The effect of fake news in marketing halal food: a moderating role of religiosity

Purpose This study aims to explore how consumers process and respond to fake news on halal food in a Muslim-majority country. The study hypothesises that fake news that violates one’s moral code could induce anger resulting in brand hate. Religiosity plays a role as a moderating variable for the relationship. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected in two studies using quasi-experiment repeated measures factorial design, 2 × 2 between subjects. In Study 1, 219 participated, whereas in Study 2, a total of 173 was recruited for the experiment. The study uses one-way repeated measures design ANOVA and MEMORE to test the effects of moderation for repeated measures. Findings The findings indicate that fake news that violates one’s moral code, belief and values could induce anger and brand hate. Religiosity moderates the relationship between anger and brand hate Research limitations/implications The study’s limitations include the limited dimension measured for religiosity and brand hate. Originality/value The study of brand hate as opposed to brand love is relatively scarce. This study has observed how fake news that violates one’s moral code is detrimental to the brand, which in turn induces hate. Marketing managers have to be cautious in marketing their products in more religious countries. Besides, they have to be proactive in combating fake news that might tarnish their brand.

ANALYTICALLY APPROACH OF A COST FUNCTION TO OPTIMIZE AND ESTIMATE OF EFFICIENCE FOR RADIO- AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

The problem of extending the scope of practical application of the methods of the theory of statistical solutions to problems arising in the design and operation of radio electronic systems is reviewed. Existing methods are applied in advanced systems in a very limited scope. Among the variety of problems causing such limitations the most significant one is a lack of loss functions that could be adequate for practical tasks and the same time, suitable for analytical calculations. Using the example of information-control systems designed for defense purposes and with allowance for the physical specifics of their operation, the structure of the loss function suitable for use in analytical constructions of the theory of statistical solutions and reflecting the physical specifics of the most important applications is proposed. An analytical model of damage in a single-purpose and multi-purpose situation is proposed. A multiplicative model and resulting additive model of damage from many targets are reviewed. A generalization was made for a environment featured by random number and values of target parameters-a random flow of targets. A simple analytical expression for a posteriori average risk is obtained, such risk been defined as a measure of the average expected damage from an arbitrary flow of targets. A model of counteraction with the aim of reducing damage is reviewed. Analytical expressions for the average risk and the value of prevented damage and their dependence on the parameters of counteraction have been obtained, and inter alia, in the presence of a flow of targets. A number of examples have been reviewed that show a possibility for splitting a complex multidimensional problem into parallel problems of a limited dimension, for simultaneous resolution of the problem of optimal detection, measurement and counteraction. Also, additional possibilities are opened for optimizing requirements to characteristics of the subsystems components. The proposed method makes it possible to significantly expand the scope of the theory of statistical solutions and to resolve a number of urgent problems that were previously irresolvable analytically. The proposed method can be applied in other areas as well.

Application of spaghetti chart for production process streamlining. Case study

Purpose: Improvement measures are taken unceasingly in organizations in order to optimize the obtained results in each sphere of a company’s functioning. This article presents the results of an improvement process conducted for a welding operation in the given production process. Design/methodology/approach: Taking advantage of the Kaizen approach, the article describes the results of this process and its visualization, which has been conducted with the help of a Spaghetti Chart tool. Findings: Initially, it has demonstrated that the analysis of real pathways of product value creation at the given worksite through application of the mapped-out changes brings about measurable effects. The applied worksite reorganization allowed for a limitation of an employee’s excessive movements at the worksite. In order to conduct a benchmark – both states “before” and “after” the introduction of improvement changes have been juxtaposed. Research limitations/implications: The presented analysis has a temporally and spatially limited dimension - this simultaneously being an impulse to extend research in the future. While conducting an analysis of an operator’s work, the problem must be dealt with in a broad perspective - we conduced type case study, so this is the limitation. Practical implications: The conducted analysis has taken place in real organizational conditions, using the example of a functioning worksite. Working with the “continuous improvement” approach, the instruments for development have been initiated in all spheres and levels of the given organization. Line employees have been motivated by the management to carry out single modernizations at the given worksite, which has influenced their own development. This in turn has stimulated their conscious need for active participation in the process of change. Originality/value: The conducted analysis has taken place in real organizational conditions, using the example of a functioning worksite.

OPTIMIZATION OF MODIFIED WATT’S LINKAGE FOR AN APPROXIMATELY LONG STRAIGHT PATH WITHIN LIMITED DIMENSION

This paper presents an optimal method of aiming for an approximately straight path of the Modified Watt’s Linkage (MWL) within limited dimension. A modification to the Watt’s linkage and the corresponding condition are introduced, followed by the kinematic synthesis. The path generation based on the modification considering constraints from practical application is provided. Genetic algorithm is utilized to perform the constrained optimization. The centrosymmetric property of the MWL is considered in the synthesis process. Ideal parameters of the mechanism are achieved to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Determinants of outsourcing decision for facilities management (FM) services provision

Purpose – This paper aims to examine key determinants that influence the decision to outsource facilities management (FM) services. FM is said to be acquiring increasing popularity all over the globe, with several sourcing strategies springing up for FM services provision. Design/methodology/approach – Based on questionnaire survey approach, this paper uses purposive sampling to administer 84 questionnaires to selected bank executives operating in the 21 licensed commercial banks in Nigeria, soliciting their responses about what constitute key determinants of outsourcing decision in the context of FM services provision. In all, 41 responses were received, giving a response rate of 49 per cent. Findings – Supported by empirical evidence, this study established 14 factors as key determinants of outsourcing decision for FM services provision. The top three rated factors were “to improve company’s focus”, “to make cost transparent” and “to improve stakeholders’ satisfaction”, while “to restrict own investment in staff”, “to retire personnel” and “to play along with trend in privatisation” were the least rated. There was no significant difference in the rankings of the factors by respondents, while most of the highly rated factors exhibited strong correlation with other factors. Research limitations/implications – Due to limited dimension of sample size, more robust techniques such as factor analysis and structural equation modelling could not be used. Originality/value – This paper provides an enhanced understanding of outsourcing decision and basis for further research into decision support models for outsourcing in the context of FM services provision.

Counting test facility for the Borexino experiment

A fundamental breakthrough which opened the way to the realization of the Borexino detector was the demonstration of exceptionally low, unprecedented radioactive contaminations in the liquid scintillator, obtained with its pilot prototype Counting Test Facility. Though of limited dimension, with its 4.8 m3 of active liquid core, CTF has however been a key milestone not only for Borexino, but also for the entire field of the ultra-low background searches. Here, we succinctly remind the motivations, which concurred to lay down the project, as well as the specific radiopurity challenge, which guided the design. After the description of the technical elements of the detector, the main outcomes are summarized, both regarding optical and purity scintillator properties, with special emphasis on the exceptional achievements in term of ultra-low traces of radioactive contaminants. The discussion is completed with the description of how CTF was employed for the pre-qualification of the entire inventory of the Borexino scintillator, confirming also in the final phase of its life its essential role for the success of the overall Borexino solar neutrino program.

Study on the Slab Design of Medium Plate Hot Rolling

The slab design, which has direct effect on the yield rate of steel and the productivity of mill in the production of medium plate, is an important neck of the medium plate production. Therefore, for the slab design of medium plate production, all of the factors which will influence yield and production efficiency should be taken into account, such as how to determine the rolling system, the broadening rate, the compression rate; the limited dimension conditions of machine; the sheared residuce and the burning loss. And then, it combines the indents and different specification of on-site finished product to design the slab of medium plate.

Revolutionary Struggle and the Second Generation in Communist China

Various interpretations of Chinese politics have been offered since the tumultuous days of the abortive “great leap” and the high tide of the Mao-Khrushchev debate. The perplexing problem which has confronted the Western analyst has been that of estimating the effectiveness of Communist policies designed to initiate predictable and controlled changes. Though differently perceived, this same problem now underlies the principal concerns of the Chinese Communist elite. Rigid adherence to long-held views of development may have blinded Peking's leaders to subtle—but crucial—distinctions in the actual situation of their own society, and they may now be unable to prevent the advancement of fundamental changes which contradict cherished goals and programmes. This article seeks to analyse one limited dimension of the current disparity between policy and social reality in terms of the concept of revolutionary struggle.