Optimisation of geotechnical surveys using a BIM-based geostatistical analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Mahmoudi ◽  
Marcel Stepien ◽  
Markus König
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Data Structures ◽  
Digital Design ◽  
Ground Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Environments ◽  
Spatial Estimation ◽  
Computational Performance ◽  
Geological Models ◽  
The Impact

PurposeA principle prerequisite for designing and constructing an underground structure is to estimate the subsurface's properties and obtain a realistic picture of stratigraphy. Obtaining direct measure of these values in any location of the built environment is not affordable. Therefore, any evaluation is afflicted with uncertainty, and we need to combine all available measurements, observations and previous knowledge to achieve an informed estimate and quantify the involved uncertainties. This study aims to enhance the geotechnical surveys based on a spatial estimation of subsoil to customised data structures and integrating the ground models into digital design environments.Design/methodology/approachThe present study's objective is to enhance the geotechnical surveys based on a spatial estimation of subsoil to customised data structures and integrating the ground models into digital design environments. A ground model consisting of voxels is developed via Revit-Dynamo to represent spatial uncertainties employing the kriging interpolation method. The local arrangement of new surveys are evaluated to be optimised.FindingsThe visualisation model's computational performance is modified by using an octree structure. The results show that it adapts the structure to be modelled more efficiently. The proposed concept can identify the geological models' risky locations for further geological investigations and reveal an optimised experimental design. The modifications criteria are defined in global and local considerations.Originality/valueIt provides a transparent and repeatable approach to construct a spatial ground model for subsequent experimental or numerical analysis. In the first attempt, the ground model was discretised by a grid of voxels. In general, the required computing time primarily depends on the size of the voxels. This issue is addressed by implementing octree voxels to reduce the computational efforts. This applies especially to the cases that a higher resolution is required. The investigations using a synthetic soil model showed that the developed methodology fulfilled the kriging method's requirements. The effects of variogram parameters, such as the range and the covariance function, were investigated based on some parameter studies. Moreover, a synthetic model is used to demonstrate the optimal experimental design concept. Through the implementation, alternative locations for new boreholes are generated, and their uncertainties are quantified. The impact of the new borehole on the uncertainty measures are quantified based on local and global approaches. For further research to identify the geological models' risky spots, the development of this approach with additional criteria regarding the search neighbourhood and consideration of barriers and trends in real cases (by employing different interpolation methodologies) should be considered.

The mediating effects of program loyalty in loyalty rewards programs: an experimental design in coffee shops

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pınar Başgöze ◽  
Yaprak Atay ◽  
Selin Metin Camgöz ◽  
Lydia Hanks
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Loyalty Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Perception ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of reward structure on the customer's value perception of the program, loyalty to the program and loyalty to the firm.Design/methodology/approachA 2 (type of reward) x 2 (timing of redemption) between subjects experimental design was conducted. In addition, the indirect effect of the customer's value perception of the program on loyalty to the firm via loyalty to the program is tested with Hayes and Preacher's mediation procedure.FindingsStudy results indicated that type of reward has a positive impact on the perceived value of a loyalty program. Program loyalty mediates the relationship between the perceived value of the loyalty program and customer loyalty, as well as the relationship between type of reward and customer loyalty.Originality/valueThe findings of this study demonstrate the importance of the type and timing of loyalty program rewards on customer perceptions of the value of the loyalty program. In addition, this study is a step forward in providing a deep understanding of the impact of such perceptions on loyalty. These findings fill a number of research gaps and provide tangible guidance for practitioners.

Designing with pixels: parametric thinking for patterning dynamic building facades

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 668-688
Author(s):  
Zaki Mallasi
Keyword(s):  
Design Thinking ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Digital Design ◽  
Blue Color ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Surface Geometry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Facade ◽  
Building Facades ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Advances in digital design tools enable exploration and generation of dynamic building facades. However, some processes are formally prescribed and manually driven to only visualize the design concepts. The purpose of this paper is to present a proactive framework for integrating parametric design thinking, paying particular attention to building facade patterning. Design/methodology/approach This work developed the PatternGen© add-on in Autodesk® Revit which utilizes an analytical image data (AID) overlay approach as a data source to dynamically pattern the building facade. The add-on was used to manipulate the placement rules of curtain panels on facade surface geometry. As means of validating this research model, a real-life design project has been chosen to illustrate the practical application of this approach. Feedback and observations from a short end-user questionnaire assessed qualitatively the facade patterning and panelization approach. Findings The proposed merge (or overlay) of AID images can be used as a parametric thinking method rather than just theory to generate and articulate dynamic facade design. The facade panelization responds to an AID that resembles design-performance data (e.g. solar exposure, interior privacy importance and aesthetics). Originality/value This work identifies a form of parametric thinking defined as the expression of geometrical relationships and its configuration dependent on the AID pixel Red Green Blue color source values. In this type of thinking, it explores the impact of the digital process and parametric thinking utility when driven by an AID overlay. The framework highlighted the practical application of AID pixel approach within a digital process to benefit both designers and computational tools developer on emerging design innovations.

scholarly journals Branded premiums in tourism destination promotion

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shasha Wang ◽  
Arnold Japutra ◽  
Sebastián Molinillo
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brand Name ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the influence of branded premiums or branded free gifts (e.g. a free of charge suitcase of a well-recognised brand) on tourism destination promotion. Specifically, the impact of brand name and price value of a branded premium on promoting a tourism destination was examined. Design/methodology/approach This research uses two experiment-based studies, applying a between-group experimental design. Findings The results revealed that appreciation leads to intention to visit the promoted destination when the branded promotion is offered. When a destination promotional offer contains a branded premium, consumers respond more favourably to the brand name of the premium than the price value of the premium. This finding applies to consumers’ responses to both the destination and the premium. Research limitations/implications This research adds to the body of knowledge on tourism destination promotion and the branding literature, specifically with promotional and branded premiums. Practical implications Mutual benefits can be obtained by both tourism destination marketers and premium marketers. Originality/value This research highlights the importance of branded premiums in tourism destination promotional offers. This research also shows the influence of the price value of a premium’s brand name in a tourism destination promotional offer.

Social responsibility in tourism: system archetypes approach

Kybernetes ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 587-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjana Pejic Bach ◽  
Jovana Zoroja ◽  
Marjana Merkac-Skok
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourism Destinations ◽  
System Archetypes ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Tourism has become one of the world's major industries measured in terms of turnover, the number of employees and foreign currency earnings, having at the same time a huge impact on the environment. However, the future development of tourism depends on today's decisions that often do not take into account the positive and the negative impact on the tourism destinations' environment with long-term consequences that are not easily undone. System archetypes are generic structures that are responsible for generic patterns of behavior over time, especially behavior that is counterintuitive. The article aims to explore the possible use of system archetypes in order to increase socially responsible (SR), i.e. systemic thinking and behavior of tourism business organizations, based on the requisite holism theory. Design/methodology/approach – The experimental design methodology has been used in order to test the assumption that individuals familiar with the system archetypes will be more likely to believe that tourism business organizations that operate in tourism destinations should be involved in attaining SR goals. Participants included managers, public authorities and community representatives and were divided into an experiment and a control group. The experiment group was exposed to a workshop on system archetypes, while the control group had no treatment. Structured quantitative interviews were used in order to test differences in attitudes and beliefs on SR of tourism business organizations among the experiment and the control group members. Findings – Natural environment of tourism destinations as tourism's essential resource is often destroyed due to the lack of SR. The research results indicate that the exposure of individuals to system archetypes increased the understanding of importance of SR behavior of tourism business organizations. System archetypes increased individuals' comprehension of the fact that the non-linear causal relationship, time delay and hidden structures of the systems generate complex behavior resulting in damage to the natural environment of tourism destinations. Research limitations/implications – The survey research on a restricted number of subjects was applied. In order to overcome limitations of such an approach, the rigor procedure for data collection and analysis was used. Practical implications – Managers of tourism business organizations could use system archetypes to analyse the impact of their activities on tourism destinations environment and thus improve the social responsibility of their decisions. The authors propose the formation of system archetypes and their applications repository in an organized environment to enhance understanding of SR behavior of tourism business organizations. Originality/value – The authors used experimental design in order to test whether exposure of stakeholders' to system archetypes changes their attitudes regarding SR, with the goal to increase the understanding of various conflicts that emerge from the fact that tourism depends on unspoiled environment and at the same time tourism is a potential polluter. Available literature offers no similar applications of the system archetype approach to systemic behavior via SR in tourism.

Knowledge mobilisation in sub-Saharan Africa: an impact evaluation of CPDL in improving primary school children’s performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Mason ◽  
David Galloway
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Knowledge Mobilisation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

PurposeA non-governmental organisation (NGO) with schools in Sierra Leone prioritises admission of the most disadvantaged children but nevertheless achieves high educational and social standards. These schools were asked to provide continuing professional development and learning (CPDL) for other schools. This paper aims to report the design, development and delivery of CPDL which aimed to mobilise effective practices more widely. It also reports the design and results of an impact evaluation.Design/methodology/approachIt was recognised that CPDL delivered by foreigners would be (1) unaffordable in this impoverished West African country and (2) culturally inappropriate. It was therefore delivered by local teachers from the NGO's own schools. Most had obtained no formal teaching qualification. They were trained to collect data using a quasi-experimental design for an impact evaluation of children's attendance and literacy. A total of five schools participated in the CPDL, with ten control schools.FindingsA largely unqualified team succeeded in mobilising knowledge in the experimental schools. Children's attendance in experimental schools improved over that in control schools. Performance in literacy also improved significantly and was maintained at follow-up.Research limitations/implicationsFindings of the impact evaluation are seen as indicative rather than causal because a quasi-experimental study was conducted rather than a randomised controlled trial.Originality/valueThis lies in (1) teachers in schools with a severely disadvantaged intake providing a structured programme of CPDL for teachers in other schools; (2) school improvement through knowledge mobilisation in CPDL; (3) an impact evaluation with a quasi-experimental design showing improvement in children's performance.

Value destruction in exaggerated online reviews

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1956-1976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Baker ◽  
Kawon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Design Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Language Complexity ◽  
Customer Perceptions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the underlying motivations, attitudes and behaviors of exaggerated review posters and readers by examining the effect of review valence, emotional expression and language complexity on perceived poster, website and firm trustworthiness and subsequent behavioral intentions.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a mixed-method approach using the qualitative critical incident technique (CIT) and quantitative experimental design. Study 1 uses CIT to examine exaggerated online reviews from the poster perspective where Study 2 uses CIT to examine readers’ perceptions of exaggerated reviews. Study 3 conducts a between-subjects experimental design examining the impact of valence (positive vs negative) × emotion (low vs high) × language (vague vs detailed) on trustworthiness and behavior intention.FindingsResults of the two qualitative studies (Study 1 and 2) find posters and readers use language complexity and emotions in exaggerated reviews. The results from the quantitative experimental design study (Study 3) find that language style and emotions influence customer perceptions of poster, website and firm trustworthiness, which also mediates the relationship between the qualitative aspects of review text on behavioral intentions.Practical implicationsThe findings provide multiple practical implications on the prevalence of exaggerated online reviews and the importance of language and emotion in determining customer perceptions and behavioral intentions.Originality/valueBy focusing on both readers and posters in exaggerated eWOM, specific motivations, emotions and language, this research contributes to the literature of online reviews, customer misbehavior, trustworthiness, language use and value co-destruction in online environments.

Psychosocial treatment for incarcerated methamphetamine users: the Philippines experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-358
Author(s):  
Ma. Regina M. Hechanova ◽  
Jennel C. Reyes ◽  
Avegale C. Acosta ◽  
Antover P. Tuliao
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Psychosocial Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Release Program ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate a psychosocial treatment program for prisoners incarcerated because of methamphetamine use. It compared the outcomes of prisoners who received the program while incarcerated, those who were released and received the treatment as part of community-based drug recovery program and a waitlist-control group (WC) with no treatment. Design/methodology/approach A quasi-experimental design was use with pre- and post-test surveys administered to three groups: a WC group, a pre-release treatment-while-incarcerated (TWI) group, and a post-release outpatient treatment group (OP). Surveys measured recovery skills, life skills and substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms were administered before and after the intervention. Findings Results revealed that at baseline OP and TWI had significant higher recovery skills compared to WC group. However, in terms of life skills, there was no significant difference observed among the WC, OP and TWI group at baseline. TWI had a significantly lower number of SUD symptoms compared to the WC group at baseline. As hypothesized, findings revealed significant changes in recovery and life skills among the OP and TWI group compared to the WC group. No significant change in SUD scores were observed for all groups. Research limitations/implications A major limitation of the study was the use of a quasi-experimental design because legal issues did not allow a randomized control trial. Future research using randomized controlled trial designs would provide more robust conclusions on the impact of the intervention. The study design was also limited to pre- and post-evaluation. Further studies are encouraged to look at longitudinal outcomes of appears on SUD symptoms and possibility of relapse. Practical implications Given that there were no significant differences in outcomes between OP and TWI groups, results suggest that the program may serve either as a pre- or post-release program for incarcerated drug users. However, results also suggest that completion is higher when the program is used as a pre-release program. Delivering the program prior to release also reduces challenges related to attrition including conflict in schedules and the lack of resources for transportation. Social implications The study suggests the value of psychosocial treatment as opposed to punitive approaches in dealing with drug use. In particular, delivering interventions prior to release can prepare participants for problems they may encounter during reintegration and prevent recidivism. In a country where drug-related killings are on the rise, the study presents an alternate and restorative justice approach. Originality/value The study addresses a dearth in the literature on psychosocial intervention for methamphetamine users. It also fills a vacuum in studies from developing countries such as the Philippines.

How are brand names of Chinese companies perceived by Americans?

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Fetscherin ◽  
Adamantios Diamantopoulos ◽  
Allan Chan ◽  
Rachael Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Brand Names ◽  
Brand Name ◽  
English Version ◽  
String Length ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Companies ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Semantic Relevance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to conduct an experimental design of Americans’ preferences for the English version of Chinese brand names by drawing from prior research in psychology, linguistics and marketing. The impact of string length and semantic relevance to English on meaningfulness, memorability and likeability of brand names from Chinese companies was assessed. Design/methodology/approach – A 2 × 2 experimental design was used, whereby brand names are categorized by string length (short vs long) and semantic relevance to English (with vs without). Respondents’ perception of the Chinese language in terms of pronounceability, language familiarity and language attitude is used as covariate. Findings – Results reveal shorter brand names, and those with semantic relevance to English are perceived as more memorable. It was also found that pronounceability of the brand name does influence brand name preference in terms of their meaningfulness, memorability and likeability. Research limitations/implications – This exploratory paper is limited to Americans’ perceptions of the English version of Chinese automobile brand names. Practical implications – Chinese companies should therefore carefully consider the brand name characteristics in terms of string length and semantic relevance, as well as their ease of pronunciation when choosing and introducing their brand name in the USA. Originality/value – This is the first paper which assesses Western consumers’ perception of brand names from Chinese automobile companies in terms of their brand meaningfulness, brand memorability and brand likeability.

Brand familiarity vs profit-sharing rate: which has a stronger impact on Muslim customers’ intention to invest in an Islamic bank?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Rahayu Hijrah Hati ◽  
Niken Iwani Surya Putri ◽  
Sri Daryanti ◽  
Sigit Sulistiyo Wibowo ◽  
Anya Safira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Profit Sharing ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Familiarity ◽  
Islamic Bank ◽  
Bank Managers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of brand familiarity and profit-sharing rate on Muslim customers’ brand trust, perceived financial risk, perceived value and intention to invest in an Islamic bank. Design/methodology/approach A between-subjects experimental design was applied in the study. Six experiments involving two brand familiarity levels and three profit-sharing rates were conducted using a total of 217 samples. Randomization was applied in the study, which generated unequal sample sizes for each group of experiments. Findings The findings of this experimental study demonstrated that Muslim customers’ familiarity with the bank’s brand has a significant impact on their brand trust and intention to invest in an Islamic bank. The study also found that the profit-sharing rate has a significant impact on the perceived value both with and without interaction with brand familiarity. Research limitations/implications The current study applies an independent measured design or a between-subjects experimental design, that resulted in unequal sample sizes. In addition, the study also does not control for the types of bank accounts owned by respondents. The design may invite the presence of confounding variables that exist due to individual differences and environmental variables. Practical implications The results show that Islamic bank managers should care about the brand familiarity issue, which strongly influences customers’ brand trust and customer intention to invest in an Islamic bank. In addition, Islamic bank managers should pay attention to the profit-sharing rate given to customers, as it interacts with brand familiarity in influencing customers’ perceived value. Originality/value This study examined the impact of brand familiarity and profit-sharing rate on Muslim consumers’ brand trust, perceived risk, perceived value and intention to save in an Islamic bank. The paper provides a shred of empirical evidence to the theoretical relationship between the subjective and objective cues that influence the formation of customers’ trust, perceived financial risk, perceived value and intention in the Islamic bank context.

scholarly journals College students’ responses to prosocial marketing claims on apparel hang tags

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen H. Hyllegard ◽  
Jennifer Paff Ogle ◽  
Ruoh-Nan Yan
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Component ◽  
Intercept Survey ◽  
Apparel Companies ◽  
Responsible Business Practices ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore consumers’ responses to prosocial marketing claims presented on apparel hang tags. Guided by the theory of reasoned of action, this study examined the impact of varied prosocial claims (environment, labor, cancer charity) upon college students’ evaluations of hang tags used to promote university-branded apparel (i.e. t-shirts) as well as their attitudes and patronage intentions toward the apparel. Design/methodology/approach – An intercept survey approach, with an experimental design component, was used to administer a written questionnaire to 262 college students. The experimental design component required participants to examine a university-branded t-shirt and to read the information provided on the product hang tag attached to the t-shirt. Findings – In total, 60 percent of college students read apparel hang tags on a very frequent or frequent basis to gain information about brand name, care instructions, and fiber content. Further, college students evaluated apparel hang tags featuring prosocial marketing claims more positively than they evaluated hang tags with no prosocial marketing claim. In turn, these evaluations positively predicted the amount of money students were willing to pay for a university-branded t-shirt as well as their attitudes and purchase intentions toward university-branded apparel. Research limitations/implications – Findings suggest that apparel companies engaged in socially responsible business practices may wish to develop hang tags that address both desired product attributes as well as company engagement in prosocial initiatives. Originality/value – This study extends the understanding of the role that prosocial marketing claims play in informing consumer's attitudes and behaviors relative to apparel.

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