Customer Need Research Articles

Anthropometric Measurements and Analysis for Objective Assessment of Gynecomastia Surgery Results.

Gynecomastia surgery is one of the most common aesthetic procedures in males. There is a lack of objective analytical parameters to judge outcomes. In this study, the authors aim to introduce novel anthropometric measurements and analysis techniques for the objective assessment of surgical outcomes based on specific aesthetic targets. To introduce quantification of gynecomastia surgery outcomes and compare the results among the different grades of gynecomastia. A total of 192 patients with gynecomastia were included. The patient cases were grouped according to grades and a set of anthropometric measurements were taken both before the operation and 6 months postoperatively. Liposuction and glandular excision were done through minimal incisions in all grades of gynecomastia, with the addition of ultrasound and nipple areola complex (NAC) lifting plaster in selected Grade 3 and all Grade 4 cases. A statistically significant improvement in the perimeter of the triangular relationship of sternal notch and nipples, the elevation of the NAC, the reduction of the area of the NAC, and the correction of asymmetry of the chest were seen in all grades of gynecomastia, with increased differences in higher grades. A systematic objective analysis of the specific aesthetic targets helps to reliably compare results in a standard way and for carrying out improvisation of surgeons' techniques. Meanwhile, this approach helps identifying the need for customization, eventually providing symmetric and aesthetically pleasing surgical results.

ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETING AND NATURAL RESOURCES

It is a common saying in marketing that “customer is the king”. Gone were the days when whatever organizations are manufacturing, customers are purchasing. Nowadays if the companies have to survive in this cut throat competitive world, they have to manufacture according to the taste, preference and need of customers. In the modern era of globalization, it has become a challenge to keep the customers as well as consumers in fold and even keep our natural environment safe and that is the biggest need of the time. Environmental pollution is a buzz word in today’s business environment. Consumers are also aware of the environmental issues like; global warming and the impact of environmental pollution. Green marketing is a phenomenon which has developed particular importance in the modern market and has emerged as an important concept in India. In this research paper, main emphasis has been made over the concept, need and importance of green marketing. Data has to be collected from books, journals, websites, and news paper to understand the importance of green and sustainability management. The paper aims at finding out what actually Green Marketing is all about and how can a business firm be more competitive by using green marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge over others. The paper describes the current Scenario of Indian market and explores the challenges and opportunities businesses have with green marketing. Why companies are adopting it and future of green marketing and concludes that green marketing is something that will continuously grow in both practice and demand. KEYWORDS: Green Marketing, Globalization, Sustainability, Natural resources

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT OF INCENSE STICKS BY RETAILERS- A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CYCLE PURE AGARBATTIS.

The purpose of the present study is to compare the distribution system by the retailers of incense sticks in their respective retail stores. For the purpose of the study 3 retailers were taken as samples and interviewed. The variables taken for the study were On-time delivery, Cost effectiveness, Additional services, Inventory management and Availability at place. The questions based on the above variables were asked to the 3 chosen retailers one of them being the retail outlet of Cycle Brand (Cycle.in). The other two retail stores were “Always Foodstuff” and “Kamadhenu Supermarket”. The qualitative research was made and comparison of the retail stores were made and found that, the availability of the variants of incense sticks of same brand were more in the company’s retail outlet (Cycle.in), but there are more competitive products in the general retail stores. The company retail outlet had employees exclusively meant for their products, but the employees in general retail stores were not concentrating only on Cycle Pure agarbathies. As there were other products also in the general retail stores, home delivery was not difficult. It is only after COVID pandemic, home delivery of incense sticks in company outlet has become a practice. The profit margin in company retail outlet (Cycle.in) was 15% whereas the profit margin of the general retail stores was 20%+3%. The similarities between the retail stores were the payment practice to the vendors and the mode of payment customers chose for purchase. The time period taken by the suppliers to supply products to the retail outlet was one day whereas the company retail outlet also would put purchase order also a day before the need. The general store would sell the other brand incense sticks if the product which customer needs in Cycle brand is not available. But the company retail outlet will make sure it provides that product. The study concluded that the general retail store has the similar distribution management as that of the company retail outlet, but does not concentrate particularly on Cycle brand as they need to sale the products and are not brand conscious. Whereas Cycle.in stores exclusively concentrates on Cycle Brand agarbathies and will provide the brand which customer need.

High Tech Companies Continuously Innovate to Respond to Customer Needs: Market and Product Characteristics

In the 90s, with the birth of the information age, companies found themselves facing demanding challenges arising from requests from the market: more information, an increase in the quality offered, an increase in production and profits, market leadership and consumer orientation. Computers and high-tech products were created to be designed to meet this growing need for information on the part of businesses and society and consumers / users are looking today, as well as ten years ago, for the best way to select them. In the paper we will first focus on the concept of the High Tech market and then on the products that dominate this market

Information Technology as Catalyst for Value Re-Engineering Implementation in the Nigerian Construction Industry

Technological development has placed pressure on construction industry. Reviewing its activities due to an increase in a globally competitive market has manifested from the construction environment’s changing need to meet customer satisfaction. These pose challenges to many construction industries in developing countries to improve the quality of the product produced to meet the customer’s needs. The study aims to examine the impact of information technology (IT) application on value re-engineering (VRE) implementation that gives rise to customer value addition, through enhanced profitability performance and cost reduction for the construction industry to offer benefits for customers to achieve satisfaction. Using purposive sampling techniques, the subjectivist methodology was utilised to establish critical success factors in 40 purposefully sampled building construction operators within Abuja, Nigeria. The result further revealed that quality design and collaborative working among the VRE practitioners help the customer to derive the benefit of waste reduction by achieving a value-added perspective using high technology that influences both design and construction operations for the project. Early dissemination of information and design adequacy reduces pressure on both materials and labour scarcity. Finally, there is a significant need for the construction process to be re-engineered through the utility of change enablers and the introduction of assistive technologies like IT as drivers of VRE implementation on value addition that give rise to customer-derived benefits.

СПЕЦИФІКА ТА ІНСТРУМЕНТАРІЙ ЕКОСИСТЕМНОГО ПІДХОДУ

The constant evolution of economic relations in a turbulent competitive environment determines the development of an ecosystem approach to doing business. The ecosystem approach based on self-organization and productive interaction of business entities makes it possible to achieve a positive synergistic effect. The article substantiates that the ecosystem approach involves a synthesis of the methodology of institutional, evolutionary and cluster approaches, development of alternative methods of life-technologies implementation to ensure sustainable development and social progress. Value within the framework of the ecosystem approach is created through the design of the ecosystem structure and its transformation (optimization, modernization, reorganization, reformation). In a broad sense, the ecosystem approach is a methodological basis for theoretical and practical research, which involves analysing the genesis of social and natural integrity and developing preventive measures to anticipate the consequences of human impact on the environment. In a narrow sense, the ecosystem approach involves the development of environmentally friendly business practices. Three features of the ecosystem approach are determined: modularity of products and the need for coordination, customisation (adaptability) and multilateralism of relations. It is substantiated that the ecosystem approach it allows to consider the business entity as a self-managed system consisting of various elements that develop through complementary activities, mutually beneficial exchange and cooperation in order to achieve socialal, ecological and economic goals. The article presents the tools of the ecosystem approach, which will allow achieving competitive advantages through joint value creation.The development trends of the ecosystem approach are outlined. They include the use of digital platforms, monetisation of activities; application of special financial instruments; environmentally responsible management; ensuring constructive interaction between participants.

An investigation on mechanical properties of 3D pen fused zones for additive manufactured parts

Additive manufacturing has been one of the most used techniques in the recent years because of its capabilities to fabricate complex structures as required by customer and industrial need from a 3D computer-aided design model without the usage of any tooling, dies and heavy machinery makes it a step ahead in the present manufacturing techniques. In the current study the author’s focus on the welding or joining of additive manufactured Polylactic acid (PLA) parts made by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). There are several techniques for welding these additive manufactured parts. This study mainly focuses on the joining of 3D printed PLA parts using a 3D pen and investigations on its mechanical properties experimentally. It is a very cheap and effective technique when compared to the other welding methods. This could overcome the drawback of small bed size in most 3D printers by joining smaller parts and it can also be used for repairing the defects caused during the 3D printing. Moreover the experimental testing of the mechanical properties also confirmed that the tensile, flexural and impact strength of 3D pen welded specimens retrieved above 70% of the strength to the original PLA specimen proving it to be a very effective method.

Integration Kano Model and E-Servqual to Evaluate Online Travel Agent Services in Bandung 2022

One of the integrated e-commerce models is online ticket selling. Many travel agents sell travel tickets for national or international destinations online through websites; one of them is Tiket.com, a popular travel agency in Indonesia. The intense competition in the internet-based service providing industry has, in fact, motivated this company to meet their customers’ needs and preferences with quality services; the goal is to increase the number of their service users. The purpose of this study is to identify aspects of user requirements by Tiket.com as an online travel agent service that need to be maintained and improved. This study combines two methods of measuring customer satisfaction, namely the Kano model and e-service quality. The identified customer needs, based on Voice of Customer, can be analyzed to increase satisfaction. The results of this study are grouped into the dimensions of e-service quality, i.e. reliability, responsiveness, fulfillment, ease of use, information, security, and efficiency. Using a combination of e-service quality and Kano Model, six attributes of True Customer Needs were acquired; five of them are recommended for improvement and one needs to be developed. Tiket.com are suggested to pay more attention to weak attributes that are included in the must be category because they are fundamental for the company's services. They are also advised to develop weak and strong attributes that are included in the attractive category because they can help the company increase their competitive advantage.

Creating an Environmentally Friendly Plating Line Tailored to the Customer's Needs

Creating an Environmentally Friendly Plating Line Tailored to the Customer's Needs

Increasing reinfections and decreasing effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines urge the need for vaccine customization.

Increasing reinfections and decreasing effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines urge the need for vaccine customization.

Spatially resolved proteomics via tissue expansion

Spatially resolved proteomics is an emerging approach for mapping proteome heterogeneity of biological samples, however, it remains technically challenging due to the complexity of the tissue microsampling techniques and mass spectrometry analysis of nanoscale specimen volumes. Here, we describe a spatially resolved proteomics method based on the combination of tissue expansion with mass spectrometry-based proteomics, which we call Expansion Proteomics (ProteomEx). ProteomEx enables quantitative profiling of the spatial variability of the proteome in mammalian tissues at ~160 µm lateral resolution, equivalent to the tissue volume of 0.61 nL, using manual microsampling without the need for custom or special equipment. We validated and demonstrated the utility of ProteomEx for streamlined large-scale proteomics profiling of biological tissues including brain, liver, and breast cancer. We further applied ProteomEx for identifying proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse model by comparative proteomic analysis of brain subregions.

Alternative paths to high mass customization capability and the subsequent performance outcome

PurposeAccording to sociotechnical systems theory, this study examines the configurational effects of modularity (product and process modularity), supply chain integration (information, operational and relational integration) and the characteristics of customer need (customer need tacitness and diversity) on MCC and the impact of high MCC generated by different configurations on economic performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study tests the model by combining fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) with propensity score matching methods based on data from 277 Chinese manufacturers.FindingsThe authors identify four equifinal configurations sufficient for high MCC and categorize them into three types: modularity + integration oriented, integration + customer need oriented, modularity + integration + customer need balance. The results further indicate that the high MCC triggered by three types of configuration affects economic performance in different ways.Practical implicationsThe results deliver an important message to manufacturing enterprises that high MCC can be achieved through multiple equally-effective combinations. Moreover, managers should focus on the fit between multiple conditions and choose the appropriate pathway to enhance economic performance.Originality/valueFrom a configurational perspective, these findings enrich the literature on enablers and performance outcomes of MCC by introducing an integrated model.

Value Creation and Capture with Big Data in Smart Phones Companies

With the advent of social media, the volume of data generated on the internet has exploded due to the growing number of social network users and their interactions on the internet. Given that, in the age of the digital economy, data has become raw material in terms of decision making, it is important and urgent to conduct a study to understand the effect of big data on value creation and value capture. The goal of the current research is to study the share of big data in value creation and capture in the companies Apple and Samsung. The main question addressed by this article is whether the increasing volumes of data in the digital age can improve the creation and capture of value. To achieve this goal, we considered active users of the three main social networks that Samsung and Apple companies use for their advertising to describe “big data”. We measure the “value creation” through the hardware component of the smartphone, such as the battery, camera, CPU speed, RAM (Random-Access Memory), screen size, and storage. Profit, satisfaction, and unit of phone sold are the three manifest variables considered to measure “Value capture”. As a methodology, we used partial least squares and structural equation modeling to obtain the results. The pattern enables us to measure the effect of big data on value creation and value capture. The results indicate that CPU speed, RAMs, and battery capacity are the principal variables that impact the “value creation” in terms of customer need and satisfaction.

Sport events, brand extensions, and branding Phoenix, Arizona

ABSTRACT The application of branding techniques has emerged as a strategy to identify, position, and differentiate destinations. Brand extensions primarily focus on leveraging a single common brand, which avoids the need for customers to be familiar with another partnered brand. One way DMOs and destination marketers use brand extensions is through the use of sport events. This study used the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, AZ (PMA) as a research site to investigate the process of destination branding by examining sport events as destination brand extensions. A qualitative case study approach was employed, with interviews with key stakeholders. Results suggest that the PMA’s overall destination brand relates to the outdoors, with four individual brand extensions identified: (a) weather; (b) resorts; (c) recreation and leisure activities; and (d) sport/sport events. Major professional sports team events did not fit as congruently as other types of events when serving as destination brand extensions, relative to the Valley’s outdoor parent brand. Results are discussed in terms of sport events’ role as part of greater destination brand range, relationship to other destination brand extensions, and using sport event brand extensions to enrich the destination brand. This study revealed that sport events in the PMA do serve as a prominent asset and selling point that influences the PMA’s overall destination brand. However, sport events are not seen as the area’s primary destination branding strategy, and local DMOs and tourism stakeholders in the PMA must create and maintain a broader and more comprehensive destination brand that showcases other notable attractions.

Customizing a Cognitive Stimulation Program for Individuals with Dementia through a Participatory Design Approach

(1) Background: Different intervention strategies, such as reminiscence and music-based therapies, effectively mitigate the cognitive decline of individuals with dementia (IwD). An important challenge when implementing these approaches lies in the need for content customization. We designed Musiquence platform, a framework that allows the customization of music and reminiscence content in cognitive stimulation activities. (2) Methods: Here, we present a participatory design methodology for designing a seven-week customized cognitive stimulation program (CCSP) for IwD using Musiquence. We ran focus groups with 19 formal caregivers, who provided information regarding themes and music to be used in activities for IwD, and gathered preferences from 20 IwD. (3) Results: The CCSP consists of seven cycles of tasks combining the activities available in Musiquence, the seven preferential themes of IwD, and the seven songs most frequently referenced by formal caregivers. (4) Conclusions: Finally, we provide a set of guidelines to implement a participatory design approach for content development together with IwD.

Pengaruh Inovasi Layanan Electronic Banking, Fee Based Income dan Efektivitas Pengendalian Internal terhadap Nilai Perusahaan Perbankan yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia

The banking industry must also continue to innovate in the development of electronic banking products and services to keep up with the rapid development of information technology, which has an impact on people's habits and routines. To further reduce the need for customers to physically visit a bank branch, financial institutions must enhance their offerings to allow for the self-service acquisition of a wide range of banking services (including but not limited to account opening, account maintenance, account transfer, and account closure). The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of technological advancements in electronic banking services, fee-based income, and efficient internal control on the market value of IDX-listed banks in the sub-sector from 2016 to 2020. Sampled from the larger population of IDX-listed financial services firms over the years 2016-2020, this study focuses on the banking industry. The study's population consists of 44 IDX-listed financial services firms. There were a total of 185 observations made for this study. Descriptive research was used for this analysis. Intentional sampling. The study found that the probability value of the innovation of e-banking was 0.005. This is less than the 5% threshold (0.00500.05), so H1 is accepted. According to the results of the second hypothesis (H2) test, banking companies' stock prices rise when they bring in more money from service fees. The study found that a probability value of 0.003 at the FBI level was statistically significant. Compared to the 5% significance level of 0.0030.05, this value is less than the threshold for accepting hypothesis 2. The third hypothesis H3 tests the idea that the efficiency of internal control has a significant positive effect on the value of financial institutions. A probability value of 0.0057 0.05 was assigned to the efficiency of internal control based on the findings of the study. In other words, we accept H3 as true. The purpose of this research was to determine how the introduction of new forms of electronic banking, the growth of fee-based revenue, and the efficiency of internal control affect the market value of financial institutions.

Business-to-Business Value Co-creation: Suppliers’ Perspective of Essential Information Systems Capabilities

We focus on the digital solution supplier’s perspective to analyse which information systems (IS) capabilities are essential for business-to-business (B2B) value co-creation. To gain a deeper understanding of the issue, a qualitative multi-case study was used. The results show that the focus of digital solutions in business has changed and shifted from the technical functions of solutions to the need for supplier and customer to work towards a common goal. The study proposes that, in advanced digital solutions, all parts of the solution development process require co-creation, either direct or indirect. In particular, forming IS–business partnerships, one of the spanning capabilities which integrates with internal organizational processes shows great potential in value co-creation. Originality builds on the understanding of which IS capabilities are essential when advanced digital solution suppliers offer services to their customers in the B2B context. This outcome contributes to the IS capabilities literature by showing the shift in focus from technically oriented capabilities to relationship-oriented capabilities in value co-creation.

Designing a Customer Journey Experience for Income Generation Tourism Industry, Case Study: Dusun Bambu

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a huge decline in the global tourism industry, including Indonesia, that causes many businesses to close and people to lose their jobs. The objectives of this study are to identify the current business situation of Dusun Bambu, which includes analyzing the customer journey experience, knowing what aspects need to be improved to avoid any negative experiences. This study uses qualitative methods with video content observation and creating touchpoint templates. The results show that there are four out of seventeen touchpoints that give negative customer experiences and need to be improved. However, each of the seventeen touchpoints is given a solution to provide the customers with better experiences. In conclusion, the solutions were proposed along with the implementation plan, hoping to improve the business situation of Dusun Bambu

Empirical study on customer satisfaction towards services of Life Insurance Corporation at Lucknow

The study evaluates whether or not Life insurance products and services of LIC meet or exceed consumer expectations in light of its business goals and strategies. The study was restricted to Lucknow city. The paper attempt to study the Customer satisfaction from services of LIC. In a couple of years, improvements in the insurance sector have brought about a major change in the way the firms competition in market. Today, insurance firms prioritize providing excellent customer service. In a growing number of industries, customer satisfaction is becoming recognized as a differentiator and a crucial component of business strategy. Essential information is drawn from Questionnaire through survey. The secondary information is drawn from different sources like research articles from Journals, Magazines. It is a descriptive research study. To increase the life insurance penetration LIC would have to introduce new policies according to customers need and demand, LIC has to emphasize more on rural areas and use aggressive marketing strategies; they also have to improve their feedback system to know customer satisfaction level. This research can be used by insurance companies, customers, Academics, faculties and students. In this paper, the model customer satisfaction towards services of LIC is presented comprehensively and lucidly at the ground level state where the actual customer responses were analyzed.

User Experience and Physiological Response in Human-Robot Collaboration: A Preliminary Investigation

Within the context of Industry 4.0 and of the new emerging Industry 5.0, human factors are becoming increasingly important, especially in Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC). This paper provides a novel study focused on the human aspects involved in industrial HRC by exploring the effects of various HRC setting factors. In particular, this paper aims at investigating the impact of industrial HRC on user experience, affective state, and stress, assessed through both subjective measures (i.e., questionnaires) and objective ones (i.e., physiological signals). A collaborative assembly task was implemented with different configurations, in which the robot movement speed, the distance between the operator and the robot workspace, and the control of the task execution time were varied. Forty-two participants were involved in the study and provided feedbacks on interaction quality and their affective state. Participants’ physiological responses (i.e., electrodermal activity and heart rate) were also collected non-invasively to monitor the amount of stress generated by the interaction. Analysis of both subjective and objective responses revealed how the configuration factors considered influence them. Robot movement speed and control of the task execution time resulted to be the most influential factors. The results also showed the need for customization of HRC to improve ergonomics, both psychological and physical, and the well-being of the operator.