There is a need for cost-efficient methods in consumer research. Existing qualitative methods are expensive to conduct. This paper aims to improve the focus group method. The objective was to improve focus groups with...There is a need for cost-efficient methods in consumer research. Existing qualitative methods are expensive to conduct. This paper aims to improve the focus group method. The objective was to improve focus groups with different aims： shorter time conducting interviews, interview greater number of respondents, deliver results faster than traditionally analysis of data, and lower total cost. CurroCus groups of 15-45 minutes duration were tested in five different experiments, including 70 to 160 respondents in groups of 7-11 respondents. The name of the new method is formed from the word ＂Curro＂ in Latin that means speed in English, and ＂Cus＂ that is the last syllable of the word ＂focus＂, thereby forming a new word： CurroCus~ on the method. The results from testing of the CurroCus~ group method at different cases showed that trained moderators and observers could collect relevant responses in a given time for each group. It was possible to process a number of 6 to 10 respondents for each group. By conducting several successive groups, saturation of information was reached after an adequate number of CurroCus~ groups. Therefore, the total number of respondents can be optimized and results can be more precise, with reduced risk of inaccuracy. At the same time, the cost for each case can be lowered substantially, in our cases to approximately 1/10 of a traditional focus group cost. The role （skills） of the moderator is important. A disadvantage is the risk that some of the respondents are not able to express their thoughts in due time when time is limited. There is a need for more research on all parts of the CurroCus group process.展开更多
The aim of this work is to demonstrate how public university hospital （UH） managers can improve the process of decision-making by using the measurement of economic value added to the society （EVAS） generated by th...The aim of this work is to demonstrate how public university hospital （UH） managers can improve the process of decision-making by using the measurement of economic value added to the society （EVAS） generated by these organizations. Thus, the economic values of the organization and its departments were calculated, according to the theory studied： measurement model of economic result of Slomski （1996）. It was considered the conduction of a case study in a public UH, evaluating its economic performance in a 3-year period. For the interpretation of results, the Data Envelopment Analysis （DEA） which categorized the departments of the hospital studied as efficient or inefficient was used. This study revealed that managers can improve the decision-making process by using the EVAS, since it has been established that this measurement of economic value has sensitivity to identify which of the economic value drivers should be emphasized in the management.展开更多
This article introduces the concepts relating to deep-cut vacuum distillation and its suitability,and analyzes the deep-cut vacuum distillation technique licensed by the KBC Advanced Technologies to the 10 Mt/a CDU/VD...This article introduces the concepts relating to deep-cut vacuum distillation and its suitability,and analyzes the deep-cut vacuum distillation technique licensed by the KBC Advanced Technologies to the 10 Mt/a CDU/VDU of the Qingdao refinery and makes comparison on the test run data after commissioning of the distillation unit. The test results have confirmed that the operation of the CDU/VDU had reached the expected goal to achieve good social and economic benefits.展开更多
The studies of Allen （2011） and Allen et al. （2011） recently examined the methodology underpinning claims that dingoes provide net benefits to biodiversity by suppressing foxes and cats. They found most studies to...The studies of Allen （2011） and Allen et al. （2011） recently examined the methodology underpinning claims that dingoes provide net benefits to biodiversity by suppressing foxes and cats. They found most studies to have design flaws and/or observational methods that preclude valid interpretations from the data, describing most of the current literature as ＇wild dogma＇. In this short supplement, we briefly highlight the roles and implications of wild dogma for wild dog management in Australia. We discuss nomenclature, and the influence that unreliable science can have on policy and practice changes related to apex predator management展开更多
文摘There is a need for cost-efficient methods in consumer research. Existing qualitative methods are expensive to conduct. This paper aims to improve the focus group method. The objective was to improve focus groups with different aims： shorter time conducting interviews, interview greater number of respondents, deliver results faster than traditionally analysis of data, and lower total cost. CurroCus groups of 15-45 minutes duration were tested in five different experiments, including 70 to 160 respondents in groups of 7-11 respondents. The name of the new method is formed from the word ＂Curro＂ in Latin that means speed in English, and ＂Cus＂ that is the last syllable of the word ＂focus＂, thereby forming a new word： CurroCus~ on the method. The results from testing of the CurroCus~ group method at different cases showed that trained moderators and observers could collect relevant responses in a given time for each group. It was possible to process a number of 6 to 10 respondents for each group. By conducting several successive groups, saturation of information was reached after an adequate number of CurroCus~ groups. Therefore, the total number of respondents can be optimized and results can be more precise, with reduced risk of inaccuracy. At the same time, the cost for each case can be lowered substantially, in our cases to approximately 1/10 of a traditional focus group cost. The role （skills） of the moderator is important. A disadvantage is the risk that some of the respondents are not able to express their thoughts in due time when time is limited. There is a need for more research on all parts of the CurroCus group process.
文摘The aim of this work is to demonstrate how public university hospital （UH） managers can improve the process of decision-making by using the measurement of economic value added to the society （EVAS） generated by these organizations. Thus, the economic values of the organization and its departments were calculated, according to the theory studied： measurement model of economic result of Slomski （1996）. It was considered the conduction of a case study in a public UH, evaluating its economic performance in a 3-year period. For the interpretation of results, the Data Envelopment Analysis （DEA） which categorized the departments of the hospital studied as efficient or inefficient was used. This study revealed that managers can improve the decision-making process by using the EVAS, since it has been established that this measurement of economic value has sensitivity to identify which of the economic value drivers should be emphasized in the management.
文摘This article introduces the concepts relating to deep-cut vacuum distillation and its suitability,and analyzes the deep-cut vacuum distillation technique licensed by the KBC Advanced Technologies to the 10 Mt/a CDU/VDU of the Qingdao refinery and makes comparison on the test run data after commissioning of the distillation unit. The test results have confirmed that the operation of the CDU/VDU had reached the expected goal to achieve good social and economic benefits.
文摘The studies of Allen （2011） and Allen et al. （2011） recently examined the methodology underpinning claims that dingoes provide net benefits to biodiversity by suppressing foxes and cats. They found most studies to have design flaws and/or observational methods that preclude valid interpretations from the data, describing most of the current literature as ＇wild dogma＇. In this short supplement, we briefly highlight the roles and implications of wild dogma for wild dog management in Australia. We discuss nomenclature, and the influence that unreliable science can have on policy and practice changes related to apex predator management
