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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linear and non-linear free vibration of a functionally graded material (FGM) rotating cantilever plate in the thermal environment. The study employs the development of a non-linear mathematical model using the higher order shear deformation theory in which the traction free condition is applied to derive the simplified displacement model with seven field variables instead of nine.

A mathematical model is developed based on the higher order shear deformation theory using von-Karman type non-linearity. The rotating plate domain has been discretized into C0 eight-noded quadratic serendipity elements with node wise 7 degrees of freedom. The material properties are considered temperature dependent and graded along the thickness direction obeying a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fraction of constituents, based on Voigt’s micromechanical method. The governing equations are derived using Hamilton’s principle and are solved using the direct iterative method.

The importance of the present mathematical model developed for numerical analysis has been stated through the comparison studies. The results provide an insight into the vibration response of FGM rotating plate under thermal environment. The influence of various parameters like setting angle, volume fraction index, hub radius, rotation speed parameter, aspect ratio, side-thickness ratio and temperature gradient on linear and non-linear frequency parameters is discussed in detail.

A non-linear mathematical model is newly developed based on C0 continuity for the functionally graded rotating plate considering the 1D Fourier equation of heat conduction. The present findings can be utilized for the design of rotating plates made up of a FGM in the thermal environment under real-life situations.

This study examines the conditions when “managerial perception of the contribution of social media” (SMC) enhances and inhibits entrepreneurially oriented small and medium-size enterprises' (SMEs') ability for new product introductions (NPI) to the market. We also propose that while firm proactiveness enhances the rate of NPI, managers' risk-taking attitude hurts the process even when managerial perceptions of social media use are high.

This study uses the survey data collected from 322 SMEs in the US to examine the theoretical model. By adopting the partial least square (PLS-SEM) technique, the direct and moderating effects among the SMC, proactive behavior and risk-taking attitude on NPI are explored under dynamic and stable market conditions.

Empirical findings show that although SMC has a significant positive influence on the rate of NPI in case of SMEs', if the managers are risk-takers themselves, then social media use can distract them, make them overly adventurous trying to introduce too many products and hurt SMEs' innovation efforts with less NPI. We show that SMEs' entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has a differential impact on SMC-NPI relationship, especially in dynamic market conditions.

The findings provide practical evidence that SMEs get benefitted when their managers perceive that the contributions from social media are positive for their firm. Contrary to the prior understanding of high risk and high return, managers' risk-taking attitude hurts SMEs innovation efforts. SMEs being resource-constrained, it is practically vital for them to be taking less risk while developing new products.

This research synthesizes the insights of the new and emerging “Strategy-as-practice view” and “Behavioral theory of the firm” to empirically examine how managerial perceptions on social media use shape firms' key strategic activity, NPI. This research also highlights the dark side of firm characteristics, such as managerial risk-taking attitude for SMEs.

The pandemic brought by COVID-19 in March 2020 shook the entire world, compelling everyone to remain indoors. Most B-Schools were unprepared for such a situation and did not have the resources to carry out the teaching and learning activities. B-schools then adopted online and hybrid modes of learning to impart education to their students. The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting the quality of education along with lessons learnt and lessons to be left behind, using qualitative method.

The factors affecting the quality of education were drawn from the literature, and 18 faculty members were interviewed. The study uses a descriptive method, where interviews were conducted, and each interview was recorded, with an explicit permission of respective faculty member and coded and categorized to identify themes.

The significant contribution of this study is that it highlights? Through the learnings and experiences of the pandemic? What will work in the future for business schools. The use of online teaching-learning sessions and softwares, namely, Turnitin and Grammarly will not fade away. Faculty will use various engagement tools such as quizzes and simulations to improve the learning and quality of education in the post-pandemic era. Various interactive and online tools emerged during the pandemic which allowed faculty to use diagrams and infographics in their teaching, and this helped the faculty to cater to students with different learning styles.

This study will provide B-Schools, faculties and leaders an input for improving the quality of online education. The present study provides an empirical contribution to the factors affecting online education and its quality, by highlighting the perspective of faculty members with the help of qualitative study. These factors make a clear and strong indication that education in the future will be partly online, wherein a lot of e-learning resources will be used by faculty to impart quality education.