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Stainless steel is widely used in different manufacturing sectors. The purpose of this study is to optimize the process parameters of machining while processing SS316L alloy. The optimization of machining characteristics in the case of SS316L alloy greatly improves the quality and productivity economically.

The machining variables in current research are depth of cut, spindle speed and feed rate. The optimization of response characteristics was carried out using the intelligent approach of grey, regression and teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO) and Taguchi-Grey approach. Planning of experiments was made using Taguchi’s based L27 orthogonal array. With the implementation of grey, the response characteristics were normalized and converted into a single response. The regression analysis was used for empirical modeling of the single response induced from the grey application. TLBO is further used to investigate the combinations of machining variables and compared with grey theory.

The grey-TLBO based multi-criteria decision-making approach suggests that the optimized setting for material removal rate, mean roughness depth (Rz) and cutting force (Fz) is spindle speed (N): 720 rpm; feed rate (F): 0.3 mm/rev; depth of cut (DoC): 1.7 mm. The grey theory suggests an optimized setting as N: 720 rpm; F: 0.2 mm/rev and DoC: 1.7 mm.

The parametric optimization during the turning of SS316L using grey-TLBO based intelligent approach is not performed till now. Thus, this intelligent approach will give a path to the researchers working in this direction. However, the grey theory performs better as compared to the grey-TLBO approach.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the optimized setting of wire-cut electrical discharge machining (WEDM) parameters at which material removal rate (MRR) and mean roughness depth (Rz) set a compromise. The problem in the processing of Ti-6Al-4V by conventional processes is a high strength, high hardness, high tool wear. Due to which WEDM is adopted to machine Ti-6Al-4V biomedical alloy. Ti-6Al-4V alloy has a number of applications in the engineering and medical industries due to its high strength biocompatibility.

The effect of control factors (i.e. pulse on-time: Pon; pulse off-time: Poff; servo voltage: SV) on the MRR and Rz is investigated in the present research. The planning of experiments is done using a Taguchi-based L9 orthogonal array. The percentage influence of each factor on responses is also evaluated. The multi-objective optimization is done using the grey approach initially. After that, the results were also calculated using harmony search (HS). Therefore, a hybrid approach of grey and HS is used to find the optimized values of MRR and Rz.

The maximum value of grade calculated by grey-HS is 0.7879, while in the case of the experimental run the maximum value of grey grade is 0.7239. The optimized setting after improvisation at this grade value is Pon: 130 µs; Poff: 45 µs and SV: 70 V for MRR and Rz collectively. The validation of the suggested setting is completed by experimentation. The values of MRR and Rz are coming out to be 6.4 mm³/min and 13.84 µm, which represents improvised results after the implementation of the HS algorithm.

The integration of the grey approach with the HS principle in the manufacturing domain is yet to be explored. Therefore, in the present research hybrid approach of grey-HS is implemented in the manufacturing domain having applications in medical industries.

This study aims to empirically investigate the relationship between different global software development (GSD) challenges (management, process, social, technical and environmental challenges) and software project success. Further, the study examines the moderating role of total quality management (TQM) between the relationship of GSD challenges and success of software projects.

Using two field studies, the authors collected data form software developers working in globally distributed teams. In study 1 (n = 194), relationship of different dimensions of GSD challenges (management, process, social, technical and environmental challenges) and project success was examined. In study 2 (n = 138), moderating role of TQM was examined on the relationship of GSD challenges and project success.

The results of study 1 indicate that there is a negative relationship between all dimensions of GSD challenges and project success. Findings of study 2 confirmed that TQM practices moderate the negative relationship between GSD challenges and project success.

The findings of the study provide guidelines to the project managers of software industry to mitigate GSD challenges using TQM practices.

Study adds in the literature of TQM, GSD challenges and project success by (1) empirically investigating the relationship between different GSD challenges and software project success and (2) by examining the moderating role of TQM practices on relationship of GSD challenges and project success in global software development industry.

This paper aims to investigate the effect of political connections on earnings quality by simultaneously controlling the firm characteristics; to test whether Pakistani firms’ ownership, specifically family ownership, plays a significant role in political connections–earnings quality association; to draw a conclusion about the agency theory in the context of Pakistan.

A quantitative approach was used to examine the influence of political connections and family ownership on the earnings quality of listed firms in Pakistan. The study uses historical data from 238 active non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange during the period of 2009-2015. The final data set comprises more than 1,600 firm-year observations from ten major non-financial industry classifications. To enhance the robustness of the empirical relationship, the study used several proxies of earnings quality in conjunction with robust regression methods and diagnostic checks.

The present study’s findings are consistent with the findings of the studies on agency theory previous literature, where politically connected firms have significantly lower earnings quality as compared to non-connected firms. The results also indicate that family firms have superior earnings quality than non-family–controlled firms. Furthermore, family ownership moderates the negative influence of political connections on earnings quality. This implies that family ownership diminishes the costs of political connections and improves the earnings quality of the firm.

This study is different from previous research in three respects. First, it examines whether family ownership concentration has a moderating influence on the relationship between political connections and earnings quality. Second, it uses a robust methodology and extensive data set to examine the influence of political connections and family ownership concentration on earnings quality. Further, this study is the first to analyze the nexus between financial reporting quality and the political business environment in the context of Pakistan.

The paper seeks to understand the adoption rates of total quality management (TQM) by New Zealand firms, and the role that organisational size plays in determining adoption rates.

A survey of 997 random New Zealand firms of all sizes yielded 228 responses. Factors tested to predict TQM adoption were organisational size, workplace autonomy, performance standards, use of teams and group problem solving. In addition, organisational size was tested as a potential moderating variable on the other factors.

Overall, 33 per cent of firms in New Zealand used TQM, with an addition 5 per cent no longer using TQM, indicating strong adoption rates by international standards. All the direct effects and moderating effects were supported. Consequently, firms with higher level of workplace autonomy, use of performance standards, use of teams, and use of group problem solving were more likely to have adopted TQM, and this was more likely for larger firms than smaller firms. As a result, strong support was found for the interacting effect of organisational size.

The implications are that TQM adoption rates are much higher in New Zealand than suggested in the international literature. A highlight of the present study is the focus on firms of all sizes, rather than being limited to only larger sized firms.

This paper provides much needed information on the state of TQM in New Zealand and provides a unique approach by testing the moderating effects of organisational size on predictor factors on New Zealand firms.

This study aims to examine the determinants of poverty among microcredit beneficiaries in Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.

The study is based on a nationwide survey of microcredit beneficiaries of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund. Using the national poverty line, this study classified borrowers into the poor and the non-poor. A Tobit model was estimated to examine the determinants of poverty among the borrowers.

The model was found to fit the data well and six out of the ten specified independent variables are found to be statistically significant.

The results of the study can be helpful in fully characterizing poverty dynamics and in policy formulation in using microcredit to reduce poverty.

The paper is the first to examine the determinants of poverty among Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund recipients.

Green practices are essential for sustainability. However, it is challenging due to the socioeconomic and environmental concerns. Similarly, after the induced SDG-12 and SDG-13 by United Nations, the pressure groups forced manufacturers to consider sustainability. Therefore, this research aims to examine the sustainability through multifaceted green functions in manufacturing is examined.

Data were collected from 293 supply chain professionals of manufacturers from a developing economy. Hypotheses were tested through a quantitative method using partial least squares-structural equation modeling with the help of SmartPLS version 4 to validate the measurement model.

The findings revealed that all six direct hypotheses were supported. However, out of four hypotheses of mediation, one was not supported. Besides, a sequential mediation of green supply chain environmental cooperation and green human resource management was supported. The findings illustrated that green supply chain practices positively influence all used variables.

This research provides practical insight to practitioners to implement green practices in their supply chain networks for social, economic and environmental sustainability and compliance with SDG-12 and SDG-13. The sustainability was validated in a higher-order construct (HOC) (formative), including sequential mediation in the model with the support of resource dependency theory. Therefore, this study adds substantial literature to the existing body of knowledge.

This research provides an interdisciplinary framework by adding knowledge to the Resource Dependency Theory to address Sustainable Development Goals-12 (SDGs) and SDG-13. Likewise, this research provides an extension towards the body of knowledge on the issue, which can be used in future research and critical examinations for cleaner and sustainable production. So far, in Pakistan, no research has looked at the function of these integrated variables in the manufacturing industry with a diligent focus on sustainability as it was validated in a higher-order construct (formative) with one sequential mediation, which makes this research unique.

This study examined the role of green human resource management (GHRM) in the environmental performance of higher education institutes (HEIs). The study also examined the mediating effect of green commitment and green behaviour. Furthermore, the study explored if green self-efficacy (GSE) moderated the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The ability, motivation, and opportunity (AMO) theory were employed to explain the relationship between the study's variables.

The study opted for a descriptive study using the convenience sampling technique by collecting data through a survey questionnaire administered to 208 individuals currently employed in Pakistani HEIs. Data collection was undertaken among senior, middle, and top management of the HEIs. The statistical software, partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), was used for data analysis.

The results provide empirical insights indicating the positive relation of GHRM practices with environmental performance in HEIs. Changes in employees' behaviour through human resource management practices can ultimately affect the organisations' environmental performance. Besides, the results also demonstrated that GSE moderates the relationship between green commitment and green behaviour. The findings highlight the role of commitment level and GSE in enhancing the environmental performance of HEIs.

The study proposes that HEIs' management take adequate initiatives to implement GHRM practices.

The current study contributes to the literature by empirically examining the indirect double mediation effect of green commitment and green behaviour on GHRM and environmental performance. Furthermore, the moderating effect of GSE, which is an under-explored area, was also studied.

The purpose of this study is to test and prove how the quality of innate accruals can make a significant contribution to the prospect of future market value for manufacturing industries.

This research used multiple regression method by gathering all observation data on a go public company in the industrial manufacturing sector.

The results of this test can show that the dividend policy helps reduce the use of accruals to increase investor perceptions about the prospects of the company's future period, especially the value of earnings informativeness, including valid information about the actual fundamental conditions. These results reflect high innate accruals quality, so the use of low accruals, especially in reporting earnings.

This test uses a measurement of a constant growth rate with the calculation of the indicator g in the next five-year period, and the proof has secondary data abnormalities reflecting a very high level of variation in the use of accruals. As an implication of the data that is not normal, it causes a large amount of data pruning through outlier tests. Samples that qualify for processing are 180 from 384 data.

By calculating the value of the dividend payout with the growth rate, the estimated future market price can be done with reasonable accuracy.

This study aims to examine the factors that lead to loyalty in bank customers. It establishes a relationship of service quality (SQ) with satisfaction and attitude that leads to customer loyalty. The impact of SQ along with satisfaction and attitude on customer loyalty is explored.

Primary data was collected from 1,097 customers of the banking service. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and multiple regression analyses was used to analyse the data. The adaption of multiple regression and SEM for the analysis authenticates the similar findings in both the methods of analysis.

All the factors contribute to the formation of SQ. There exists a linear relationship of SQ, satisfaction and attitude in the formation of customer loyalty.

Sample can be more diverse and collected from different cities as well. Similar studies are possible for diverse demographic groups such as gender, age, education and others.

The results of this study have significant implications for understanding customer loyalty for banks of Saudi Arabia.

This research attempts to explore the factors responsible for the SQ in banks of Saudi Arabia so as to establish a relationship between SQ, satisfaction, attitude and loyalty.