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MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events) have been established as one of the most important industries. Limited attention, however, has been given to understanding the underlying mechanisms of a sustainable market environment. In order to build such an environment, this research investigates a way to enhance the identity between local businesses and the MICE industry that make up the MICE environment by employing the brand concept in marketing. This study examines the effect of venue name and type of events being exposed on brand formation. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between brand identity and the impact on residents&rsquo, perceived brand value. The findings of this research suggest that consistent exposure of content-specific brand names and similar types of events increases the identity between local businesses and the MICE industry, and the identity mediates the relationship.

This paper presents technologies for precise trajectory tracking of end effector with two core principles; optimizing relative position of end effector and compensation of position by visual feedback. First of all, based on holonomic robot control using kinematics, this paper suggests a redundant system by adding additional Degrees Of Freedom(DOF). This system, unlike in kinematics, can consider the inertia effect in modeling and reduce slippage and skid errors of the robot. Also, this system could reduce the accumulated error by comparing the real-time image of the trace of end effector with the pre-modeled trajectory. The entire process is controlled by the combination of image processing unit, navigation planner and multiple embedded systems. This system ensures 1) stable real-time communication between multiple processors, 2) self-feedback of localization using its trajectory captured by onboard cameras, which allows 3) accurate position control of end effector during navigation.

Purpose - An increasing number of retailers and manufacturers are relying on sales promotions to boost sales, extend market share, and clear excess inventory. Previous research on sales promotions primarily focus on the effect of this approach on two main perspectives: firm level, which includes sales, market share, and firm performance; and customer level, which involves perceived quality of product/service, change in reference price, and purchase/repurchase intention. To help subsequent and new research on these issues, this research note focuses on finding patterns of sales promotions conducted in various sectors of industry in the Korean market. Methodology - A survey on the sales promotion usage pattern of a company was conducted with 74 decision makers in various companies followed by a small group interview. Findings- Results indicated that price off and bonus pack sales promotions were the main types of sales promotions conducted and considered in most sectors of industry in Korea. Decision makers were also found to have knowledge on the long-term disadvantage of sales promotions. Despite this advantage, two main reasons were pointed out for the continuing conduct of sales promotions: reaction to the sales promotions of competitors and expectation of other members of the organizations. Conclusion- This research on the usage pattern of sales promotions in Korea can contribute to the choice of the next sales promotion research topic in Korea and in other nations.

Large construction companies in Korea are particularly interested in technical solutions for high-rise buildings. In particular they are looking for ways to maximise economy by reducing the dead load and increasing the height of storeys in buildings. To achieve this, a flat-plate system using high-strength lightweight concrete has been proposed. To solve the weakness of the brittle failure of lightweight concrete as well as punching shear of the flat-plate system, this study developed a new shear reinforcement method. According to the shear reinforcement method and pitch intervals of shear reinforcement bar, the new method was assessed according to the first cracking load (Pcr) and displacement (δcr), the maximum load (Pmax) and maximum displacement (δmax), ductility index, reserved shear strength, economic feasibility and ease of construction. The test results indicate that with the new method, the specimen showed better shear performance and ductility effect in high-strength lightweight concrete than in normal concrete. Compared to the existing shear reinforcement method, the new method enhanced both shear strength and ductility effect as the pitch interval decreased. The truss rail method was able to reduce the quantity required and the production costs, while also improving construction efficiency.

We examined the effect of shared decision-making (SDM) on women&rsquo, s adherence to breast and cervical cancer screenings and estimated the prevalence and adherence rate of screenings. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design using the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data collected by the National Cancer Institute. Adherence was defined based on the guidelines from the American Cancer Society and the composite measure of shared decision-making was constructed using three items in the data. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association between the SDM and adherence, controlling for cancer beliefs and socio-demographic variables. The analysis included 742 responses. Weighted to represent the U.S. population, 68.1% adhered to both breast and cervical cancer screening guidelines. The composite measure of SDM was reliable (&alpha, = 0.85), and a higher SDM score was associated with women&rsquo, s screening adherence (b = 0.17, p = 0.009). There were still women who did not receive cancer screenings as recommended. The results suggest that the use of the SDM approach for healthcare professionals&rsquo, communication with patients can improve screening adherence.

Previous studies have shown that Medicare beneficiaries do not tend to switch their prescription drug plans (Part D), even though they can greatly save on the money spent on drugs by switching plans. To explore this occurrence, the present study focused on the concept of social exclusion&mdash, one of the most important characteristics prevalent in the elderly. This study compared the impact of two types of social exclusion on the association between psychological cost and plan switching: active (or rejected) social exclusion and passive (or ignored) social exclusion. The study&rsquo, s aim was to examine the moderating effect of social exclusion on the relationship between the cost of switching and willingness to switch plan to build sustainable health care system. The Prescription Drug Study supplementary to the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data were utilized for analysis by applying a Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) (N = 1042). The findings suggest that active social exclusion moderates the relationship between the switching cost and willingness to switch plan. This study&rsquo, s findings will help policymakers better understand the elderly&rsquo, s decision-making process pertaining to plans and promote their informed plan decisions to build sustainable health care system.

The reasons why levee breaches during floods are largely due to overtopping, seepage, and structurally induced piping. According to an analysis of domestic and overseas reported cases of levee breaches, overtopping was found to be the cause for approximately 40% of all cases of breach. Despite such efforts of previous research to establish disaster prevention plans associated with levee breaches, to enhance our understanding of the processes and reasons, further research regarding the prediction of levee breaches must be undertaken by accumulating test data under several different conditions and further verification of the data using numerical models must also be undertaken. In this study, development of technologies regarding a new environmentally friendly bio-polymer capable of protecting levees from erosion is being undertaken. Breach mechanisms was assessed using an image measurement system that collected data regarding the breach progress of the levee, close-up views of the breaching surface, and the formation of the final breaching cross-sections. Further, levee slopes were covered with a bio-soil mixed with a new substance for the purpose of analyzing the stability and the time delay effect.

Background Most U.S. states had over 50 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) in 2007. Medicare beneficiaries are expected to switch Part D plans based on their health and financial needs; however, the switching rate has been low. Such consumer inertia potentially has negative effects on both beneficiaries and the insurance market, resulting in a critical need to investigate its cause. Objectives To 1) describe how Medicare beneficiaries who were satisfied with their current Part D plan differed from those who were not satisfied; 2) examine the effect of switching costs on consideration of switching among Medicare beneficiaries who were dissatisfied with their current Part D plan. Methods Data from the 2007 Prescription Drug Study supplement to the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) survey were used in this study. The satisfied and dissatisfied groups were compared in terms of cost variables, switching costs, and perception of Part D complexity. Structural equation modeling was used to examine relationships among switching costs, Part D complexity, cost variables, and consideration of switching for beneficiaries who were dissatisfied with their current Part D coverage. Results Out of 467 participants, a total of 255 (54.6%) were satisfied with their current Part D plan. The satisfied group paid lower out-of-pocket costs ($50.63 vs. $114.60) and premiums ($30.88 vs. $40.77) than the dissatisfied group. They also had lower switching costs. Only 11.3% of the dissatisfied beneficiaries switched plans. Among respondents who were dissatisfied with their current plan, those who perceived Part D as complex had high switching costs and were less likely to consider switching plans. Out-of-pocket cost did not have a statistically significant association with consideration of switching. Conclusions Medicare beneficiaries who were satisfied with their current Part D plans had lower out-of-pocket costs and premiums as well as higher switching costs. Among beneficiaries who were dissatisfied with their current Part D plan, those who had higher switching costs were less likely to consider switching Part D plans.