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The purpose of this paper is to propose distributed learning-based three different metaheuristic algorithms for the identification of nonlinear systems. The proposed algorithms are experimented in this study to address problems for which input data are available at different geographic locations. In addition, the models are tested for nonlinear systems with different noise conditions. In a nutshell, the suggested model aims to handle voluminous data with low communication overhead compared to traditional centralized processing methodologies.

Population-based evolutionary algorithms such as genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and cat swarm optimization (CSO) are implemented in a distributed form to address the system identification problem having distributed input data. Out of different distributed approaches mentioned in the literature, the study has considered incremental and diffusion strategies.

Performances of the proposed distributed learning-based algorithms are compared for different noise conditions. The experimental results indicate that CSO performs better compared to GA and PSO at all noise strengths with respect to accuracy and error convergence rate, but incremental CSO is slightly superior to diffusion CSO.

This paper employs evolutionary algorithms using distributed learning strategies and applies these algorithms for the identification of unknown systems. Very few existing studies have been reported in which these distributed learning strategies are experimented for the parameter estimation task.

Human resource management, Training and development, Competency development and team spirit.

The case is intended for MBA/PGDM level students as part of a human resource management curriculum. The case is more diagnostic in nature and should be discussed in the same spirit. The case is suitable for developing conceptual thinking and community orientation of professionals aspiring or pursuing a career in the area of human resource management.

The case examines the imperatives behind Sterling Tools Limited (STL), a leading fasteners manufacturing Indian company's decision and strategy adopted to inculcate team spirit through outdoor experiential training (OET). The case explores in detail the process undertaken to execute the OET at STL. The case also briefly mentions the tangible benefits of OEL. The case is structured to enable readers to: understand the basic objectives of OET; understand the innovative approach adopted by STL; and understand how an organization responds to changes and challenges in the external environment.

This case is structured to enable students to: understand the meaning and significance of outdoor experiential training (OET); analyze the challenges faced by HR managers in modern day organizations; learn the conceptual framework and understand the principles of OET; examine the measures that can be taken by management to ensure a smooth induction and socialization process of employees; and understand the need of inculcating team spirit among employees.

Teaching notes are available.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse service quality in the automobile maintenance and repair industry. A conceptual structural model is developed to investigate the impact of service quality, perceived service fairness and convenience on customer service satisfaction. The impact of service satisfaction and brand trust on word of mouth (WOM) is also explored, and the study assesses the mediating effect of customer service satisfaction on the relationship between service quality and WOM.

Data from a questionnaire-based survey of 259 users of automobile maintenance and repair centres were analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

The findings indicate that service quality dimensions (reliability, responsiveness and empathy), perceived service fairness and convenience are positively associated with customer service satisfaction, and that service satisfaction and trust positively influence WOM. The findings support the mediating effect of service satisfaction on the relationship between reliability and responsiveness and WOM.

The study’s main limitation is the cross-sectional design, which limits the generalisability of the findings.

To ensure customer satisfaction and generate trust and WOM, automobile maintenance and repair service centres should improve reliability, responsiveness and empathy, as well as perceived service fairness and convenience.

The study demonstrates that the reliability and responsiveness dimensions of service quality are the most significant predictors of customer service satisfaction in the automobile maintenance and repair industry.

This paper aims to assess the relationship between academic burnout-student engagement relationships on management students of the Delhi-NCR region of Northern India. It further attempts to study the moderating impact of internal locus of control and mediating impact of loneliness on the academic burnout-student engagement relationship.

The data was collected using standardized instruments from 264 respondents. Descriptive statistics, correlation and moderated-mediated regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses.

The study found a negative association between student engagement and academic burnout and loneliness. A positive association between academic burnout and loneliness and a moderating impact of internal locus of control on academic burnout and student engagement relationship. Loneliness acted as a partial mediator for the moderated relationship between the academic burnout-student engagement relationship.

Sample size and sampling units are the limitations of the study.

The conclusion of the presented study offers different inferences including validating the self-determination theory (Ryan and Deci, 2000) and possible courses of actions to be taken by academic institutions and students themselves. It ranges from careful investigation of student’s behaviors, design and implements collaborative projects along with student’s involvement in social networking based groups for collaborations and help.

With the help of the study, the society including parents, family, friends, officials and academicians at educational institutions can offer useful insights to students through recreational and social activities for behavior modifications.

The major contribution of the study is to understand the psyche of the budding professionals perceiving increased stress and pressure. Limited studies are found in the Indian context and no studies in the past have used the study variables together. Internal locus of control as a personality variable has not been studied with respect to student’s burnout and engagement. Furthermore, none of the studies done in the past have deliberated upon loneliness with respect to the student community.

In complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic circuits, there is a direct square proportion of supply voltage on dynamic power. If the supply voltage is high, then more amount of energy will be consumed. Therefore, if a low voltage supply is used, then dynamic power will also be reduced. In a mixed signal circuit, there can be a situation when lower voltage circuitry has to drive large voltage circuitry. In such a case, P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor of high-voltage circuitry may not be switched off completely by applying a low voltage as input. Therefore, there is a need for level shifter where low-voltage and high-voltage circuits are connected. In this paper the multi-scaling voltage level shifter is presented which overcomes the contention problems and suitable for low-power applications.

The voltage level shifter circuit is essential for digital and analog circuits in the on-chip integrated circuits. The modified voltage level shifter and reported energy-efficient voltage level shifter have been optimally designed to be functional in all process voltage and temperature corners for VDDH = 5V, VDDL = 2V and the input frequency of 5 MHz. The modified voltage level shifter and reported shifter circuits are implemented using Cadence Virtuoso at 90 nm CMOS technology and the comparison is made based on speed and power consumed by the circuit.

The voltage level shifter circuit discussed in this paper removes the contention problem that is present in conventional voltage level shifter. Moreover, it has the capability for up and down conversion and reduced power and delay as compared to conventional voltage level shifter. The efficiency of the circuit is improved in two ways, first, the current of the pull-up device is reduced and second, the strength of the pull-down device is increased.

The modified level shifter is faster for switching low input voltage to high output voltage and also high input voltage to low output voltage. The average power consumption for the multi-scaling voltage level shifter is 259.445 µW. The power consumption is very less in this technique and it is best suitable for low-power applications.

This case describes the experience of Kanpur Confectioneries Private Limited (KCPL), a family managed company, in being a contract manufacturer for A–One Confectioneries Private Limited. The alliance had worked to the advantage of KCPL. It had prospered as a profitable contract manufacturer. It had used the surplus to diversify into unrelated businesses. The family members, however had doubts regarding the employment opportunities provided by the move. They were not sure whether the progress was sustainable. Alok Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of KCPL, along with his brothers and son, is required to review the strategy and performance of his company and develop a course of action for the future.

This case describes the experience of Kanpur Confectioneries Private Limited (KCPL), a family managed company, in being a contract manufacturer for A-One Confectioneries Private Limited. The alliance had worked to the advantage of KCPL. It had prospered as a profitable contract manufacturer. It had used the surplus to diversify into unrelated businesses. The family members, however had doubts regarding the employment opportunities provided by the move. They were not sure whether the progress was sustainable. Alok Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of KCPL, along with his brothers and son, is required to review the strategy and performance of his company and develop a course of action for the future.

The Chief Executive Officer of SCOPE (Society for Creation of Opportunity through Proficiency in English) has to decide which of two models, a public-private partnership model which trained interested youth in the language and certified them, or an Only Assessment Scheme, which only tested and certified candidates, needed to receive greater emphasis. SCOPE, a government programme to develop English competence among youth, was in its fifth year, but the initial targets set for it were yet to be achieved.

This paper aims to describe how Birla creates a strong pipeline of people who are ready to lead the organization in the future.

It explains the origins of the group’s global-manufacturing leadership program (GMLP), the form it takes and the results it has achieved.

It reveals that the program aims to shape the manufacturing leaders of tomorrow through exposing them to world-class technologies and processes, state-of-the-art research and continuous learning and development opportunities.

It reveals that of the five GMLP candidates recruited in 2011, three have become independent unit heads, one in China and two in India.

It outlines the company belief that retaining and developing the skills of its existing workforce is at least as important as importing new talent when faced with increasing competition and growing pressure to cut costs in its main markets.

It demonstrates that the program is designed to ensure that each participant is able to understand and anticipate customer needs, influence colleagues without too openly expressing authority and develop and communicate the company’s long-term vision.

Consider the various employee-development initiatives at Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL), India.

Underlines the key role of employee development at the firm, and explains in particular how it develops its future managers.

Reveals how employee competencies are mapped and how training is designed around these and the skill needs of the company.

Details the benefits of this approach for both individual employees and the company.

Advances the view that BPSL’s managers are more rounded and knowledgeable than those in comparable Indian companies.

Highlights the importance of taking into account the skill needs of the individual as well as the organization as a whole.