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This paper aims to study the possibility of controlling the electromagnetic stirrer (EMS) is fundamental in a continuous casting line to achieve the desired properties of homogeneity and mechanical strength in the solidified cast.

Coupled electromagnetic (EM) and fluid dynamic (FD) simulations allow to predict the mixing effect on molten metal, in terms of velocity amplitude and shape of the flow. This paper describes the numerical results of EMS effect within a cylindrical crucible, surrounded by a solenoidal inductor, filled with a low melting temperature alloy, i.e. GalInStan.

Induced forces and resulting velocity distribution of the flow of the liquid metal have been calculated depending on varying amplitude and frequency of the supplied current. As expected, at a given amplitude of the current supply, the velocity distribution shows a maximum at a certain frequency while the intensity of electrodynamic forces monotonically increase as the frequency increases

The paper deals with simply models and experiments applied to coupled EM and FD problem, to assess the applied methodology.

This study aims to examine the role of technological capabilities in the competitive advantage of supply chains for the “countryside” hub of São Paulo state.

An interdisciplinary approach was adopted by combining the strategic orientation of supply chain management as a link between market and operational activities, with technological capabilities as an essential factor for competitive advantage. This exploratory, mixed-method study was conducted in the Campinas technology hub, which has become important for its available skilled workforce, and broad and structured supply chain. The study sample included ten companies and dealt with the techniques of content analysis and non-parametric statistics – the Mann–Whitney U technique.

The results revealed that strategic supply chain management has an impact on technological capabilities and competitive advantage.

They also showed that technological capabilities have a partial mediating effect on competitive advantage.

In order to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution to the theme, the purpose of this paper is to assess the tourist image of the destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the tourists’ perspective. The authors specify the latent dimensions involved in the formation of the cognitive, affective, and conative image of coastal tourism destination, through which the authors can analyze and measure the construct.

The research is exploratory, descriptive, and predominantly quantitative. It uses non-probability convenience sampling, consisting of a sample of 425 tourists. Data collection were conducted in the studied destination during the summer season – 2015/2016.

Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors identified and tested the factors that comprise the image. Structural equation model evaluated the relationship that theoretically exists between the components of the image and the weight of the various components (cognitive, affective, and conative) on the overall image of the destination.

This research contributes theoretically and empirically to the discussions on the components of the destination image, in as much as it analyzes and interprets the cognitive, affective, and conative components of the image of the tourism destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

The purpose of this viewpoint is to present some reflections about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacts on the transition to Industry 4.0 in the Brazilian manufacturing sector context.

Initially, a bibliographic research study was carried out to establish a theoretical background and contextualization. After analysing different kinds of documents, the authors of this viewpoint discussed potential COVID-19 impacts on the transition to Industry 4.0 in the Brazilian manufacturing sector. A multidisciplinary discursive approach was used in the debates.

The COVID-19 pandemic will negatively influence the transition of Brazilian manufacturing sector to Industry 4.0. Despite the fact that some “World Class Companies” based in Brazil still continue the transition process towards the “Digital Revolution”, most of Brazilian manufacturing companies are postponing important initiatives related to Industry 4.0 due to uncertainties. In addition, policies promoting innovation are increasingly necessary.

This viewpoint presents interesting implications for researchers and society. Researchers can use these reflections to structure surveys or case studies to better understand the aforementioned impacts on companies due to the pandemic. These reflections can also be used by society for public policy debates. For companies, the information presented highlights the relevance of Industry 4.0 as an important phenomenon to manufacturing sector and companies' competitiveness.

This viewpoint presents reflections which may be used to encourage debates about how to manage digital transformation in the manufacturing sector during an unstable environment.

THE Deutsche Luftfahrtschau, popularly known as the Hanover Air Show, is held biennially by the Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft‐ und Raumfahrtindustrie e.V. (the German Aerospace Industries Association) and will take place from April 24 to May 3 at Langenhagen Airport, Hanover. As in previous years, it will run concurrently with the famous Hanover Trade Fair.

The overarching question here is whether common balanced scorecards (BSCs) are possible between partners in supply networks. The purpose of this paper is to form four independent samples of Brazilian input suppliers, producers, distributors and retailers from the agri-food industry to identify how many of the metrics used in BSCs can be related to specific supply chain (SC) roles.

A survey of 121 agribusiness companies was undertaken. Usage of indicators was identified through percentages, while the groups of performance indicators for the SC roles considered were identified through two reference values.

Customer satisfaction was the single metric present within the BSC framework for all SC roles. Different SC roles showed different compositions of indicators used.

The research findings are descriptive and based on responses provided by senior managers. A new perspective of the use of specific performance metrics by different SC participants is seen.

Performance measurement within SCs needs to consider the specific measures used by different roles within the SC. The data suggest that any implementation of performance measurement systems for supply networks should consider performance indicators that are common to the role-type and specific to the constituent companies.

The findings contribute to the debate on whether a common set of measures in a scorecard can be used between SC partners. The findings suggest that it may be very difficult to achieve a BSC framework that is common and practical for all SC participants and that other alternatives should be investigated.

The purpose of this study is to describe the design and validation of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed phantom of a uterus to support the development of uterine balloon tamponade devices conceived to stop post-partum haemorrhages (PPHs).

The phantom 3D model is generated by analysing the main requirements for validating uterine balloon tamponade devices. A modular approach is implemented to guarantee that the phantom allows testing these devices under multiple working conditions. Once finalised the design, the phantom effectiveness is validated experimentally.

The modular phantom allows performing the required measurements for testing the performance of devices designed to stop PPH.

PPH is the leading obstetric cause of maternal death worldwide, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. The proposed phantom could speed up and optimise the design and validation of devices for PPH treatment, reducing the maternal mortality ratio.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the 3D-printed phantom represents the first example of a modular, flexible and transparent uterus model. It can be used to validate and perform usability tests of medical devices.

This paper continues the analysis of the data collected in a survey of quality function deployment (QFD) carried out in Brazil, and deepens the study by carrying out interviews at some of the companies which participated in the survey to identify best practices on QFD application.

To analyze the data collected in a survey of QFD and interviews, eight exemplary criteria based on the QFD literature were considered. The paper then presents and discusses best practices in QFD application.

The results of analyzing the interviews showed that there were exemplary aspects in the use of the method and the key points in the QFD implementation that should be considered were related to: support from upper management, carrying out training, creating the team, frequency and length of meetings, and creating a conceptual model, among other aspects.

It is important to stress that the importance of some of these exemplary aspects varies with the type of company and the product developed with QFD, and could be less important for other products and industries.

The results showed that there were key points in the QFD implementation that should be considered depending on type of company and the product.

The key points in the QFD implementation identified in this paper may be useful to QFD users and academics.

TODAY aviation is a most influential factor in our lives and Brooklyn a most influential factor in aviation. This was clear to all who attended the very successful conference on High Speed Aeronautics organized as a feature of the Centennial year by the Department of Aeronautical Engineering and Applied Mechanics of the Institute. Over 600 research workers and technicians assembled at the Engineering Societies Building, New York, to hear and to discuss papers by scientists and engineers from America, England, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

Following the line traced by two previous works of Albino et al. and Messeni Petruzzelli, the paper aims to analyze how technology districts reach and acquire external competencies and capabilities by means of organizational and cognitive proximity. This allows districts to modify their geographical boundaries and evolve into technology clusters.

The research design is based on a case study methodology. In particular, two actual technology districts are analyzed, namely Castel Romano and Toulouse, in order to show how they use organizational, and cognitive proximity to acquire external knowledge sources and re‐shape their geographical boundaries.

Based on the findings of the empirical study, two main propositions are formulated. The first proposition refers to the negative relationship between the geographical distance to the district's actors and the use of organizational proximity as a means for reaching external knowledge sources. By contrast, the second proposition indicates the positive relationship between the geographical distance to the district's actors and the use of cognitive proximity as a means for reaching external knowledge sources.

As regards the firm strategic behaviors, it seems particularly crucial to exploit all the three dimensions of proximity, in order to guarantee openness and sustain innovativeness and competitiveness. Concerning policy implications, the local governments should address their actions to help and promote the openness of technology districts and the formation of technology clusters. With this aim, actions should be devoted also to sustaining single local firms that are part of a technology cluster but not of a technology district. These, in fact, by increasing their competitive position, may generate positive externalities in the local area, fostering the diffusion and sharing of knowledge in the area and, then, acting as knowledge gatekeepers for the whole area.

The paper extends the findings of previous works linking three proximity dimensions in a holistic framework that explains the different use of organizational and cognitive proximity to acquire knowledge, according to the geographical distance between organizations.