries’ physical spaces, librarians’ tasks and competencies and libraries’ economic situations. Based on these findings, public library digital services can both strengthen and weaken public library sustainability through, for example, increased access and expenditures, the latter of which may threaten public library sustainability. Research limitations/implications – Interviews did not focus specifically on the politicians’ views on public library digital services but dealt generally with their views on public libraries. To identify reasons for variations in views on this topic, follow-up interviews should be done. Data on views from public library managers would also be of use to determine the degree to which they are shared with local politicians. Originality/value – When sustainability and public libraries are discussed, the focus is generally on the library’s contribution to a sustainable society. Here, the focus is instead on the sustainability of the public library itself.

Buyer-assisted lean intervention in supplier firms: a supplier development approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imranul Hoque
Keyword(s):  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Capability Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Capability ◽  
Lean Tools ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how buyer-assisted lean intervention in garment supplier factories affects garment suppliers' productivity and production capability development.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a qualitative research approach and a lean intervention design, a multiple case study method was adopted for this study. Quantitative data on productivity performance and qualitative data on production capability development were collected from a Danish buyer and their four corresponding garment suppliers. Collected data were analysed using standard lean measurement tools and qualitative data analysis techniques.FindingsThis study demonstrates that buyer-assisted lean intervention is a useful strategy for garment suppliers to enhance their productivity and production capability. However, suppliers need to select the right lean tools, ensure seriousness and commitment to lean initiatives, substantial involvement of top management and workers, arrange formal and informal training, provide performance-based financial/non-financial incentives and nurture a learning culture to facilitate suppliers' production capability development.Research limitations/implicationsThis study implemented few lean tools in a single sewing line in four supplier factories for a short intervention duration. Thus, there is a scope for future studies to investigate the impact of the lean intervention on a large scale.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study might bring new insights to the management of buyer and supplier firms concerning how buyers could involve in suppliers' lean intervention initiatives and what suppliers need to ensure to develop production capability.Originality/valueFor the first time, this study engaged a buyer in suppliers' lean intervention initiatives to improve productivity and production capability in the garment industry of a developing country.

Performance measurement and resource sharing among business sub-units in the presence of non-discretionary factors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Shakouri ◽  
Maziar Salahi
Keyword(s):  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Level ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Decision Making Unit ◽  
Efficiency Estimation ◽  
Overall Efficiency ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to apply a new approach for resource sharing and efficiency estimation of subunits in the presence of non-discretionary factors and partial impacts among inputs and outputs in the data envelopment analysis (DEA) framework. Design/methodology/approach First, inspired by the Imanirad et al.’s model (2013), the authors consider that each decision-making unit (DMU) may consist of several subunits, that each of which can be affected by non-discretionary inputs. After that, the Banker and Morey’s model (1996) is used for modeling non-discretionary factors. For measuring performance of several subunits, which can be considered as DMUs, the aggregate efficiency is suggested. At last, the overall efficiency is computed and compared with each other. Findings One of the important features of proposed model is that each output in this model applies discretionary input according to its need; therefore, the result of this study will make it easier for the managers to make better decisions. Also, it indicates that significant predictions of the development of the overall efficiency of DMUs can be based on observing the development level of subunits because of the influence of non-discretionary input. Therefore, the proposed model provides a more reasonable and encompassing measure of performance in participating non-discretionary and discretionary inputs to better efficiency. An application of the proposed model for gaining efficiency of 17 road patrols is provided. Research limitations/implications More non-discretionary and discretionary inputs can be taken into consideration for a better analysis. This study provides us with a framework for performance measures along with useful managerial insights. Focusing upon the right scope of operations may help out the management in improving their overall efficiency and performance. In the recent highway maintenance management systems, the environmental differences exist among patrols and other geotechnical services under the climate diverse. Further, in some cases, there might exist more than one non-discretionary factor that can have different effects on the subunits’ performance. Practical implications The purpose of this paper was to measure the performance of a set of the roadway maintenance crews and to analyze the impact of non-discretionary inputs on the efficiency of the roadway maintenance. The application of the proposed model, on the one hand, showed that each output in this model uses discretionary input according to its requirement, and on the other hand, the result showed that meaningful predictions of the development of the overall efficiency of DMUs can be based on observing the development level of subunits because of the impact of non-discretionary input. Originality/value Providing information on resource sharing by taking into account non-discretionary factors for each subunit can help managers to make better decisions to increase the efficiency.

scholarly journals Understanding the role of visual attention on wines’ purchase intention: an eye-tracking study

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-179
Author(s):  
Patrícia Monteiro ◽  
João Guerreiro ◽  
Sandra Maria Correia Loureiro
Keyword(s):  
Visual Attention ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Monitoring Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Perceptions ◽  
Consumption Situation ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Wine bottles compete for consumers’ attention in the shelf during the decisive moment of choice. This study aims to explore the role that visual attention to wine labels has on the purchase decision and the mediating role of quality perceptions and desire on such purchase behaviours. Wine awards and consumption situation are used as moderators.. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Portugal and 36 individuals participated in a 2 × 2 within subjects design (awarded/not awarded × self-consumption/social-consumption). For each scenario, individuals’ attention, perceptions of quality, desire and purchase intentions were recorded. Findings Data from eye-tracking shows that, during the purchase process, the amount of attention given to a bottle is determinant of individuals’ purchase intentions, a relationship that increases in significance for bottles with awards and for when consumers are buying wine for a consumption situation involving a social environment. In addition, both quality perceptions and desire are confirmed to positively influence wines’ purchase intentions. Originality/value By using an eye monitoring method, this paper brings new insights into the wine industry by highlighting the impact that wines’ labels and different consumption situations have on individuals’ attention and purchase intention. Wine producers and retailers may benefit from the insights provided by the current study to refine their communication strategies by either highlighting product characteristics and pictorial elements, as it is the case of the awards, or communicating about their products for different consumption situations.

scholarly journals Finding the right management approach in independent hotels

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 2862-2883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Nazarian ◽  
Peter Atkinson ◽  
Pantea Foroudi ◽  
Karen Dennis
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Effectiveness ◽  
Independent Hotels ◽  
The Right ◽  
Reward Mechanism ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to identify factors that managers can influence to improve effectiveness by examining the relationship between leadership and effectiveness in small and medium-sized independent hotels. Design/methodology/approach In total, 272 valid questionnaires were collected from managers of 83 small and medium-sized independent hotels in the Netherlands by using selective and snowball sampling techniques. A two-stage structural equation modelling approach was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Surprisingly, in contradiction to previous studies, neither transactional nor transformational leadership had a direct effect on organisational effectiveness. Instead, the effect was through the intervening variables of ability to acquire resources and reward mechanisms. Research limitations/implications The contradiction between this and previous studies may be due to the fact that constructs used in this study do not have the universal applicability that is customarily assumed and further investigation is needed. Practical implications This study suggests that managers in this type of hotel, first, should be adaptable in their leadership style and not rely on transactional leadership alone; second, managers must pay attention to resource acquisition; and third, managers must retain staff by using the right reward mechanism. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature of leadership and effectiveness in small and medium-sized independent hotels by being the first to focus on the impact of ability to acquire resources and reward mechanism. It also makes an important contribution to the growing body of hospitality literature that probes the supposed universal validity of organisational studies’ constructs.

scholarly journals The impact of product presentation on decision-making and purchasing

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosy Boardman ◽  
Helen McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Target Market ◽  
Consumer Decision Making ◽  
Consumer Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Presentation ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how apparel product presentation influences consumer decision-making and whether there are any differences between age groups. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methodology was used including eye-tracking and qualitative in-depth interviews, with a purposive sample of 50 participants between age 20 and 70. Findings A higher number of product presentation features resulted in increased positive visual, cognitive and affective responses as consumers wanted as much visual information as possible to aid decision-making. Images of models attracted the most attention and were the most influential product presentation feature, followed by mannequin images and the zoom function. The 20 s spent much less time viewing and interacting with the product presentation features than middle age groups (30 s-50 s), had minimal fixations on mannequin images and had a much quicker decision-making process than other age groups. Practical implications The research informs retailers which product presentation features are the most effective for their target market to aid consumer decision-making with the aim of reducing returns. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by providing more in-depth insights than previous studies into the impact of online product presentation on consumer decision-making by using qualitative research and eye-tracking. The research also explores more product presentation features than previous research and investigates the presentation of apparel products, which are notoriously the most difficult products for consumers to assess online. The research is unique in its exploration of age differences in relation to product presentation features.

Step-exchange strategy for balance control of a walking biped under a lateral impact

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 456-464
Author(s):  
Yeoun-Jae Kim ◽  
Joon-Yong Lee ◽  
Ju-Jang Lee
Keyword(s):  
External Force ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Biped Robot ◽  
Conservation Equation ◽  
Hill Climbing ◽  
Lateral Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Double Support ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper aims to present a step-exchange strategy for balance control of a walking biped robot when a lateral impact acts suddenly. A step-out strategy has been recently proposed for balance control when an unknown lateral force acts to a biped robot during walking. This step-out strategy causes a robot to absorb the impact kinetic energy and efficiently maintain balance without falling down. Nevertheless, it was found that the previous strategies have drawbacks that the two foots should always be on the ground (double-support mode) after being balanced and the authors think it is difficult to continue walking after being balanced. Unlike the existing balance strategies, the proposed step-exchange strategy is to not only maintain balance but also to lift one leg in the air (single-support mode) after being balanced so that it is easy for a biped robot to keep walking after being balanced. Design/methodology/approach – In the proposed step-exchange strategy, forward Newton–Euler equation, angular momentum and energy conservation equation were derived. Hill-climbing algorithm is utilized for numerically finding a solution. To verify the proposed strategy, a biped robot by Open Dynamics Engine was stimulated, and experiments with a real biped robot (LRH-1) were also conducted. Findings – The proposed step-exchange strategy enables a walking biped robot under a lateral impact to keep balance and to keep a single-support mode after exchanging a leg. It is helpful for a biped robot to continue walking without any stop. It is found that the proposed step-exchange strategy can be applicable for maintaining balance even if a biped robot is moving. Even though this proposal seems immature yet, it is the first attempt to exchange the supporting foot itself. This strategy is very straightforward and intuitive because humans are also likely to exchange their supporting foot onto the opposite side when an unexpected force is acting. Research limitations/implications – The proposed step-exchange strategy described in this paper can be applicable in the situation when the external force is applied in the +Y direction, the left leg is the swing leg and the right leg is the stance leg, or it can also be applicable in the situation when the external force is applied in −Y direction, the right leg is the swing leg and the left leg is the stance leg (Figure 2 for ±Y force direction). If an impact force acts to the side of the swing leg, the other step-exchange strategy is needed. The authors are studying this issue as a future work. Originality/value – The authors have originated the proposed step-exchange strategy for balance control of a walking biped robot under lateral impact. The strategy is genuine and superior in comparison with the state-of-the-art strategy because not only can a biped robot be balanced but it can also easily continue walking by using the step-exchange strategy.

Study shows psychological capital and work engagement mediate the impact of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on intentions to quit, creativity and extra-role performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 7-8
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Role Performance ◽  
Employee Outcomes ◽  
Customer Contact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The researchers wanted to examine the mediating factors operating in the “black box” between HPWS and employee outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The authors obtained their data from a variety of customer-contact employees, such as front desk agents, food servers and concierges, in four and five-star hotels in the Romanian cities of Sibiu and Bucharest. They sent out questionnaires measuring psychological capital, such as self-reliance, hope, resilience and optimism, as well as work engagement, creative performance and extra-role performance. Supervisors were also asked their opinions. Findings The analysis of customer-contact employees and their supervisors in the Romanian hotel industry suggested that psychological capital and work engagement were the two most important factors operating in the “black box” between HPWS and employee outcomes. Originality/value There is great value for businesses in the conclusions of the research. It shows how critical it is to establish various HPWS programs that boost engagement, as well as indicating the importance of providing job security and designing recruitment processes that root out people with the right skills.

The impact of perceived justice on satisfaction and behavioral intentions in service encounters – a comparison and validation study

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irma Magaña Carrillo ◽  
Göran Svensson ◽  
María del Carmen Otero Neira
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Service Satisfaction ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Justice ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Time Specific ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test a research model based on the cause-and-effect relationships between perceived justice, service satisfaction and behavioral intention. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a questionnaire survey with service receivers in the Mexican telecom industry. Findings There are significant relationships between international/distributive justice and service satisfaction, as well as between service satisfaction and behavioral intention. Research limitations/implications The research model tested appears not to be context- and time-specific, but valid across contexts and through time. Practical implications The cause-and-effect relationships between perceived justice, service satisfaction and behavioral intention provide useful insights into service recovery strategies. Originality/value This paper provides additional empirical substantiations to existing theory and previous studies.

The impact of fair value estimates on audit fees: evidence from the financial sector in Jordan

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rateb Mohammad Alqatamin ◽  
Ernest Ezeani
Keyword(s):  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Audit Fees ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Auditors ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study investigates the association between the estimates of fair value and external auditor's fees.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of 32 Jordanian financial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) over the period 2005–2018. We employ random effect models to test our hypothesis.FindingsWe found a positive relationship between audit fees and the proportion of fair value assets, which implies that external auditors are more likely to spend more effort for complex estimates, thereby increasing audit fees. We examined the relationship between audit fees and three levels of fair value inputs and found a positive relationship between the level of effort spent on assessment of higher uncertainty fair value inputs and audit fees. The findings are consistent with the expectation that more audit effort is required in a highly regulated environment due to the possibility of a higher cost of litigation.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study could be beneficial for a number of users of financial information, such as investors, regulators, auditors. This group of users might consider the results of this study when they are using a company's financial information, and consequently, better able to make the right decisions.Originality/valueAlthough prior studies have researched fair value, no study to date among developing countries has investigated its relationship with audit fees. This study, therefore, provides new empirical evidence that the complexity and risk of fair value estimates significantly influences auditors' motivation to expend additional effort, resulting in higher audit cost.

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