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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the surface properties, particle sizes and corrosion inhibition performance of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of imidazolium-based ionic liquid as an additive. Up to now, different properties of alone surfactants and ionic liquids have been studied. However, few studies have been devoted to mixed ionic liquid and surfactant. The significance and novelty of this research is the investigation of 1-methylimidazolium trinitrophenoxide ([MIm][TNP]) as ionic liquid effects on SDS corrosion behavior.

The inhibition effect of [MIm][TNP], SDS and their mixtures on mild steel surface in 2 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution was examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy and quantum chemical calculations as well as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and surface tension measurements to discuss surface properties of studied solutions.

Based on the results, ionic liquid/SDS mixtures significantly indicated better inhibition properties than pure surfactant solution. PDP curves indicated that the studied compounds act as mixed-type of inhibitors. The critical micelle concentration, surface properties and particle sizes were investigated from the surface tension measurements and DLS results.

Adsorption of the inhibitors on the steel surface obeyed the Villamil adsorption model. SEM was used for surface analysis and verified the inhibition efficiency of mixed IL/SDS system. Quantum chemical calculations were performed using density functional theory, and a good relationship between experimental and theoretical data has been obtained.

With recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM), polymer-based three-dimensional (3D) printers are available for relatively low cost and have found their way even in domestic and educational uses. However, the optimum conditions for processing and post-processing of different materials are yet to be determined. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of printing temperature, pattern and annealing conditions on tensile strength and modulus of samples printed with polylactic acid (PLA).

This study focuses on fused deposition modelling according to ISO/ASTM 52900 material extrusion AM. To print parts with maximum mechanical properties, the printing variables must be optimised. To determine the printing and annealing condition on physical and mechanical properties of PLA-based parts, dogbone-shaped tensile samples were printed at four different nozzle temperatures and five different filling patterns embedded in a 3D printing software. The samples were further annealed at three different temperatures for three different time intervals. The mechanical properties were evaluated and the changes in mechanical properties were analysed with the help of rheometrical measurements.

The results showed that printing condition has a significant influence on final properties, for example, the strain at break value increases with increasing nozzle temperature from 34 to 56 MPa, which is close to the value of the injected sample, namely, 65 MPa. While tensile strength increases with printing temperature, the annealing process has negative effects on the mechanical properties of samples.

The authors observed that traditional findings in polymer science, for example, the relationship between processing and annealing temperature, must be re-evaluated when applied in 3D printing because of major differences in processing conditions resulting from the layer-by-layer manufacturing.

Nowadays, most of the organizations have focused through the world on Six Sigma to reduce the costs, improve the productivity and enhance concerned individuals’ satisfaction, especially customers’ satisfaction. Annually, these organizations define and execute thousands of Six Sigma projects which involve a great deal of investments. But are all of these projects successful and do the organizations benefit from the above advantages? How can we reduce the risk of failure in Six Sigma projects? The first step to reduce the risk of failure in Six Sigma projects is selecting optimal ones which have the most profits and the least expected risks.

In this paper, the effective criteria are recognized and defined in selecting Six Sigma projects. Then, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to rank the results. Then, a real example is resolved by two important techniques in decision-making process, that is the AHP and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), as well as data envelopment analysis (DEA). The results from the above three methods are compared.

The results of this paper show that by using fewer criteria, the results from AHP and TOPSIS are very similar. Also, the results from these techniques vary from DEA’s ones in many aspects. So regarding the different results and the importance of criteria in selecting the Six Sigma projects, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques are more reliable in comparison with DEA, because decision-maker’s point of view is more effective in MCDM techniques.

The paper, using a real case study, provides important new tools to enhance decision quality in Six Sigma project selection.

This study aims to explore the determinants of the green purchase behaviour (GPB) of environment-friendly and energy-efficient electronic products market. It specifically examines the moderating effect of consumers’ moral identity on the relationships between the consumption values and GPB of environment-friendly and energy-efficient electronic products market. It also examines the direct relationship between consumption values and GPB.

In this study, the theory of consumption values is combined with the moral identity of consumers. A structured questionnaire mall-intercept survey was used to collect data from 396 respondents, which was subsequently processed using the smart PLS software for partial least square structural equation modelling analysis.

Findings reveal that functional value, social value, conditional value and epistemic value are the significant predictors of GPB of the environment-friendly and energy-efficient electronic products market. The moral identity of consumers also appears to positively moderate the relationships between functional, emotional and conditional values and the GPB.

The energy efficiency of electronic products is included in this study as an additional feature of functional value, while government support and business promotional initiatives are incorporated as the new elements of conditional value. Therefore, the inclusion and evaluation of the moral identity of consumers, alongside new elements of functional and conditional values in the theory of consumption values, could be considered a significant theoretical addition. The study uncovered certain customer insights that could help accelerate the adoption of green electronic products, which may result in better energy savings, reduced carbon emissions and environmental safety.

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Weak management capacity is a major reason why health systems in many developing countries remain inadequate. A focus on key areas that include recruitment, managerial competencies and support infrastructure among other can help effectively strengthen leadership and management in these settings.

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.