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1 – 10 of 74Sajad Pirsa and Fahime Purghorbani
In this study, an attempt has been made to collect the research that has been done on the construction and design of the H2O2 sensor. So far, many efforts have been made to…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, an attempt has been made to collect the research that has been done on the construction and design of the H2O2 sensor. So far, many efforts have been made to quickly and sensitively determine H2O2 concentration based on different analytical principles. In this study, the importance of H2O2, its applications in various industries, especially the food industry, and the importance of measuring it with different techniques, especially portable sensors and on-site analysis, have been investigated and studied.
Design/methodology/approach
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a very simple molecule in nature, but due to its strong oxidizing and reducing properties, it has been widely used in the pharmaceutical, medical, environmental, mining, textile, paper, food production and chemical industries. Sensitive, rapid and continuous detection of H2O2 is of great importance in many systems for product quality control, health care, medical diagnostics, food safety and environmental protection.
Findings
Various methods have been developed and applied for the analysis of H2O2, such as fluorescence, colorimetry and electrochemistry, among them, the electrochemical technique due to its advantages in simple instrumentation, easy miniaturization, sensitivity and selectivity.
Originality/value
Monitoring the H2O2 concentration level is of practical importance for academic and industrial purposes. Edible oils are prone to oxidation during processing and storage, which may adversely affect oil quality and human health. Determination of peroxide value (PV) of edible oils is essential because PV is one of the most common quality parameters for monitoring lipid oxidation and oil quality control. The development of cheap, simple, fast, sensitive and selective H2O2 sensors is essential.
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Vardhan Mahesh Choubey, Prasad Vasant Joshi and Yashomandira Pravin Kharde
This case study would help students in understanding the dynamics of logistics and logistics vendor roles and contributions to overall business operations. The case study covers…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
This case study would help students in understanding the dynamics of logistics and logistics vendor roles and contributions to overall business operations. The case study covers real-time information for applying the theoretical knowledge students gain related to the selection of logistics vendor. It would help students to understand and evaluate the dynamics of a new start-up related to cost, profits and dependency; understand and analyze the importance of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers in the supply chain; become aware of the key performance indicators (KPIs) important in the selection of logistics vendor; and develop and create measures for selecting logistics vendors on the basis of KPIs.
Case overview/synopsis
This case study was about an innovative start-up operating in the field of organic edible oils. The company catered to end consumers with its indigenous technology and processes. The innovative and healthy products were appreciated by the consumers, as was reflected in the surging demand figures. With the increasing popularity of organic products, the orders were surging. At the same time, issues such as damaged product delivery, increased cost per delivery of small packages and failure to deliver because of unserved pin codes by their logistics partners were being faced by the company. The case discusses the dilemma faced by the protagonist regarding the selection of the right 3PL partner. The case study is suitable for teaching courses in operations and logistics, supply chain management and entrepreneurship-related courses.
Complexity academic level
This case study is appropriate for postgraduate courses in entrepreneurship, operations management, logistics and supply chain management and general management.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS9: Operations and logistics.
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Carolina Nicolas and Valeska V. Geldres-Weiss
This study aimed to identify research trends and topics in sustainability assessment in the food sector within the scope of economics, business and management research.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to identify research trends and topics in sustainability assessment in the food sector within the scope of economics, business and management research.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis by applying a rigid and systematic research protocol, employing bibliometric techniques and a keyword co-occurrence network. Further, the Visualization of Similarities viewer software was used to analyse publications between 1994 and 2021.
Findings
The knowledge trends regarding “sustainability assessment” in the research area of business economics demonstrated a notable evolution of the topics analysed, ranging from indicators and policy analyses in agriculture and fishery sectors, to the topic of sustainability life cycle assessment (LCA) and management systems. In business and management research areas, the main theoretical frameworks used for sustainability assessment in the food sector included the triple-bottom line (TBL) and the LCA, and the main research topics were food chain logistics, bio-based products, retailers, consumption patterns and crop-based biodiesel options.
Research limitations/implications
This study employed only the WoS database and future studies could incorporate other scientific databases. Regarding future research, more emphasis could be laid on food retailers given their prevalence as demonstrated by the study and past research.
Practical implications
The findings can help all participants in the food global value chain to make better decisions to guide their sustainability efforts and assessment. Moreover, this research reveals that companies need to be actively engaged with their stakeholders and pay special attention to consumer patterns and perceptions.
Originality/value
The bibliometric research focus on business and management research areas using the Web of Sciences categories, starting from the research area of business economics to the analysis of the food sector's sustainability assessment.
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Hadi Yahya Saleh Mareeh, Adhita Sri Prabakusuma, Mohammad Delwar Hussain, Ataul Karim Patwary, Akmalhon Dedahujaev and Rami Abdullah Aleryani
The agriculture industry has a considerable impact on Malaysia’s economy, as seen by its contribution of roughly 8.2% of gross domestic product in 2018 and its potential to absorb…
Abstract
Purpose
The agriculture industry has a considerable impact on Malaysia’s economy, as seen by its contribution of roughly 8.2% of gross domestic product in 2018 and its potential to absorb 11.09% of Malaysian labor in the same year. This study aims to simulate rising output in a system model of sustainable and profitable crude palm oil (CPO) supply chain management (SCM) and to formulate policy solutions to build sustainable and profitable SCM of Malaysian CPO.
Design/methodology/approach
This research included both primary and secondary data. This study used the dynamic system model to simulate palm oil land expansion, replanting policies and environmentally friendly growing techniques.
Findings
This study’s findings suggest that the dynamic system model of Malaysia’s CPO’s sustainable and profitable SCM is valid when its structure and performance are tested. The fifth scenario provides the best results, with the most significant net benefit value compared to the other scenarios.
Originality/value
The ideal policy alternative is replanting sustainable agricultural practices without burning technologies during new land clearing to achieve the best net advantages.
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Veronica Marozzo, Alessandra Costa, Antonio Crupi and Tindara Abbate
This study aims to examine the most influential drivers, both product-specific and consumer-specific, affecting Asian consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for organic olive oil.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the most influential drivers, both product-specific and consumer-specific, affecting Asian consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for organic olive oil.
Design/methodology/approach
To individuate the most influential drivers of WTP for organic products and to assess their effect, in terms of configurational paths and consumer profiles, this study sequentially employs explorative factor analysis approach and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method. The survey is carried out in different areas of Asia (e.g. Pakistan, Vietnam and China).
Findings
The results suggest that Asian consumers' WTP for organic products is described by consumer-specific drivers (gender, occupation and household size) as well as product-specific drivers (product authenticity and sustainability, consumer ethnocentrism and food fraud risk perception).
Originality/value
The findings of the study permit the identification of different drivers that move consumers' WTP for organic olive oil. The study contributes to setting the ground for companies to propose and implement efficacious marketing strategies for organic olive oil in importing countries, such as Asia.
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What started as a FMCG distributor in 1967 in Kenya as Export Finance Company, is now a dynamic global conglomerate across 48 countries and 5 continents — Export Trading Group…
Abstract
What started as a FMCG distributor in 1967 in Kenya as Export Finance Company, is now a dynamic global conglomerate across 48 countries and 5 continents — Export Trading Group. ETG was taken over by the then CFO Mahesh Patel after exit of the founding stakeholders. It was then when the company shifted its focus to being a key regional player. In the next 35 years, the company grew systematically. Business focus evolved when Patel saw an opportunity in logistics in remote sub-Saharan Africa. This was followed by business expansion with supply chain diversification and significant infrastructure investments. All the different businesses amalgamated under a single group for better operations and ease of scaling up. They were later divided into six separate verticals for better management. Vamara (FMCG vertical) was launched in 2018 as the company moved towards digitalisation — externally and internally. ETG plans to focus on new business opportunities and continue to diversify across geographies and portfolios.
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Sifeng Liu, Ningning Lu, Zhongju Shang and R.M. Kapila Tharanga Rathnayaka
The purpose of this paper is to explore a new approach to solve the problem of positive and negative offset in the calculation process of integral elements, then propose a series…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore a new approach to solve the problem of positive and negative offset in the calculation process of integral elements, then propose a series of new grey relational degree model for cross sequences.
Design/methodology/approach
The definitions of cross sequences and area elements have been proposed at first. Then the concept of difference degree between sequences has been put forward. Based on the definition of difference degree between sequences, various modified grey relational degree models for cross sequences have been proposed to solve the measurement problem of cross sequence correlation relationships.
Findings
(1) The new definition of cross sequences; (2) The area element; (3) Various modified grey relational degree models for cross sequences based on the definition of difference degree between sequences.
Practical implications
The grey relational analysis model of cross sequences is a difficult problem in grey relational analysis. The new model proposed in this article can effectively avoid the calculation deviation of grey relational analysis model for cross sequences, and reasonably measure the correlation between cross sequences. The new model was used to analyse the food consumer price index in Shaanxi Province, clarifying the relationship between different types of food consumer price indices, some interesting results that are not completely consistent with general economic theory were obtained.
Originality/value
The new definition of cross sequences, the area element and various modified grey relational degree models for cross sequences were proposed.
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Munir Ahmed, Muhammad Shakaib and Mubashir Ali Siddiqui
Combustion of fuel with oxidizer inside a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine forms inevitable oxides of nitrogen (NOx) due to high temperature at different…
Abstract
Purpose
Combustion of fuel with oxidizer inside a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine forms inevitable oxides of nitrogen (NOx) due to high temperature at different locations of the combustion chamber. This study aims to quantify NOx formed inside the combustion chamber using two fuels, a conventional diesel (n-heptane) and a biodiesel (methyl oleate).
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a computational fluid dynamics simulation of chemically reacting fluid flow to quantify and compare oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in a compression ignition (CI) engine. The study expends species transport model of ANSYS FLUENT. The simulation model has provided the temperature profile inside the combustion chamber, which is subsequently used to calculate NOx using the NOx model. The simulation uses a single component hydrocarbon and oxygenated hydrocarbon to represent fuels; for instance, it uses n-heptane (C7H16) for diesel and methyl-oleate (C19H36O2) for biodiesel. A stoichiometric air–fuel mixture is used for both fuels. The simulation runs a single cylinder CI engine of 650 cm3 swept volume with inlet and exhaust valves closed.
Findings
The pattern for variation of velocity, an important flow parameter, which affects combustion and subsequently oxides of nitrogen (NOx) formation at different piston locations, is similar for the two fuels. The variations of in-cylinder temperature and NOx formation with crank angles have similar patterns for the fuels, diesel and biodiesel. However, the numerical values of in-cylinder temperature and mass fraction of NOx are different. The volume averaged static peak temperatures are 1,013 K in case of diesel and 1,121 K in case of biodiesel, while the mass averaged mass fractions of NOx are 15 ppm for diesel and 141 ppm for biodiesel. The temperature rise after combustion is more in case of biodiesel, which augments the oxides of nitrogen formation. A new parameter, relative mass fraction of NOx, yields 28% lower value for biodiesel than for diesel.
Originality/value
This work uses a new concept of simulating simple chemical reacting system model to quantify oxides of NOx using single component fuels. Simplification has captured required fluid flow data to analyse NOx emission from CI engine while reducing computational time and expensive experimental tests.
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Yuanhong Hu, Feifei Huang, Pengling Liu and Shuyu Zhang
As China’s industrial structure continues to upgrade and optimize, the consumption capacity of rural residents gradually improves and the role of consumption in economic growth is…
Abstract
Purpose
As China’s industrial structure continues to upgrade and optimize, the consumption capacity of rural residents gradually improves and the role of consumption in economic growth is increasingly prominent. Against the background of weak external demand, the untapped potential of rural consumption has become a key force in expanding domestic demand. As one of the important means that the government has long relied on, fiscal support for agriculture has played a crucial role in activating the rural consumer market. This manuscript aims to explore the impact of local fiscal support for agricultural expenditure (FSAE) on rural consumption in China, as well as to examine the mediating role of the level of rural financial development.
Design/methodology/approach
In this manuscript, the authors use the provincial panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2000 to 2020. The data of all variables mainly come from China Statistical Yearbook and China Rural Statistical Yearbook. According to the variable selection above, 651 sample data of 31 provinces and cities across China from 2000 to 2020 are organized. In terms of methodology, multiple fixed-effects panel model is applied to regression.
Findings
Firstly, FSAE varies significantly, while rural consumption slowly but steadily rises, with a relatively stable consumption structure. Secondly, FSAE has a significant positive effect on rural consumption. Thirdly, mediation testing indicates that mechanisms such as income, uncertainty and financial development have significant positive mediating effects on rural consumption. Thirdly, there is evident regional heterogeneity in FSAE’s impact on rural consumption. The Western regions, under government fiscal support, show a more significant effect on the elevation of rural consumption levels, while the role of FSAE in optimizing the consumption structure of rural residents in eastern and central regions is more pronounced.
Originality/value
Firstly, a systematic examination of local FSAE and rural consumption has been conducted, enriching relevant theories. Secondly, utilizing econometric empirical methods to research the relationship between local FSAE and rural consumption provides an exploratory extension to empirical studies on rural consumption in China. This offers empirical evidence for local fiscal support in agricultural development and the promotion of rural consumption.
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Sanju Kaladharan, M. Dhanya and G. Rejikumar
Eat Right India (ERI) is a flagship initiative by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to transform the food system to ensure sustainable, safe and healthy food for…
Abstract
Purpose
Eat Right India (ERI) is a flagship initiative by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to transform the food system to ensure sustainable, safe and healthy food for all. The study summarizes the strategies, policies and programs using the NOURISHING framework.
Design/methodology/approach
This study identifies and reviews documents related to ERI through a comprehensive search of research literature, policy documents and information available from the institutional websites. The NOURISHING framework, which proposes a methodology to categorize, report and monitor actions to promote healthy eating, is used as a guiding framework.
Findings
Upon analyzing various strategies put forward by the ERI initiative, it was found that there are many inter-sectoral collaborations, successful institutionalizations and behavioral interventions implemented through the initiative. However, there are a few areas that require attention, which include health taxation, children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing, regulations in food advertisements and the incentivization of retailers and consumers for healthy food delivery and consumption. There is a need for a holistic approach with a congruence of health and food systems in the backdrop of a strong and efficient policy and regulatory framework to tackle the threat of Non-communicable diseases (NCD).
Originality/value
This article contributes to a significant discussion about transforming food systems to tackle (NCDs). It summarizes the existing initiatives in India for establishing healthy food environments and also suggests a few strategies for taking it forward. The study calls the policymakers to action for restructuring the food and health system into resilient, contextually relevant and interoperable mechanisms to address the threat of NCDs.
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