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This research aims to examine the impact of friction stir processing (FSP) treatment on an aluminum alloy, especially the AD31T alloy derived from the Al-Fe-Mg-Si system. The aim is to assess the influence of different processing techniques on the microstructure and physical and mechanical characteristics of the material, with a specific focus on structural and bulk imperfections inside the stir zone (SZ).

The study demonstrates that augmenting the linear velocity of the tool within the 25–100 mm/min range results in significant enhancements. The enhancements include a decrease in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), a reduction in the extent of volume defects inside the SZ and a more uniform deformation. The microstructural analysis results are corroborated by data acquired from microhardness and electrical conductivity studies, confirming the beneficial influence of modifying the tool’s linear velocity on the material parameters.

This study provides significant observations on the changes in microstructure and the generation of flaws throughout the process of FSP of AD31T alloy. These results have practical implications for improving the characteristics of the alloy and optimizing the production conditions.

All samples exhibit a distinct reduction in electrical conductivity within the initial third of the sample, aligning with the transitional region between the base metal (BM) and the HAZ. This underscores the importance of understanding the transitional zones during FSP.

This study aims to investigate the impact of customer perceptions of Augmented Reality (AR) attributes such as augmentation, interactivity and vividness on attitudes towards AR mobile apps, virtual product and behavioural intentions. Also, the mediation role of customer engagement in the effect of perceptions of AR attributes on attitudes and behavioural intentions is examined using the Theory of Interactive Media Effects.

The study used a cross-sectional design. A total of 456 valid data were collected from the Millennials and Generation Z cohorts using purposive sampling. The conceptual framework was assessed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Partial Least Squares-Multi Group Analysis (PLS-MGA).

The research revealed that customer perceptions of AR features such as augmentation, interactivity and vividness significantly influenced customer engagement, leading to favourable attitudes towards both the AR mobile app and the Virtual product as well as behavioural intentions. Furthermore, the study substantiates the role of customer engagement as a mediator in the relationship between customer perceptions of AR attributes and both attitudinal and behavioural outcomes.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to investigate the significance of perceived augmentation as an antecedent to customer engagement and the mediating role of customer engagement on the influence of perceptions of AR attributes on attitudinal and behavioural intention.

More than 40% of Indian households still rely on unclean cooking fuels, exposing particularly women and children to adverse health effects. This paper explores the factors determining a household’s cooking fuel choice in India.

The study used the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (2019-21) dataset. A chi-square test and a logistic regression were used for empirical analysis. Cooking fuel was categorized as “clean” and “unclean” cooking fuel.

The result shows that around 47% of the households are still using unclean cooking fuel in India. Households with a better-educated or female head, those with smaller family sizes, those with a higher level of wealth and those located in urban areas are more likely to use clean cooking fuel. Similarly, households headed by younger individuals and Muslim households are linked to more usage of clean cooking fuels. However, Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) households and those headed by older individuals are less likely to use clean cooking fuels.

The cross-sectional nature of data enables us to draw only associations between the variables and not causal relationships between them. The findings of this study have important implications for household energy policies in India and other developing nations. There is a need for policymakers to seriously consider socioeconomic factors in addressing issues and challenges associated with household energy consumption.

The study extends the empirical literature on determinants of household cooking fuel choice using the latest round of National Family Health Survey data from India.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2023-0988

Opportunistic and delayed maintenances are increasingly becoming important strategies for sustainable maintenance practices since they increase the lifetime of complex systems like aircrafts and heavy equipment. The objective of the current study is to quantify the optimal time window for adopting these strategies.

The current study considers the trade-offs between different costs involved in the opportunistic and delayed maintenances (of equipment) like the fixed cost of scheduled maintenances, the opportunistic rewards that may be earned and the cost of premature parts replacement. The probability of the opportunistic maintenance has been quantified under two different scenarios – Mission Reliability and Renewal Process. In the case of delayed maintenance, the cost of the delayed maintenance is also considered. The study uses optimization techniques to find the optimal maintenance time windows and also derive useful insights.

Apart from finding the optimal time window for the maintenance activities the study also shows that opportunistic maintenance is beneficial provided the opportunistic reward is significantly large; the cost of conducting scheduled maintenance in the pre-determined slot is significantly large. Similarly, the opportunistic maintenance may not be beneficial if the pre-mature equipment parts replacement cost is significantly high. The optimal opportunistic maintenance time is increasing function of Weibull failure rate parameter “beta” and decreasing function of Weibull failure rate parameter “theta.” In the case of optimal delayed maintenance time, these relationships reverse.

To the best of our knowledge, very few studies exist that have used mission reliability to study opportunistic maintenance or considered the different cost trade-offs comprehensively.

Supply chain finance (SCF) has become a vital ingredient that fosters growth and provides flexibility to the global supply chain. Thus, it becomes essential to understand the factors that contribute to the success of the supply chain finance ecosystem (SCFE). This study aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for the development of an efficient and effective SCFE. Based on their characteristics, the study intends to classify the factors into constructs and further establish a hierarchical relationship among the CSFs.

The study is based on empirical data collected from 221 respondents based on administered questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is carried out on 16 selected factors (out of 21 proposed factors) based on the feedback of the experts and the factors were classified into four constructs. The total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) model was developed by identifying and finalizing CSFs of the SCFE. The model developed a hierarchical relationship between the various factors.

The study identified significant CSFs for the efficient and effective SCF ecosystem. Four constructs were developed by analyzing CSFs using the EFA. The finalized 16 CSFs modeled through the TISM and further hierarchical relationship established between the CSFs concludes that governmental policies and sectoral growth are the strongest driving forces and financial attractiveness is the weakest driving force. Based on the CSFs and the constructs identified, it was found that for the success of the SCF ecosystem, the existence of an economic ecosystem provides a facilitating framework for the overall development of the SCFE. Also, the trustworthiness among the partners fosters better relationships and results in financial feasibility and offers business opportunities for all the stakeholders.

This study will help the SCF partners across the globe understand the CSFs that ensure development of mutually beneficial SCF ecosystems and provide flexibility to the supply chain partners. The CSFs would provide insights to the policymakers and the financial intermediaries for providing a conducive environment for the development of a better SCF ecosystem. Also, the buyers and sellers would understand the CSFs that would develop better relationships among them and ultimately help in development of business across the globe.

The study identifies the CSFs for the SCF ecosystem. The study ascertains the significant factors and classifies them into clusters using EFA. Unlike the literature available, the paper develops the hierarchical relationship between the CSFs and develops a model for an efficient and effective SCF ecosystem.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between bank policy-related practices and green financing sustainability in Pakistan. The study uses a mediating-moderation analysis to examine how the influence of bank policies on green financing sustainability is mediated by green banking activities and moderated by the employees’ green value and green knowledge sharing.

In this study, a structural questionnaire was used to gather data from Pakistani bank personnel through stratified sampling. A two-stage structural equation modelling approach was used in this investigation. The measuring scale’s validity and reliability are assessed using the measure model. A structural model was used to ascertain the connection between the underpinning constructs.

This study found a positive significant effect on bank employed related practices on green banking activities, besides the mediate role of green banking activities between the bank policies-related practices and green financing. In addition, this study also found the moderating role of employees’ green value and green knowledge sharing on the relationship of bank policies-related practices and green banking activities as well as green banking activities and green financing, respectively.

As environmental sustainability becomes more and more important on a worldwide scale; the study looks into the ways that financial institutions may become more environmentally conscious and help create a more sustainable future. To shed light on the ways in which financial institutions can be crucial in advancing green sustainability in an emerging economy such as Pakistan, this study used sophisticated statistical tools.