The Love of Money and Pay Level Satisfaction: Measurement and Functional Equivalence in 29 Geopolitical Entities around the World

Demonstrating the equivalence of constructs is a key requirement for cross-cultural empirical research. The major purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how to assess measurement and functional equivalence or invariance using the 9-item, 3-factor Love of Money Scale (LOMS, a second-order factor model) and the 4-item, 1-factor Pay Level Satisfaction Scale (PLSS, a first-order factor model) across 29 samples in six continents (N = 5973). In step 1, we tested the configural, metric and scalar invariance of the LOMS and 17 samples achieved measurement invariance. In step 2, we applied the same procedures to the PLSS and nine samples achieved measurement invariance. Five samples (Brazil, China, South Africa, Spain and the USA) passed the measurement invariance criteria for both measures. In step 3, we found that for these two measures, common method variance was non-significant. In step 4, we tested the functional equivalence between the Love of Money Scale and Pay Level Satisfaction Scale. We achieved functional equivalence for these two scales in all five samples. The results of this study suggest the critical importance of evaluating and establishing measurement equivalence in cross-cultural studies. Suggestions for remedying measurement non-equivalence are offered

Investigations of Electronic Cigarette Chemistry: 1. Formation Pathways for Degradation Products Using Isotopic Labeling; and 2. Gas/Particle Partitioning of Nicotine and Flavor Related Chemicals in Electronic Cigarette Fluids

Use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is rapidly growing around the world. E-cigarettes are commonly used as an alternative nicotine delivery system, and have been advocated as generating lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to conventional cigarettes. Cigarette smoke-like aerosols are generated when e-cigarettes heat e-liquids. The main components of e-cigarette liquids are propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GL) in a varying ratio, plus nicotine and flavor chemicals. Both PG and GL are considered safe to ingest in foods and beverages, but the toxicity of these chemicals in aerosols is unknown. Current studies of e-cigarettes have mainly focused on dehydration and oxidation products of PG and GL. In this study, the other degradation products that can be generated during the vaping process are discussed. In addition, the gas/particle partitioning of chemicals in vaping aerosols is determined. This work finds that the formation of benzene in electronic cigarettes depends on the wattage, types of coils, and devices. To simulate commerical e-cigarette liquids, mixtures containing equal parts of PG and GL by volume were made with the following added components: benzoic acid (BA), benzoic acid with nicotine (Nic), benzaldehyde (BZ), band enzaldehyde with nicotine. PG only, GL only, and PG and GL mixtures were also made for comparison. The data presented here demonstrate that more benzene is generated as the wattage of a device increases. The results also seem to support the importance of ventilation in the generation of benzene. More benzene is generated from the mixtures containing benzoic acid when using the EVOD device with a smaller vent. However, benzaldehyde yields more benzene when using the Subtank Nano device with a larger vent. Findings also indicate that more benzene is produced from GL rather than PG. This thesis also addresses the chemical formation pathways of degradation compounds found in the aerosols formed from isotopically labeled e-cigarette liquids. Mixtures of both 13C-labeled and unlabeled PG as well as GL were made. The mixtures were vaped and gas-phase samples were collected to determine which chemicals were in the gas-phase portion of the aerosols. With the use of GC/MS methods, these isotopic labeling experiments provided evidence that the majority of the benzene, acetaldehyde, 2,3-butanedione, toluene, xylene, acrolein, and furan found in e-cigarette aerosols originates from GL in the PG plus GL mixtures. It was also shown that the majority of propanal is derived from PG: while hydroxyacetone can be formed from both PG and GL. Possible mechanisms for the formation of acetaldehyde, benzene, 2,3-butanedione, toluene, and xylene formation are proposed. Last, this study investigated the gas/particle partitioning of nicotine and flavor-related chemicals in e-cigarette fluids. The gas/particle partitioning behavior of chemicals in e-cigarettes fluids is highly dependent on the chemical volatility. A total of 37 compounds were examined. The target compounds were divided into 3 groups based on their vapor pressures: high, medium, and low. Headspace gas samples were collected and analyzed to determine the concentration of a compound in equilibrium with the liquid phase. The gas and liquid concentrations were used to calculate the gas/particle partitioning constant (Kp) for each compound. In an e-cigarette aerosol, volatile compounds have smaller Kp values and tend to be found in greater proportion in the gas-phase, whereas the less volatile compounds are likely to stay in the particle phase. General agreement with theory was found for compounds with known activity coefficients in PG and GL, indicating that theory can be used to predict Kp values for other compounds

Commonality and Product Design

149 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998.The challenge that manufacturing firms face today is that global markets demand frequent product innovation and extensive product diversification simultaneously. Considerable product development cost and a lack of long lasting and profitable product designs mandate companies to take a systematic and integrated approach to the design of product families and of successive product generations. Modularity/commonality has emerged as a powerful option in product design to provide customers with a variety of products at reduced costs. While traditional research has mainly focused on cost side effects of commonality, this dissertation provides a novel insight on the demand side effect of commonality and integrates it with the cost side effect of commonality. We suggest a notion of customers' valuation change due to commonality and demonstrate the effect of the valuation change on optimal product design through an analytic approach. We also empirically test the effect of commonality in product design on customers' valuation of products and show that the notion of valuation change prevails for a wide range of products. In the last part of dissertation, we consider a multi-attribute product design problem and provide a measure of customers' multi-dimensional preference and properties of the optimal solution.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Developing an Open Innovation Attitude Assessment Framework for Organizations: Focusing on Open Innovation Role Perspective and Locus of Activity

From an organizational perspective, open innovation (OI) capability assessments are becoming increasingly important. The authors propose that an organization’s attitude toward interactive OI activities among OI stakeholders can reveal its degree of capability. This paper aims to focus on an organization’s OI attitude measurement scales and develop a framework linked to the role perspectives and loci of OI activities occurring at the organizational level. This research will introduce a practical, theory-based indication of OI assessment by combining a deductive process that identifies organizational OI attitude constructs with an inductive framework development process. First, the authors conducted an extensive literature review of attitude measurement on the execution of OI. Then, they performed empirical data analysis using a large-scale structured attitude assessment survey from individuals in domestic and multi-national corporations (n = 134), which led to the development of questionnaire sets on attitude evaluation. This study contributes to developing an organizational OI attitude assessment scale. Furthermore, based on empirical data analysis, the research framework demonstrated the reliability and validity of the organizational OI attitude measurement scale. Specifically, the scale contains proven questionnaires assessing OI attitudes by interrogating individual actors’ impact, behavior, and cognition regarding their organization’s OI activities. The organization’s three role perspectives (transfer, absorption, and brokerage) and two loci of activities in the OI ecosystem provide six distinct dimensions, suggesting areas of focus for a firm’s strategic OI direction

An Exploratory Study of Consumers’ Perceptions of Product Types and Factors Affecting Purchase Intentions in the Subscription Economy: 99 Subscription Business Cases

This study examined changes in consumer perceptions of product types and purchase intentions when a subscription model is introduced for products normally sold on a one-time basis. It then proposed product types likely to affect consumers’ purchasing intentions in the subscription economy and product categories best suited for the subscription economy. To this end, an experimental study was conducted with experts and general consumers using 99 subscription business cases. It was found that a regular delivery of products on a subscription basis gradually changes consumer perceptions of the products from utilitarian to hedonic and from search to experience ones. It was also found that consumption motivation is an important predictor of consumer purchase intentions in the subscription economy. In addition, experience-utilitarian and search-utilitarian products were associated with the highest purchase intentions among experts and general consumers, respectively. This suggests that a company’s strategy should be adjusted in line with consumers’ understanding of the subscription model. Therefore, suppliers need to understand the full implications of the new model, such as changed consumer perceptions and purchasing intentions, and strive to design a subscription model that is suitable for the target segments and product selections

Commonality and Product Design

149 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998.The challenge that manufacturing firms face today is that global markets demand frequent product innovation and extensive product diversification simultaneously. Considerable product development cost and a lack of long lasting and profitable product designs mandate companies to take a systematic and integrated approach to the design of product families and of successive product generations. Modularity/commonality has emerged as a powerful option in product design to provide customers with a variety of products at reduced costs. While traditional research has mainly focused on cost side effects of commonality, this dissertation provides a novel insight on the demand side effect of commonality and integrates it with the cost side effect of commonality. We suggest a notion of customers' valuation change due to commonality and demonstrate the effect of the valuation change on optimal product design through an analytic approach. We also empirically test the effect of commonality in product design on customers' valuation of products and show that the notion of valuation change prevails for a wide range of products. In the last part of dissertation, we consider a multi-attribute product design problem and provide a measure of customers' multi-dimensional preference and properties of the optimal solution.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Product Design with Multiple Quality-Type Attributes

We consider a product line design problem with multiple attributes for a monopolist serving a market with two customer segments. Products are designed with quality type attributes for which more is always better than less. By considering multiple attributes, we derive a measure of multidimensional customer preference and offer insights into the optimal product design. When customers'preferences exhibit different orders in different attributes, our results show that products are differentiated horizontally where no one product is better than the other with respect to all attributes, and that there exists a region where the first-best solution for the monopolist is feasible despite the problem of cannibalization. Furthermore, single-product offering strategies are never optimal, so pooling of customer segments or reduction of the number of segments served will not occur.Product Design, Multiattribute, Quality-Type Attribute, Continuous Optimization

Sidewall Slope Control of InP Via Holes for 3D Integration

This is the first demonstration of sidewall slope control of InP via holes with an etch depth of more than 10 μm for 3D integration. The process for the InP via holes utilizes a common SiO2 layer as an InP etch mask and conventional inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etcher operated at room temperature and simple gas mixtures of Cl2/Ar for InP dry etch. Sidewall slope of InP via holes is controlled within the range of 80 to 90 degrees by changing the ICP power in the ICP etcher and adopting a dry-etched SiO2 layer with a sidewall slope of 70 degrees. Furthermore, the sidewall slope control of the InP via holes in a wide range of 36 to 69 degrees is possible by changing the RF power in the etcher and introducing a wet-etched SiO2 layer with a small sidewall slope of 2 degrees; this wide slope control is due to the change of InP-to-SiO2 selectivity with RF power

Sidewall Slope Control of InP Via Holes for 3D Integration

This is the first demonstration of sidewall slope control of InP via holes with an etch depth of more than 10 μm for 3D integration. The process for the InP via holes utilizes a common SiO2 layer as an InP etch mask and conventional inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etcher operated at room temperature and simple gas mixtures of Cl2/Ar for InP dry etch. Sidewall slope of InP via holes is controlled within the range of 80 to 90 degrees by changing the ICP power in the ICP etcher and adopting a dry-etched SiO2 layer with a sidewall slope of 70 degrees. Furthermore, the sidewall slope control of the InP via holes in a wide range of 36 to 69 degrees is possible by changing the RF power in the etcher and introducing a wet-etched SiO2 layer with a small sidewall slope of 2 degrees; this wide slope control is due to the change of InP-to-SiO2 selectivity with RF power