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1 – 10 of 191Esrafil Ali, Biswajit Satpathy and Santosh Kumar Prusty
This paper aims to understand the two-way interaction between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the attractiveness of organization to job seekers (AOJS).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the two-way interaction between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the attractiveness of organization to job seekers (AOJS).
Design/methodology/approach
A system dynamics model is developed in the form of a causal loop diagram (CLD) that explains the CSR-AOJS interaction dynamically. To test the credibility of the developed model, the survey data are used to validate the causal relationships in the CLD.
Findings
This study found that developing an effective strategy or tool by capturing various essential CSR elements can attract potential job seekers.
Originality/value
The developed model is relevant to policymakers, decision-makers and managers when strategizing the CSR plan to attract potential job seekers.
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Abdelkader Benaouali and Abdelwahid Boutemedjet
This paper aims to propose a structural sizing approach of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) wing that takes into account the aeroelasticity effects through a fluid–structure…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a structural sizing approach of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) wing that takes into account the aeroelasticity effects through a fluid–structure interaction analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The sizing approach proposed in this study is an iterative process, each iteration of which consists of two sub-loops, a multidisciplinary analysis (MDA) loop followed by a structural optimization loop. The MDA loop seeks the aeroelastic equilibrium between aerodynamic forces and structural displacements using a fixed-point iteration scheme. Once the equilibrium is reached, the converged pressure loads are used for the structural optimization, which aims to find the structural thicknesses that minimize the wing weight under failure criteria. The two sub-loops are run sequentially in an iterative process until the mass is converged. The analysis models are implemented in open-source software, namely, PANUKL for aerodynamics and MYSTRAN for structures, while the whole process is automated with Python and integrated in the open-source optimization framework OpenMDAO.
Findings
The approach was applied to the design of the Predator MQ-1 wing. The results of the MDAs show the convergence of the wing deformations to the flight shape after few iterations. At the end of the aeroelastic sizing loop, the result is a structurally sized wing with minimal weight considering the aeroelasticity effects.
Originality/value
The approach proposed takes into account the wing aero-structural coupling effects while sizing its structure instead of a fixed load distribution. In addition, the approach is fully based on open-source codes, which are freely available for public use and can be fully reproducible.
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In this chapter, I assert that the material, gesturing, dancing voices of people labelled as disabled, and that the aesthetic languages developed by these people and their…
Abstract
In this chapter, I assert that the material, gesturing, dancing voices of people labelled as disabled, and that the aesthetic languages developed by these people and their voicings on both the sonic and haptic planes, constructively challenge us to consider the inclusion and integration of these voices into educational environments and cultural discourse in new ways. They motivate us to question not only who, indeed, gets heard in social space but also what kinds of utterances, and by extension, what kinds of bodily configurations and touch qualities, wider society considers to ‘matter’, and beyond this, to celebrate as being ‘beautiful’. To do so, I draw from an experience developing vocal artwork with adults with mild to moderate learning disability in Cork, Ireland. Given that most of us project large and often deeply prejudicial identities and suppositions onto the voices we hear (Bonenfant, 2018c), the chapter shows how the incredibly interesting utterances produced by groups involved in developing the resulting Loop Love project throw up delightful new educational territories for adventurous artists to explore while also deeply challenging our assumptions about how ‘teaching’ should work.
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Nabila As’ad, Lia Patrício, Kaisa Koskela-Huotari and Bo Edvardsson
The service environment is becoming increasingly turbulent, leading to calls for a systemic understanding of it as a set of dynamic service ecosystems. This paper advances this…
Abstract
Purpose
The service environment is becoming increasingly turbulent, leading to calls for a systemic understanding of it as a set of dynamic service ecosystems. This paper advances this understanding by developing a typology of service ecosystem dynamics that explains the varying interplay between change and stability within the service environment through distinct behavioral patterns exhibited by service ecosystems over time.
Design/methodology/approach
This study builds upon a systematic literature review of service ecosystems literature and uses system dynamics as a method theory to abductively analyze extant literature and develop a typology of service ecosystem dynamics.
Findings
The paper identifies three types of service ecosystem dynamics—behavioral patterns of service ecosystems—and explains how they unfold through self-adjustment processes and changes within different systemic leverage points. The typology of service ecosystem dynamics consists of (1) reproduction (i.e. stable behavioral pattern), (2) reconfiguration (i.e. unstable behavioral pattern) and (3) transition (i.e. disrupting, shifting behavioral pattern).
Practical implications
The typology enables practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of their service environment by discerning the behavioral patterns exhibited by the constituent service ecosystems. This, in turn, supports them in devising more effective strategies for navigating through it.
Originality/value
The paper provides a precise definition of service ecosystem dynamics and shows how the identified three types of dynamics can be used as a lens to empirically examine change and stability in the service environment. It also offers a set of research directions for tackling service research challenges.
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Aditi Sushil Karvekar and Prasad Joshi
The purpose of this paper is to implement a closed loop regulated bidirectional DC to DC converter for an application in the electric power system of more electric aircraft. To…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to implement a closed loop regulated bidirectional DC to DC converter for an application in the electric power system of more electric aircraft. To provide a consistent power supply to all of the electronic loads in an aircraft at the desired voltage level, good efficiency and desired transient and steady-state response, a smart and affordable DC to DC converter architecture in closed loop mode is being designed and implemented.
Design/methodology/approach
The aircraft electric power system (EPS) uses a bidirectional half-bridge DC to DC converter to facilitate the electric power flow from the primary power source – an AC generator installed on the aircraft engine’s shaft – to the load as well as from the secondary power source – a lithium ion battery – to the load. Rechargeable lithium ion batteries are used because they allow the primary power source to continue recharging them whenever the aircraft engine is running smoothly and because, in the event that the aircraft engine becomes overloaded during takeoff or turbulence, the charged secondary power source can step in and supply the load.
Findings
A novel nonsingular terminal sliding mode voltage controller based on exponential reaching law is used to keep the load voltage constant under any of the aforementioned circumstances, and its performance is contrasted with a tuned PI controller on the basis of their respective transient and steady-state responses. The former gives a faster and better transient and steady-state response as compared to the latter.
Originality/value
This research gives a novel control scheme for incorporating an auxiliary power source, i.e. rechargeable battery, in more electric aircraft EPS. The battery is so implemented that it can get regeneratively charged when primary power supply is capable of handling an additional load, i.e. the battery. The charging and discharging of the battery is carried out in closed loop mode to ensure constant battery terminal voltage, constant battery current and constant load voltage as per the requirement. A novel sliding mode controller is used to improve transient and steady-state response of the system.
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Ngan Yi Kitty Lam, Jeanne Tan, Anne Toomey and Ka Chun Jimmy Cheuk
This paper aims to investigate how different knitted structures affect the illuminative effect of polymeric optical fibres (POFs).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how different knitted structures affect the illuminative effect of polymeric optical fibres (POFs).
Design/methodology/approach
Knit prototypes were constructed using a 7-gauge industrial hand flat knitting machine. The textile prototype swatches developed in this study tested POF illumination in three types of knitting structures: intervallic knit and float stitch structures; POF inlaid into double plain and full cardigan structures; and double plain and partial knitting structures. The illuminative effects of the POFs in seven prototype swatches were analysed and compared.
Findings
It is possible to use an industrial hand flat knitting machine to knit POFs. Longer floats expose more POFs, which boosts illumination but limits the textile’s horizontal stretchability. The openness of the full cardigan structure maximises POF exposure and contributes to even illumination. The partial knitting in different sections achieves the most complete physical integration of POFs into the knitted textiles but constrains the horizontal stretchability of the textiles.
Practical implications
The integration of POFs into knitted textiles provides a functional illuminative effect. Applications include but are not limited to fashion, architecture and interior design.
Originality/value
This study is novel, as it investigates new POF knitted textiles with different loop structures. This study examines how knit stitches affect POFs in intervallic knit and float stitch, inlaid POF double knit, double plain and partial knit and the illuminative effects of the knitted textile.
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Mukesh Kondala, Sai Sudhakar Nudurupati and Raja Phani Pappu
The circular economy (CE) represents an industry-wide transition from linear to circular processes. There has been a proliferation of literature on CE in the last decade. However…
Abstract
Purpose
The circular economy (CE) represents an industry-wide transition from linear to circular processes. There has been a proliferation of literature on CE in the last decade. However, the existing studies on the adaption of CE in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are scarce. This study aims to develop a research agenda and the way forward for future researchers focusing on the adoption of CE.
Design/methodology/approach
This article analyses the CE concepts through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). Coding and content analysis are performed to generate emergent themes with the help of “Atlas.ti” software.
Findings
The authors uncovered the contemporary significance of adopting CE and the state-of-the-art literature on CE. The study's findings fall into four broad themes: Technical know-how, resource and process optimization, reverse practices and technology and innovation. Ten thought-provoking questions were identified in the four themes that researchers can explore further in embracing CE to achieve sustainability in SMEs.
Practical implications
The study has highlighted the importance of CE adoption and CE's benefits to stakeholders across all three dimensions, i.e. social, economic and ecological. Practitioners can use the agenda in four themes to strengthen the practitioners' existing practices in SMEs to promote CE.
Originality/value
The study's uniqueness is the supply of current knowledge from diverse literature and practical consequences for SMEs. This study opens new lines of inquiry to adopt CE in SMEs, streamlining the existing literature into four themes to focus future research.
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Debora Sarno, Bo Enquist, Francesco Polese, Roberta Sebastiani, Samuel Petros Sebhatu and Anna Maria Viljakainen
Sustainability transitions (STs) refer to large-scale step changes in complex systems required to face sustainability issues. We aim to delineate how they can unfold in service…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainability transitions (STs) refer to large-scale step changes in complex systems required to face sustainability issues. We aim to delineate how they can unfold in service ecosystems, especially when inspired by regenerative thinking.
Design/methodology/approach
We develop a conceptual framework based on a processual view of STs and provide a propositional inventory based on literature leveraging deductive reasoning. Moreover, we contextualize our conceptualizations by showing illustrative examples of cities coping with STs.
Findings
We connect the perception of unsustainability with the shift toward service-dominant (S-D) logic and identify them as triggers of an ST; we focus on the role of nested service ecosystems and the adoption of regenerative thinking in STs; finally, we highlight the domino effect that can drive continuous change towards sustainability in service ecosystems. Future research could be focused on (loss of) sensemaking for driving STs, practical approaches to deal with institutional tensions in nested service ecosystems and the possible fractality of ST processes in service ecosystems.
Originality/value
This study supports the understanding of STs in cities and other systems such as industries, markets and organizations. It contributes to ST literature by suggesting the adoption of S-D logic and system lenses to identify, drive and cope with system changes toward sustainability, showing implications for policymakers and practitioners. Furthermore, it contributes to S-D logic by unfolding the self-adjustment of service ecosystems and the focus of sustainability initiatives on nested service ecosystems to sustain the broader systems. Finally, it contributes to transformative service research by identifying how the procedural and inspirational principles characterizing regenerative thinking can support design for STs.
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Subhi Jleilaty, Anas Ammounah, Ghiath Abdulmalek, Lydie Nouveliere, Hang Su and Samer Alfayad
This paper aims to develop an adaptable control architecture for electrohydraulic humanoid robots (HYDROïD) that emulate the functionality of the human nervous system. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop an adaptable control architecture for electrohydraulic humanoid robots (HYDROïD) that emulate the functionality of the human nervous system. The developed control architecture overcomes the limitations of classical centralized and decentralized systems by distributing intelligence across controllers.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed solution is a distributed real-time control architecture with robot operating system (ROS). The joint controllers have the intelligence to make decisions, dominate their actuators and publish their state. The real-time capabilities are ensured in the master controller by using a Preempt-RT kernel beside open robot control software middleware to operate the real-time tasks and in the customized joint controllers by free real-time operating systems firmware. Systems can be either centralized, where all components are connected to a central unit or decentralized, where distributed units act as interfaces between the I/Os and the master controller when the master controller is without the ability to make decisions.
Findings
The proposed architecture establishes a versatile and adaptive control framework. It features a centralized hardware topology with a master PC and distributed joint controllers, while the software architecture adapts based on the task. It operates in a distributed manner for precise, force-independent motions and in a decentralized manner for tasks requiring compliance and force control. This design enables the examination of the sensorimotor loop at both low-level joint controllers and the high-level master controller.
Originality/value
It developed a control architecture emulating the functionality of the human nervous system. The experimental validations were performed on the HYDROïD. The results demonstrated 50% advancements in the update rate compared to other humanoids and 30% in the latency of the master processor and the control tasks.
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Viviana Pilato and Hinrich Voss
International business (IB) education typically focuses on the multinational enterprise (MNE) and how it navigates varying institutional setups for its own benefit. This…
Abstract
Purpose
International business (IB) education typically focuses on the multinational enterprise (MNE) and how it navigates varying institutional setups for its own benefit. This reductionist and MNE-centric approach underplays the influence these firms have on the societal and environmental fabric of the geographies they are operating in. This paper aims to propose integrating systems thinking into IB education to address this shortcoming with the intention to setup IB education to engage with wicked grand challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper offers an approach for integrating complexity, criticality and diversity into IB education through teaching systems thinking capabilities.
Findings
Integrating systems thinking into IB education allows for a more realistic appreciation of IB’s contribution to addressing grand challenges. The authors propose a systems thinking perspective to IB education and offer how systems thinking capabilities could be taught in IB.
Originality/value
Grand challenges are characterised by wicked problems. Addressing them requires a multilevel, cross-disciplinary approach that takes into consideration the inter- and intradependencies of all actors within a system.
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