Annual Membership Fee Research Articles

Filling in the Gaps, Doing What We Have Always Done in TRAIL

The Technical Report Archive & Image Library (TRAIL) identifies, acquires, catalogs, digitizes, and provides unrestricted access to US government agency technical reports. Technical reports describe the process of engineering or scientific research and often include in-depth details including raw data. TRAIL currently consists of over four-dozen member institutions whose annual membership fees and volunteered staff time further the efforts of the project. The mission of TRAIL is to ensure preservation, discoverability, and persistent open access to government technical publications regardless of form or format. TRAIL has been in existence for nearly seventeen years and has made 93,514 technical reports openly accessible in that time.This article covers the work of TRAIL since its tenth anniversary in 2016. For the work and history of TRAIL up to that point, please read the article summarizing the first ten years of TRAIL in Documents to the People vol. 44, no. 2 (https://www.journals.ala.org/index.php/dttp/article/view/6070/7795). Additional resources include the TRAIL History page at https://www.crl.edu/grn/trail/about-trail/history-trail and the page on publications and presentations about TRAIL at https://www.crl.edu/grn/trail/current-activities/PapersPresentations.

How does the price structure of two-sided markets affect transaction volume and market share: evidence from the Korean credit card market

This study aims to empirically examine the impact of the price structure of two-sided markets on transaction volume and market share (MS) in the context of the Korean credit card industry. The Korean credit card market differs from those in the United States (U.S.) or Europe in terms of transaction structure (i.e. a three-party system in Korea vs a four-party system in the U.S. or Europe) and government policy. In addition to the merchant discount rate and the cardholder annual membership fee rate, the authors included and analyzed exogenous variables to eliminate any endogeneity. Based on the analysis results, the authors found that credit card usage performance (i.e. transaction volume) increases with an increase in the relative price ratio (merchant discount rate ÷ cardholder membership fee rate) paid by merchants and cardholders, provided that the total price (merchant discount rate + cardholder membership fee rate) paid by merchants and cardholders remains constant. Therefore, this study is the first to confirm that the Korean credit card market operated as the theoretical mechanism of a two-sided market during the analysis period. This effect can only be observed in specific cases such as the launch of the so-called “Chief Executive Officer(CEO)-designed card.” When a new CEO takes office in a credit card company and launches a “CEO-designed card,” there is a significant increase in not only card usage performance but MS as well owing to the price structure changes caused by expanding the benefits that customers derive from card use.

Do Urban Golf Courses Provide Barriers to Equitable Greenspace Access in the United States?

Providing equitable access to greenspace requires innovative strategies in urban areas where land is scarce and expensive. One potential solution is to make golf courses, which are often exclusive and require daily or annual membership fees, more accessible to the general public. The impact of urban golf courses on greenspace access has yet to be investigated systematically, however. Here we quantify (1) the number and area of golf courses within all major urban areas in the conterminous United States, and (2) the number and demographics of people that would benefit from better access to them. We identify 6,962 urban golf courses that cover 3,102 km2 urban land, equivalent to ∼29 percent of all urban greenspace. We find that 3.4 percent of the U.S. urban population (equivalent to nearly 6 million people) live less than 1 km from a golf course but more than 1 km from public greenspace. Policies that make golf courses more available to the general public would substantially improve greenspace access, and associated health benefits, for millions of Americans. In most cities, however, it is wealthy, White neighborhoods that would benefit most from better access to golf courses, not the lower socioeconomic, ethno-racial minority communities that are most lacking in greenspace access. Making golf courses more accessible to the general public should therefore be considered just one component of a more diverse set of strategies to improve access to greenspace in U.S. cities.

Survey of Enteral Feeding of Preterm Infants and the Human Milk Bank in Japan.

In Japan, the first human milk bank (HMB) was established in 2017, which changed the practice of enteral feeding in neonatal care. This study investigated the practice of enteral feeding of preterm infants after the establishment of the HMB in Japan and examine future issues. A survey was conducted in 251 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from December 2020 to February 2021. The response rate was 61%. Although approximately 59% and 62% NICUs responded for ELBWI and VLBWI, only 30% and 46% could achieve this, respectively. Artificial nutrition was used to initiate enteral feeding for ELBWI in 24% and VLBWI in 56% of NICUs. Of the NICUs, 92% considered HMBs necessary or rather necessary and 55% wanted to use the HMB but could not. The major reasons for the same were (1) paying the annual membership fee of the HMB is troublesome, (2) obtaining approval from the facility is difficult, and (3) using the HMB is complicated. The indication and discontinuation for using donor milk vary among NICUs. Only in 17%, milk expression started within 1h delivery. Compared with before the establishment of the HMB, more NICUs are currently willing to start enteral feeding for preterm infants earlier. However, the implementation of enteral feeding appears to be challenging. Issues related to the HMB highlighted by the responses need to be addressed. Additionally, guidelines for using donor milk need to be established.

Cost Sensitivity Analysis on Merchant Discount Rates

Credit card companies provide payment services between merchants and members (i.e., cardholders) and charge merchant discount rates and annual membership fees, respectively. There is a discriminatory price structure in which merchants pay a higher commission rate than members because of the recognition that the utility of merchants is relatively greater than that of members and they have an obligation to accept cards. To prevent aggravating the burden on merchants due to the discriminatory price structure, regulations on the merchant discount rate were adopted in Korea. This study suggests a direction to improve the understanding of the credit card markets and to solve structural problems through a cost sensitivity analysis of merchant discount rates determined in the qualifying cost system introduced by the Financial Services Commission. First, we found empirical evidence that the effect of changes in each cost ratio on the merchant discount rate (price) differs depending on the intensity of the cost regulation (regulation effect). In addition, the merchant discount rate was lowered by government policy, regardless of cost. Combining the analysis results, we demonstrated that some expenses could not be recovered as merchant discount revenue when the related expenses rose due to the increase in card usage amount. To fix the structural problem of the card payment business, we suggest changing the preferential commission rates according to market conditions, reflecting eligible costs in member recruitment costs, reflecting adjustment costs in the loss rate due to the application of preferential merchant discount rates, and excluding the decrease in cost ratio due to management efficiency when the merchant discount rate is re-adjusted.

Contribution of Compassion International to the Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers in Bushenyi District

The study was to assess the contributions of Compassion International to the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the Bushenyi district of western Uganda. The specific objectives were to; (i) assess the household livelihood changes resulting from smallholder participation in Compassion International programs; (ii) assess the level of beneficiary participation in Compassion programs, (iii) analyse the contribution of Compassion International to food production and security, and (iv) examine the challenges being faced by Compassion International that hinder their operations in rural settings of Uganda. The study adopted a descriptive survey design that applied both quantitative and qualitative approaches for data collection. Data was captured from 206 respondents using both a questionnaire and an interview schedule. Data was analysed using SPSS version 16 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that smallholder participation in Compassion International programs has resulted in livelihood changes such as; enhanced child education, household economic and spiritual empowerment, increased access to agricultural inputs, income-generating projects, and enhanced household capacities. The study also found that beneficiaries participated in compassion programs by attending organisation outreaches, seminars, and annual meetings, mobilising local resources towards the cause, participating in project activities, paying annual membership fees, and giving feedback on project activities and operations. Compassion International has contributed towards household food production and security of the household across the district by setting up agricultural support projects, mobilising farmers, providing agro-inputs, and facilitating extension service delivery. The study further established that; poor funding, corruption and misuse of funds, competition and poor power relations with the local government are the key challenges hindering Compassion International’s operations in the Bushenyi district. The study concluded that though smallholder farmer participation in compassion programs has resulted in improved livelihood changes for member households, there remains a huge socio-economic gap in the Bushenyi district. The organisations’ operations are still hampered by a number of challenges. The NGO needs to tackle poverty reduction dynamically, strategically, and comprehensively. This is because poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon that needs a multidimensional approach. There is a need to look at other categories of needy people in society such as the elderly, widows, and disabled persons, rather than placing emphasis on a category.

Dynamic Communities: Plotting a New Course

Dynamic Communities was a company that forms and administers Software User Groups. Each group had a thriving membership which shared knowledge and information among each constituent in the community. Active participation by employees of member companies led to stronger competency in the software and eventually higher return on software investment for their employer. Programs and features of membership in a User Group ranged from online aspects (such as interactive discussion forums and downloadable content libraries) to in-person events (including training, certifications, and large-scale conferences). Companies joined in membership, paying an annual membership fee, to allow its employees access to the programs and features of the community. Through the first twelve years of existence, Dynamic Communities counted on double-digit growth in revenue from membership fees. However, it flattened. As technology evolved and social media became more pervasive, it had become easier and easier for individuals to replicate many of the learning features that made membership in a Dynamic Communities User Group exclusive. Persons found highly specialized information just by working the search engines. No longer was Dynamic Communities able to simply put online content behind a firewall and expect members to pay to access it. Revenue from membership fees made up about 19% of the company’s annual revenue but was eroding. Dynamic Communities executive team was faced with a dilemma of trying to revise its membership model in an environment of significant change while still maintaining its revenue sources. This case challenges the reader to assess price and product mix strategies.

A Novel Virtual Partnership to Promote Asian American and Asian International Student Mental Health.

In 2018, the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness (CCCSEW) developed the CCCSEW Consortium, a year-long virtual program for secondary schools, colleges, and universities, to support campus staff in promoting the mental health of Asian American and Asian international students. The program shares similarities with the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes model, including the hub-and-spoke virtual learning environment, development of self-efficacy, and peer learning. The program is in its second year of operation and has been well received by participants. The Consortium, a nonprofit entity, has achieved financial sustainability through support of annual membership fees.

Who Joins the Franchise, Affiliation Model of Hospital Networks? An Analysis of Hospital and Market Characteristics of Members.

Joining nonownership based, organization-driven networks and alliances is a common strategy for hospitals to pursue yet little is known about what types of hospitals join these collaborations, due in part to challenges in identifying members. One novel network form that has recently emerged, and made identification feasible, is franchise-like "affiliation networks" in which affiliate hospitals pay an annual membership fee that allows access to the clinical expertise and resources of high-status, nationally ranked sponsor hospitals. Affiliation networks and their members publicize affiliation. Using 2006-2015 data on United States' hospitals, we find hospitals with higher patient acuity, teaching hospitals, and hospitals located in areas of higher utilization intensity were more likely to join an affiliation network. Joining affiliation networks does not appear to be in response to highly competitive markets because hospitals in less competitive environments are more likely to join and hospitals with higher net incomes are more likely to join.

Forest Management Cost at Household Level in the Bale Mountains Eco-Region Redd+Project, Southern Ethiopia

Effective forest use and management/governance requires a deeper understanding of forest’s multiple socio-economic functions or benefits at various scales, in particular at local level. Hence, reliable and up to-date information on the state of forest resources are very important. Thus, the main objective of the study was to assess the cost of forest management at household level. Accordingly, Data were collected through household survey, group discussions and key informant interviews. Statistical methods such as descriptive statistics and Leaner regression was used to analyse data. The results of the study show that the performance of user groups and the attitudes and intention of households towards participating in collective management are associated with level of income and dependence on forest income. User groups that are more dependent on forest income and have higher heterogeneity in terms of dependence on the forest resource have shown lower performance. Forest dependent households have also shown a less positive attitude and intention towards engaging in planting activities. Forest prices were obtained by surveying local markets, and from information from interviews with local residents and from focus group discussions. The amount of forest management cost is calculated by the sum of thinning, cleaning, pruning, patrolling, fie line development, forest products collection costs transaction costs, costs of operational, plan preparation, attending a meeting, Capacity building, material costs and annual membership and fee that a member household has to pay were identified in study. The cost of forest management is estimated by the sum of Forest products collection costs, Transaction costs, Material costs, the annual membership fee that a member household has to pay. Accordingly, results revealed that in the study areas estimation of forest management cost is about 19,925 birr per ha up to the forest can give the actual function. It is recommended that a better outcome in terms of poverty alleviation can be achieved if pro-poor forest-based activities are specifically considered in planning conservation and development interventions. Keywords/ phrases: Bale Eco Region, Forest income, forest-management at household level, Oromia, Ethiopia, REDD+ DOI : 10.7176/JRDM/58-01 Publication date : August 31 st 2019

70 Integrity Beef Alliance I. Program Overview

Abstract Noble Research Institute initiated a cow/calf best management practices (BMP) and marketing program in 2000. Over time, the Integrity Beef Alliance program has matured into a producer-run stand-alone Alliance that has received much favorable attention in the industry. The objectives of the program are: 1.) implement BMP’s, 2.) increase selling weights of calves, 3.) increase calf quality and uniformity, 4.) improve marketing efficiencies, 5.) utilize producer records for improvement, and 6.) educate producers to use of BMP’s. This program has developed stringent protocols that must be adhered to throughout the calf production phase. Protocols and requirements center on cow and bull genetics, herd health, preconditioning criteria, and record keeping. Producers who complete all required documentation and pay an annual membership fee are allowed to sell their calves through a value added calf sale, receive a letter of certification to provide to potential direct market buyers, or market through Superior Livestock Video utilizing the Integrity Beef Alliance logo. Through the utilization of financial and production records, members are able to benchmark themselves against other similar operations in the program and against their own performance over time to determine areas of needed improvement and areas of efficiency. Compared with the 2008 NAHMS data, producers have averaged a 28.6 kg increased weaning weight. Many producers have indicated a higher increase in weaning weight compared to their previous protocols. The program has grown from 11 producers in 2005 to 51 members in 2018.

Editorial: conference culture and the benefits of connection

Editorial: conference culture and the benefits of connection

C to C Interaction Management

IntroductionA large motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson has gained a favorable image through product design, product customizability, and product appearances in many movies, with a history and narrative extending over 100 years, strong customer appeal for its products, and a powerful brand. Harley-Davidson Japan (HDJ), a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based Harley-Davidson, is Harley-Davidson's master distributor in Japan. It began with forty million yen in capital and less than twenty employees in 1989. HDJ has top market share in Japan, even as the domestic market for large motorcycles (defined as those with engine capacity of 750 cc or more) has shrunk. HDJ has made no capital investment in any of its authorized dealers, and in 2007, all 150 dealers averaged annual sales of 550 million yen with an average employee headcount of 10.9 (Okui, 2008).When purchasing a Harley-Davidson vehicle from a dealer, customers join the Harley Owner Group, or HOG, after paying an annual membership fee of 10,000 yen. HOG is the largest riders group in the world, covering over 131 countries worldwide, with a total global membership of more than 900,000. Japan accounts for approximately 35,000 of those members. Dealers in Japan operate customer communities termed chapters, and HOG members have the benefit of being able to join a chapter.Each chapter operates around a structured annual event plan. Harley-Davidson touring events are different from normal motorcycle tours as they are managed by corporations (HDJ and dealers). First, each chapter will have a regular touring event once a month as per HDJ's directions. In addition, some dealers have original touring events (ladies touring, beginners touring, and overseas trips). Other motorcycle manufacturers indicate HDJ's customer community to be a success factor. It is certain that spontaneous customer-to-customer (C2C) interactions increase the value addition of products and are even known to determine value addition (Kokuryo, 1998). In the open source area, software development is undertaken through frequent C2C interactions within customer communities (Fujita & Ikuine, 2014; Ikuine & Fujita, 2014; Shiu & Yasumoto, 2016).However, there have been many reports of consumers gathering on internet forums to criticize companies or to form boycotts (Kokuryo, 2001); moreover, in some cases, C2C interactions have ceased once consumers have discovered that a company representative has attempted participating in an internet forum to guide the discussion therein according to company aims (Kokuryo, 1997). In other words, C2C interactions can be skillfully managed as simply as they can be poorly managed. In actuality, the two HDJ dealers with very different levels of sales performance (high-performing Dealer A and poor-performing Dealer B) selected for this case study had major differences in how they managed C2C interactions within their chapters.Case AnalysisThis paper uses internal data provided by HDJ through 2012. Each dealer is registered within HDJ's CRM system (including vehicle data), and the HDJ stores aggregate this information. In addition, we conducted face-to-face interviews with HDJ employees (11), dealers (13 stores nationwide for a total of 17 times), and customers (2).High-performing Dealer ADealer A is an exemplary dealer who has received awards from HDJ with regard to CRM. HDJ has collected information on Dealer A's customer-focused management, placed this information onto a DVD, and distributed the DVD to all its dealers nationwide. Other dealers have acknowledged Dealer A's ability to ensure high customer satisfaction. There are two characteristics in the manner they manage C2C interactions.1. Customers participating in chapters are organized by the dealer into groups according to the customer's touring skills.2. Original events are held for each customer group five times per year.Not all customers are the same; they will have a mix of touring skills, ages, genders, and experiences of riding Harley-Davidsons. …

The effect of online fan community attributes on the loyalty and cooperation of fan community members: The moderating role of connect hours

Global fans spontaneously look up their favorite celebrity-related news coverage via the online community and/or by subscribing to fan pages on social media. Unlike social media, which is an open space for everyone including fans and anti-fans, the online fan community is a closed space only for avid fans who are willing to pay an annual membership fee. Since online community users tend to have a common identity and purpose, they feel a bond with the other members. In the meantime, the members may have different motivations for feeling attachment. For the study, the sample was collected from the “Girls' Generation” (GG) online fan community. The empirical results showed that social interaction significantly influenced fan community identification (FCI) and fan community trust (FCT). Information quality had positive effects on FCI, FCT, and celebrity trust (CT). Contents significantly affected CT and FCT. FCI had positive effects on CT, FCT, loyalty, and cooperation. CT and FCT significantly influenced loyalty and cooperation, respectively. Further, connect hours moderated the paths between FCI to CT; FCI to FCT; FCI to loyalty; and FCT to cooperation. This study provides added value for online fan community members and improves marketing strategies for entertainment management agencies.

Grafų Keyserlingkų ir kitų Lietuvos dvarininkų archeologiniai rinkiniai Kuršo provincijos muziejuje

Iki 1916 m. į Kuršo provincijos muziejų pateko Lietuvos bajorų senųjų giminių ir vokiečių tautybės dvarininkų aptiktų įvairių plačios chronologijos (4400/4200 m. pr. Kr.–XVI a. po Kr.) archeologinių radinių iš Kauno gubernijos (210 vienetų iš dvylikos vietovių, minimos dar dvi radavietės, daugiausia iš šiaurinės dalies, Žemaitijos). Aktyviausi XIX a. pabaigoje renkant dirbinius ir organizuojant tyrimus (jau Kuršo gubernijoje) buvo grafai Theodoras ir Otto Keyserlingkai (Malgūžės–Daunoravos atšaka). Kai kurie šių rinkinių turėjo antikvarinį pobūdį, nefiksuotos tikslesnės jų radimo aplinkybės (O. Keyserlingko akmeninių kirvelių rinkinys), tačiau kiti buvo detaliau metrikuoti (Alfredo von Behro Škilinpamūšio pilkapyno ir kt. radiniai). Tam tikrais atvejais ši informacija apie kai kuriuos objektus – Adakavą, Laukžemę, Lieporus, Moliūnus, Škilinpamūšį, Viekšnius (Kauno gubernija), Vecsaulės Čapanus, Jaunsvirlaukos Migalias (Kuršo gubernija) ir kt. – ar juose surinktus unikalius radinius yra vienintelė.

公益法人における年会費収入の会計区分間の配分をめぐる検討<BR>-スポーツ団体の会員募集経費と無償の役務提供の影響に着目して-

公益法人における年会費収入の会計区分間の配分をめぐる検討<BR>-スポーツ団体の会員募集経費と無償の役務提供の影響に着目して-

Membership fee set to increase by 1% as vote is passed to set rate for five years.

The RCN's annual membership fee may rise by 16p a month from next year, after members voted to allow the college's council to set the rate for the next five years.

The pharmacist will see you now

About a year ago, I walked into an Apple Store and was greeted by a young and enthusiastic associate who helped me obtain an item I asked for. Like many New York City shoppers, I quickly paced into the store, obtained what I needed, and scanned the long line to assess how long this purchase would take me. The associate immediately offered an express checkout using a device attached to his iPhone. No line, no wait, no fuss. In less than 2 minutes, the transaction was done, and I was back out on the street.

Science on the internet serving everyone?

Editorial policies have changed gradually during the last decade. Before the advent of the internet and the digital formats, scientific information reached the scientific community through institutional libraries that received the periodicals by subscription. These subscriptions were expensive but the prices were compatible with the whole structure needed to produce, print and distribute paper periodicals. Other periodicals, generally of minor importance, could be distributed for free, and their costs were covered by annual membership fees from some association. Some received money from advertising and from scientific agencies to cover the expenses. The invention of the internet and the possibility it offered to distribute digital information seemed to be the perfect opportunity to democratize information, since it would make it possible, at least in theory, to reduce considerably the periodical production and distribution costs. In spite of this, electronic subscriptions are not cheaper, and many times are more expensive than the printed versions. Nowadays, most electronic journals are sold in separate papers and the articles cost around 40 US dollars each. Considering 12 volumes per year, containing 10 papers each, and the subscription would cost around 4,800 US dollars p.a. More recently the new vending method is the production of the so-called “open-access” papers which are in fact paid by the authors for the promess of many citations. From several hundreds to a few thousand dollars the author may make available on the web the results of his research for free download. This should be called “sponsored-access” instead. This policy benefits the journals and also a few countries, institutions or scientists who can afford it, since huge amounts of money are required. The poorest countries get excluded once more. Fortunately there are true “open-access” journals and those who collect symbolic fees to maintain themselves independent from exclusively volunteer work. Even better is the creation of scientific digital libraries like Scielo which is 15 years old and gathers today 12 countries from South and Central Americas plus Portugal and now South Africa. This kind of initiative should be recognized and be more valued by the scientific community, especially by ours that is still too attached to foreign indexes that seem to be world’s only scientific guides. This is the way to create a virtuous cycle that shall lead to a gradual enhancement in quality and to an efficient divulgation, and, more important: really free of the scientific work in Brazil and in other countries in a similar situation. Gregoire Jean-Francois Demets Associate Editor (Orbital)

Qualitative study of motivators and outcomes of Sri Lankan doctors achieving MRCGPInternational

The UK's Royal College of General Practitioners accredits overseas examinations in family medicine through MRCGP[INT] rather than exporting MRCGP UK. There is limited research on the motivating factors and outcomes of this practice on candidates. To explore factors motivating Sri Lankan doctors to pursue the South Asian MRCGP[INT] and their perceived benefits and barriers to sitting the examination. Qualitative semi-structured 1:1 interviews with 14 successful past MRCGP[INT]SA candidates were undertaken in Sri Lanka. Findings were analysed with N-Vivo software. A phenomenological approach was used. Interpretive dimensions were applied drawing on information from interviews, informal conversations and observations. Motivators to sit the examination included a desire to improve patient care and seeking recognition as a family doctor. Younger doctors had hopes of increased future income and there was some expectation that the examination may improve overseas employment prospects. The examination conferred greater confidence, new patient-centred communication skills, introduced the use of evidence-based guidelines and increased awareness of the UK health system to most participants. There were examples of diffusion of knowledge through different teaching channels. Relative to Sri Lankan examinations, formal training opportunities were limited and value for money of annual membership fees were questioned. Financial and geographical barriers to the examination were noted. Currently MRCGP[INT]SA offers additional value for successful candidates in Sri Lanka who perceive accreditation by a UK college favourably. Improvement of pre- and post-exam support linked to MRCGP[INT]SA in Sri Lanka is needed. Further research into the long-term impact is necessary, in particular regarding equity of access, migration and local training development.