1,721,163 research outputs found
Holographic Gratings in Photorefractive Materials: A Review
No full textIn this paper, the fundamental characteristics of the photorefractive effect, both in bulk crystals and waveguides, as well as some of the most important photorefractive materials, their properties, and applications, are reviewed. In the last section, we report some experimental considerations on diffracted power from holograms written in pure LiNbO3 and Fe:LiNbO3 crystals and waveguides
The impacts of social media usage on B2B brand performance
No full textA growing body of research has examined usage and impacts of social media in business-to-business (B2B) contexts (Salo, 2017). Available studies have suggested that communicating the brand and increasing brand awareness are among the most important reasons for B2B firms to use social media (Michaelidou, Siamagka, & Christodoulides, 2011). However, extant research has not explored the mechanisms through which a firm’s usage of social media may positively affect its B2B brand performance. To fill this gap, we suggest and test a model which combines available knowledge from three interrelated B2B streams of studies: branding (Seyedghorban, Matanda, & LaPlaca, 2016), social media marketing (Salo, 2017), and thought leadership - content marketing (Barry & Gironda, 2017)
Adoption and impact of marketing performance assessment systems among travel agencies
Full text linkPurpose. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether travel agencies that implement comprehensive marketing performance assessment systems (MPASs) enjoy superior overall performance. Drawing on the Knowledge-Based View, we propose and test a model demonstrating that the relationship between MPASs and overall performance is fully mediated by the depth of market-related knowledge absorbed by the travel agency.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to a sample of Italian travel agencies; 171 complete questionnaires were received. The suggested relationships were assessed using a covariance-based structural equation modeling approach, including the estimation of both the measurement model and the structural model. FindingsThe findings indicate that the implementation of sophisticated MPASs has a significant and positive effect on performance and that this relationship is fully mediated by the depth of market-related knowledge absorbed by the travel agency. In addition, the results highlight that the number of marketing metrics monitored by the travel agency has no effect on its performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe specific features of the travel agency sector in Italy include a remarkable level of fragmentation. The cross-sectional design does not permit an assessment of the medium-term effects of the adoption of an MPAS.Practical implicationsTravel agencies selecting proactive marketing strategies can particularly benefit from the adoption of sophisticated MPASs. Suggestions are provided to assist managers in designing their MPAS.Originality/valueThis study enriches the field’s knowledge about marketing performance measurement and proactive marketing strategies and indicates that the implementation of well-designed marketing performance assessment systems improves a firm’s overall performance. It also explains the knowledge-related processes that produce this positive effect
A single calibration graph for the direct determination of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids by electrogenerated luminescence based on Ru(bpy)3(2+) in aqueous solution
No full textAscorbic (H(2)A) and dehydroascorbic (DA) acids were for the first time directly determined in a single chromatographic run by means of the tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) based electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) detection. For the first time, it was demonstrated that DA, a nonelectroactive compound, is ECL active and is responsible for the ECL behavior of H(2)A. This fact, together with the lack of a DA standard, suggested the use of a calibration graph obtained for H(2)A, for determining both analytes. The proven ECL activity of DA, together with literature data relative to the standard redox potentials of the different species coming from H(2)A, led to a reconsideration of the proposed ECL reaction mechanism for H(2)A. The role of the OH- ion in the reaction mechanism of the two analytes appeared to be crucial, H(2)A and DA could be separated by a suitable C-18-reversed-phase HPLC column using an aqueous 30 mN H3PO4 solution as the mobile phase. The optimal ECL response was achieved by polarizing the working electrode at 1.150 V vs SCE (standard calomel electrode) (oxidation diffusion limiting potential for both H2A and Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)). The Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) solution, at pH 10 for carbonate buffer, was mixed to the eluent solution in a postcolumn system, obtaining, still at pH 10, the final 0.25 mM RU(bpy)(3)(2+) concentration. The detection limit found for the two analytes was I x 10(-7) M. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the analytes in a commercially available orange fruit juice
Digital Simulation of Steady-State and non-Steady State Voltammetric Responses for Electrochemical Reactions Occurring at an Inlaid Microdisk Electrode. Application to EC(irr), EC', CE First Order Reactions
No full textA general algorithm based on the Hopscotch method and a conformal map is used to treat electrochemical reactions with coupled homogeneous chemical reactions occurring both at conventionally sized electrodes and at ultramicroelectrodes. A change of the dimensionless parameter p = a(nFv/RTD)1/2, where a is the radius of the electrode, v the potential sweep rate and D the diffusion coefficient, allows us to describe properly the planar and the convergent mass transfer to an inlaid disk-shaped electrode. The dimensionless parameter lambda'= ka2/D, which is a function of the sum of the chemical rate constants (k) and of the electrode radius, describes the kinetics and may be used instead of the conventional parameter lambda = k(RT/nFv). A suitable choice of the space-time grid gives accurate results, even for kinetic problems affected by stiffness difficulties. The adequacy of the implementation is established by comparison with known solutions relative to the EC(irr') EC' and CE mechanisms for two limiting cases, i.e. planar and radial mass transport conditions
Application of Cyclic Voltammograms Under Mixed Spherical/Semiinfinite Linear Diffusion at Microdisk Electrodes for Measurement of Fast Electrode Kinetics
No full textResults of the digital simulation of cyclic voltammetric responses at an inlaid microdisk electrode for various diffusion conditions and degrees of reversibility made the use of the potential peak separation as a criterion to measure heterogeneous rate constants possible. The intermediate diffusion conditions adopted allow complete advantage to be taken of the useful properties of microelectrodes working at not very high scan rates. The simulated data, reported in terms of dimensionless quantities, allow the construction of working curves useful in different experimental conditions. The correctness and proper use of the proposed working curves is illustrated by treating data available in the literature
"Please write a (great) review on TripAdvisor for my hotel!” Customers’ reaction to solicited reviews
No full textPurpose of the study
Given the growing influence that online reviews have on traveler’s decisions, several hospitality operators are actively soliciting their customers to post reviews on TripAdvisor and similar websites. This paper intends to investigate how widespread this phenomenon is and how customers react to such solicitations.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a cross-sectional approach. Data were collected from a sample of Italian tourists, posting the link to a questionnaire on two of the most popular Italian tourism-related blogs. The questionnaire included questions measuring both the diffusion of the phenomenon of soliciting reviews and constructs related to consumer reaction (consumer reactance, perceived intrusiveness, intention to review, etc.). Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling.
Findings
Currently available data reveal that the majority of respondents have been solicited at least once by hospitality operators to write a review on TripAdvisor and similar websites. In addition, they show the existence of a significant level of consumer reactance related to consumers’ perceptions that their freedom is threatened.
Originality/value
Based on the well-known influence that online travelers’ reviews have on other travelers, some recent studies have suggested that the hospitality operators should actively solicit their customers to write online reviews for their hotels, restaurants, etc.. Nonetheless, to other knowledge and up to now, this is the first study to measure how customers react to such solicitations.
Research limitations/implications
Despite being based only on a sample of Italian tourists, this study may stimulate further research to understand the effects of solicited reviews in the tourism and hospitality fields.
Practical implications
The findings may assist hospitality operators in deciding whether to solicit their customers to write online reviews for them and in designing their overall strategy to effectively manage their brand image on travel review websites
The use of the Nitrite Ion in the Chromatographic Determination of Large Amounts of Hypochlorite Ion and Traces of Chlorite and Chlorate Ions.
No full textAn ion chromatographic procedure was developed for the one-run determination of ClO-, ClO2- and ClO3- present at very different concentration levels in the same sample. The method is based on the quantitative and fast reduction of HClO in slightly acidic medium by added sodium nitrite, followed by the ion chromatographic determination of ClO2-, ClO3- and the generated NO3-. The possibility of amperometric titration of the 'free chlorine' with a standard solution of NaNO2 was also ascertained. The performance characteristics of the analysis were defined
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