2023
Autores
Klimentova, X; Biro, P; Viana, A; Costa, V; Pedroso, JP;
Publicação
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
Abstract
Kidney exchange programs (KEPs) represent an additional possibility of transplant for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. If a patient has a willing living donor with whom the patient is not compatible, the pair recipient-donor can join a pool of incompatible pairs and, if compatibility between recipient and donor in two or more pairs exists, organs can be exchanged between them. The problem can be modelled as an integer program that in general aims at finding the pairs that should be selected for transplant such that maximum number of transplants is performed. In this paper, we consider that for each recipient there may exist a preference order over the organs that he/she can receive, since a recipient may be compatible with several donors but the level of compatibility with the recipient might vary for different donors. Under this setting, the aim is to find the maximum cardinality stable exchange, a solution where no blocking cycle exists, i.e., there is no cycle such that all recipients prefer the donor in that cycle rather than that in the exchange. For this purpose we propose four novel integer programming models based on the well-known edge and cycle formulations, and also on the position-indexed formulation. These formulations are adjusted for both finding stable and strongly stable exchanges under strict preferences and for the case when ties in preferences may exist. Further-more, we study a situation when the stability requirement can be relaxed by addressing the trade-off between maximum cardinality versus number of blocking cycles allowed in a solution. The effectiveness of the proposed models is assessed through extensive computational experiments on a wide set of in-stances. Results show that the cycle-edge and position-indexed formulations outperform the other two formulations. Another important practical outcome is that targeting strongly stable solutions has a much higher negative impact on the number of transplants (with an average reduction of up to 20% for the bigger instances), when compared to stable solutions.
2023
Autores
Dionísio, J; Pedroso, JP;
Publicação
OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, IO 2022-OR
Abstract
Power transformers are one of the main elements of a power grid, and their downtime impacts the entire network. Repairing their failures can be very costly, so sophisticated maintenance techniques are necessary. To attempt to solve this problem, we developed a mixed-integer nonlinear optimization model that, focusing on a single power transformer, both schedules this maintenance and also decides how much of the hourly demand it will satisfy. A high level of load on a power transformer increases its temperature, which increases its degradation, and so these two decisions have to be carefully balanced. We also consider that power transformers have several components that degrade differently. Our model becomes very difficult to solve even in reasonably sized instances, so we also present an iterative refinement heuristic.
2023
Autores
De Oliveira, GG; Lizarelli, FL; Teixeira, JG; Mendes, GHD;
Publicação
JOURNAL OF RETAILING AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Abstract
Interactive Voice Assistants (IVAs) are intelligent conversational agents capable of communicating with users using natural language. Although IVAs are more frequent in our lives, customer experience research with these agents is still in its infancy. This article aims to identify the factors that form the customer experience (CX) with Alexa and assesses its impact on traditional marketing outcomes: satisfaction and recommendation. This research presents a conceptual model of CX with IVAs and an empirical validation of the model using Structural Equation Modelling based on a sample of 580 IVA users. The results confirm that CX is a multidimensional higher-order construct composed of six factors (usefulness, ease of use, trust, privacy concerns, communication skills, and enjoyment). We also highlight the positive impact of experience on satisfaction and recommendation. Finally, we test the enthusiasm moderating role, showing its negative influence on the investigated relationships. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
2023
Autores
Souza, MEB; Pacheco, AP; Teixeira, JG;
Publicação
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WILDLAND FIRE
Abstract
Background. Traditional burning is a practice with social and ecological value used worldwide. However, given the often improper and negligent use of fire, this practice is often associated with rural fire ignitions.Aims. Systematise experts' understanding of traditional burning and identify its challenges in the Portuguese context.Methods. Twenty-eight Portuguese experts from industry, academia, NGOs and public entities with in-depth involvement in fire and forest management were interviewed to create a mental model of traditional burning in Portugal.Key results. Eight dimensions were identified: motivations behind traditional burning, alternative solutions, risks before a traditional burn, risks during a traditional burn, underlying causes of risk, exogenous elements and factors, potential impacts, and activities leading to a successful traditional burn.Conclusions. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of traditional burn practice in the Portuguese context and offers a baseline to support stakeholders and policymakers in managing traditional burning's social and environmental impacts in the future.Implications. This research offers several implications across the eight dimensions identified, including the need to improve regulations on the use of fire and fuel reduction policies, promote fire use education and feasible and affordable alternatives to traditional burning, and increase communities' commitment to mitigation actions.
2023
Autores
Silva, JHO; Mendes, GHS; Teixeira, JG; Braatz, D;
Publicação
JOURNAL OF SERVICE THEORY AND PRACTICE
Abstract
PurposeWhile academics and practitioners increasingly recognize the impacts of gamification on customer experience (CX), its role in the customer journey remains undeveloped. This article aims to identify how gamification can leverage each customer journey stage, integrate the findings into a conceptual model and propose future research opportunities.Design/methodology/approachSince CX and customer journey are interrelated concepts, the authors rely on CX research to identify research themes that provide insights to propose the conceptual model. A systematic review of 154 articles on the interplay between gamification and CX research published from 2013 to 2022 was performed and analyzed by thematic content analysis. The authors interpreted the results according to the service customer journey stages and the taxonomy of digital engagement practices.FindingsThis article identified five main thematic categories that shape the conceptual model (design, customer journey stages, customer, technology and context). Gamification design can support customer value creation at any customer journey stage. While gamification can leverage brand engagement at the pre-service stage by enhancing customer motivation and information search, it can leverage service and brand engagement at the core and post-service stages by enhancing customer participation and brand relationships. Moreover, customer-, technology- and context-related factors influence the gamified service experience in the customer journey.Originality/valueThis article contributes to a conceptual integration between gamification and customer journey. Additionally, it provides opportunities for future research from a customer journey perspective.
2023
Autores
Teixeira, JG; Gallan, AS; Wilson, HN;
Publicação
JOURNAL OF SERVICES MARKETING
Abstract
Purpose - Humanity and all life depend on the natural environment of Planet Earth, and that environment is in acute crisis across land, sea and air. One of a set of commentaries on how service can address the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs), the authors focus on environmental goals SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land). This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework that incorporates the natural environment into transformative services. Design/methodology/approach - The authors trace the evolution of service thinking about the natural environment, from a stewardship perspective of the environment as a set of resources to be managed, through an acknowledgement of nonhuman organisms as actors that can participate in service exchange, towards an emergent concept of ecosystems as integrating human social actors and other biological actors who engage fully in value co-creation. Findings - The authors derive a framework integrating human and other life forms as co-creating actors, drawing on shared natural resources to achieve mutualism, where each actor can have a net benefit from the relationship. Future research questions are posited that may help services research address SDGs 13-15. Originality/value - The framework integrates ideas from environmental ecosystem literature to inform the nature of ecosystems. By integrating environmental actors and ecological insights into the understanding of service ecosystems, service scholars are well placed to make unique contributions to the global challenge of creating a sustainable future.
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