Strategic brand experience to differentiate B2B service offering : a case study analysis

In the 21st Century, the service sector industry plays a more domineering role than manufacturing. As a result, a dynamic service-oriented approach to marketing emerges, where perceptions of a brand are significantly influenced by the staff. The difference between competing brands is not only based on functional factors, but also emotional factors. Staff are critical to build and maintain a sustainable brand, and require in-depth knowledge and skills, which together with support activities, deliver the brand values. Staff should be recruited who genuinely believe in the brand’s values and who work together to build the brand. Firms should create a favourable organisational culture and gain the support of both core staff and third party suppliers who deliver the brand promise. The aim of this study is to investigate how to use branding as a tool to communicate the message to customers in a consistent manner and deliver functional and emotional brand promises. The research was carried out for NB Entrust and aims to be a catalyst for change for the company. NB Entrust has a strong B2B service business model, but there is concern that it will be imitated by competitors, and thus staff are the valuable differentiating factor. The results from the holistic brand positioning audit and brand leadership survey show that NB needs to: unify its culture, develop future leaders as brand champions, and communicate brand values more effectively to stakeholders.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

INTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF EPROSARTAN MESYLATE FROM SELF EMULSIFYING SYSTEM AND CYCLODEXTRIN COMPLEX

Objective: The aim of this work was to determine the intestinal membrane transport parameters of eprosartan mesylate (EM) and to investigate self-nano emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) and inclusion complexation with hydroxypropyl b cyclodextrin (HPbCD) for enhanced intestinal absorption of eprosartan mesylate. Methods: The intestinal absorption was monitored using the in situ rabbit intestinal perfusion technique. SNEDDS was developed using labrafil, Lauroglycol with a tween in the presence of ethanol. Inclusion complexation was achieved by construction of phase solubility diagram in the presence of HPbCD. The prepared complex was evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results: The drug was found to be poorly absorbed from the jejuno-ileum and the colon with the absorption being mainly through paracellular pathway. An inclusion complex was developed between the drug and HPβCD. Perfusion of the drug in the nanoemulsion formulation or as an inclusion complex resulted in a significant increase in the intestinal absorption of the drug compared with the control.Conclusion: SNEDDS and inclusion complexation are promising strategies for enhanced intestinal absorption of eprosartan mesylate

The role of perceived value and green consumption attitude on purchase intention of eco-bag: a study on young consumers

In recent decades, consumers have been eventually shifting towards responsive green consumption behaviour. This study will examine the role of the perceived value (social value, environmental value and economic value) on green consumption attitude and which, in turn, affects young consumers' purchase intention towards eco-bag. A conceptual model was adopted by developing hypotheses and analysed through structural equation modelling. The survey was performed where data were obtained from 373 young consumers from Chattogram, the commercial capital of Bangladesh. The empirical results suggest that economic value, social value and environmental value have a significant and positive influence on the green consumption attitude. Furthermore, green consumption attitude is also found to be a critical factor influencing the intention of young consumers for purchasing eco-bag. This research will help marketers, policymakers, and concerned stakeholders to create awareness among customers regarding eco-bag usage benefits and drive the industry towards sustainability and enhance green revolution to the competitive market structure

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Dengue Fever Among Slum Dwellers: A Case Study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Objectives: This study intends to evaluate Dhaka city slum dwellers’ responses to Dengue fever (DF).Methods: 745 individuals participated in a KAP survey that was pre-tested. Face-to-face interviews were performed to obtain data. Python with RStudio was used for data management and analysis. The multiple regression models were applied when applicable.Results: 50% of respondents were aware of the deadly effects of DF, its common symptoms, and its infectious nature. However, many were unaware that DF could be asymptomatic, a previously infected person could have DF again, and the virus could be passed to a fetus. Individuals agreed that their families, communities, and authorities should monitor and maintain their environment to prevent Aedes mosquito breeding. However, overall 60% of the study group had inadequate preventative measures. Many participants lacked necessary practices such as taking additional measures (cleaning and covering the water storage) and monitoring potential breeding places. Education and types of media for DF information were shown to promote DF prevention practices.Conclusion: Slum dwellers lack awareness and preventative activities that put them at risk for DF. Authorities must improve dengue surveillance. The findings suggest efficient knowledge distribution, community stimulation, and ongoing monitoring of preventative efforts to reduce DF. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to alter dwellers’ behavior since DF control can be done by raising the population’s level of life. People and communities must perform competently to eliminate vector breeding sites

CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY BY THE SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE FIRMS: EVIDENCE FROM MULTIPLE CASE STUDIES

A remarkable growth regarding corporate philanthropic activities by socially unacceptable firms has been observed in the last few decades. The main aim of the paper is to examine whether it is ethically and morally appropriate for corporations which operate in socially unacceptable industries or have socially unacceptable business practices to also partake in philanthropy and claim to be socially responsible. After thoroughly examining the subject area of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate philanthropy, it was concluded that the answer to the above question varies according to and is dependent upon a number of factors, namely: the industry a company operates in, the stigma or negativity surrounding a company, how socially unacceptable the industry is, how socially unacceptable the company is, how socially unacceptable the company’s business practices are, what types of philanthropy or CSR program a company follows at whom or what the philanthropy is directed, the motivations a company has for being socially responsible and the individual’s moral scale

Correlation of fractional excretion of magnesium with steroid responsiveness in children with nephrotic syndrome

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) patients are candidates for other alter-native drug regimes, and the non-responsiveness to steroid is more common among glomerulo-nephritides other than minimal change disease. Without performing biopsy and proper renal histology, progression of the disease cannot be assessed. Fractional excretion of magnesium (FE Mg) has been found to correlate directly with various renal histologies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of FE Mg in children with the histological pattern in SRNS. In this prospective observational study, 40 children of nephrotic syndrome, both with the first episode as well as relapse, aged 1-12 years were included in the study. Of them, 20 were steroid-responsive cases and 20 were steroid-resistant cases. FE Mg was determined in all the patients and renal histology was performed in the steroid-resistant cases. A correlation was found between FE Mg and renal histology. Data were analyzed in SPSS program version-16. Comparison of two groups was performed by the Fisher exact test and unpaired t test. P-value less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. The results of histo-pathology showed that the mean difference in FE Mg was significant (P <0.001), as FE Mg was 7.0 ± 2.3% in mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, 6.9 ± 1.3% in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 4.7 ± 0.6% in immunoglobulin M nephropathy, 4.5 ± 1.2% in focal segmental proliferative glomerulo-nephritis, 4.4 ± 1.6% in minimal change disease, 4.2 ± 0.4% in diffuse mesangial proliferative glome-rulonephritis and 3.8 ± 1.3% in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. There was a statistically significant difference between FE Mg in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (4.9 ± 1.9) and steroid-responsive syndrome (1.2 ± 0.3). FE Mg is a simple, minimally invasive screening marker for SRNS, and is an early predictor of clinical outcome. It can be considered as an initial investigation where biopsy cannot be performed or indications are not clear

Stakeholders’ views about consequences of COVID-19 epidemic on the tourism industry of Bangladesh: reconciliation policy framework

AbstractDue to the COVID-19 epidemic, the tourism industry in Bangladesh has caused massive disruption in both inbound and outbound tourism, where all interdependent tourism supply chain activities (hotels, resorts, restaurants and transportation) have been forced to be bunged down. The fundamental aim of this qualitative study is to evaluate stakeholders’ experiences and opinions about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry of Bangladesh. Reliable literature reviews and qualitative interviews with stakeholders in the tourist industry were utilized to generate the data for this study. This qualitative research was conducted in three phases, comprising a longitudinal approach from January 2021 to March 2022, focusing on the perspectives of multi-level stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry in four distinct tourist destinations in Bangladesh. Moreover, this research used a case study technique based on 36 semi-structured interviews with important stakeholders in the region. The findings indicate that the influence of COVID-19 on tourism has a substantial positive and negative impact on a number of stakeholders who contribute significantly to the region’s sustainable development. Positive impacts are (a) improved air quality, (b) reduced water and noise pollution, (d) limited natural resources consumption and (e) favourable greenhouse atmosphere; on the other hand, negative impacts are (a) reduced rate of tourists arrival (b) unoccupied hotel accommodations (c) disruption of tourism activities (d) declining purchasing trends and (e)hampering socialization process. Based on the evaluation of stakeholders’ views, an alternative re-engineering policy framework has been recommended for future strategic actions and control

Donor Heart Utilization following Cardiopulmonary Arrest and Resuscitation: Influence of Donor Characteristics and Wait Times in Transplant Regions

Background. Procurement of hearts from cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitated (CPR) donors for transplantation is suboptimal. We studied the influences of donor factors and regional wait times on CPR donor heart utilization. Methods. From UNOS database (1998 to 2012), we identified 44,744 heart donors, of which 4,964 (11%) received CPR. Based on procurement of heart for transplantation, CPR donors were divided into hearts procured (HP) and hearts not procured (HNP) groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of heart procurement. Results. Of the 4,964 CPR donors, 1,427 (28.8%) were in the HP group. Donor characteristics that favored heart procurement include younger age (25.5 ± 15 yrs versus 39 ± 18 yrs, P≤0.0001), male gender (34% versus 23%, P≤0.0001), shorter CPR duration (<15 min versus >30 min, P≤0.0001), and head trauma (60% versus 15%). Among the 11 UNOS regions, the highest procurement was in Region 1 (37%) and the lowest in Region 3 (24%). Regional transplant volumes and median waiting times did not influence heart procurement rates. Conclusions. Only 28.8% of CPR donor hearts were procured for transplantation. Factors favoring heart procurement include younger age, male gender, short CPR duration, and traumatic head injury. Heart procurement varied by region but not by transplant volumes or wait times