Unique insight into the seasonal variability of geophysical properties of field soils: practical implications for near-surface investigations

Addressing the need for high-quality wind information aloft in the layer occupied by turbine rotors (~30–150 m above ground level) is one of many significant challenges facing the wind energy industry. Without wind measurements at heights within the rotor sweep of the turbines, characteristics of the flow in this layer are unknown for wind energy and modeling purposes. Since flow in this layer is often decoupled from the surface, near-surface measurements are prone to errant extrapolation to these heights, and the behavior of the near-surface winds may not reflect that of the upper-level flow.

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Investigating the user experience of customer service chatbot interaction: a framework for qualitative analysis of chatbot dialogues

Quality and User Experience ◽

10.1007/s41233-021-00046-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Asbjørn Følstad ◽

Cameron Taylor

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Customer Service ◽

User Experience ◽

Practical Relevance ◽

Interaction Patterns ◽

Case Examples ◽

Key Drivers ◽

Future Work ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into

AbstractThe uptake of chatbots for customer service depends on the user experience. For such chatbots, user experience in particular concerns whether the user is provided relevant answers to their queries and the chatbot interaction brings them closer to resolving their problem. Dialogue data from interactions between users and chatbots represents a potentially valuable source of insight into user experience. However, there is a need for knowledge of how to make use of these data. Motivated by this, we present a framework for qualitative analysis of chatbot dialogues in the customer service domain. The framework has been developed across several studies involving two chatbots for customer service, in collaboration with the chatbot hosts. We present the framework and illustrate its application with insights from three case examples. Through the case findings, we show how the framework may provide insight into key drivers of user experience, including response relevance and dialogue helpfulness (Case 1), insight to drive chatbot improvement in practice (Case 2), and insight of theoretical and practical relevance for understanding chatbot user types and interaction patterns (Case 3). On the basis of the findings, we discuss the strengths and limitations of the framework, its theoretical and practical implications, and directions for future work.

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What makes court-referred mediation effective?

International Journal of Conflict Management ◽

10.1108/ijcma-09-2012-0071 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 21-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Amira Galin

Keyword(s):

Design Methodology ◽

Content Type ◽

Process And Outcome ◽

Refusal To Participate ◽

The Impact ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Theoretical Insight ◽

Insight Into ◽

Low Rate

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to obtain insight into court-referred mediation in the Israeli Labor Courts, by analyzing its processes and outcomes, as a function of tactics used by both the disputants and the mediator. Design/methodology/approach – Observation of 103 court-referred mediations, for each of which a detailed process and outcome were documented. Data on disputants' refusal to participate in the mediation was also collected. At the end of each mediation case, disputants were given a questionnaire in which they expressed their satisfaction with the outcome and their evaluation of the mediator's contribution. Findings – A low rate of refusal to participate in court-referred mediation was found. Also, the higher the ratio of soft tactics to pressure tactics employed (by all parties involved) during the process, the higher the rate of agreements. Mediators use significantly more soft tactics than disputants, and are more active in using tactics. The two significant variables that predict the mediation's agreement are the ratio between soft tactics to pressure tactics used by all parties, and mediator contribution to the process. Practical implications – The significant role of soft tactics in the process, outcome, and satisfaction of court-referred mediation may serve as a guideline for disputants and mediators. Originality/value – This unique research, which examines the impact of tactics on court-referred mediation, may provide added and significant theoretical insight into its process and outcome, as well as a better understanding of other “hybrid” (compulsory at the beginning, voluntary at the end) mediations.

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Design and topological optimization of rear pressure bulkhead for a typical aircraft

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology ◽

10.1108/aeat-05-2020-0097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Marshal Thakran ◽

Meenakshi ◽

Jitender Sharma ◽

Charles Gilbert Martin

Keyword(s):

Numerical Analysis ◽

Significant Influence ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Topological Optimization ◽

Content Type ◽

Iterative Design ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into ◽

Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the model of a rear pressure bulkhead with different design optimizations to meet the pressurized cabin requirements of an aircraft. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the results of the static analysis of a dome-shaped rear pressure bulkhead model designed in Catia-v5. Numerical analysis of model meshed in hyper-mesh and solved using Opti-Struct for iterative design optimizations. Findings All the iterative models are analyzed at 9 Psi. Rear pressure bulkhead designed with L-section stringer shows better results than the model optimized with T-section stringer for the same thickness. The model optimized with L-shaped stinger also reduces the weight of the bulkhead without affecting the structural integrity. Practical implications It has been concluded in this paper that the selection of specific shapes of the stringers shows a significant influence on weight reduction. Originality/value This paper provides a topical, technical insight into the design and development of a rear pressure bulkhead. It also outlines the future development of dome-shaped rear pressure bulkhead.

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Evaporite Palynology: a case study on the Permian (Lopgingian) Zechstein Sea

Journal of the Geological Society ◽

10.1144/jgs2020-174 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jgs2020-174

Author(s):

Martha E. Gibson ◽

David J. Bodman

Keyword(s):

Thermal Conductivity ◽

Heat Flux ◽

Rapid Growth ◽

Western Europe ◽

Thermal Maturity ◽

Near Surface ◽

Wide Range ◽

Terrestrial Environments ◽

Insight Into

Evaporites characterize the Lopingian of Europe but present obstacles for biostratigraphic analysis. Here we present a case study for processing the Lopingian Zechstein Group evaporites of central-western Europe for the recovery of palynomorph assemblages. We demonstrate that full recovery is easily achieved with two main modes of palynomorph preservation observed; palynomorphs are either exceptionally well-preserved and orange-brown in colour, or poorly-preserved, brown-black, opaque and fragmented. The latter are reminiscent of palynomorphs of high thermal maturity. However, we propose that the intact nature of preservation is a result of the rapid growth of near-surface halite crystals, with their darkening a consequence of locally-enhanced heat flux due to the relatively high thermal conductivity of salt. This case study has enabled novel insight into an otherwise undescribed environment, and demonstrates the utility and possibility of extracting palynomorphs from a variety of rock salt types. This method should be applicable to a wide range of ancient evaporite and could also be applied to other Permian evaporite systems, which are used as analogues for extra-terrestrial environments.

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Contrasting profiles of product returners and keepers

Journal of Consumer Marketing ◽

10.1108/jcm-10-2018-2893 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Dong Hwan Lee

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Household Income ◽

Field Survey ◽

Survey Study ◽

Content Type ◽

Demographic Profiles ◽

Post Purchase ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into ◽

Study Offer

Purpose This paper aims to investigate whether the consumers who return a product and those who end up keeping a product after experiencing post-purchase dissonance (PPD) possess distinct underlying characteristics. Design/methodology/approach Field survey study consisting of two separate surveys conducted with consumers of New York City and neighboring areas of New York and New Jersey. Findings Product returners and keepers exhibited disparate demographic profiles regarding gender and household income, along with ethnicity to some extent. The two groups also exhibited different predispositions with regard to confidence in the purchase decision and expectations about their purchase. Finally, returners and keepers were engaged in divergent thoughts, feelings and activities to cope with PPD. Practical implications The findings of this study offer marketing practitioners new knowledge and insight into understanding product returners and keepers and will assist them in developing strategies to reduce and manage increasing product returns by consumers more effectively. Originality/value This study is the first to present empirical evidence that product returners and keepers have distinct profiles of demographic characteristics and predispositions toward purchase. The study also has found divergent PPD coping strategies used by the two types of consumers, which exposes an obsolete understanding of PPD in the marketing literature.

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Are multinational enterprises in retreat?

Multinational Business Review ◽

10.1108/mbr-04-2018-0031 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 94-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jan-Erik Vahlne ◽

Inge Ivarsson ◽

Claes G. Alvstam

Keyword(s):

Multinational Enterprises ◽

Annual Reports ◽

External Trade ◽

Content Type ◽

Cross Border ◽

Advanced Economies ◽

Economic Interaction ◽

Political Decisions ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the debate concerning the asserted end of the globalization process. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a description of the evolution of all Swedish MNEs, the 50 largest companies and the ten truly global MNEs, building on data compiled by the authors, mainly from annual reports. Findings The largest Swedish MNEs have continued to globalize and have at the same time improved their financial performance during the period of study, 2010-2016. Practical implications The proposition that multinationals are heading home cannot be confirmed in the Swedish case. There is therefore a need to compare Swedish experiences with other national examples to better generalize the findings. Social implications The political decisions regarding external trade and foreign direct investment should support continuous liberalization and facilitation of cross-border economic interaction. Originality/value As Swedish MNEs are more globalized than the average in advanced economies, this study offers insight into the contemporary internationalization process.

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Chinese and Vietnamese international students in Australia

International Journal of Educational Management ◽

10.1108/ijem-08-2016-0180 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 1278-1292 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Huong Le ◽

Jade McKay

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

International Students ◽

Chinese Students ◽

Teaching Quality ◽

Support Staff ◽

Content Type ◽

Actual Experience ◽

The Voice ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the voice of Chinese and Vietnamese international students through studying the similarities and differences in their learning experiences and the reasons underlying their experience. Design/methodology/approach In total, 57 Chinese and Vietnamese international students participated in focus groups and interviews regarding their experiences of higher education and their suggestions for improvement. Findings The findings show that Chinese and Vietnamese students had varying levels of challenges and different progress in the adaptation process and that Chinese students were more vocal and less satisfied with their experience of higher education than Vietnamese students. This is due to the mismatch in their expectation and the actual experience and the cultural influence. Research limitations/implications The sample size is relatively small. This study only looked at Vietnamese and Chinese students in one university, which might have limitations in relation to subjectivity and bias. Practical implications The findings provide useful implications for educators, institutional leaders and support staff to improve facilities, teaching quality and service to students. Originality/value In the current era of internationalisation, commercialisation and mobility in institutions around the world, this study advances current research and provides timely insight into the experiential differences of the Chinese and Vietnamese student experience and their voice.

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Caring relationships and efficient social care provision

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy ◽

10.1108/ijssp-08-2013-0089 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (5/6) ◽

pp. 419-436 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sue Hollinrake ◽

Will Thomas

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Service Providers ◽

Care Provision ◽

Care Providers ◽

Budget Cuts ◽

Caring Relationships ◽

Content Type ◽

Support Mechanism ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the nature of support that helps older people continue living in their own homes for as long as they wish to. Design/methodology/approach – The research made use of a participatory approach in which service users, service providers and commissioners were involved in the design of the approach in addition to contributing to the research as participants in their own right. Findings – This paper presents analysis from the research which focuses on the importance of caring relationships for providing a support mechanism. The authors question whether budget cuts and efficiency drives within statutory care providers preclude the notion of caring relationships. Practical implications – The authors suggest, in the light of the evidence presented, that statutory service providers should acknowledge the role that caring relationships play in providing support for older people. Whilst budget cuts make providing support for caring relationships more challenging, the authors suggest that there is scope for delivering services and support in ways which promote the types of interactions which better support older people living independently. Originality/value – The analysis presented here provides a distinctive, timely and thoughtful insight into support for older people at a time when public sector budgets are under increasing pressure.

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Efforts to globalize a national food

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management ◽

10.1108/ijchm-03-2015-0151 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (10) ◽

pp. 2310-2330 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Seongseop (Sam) Kim ◽

Ja Young Choe ◽

Aejoo Lee

Keyword(s):

Success Factors ◽

Food Services ◽

Korean Culture ◽

Content Type ◽

Strategic Approach ◽

The Usa ◽

Korean Food ◽

Cluster 2 ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to gain insight into the preferences of US customers regarding Korean food, and to categorize these customers according to the reasons for their preferences. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with a sample of customers in Korean restaurants in the USA. Findings Cluster 1 was a group whose members were attracted to Korean culture; Cluster 2 was a group whose members were passionate about Korean food; Cluster 3 was a group seeking healthy and exotic food; and Cluster 4 was a low-interest group. Each cluster had a different socio-demographic profile, favored a different Korean menu, identified different success factors for Korean restaurants, described different expectations and experiences of Korean restaurants and had different preferences regarding Korean food services. Practical implications Active promotion of Korean food and Korean culture may be appropriate for Cluster 1, while developing a healthy and exotic menu may attract Cluster 3. Maintaining Cluster 2 is deemed important, while a strategic approach is necessary to appeal to Cluster 4. Originality/value This study will contribute theoretically and practically to understanding food globalization, ethnic restaurants and segmentation by preference reasons.

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