Conceptual Process Model Research Articles

The impact of changing seasons on in-destination tourist behaviour

Diseño/metodología/enfoqueEl artículo presenta un modelo de proceso conceptual del impacto de las estaciones en todos los aspectos del comportamiento en en destino turístico. El modelo se desarrolla a partir de la literatura y luego se pone a prueba usando Cairns, Australia como estudio de caso.ObjetivoEl propósito de este artículo es desarrollar un marco conceptual que examine los impactos de los cambios de estación en el turismo.RecomendacionesLas estaciones influyen en la gama, real y percibida, de productos/experiencias disponibles que condicionan las características de atracción de un destino. Las estaciones, a su vez, influyen en quién viene y por qué viene. Los conjuntos de actividades combinadas y el perfil del visitante definen el comportamiento en el destino.TrascendenciaEl estudio llena un vacío de investigación necesario de dos maneras. Primero, explica conceptualmente y luego demuestra empíricamente cómo los cambios en las estaciones afectan la oferta de productos y experiencias turísticas. En segundo lugar, contribuye significativamente a la comprensión de los factores que influyen en el comportamiento en el destino.Implicaciones prácticasSe identifican las implicaciones de gestión para las organizaciones de gestión de destinos.Originalidad/valorEste artículo presenta un nuevo modelo de proceso conceptual para un tema no examinado previamente.

Subglacial tills: a process model based on microsedimentological clues

Abstract Subglacial sediments are subject to erosion, transport, and deposition in active, ephemeral, and spatially localized glacial environments. It is critical to determine how these mobilized sediments become immobilized in a time-transgressive process and can be frequently remobilized and reimmobilized. Microscopic sedimentary structural signatures provide invaluable information on subglacial processes and contribute to understanding till formation. Data were obtained from a series of field sites in Canada and Austria investigating the microsedimentological aspects of both alpine and continental glaciation tills to construct a conceptual model of subglacial deformation. Microstructures in these tills indicate rheological behaviors that can be summarized into a potential model for soft deforming subglacial sediments. Most microstructures noted in these subglacial till examples highlight the development of subglacial interface kinematics providing clues to till deposition mechanics, subglacial bedform development, and the processes involved in till provenance distributions. A conceptual process model of subglacial interface conditions in soft mobile sediments is developed that uses microsedimentological evidence and highlights how an active ice mass integrates with ongoing substrate deformation. In the model, interaction occurs between the ice and its sediment bed with internal sediment microstructures evolving where multiple transient shear deformation processes cause localized deformation linked to pervasive and nonpervasive sediment deformation.

Assessment of the groundwater recharge processes of a shallow and deep aquifer system (Maggiore Valley, Northwest Italy): a hydrogeochemical and isotopic approach

The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying drinking water to a large territory of the Piedmont Region (northwestern Italy) and has been intensively exploited since the early twentieth century. This water resource is hosted in a deep, multilayered aquifer system. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the recharge processes of the deep aquifer through hydrochemical and isotopic assessments, as well as the water quality in the recharge and drainage areas. For this purpose, 128 physical–chemical analyses (major ions) and 50 isotopic analyses (δ18O and δ2H) were carried out on samples collected in shallow and deep aquifer complexes in two sampling campaigns in 2021. From the results, a hydrogeological conceptual model of recharge processes was developed. The chemical data confirm the presence of bicarbonate–calcium facies in most samples of the shallow and deep aquifer complexes. Clear hydrochemical differences were observed among the investigated sectors. The recharge areas were identified as (1) far zones, namely the shallow aquifer complex of the Cuneo Plain, and (2) the shallow and deep aquifer complexes with groundwater mixing in the riverside sector of Po Plain in the Turin area. The mixing of waters from the Cuneo Plain and Turin Plain was verified in the well field area. The isotopic values of the artesian well water also confirmed contributions from the Turin and Cuneo Alps. This study clarified the recharge processes, thereby defining potential pollutant pathways, and the results provide additional support for groundwater resource management and protection.

Logistics outsourcing for armed forces: The mobilisation of civilian transportation vehicles

One aspect of the total defence concept involves the temporary requisition of civilian transportation vehicles to meet the increased logistical demands of a wartime army. These vehicles are selected and managed in peacetime, mobilised at the onset of the war, used by military units throughout the war, and returned to their original owners afterwards. This paper presents a model for the reception process of such civilian vehicles during mobilisation. In practice, however, reception processes are not without challenges. Under the time constraints of mobilisation, issues may arise, including inappropriate reception, missed deadlines, and compromised operational readiness. To investigate these issues, the study employs conceptual modelling, supplemented by insights from professional experience. The main contributions of this paper include a conceptual model of the mobilisation process, a framework for maintaining records of mobilised assets, and a focus on previously underexplored mobilisation issues. Proper reception of mobilised vehicles significantly affects the transportation capability and operational readiness of military units as well as the accuracy of the post-conflict return process. Implementation of the proposed solutions requires careful consideration due to interdependencies with other aspects of the mobilisation process, such as doctrinal arrangements, administrative systems, mobilisation procedures as well as the quality and regularity of both professional and reservist military training.

Collaborative Filtering-Based Recommendation Systems for Touristic Businesses, Attractions, and Destinations

The success of touristic businesses, attractions, and destinations heavily relies on travel agents’ recommendations, which significantly impact client satisfaction. However, the underlying recommendation process employed by travel agents remains poorly understood. This study presents a conceptual model of the recommendation process and empirically investigates the influence of tourism categories on agents’ destination recommendations. By employing collaborative filtering-based recommendation systems and comparing various algorithms, including matrix factorization and deep learning models, such as the bilateral variational autoencoder (BiVAE) and light graph convolutional neural network, this research provides insights into the performance of different techniques in the context of tourism. The models were evaluated using a tourism dataset and assessed through a range of metrics. The results indicate that the BiVAE algorithm outperformed others in terms of ranking and prediction metrics, underscoring the significance of considering multiple measurements and exploring diverse techniques. The findings have practical implications for tourism marketers seeking to influence travel agents and offer valuable insights for researchers investigating this domain. Additionally, the proposed model holds potential for applications in travel recommendation systems, including attraction recommendations.

Conceptual model of the product development process using the tacit knowledge of disables

Knowledge management (KM) in an organization has always been an important element of creating its value and ensuring its development. Economic entities and market organizations that strive to ensure a competitive advantage must care for the best use of their knowledge, both explicit and tacit. Tacit knowledge may constitute up to 80% of all knowledge accumulated in an organization, but its nature is much less accessible to codification. The aim of the conducted research is to present a conceptual model of product development for the disabled, which assumes the functioning of the value network (VN) based on information technologies (IT). These people are the best source of knowledge necessary to formulate the framework defining the parameters of the developed product. The presented model considers the specific requirements of a given social group, which is characterized by a large dispersion and diverse needs. This is the biggest obstacle to extracting the knowledge necessary in the design and testing process. The article is an introduction to the discussion on the acquisition of tacit knowledge for personalization and adaptation of products to the needs of a given social group. The research into the conceptual model is the initial stage of research work that focuses on the analysis of literature and the creation of the concept of tacit knowledge management in the product development model based on the value network. The management of dispersed tacit knowledge is to systematize specific information in the field of product adaptation to the needs of the disabled. The concept of using tacit knowledge is always a challenge in the organization's knowledge management. The disabled often face difficulties in everyday life. Especially in the current situation in Ukraine, where military operations lead to an increase in the number of injured people for whom later adaptation in society will require appropriate knowledge and resources managed within the value network.

Developing a Comprehensive Mathematical Model for Aluminium Production in a Soderberg Electrolyser

The technological process of aluminium electrolysis is a complex scientific and technical task. This is due to a large number of internal, external and resultant factors. The aim of this work is to analyse these factors, assess them and their influence on the technological process of electrolysis and develop a comprehensive and mathematical model of aluminium production in the Soderberg electrolyser. The work analyses the technological process of primary aluminium production on the basis of the Bayer method and then on the basis of the Hall–Eru method. The existing methods and technologies for computer modelling of the technological process are analysed. The modern methods of analysis for thermal and electromagnetic fields in electrolysers are considered. On the basis of an in-depth analysis, a number of factors influencing the process of primary aluminium production are identified. Using the methods of system analysis to analyse the identified factors, a ranked list of factors according to the degree of influence is obtained. Using the Pareto diagram, we obtain a list of factors with maximum impact. A conceptual model of the technological process is derived. Based on the obtained conceptual model, the mathematical model of the technological process is derived. The conducted research may be useful to specialists in the field of metallurgy for the analysis of the technological processes of primary aluminium production.

Natural Language–Based Conceptual Modelling Frameworks: State of the Art and Future Opportunities

Identifying requirements for an information system is an important task and conceptual modelling is the first step in this process. Conceptual modelling plays a critical role in the information system design process and usually involves domain experts and knowledge engineers who brainstorm together to identify the required knowledge to build an information system. The conceptual modelling process starts with the collection of necessary information from the domain experts by the knowledge engineers. Afterwards, the knowledge engineers use traditional model driven engineering techniques to design the system based on the collected information. Natural language–based conceptual modelling frameworks or systems are used to help domain experts and knowledge engineers in eliciting requirements and building conceptual models from a natural language text. In this article, we discuss the state of the art of some recent conceptual modelling frameworks that are based on natural language. We take a closer look at how these frameworks are built, in particular at the underlying motivation, architecture, types of natural language used (e.g., restricted vs. unrestricted), types of the conceptual model generated, verification support of the requirements specifications as well as the conceptual models, and underlying knowledge representation formalism. We also discuss some future research opportunities that these frameworks offer.

Iterative business model innovation: A conceptual process model and tools for incumbents

Business model innovation (BMI) is challenging for incumbents because they must leverage existing capabilities, market knowledge, and stakeholder relationships in the BMI process. As BMI is an ongoing process, incumbents that can continuously innovate their BMs in response to changing market conditions and customer needs may be successful in the long term. However, an integrated and detailed process model of incumbents’ highly challenging BMI process is lacking. By structurally reviewing 47publications and integrating their process model elements, we propose an incremental, iterative, recursive, and reflective conceptual process model for incumbents’ BMI that comprises six phases and summarizes 23activities and 38tools. Our work contributes to the ongoing evolution of the process perspective of BMI by presenting a process model for incumbents that complements the established phases of initiation, ideation, and integration with the new phases of lifecycle analysis, competitor analysis, and roadmap.

Identification and fixing bottlenecks of a food manufacturing system using a simulation approach

In manufacturing systems, simulation modeling plays an important role in creating some changes instead of working on real systems. Manipulation in a real system is more costly than manipulation in a simulated model. In this research, we tried to use a simulation approach to recognize and minimize bottlenecks of a production line, which will decrease costs and improve productivity. To achieve our objectives, we chose a case and analyzed its production line. By using our case study strategy, we tried to collect our data and adapt a conceptual model of production processes drawing on an operation process chart (OPC). After that, we created a simulation model of the production processes by using the popular Arena simulation software 13.5. By running the Arena model, some bottlenecks were found. Ultimately, we proposed some solutions to obviate bottlenecks and reduce the total costs of production.

A conceptual model of multi-scale formation processes of open-air Middle Paleolithic sites in the arid Negev desert, Israel

AbstractOpen-air surface accumulations and scatters of material cultural remains often are perceived as less-reliable archaeological archives, where it is difficult to distinguish anthropogenic versus geogenic formation processes or to assess their specific effects on the integrity of archaeological records. Here we analyze the depositional histories of three Middle Paleolithic open-air sites in the Negev desert of Israel, combining archaeological and geomorphological methods to create a conceptual model of multi-scale effects on the archaeological remains. Relying on the long research history in archaeology and geomorphology in the Negev, we show that integration of archaeological and geomorphological methodologies provides nuanced insights to our understanding of the archaeological record. The links established between regional and local geomorphic processes and lithic taphonomy by applying such a multi-scale analysis further allow back-tracking environmental processes from flint taphonomic attributes. Placing each site within the range of regional and local processes of exposure and burial by using informed and critically evaluated data helps to create a robust regional archaeological data base. We suggest that our approach is useful in other arid zone contexts and may have implications for understanding Pleistocene population movements across such regions.

Uncovering the Mechanism of Online-Learning Stress of College Students

Online-learning stress poses a significant challenge to the sustainability of higher education. The present study employs mixed methods to propose a conceptual process model that depicts the mechanism of online-learning stress of college students. The result of the qualitative study indicates 11 influential factors of online-learning stress, 10 manifestations of online-learning stress (OS), and three learning performance outcomes of OS (LP) through in-depth interviews with 15 college students. The result of a quantitative study on 159 online surveys implies that the influential factors of online-learning stress could be further categorized into learner competence and commitment (LC), course design reasonability (CD), and social support (SS). In addition, the results of the structural equation model (SEM) confirm the negative impact of LC and CD on OS, as well as OS on LP. However, the negative effect of SS on OS is unsupported. The study contributes to both OS theory development and online-learning and teaching in higher education.

Data Sources as a Driver for Market-Oriented Tourism Organizations: a Bibliometric Perspective

AbstractThis paper presents a conceptual framework that accurately represents the current and future perspectives of data-driven companies in tourism by means of an analysis of the data sources used in the data-driven tourism research literature, as well as the research topics to which they are applied. For this purpose, a bibliometric analysis of data-driven tourism research is carried out. The framework of the study is all tourism-related publications whose research was based on data sources during the period 1982–2020. The results show some of the basic bibliometric performance indicators and the maps of science. The main themes of research interest are identified, and the conceptual evolution is obtained based on these maps. Three major thematic areas are identified: tourism research topics, information sources, and data analysis techniques. Based on these three thematic areas, the conceptual model of data architecture and processes of a data-driven organization in the tourism sector are obtained. An additional qualitative analysis of the three thematic areas is performed.

The Green Consumption Behavior Process Mechanism of New Energy Vehicles Driven by Big Data—From a Metacognitive Perspective

Green consumption behavior is the embodiment of pro-environmental behavior, which is of great value to curb carbon emissions. However, the existing research on the model construction and quantitative analysis of the psychological process of green consumption behavior needs to be further explored. Therefore, on the basis of green consumption behavior and metacognitive theory, this study constructs a conceptual model of a psychological process with a psychological control source, green consumption attitude, three aspects of metacognition, and green consumption behavior and puts forward the hypothesis of an action mechanism. This study combines text mining technology and expert knowledge to establish a user review mining dictionary and mines the variables in the quantitative conceptual model through word embedding to test empirically the mechanism hypothesis. The results show that psychological control source has a significant impact on green consumption behavior, and green consumption attitude plays a partial mediating role between them. Metacognitive knowledge plays a moderating role between the psychological control source and green consumption behavior; metacognitive experience plays a moderating role between the psychological control source and green consumption attitude. Metacognitive monitoring plays a moderating role between green consumption attitude and green consumption behavior. In view of the above research results, we put forward the following countermeasures and suggestions: For organizations, it is necessary to identify green consumption groups, attach importance to green consumption experience, perform well in green marketing, and improve the competitiveness of green products; for decision makers, it is necessary to control strictly the industry standards of the green product market and perform well not only in the quality supervision of green products but also in the post-market construction of green products.

Dolomitisation of carbonate platform margins by fault‐controlled geothermal convection: Insights from coupling stratigraphic and reactive transport models

AbstractReactive transport modelling is increasingly deployed to quantitatively evaluate conceptual models of diagenetic processes. However, construction of models of complex systems involves trade‐offs between accuracy and simplification. This tension is explored for models of fault‐associated dolomitisation by sea water convection in a syn‐rift carbonate platform, evaluating the contribution of incorporating stratigraphic growth and fault propagation. Simulations of the high heat flux southern margin of the Derbyshire Platform (Northern England), with heterogeneous matrix permeability that reflects the evolving stratal architecture and burial compaction focusses dolomitisation in more permeable units at all depths. A permeable platform margin fault zone enhances dolomitisation in a broad area on the upper slope and margin, and to a lesser but significant extent, across the interior as platform top waters are entrained and discharge via the fault. Stepwise simulation of flow and reactions during stratigraphic growth suggests that static models over‐predict dolomite abundance in younger sediments and show how regions optimally supplied with reactants and heat to drive dolomite formation migrate vertically and laterally during platform growth. Dolomitisation intensity increases with depth due to greater time for reactions and kinetically favourable temperatures. Adding the fault zone to this model focusses and accelerates flow, giving a more spatially restricted dolostone body and reducing dolomitisation temperature. Changes in fault connectivity with the surface of the evolving platform shift fluid flow pathways and change the rate and temperature of dolomite formation. Results concur with petrographic, isotopic and geochemical observations of the early dolomite on the Derbyshire Platform. This work demonstrates the importance of understanding diagenesis as the product of an evolving set of processes that respond to geological and palaeoenvironmental changes rather than as a sequence of individual diagenetic events. This is particularly critical for reactions, such as dolomitisation by geothermal convection of sea water, which occur over timescales synchronous with platform development.

Causal mechanisms of COVID-19 disruptive effects on liability of foreignness and the emergence of new firm-specific advantages

There is the need for comprehensive research on the disruptive effects of COVID-19 on international business (IB) in preparation for future disruption. However, we know little about the causal mechanisms of the phenomenon which impacted IB. Based on a case study of a Japanese automotive firm in Russia, we investigate how firms tackle institutional entrepreneurship with firm-specific advantages to overcome the disruptive effects. Consequently, the pandemic increased institutional costs due to greater uncertainty in Russian regulatory institutions. To manage this, the firm developed new firm-specific advantages to deal with the increasing uncertainty of regulative institutions. The firm united with other firms to motivate public officials to advocate for semi-official debates. Our study contributes to extending intersecting studies on the liability of foreignness and firm-specific advantages through the lens of institutional entrepreneurship. We propose a holistic conceptual process model of the causal mechanisms and a novel construct for new firm-specific advantages.

CONCEPTUAL PROCESS MODEL FOR METAVERSE ARCHITECTURE - SSADT’S DESIGN PROCESS

At the articulation of the two themes: “Virtual Environments and Emerging Realities” and “Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication,” our proposal subscribes at the intersection of innovative technologies in architectural practice, such as blockchain, collaborative platforms and digital twins. Our purpose is to propose a conceptual design process model for architectural digital twin as a compound of metaverse architecture. The challenge is to achieve a Shared and Secure Architectural Digital Twin (SSADT). To model our SSADT’s design process model we are based on blockchain approach. To do this, we will firstly start by defining the principal compounds of an architectural digital twin. Secondly, we will explain the different steps for modelling a blockchain application. Then we will prototype our process for a SSADT. Finally, we will discuss our results and we will explore future perspectives.

Functional Restoration of Desertified, Water-Limited Ecosystems: The Israel Desert Experience

Ecological restoration has recognized explicitly the recovery of ecosystem functions. The emphasis on ecosystem functions in restoration efforts can be defined as functional restoration. Functional restoration, i.e., rehabilitation of ecosystem functions, is particularly applicable to highly degraded landscapes such as desertified areas, where restoration to the original state is impossible. This review paper produced a general conceptual model of the fundamental processes that regulate ecosystem functions in water-limited ecosystems. The Israeli Negev Desert was used as a case study to test the model results in the field. We developed general guiding principles for functional restoration of degraded landscapes that integrate functional restoration methods and include four successive steps: (1) identifying the fundamental processes that regulate ecosystem functions in alternative states; (2) detecting drivers leading to degraded states; (3) functional restoration: changing the state of the degraded landscape; and (4) monitoring the impact of the restoration effort and assessing its success in terms of ecosystem services. Our case study, the Negev, provided us with insights on how to reverse desertification in water-limited systems by restoring source–sink networks as a subset of functional restoration. The four suggested steps of functional restoration are essential for ecosystem recovery in the Anthropocene.

Virtual reality environment-based collaborative exploration of fashion design

ABSTRACT Driven by rapid advances in digital technology, virtual reality environments (VREs) have emerged as a new collaborative design tool. In this study, we present an experimental investigation of cognitive characteristics of VRE-based collaborative conceptual exploration in fashion design. Eight graduate students participated in two empirical experiments in which they collaboratively developed design concepts using a VRE and an online teleconferencing environment (OTE). The collected data were analysed according to a coding scheme to investigate the cognitive patterns involved in the process of collaborative exploration. The results indicate that collaborative exploration via VRE elicited more external representation-related cognitive activity linked to conceptual evaluation and enhanced interaction with a given design tool. They also show that OTE-based collaborative exploration was associated with a conceptual cognitive process model with a sequential flow of steps, which did not produce specific joint environment-related changes. In contrast, the VRE-based approach induced a flexible mental flow of various cognitive behaviours. This research contributes to the theoretical and empirical understanding of VRE needed to develop a methodological framework for VRE-based fashion design collaboration and related education.

КЕСИПТИК ОРТО БИЛИМ БЕРҮҮНҮ ЖАӉЫЛАНТУУ ЖАНА АНЫН ОКУУ ПРОЦЕССИН БАШКАРУУСУНУН МАСЕЛЕСИ: ТЕОРИЯЛЫК АНАЛИЗ

The article reviews the current state of professional secondary education in the Kyrgyz Republic, and emphasizes that determining its development opportunities is a very urgent issue. Emphasis is placed on theoretical and methodological research in this direction, and the need to develop the principles and directions of innovations in the professional secondary education system based on theoretical research is noted. Theoretical studies, concepts, ideas conducted around the given problem are considered. The author notes that the effectiveness of comprehensive modernization of vocational secondary educational institutions is closely related to the management of the learning process in vocational secondary educational institutions. It is noted that in order to study ways of creating a general conceptual model of the learning process in a secondary professional educational institution (college, etc.), a theoretical analysis is required and the need for a theoretical-methodological base created on its basis.