The effect of supply chain quality perception and country of origin on Smartphones purchase intention of Indonesian consumers

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between Role of Country of Origin and Quality Perception of Smartphones Purchase Intention. The approach in the research used is a quantitative approach using PLS-SEM SmartPLS software as a data processing tool. In this study, data collection technique was carried out using either a questionnaire or online questionnaire which was distributed to 120 respondents of Millennial Smartphone Consumers. Sampling system was a snowball sampling method. Based on the results of hypothesis testing, it was found that there was a positive and significant relationship between Country of origin and perceived quality of the product. There was also a positive and insignificant relationship between Country of origin and purchase intentions. Finally, there was a positive and significant relationship between perceived quality and consumer purchase intentions.

Neural evidence for image quality perception based on algebraic topology

In this paper, the algebraic topological characteristics of brain networks composed of electroencephalogram(EEG) signals induced by different quality images were studied, and on that basis, a neurophysiological image quality assessment approach was proposed. Our approach acquired quality perception-related neural information via integrating the EEG collection with conventional image assessment procedures, and the physiologically meaningful brain responses to different distortion-level images were obtained by topological data analysis. According to the validation experiment results, statistically significant discrepancies of the algebraic topological characteristics of EEG data evoked by a clear image compared to that of an unclear image are observed in several frequency bands, especially in the beta band. Furthermore, the phase transition difference of brain network caused by JPEG compression is more significant, indicating that humans are more sensitive to JPEG compression other than Gaussian blur. In general, the algebraic topological characteristics of EEG signals evoked by distorted images were investigated in this paper, which contributes to the study of neurophysiological assessment of image quality.

Assessment of Air Quality Perception and Its Effects on Users’ Thermal Comfort in Office Buildings

Since people spend most of their time in indoor environments, the objective of this work was to study indoor air quality and its effects on users’ thermal comfort. Based on previous data from a building with a central air-conditioning system and two mixed-mode buildings located in the humid subtropical climate of Florianópolis, southern Brazil, statistical analyses were performed. Each user’s subjective answer obtained through a questionnaire was combined with the corresponding environmental conditions measured by instruments. Results showed that improvement in air quality was associated with the reduction of air temperature and humidity ratio. Also, there was a significant influence of thermal and humidity sensation on air quality satisfaction. Users felt more satisfied or neutral with air quality for being in thermal comfort, and not because of the CO2 concentration—which means that air quality perception is influenced by factors other than CO2. This study recommends implementing an air exchange device in split air-conditioners with air recirculation commonly used in mixed-mode buildings in Brazil. It is important to provide suitable indoor ventilation to reduce pollutant concentration, ensure good air quality and prevent respiratory diseases.

Understanding online review behaviors of patients in online health communities: an expectation-disconfirmation perspective

PurposeAlthough online health communities (OHCs) and online patient reviews can help to eliminate health information asymmetry and improve patients' health management, how patients write online reviews within OHCs is poorly understood. Thus, it is very necessary to determine the factors influencing patients' online review behavior in OHCs, including the emotional response and reviewing effort.Design/methodology/approachBased on expectation-disconfirmation theory, this study proposes a theoretical model to analyze the effects of service quality perception (i.e. outcome quality and process quality perceptions) and disconfirmation (i.e. outcome quality and process quality disconfirmations) on patients' emotional response and reviewing effort. The authors test the research model by using empirical data collected from a popular Chinese OHC and applying ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and zero-truncated negative binomial (ZTNB) regression models.FindingsBoth service quality perception and disconfirmation have a positive effect on patients' positive emotional intensity in textual reviews, and disease severity enhances these relationships of process quality. Moreover, there is an asymmetric U-shaped relationship among service quality perception, disconfirmation and reviewing effort. Patients who perceive low service quality have higher reviewing effort, while service quality disconfirmation has the opposite relationship. Specifically, patients' effort in writing textual reviews is lowest when perceived outcome quality is 3.5 (on a five-point scale), perceived process quality is 4 or outcome quality and process quality disconfirmations are −1.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine patients' online review behavior and its motivations and contributes to the literature on online reviews and service quality. In addition, the findings of this study have important management implications for service providers and OHC managers.

Managing Water Scarcity Futures: Identifying Factors Influencing Water Quality, Risk Perception and Daily Practices in Urban Environments after the Introduction of Desalination

During the last two decades on a global scale, there has been a significant development of desalination as a strategy to ensure the urban water supply in arid and semi-arid areas. Beyond issues related to the higher economic costs, one of the main barriers that may limit this water source’s development is its supposed negative water quality perception. This research aims to understand better which factors are behind water quality perception in Antofagasta (Chile), where desalinated water was introduced in 2003. Since then, this urban water supply system has increasingly incorporated desalination, creating three parallel areas according to the water sources used in each of them (desalinated water, freshwater and a mix of both). To do so, more than 800 questionnaires to test water quality perception and water consumption habits were conducted in households. Up to six logistic regression models have been implemented to identify which variables better explain water quality satisfaction, risk perception and daily water practices considering the water supply area. It is worth noting that most of this type of research has been carried out in study cases with homogeneous urban water supply systems with conventional water resources. Results indicate that, among other factors, organoleptic water characteristics, such as taste, and socioeconomic status are some of the main factors that explain the perception of water quality and daily practices. In addition, a lower water quality perception and greater risk perception have been identified where desalinated water has been introduced, which makes some households develop averting behaviors to improve water quality, such as boil water.