End Customers Research Articles

Value Chain Analysis in Retail Shop Case Study: “Dizzle Otx Game Shop”

Value chains are often used to assess and find suitable techniques to increase competitive advantage. This research uses Value Chain with the aim of analyzing the retail store industry. Retailer becomes the end of distribution activities from producers to End Customers. The object of research used is Game Store and Hobby, this retailer is in the city of Surabaya, Indonesia. Method using descriptive analytic method using primary data from observations and interviews with business owners. From the analysis conducted aims to create one stop shopping that can increase competitive advantage by increasing product variations and staying up to date with market interest in game discs and game consoles as well as various equipment related to the game world both merchandise and accessories. That way customers can easily find the desired product easily in one store. This will increase the interest of a community in the area to do one stop shopping at this store. Increase distributor network to get cheaper prices and improve store appearance, use of technology, and customer service.

NFC TECHNOLOGY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS

The article examines a system for making contactless payments using NFC technology. The practice of acquiring as a trade method that increases the attractiveness of business for the client and simplifies trade processes for owners and employees is considered. The relevance of such a system in Ukraine and the prospects for its development have been determined. The presence on the market of such systems, combinations of systems that allow to obtain the same attractiveness for business and customers was analyzed. Despite the fact that such systems attract customers to the business, the number of services that can provide relevant services to the customer or business remains insignificant, and ready-made solutions combining functionality for the customer and the seller at the same time have not been found to date. The purpose of the article is to present the stages of development of contactless payment systems that transfer data between client applications using NFC technology and a server based on microservice architecture. The article presents a system of contactless payments based on NFC technology, its structure and algorithm of operation. It is indicated that the principle of operation consists in receiving and transmitting data from two end customers of the system to one of the payment systems in a certain order, which allows for safe payment transactions.

The Impact of the Marketing Mix on the Healthcare for Boosting Sales

This article discusses the Marketing mix that is product, price, place and promotion and how it is effecting healthcare industry, Marketing mix is a strategy, this concept traces back to 1960, when marketing professor E. Jerome McCarthy first published it in a book entitled Basic Marketing: A Managerial Approach, with the help of this marketing plan using the 4 Ps ( Product, Price, Place and Promotion ), companies started to well in marketing and selling their products, not only in local but also across states and countries, that’s how powerful the Marketing mix is. And now it is made more interesting, and an additional three elements that help us meet the challenges of marketing services, People, Process and Physical Evidence (Booms &Bitner, 1982), so in total now marketing mix has 7 Ps ( Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, Physical Evidence, which are driving the plans made out for marketing and selling this days. So the article will be showing how 7 Ps will helped and are still helping the health care sector which is indeed a unorganized sector, At its core, a marketing mix is focused companies to sell healthcare products before selling it will help in promoting a product or service to generate revenue for a company. It integrates key marketing strategies that will create brand awareness, build customers to trust companies and in the end customers end up buying the products or Services

E-WOM in the B2B context: Conceptual domain, forms, and implications for research

Despite a vast increase in electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) research over the past two decades, insights into e-WOM in the Business-to-Business (B2B) context have been limited, resulting in an incomplete understanding of its meaning and the market implications. The existing conceptualizations of e-WOM are deeply entrenched in the characteristics of a particular context—Business-to-Customers (B2C)— and, consequently, focus exclusively on end customers. The diversity of B2B stakeholders and the complexity of their relationships in the online communicative space demand a clearer understanding of the e-WOM concept in this specific context. This paper synthesizes the key studies in this area and proposes an organizing framework for online B2B communicative networks based on a stakeholder approach. It differentiates between seven forms of e-WOM, illustrating its complexity in B2B contexts and allowing a fine-grained understanding of the phenomenon. Informed by the literature reviewed, this paper offers a more nuanced conceptualization of e-WOM, emphasizing its ability to cover a range of contexts. It enables firms to fully understand the concept and manage their relationships with different e-WOM actors/stakeholders in the online environment. A future research agenda is provided for the field, allowing researchers to direct and craft B2B e-WOM theory and practice.

Consumer’s Adoption of Last Mile Logistics Innovation: A Systematic Literature Review

Last mile logistics refers to the final stage of the delivery process where products are transported from a distribution center to the end customer. In recent years, advancements in technology and changes in consumer behavior have led to an increased focus on last mile logistics. However, last mile logistics pose challenges due to its complexity and uncertainty affecting both the firms or logistics service providers and the customers. Studies focusing on achieving efficient last mile logistics have gained attention from scholars while research discussing factors affecting customer’s adoption on last mile logistics innovation remain scant. This conceptual paper aims to explore the factors that influence customer adoption of last mile logistics through a systematic literature review of selected 21 papers from reputable journals. The papers were analyzed and resulted in three broad categories of perspectives discussing factors considered by customers to adopt last mile logistics innovation. Future studies are recommended to address issues not covered in this study.

Test methodology for validating tractor structural part under multiaxial loading

A tractor is a machine which is predominantly used for various agricultural operations such as plowing, tilling, planting, harvesting, etc. Apart from the regular agricultural applications, currently, tractor is being also used for various other applications such as haulage, dozing, loading, digging, and so on. Because of the versatility in usage patterns and applications, it is extremely difficult to estimate the loads coming on different structural parts of a tractor. Therefore, fatigue behaviors of different structural parts are also highly unpredictable. Limited test methodologies or information are available about the testing methodologies to validate the structural parts of a tractor. Conventional uniaxial load tests may not be sufficient to replicate actual Real World Usage Pattern (RWUP) as different structural failures are reported from field testing or end customers despite clearing in different lab testing. On the other hand, multiaxial loading may produce more realistic and accurate test results. In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop a practically deployable and simple to use laboratory test methodology considering multiaxial loading to validate Rear Axle Carrier (RAC) assembly of a tractor. At the end of the study, simple to put methodology has been demonstrated in which all the stated objectives were full filled. Real time acquired load data have been used to analyze and develop the duty cycle with a considerable test time reduction in place. This methodology can be used for validating similar kind of structures.

A Review of Blockchain Technology Adoption in the Tourism Industry from a Sustainability Perspective

The deployment of Blockchain technology in the tourism industry is already becoming a reality with the gradual emergence of innovative business models. At its core is the promise of improving the efficiency of the tourism service value chain and enhancing the quality of the service provided to the end customer. This paper analyses research trends focused on using Blockchain technology in tourism. The aim is to determine how this technology impacts the tourism sector and its sustainability. A systematic review, descriptive bibliometric analysis, and network analysis based on co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword analysis criteria, among others, have been used. The results reveal that the subject matter analysed is generating a growing trend in academic research in the fields of sustainable management and supply chain efficiency. The activities in the tourism sector that are incorporating this technology to a greater extent are those related to the areas of marketing, logistics, and smart business models, according to the data extracted from the analysis. This technology already enables the application of solutions that predict and promote tourist behaviour based on sustainable behaviour and consumption habits, generating value for the different stakeholders.

Advancing Technology in Healthcare Supply: A Review

Supply Chain Management (MRP) has an important role in healthcare services, including in Indonesia where the majority of raw materials used by the pharmaceutical industry are imported. From the world perspective, Indonesia's pharmaceutical and healthcare industry is known to be very expensive. The Indonesian government has struggled to control the pharmaceutical industry due to its complexity. Too many players that take roles in this industry are also extending the supply chain flow thereby increasing the price to be paid by the end customer (patient). In this era of globalization, technology has played a role and helped human life in almost all aspects, including the health and pharmaceutical service sectors, therefore it is hoped that the use of advanced technology can be a solution to overcoming the complexity in Indonesian health services.

Building responsive and resilient supply chains: Lessons from the COVID‐19 disruption

Building responsive and resilient supply chains: Lessons from the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 disruption

Impact of Global Fuel Price Volatility on the Korean Electric Sector: Market Risk Estimation and Electricity Rate Cap

This paper investigates the challenges that the Korean electric sector has encountered in 2022 under a regulated framework different from market-based approaches. The Ukraine-Russia war caused chaotic circumstances in every aspect of the global economy, and the energy market was not an exception. Every nation has been struggling in 2022 to secure its energy needs due to the supply chain disruptions associated with the geopolitical issues, as well as to minimize the economic impact. As electricity is a derivative product from fuels, it has serious vulnerability to fuel price volatility, unless the nation is self-sufficient in energy supply with 100% renewable energy sources or equivalent alternatives. When an electric market is deregulated with open market competition, the market cost of goods is simply passed through to end customers. However, it may not be the same case for a regulated utility that is subject to the rules set by public agencies. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), a Korean public utility, has made every effort to stay away from bankruptcy due to its deficit of KRW 3 trillion (U$ 24 billion) in 2022. The main reason for the deficit is the regulated electric rate cap that KEPCO must charge to retail customers for the wholesale power purchased at market rates from the Korea Power Exchange. The price disparity may be explained by the year-on-year change in October: the rate cap is up 22% as opposed to the wholesale market price spike of 89%. This paper analyzes price diversions or volatilities of eight comparable asset classes, from a DJIA stock to the Korean electricity prices, in a historical context (January 2018-August 2022), and applies current fuel market parameters to estimate the value-at-risk, or price change, in Korea electricity prices to understand the estimated divergence between the two prices.

CONCEPT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE LOGISTICS INDUSTRY: ADVANTAGES, PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

An important concept in the operation of logistics transport systems is logistics customer service. This concept is based on the overall scope of the supply chain. Traditionally, it has been difficult for supply chain components to define their role in the overall customer service provided to end users. However, there is a growing trend towards greater awareness of their role not only in relation to trading partners but also to the end customer. The logistics industry is responsible for the transportation and storage of goods. Improving customer service in the logistics industry can have many benefits. Better customer service can lead to higher levels of satisfaction, repeat business and recommendations. It can also lead to increased efficiency and lower costs. A well-run logistics operation depends on satisfied customers. When customers are satisfied with the service, they are more likely to use the same company again and recommend it to others. Improving customer service can also lead to increased efficiency and lower costs. By optimizing service operations, logistics companies can increase profitability by providing excellent service. Logistics customer service is an important part of the logistics industry. Customers entrust their shipments to a logistics service and expect to receive excellent service. Quality customer service is seen as a way to create loyal customers and keep them coming back, so this issue is relevant for logistics business. The article defines the process of customer service in logistics, describes the stages of logistics service. The importance of improving customer service in the field of logistics is analyzed and tips for its improvement are given. Problems in logistics customer service are identified and ways to determine customer service satisfaction are proposed. The benefits of improving customer service and ways to create a positive customer experience are described. Customer service is extremely important in the world of logistics because of the highly synchronized and detailed planning and execution that is required to operate on a global scale. Improving customer service in the logistics industry can have many benefits. There are many reasons to focus on customer service, from increasing customer satisfaction to reducing costs. By following the developed tips, it is possible to improve the quality of service in the logistics business and ensure the company's competitiveness.

An Approach for Designing an Optimal CNN Model Based on Auto-Tuning GA with 2D Chromosome for Defect Detection and Classification

Defect detection and classification on the final products are necessary for the manufacturers to ensure the quality of the final product before delivering it to the end customers. With rapid changes in manufacturing technologies, most of the companies have changed their operation methods toward industry 4.0. On this road, developing an automatic detection system based on the surface images can enhance the productivity and ensure the quality of the product. However, only a few studies have developed the models for solving this problem. Due to its complicated structure and parameters, designing an optimal convolution neural network (CNN) is still a challenge. Thus, this study aims to propose an autotuning genetic algorithm with two-dimension chromosomes for designing an optimal CNN model efficiently. In particular, a two-dimension chromosome is developed to represent a CNN’s structure and parameters. To enhance the searching process, the crossover rate and mutation rate are tuned automatically according to the generation. A two-dimension crossover method is proposed to create offspring for selecting the next population. In addition, a case of ceramic textile manufacturing is constructed to validate the proposed approach. The accuracy of the proposed approach is up to 95.5 percent on the testing dataset.

The Significance of Maqashid Shariah in the Development of the Islamic Marketing Mix Concept

This paper discusses the conceptualization of the Islamic marketing mix which is based on the theory of maqāṣid syarī'ah which is derived from the Koran and as-Sunnah covering products, prices, promotions, distribution, and people. The marketing mix in an Islamic perspective is different from the marketing mix in conventional economics. As an illustration, the production process includes moral and transcendental elements in the decision making of the production process. Product pricing in Islam must pay attention to several provisions that have been regulated in Islam. Product promotion in Islam is not justified in exaggerating product quality. According to Islamic principles, distribution channels are not allowed to charge the end customer which leads to higher prices. Regarding the aspect of people, Islam emphasizes the importance of customer freedom in making decisions.

Data fusion approach for a digital construction logistics twin

Construction site logistics deals with the transport and storage of materials as part of the execution of a construction project. An important part of construction logistics is informing those who are involved in the project about the current status of the ordered materials. On the one hand, the missing overview of the material inventory on the construction site and incoming deliveries makes efficient daily work planning on the construction site more difficult. On the other hand, unnecessary search and travel times reduce the productive working hours of employees on the construction site. In order to provide a better overview, the information from existing data sources must be linked and visualized in an easily understandable way for all project participants. Therefore, a digital construction logistics twin is proposed in this paper. Here, the challenge lies in the creation of the digital twin. The aim of this paper is to reduce the manual entry and planning effort needed. Therefore, an approach is proposed, which uses the Building Information Model (BIM), information from the technical specifications and bill of quantities as well as catalogue data from the building materials trade. The Building Information Model comprises the three-dimensional building model, information about the building components, the construction schedule (4D BIM) and the planned storage spaces on the constructions site. The catalogue data adds relevant logistic attributes and could also enables guidelines to be checked, e.g., as part of a sustainability certification (e.g., LEED). If the suppliers’ telemetry data were integrated, end-to-end material tracking would even be possible, similar to “track-and-trace” services from parcel service providers for end customers. The provision of all this data via a Building Information Model server as a “single source of truth” increases the transparency of the construction and logistics processes for everyone involved in the project. Also, this information would, for example, favor the use of autonomous means of transport, which reduces the need for manpower for transport on the construction site.

Choosing a Scenario for Improving the Sustainability of Supply Chains in Construction

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine acceptable methods for choosing directions for increasing the sustainability of supply chains in construction. The study also determinate the factors affecting the sustainability of supply chains in construction Theoretical framework: Supply chain integration in many industries is based on integrated enterprise resource and relationship processing systems (ERP), but the construction industry has traditionally lagged behind in these processes. The need to create effective relationships in supply chains and increase the resilience of supply chains in construction has become evident in the context of the pandemic. However, the weak formalization of these processes in construction has led to the need to find acceptable methods for choosing directions for increasing the sustainability of supply chains in this industry. Methodology: This is a descriptive-based study. Approaches to factors of the supply chain stability were researched and systemized and from this the situations for the increasing stability of the supply chains are determinated. The choice of a model of the increasing stability of the supply chains was determined by the analytic hierarchy process. Hierarchy analysis was used as a method for selecting a scenario for increasing the sustainability of supply chains in construction. Findings: The results of the research carried out to conduct a multi-criteria choice using the opinions of experts in the construction industry. The choice of scenarios for increasing sustainability is due to the fact that the introduction of adaptive information technologies allows to take into account all groups of selected factors, while ensuring synchronization of production planning, product shipment and inventory management, increasing market feedback, ensuring that production volumes correspond to product demand, as well as reducing logistics costs and the price of products for the end customer. Research, Practical &amp; Social Implication: The study contributes to a better understanding crucial factors of the sustainability of supply chains in construction. The processes of analyzing and evaluating factors contribute to improving the sustainability of supply chains in construction, by focusing on critical factors, adopting them according to the requirements of the construction. Originality/value: Based on the presented results, concluded that the scenario formation of increasing sustainability of the sustainability of supply chains by the introduction of adaptive information technologies allows to take into account all groups of selected factors, while ensuring synchronization of production planning, product shipment and inventory management, increasing market feedback, ensuring that production volumes correspond to product demand, as well as reducing logistics costs and the price of products for the end customer.

Optimal Pricing in a Rented 5G Infrastructure Scenario with Sticky Customers

The ongoing deployment of 5G is accompanied by architecture and pricing decisions. Network sharing is a critical feature, allowing operators to reduce their costs, but introducing a mixed partnering/competition situation, where the infrastructure owner, renting out their infrastructure to virtual operators (who act as customers), also provides services to end customers, competing with virtual operators. Pricing is the leverage through which an optimal balance between the two roles is accomplished. However, pricing may not be the only variable affecting customers’ choice, which may prefer (stick to) one operator for several reasons. In this paper, we formulate a game model to analyse the optimal pricing decisions for operators in the presence of such sticky behaviour of customers. After concluding that the game does not allow for a Nash equilibrium, we consider a case when one of the parties (the infrastructure owner, the virtual operators, or the regulator) is responsible for setting prices and analyse how operators’ profits are impacted when price-setting powers are shifted among the parties. The scenario where the regulator sets prices leads to the lowest profits for the operators, even lower than when competitors set prices.

Ecosystem emergence in emerging markets: Evidence from the Nigerian digital financial services ecosystem

Ecosystem emergence has gained the attention of multiple researchers, governments and development experts as a route to establishing linkages between institutions and industries aimed, ultimately, at value creation for the end customer. Ecosystems have been instrumental in the progress of various industries where it would be otherwise difficult for a single organisation to develop. Using the case of the Nigerian digital financial ecosystem, which comprises about forty-three organisations, this study traces and explores the stages of ecosystem emergence: initiation, envisioning, enacting, momentum, control/optimisation and enlivening. The results show that the Nigerian digital financial services (DFS) ecosystem emerged from the need to leverage strategic partnerships across several industries for efficient value creation and delivery. The emergence of the DFS ecosystem, though organic, evolved without any form of design intentionality by the operators and regulators, as most relationships and interactions were loosely coupled. The study highlights the need for ecosystem actors such as governments and regulators to provide more clarity on incentives and ecosystem rules in order to overcome the limitations imposed by system-level and institutional barriers that constrain its legitimacy and growth and the launch of new initiatives.

Analisis Rencana Pemasangan Transformator Sisipan Untuk Mengatasi Overload dan Drop Voltage pada Penyulang Selogabus PT. PLN (Persero) ULP Bojonegoro Kota

The Selogabus supplier is located at the Bojonegoro City ULP which has 111 transformers and is supplied by the BojonegoroSubstation. Transformers MA164 (250 kVA) and MA267 (250 kVA) have experienced overload (LoadMA164 = 102% and LoadMA267 = 111%)based on the loading standardization, namely SE DIR PT. PLN (Persero) No.0017/2014 (≤ 80%). The MA164 and MA267 transformersalso have the farthest customer end voltages of 187 V (ΔVMA164 = 23%) and 189 V (ΔVMA267 = 22%) which do not comply with SPLNstandard No. 1 Th. 1995 (+5% and -10%). An effective solution is to install an insert transformer because MA164 and MA267 cannot beuprated and cannot be broken by the JTR load. For planning the installation of the insert transformer it is necessary to carry out loadforecasting, determination of the capacity of the insert transformer, division of the line of the farthest customer parts, determination of thelocation and selection of distribution substation accessories.The MA164 insert transformer (160 kVA) is installed at a distance of 416 mfrom the MA164 Transformer with a loading of 47%, while the MA267 insert transformer (200 kVA) is installed at a distance of 255 m fromthe MA164 Transformer with a loading of 47%. After installation the insert transformer MA164 transformer has a load of 77% and a endvoltage of 211.9 V (ΔVMA164 = 9%), while the MA267 Transformer has a loading of 62% and an end voltage of 212.7 V (ΔVMA267 = 8%). Withthe appropriate conditions, the transformer can function properly and the customer's electrical equipment can function normally.

From Secondhand to Invisible Hand: Methods of Manipulating Object Biographies on The Realreal Online Marketplace

This article analyzes the methods employed to ensure the conservation of the value of goods sold on The RealReal online marketplace, a new-generation secondhand fashion reseller associated with the “circular economy.” First, we map challenges that The RealReal needs to overcome in order to enable fashion objects to come back onto the market. Next, based on a mixed methodology research, we detail the methods being used by the reseller to address these issues and analyze their effect. We argue that these methods interfere with the cultural biography of the objects being sold and present The RealReal as an authority in certifying the authenticity of a fashion object, although it has no official or practical ability to do so. By achieving this position, The RealReal forms a connection between the original brand and The RealReal’s own end customer. This connection is used to highlight the branded value of the objects, and at the same time to obscure the traces of previous ownership, to deflect attention from the fact that the inventory is mostly secondhand. We conclude that by doing so, the reseller has come up with a formula that enables fashion objects to take part in the circular economy.

Charting the future of optical access networks: an operator’s perspective [Invited

When an end customer praises or complains about “Internet,” the chances are the subject of the conversation is specifically the access network. Yet network operators were relatively slow introducing optical technologies into the access segment of data communications compared with backbone and metro. However, once fiber appeared in the access, the field quickly became a fertile ground of technological innovations. Based on Verizon’s experience, we analyze the operator’s broadband deployments, review the standardization landscape, and discuss recent innovations in optical access.