THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIMENSIONS OF BRAND LOYALTY. AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION AMONG ROMANIAN URBAN CONSUMERS

Considering the increasing importance of brand loyalty in the context of fierce competition, the paper aimed at empirically investigating, among urban Romanian consumers, the relationship between some of the major dimensions of brand loyalty. Measurement was conducted through five indicators: brand satisfaction, brand repurchase intention in similar buying contexts, brand recommend intention, brand repurchase intention in case of price increase (price elasticity of loyalty) and, respectively, repurchase intention in case of distribution decrease (distribution elasticity of loyalty). The main objective of the research was not only to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of brand loyalty as reflected by the five previous loyalty indicators, but also to suggest a conceptual model of brand loyalty considering the nature and intensity of the identified correlations. The data was collected through an ad-hoc questionnaire based survey, sampling the population by means of a mixture of classical probabilistic and non-probabilistic methods. The results proved positive correlations among loyalty dimensions and allowed us to propose a general model for the relationship between these dimensions.behavioral intend, brand loyalty, extended loyalty, loyalty essence.

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Simulation of Transient Liquid-Phase Bonding

ABSTRACT THERMODYNAMIC AND KINETIC SIMULATION OF TRANSIENT LIQUID-PHASE BONDING by Brad Lindner The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2015 Under the Supervision of Professor Benjamin C. Church The use of numeric computational methods for the simulation of materials systems is becoming more prevalent and an understanding of these tools may soon be a necessity for Materials Engineers and Scientists. The applicability of numerical simulation methods to transient liquid-phase (TLP) bonding is evaluated using a type 316L/MBF-51 material system. The comparisons involve the calculation of bulk diffusivities, tracking of interface positions during dissolution, widening, and isothermal solidification stages, as well as comparison of elemental composition profiles. The simulations were performed with Thermo-Calc and DICTRA software packages and the experiments with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and optical microscopic methods. Analytical methods are also discussed to enhance understanding. The results of the investigation show that while general agreement between simulations and experiments can be obtained, assumptions made with the simulation programs may cause difficulty in interpretation of the results unless the user has sufficient, mathematical, thermodynamic, kinetic, and simulation background

Government Created Medical Practice Guidelines: The Opening of Pandora\u27s Box

The fact-specific holding “Summary judgment was improper in an insured\u27s claim against its insurer for the denial of treatment through a utilization review process because neither Wyoming law nor the insurance contract provided an administrative remedy requiring exhaustion.

Development of ESAL Forecasting Procedures for Superpave Pavement Design

This report documents the analysis methods used to develop the Equivalent Single Axle Load (ESAL) forecasting program for Superpave projects. In addition, this report discusses the procedures used in the ESAL forecasting program to forecast ESALs in the design lane for pavement resurfacing/overlay projects which are consistent with the Superpave process of asphaltic mixture design

Government Created Medical Practice Guidelines: The Opening of Pandora\u27s Box

This article will discuss the background and creation of medical practice guidelines in part II. Next, we will define and discuss in Part III the two primary types of medical practice guidelines: privately created guidelines and government created guidelines. In Part IV, we will compare and contract the current medical practice guidelines programs in operation. Finally, we will recommend in section V that a medical practice guidelines program offering an affirmative defense to complying physicians should be implemented on the state level

The international photovoltaics industry : an analysis of multinational firm marketing strategies

The photovoltaic energy markets around the world have progressed unevenly, primarily as a result of industry-specific externalities regarding political, environmental, and economic market factors. Photovoltaic technologies present solutions that address the concerns about pollution and long-term energy security attributed to contemporary electrical generation methods. To date, photovoltaic technologies have not met the levels of anticipated electricity contribution on an international basis, even though awareness of global warming and demand for electricity both continue to rise. (Author abstract)Allen, B. (2008). The international photovoltaics industry: An analysis of multinational firm marketing strategies. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed

Isolation Enhancement for Cylindrical Structure Millimeter-Wave Repeaters

In radio frequency (RF), microwave, and millimeter wave (mmw) repeater applications, the receiver (RX) often needs to detect small power levels while simultaneously transmitting (TX) the same signal amplified significantly without distorting the incoming signal. In some applications, this can be done with time division or frequency division duplexing techniques; however, there are full duplex repeater applications that require simultaneous transmit and receive at the same time and same frequency. These full duplex systems often face the challenge of self-interference caused by the transmitter (TX to RX isolation). This thesis focuses on enhancing the isolation between two antennas on a repeater system using different impedance surfaces. These surfaces designed to suppress the electromagnetic surface waves that propagate. For this thesis, broadband, mmw repeater systems mounted on cylinders are considered. Both numerical and analytical studies are conducted as well as fabrication and measurements are performed for cylindrical repeater applications.From a literature survey, we present a general theory on the concept of surface and generalize these impedance surfaces into three types: corrugations, pin bed, and mushroom/patch structures. Uniform depth corrugations are first considered due to their simple geometry and rich history. Theoretical approaches demonstrate how these corrugations work as an impedance surface and discuss the 2:1 frequency bandwidth limitation that is fundamental to their geometry. To overcome the bandwidth limitation, other analytical techniques are considered where the corrugations are tapered in depth such that they are engineered to choke the surface currents. This technique is shown to work consistently over wide bandwidths and is implemented onto both flat and cylinder ground planes to validate these studies and techniques. Alternatively, reactive loading of the uniform depth corrugations is shown to lead to bandwidth improvement. This eventually directs the studies to the mushroom-type impedance surfaces. These types of surfaces can be easily and accurately fabricated using printed circuit boards which can be designed on conformal substrates making them an ideal candidate for cylinder platform applications. Two types of these mushroom structures are studied in depth in this thesis and both demonstrate high isolation improvement over wide bandwidths in numerical studies and measurement results

Evaluations of Wall Structures in Kentucky (KYSPR-85-107)

Approximately 209 retaining wall structures were visually evaluated under this study for long-term performance. The inspection included concrete crib, single-barrel and double-barrel culvert wing, metal bin, Gabion, rigid concrete, Keystone block, tiedback, mechanically stabilized earth (M.S.E.), Tech Wall, and sound walls. Significant structural distress was observed in several of the wall systems. This report discusses the performance of each wall system and makes recommendations on the future use of these systems

Evaluation of Edge Drains on Interstate 64 Fayette, Scott, and Woodford Counties

This report documents findings of the investigation of edge drains and their associated outlets on Interstate 64 from Milepost 65 to Milepost 75.6 in Fayette, Scott, and Woodford Counties. The study was initiated due to significant amounts of water and fines coming up through the AC surface. State and Federal Officials were concerned that possible failures in the edge drains were causing pumping and staining which will ultimately lead to premature pavement failure. Several factors appear to be contributing to the staining and pumping at the surface. These factors are discussed in the report