• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.19-34
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• 2022

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine whether a psychological concept enhances healthcare users' service experience. Specifically, the study proposes and empirically examines a model of perceived control in which the user's sense of control is postulated as exerting positive influences upon his/her motivation, self-efficacy associated with his/her role as a patient, and satisfaction with his/her medical service experience. Methodology - Data were collected by a professional research company, using an online survey method. Participants of the study included adults nineteen years or older who had visited a medical service institute at least once during the previous one-year period. For the test of the research hypotheses, structural equation modeling using AMOS was used. Findings - Findings of this study denote a unique insight into the users' comprehension of medical service experiences and their behaviors. First, the concept of perceived control is identified as a factor that enhances the quality of individuals' medical service experiences. A sense of control directly influences medical users' self-efficacy to comply with doctor's recommendations, their motivation to comply with doctor's recommendations, and their satisfaction with the medical service experience. Second, one's perceived self-efficacy is found to exert positive influences upon both motivation and satisfaction. Third, one's motivation to comply with the doctor's recommendation is found to exert a positive influence upon one's satisfaction. Additionally, perceived control is found to exert an indirect influence upon medical service users' satisfaction through the mediation of both self-efficacy and motivation. Research Implications - The findings of the study support the notion that perception of control among medial service users enhances their service experience as patients. The main thrust of this study suggests that it is necessary for healthcare practitioners to consider implementing service encounter strategies that purposefully enhance the sense of control among their patients. The identification of significant inter-relationships among perceived control, motivation, self-efficacy, and satisfaction among medical service customers should also serve as a meaningful seed for further research pursuits.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.484-495
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• 2020

To numerically simulate the advance of EPB TBM, various type of numerical analysis methods have been adopted including discrete element method (DEM), finite element method (FEM), and finite difference method (FDM). In this paper, an EPB TBM driving model was proposed by using coupled DEM-FDM. In the numerical model, DEM was applied in the TBM excavation area, and contact properties of particles were calibrated by a series of triaxial tests. Since the ground around the excavation area was coupled with FDM, the horizontal stress considering the coefficient of earth pressure at rest could be applied. Also, the number of required particles was reduced and the efficiency of the analysis was increased. The proposed model can control the advance rate and rotational speed of the cutter head and screw conveyor, and derive the torque, thrust force, chamber pressure, and discharging during TBM tunnelling.