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1 – 10 of 103Ashiq Mohd Ilyas and S. Rajasekaran
This paper aims to measure the change and the sources of change in total factor productivity (TFP) of the Indian non-life insurance sector over the period 2005–2016.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to measure the change and the sources of change in total factor productivity (TFP) of the Indian non-life insurance sector over the period 2005–2016.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs the bootstrapped Malmquist index (MI) to assess the changes in the TFP and adopts a decomposition approach proposed by Balk and Zofío (2018). Moreover, it utilises truncated regression to identify the determinants of the TFP. In addition, it employs Wilcoxon-W test and t-test to scrutinise the difference between the state-owned and the private insurers in terms of variations in TFP and its various components.
Findings
The results divulge a miniature improvement in TFP of the insurance sector, which is primarily attributable to the improvement in scale efficiency (economies of scale). The results also reveal that there are no significant TFP differences across the ownership. However, private insurers have better scale efficiency and lower input-mix efficiency than state-owned insurers. In addition, the results unveil that size, diversification and reinsurance have a negative impact on the TFP, while age has a positive impact on it.
Practical implications
The results may help the policymakers to frame new consolidation policies. Moreover, the findings may guide the decision-makers of the Indian non-life insurance companies to abate inefficiency and improve TFP.
Originality/value
This study estimates bias-corrected changes in TFP and efficiency in the non-life insurance sector. Moreover, it adopts an elaborated decomposition of the MI to identify the true sources of change in the TFP.
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Ashiq Mohd Ilyas and S. Rajasekaran
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the performance of the Indian non-life (general) insurance sector in terms of total factor productivity (TFP) over the period 2005–2016.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the performance of the Indian non-life (general) insurance sector in terms of total factor productivity (TFP) over the period 2005–2016.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilises Färe‒Primont index (FPI) to access the change in TFP and its components: technical change, technical efficiency and mix and scale efficiency over the observation period. Moreover, it employs the Mann–Whitney U-test to scrutinise the difference between the public and the private insurers in terms of growth in productivity.
Findings
The results reveal that the insurance sector possesses a very low level of TFP. Also, the results divulge an improvement of 11.98 per cent in TFP of the insurance sector at an annual average rate of 12.41 per cent over the observation period. The growth in productivity is mainly attributable to the improvement of 10.81 per cent in the scale‒mix efficiency. The progress in scale‒mix efficiency is mainly the result of improvements in residual scale and residual mix efficiency. The results also show that the privately owned insurers have experienced a high productivity growth rate than the state-owned insurers.
Practical implications
The results hold practical implications for the regulators, policymakers and decision makers of the Indian non-life insurance companies.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind to use FPI, which satisfies all economically relevant axioms and tests defined by the index number theory to comprehensively access the change in TFP of the Indian non-life insurance sector.
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Ashiq Mohd Ilyas and S. Rajasekaran
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the performance of the Indian non-life (general) insurance sector in terms of efficiency, productivity and returns-to-scale economies. In…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the performance of the Indian non-life (general) insurance sector in terms of efficiency, productivity and returns-to-scale economies. In addition to this, it identifies the determinants of efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) bootstrap approach to estimate the level and determinants of efficiency. In the first stage, the DEA bootstrap approach is employed to estimate bias-corrected efficiency scores. In the second stage, the truncated bootstrapped regression is used to identify the effect of firm-level characteristics on the efficiency of insurers. Moreover, the bootstrapped Malmquist index is used to examine the productivity growth over the observation period 2005–2016.
Findings
The bootstrapped DEA results show that the Indian non-life insurance sector is moderately technical, scale, cost and allocative efficient, and there is a large opportunity for improvement. Moreover, the results reveal that the public insurers are more cost efficient than the private insurers. It is also evident that all the insurers irrespective of size and ownership type are operating under increasing returns to scale. Malmquist index results divulge an improvement in productivity of insurers, which is attributable to the employment of the best available technology. Bootstrapped DEA and bootstrapped Malmquist index results also show that the global financial crisis of 2008 has not severely affected the efficiency and productivity of the Indian non-life insurance sector. The truncated regression results spell that size and reinsurance have a statistically significant negative relationship with efficiency. It also shows a statistically significant positive age–efficiency relationship.
Practical implications
The results hold practical implications for the regulators, policy makers, practitioners and decision makers of the Indian non-life insurance companies.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind that comprehensively investigates different types of robust efficiency measures, determinants of efficiency, productivity growth and returns-to-scale economies in the Indian non-life insurance market for an extended time period.
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Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the…
Abstract
Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.
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Steven Buchanan and Adeola Salako
System usability and system usefulness are interdependent properties of system interaction, which in combination, determine system satisfaction and usage. Often approached…
Abstract
Purpose
System usability and system usefulness are interdependent properties of system interaction, which in combination, determine system satisfaction and usage. Often approached separately, or in the case of digital libraries, often focused upon usability, there is emerging consensus among the research community for their unified treatment and research attention. However, a key challenge is to identify, both respectively and relatively, what to measure and how, compounded by concerns regarding common understanding of usability measures, and associated calls for more valid and complete measures within integrated and comprehensive models. The purpose of this paper is to address this challenge.
Design/methodology/approach
Identified key usability and usefulness attributes and associated measures, compiled an integrated measurement framework, identified a suitable methodological approach for application of the framework, and conducted a pilot study on an interactive search system developed by a Health Service as part of their e‐library service.
Findings
Effectiveness, efficiency, aesthetic appearance, terminology, navigation, and learnability are key attributes of system usability; and relevance, reliability, and currency key attributes of system usefulness. There are shared aspects to several of these attributes, but each is also sufficiently unique to preserve its respective validity. They can be combined as part of a multi‐method approach to system evaluation.
Research limitations/implications
Pilot study has demonstrated that usability and usefulness can be readily combined, and that questionnaire and observation are valid multi‐method approaches, but further research is called for under a variety of conditions, with further combinations of methods, and larger samples.
Originality/value
This paper provides an integrated measurement framework, derived from the goal, question, metric paradigm, which provides a relatively comprehensive and representative set of system usability and system usefulness attributes and associated measures, which could be adapted and further refined on a case‐by‐case basis.
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Najme Zareian, Reihane Taheri, Mohammad Hossein Borgei, Siavash Babajafari, Hamid Mosallanezhad, Mohammad Hossein Nikoo and Reza Barati-Boldaji
It is well accepted that diabetes is associated with heart diseases and hyperlipidemia as a risk factor. In traditional medicines, some herbs such as Aloe vera seem to be…
Abstract
Purpose
It is well accepted that diabetes is associated with heart diseases and hyperlipidemia as a risk factor. In traditional medicines, some herbs such as Aloe vera seem to be effective in controlling diabetes. Owing to lack of human studies, this study aims to examine the effect of Aloe vera consumption on fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profiles and body composition in type 2 diabetic patients.
Design/methodology/approach
This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial study was conducted in 2019, in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 56 diabetic subjects were randomized by block randomization to receive a daily supplement of 1,000 mg Aloe vera powder capsules (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28) for eight weeks. At baseline and after eight weeks of treatment, dietary intake and physical activity were assessed by three-day food recall and international physical activity questionnaire. Meanwhile, after an overnight fasting, FBS and lipid profiles were measured. Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were assessed in the beginning and the end of the study. Independent t-tests were used for between-group analysis and paired t-tests for within-group analysis.
Findings
After intervention, weight, body mass index and waist circumference significantly decreased in comparison to the placebo group (p-value: < 0.001, 0.001 and 0.02). Although, FBS, total triglyceride and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p-value: 0.03, 0.001 and 0.01), no change has been seen in low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and total cholesterol blood level and diastolic blood pressure.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study are the short study duration and lack of Aloe vera powder’s ingredient analysis.
Originality/value
This study is one of few human studies investigating the effect of Aloe vera on metabolic syndrome’s indices in diabetic patients. Because pharmacological therapy is tough, not comfort and correlated with potential adverse drug interactions, it is important to find an alternative or complementary measure to aid the diabetic patients. This study shows that Aloe vera has positive effect on body weight and blood sugar.
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Ali Hashemi Baghi and Jasmin Mansour
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is one of the growing technologies in additive manufacturing, that can be used in a number of applications. In this method, process parameters can…
Abstract
Purpose
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is one of the growing technologies in additive manufacturing, that can be used in a number of applications. In this method, process parameters can be customized and their simultaneous variation has conflicting impacts on various properties of printed parts such as dimensional accuracy (DA) and surface finish. These properties could be improved by optimizing the values of these parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, four process parameters, namely, print speed, build orientation, raster width, and layer height which are referred to as “input variables” were investigated. The conflicting influence of their simultaneous variations on the DA of printed parts was investigated and predicated. To achieve this goal, a hybrid Genetic Algorithm – Artificial Neural Network (GA-ANN) model, was developed in C#.net, and three geometries, namely, U-shape, cube and cylinder were selected. To investigate the DA of printed parts, samples were printed with a central through hole. Design of Experiments (DoE), specifically the Rotational Central Composite Design method was adopted to establish the number of parts to be printed (30 for each selected geometry) and also the value of each input process parameter. The dimensions of printed parts were accurately measured by a shadowgraph and were used as an input data set for the training phase of the developed ANN to predict the behavior of process parameters. Then the predicted values were used as input to the Desirability Function tool which resulted in a mathematical model that optimizes the input process variables for selected geometries. The mean square error of 0.0528 was achieved, which is indicative of the accuracy of the developed model.
Findings
The results showed that print speed is the most dominant input variable compared to others, and by increasing its value, considerable variations resulted in DA. The inaccuracy increased, especially with parts of circular cross section. In addition, if there is no need to print parts in vertical position, the build orientation should be set at 0° to achieve the highest DA. Finally, optimized values of raster width and layer height improved the DA especially when the print speed was set at a high value.
Originality/value
By using ANN, it is possible to investigate the impact of simultaneous variations of FFF machines’ input process parameters on the DA of printed parts. By their optimization, parts of highly accurate dimensions could be printed. These findings will be of significant value to those industries that need to produce parts of high DA on FFF machines.
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Esraa Saleh Abdel-All, Matthew Charles Frank and Iris Violeta Rivero
This paper aims to present a friction stir molding (FSM) method for the rapid manufacturing of metal tooling. The method uses additive and subtractive techniques to sequentially…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a friction stir molding (FSM) method for the rapid manufacturing of metal tooling. The method uses additive and subtractive techniques to sequentially friction stir bond and then mill slabs of metal. Mold tooling is grown in a bottom-up fashion, overcoming machining accessibility problems typically associated with deep cavity tooling.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the feasibility of FSM in building functional molds, a layer addition procedure that combines friction stir spot welding (FSSW) with an initial glue application and clamping for slabs of AA6061-T651 was investigated. Additionally, FSSW parameters and the mechanical behavior of test mold materials, including shear strength and hardness, were studied. Further, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/elemental map analysis (EDS) of the spot weld zones was carried out to understand the effect of FSSW on the glue materials and to study potential mixing of glue with the plate materials in the welded zone.
Findings
The results indicate that FSM provides good layer stacking without gaps when slabs are pre-processed through sand blasting, moistening, uniform clamping and FSSW using a tapered pin tool. The tensile shear strength results revealed that the welded spots were able to withstand cutting forces during machining stages; however, FSSW was found to cause hardness reduction among spot zones because of over-aging. The SEM/EDS results showed that glue was not mixed with slab materials in spot zones. The proposed process was able to build a test tooling sample successfully using AA6061-T651 plates welded and machined on a three-axis computer numerical control (CNC) mill.
Originality/value
The proposed FSM process is a new process presented by the authors, developed for the rapid manufacturing of metal tooling. The method uses additive and subtractive techniques to sequentially friction stir bond and then mill slabs of metal. The use of FSSW process for materials addition is an original contribution that enables automatic process planning for this new process.
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This study aims to obtain earthquake responses of linear-elastic multi-span arch-frames by using exact curved beam formulations. For this purpose, the dynamic stiffness method…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to obtain earthquake responses of linear-elastic multi-span arch-frames by using exact curved beam formulations. For this purpose, the dynamic stiffness method (DSM) which uses exact mode shapes is applied to a three-span arch-frame considering axial extensibility, shear deformation and rotational inertia for both columns and curved beams. Using exact free vibration properties obtained from the DSM approach, the arch-frame model is simplified into an equivalent single degree of freedom (SDOF) system to perform earthquake response analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The dynamic stiffness formulations of curved beams for free vibrations are validated by using the experimental data in the literature. The free vibrations of the arch-frame model are investigated for various span lengths, opening angle and column dimensions to observe their effects on the dynamic behaviour. The calculated natural frequencies via the DSM are presented in comparison with the results of the finite element method (FEM). The mode shapes are presented. The earthquake responses are calculated from the modal equation by using Runge-Kutta algorithm.
Findings
The displacement, base shear, acceleration and internal force time-histories that are obtained from the proposed approach are compared to the results of the finite element approach where a very good agreement is observed. For various span length, opening angle and column dimension values, the displacement and base shear time-histories of the arch-frame are presented. The results show that the proposed approach can be used as an effective tool to calculate earthquake responses of frame structures having curved beam elements.
Originality/value
The earthquake response of arch-frames consisting of curved beams and straight columns using exact formulations is obtained for the first time according to the best of the author’s knowledge. The DSM, which uses exact mode shapes and provides accurate free vibration analysis results considering each structural members as one element, is applied. The complicated structural system is simplified into an equivalent SDOF system using exact mode shapes obtained from the DSM and earthquake responses are calculated by solving the modal equation. The proposed approach is an important alternative to classical FEM for earthquake response analysis of frame structures having curved members.
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Goldina Ghosh, C.B. Akki and Nivedita Kasturi
The purpose of this study is data generated from any social networking sites may provide some hidden knowledge on a particular domain. Based on this concept the previous paper had…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is data generated from any social networking sites may provide some hidden knowledge on a particular domain. Based on this concept the previous paper had proved that social connectivity enhancement takes place through triadic closure and embeddedness in terms of social network graph-theoretic approach. Further, the work was justified by genetic algorithm (GA) where observation showed how interdisciplinary work can occur because of crossover, and therefore, different groups of researchers could be identified. Further enhancement of the work has been focused on in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
In continuation with the previous work, this paper detects other possible fields related to “high graded researchers” who can share the information with the other group of researchers (“imminent high graded” and “new researchers”) using particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique.
Findings
While exploitation was done using GA in the previous work, exploration is done in the current work based on PSO using the same grade score value to the objective function. Both the velocity and direction of high graded researchers in this extended work could be derived, which was not possible using GA.
Originality/value
This could help the next two levels of researchers (“imminent high graded researchers” and “new researchers”) in expanding their research fields in line with the fields of high graded researchers.
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