Evaluating Logistics Capabilities on Firm Performance of the Photonics Industry in Taiwan

This study empirically examined the impact of logistics capabilities on firm performance in the photonics industry. Structural equating modelling (SEM) was employed to test the research hypotheses with the use of data collected from a survey of 221 photonics manufacturing firms in Taiwan. Three dimensions were identified based on a factor analysis, including warehousing capability, information technology capability, and transportation capability. The research findings indicated that logistics capabilities positively influence firm performance. Information technology capability was found to be the most important logistics capability in the photonics industry, followed by warehousing capability, and transportation capability. There is also a discussion of the theoretical and managerial implications for the photonics industry

A study on the relationship between airport privatisation and airport efficiency: An application of using AHP/DEA methods

In order to deal with the competitive environment surrounding the air transport industry, civil aviation authorities have undertaken several approaches to improve airport efficiency, such as investing in the infrastructure and privatising airport ownership or governance. Among these methods, airport privatisation policy has been implemented for around 25 years in the U.K., closely followed by other European countries. By contrast, decision makers elsewhere, such as in the Asia-Pacific region, are now interested in privatisation and in doing so evaluate the impact of this process elsewhere. Focussing on the most popular method for assessing airport efficiency, with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) a unit can appear efficient simply because of its pattern of inputs and outputs rather than any inherent efficiency. But only using DEA may not provide useful results about the efficiency of airports as different decision makers may weight the relative importance of inputs and outputs differently (for example, airport managers, and airline companies). In this research, another aim is to develop and demonstrate the applicability of different analysis techniques within the AEES. For this reason, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis is adopted to calculate the importance of each variable. These results are then integrated into both DEA and DEA, Assurance Region (AR) models, to reflect the different importance of the metrics. In the context of air transportation, an integrated AHP/DEA and AHP/DEA-AR model are applied for the first time to evaluate airport efficiency. A sensitivity analysis with different variable sets is carried out. In conclusion, an AEES is established and the result shows that the approach by adopting AHP/DEA-AR model in particular can provide more accurate values of relative efficiency than using the traditional DEA approach. There are also different priorities between stakeholder groups and these can affect the efficiency scores of airports. However, the results for each of the different analysis techniques show that there is no statistically significant relationship between airport ownership and efficiency. Therefore, the primary aim of this research is to examine the relationship between airport privatisation and efficiency, through an Airport Efficiency Evaluation System (AEES). The study covers Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting different attitudes towards the role of government within airport management. Focussing on the most popular method for assessing airport efficiency, wit

The Impact of Low-Cost Carriers on inbound Tourism of Thailand

Outbound tourism primarily concerns air travel due to the limited options for transportation. Many studies related to aviation and tourism have been conducted. However, most studies are in the US and European context, with only a few cases having been studied in Asia. The purpose of this research is to focus on the development of Low-Cost carriers (LCCs) in major Asian nations. Particularly, it aims to study the influence of LCCs on Thailands tourism. To investigate if LCCs contribute to an increase in Thailands tourism demand, multiple regression analysis with key indicators is employed using monthly data from January 2013 to December 2017. The findings reveal that LCCs have a positive impact on Thailands tourism. Furthermore, LCCs are the main factor in Thailands tourism demand. It is necessary to consider the future development of LCCs and whether LCCs can play an important role in the tourism supply chain in the future

A Study of the December 1992 Westerly Wind Burst Event during TOGA COARE

Using the Penn State/NCAR MM5 mesoscale model, a westerly wind burst (WWB) that occurred during the period from 19 to 30 December 1992 over the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) has been simulated and compared with observation. This event is characterized by the presence of super cloud clusters and the occurrence of a major WWB that extended over the western and central Pacific Ocean. Although several of the observed convective systems were not precisely simulated by MM5, the model did capture many other observed characteristics, such as the explosive development of convection, the cyclonic circulation and the WWB. The WWB resulted from the coalescence of three types of tropical disturbances. The first type was a low-level westerly jet (LWJ) that developed at the equator and may be associated with the eastward propagation of an ISO (Intraseasonal Oscillation). The second type featured an easterly wave-like disturbance that originated in the south central Pacific Ocean and propagated westward. Finally, the third type involved a cross-equatorial flow that deflected Northern Hemispheric easterlies into the Southern Hemisphere and may be caused by inertial instability. These disturbances worked in concert, resulting in intense convection over the TOGA COARE region. Once intense convection developed, a large-scale circulation was produced over the western Pacific warm pool, propagated eastward, and initiated a WWB

Drain tube migration into the anastomotic site of an esophagojejunostomy for gastric small cell carcinoma: short report

Intraluminal migration of a drain through an anastomotic site is a rare complication of gastric surgery. Case Presentation: We herein report the intraluminal migration of a drain placed after a lower esophagectomy and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis for gastric small cell carcinoma. Persistent drainage was noted 1 month after surgery, and radiographic studies were consistent with drain tube migration. Endoscopy revealed the drain had migrated into the esophagojejunostomy anastomotic site. The drain was removed from outside of abdominal wound while observing the anastomotic site endoscopically. The patient was treated with suction via a nasogastric tube drain for 5 days, and thereafter had an uneventful recovery. Conclusions: Though drain tube migration is a rare occurrence, it should be considered in patients with persistent drainage who have undergone gastric surgery