Optimizing operations of large water supply networks: a case study

In this paper we propose a mathematical programming model for a large drinking water supply network and discuss some possible extensions. The proposed optimization model is of a real water distribution network, the largest water supply network in Flanders. The problem is nonlinear, nonconvex and involves some binary variables, making it belong to the class of NP-hard problems. We discuss a way to convexify the nonconvex term and show some results on two case instances of the actual network

The impact of green appeals on credibility: a mixed-method approach

Many advertisers use green advertisements to convey their products’ and company’s responsibility towards the environment. However, previous studies suggest that consumers are skeptic towards such claims. As credibility is an important indicator of ad effectiveness, the current paper investigates the impact of green advertising on credibility by relating the green characteristics of advertisements to perceived credibility. In general, results of a quantitative study indicate that level of greenness has a positive impact, while environmental involvement has a negative impact on the credibility of green advertisements

Optimizing operations of large-scale water supply networks: a case study

In this paper we propose a mathematical programming model for a large drinking water supply network and discuss some possible extensions. The proposed optimization model is of a real water distribution network, the largest water supply network in Flanders. The problem is nonlinear, nonconvex and involves some binary variables, making it belong to the class of NP-hard problems. We discuss a way to convexify the nonconvex term and show some results on two case instances of the actual network

Implications of customer participation in outsourcing noncore services to third parties

Purpose Focal service providers increasingly involve customers in the decision-making about outsourcing parts of the service delivery process to third parties. The present study investigates how customers' outsourcing decisions affect the formation of the waiting experience with the focal service provider, by which the objective waiting time, environmental quality and interactional quality act as focal drivers. Design/methodology/approach To test our hypotheses in the context of cancer care, we gathered process data and experience data by means of a patient observation template (n = 640) and a patient survey (n = 487). The combined data (n = 377) were analyzed using Bayesian models. Findings This study shows that opting for a service triad (i.e. outsourcing non-core services to a third party) deduces customers' attention away from the objective waiting time with the focal service provider but not from the environmental and interactional quality offered by the focal service provider. When the type of service triad coordination is considered, we observe similar effects for a focal service provider-coordinated service triad while in a customer-coordinated service triad the interactional quality is the sole experience driver of waiting experiences that remains significant. Originality/value By investigating the implications of customer participation in the decision-making about outsourcing parts of the service delivery process to third parties, this research contributes to the service design, service triad and service operations literature. Specifically, this study shows that customer outsourcing decisions impact waiting experience formation with the focal service provider.Purpose Focal service providers increasingly involve customers in the decision-making about outsourcing parts of the service delivery process to third parties. The present study investigates how customers' outsourcing decisions affect the formation of the waiting experience with the focal service provider, by which the objective waiting time, environmental quality and interactional quality act as focal drivers. Design/methodology/approach To test our hypotheses in the context of cancer care, we gathered process data and experience data by means of a patient observation template (n = 640) and a patient survey (n = 487). The combined data (n = 377) were analyzed using Bayesian models. Findings This study shows that opting for a service triad (i.e. outsourcing non-core services to a third party) deduces customers' attention away from the objective waiting time with the focal service provider but not from the environmental and interactional quality offered by the focal service provider. When the type of service triad coordination is considered, we observe similar effects for a focal service provider-coordinated service triad while in a customer-coordinated service triad the interactional quality is the sole experience driver of waiting experiences that remains significant. Originality/value By investigating the implications of customer participation in the decision-making about outsourcing parts of the service delivery process to third parties, this research contributes to the service design, service triad and service operations literature. Specifically, this study shows that customer outsourcing decisions impact waiting experience formation with the focal service provider.A

Designing the customer journey in a service delivery network: evidence from cancer patient treatments

Customer experiences - not in the least for customers with chronic diseases - depend on a series of exchanges over a considerable amount of time with a variety of service providers and thus a service delivery network (SDN). The impact of SDNs on the customer experience, however, is unclear. This research provides insight into (1) the service delivery system characteristics in SDNs, and (2) their impact on the relationship between customer journey duration and value for time as an important customer experience indicator. The service delivery system characteristics were explored by process travel sheets of patients undergoing cancer treatment in a hospital (n=412). These data were linked to time measurement data (n=262) and survey data (n=312) to explain customer journey duration and value for time, thereby showing the importance of the number of service events and the type of service providers. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed

Mid-late Holocene changes in the El Niño Southern Oscillation and Hadley Cell intensity; their effect on sea-surface conditions in the mid-latitude southeast Pacific Ocean (41°S)

The study focuses on the observed effects of changes in the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Hadley Cell intensity on sea-surface water conditions in the SE Pacific (41°S; Site ODP1233) during the last 8.000 years. Recent studies suggest that periods characterised by a negative Southern Oscillation Index (SOI; El Niño) cause positive precipitation anomalies during austral winter (and annually) in Mid-South Chile, while austral summer periods are rather drier. This because El Niño weakens the southeast (SE) Pacific anticyclone, causing a northward shift of the westerly wind belt resulting in higher annual rainfall at 41°S. Positive rainfall anomalies result in a increasing runoff, which causes a decrease in sea-surface salinity (SSS) in near-shore areas. At first sight, this is supported by the process length of Operculodinium centrocarpum (a dinoflagellate cyst), which constitutes a proxy for a changing SSS/SST (sea-surface temperature)-ratio. A decreasing SSS and constant SST result in a shortening of the process lengths. However, when comparing the Fe-record of GeoB3313-1 with the intensity and frequency of the El Niño events during the studied period, a negative SOI seems not to be necessarily associated with positive annual rainfall anomalies in Mid-South Chile. Three major peaks in the frequency and intensity of El Niño events correspond with drier conditions at 41°S. Those three periods occur simultaneous with an increasing Hadley Cell activity, which in turn strengthens the SE Pacific anticyclone. This causes a southward shift of the westerlies, leading to dryer conditions at 41°S, in turn causing less runoff and an increase rather than a decrease in SSS. Thereby, negative SST anomalies occur offshore Mid-South Chile during the intensification of the SE Pacific anticyclone. Both the lower SST and higher SSS should result in longer process lengths while an obvious shortening is observed. Therefore, we suggest that the shortening of the process results from a further northward penetration of the less saline Chilean Fjord Waters. This is most likely caused by favourable southerly winds associated with a more poleward position of the SE Pacific anticyclone, due to an increase in intensity of the Hadley Cell. Those results indicate a domination of the Hadley Cell effects over the effects of ENSO in the mid-latitude SE Pacific Ocean