http://hdl.handle.net/2099/11832 Thu, 23 May 2013 03:47:43 GMT 2013-05-23T03:47:43Z webmaster.bupc@upc.edu Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Servei de Biblioteques i Documentació no http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12920 Title: @doesyourairlinetweet? An empirical examination of the use of twitter by 50 international airlines Authors: Budd, Lucy Abstract: Purpose: To provide empirical evidence of the extent to which 50 of the world’s largest passenger airlines use the social media site twitter. Design/methodology/approach: Original empirical data on the presence and usage of 50 airlines’ official twitter accounts was accessed. Research limitations/implications: Research demonstrates the extent to which airlines are using twitter as a communications tool and suggests that some airline are not currently utilising twitter to its full extent. Practical implications: The research provides information on current twitter use and penetration, thus enabling airlines to benchmark their performance in this social media channel. Originality/value: The paper provides an original empirical insight into a growing phenomenon which is currently underreported in academic literatures. Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12920 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z Budd, Lucy no Purpose: To provide empirical evidence of the extent to which 50 of the world’s largest passenger airlines use the social media site twitter. Design/methodology/approach: Original empirical data on the presence and usage of 50 airlines’ official twitter accounts was accessed. Research limitations/implications: Research demonstrates the extent to which airlines are using twitter as a communications tool and suggests that some airline are not currently utilising twitter to its full extent. Practical implications: The research provides information on current twitter use and penetration, thus enabling airlines to benchmark their performance in this social media channel. Originality/value: The paper provides an original empirical insight into a growing phenomenon which is currently underreported in academic literatures. http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12919 Title: Optimization of the air cargo supply chain Authors: Pérez Bernal, María Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate and optimize the various operations within the air cargo chain. It pursues to improve the efficiency of the air cargo supply chain and to provide more information to the decision-makers to optimize their fields. Design/methodology/approach: The method used is a process simulation modelling software, WITNESS, which provides information to the decision-makers about the most relevant parameters subject to optimization. The input for the simulation is obtained from a qualitative analysis of the air cargo supply chain with the involved agents and from a study of the external trade by air mode, given that their behaviour depend on the location. The case study is focused on a particular location, the Case of Zaragoza Airport (Spain). Findings: This paper demonstrates that efficiency of the air cargo supply chain can increase by leveraging several parameters such as bottlenecks, resources or warehouses. Originality/value: It explores the use of a simulation modeling software originally intended for manufacturing processes and extended to support decision making processes in the area of air cargo. Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12919 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z Pérez Bernal, María no Air cargo Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate and optimize the various operations within the air cargo chain. It pursues to improve the efficiency of the air cargo supply chain and to provide more information to the decision-makers to optimize their fields. Design/methodology/approach: The method used is a process simulation modelling software, WITNESS, which provides information to the decision-makers about the most relevant parameters subject to optimization. The input for the simulation is obtained from a qualitative analysis of the air cargo supply chain with the involved agents and from a study of the external trade by air mode, given that their behaviour depend on the location. The case study is focused on a particular location, the Case of Zaragoza Airport (Spain). Findings: This paper demonstrates that efficiency of the air cargo supply chain can increase by leveraging several parameters such as bottlenecks, resources or warehouses. Originality/value: It explores the use of a simulation modeling software originally intended for manufacturing processes and extended to support decision making processes in the area of air cargo. http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12918 Title: Impact of delays on costumers'safety perceptions and behavioral intentions Authors: Rocha e Oliveira, Pablo; Ferrer, Juan Carlos; Parasuraman, A. Abstract: Purpose: The main objective of this paper is to examine how the customers' perceptions of delays and safety relate to each other and to behavioral intentions Design/methodology/approach: We modified a customer satisfaction questionnaire to include questions relating to the constructs we wanted to examine and collaborated with a major international airline to collect data from 797 customers through in-flight surveys. Findings: We obtain three key original findings. First, perceived safety exerts a direct positive effect on behavioral intentions. Second, perceived delays exert an indirect effect mediated by perceived safety. Finally, customers believe operational practices affect both delay and safety. Originality/value: This is the first paper that examines the customer's perspective on two of the most important aspects of airline operations management: delays and safety. Our findings are of great value to managers who want to evaluate the impact of delays and safety on customers and to researches interested in the theoretical relationships between these two constructs. Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12918 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z Rocha e Oliveira, Pablo; Ferrer, Juan Carlos; Parasuraman, A. no Perceived delays, Perceived safety Purpose: The main objective of this paper is to examine how the customers' perceptions of delays and safety relate to each other and to behavioral intentions Design/methodology/approach: We modified a customer satisfaction questionnaire to include questions relating to the constructs we wanted to examine and collaborated with a major international airline to collect data from 797 customers through in-flight surveys. Findings: We obtain three key original findings. First, perceived safety exerts a direct positive effect on behavioral intentions. Second, perceived delays exert an indirect effect mediated by perceived safety. Finally, customers believe operational practices affect both delay and safety. Originality/value: This is the first paper that examines the customer's perspective on two of the most important aspects of airline operations management: delays and safety. Our findings are of great value to managers who want to evaluate the impact of delays and safety on customers and to researches interested in the theoretical relationships between these two constructs. http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12917 Title: Use of social media by airports Authors: Halpern, Nigel Abstract: Purpose: This study investigates use of social media by airports according to geographical location of the airport, airport size, and airport ownership and operation. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on a content analysis of airport websites. The sample consists of 1559 airports worldwide that are members of Airports Council International (ACI). Findings: Almost one-fifth of airports use at least one type of social media; 13% use Facebook, 12% use Twitter, 7% use LinkedIn and 4% use YouTube. There is a greater use of social media by airports in North America and Europe, by larger airports, and by airports that are owned and operated by private interests. Originality/value: This study determines how widespread the use of social media is by airports. The degree to which airports and their customers actually use social media is also determined. Researchers can use the approach and findings of this study as a basis for investigating trends over time. Airport managers can use the findings to inform their own social media decision Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12917 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z Halpern, Nigel no Purpose: This study investigates use of social media by airports according to geographical location of the airport, airport size, and airport ownership and operation. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on a content analysis of airport websites. The sample consists of 1559 airports worldwide that are members of Airports Council International (ACI). Findings: Almost one-fifth of airports use at least one type of social media; 13% use Facebook, 12% use Twitter, 7% use LinkedIn and 4% use YouTube. There is a greater use of social media by airports in North America and Europe, by larger airports, and by airports that are owned and operated by private interests. Originality/value: This study determines how widespread the use of social media is by airports. The degree to which airports and their customers actually use social media is also determined. Researchers can use the approach and findings of this study as a basis for investigating trends over time. Airport managers can use the findings to inform their own social media decision http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12282 Title: Varig case: the downfall of a Brazilian icon Authors: Emboaba Moreira, Mauricio; Guimaraes Ferrer, Celso Jr Abstract: Purpose: This article aims to examine the reasons of strategic nature that led Varig, the traditional 80 year-old Brazilian flag carrier, to a decadence process, which, in 2006, put a doubt over the continuity of its operations. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish to this purpose the case study investigative methodology was applied and official sources were consulted, such as annual reports, previous studies and electronic documents at Civil Aviation Department. In parallel, direct observation was also used, which was possible because at the time the authors were executives of GOL, which was another Brazilian airline. Findings: The main reasons identified were the environmental change occurred in the international and domestic scenarios, increasing sector competition; the peculiarities of its corporate governance; and the internal contradictions and its lack of capability to react to environmental changes. Originality/value: No other studies covering the decadence and the last days of Varig had been written before and the fulfillment of this gap may be useful to understand why and how apparently invulnerable traditional and prestigious airlines can perish. Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12282 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z Emboaba Moreira, Mauricio; Guimaraes Ferrer, Celso Jr no Purpose: This article aims to examine the reasons of strategic nature that led Varig, the traditional 80 year-old Brazilian flag carrier, to a decadence process, which, in 2006, put a doubt over the continuity of its operations. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish to this purpose the case study investigative methodology was applied and official sources were consulted, such as annual reports, previous studies and electronic documents at Civil Aviation Department. In parallel, direct observation was also used, which was possible because at the time the authors were executives of GOL, which was another Brazilian airline. Findings: The main reasons identified were the environmental change occurred in the international and domestic scenarios, increasing sector competition; the peculiarities of its corporate governance; and the internal contradictions and its lack of capability to react to environmental changes. Originality/value: No other studies covering the decadence and the last days of Varig had been written before and the fulfillment of this gap may be useful to understand why and how apparently invulnerable traditional and prestigious airlines can perish. http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12279 Title: "Non-aviation" activities and the introduction of new thinking and ideas in the airport business: empirical evidence from an Italian case study Authors: Fasone, Vincenzo; Maggiore, Pasquale Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims to describe the main changes occurring in the airport industry with particular attention to the increasing relevance of the non-aviation activities. In fact, during the most recent decades, the airport business has evolved into a dynamic and competitive industry. In order to reduce their deficits airport management policies have progressively favoured the commercial aspects in order to produce greater profit margins. In many countries, greater management elasticity in business administration has occurred, and important modifications have been introduced in the national and international regulations according to a market oriented perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The method used is the case study approach and the analysis utilizes empirical data originating from the airport in Olbia. Findings: Findings show how the choice to invest in the non-aviation sector can be ascribed to the strategic orientation adopted by airport managers. Originality/value: Empirical evidence can highlight certain trends in the industry, whose values can lead to a core definition of the new paths of development for the airportbusiness to follow in the non-aviation dimension, and identifying at the same time innovative business ideas for opening up new market scenarios. Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12279 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z Fasone, Vincenzo; Maggiore, Pasquale no Purpose: This paper aims to describe the main changes occurring in the airport industry with particular attention to the increasing relevance of the non-aviation activities. In fact, during the most recent decades, the airport business has evolved into a dynamic and competitive industry. In order to reduce their deficits airport management policies have progressively favoured the commercial aspects in order to produce greater profit margins. In many countries, greater management elasticity in business administration has occurred, and important modifications have been introduced in the national and international regulations according to a market oriented perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The method used is the case study approach and the analysis utilizes empirical data originating from the airport in Olbia. Findings: Findings show how the choice to invest in the non-aviation sector can be ascribed to the strategic orientation adopted by airport managers. Originality/value: Empirical evidence can highlight certain trends in the industry, whose values can lead to a core definition of the new paths of development for the airportbusiness to follow in the non-aviation dimension, and identifying at the same time innovative business ideas for opening up new market scenarios. http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12275 Title: Determinants of profitability and recovery from system-wide shocks: the case of the airline industry Authors: Mantin, Benny; Wang, Jen-Hung Edward Abstract: Purpose: Examination of the determinants of profitability in the U.S. domestic airline industry by considering operations strategy, productivity, and service measures, while focusing the attention on the effects of the 9/11 attack. Design/methodology/approach: We propose a series of hypotheses regarding the effect of operations strategy, productivity, and service before and after the 9/11 attack. Using quarterly data between 1995 and 2007 we run empirical analysis using the Parks time series method. Findings: Prior to 9/11, operations strategy, productivity, and service measures are significantly related to profitability. However, after 9/11, none of the service measures are significant. Further analysis suggests that after 9/11 passengers are more forgivable to service glitches or are associating lack of service with the intensified security measures imposed after 9/11. We also find that after 9/11, the profitability of full-service carriers is improving faster than that of focused carriers. Originality/value: Our work extends earlier work in a variety of directions by accounting for more recent data, larger scope of variables, and the consideration of the 9/11 attack. We highlight an important link between an outside shock (9/11) and the importance of service that follows this shock. Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/12275 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z Mantin, Benny; Wang, Jen-Hung Edward no Purpose: Examination of the determinants of profitability in the U.S. domestic airline industry by considering operations strategy, productivity, and service measures, while focusing the attention on the effects of the 9/11 attack. Design/methodology/approach: We propose a series of hypotheses regarding the effect of operations strategy, productivity, and service before and after the 9/11 attack. Using quarterly data between 1995 and 2007 we run empirical analysis using the Parks time series method. Findings: Prior to 9/11, operations strategy, productivity, and service measures are significantly related to profitability. However, after 9/11, none of the service measures are significant. Further analysis suggests that after 9/11 passengers are more forgivable to service glitches or are associating lack of service with the intensified security measures imposed after 9/11. We also find that after 9/11, the profitability of full-service carriers is improving faster than that of focused carriers. Originality/value: Our work extends earlier work in a variety of directions by accounting for more recent data, larger scope of variables, and the consideration of the 9/11 attack. We highlight an important link between an outside shock (9/11) and the importance of service that follows this shock. http://hdl.handle.net/2099/11839 Title: Journal of Airline and Airport Management: taking off on an exciting journey into air transport research Authors: González Prieto, David; Lordan González, Oriol; Sallán Leyes, José María; Simó Guzmán, Pep; Enache, Cristina Mihaela; Fernández Alarcón, Vicenç Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2099/11839 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z González Prieto, David; Lordan González, Oriol; Sallán Leyes, José María; Simó Guzmán, Pep; Enache, Cristina Mihaela; Fernández Alarcón, Vicenç no