Concept Of Services Research Articles

Customized voluntary waiting period before first insemination in primiparous dairy cows: Effect on milk production, fertility, and health

A customized voluntary waiting period (VWP) before first insemination was tested in 18 commercial dairy herds in Sweden to assess milk production, fertility, and health in primiparous cows expected to be suited for extended VWP. Cow selection for extended VWP was based on 3 criteria in early lactation: (1) the 10% of cows with highest genomic persistency index, (2) cows with a difficult calving or disease during the first month of lactation, and (3) cows with higher yield during d 4 to 33 after calving than the herd average for primiparous cows. Cows meeting at least one of these criteria were randomly assigned to either treatment with an extended VWP of at least 175 d (ExtExt; n = 174, calving interval [CInt] = 16.3 mo) or treatment with a conventional VWP of a maximum of 100 d; (ExtConv; n = 173, CInt = 12.4 mo). Cows not meeting any of the criteria were assigned to the conventional VWP treatment (ConvConv; n = 183, CInt = 12.0 mo). We found no differences in milk yield per day in the CInt between treatments, although 305-d and whole-lactation (WL) milk yields were higher for ExtExt cows (10,371 and 13,803 kg) than ExtConv cows (9,812 and 10,257 kg). Milk yield at the last test milking before dry-off was lower in ExtExt compared with ExtConv cows (24.9 vs. 28.3 kg), but the results showed no difference in dry period length between the treatments. Regarding reproductive performance, the ExtExt cows had a higher first service conception rate (FSCR; 60% vs. 45%) and lower number of inseminations per conception (NINS; 1.67 vs. 2.19), compared with the ExtConv cows. As expected, ConvConv cows had the lowest milk yield (305-d, WL, and per day) in the CInt; however, FSCR and NINS did not differ between ConvConv cows and cows in the other 2 VWP treatments. Disease incidence was higher for cows in the ExtConv compared with the ConvConv treatment, but there was no difference between ExtExt and the 2 other VWP treatments. Further, no difference in the proportion of cows with good udder health or culling rate was detected between any of the treatments, though due to low prevalence, the study lacked power to draw major conclusions on these results. Thus, prolonging VWP for suitable primiparous cows can produce benefits such as improved fertility in the form of higher FSCR and lower NINS, as well as lower dry-off yield, without compromising milk yield or prolonging dry period length.

From Psychology to Engagement: Tracing the Evolution of Customer Service Dynamics

This paper aims to explore the evolution of customer service through the integration of psychological and marketing theories, tracing its development from early organizational psychology to contemporary customer engagement strategies. The study employs a historical analysis of literature, examining key theories and models from psychology and marketing that have contributed to the evolution of customer service. It reviews seminal works and influential theories over several decades, highlighting their impact on understanding consumer behavior and service quality. The analysis reveals a significant transformation in customer service concepts, driven by insights from cognitive dissonance, equity theory, and expectancy disconfirmation, among others. The study highlights the emergence of service marketing in the 1980s, the shift towards customer-centric approaches in the 2000s, and the critical role of digital technologies and social media in facilitating customer engagement. These developments underscore the ongoing adaptation required to meet evolving consumer expectations. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of customer service, synthesizing insights from various fields to present a cohesive understanding of its trajectory. By connecting past theories with current practices, it offers valuable insights for academics and practitioners seeking to navigate the complexities of modern consumer behavior and service management.

Evaluating Willingness to Sell Vegetation in the White Volta Basin in Northern Ghana

Concepts of ecosystem services have been developed to make explicit connections between human welfare and ecological sustainability for policy, development, and conservation initiatives. Economic concepts such as the distinction between prices and values, and the acknowledgment of their values are context-specific which may change across space and time. Contingent valuation is a survey-based economic technique for valuing non-market resources, such as vegetation. This method is often used to establish the amount people are willing to be compensated for maintaining the existence of an environmental feature such as a tree, shrub, or grass. The level of importance attached to provisioning services as well as cultural services and cultural heritage differ in the rural communities hence different cash values attached. It is often perceived that rural community members do not put monetary value on vegetation, the study is therefore aimed at establishing monetary value rural communities have value for vegetation. The study was conducted in two irrigated and two unirrigated landscapes consisting of about 54 communities and comprising 240 respondents. Participatory Rural Appraisal tools were used. Random Utility Theory was applied and used for the analysis. The willingness to sell vegetation was significant at a 5% confidence level concerning native, sex, age, education, and household head. Marital status was, however, not significant in all the landscapes. The price trend is observed to be across a landscape, from the catchment to the downstream ecosystem.

PENGELOLAAN KUALITAS LAYANAN PERGURUAN TINGGI MELALUI RANCANG BANGUN PROTOTiPE VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BERBASIS WEB

The concept of guest service in higher education includes various aspects aimed at welcoming, providing information, and ensuring comfort for guests who come to campus. Generally, university guest registration services are still manual, through direct visits, telephone calls, emails, or letters. Manual recording uses conventional paper logs or guest books, so it takes longer and is inefficient in archiving. In addition, security problems are caused by the lack of activities to verify the identity of each visitor. This research aims to improve the quality of service in higher education by developing a web-based visitor or guest management system (Visitor Management System). This system is designed to manage visits to the campus environment efficiently and effectively. The development method used is a prototype design-build approach. This system is expected to help monitor and control visitor traffic, facilitate the registration process, and provide accurate and timely information to visitors. Thus, this web-based visitor management system can significantly improve service quality management in higher education. The object of this research is the Directorate of Education at one of the state universities in Surabaya. The research method starts with problem identification, system design, program code design, and system testing. System requirements analysis analyses service needs, constraints, and system objectives through interviews, literature studies, and field observations. This research results in the availability of a WEB-based Visitor Management System with several user functions where each user can enter data on an online form to request to be a guest.

Local Perception of Traditional and Avocado Crops as Ecosystem Services in the Mariposa Monarch Biosphere Reserve

The concept of ecosystem services (ES) refers to the goods and services that ecosystems produce for the benefit of people, serving as generators of well‑being. Three dimensions are recognized that promote the presence of these services: the material, the relational,and the subjective. These dimensions are highly influenced by the lifeworld, which has been crucial for documenting processes of environmental degradation. In this sense, it is important for geography to determine the connections between the socialtypifications of meaning and the spatiotemporal rhythms of action, contributing to the discovery of underlying structures of intentionality. One of the main challenges in the management of ES is their interdependence, as their relationships are often nonlinear,and there is a preference for the immediate provision of one service over others, resulting in trade‑offs characterized by the reduction of productive capacity in favor of another. This study analyzed, through semi‑structured surveys applied in the field, face to face, the perception that people living in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve have regarding traditional and avocado crops, the latter characterized by promoting compensations through land use change from native forests to large monoculture areas in the State of Michoacán, which is rapidly expanding in the lower zone of the RBMM. The results show that perceptions and feelings associated with these services contrast with each other, daily life activities, means of family livelihood, and proximity to the core and buffer zone are determining factors in the perception of these ES. The results of this work, based on the geography of perception, can be useful as guiding threads for the development of effective, specific, and inclusive management and conservation plans based on the feelings, knowledge, and needs of people who are recognized as actors favoring ecosystem conservation or the creation of externalities.

Integration of Digital Public Services Mall Application with a Citizen Centric Government Services Approach

The integration of government services represents a practical solution in the context of the numerous applications developed by both Central and Regional Governments, particularly those used to access public service applications. The Digital Public Service Mall application can be leveraged by Regional Governments through data integration, enhanced with Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities. This will facilitate collaboration between Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD), enabling them to work together as technical managers of public services. Consequently, this will simplify public access to these services, eliminating the need for repeated data entry processes. Additionally, this system can be developed using facial recognition (FR) technology, which can be integrated with the Digital Population Identity (IKD). The concept of Citizen-Centric Government Services has been widely adopted by governments in various countries to bring government services closer to their citizens. This research focuses on analyzing the integration of data and public service applications, specifically the Digital Public Service Mall (MPP) application in West Java Province. The data analysis technique employed is descriptive-analytical with a qualitative approach. The Citizen-Centric Government Services framework assists in analyzing the extent of data and application integration implementation in a government service. This framework outlines the dimensions within it based on achievement indicators aligned with expectations. Data collection includes semi-structured interviews, participatory observations, and documentation. Based on the analysis results using the dimensional approach within the Citizen-Centric Government Services Framework, it is evident that the Digital MPP application of West Java Province is optimally utilized by the Regency/City Governments and the people of West Java Province. The analysis using the Citizen-Centric Government Services Framework approach reveals that several achievement indicators within each dimension can be met through effective collaboration between the government and the community.

Empirical Analysis on the Genotype-wise First Service Conception Rate of Local and Crossbred Cattle in the Field Level of Bangladesh

Artificial insemination (AI) is one of the most important tools for upgrading the cattle breed in our country. The present study was conducted to determine the conception rate of Local and Crossbred cattle of Bangladesh using field data. In this study, 78 AI service providers named as Livestock Assistants (LAs) having at least two years of work experience with ACI Animal Genetics were randomly chosen from 28 districts of the 8 divisions. Information was collected randomly from 417 selected farmers whose 417 cattle were inseminated in March 2022. The majority of the cattle raised by the farmers were crossbred (79% of the total cattle). These 417 cattle were inseminated using five different genotypes of sire’s semen (Holstein Friesian 100%, Holstein Friesian cross, Sahiwal 100%, Sahiwal cross, and RCC). The study revealed that the overall conception rate of cattle was 70%. However, the rates of conception vary among the different genetic groups of cattle. Among the different groups, the RCC had the highest conception rate (100%) followed by the indigenous (74%), Sahiwal cross (72%), and Holstein Friesian cross (62%). Our study also revealed that, of the 30% of repeat cases, 17% required a second insemination, 7% a third or more insemination for getting pregnant and 6% of the cows failed to become pregnant. About 96% farmers received AI cards, but only 67% of them mentioned that they preserved those AI cards for future uses. In a nutshell, this study disclosed the genotype wise first service conception rate in Local and Crossbred cattle at the field level of Bangladesh. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 22(2):202-209, 2024

Service Innovation and Customers’ Satisfaction of Selected Micro Finance Banks in Ogun State, Nigeria

The untimely adoption of modern business practice through technological innovation has hindered service quality, customers’ satisfaction and the general growth of Micro finance banks in Nigeria. The study examined the effect of service innovation which consist of New Service Concept, New Service Process, and New Technology on customer satisfaction of selected micro finance banks in Ogun state Nigeria. The study adopted a cross- sectional survey research design with the aid of structured questionnaire which enabled the researcher to obtain firsthand information from the respondents. The population for this study is the customers of Micro Finance banks (MBF) in Ogun State in which (17) microfinance banks customers were conveniently selected for the survey. Due to the infinite nature of the population (MFBs Bank Customers) the study adopted a sample determination model by Cochran (1977) which is mainly used for an infinite population of this nature to arrive at the sample size of (384) respondents. The data collected was analysed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM 4.0). The findings of the study revealed that all the hypotheses (H1, H2, H3, and H4) are accepted, indicating that each of the independent variable dimensions has significant effect on the dependent variable. That’s new service concept has significant effect on customers satisfaction of MFBs. The study concluded that the three dimensions of service innovation, namely New Service Concept, New Service Process, and New Technology, had a positive and substantial influence on customer satisfaction among the selected micro finance banks in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommended that the management of microfinance banks in Ogun state should constantly adopt service innovation dimensions to outperform competitors in order to increase their customer satisfactions.

Improved assessments of subsurface projects: Systematic mapping of geosystem services and a review of their economic values

Awareness of the subsurface and its multitude of resources is generally low and decisions on access to subsurface resources are often guided by a ‘first come, first served principle’. Although not yet fully developed, the concept of geosystem services has been put forward to make subsurface resources more visible and acknowledged in decision-making. This study (1) illustrates a systematic mapping of effects on geosystem services using a process-oriented perspective in two conceptual case studies; (2) translates the mapped effects into costs and benefits items in a qualitative cost-benefit analysis (CBA) context; and (3) presents a systematic review of economic valuation studies of geosystem services to investigate the available support for a quantitative CBA. The findings suggest that systematic mapping of effects on multiple geosystem services can inform different types of assessment methods and decision-makers on trade-offs and provide a basis for well-informed and responsible decisions on subsurface use. Combining such mapping with a CBA can further strengthen decision support through indications of the net effects on human well-being. However, although economic valuation of non-market geosystem services is possible using established valuation methods, such studies are scarce in scientific literature. Thus, although a CBA can provide a basis for supporting decisions on subsurface use from a consequentialist perspective, full quantification of all effects may require great efforts, and it needs to be complemented with other methods to capture the full range of values the subsurface can provide. This study also highlights that depending on the context, supporting and regulating geosystem services can be either intermediate or final services. Therefore, if geosystem services are to be included in the abiotic extension of CICES, in which supporting services by definition are excluded, reclassification of the supporting geosystem services should be considered not to risk being overlooked in economic valuation and CBA.

Research on Bank Hall Service Management Strategy of Rural Commercial Bank

With the transformation and upgrading of financial technology, people's demand for personalized banking services is getting higher and higher. In order to meet people's growing financial needs, commercial banks have carried out a series of branch transformation and upgrading. As the main business place of physical network, the hall of rural commercial bank plays an irreplaceable role in electronic channels and virtual places. After decades of development, rural commercial banks have carried out a series of reforms and innovations. At present, the external layout of hall outlets, such as intelligent machinery, electronic equipment, and standardized network construction, has achieved initial results. Under the background of network transformation, the network construction of rural commercial banks has undergone great changes, but the concept of hall operation service has not matched the network construction in time, and can not adapt to the requirements of banking development under the new situation. In view of this situation, this paper explores the hall management and operation services of rural commercial banks, with the purpose of improving the hall service efficiency of rural commercial banks, improving the enthusiasm of employees, improving the service quality and efficiency, and increasing the profitability of banks.Taking the branch hall management of commercial banks in rural areas as the entry point, this paper uses literature research, process reengineering, salary management and other relevant theoretical research methods, SWOT analysis and other methods to analyze the problems existing in the transformation and upgrading process of branch halls of rural commercial banks, such as unreasonable staffing, cumbersome processes, low efficiency and low customer satisfaction. This paper explores the causes of such problems according to the problems, that is, backward management system, market positioning, low entry conditions for competitors, and low scale effect. Finally, it aims to improve system management, optimize organizational framework, integrate hall zoning, refine the division of labor, increase scientific and technological support, and innovate service modes. Improve the assessment mechanism, and put forward constructive suggestions on hall management and marketing strategy in the process of network transformation and upgrading to employees. The research in this paper can improve the service quality and efficiency of hall staff, improve the post adaptability of hall staff, thus improve marketing performance, realize the transformation and upgrading of outlets, and achieve greater economic benefits of rural commercial banks.

Метод визначення вібраційних характеристик промислового обладнання в частотній та часовій областях

This paper proposes hardware and software solutions and a data processing method for vibration diagnostics of industrial equipment, which uses discrete Fourier transform and Allan dispersion to increase the accuracy and stability of measurement processes and result processing. The object of this study is the use of vibration diagnostic methods to implement the concept of maintenance of industrial equipment based on monitoring its current and future condition. The subject of this research is the hardware and software solutions for vibration diagnostics systems and methods for processing measurement results. The purpose of this work is to develop a new resource-saving IoT-oriented wireless solution for vibration diagnostics, where the contact method and MEMS accelerometers are used to measure vibration parameters and to evaluate the effectiveness of new methods and algorithms for processing experimental data. The task: justify the need to find new hardware and software solutions and methods of processing the obtained results for the implementation of the service concept based on the tracking of vibration indicators of technical equipment; provide basic hardware and software solutions for the implementation of the cloud platform of vibration diagnostics; develop methods of processing results; check the developed methods and algorithms using mathematical modeling methods and in an on-site experiment; compare the effectiveness of own and competitive solutions; draw conclusions and formulate a plan for further research. Conclusions. It has been proven that the combination of known analysis methods in the time and frequency domains with multi-level processing gives better results than analogous methods. The developed hardware and software tools and the method of processing measurement results effectively implement the contact method of vibration measurement, which provides the possibility of tracking the state of technical equipment. The developed equipment for the calibration of vibration acceleration sensors can reduce accelerometer errors. Further areas of research are the search for the optimal distribution of calculations on IoT levels, reducing the computational complexity of algorithms, increasing the time of continuous autonomous operation of the lower-level microcontroller, creating micro services for time-series analysis, and researching the dependence of the technical state of the equipment on the calculated Allan deviation.

Environmental, Economic and Social Perceptions of Community Members on The Role of Water, Soil and Natural Grasslands as A Basis for Local Development in Acopalca, Peru

The concept of ecosystem services has gained popularity among academics, researchers and policymakers to support environmental management and biodiversity conservation, so that many development projects in rural areas have merited investment for restoration and improvement of grassland ecosystems accompanied by training programs for the beneficiaries, With this criterion in mind, the study investigated the perception of puna pastoralists in Acopalca, Peru, regarding the degree of knowledge about the significance of the ecosystem services provided by soil-water-grasslands, with the objective of characterizing the environmental, social and economic dimensions of this local perception, through the application of a survey to the representative of the livestock family affiliated to two producers' associations. It was evidenced that cattle-raising families have a limited understanding of the role of the natural resources they directly access and little clarity on the relationship between natural pastures, family income and access to basic services. The results revealed limitations in environmental perception, evidencing a lack of knowledge about the multifaceted contribution of pastures. Social perception showed neutrality in the relationship between pastures and family income, and a discrepancy in access to basic services. The comparison between associations highlighted significant differences, indicating the need for training strategies adapted to the local idiosyncrasies of the beneficiaries. In conclusion, addressing the deficiencies identified in community understanding was essential to strengthening sustainable natural resource management in Acopalca. It highlights the importance of designing specific training programs, considering the particularities of each group, to promote self-management and community participation and thus achieve more comprehensive and sustainable local development.

Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) concept and access to healthcare delivery in Sefwi Wiawso Municipal, Ghana

BackgroundIn spite of the successes of the community-based health planning and services (CHPS) policy since its inception in the mid-1990s in Ghana, data pertaining to the implementation and use of CHPS facilities in Sefwi Wiawso Municipal is scant. We assessed access to healthcare delivery and factors influencing the use of CHPS in Sefwi Wiawso Municipal.MethodsAn analytical community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Sefwi Wiawo Municipal from September to October 2020. Respondents for the study were recruited through multi-stage sampling. Information was collected on their socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and use of CHPS facilities through interviews using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Factors influencing the use of CHPS facilities were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression to generate crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of 483 respondents were recruited for the study. The mean age of the respondents was 43.0 ± 16.3 years, and over 70% were females or married/cohabiting with their partners. Most respondents (88.2%) knew about the CHPS concept and more than half (53.4%) accessed healthcare in the CHPS facilities. Most respondents rated the quality of health services (> 65%) and staff attitude (77.2%) very positively. Significant factors influencing the use of the CHPS facilities were; knowledge of the CHPS concept (AOR 6.57, 95% CI 1.57–27.43; p = 0.01), longer waiting time for a vehicle to the facility, and shorter waiting time at the facility before being provided with care. People who waited for 30–60 min (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.08–7.07; p = 0.01) or over an hour (AOR 10.91, 95% CI 3.71–32.06; p = 0.01) before getting a vehicle to the facility, while patients who waited for less than 30 min (AOR 5.74, 95% CI 1.28–25.67; p = 0.03) or 30–60 min (AOR 2.60, 95% CI 0.57–11.78; p = 0.03) at the CHPS facility before receiving care were more likely to access care at the CHPS facilities.ConclusionKnowledge, and use of healthcare services at the CHPS facilities were high in this population. Interventions aimed at reducing waiting time at the CHPS facilities could greatly increase use of healthcare services at these facilities.

Analysis of the Cultural Dimensions of Indonesian People on Purchase Decisions: A Case Study of Karen's Diner Restaurant in Indonesia

This study uses a constructivist paradigm and a qualitative approach to analyse six elements of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory. Data analysis was taken from four viral tweets collected with the keyword Karen's Diner on Twitter from December 15 to 22, 2022. The study results show that six elements of the Cultural Dimensions Theory are inherent in Indonesian consumers, so they oppose the concept of service presented by Karen's Diner. The element of power distance applies where most Indonesian people have been instilled with the idea that "the buyer is the king", so they do not tolerate the slightest bad action done by the seller. Uncertainty avoidance applies when the Indonesian people protest and urge Karen's Diner Indonesia to make clear written regulations and improve the restaurant's service procedures. The element of masculinity or femininity is represented by netizens who think the restaurant's existence will disappear quickly amid competition in the dynamic Indonesian F&B industry. The Long Term vs Short Term Orientation element applies where the public considers the concept of Karen's Diner Indonesia service intolerable and raises concerns about behavioural deviations in the future. The Indulgence vs Restraint element is represented by people who oppose things that can potentially offend Eastern norms, one of which is product marketing.

The impact of service innovation on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty: a case in Vietnamese retail banks

Customer loyalty continues to be a crucial factor for retail banks in maintaining market share, increasing revenue and profits, and reducing costs in the highly competitive business landscape of today. They consistently strive for innovation to maintain a competitive edge, introducing novel experiences and heightened satisfaction to customers, thereby enhancing customer loyalty. This study aims to examine the effect of service innovation on customer satisfaction and loyalty in the Vietnamese banking sector. The research investigates banking service innovation from three angles: novel service concept, novel service procedure, and novel technological distribution system. To confirm the relationship between concepts and complete the survey questionnaire, qualitative research techniques are employed. Simultaneously, a quantitative research technique (structural equation modeling—SEM) is used to assess the relationship between concepts. The study surveyed 398 clients of Vietnamese retail banks. All dimensions of service innovation, including novel service concept, novel service procedure, and novel technological distribution system, have positive effects on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Customer satisfaction also has a substantial effect on customer loyalty. Finally, it then draws some conclusions and makes some recommendations to retail banks to improve both customer satisfaction and customer loyalty via enhancing service innovation.

The ecosystem services concept in urban planning: the criteria for practical fit

ABSTRACT Application of the ecosystem services (ES) concept in urban planning has potential for improving environmental and human health outcomes in cities. We aimed to narrow an identified ES implementation gap by identifying the criteria for the practical fit of the ES concept in urban planning. We found that local relevance and adaptability within current planning approaches were core criteria for practical fit. If not met immediately, these criteria may be met over time through policy entrepreneurship. Further research in different locations and planning systems would increase understanding of the enabling factors for applying ES in urban planning.

Efficacy of an herbal formula Guixiong Yimu San in preventing retained placenta and improving reproductive performance in cows

Retained placenta is a common health issue, and appropriate prevention strategies are effective in postpartum health management. This study aimed to evaluate whether early intervention using GYS can prevent retained placenta and puerperal metritis, as well as enhance reproductive outcomes in cows. Each bovine in the GYS group (n = 591) received a single prophylactic dose of GYS (0.5 g/kg body weight) orally within 2 h after parturition, while those in the control group (n = 598) received no intervention. GYS treatment was associated with a decreased incidence of retained placenta (4.6% vs. 12.0%, P < 0.01, OR = 0.335), a lower puerperal metritis risk (8.8% vs. 20.1%, P < 0.01, OR = 0.369), and a reduced need for additional therapeutic antibiotics (11.2% vs. 26.1%, P < 0.01, OR = 0.342). We observed increases in the first service conception rate (59.7% vs. 49.1%, P < 0.01) and conception rate within 305 days postpartum (93.2% vs. 85.5%, P < 0.01) in the GYS group than in the control group. A significant decrease was observed in the number of services per conception (1.8 ± 1.1 vs. 2.1 ± 1.4, P < 0.01) and the calving-to-conception interval (83.6 ± 39.6 vs. 96.6 ± 52.5 days, P < 0.01) between the two groups. Additionally, GYS treatment increased milk yield on days 7, 14, and 28 postpartum without affecting milk fat, milk protein, somatic cell count (SCC), or milk urea nitrogen (MUN) on days 7 and 28 postpartum. Accordingly, the GYS was effective and safe in preventing retained placenta and to improve reproductive performance in cows. Therefore, it could be a prophylactic intervention for superior postpartum fertility in cows.

Relationships between ecosystem services provided by forest ecosystems and human well-being

Current climate change trends significantly influenceing the structure and functioning of natural ecosystems, including forest ecosystems, which directly or indirectly affects human well-being. The present study consists in reviewing the specialized literature on the effects of the relationships between ecosystem services provided by forest ecosystems and human well-being, describing the following aspects: the definition of the concept of ecosystem services, their history, categories of ecosystem services and the relationship between them and human well-being. The concept of ecosystem services has become an important model of the link between forest ecosystem functioning and human well-being. Understanding this linkage is essential for a wide range of decision-making contexts for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. We conclude that humanity’s dependence on nature for well-being and survival is complex.

Value outcomes in Airbnb as a chronotopic service

Many types of consumption—including events, traveling, and accommodation—primarily focus on selling time in space to consumers. That is, their business model is based on charging consumers for spending time in provided spaces (or places), with prices varying depending on the type of space and how much time consumers spend in that space. Using Bakhtin’s notion of chronotopes, we develop the concept of chronotopic services to describe these types of services that primarily sell time-in-space to consumers. Airbnb is an example of a chronotopic service. In a six-year multimethod qualitative study of consumers’ experiences with Airbnb we examine how such chronotopic services occur and how they shape consumption value outcomes in Airbnb. We conceptualize chronotopic services by noting three affordances that characterize Airbnb—temporal, spatial, and spatiotemporal affordances. We show how these three chronotopic affordances enable the orchestration of consumption value outcomes through heterotemporality, heterotopia, and hybridity. We contribute to services and consumer research on the role of space and time in the consumption of services by demonstrating how chronotopic affordances shape consumption outcomes and consumer experiences. This research also highlights the implications of the time-in-space aspects of chronotopic services and how value is created and destroyed because of its chronotopic nature. We discuss the implications of our findings for understanding the consumption of other chronotopic services and how chronotopic affordances shape other forms of consumption.

YOUNG PERSONNEL IN THE CIVIL SERVICE OF UZBEKISTAN

The article aims to study the organizational and legal framework for the provision of young people in the civil service. The article analyzes the essence of the concepts of civil service and meritocracy, the specifics of the preparation and admission of young people to the civil service, the formation of their reserves and the introduction of youth leaders in the neighborhoods in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Based on the research, a number of suggestions and recommendations have been made.