A “load-carrier” perspective approach for assessing tourism resource carrying capacity

To address the challenge of global tourism resources being overloaded or underutilization, there requires an adequate method for assessing the tourism resource carrying capacity (TRCC). However, the majority of previous evaluation perspectives on TRCC are limited by thresholds. This paper develops an innovative approach for assessing TRCC from the “load-carrier” perspective. TRCC is assessed by exploring the interaction between the carriers and loads of tourism resources. Chongqing city in China is employed as the case city to demonstrate the application of the established TRCC method. The conclusions are as follows: 1) This study elaborates the new connotation of TRCC from the perspective of “load-carrier”, and establishes the TRCC evaluation system based on the dynamic relationship between the carrier and load of tourism resources. 2) The proposed TRCC evaluation method is proved effective through an empirical study of Chongqing. 3) Chongqing's case unveils that the overload performance of TRCC can be dynamically monitored and predicted. By applying the TRCC evaluation methodology developed in this study, tourism managers and policymakers can identify whether it is the load or the carrier of tourism resources that affect the performance of TRCC, thereby taking targeted policy measures to eliminate potential risks of overload or underutilization.     

The formation of habit and word-of-mouth intention of over-the-top platforms

The current study examines how video content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms and the enjoyment from watching them form habits and word-of-mouth (WOM) intentions. We propose a research model that integrates elements from the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the concept of “habit loop” from the Interest-Driven Creator (IDC) theory. The model was analyzed using PLS-SEM on 302 responses from OTT users. The study elucidates how video content availability helps in habit formation indirectly through perceived enjoyment. The results also demonstrated that the WOM of OTT platforms is explained by perceived enjoyment, affective commitment, and the habit of using the OTT platforms. The study highlights that habit is a significant predictor of affective commitment and WOM intention of hedonic apps. This is the first study to illustrate how video content availability affects users’ enjoyment, habitual use, and WOM intentions. Habit as a significant predictor of affective commitment and WOM intention of hedonic apps, like OTT platforms, is unprecedented.     

An Exploratory analysis of flight delay propagation in China

Delay propagation is the flight departure delay caused by the arrival delay of pre-segment flight. Chinese airline market has suffered very poor on-time performance (OTP) in recent years. It is, however, unclear whether delay propagation prevails as one major source for such problem. This study first aims to empirically quantify delay propagation in the Chinese airline market. Specifically, we shed light on heterogenous levels of delay propagations across different airports and airlines. Then, the distinct delay propagation patterns in China are also discussed and compared with other developed airline markets (e.g., the US and Europe). Our estimation is based on OTP data for over 12 million Chinese flights covering the 2015–2017 period. Specifically, it is found that 10 min arrival delay of pre-segment flight within 1 hr before the departure lead to an average of 7.49 mins delay propagation for subsequent departure flight. Arrival delay of earlier pre-segments (1–2 and 2–3 hr before the departure) leads to much less delay propagation, due to longer ground buffer. Chinese airlines arrange longer ground and flight buffer than that of the US airlines to prevent the delay propagation from accumulating along the subsequent flights in a day. Thus, unlike the US market, delay propagation is not the major reason for poor OTP in China. In addition, delay propagation is less prevailing at the Chinese hub airport. This is because China has relied on point-to-point network, which does not require sophisticated schedule coordination. And the local passengers at these Chinese hub airports have higher time value such that the Chinese airlines also try to improve OTP at these hub airports to better serve these lucrative but time-sensitive local passengers. Unlike the European LCCs, Spring Airlines, the largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in China, outperforms major full-service carriers (FSCs) in controlling delay propagation. This finding may also apply to other Northeast Asian LCCs sharing common operational characteristics as Spring Airlines. Last, we find that airlines purposely tolerate moderate departure delays of up to 15 min, which is the threshold that defines delays, no matter whether the pre-segment flight arrives late or on-time. The relevant policy and managerial implications are also discussed.     

一种适用于遥测测距信号的新型码跟踪环

遥测测距技术采用再生伪码作为上行链路信号。针对飞行器现有码跟踪环结构复杂、低信噪比条件下环路跟踪性能差的问题，提出了一种新的基于锁相环的码跟踪环结构，推导了环路的信号处理流程。该结构降低了环路实现的复杂度，改善了低信噪比条件下的相位测量精度，仿真进一步验证了方法的有效性和稳定性，较现有方法在信噪比为-10 dB时能提高1.5×10－3个码片的精度，适合遥测测距技术。     

Reconciling Alternative Theories for the Safety of Owner–Operators

Motor carrier safety is an important concern of shippers, carriers, policy makers, consignees, insurance providers, and the motoring public. One aspect of carrier safety that has garnered substantial attention is whether carriers making greater use of owner–operators are more or less safe vis‐à‐vis carriers making greater use of employee drivers. Currently, conflicting theoretical predictions exist regarding the direction of this relationship. In this article, we offer a reconciliation of the alternative theoretical predictions by developing a coherent theory that merges sociological rational choice theory and theory regarding motor carrier safety. We subject our theory to empirical testing by fitting a series of seemingly unrelated regression models to a vector of safety measures tracked as part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program. Our results are consistent with our proposed theory of owner—operator safety and provide meaningful theoretical and managerial implications and directions for future research.     

Key drivers of passengers' overall satisfaction at klia2 terminal

The purpose of this study is to examine the airport service quality dimensions based on the ASQ survey and investigate the best predictor for overall satisfaction. The context of this study is the klia2 terminal passengers, which are predominantly users of the low-cost carriers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Secondary data obtained from the airport operator on the 2016 ASQ survey for the klia2 terminal was analysed using the PLS-SEM method. The grouping and impact of the thirty-three service quality elements from the ASQ survey were tested against the overall satisfaction element. The findings indicated that twenty-two out of the thirty-three elements were valid measures for the klia2 terminal users which forms the eight dimensions i.e. access, airport environment, airport facilities, arrival services, check-in, finding your way, passport and security. Airport environment was found as the best predictor in determining passengers’ overall satisfaction at klia2 terminal and should be given particular focus by the airport operator for continuous improvements.     

一种针对压缩域信号的新型锁相环技术

针对通信信号压缩采样获得的压缩域信号频率、相位提取问题,提出了一种基于压缩感知的新型锁相环技术。通过深入研究压缩域的信号估计问题,提出了压缩域锁相环路,可以直接在压缩域同步跟踪信号频率和相位变化,不再需要高复杂度的信号重构处理。分析了环路模型及其估计性能,并针对该锁相环可行性和性能分别进行了仿真实验。仿真结果不仅验证了压缩域锁相环的可行性,同时表明该环路能够实现高动态信号的高精度频率提取。压缩域锁相环的应用潜力较大,例如可以作为压缩感知通信接收机的同步解调方法。     

卷接包集控系统网络结构的规划分析

为解决绵阳卷烟厂卷包生产过程中存在的设备自控关联性差、连锁方式难以改变、分散的设备与生产运行难以监控、生产管理模式难以满足柔性化生产等问题,引进了卷包集控系统,并对该系统的三层网络结构进行了规划设计、对比分析。通过改变三个网络层次之间的连接方式、网络拓扑结构,使卷接包生产因集控系统网络故障引起的停机时间降到最低。应用效果表明,改进后的网络结构有利于缩小网络规模,控制网络风险,保证数据交换,避免I/O整体失控,有效提高了通信网络的安全性和稳定性及网络资源的利用率。     

Strategic Purity and Efficiency in the Motor Carrier Industry: A Multiyear Panel Investigation

Two questions facing motor carrier managers are (1) whether carriers should specialize in providing full truckload (TL) or less‐than‐truckload (LTL) services vis‐à‐vis offering mix of both and (2) whether this decision is contingent on carrier size. Yet, the literature provides little guidance because research to date has offered contradictory theoretical predictions and inconsistent empirical findings. Drawing on the theory of strategic purity and information processing theory, we explain why service specialization is likely to increase carriers' technical efficiency and why size will have a more pronounced effect on technical efficiency for carriers specializing in LTL services versus TL services. To test our theory, we assemble a panel data set from archival government sources regarding general freight motor carriers' provision of LTL and TL services. We measure carriers' technical efficiency using data envelopment analysis and test our hypotheses by fitting a series of panel data mixed‐effects models. Our results indicate that carriers are most technically efficient when they specialize in one service type. We also find that size positively affects technical efficiency but only for carriers specializing in LTL services; no returns to scale with regard to technical efficiency exist for carriers specializing in TL services.     

Online purchasing tickets for low cost carriers: An application of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model

This paper examines determinants of purchasing flights from low-cost carrier (LCC) websites. In doing so an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model is proposed building on earlier work by Venkatesh, Thong, and Xu (2012). The results, derived from a sample of 1096 Spanish consumers of LCC flights, indicate that key determinants of purchasing are trust, habit, cost saving, ease of use, performance and expended effort, hedonic motivation and social factors. Of these variables, online purchase intentions, habit and ease of use are the most important.