Search results for "Computer Science Applications"
showing 10 items of 3993 documents
The value of B2B relationships
2009
PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to contribute to the knowledge of how relationship value, trust, commitment, satisfaction and loyalty intentions are defined and relate to each other. It explores these relationships in the business‐to‐business (B2B) context by analysing manufacturing companies regarding to their main supplier.Design/methodology/approachAfter the literature review and several in‐depth interviews, a method of empirical analysis consisting of quantitative intervention with an ad hoc survey using a structured questionnaire has been developed. Structural equations modeling is used to contrast the hypotheses on the links between the constructs analysed.FindingsConfirmatory fact…
How Can Secure Websites Improve Buying Intention?
2014
A conceptual model is proposed to show 3 effects of augmenting security perceptions (more pleasure, less perceived risk and higher trust) in order to improve buying intention. The role of usability in reinforcing these direct and indirect security effects has also been tested. This study examines the reinforcement of previous relationships in highly usable contexts. To test this, a fictitious website was designed for a nonexistent clothing company directed at the segment of middle class consumers. Two blocks of changes were made to alter website usability: one concerning website speed and the other related to ease of use. Results for a study sample of 170 respondents show that in usable con…
The influence of belonging to virtual brand communities on consumers' affective commitment, satisfaction and word‐of‐mouth advertising
2011
PurposeThis paper aims to explore some of the effects of belonging to a virtual brand community on consumer behaviour. It also proposes the concept of belonging as a three‐dimensional construct.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes that belonging to a virtual community has positive effects on consumer satisfaction, affective commitment and word‐of‐mouth behaviour. After validation of the measurement scales the hypotheses are contrasted through modelling.FindingsThe data show that belonging to a virtual community may enhance consumer satisfaction, affective commitment and word‐of‐mouth advertising towards the brand around which the community is developed. In addition, the paper intro…
Influence of online shopping information dependency and innovativeness on internet shopping adoption
2008
PurposeThe paper's purpose is to analyse the influence of online shopping information dependency and innovativeness on the acceptance of internet shopping.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of online shopping information dependency, domain‐specific innovativeness and technology acceptance model (TAM) variables on future shopping intention has been tested through structural equation modelling techniques. The sample consisted of 465 Spanish consumers who had never purchased online.FindingsData analysis shows that consumer innovativeness and online shopping information dependency have a direct and positive influence on future online shopping intention and that the basic TAM hypotheses are f…
Key drivers of consumer loyalty to Facebook fan pages
2014
Purpose – With the rapid expansion of social networking sites, researchers and practitioners are challenged to understand drivers of customer loyalty in fan pages. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main drivers of Facebook fan page loyalty in order to promote the creation of affective links and long-term relationships with users. Design/methodology/approach – The impact of trust, fan page content dependency, attitude and consumer beliefs on loyalty to fan pages was tested through structural equation modelling techniques. The sample consisted of 691 Spanish Facebook users. Findings – Data analysis shows that attitude appears as a key variable in increasing loyalty to fan pages. T…
The role of information technology in relationships between travel agencies and their suppliers
2010
PurposeIn the context of relationship marketing, it is highly important for providers to identify the main buyer relational benefits influencing satisfaction and loyalty so that a continuous and satisfactory business relationship is guaranteed. Since it has been reported that information technology (IT) might constitute a source of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, this paper aims to test the moderating role of IT in the relationships between perceived benefits, satisfaction and loyalty in a business‐to‐business (B2B) setting.Design/methodology/approachA structural equations model was empirically tested. Additionally, the moderating role of IT in the relationships between perceived relationa…
The use of ICT in established and emerging tourist destinations: a comparative analysis in hotels
2013
Purpose – Information and communication technologies (ICT) may represent an important source of advantages for service companies. However, the literature suggests that ICT need to be adapted to the demands of the company and its customers. The purpose of this paper is to compare the ICT use in hotels situated in established (i.e. Spain) and emerging (i.e. Croatia) tourist destinations. Design/methodology/approach – Non-hierarchical cluster analysis is performed. Clusters are internally validated by a K-Means cluster analysis and a discriminant analysis. Analysis of variance is applied and contingency tables between cluster membership and hotel characteristics are created. Findings – The res…
A combined single range and single image device for low-cost measurement of building facade features
2008
The dimensions of building facades and window apertures are usually determined by making direct measurements using tapes and plummets. This approach, however, has a number of drawbacks including the physical risk to which the persons making the measurements are exposed. This paper proposes an indirect approach based on close range photogrammetry that is inexpensive, simple, fast and safe, and which does not require specialist staff or direct ground control measurements. The method is based on taking a picture using a digital camera and measuring the distance to the object using a handheld laser distance meter. Both items of equipment are mounted on a specially designed support that allows t…
Using a neural network for qualitative and quantitative predictions of weld integrity in solid bonding dominated processes
2014
Solid-state bonding occurs in several manufacturing processes, as Friction Stir Welding, Porthole Die Extrusion and Roll Bonding. Proper conditions of pressure, temperature, strain and strain rate are needed in order to get effective bonding in the final component. In the paper, a neural network is set up, trained and used to predict the bonding occurrence starting from the results of specific numerical models developed for each process. The Plata-Piwnik criterion was used in order to define a quantitative parameter taking into account the effectiveness of the bonding. Excellent predictive capability of the network is obtained for each process.
Finite-element simulation of residual stress induced by split-sleeve cold-expansion process of holes
2008
A three-dimensional finite-element simulation was conducted for a split-sleeve cold-expansion process in order to determine the residual stress field around an expanded hole. The commercial FEA software DEFORM-3D™, a Lagrangian implicit code designed for metal forming processes, was used to model the cold-expansion process of a fastener hole. The results show a through-thickness residual stress field in good agreement with the analytical solution developed by Guo. Moreover, the simulation has highlighted the effect of the split sleeve and the plate thickness on the residual stress field. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.