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Article
Publication date: 23 November 2022

Hamfrey Sanhokwe

Exposure to a public health threat of significant proportions made current models inadequate to explain the failure phenomenon in small businesses. Hence, the need to reimagine…

Abstract

Purpose

Exposure to a public health threat of significant proportions made current models inadequate to explain the failure phenomenon in small businesses. Hence, the need to reimagine the phenomenon. Borrowing from the principles of biology, this study extended theoretical and empirical perspectives on the failure phenomenon by unpacking its constituent elements and the measurement metrics using the regeneration lens.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a cohort tracked over time, the study estimated the survival probabilities of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) with and without regeneration using the Kaplan–Meier method. The study investigated the factors that predict enterprise regenerative capacity using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard ratios.

Findings

Rates of interruption in business activity, by month, ranged between 0% and 18% during the follow-up period. True mortality rates hovered between 0% and 4% over the same period. Over three in five SMEs that experienced interruption in business activity without ceasing operations regenerated at some point in time during the follow-up period. The survival probabilities beyond the follow-up period were 0.85 and 0.44 with and without regeneration effects, respectively. Fresh capital injection (+), the introduction of new/improved processes or products/services (+), perceived business outlook (+) and the presence of debt (−) influenced the capacity to regenerate.

Research limitations/implications

The cohort was followed for only six months. There is a need to continue interrogating the failure phenomenon in other contexts over longer periods using the regeneration lens. Bringing on board academia, financial institutions and other SME-related ecosystem players will be strategic.

Practical implications

The approach provides a more nuanced understanding of the life and well-being of enterprises under conditions of disruption. Improving the precision and validity of failure-related statistics enhances their utility in policy and remediation-related discussions.

Social implications

The results did not show significant differences in SME mortality rates between male and female-owned enterprises. The results provide further evidence that the failure phenomenon is ungendered. As such, financial institutions and the SME ecosystem at large must eliminate perceptual gender biases in the financing and other support to SMEs.

Originality/value

The study used the principles of biology to reimagine the failure phenomenon in small businesses. The approach breathes life into entrepreneurship research and policy.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Dora Agapito and Marianna Sigala

This paper aims to provide a critical reflection on the management of experiences in hospitality and tourism (H&T). The paper investigates the evolution of experience research…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a critical reflection on the management of experiences in hospitality and tourism (H&T). The paper investigates the evolution of experience research, while discussing the emerging challenges and opportunities for management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a critical and reflective approach for providing future directions of experience research. Three major fields are identified to discuss advances, challenges and opportunities in experience research: conceptualization and dimensions of experiences; relational network for experience management; and theoretical and methodological approaches.

Findings

The paper proposes a mindset shift to guide experience research, but also to redirect and research thinking and managerial practices about the role of experiences in the economy and society. This proposed humanized perspective to experience research and management is deemed important given the contemporary socio-economic, environmental and technological challenges of the environment.

Research limitations/implications

This paper identifies a set of theoretical and managerial implications to help scholars and professionals alike to implement the humanized perspective to experience research. Implications relate to conceptualization, relational network and theoretical and methodological approaches in experience research.

Originality/value

This study critically assesses research challenges and opportunities around customer experience management (CEM) in H&T contexts. This reflective and critical look at customer experiences not only informs future research for advancing knowledge and practice but also proposes a mindset shift about the role and nature of CEM in the society and economy.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 36 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 May 2024

Kimia Abedi, Hamid Keshvari and Mehran Solati-Hashjin

This study aims to develop a simplified bioink preparation method that can be applied to most hydrogel bioinks used in extrusion-based techniques.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a simplified bioink preparation method that can be applied to most hydrogel bioinks used in extrusion-based techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The parameters of the bioprinting process significantly affect the printability of the bioink and the viability of cells. In turn, the bioink formulation and its physicochemical properties may influence the appropriate range of printing parameters. In extrusion-based bioprinting, the rheology of the bioink affects the printing pressure, cell survival and structural integrity. Three concentrations of alginate-gelatin hydrogel were prepared and printed at three different flow rates and nozzle gauges to investigate the print parameters. Other characterizations were performed to evaluate the hydrogel structure, printability, gelation time, swelling and degradation rates of the bioink and cell viability. An experimental design was used to determine optimal parameters. The analyses included live/dead assays, rheological measurements, swelling and degradation.

Findings

The experimental design results showed that the hydrogel flow rate substantially influenced printing accuracy and pressure. The best hydrogel flow rate in this study was 10 ml/h with a nozzle gauge of 18% and 4% alginate. Three different concentrations of alginate-gelatin hydrogels were found to exhibit shear-thinning behavior during printing. After seven days, 46% of the structure in the 4% alginate-5% gelatin sample remained intact. After printing, the viability of skin fibroblast cells for the optimized sample was 91%.

Originality/value

This methodology offers a straightforward bioink preparation method applicable to the majority of hydrogels used in extrusion-based procedures. This can also be considered a prerequisite for cell printing.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2023

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.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 May 2024

Isha Batra, Chetan Sharma, Arun Malik, Shamneesh Sharma, Mahender Singh Kaswan and Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes

The domains of Industry 4.0 and Smart Farming encompass the application of digitization, automation, and data-driven decision-making principles to revolutionize conventional…

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Abstract

Purpose

The domains of Industry 4.0 and Smart Farming encompass the application of digitization, automation, and data-driven decision-making principles to revolutionize conventional sectors. The intersection of these two fields has numerous opportunities for industry, society, science, technology and research. Relatively, this intersection is new, and still, many grey areas need to be identified. This research is a step toward identifying research areas and current trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study examines prevailing research patterns and prospective research prospects within Industry 4.0 and Smart Farming. This is accomplished by utilizing the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) methodology applied to the data procured from the Scopus database.

Findings

By examining the available literature extensively, the researchers have successfully discovered and developed three separate research questions. The questions mentioned above were afterward examined with great attention to detail after using LDA on the dataset. The paper highlights a notable finding on the lack of existing scholarly research in the examined combined field. The existing database consists of a restricted collection of 51 scholarly papers. Nevertheless, the forthcoming terrain harbors immense possibilities for exploration and offers a plethora of prospects for additional investigation and cerebral evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

This study examines the Industrial Revolution's and Smart Farming's practical effects, focusing on Industry 4.0 research. The proposed method could help agricultural practitioners implement Industry 4.0 technology. It could additionally counsel technology developers on innovation and ease technology transfer. Research on regulatory frameworks, incentive programs and resource conservation may help policymakers and government agencies.

Practical implications

The paper proposes that the incorporation of Industry 4.0 technology into agricultural operations can enhance efficiency, production and sustainability. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of creating user-friendly solutions specifically tailored for farmers and companies. The study indicates that the implementation of supportive legislative frameworks, incentive programmes and resource conservation methods might encourage the adoption of smart agricultural technologies, resulting in the adoption of more sustainable practices.

Social implications

This study examines the Industrial Revolution's and Smart Farming's practical effects, focusing on Industry 4.0 research. The proposed method could help agricultural practitioners implement Industry 4.0 technology. It could additionally counsel technology developers on innovation and ease technology transfer. Research on regulatory frameworks, incentive programs and resource conservation may help policymakers and government agencies.

Originality/value

Based on a thorough examination of existing literature, it has been established that there is a lack of research specifically focusing on the convergence of Industry 4.0 and Smart Farming. However, notable progress has been achieved in the field of seclusion. To date, the provided dataset has not been subjected to analysis using the LDA technique by any researcher.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 January 2024

Valentina Cucino, Giulio Ferrigno, James Crick and Andrea Piccaluga

Recognizing novel entrepreneurial opportunities arising from a crisis is of paramount importance for firms. Hence, understanding the pivotal factors that facilitate firms in this…

Abstract

Purpose

Recognizing novel entrepreneurial opportunities arising from a crisis is of paramount importance for firms. Hence, understanding the pivotal factors that facilitate firms in this endeavor holds significant value. This study delves into such factors within a representative empirical context impacted by a crisis, drawing insights from existing literature on opportunity recognition during such tumultuous periods.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative inspection of 14 Italian firms during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The authors collected a rich body of multi-source qualitative data, including 34 interviews (with senior managers and entrepreneurs) and secondary data (press releases, videos, web interviews, newspapers, reports and academic articles) in two phases (March–August 2020 and September–December 2020).

Findings

The results suggest the existence of a process model of opportunity recognition during crises based on five entrepreneurial influencing factors (entrepreneurial knowledge, entrepreneurial alertness, entrepreneurial proclivity, entrepreneurial personality and entrepreneurial purpose).

Originality/value

Various scholars have highlighted that, in times of crises, it is not easy and indeed very challenging for entrepreneurs to identify novel entrepreneurial opportunities. However, recent research has shown that crises can also positively impact entrepreneurs and their capacity to identify new entrepreneurial opportunities. Given these findings, not much research has analyzed the process by which entrepreneurs identify novel entrepreneurial opportunities during crises. This study shows that some entrepreneurial influencing factors are very important to identify new entrepreneurial opportunities during crises.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 31 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 May 2024

Anil Kumar Sharma, Manoj Kumar Srivastava and Ritu Sharma

The new technology aspects of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), such as digital technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), block chain, big data analysis and the internet of things…

Abstract

Purpose

The new technology aspects of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), such as digital technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), block chain, big data analysis and the internet of things (IoT) as a digital cosmos, have the potential to fundamentally transform the future of business and supply chain management. By augmenting the functional components of the food supply chain (FSC), these technologies can transform it into an intelligent food supply chain (iFSC). The purpose of this study is to identify the I4.0 utilization for FSC to become an iFSC. Additionally, it suggests future research agendas to bridge the academic knowledge gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes the bibliometric analysis methodology to investigate the techno-functional components of iFSC in the context of I4.0. The study followed steps of bibliometric analysis to assess existing components’ knowledge in the area of intelligent food supply chain management. It further reviews the selected articles to explore the need for I4.0 technologies’ adoption as well as its barriers and challenges for iFSC.

Findings

This study examines the integration of emerging technologies in FSC and concludes that the main emphasis is on the adoption of blockchain and internet of things technology. To convert it into iFSC, it should be integrated with I4.0 and AI-driven FSC systems. In addition to traditional responsibilities, emerging technologies are acknowledged that are relatively uncommon but possess significant potential for implementation in FSC. This study further outlines the challenges and barriers to the adoption of new technologies and presents a comprehensive research plan or collection of topics for future investigations on the transition from FSC to iFSC. Utilizing artificial intelligence techniques to enhance performance, decision-making, risk evaluation, real-time safety, and quality analysis, and prioritizing the elimination of barriers for new technologies.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this study lies in the provision of an up-to-date review of the food supply chain. In doing so, the authors have expanded the current knowledge base on the utilization of all I4.0 technologies in FSC. The review of designated publications yield a distinctive contribution by highlighting hurdles and challenges for iFSC. This information is valuable for operations managers and policymakers to consider.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 May 2024

Timothy Hedley, Barbara Porco, Timothy Lee Keiningham, Lerzan Aksoy, Leigh Anne Statuto and Muslim Amin

This investigation highlights the discrepancies in sustainability reporting practices, and their implications for sustainable service.

Abstract

Purpose

This investigation highlights the discrepancies in sustainability reporting practices, and their implications for sustainable service.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative analysis methodology was employed, examining sustainability reports from similarly situated companies, specifically PepsiCo and Coca-Cola and The Home Depot, Lowe’s and HomePro. This approach was chosen to uncover variances in sustainability reporting and practices within these sectors using the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) guidelines which all four firms followed in their sustainability reports.

Findings

The study reveals significant disparities in how companies within the same industry apply SASB guidelines. These inconsistencies highlight a broader issue of non-standardization in sustainability reporting, leading to challenges in effectively evaluating the relative performance of companies in the same sector.

Practical implications

The findings suggest managers must prioritize standardized and transparent sustainability reporting to build stakeholder acceptance and trust.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing a detailed comparison of sustainability practices in two distinct industry sectors. It offers new insights into the challenges and importance of standardizing sustainability reporting and the potential impact on stakeholders.

Details

Journal of Service Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-5818

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2023

Priya Ambilkar, Priyanka Verma and Debabrata Das

This research work has developed an integrated fuzzy Delphi and neutrosophic best–worst framework for selecting the sustailient (sustainable and resilient) supplier for an…

Abstract

Purpose

This research work has developed an integrated fuzzy Delphi and neutrosophic best–worst framework for selecting the sustailient (sustainable and resilient) supplier for an additive manufacturing (AM)-enabled industry.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) and neutrosophic best–worst method (N-BWM) approach is developed. 34 supplier evaluation criteria falling under 4 groups, that is, traditional, sustainable, resilient, and AM specific, are identified and validated using the FDM. Afterward, the weights of each criterion are measured by N-BWM. Later on, the performance evaluation is carried out to determine the best-suited supplier. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed to know the stability and robustness of the proposed framework.

Findings

The outcome indicates the high performance of the suggested decision-making framework. The analysis reveals that supplier 4 (S4) is selected as the most appropriate for a given firm based on the FDM and N-BWM method.

Research limitations/implications

The applicability of this framework is demonstrated through an industrial case of a 3D-printed trinket manufacturer. The proposed research helps AM decision-makers better understand resiliency, sustainability, and AM-related attributes. With this, the practitioners working in AM business can prioritize the supplier selection criteria.

Originality/value

This is the primitive study to undertake the most critical aspect of supplier selection for AM-enabled firms. Apart from this, an integrated FDM-N-BWM framework is a novel contribution to the literature on supplier selection.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Anuja Agarwal, Shefali Srivastava, Ashish Gupta and Gurmeet Singh

Considering food waste as a global problem resulting from the wastage of valuable resources that could fulfil the requirements of malnourished people, the current research…

132

Abstract

Purpose

Considering food waste as a global problem resulting from the wastage of valuable resources that could fulfil the requirements of malnourished people, the current research focusses on understanding consumerism’s impact on this phenomenon. Additionally, the circular economy (CE) approach can be critical in reducing food waste and promoting sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted using bibliometrics and network analysis. The study reviewed 326 articles within 10 years, from 2013 to 2023.

Findings

The findings reveal four prominent factors – behavioural, environmental, socioeconomic and technological – in managing food waste (FW). Reducing FW at a holistic level can benefit individuals and the environment in several ways.

Research limitations/implications

Consumers are encouraged to be more responsible for their food consumption by reducing food waste, as it affects societies and businesses both economically and environmentally. This can help promote a responsible consumption culture that values quality over quantity and encourages people to make more informed choices about what they eat and how they dispose of it post-consumption. All stakeholders, including firms, the government and consumers, must examine the motives behind inculcating pro-environmental behaviour.

Originality/value

Addressing consumerism and the ability to decrease FW behaviour are complex issues that require a multidimensional approach. This study seeks to fill the gap in understanding consumerism and the capacity to reduce FW using the CE approach and understand the research gaps and future research trends.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 126 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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