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The purpose of this paper was to analyse the research trends on the Indian Open and Distance Education (ODE) system as reflected in the articles published in the prominent journals of distance education across the world.

A study was undertaken to review the research articles on ODE in India published in 11 prominent peer-reviewed journals of distance education during the period 2010–2019. Content analysis was done to find out areas of research undertaken in the ODE of India based on a validated classification of research areas; types of research studies conducted; and authorship and publication patterns.

Out of a total of 2,571 articles published in 11 selected journals, only 191 (7.42%) pertained to ODE in India. The majority of these 191 articles (68.42%) were published in Indian journals. The Indian and Asian journals together accounted for 93.55% of total articles. Globally, the share of articles on the Indian ODE system was significantly low ranging between 4.27 and a maximum of 10.77%, which was much below expectations from a country having the maximum number of ODE learners in the world. Results further revealed that 63% of the contributors to research on ODE in India were affiliated to Indira Gandhi National Open University.

The limitation of this study was only analysing the research articles published in journals of distance education and other types of articles, namely, book reviews, editorials, field notes and workshop reports were excluded from the analysis.

The study is intended to help researchers, policymakers, and open and distance education institutions to draw a roadmap for the promotion and conduct of system-based research, which would be vital for strengthening the system.

The quantum of research is not proportionate to the number of faculty members working in the ODE system of India and the large number of learners that it serves, which is a matter of concern. For any system to grow its periodic systemic review is essential. The research outcomes need to be ploughed back into the system for its betterment.

The study is original. There is no such study undertaken till date. This study will be extremely useful to researchers, as the gaps in distance education research which are yet to be addressed, have been identified by the authors.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/09600039210015338. When citing the article, please cite: Kant Rao, Alan J. Stenger, Haw-Jan Wu, (1992), “Integrating the Use of Computers in Logistics Education”, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 22 Iss: 2, pp. 3 - 15.

Increasing traffic congestion in many parts of the world threatens to disrupt the reliable transport performance required for effective implementation of just‐in‐time logistics. An analytical framework for examining the effects of congestion on logistics performance is presented and mitigating options are suggested. The increasing problem of congestion is discussed and a general model is proposed with which its effects on time‐sensitive logistics networks might be analysed. Utilising this model and supporting data from a Chicago‐area transport study, a numerical example calculating the “costs of congestion” for one component is developed and presented. Finally, some extensions of the base framework are proposed and discussed. These include using joint probability theory to examine the effects of multiple components and multiple suppliers and examining the expected benefits of some mitigating actions such as pooled deliveries and consolidation.

Examines the impact of increased truck weight limits on the inland movement of ocean containers in the US. Considers six major inland lanes, 12 combinations of cargo density and shipment size, and eight transport options. Shows that transloading from ocean containers to either domestic containers or dry vans becomes economically more attractive if truck weight limits are increased in accordance with a proposed bridge weight formula. Gross savings to shippers from transloading range from 5 to 44 per cent depending on the lane and commodity type involved.

An integrated paradigm of using multiple software programs in logistics education is proposed as an effective problem‐solving tool in addition to computer programming and spreadsheet modelling. Presents the essentials of logistics systems management and how each software program can be used individually and jointly to address logistics issues in detail. In the integrated paradigm, a Lotus 123 spreadsheet program is used as an integrator which works together with other software to facilitate student learning and to aid better decision making process. In‐class surveys show that the proposed approach is both effective and efficient in terms of getting the right results in less time. The approach is also realistic because the mixed mainframe and microcomputer operating environment and multiple software programs are being used by the business community.

Explores the attitude of shippers and service providers towards outsourcing of logistics functions performed within large multinational, manufacturing companies engaged in global trade and presents a model describing the factors which influence the outsourcing decisions. Indicates that five key factors influence the outsourcing decision: centrality of the logistics functions to the firm′s core competency; risk liability and control; cost/service tradeoffs in operations; information and communications systems; and market relationships. Discusses several drivers, involving product, process and network complexities, which govern these factors.

Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.

This paper attempts to evaluate the transverse stresses that are generated within the interface between two layers of laminated composite and sandwich laminates by using Cℴ finite element formulation of higher‐order theories. These theories do not require the use of a fictitious shear correction coefficient which is usually associated with the first‐order Reissner‐Mindlin theory. The in‐plane stresses are evaluated by using constitutive relations. The transverse stresses are evaluated through the use of equilibrium equations. The integration of the equilibrium equations is attempted through forward and central direct finite difference techniques and a new approach, named as, an exact surface fitting method. Sixteen and nine‐noded quadrilateral Lagrangian elements are used. The numerical results obtained by the present approaches in general and the exact surface fitting method in particular, show excellent agreement with available elasticity solutions. New results for symmetric sandwich laminates are also presented for future comparisons.

To assess the state of supply chain management (SCM) research in India and to understand the research trends and methodologies used. The present study also aims to create a taxonomy of the subject areas researched in India.

The present study employed the systematic literature review methodology. Literature from 395 peer journal papers in 67 leading journals over a 20-year period (2000–2020 Quarter-1) was comprehensively reviewed and assessed.

SCM research in India started around the year 2000. The quantum of research was low (single digit) until 2010. There has been steady growth over the last decade, and over 50% of the total papers up until now has been published in the last four years. The present study created a three-tiered taxonomy of the subject areas and classified the papers as per it. The first tier (level-1) has seven categories (SCM strategy, network design, SCM processes and integration, IT systems, skills, performance measurement and others). A perusal of the newly created taxonomy revealed that, except for a few areas under level-1 categories (such as SCM processes and SCM strategy), the other level-1 categories have not seen much research. Similarly, there is little or no research in a large number of level-2 categories (such as outsourcing strategy, channel strategy, demand management, demand fulfillment, customer relationship management, integrated supply chain planning, new product development, returns, supply chain orientation, performance monitoring, performance improvement, SCM adoption process, SCM implementation issues and quantified benefits of SCM). Methodologically, the rigor of SCM research in India needs improvement.

A comprehensive taxonomy of SCM subject areas researched in India at three cascading levels was created for the first time in the present study. The taxonomy will help provide researchers with a clear understanding of the structure of the subject areas and help in identifying areas where research has been carried out and the subject areas where gaps exist for future research to proceed. The present study also provides an overview of the methodological rigor of SCM research in India and points out some of the limitations that researchers should avoid in future studies.

A unified approach is presented for the pseudo‐transient (static) linear and geometrically non‐linear analyses of composite laminates. A finite element idealization with a four‐noded linear and a nine‐noded quadrilateral isoparametric elements, both belonging to the Lagrangian family are used in space discretization. An explicit time marching scheme is employed for time integration of the resulting discrete ordinary differential equations with the special forms of diagonal fictitious mass and/or damping matrices. The accuracy of the formulation is then established by comparing the presnt pseudo‐transient analysis results with the present static Newton‐Raphson method results and other available analytical closed‐form two dimensional and finite element solutions. The usefulness and effectiveness of this approach is established by comparing computational time required by this approach and Newton‐Raphson's approach.