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This chapter provides an overview of the explanations and factors affecting dividend policy. This study employs a systematic literature review approach to review a large sample of studies related to the dividend puzzle. Although the analysis reveals mixed evidence involving the theories and determinants of dividend policy, some determinants appear in numerous studies. However, no consensus exists on an optimal dividend to resolve the dividend puzzle, and the authors propose a model to deal with the same. When examining dividend policy, researchers should consider the firm, market, behavior, and other determinants. When making significant dividend or stock decisions, managers and shareholders should also contemplate the factors, interactions, inadequacies, and consequences. Future researchers should strive to take a more comprehensive view when resolving the dividend puzzle. This study provides a current and complete picture of dividend policy's available theories and empirical determinants. Its significant contribution is identifying some of the more consistently essential determinants of dividend policy while proposing a holistic model to address the prevailing dividend dilemma.

The dividend payout behaviour of firms is a well‐studied subject in finance. In recent times, the influence of macro economic factors and understanding their implications far corporate financial decisions has assumed significant importance. The objective of this paper is to study the dividend payout behaviour of firms in India under monetary policy restrictions. Monetary policy restrictions are expected to affect the availability and cost of external fund relative to internal funds. The hypothesis is that during monetary policy restrictions the dividend payout policy changes and payouts reduce.

The Lintner framework is extended to examine the impact of these restrictions on the dividend payout. Balanced panel data of 571 firms for years are used, from 1989 to 1997 together with, the GMM estimator, which is the most suitable methodology in a dynamic setting.

The results show that Indian firms have lower target ratios and higher adjustment factors. The finding suggests that the restricted monetary policies have a significant influence on the dividend payout behaviour of Indian firms; they cause about a 5‐6 per cent reduction in the payout ratios.

The findings of this paper suggest that macro‐economic policies do have an impact on corporate financing decisions. The future research should examine the impact of various other macro‐economic policies and its components on the corporate financing decisions of firms.

The significance of the macro economic policy variables suggests that monetary policy restrictions do have an impact on the cost of raising funds, and the information asymmetry between lenders and borrowers increases, which forces companies to reduce their dividend payout.

To one's knowledge this is the first study providing evidence of the restricted monetary policy constraining the dividend payout policies of firms in India.

The purpose of this paper is to present elastic buckling behaviour of simply supported and clamped thin rectangular isotropic plates having central circular cutouts subjected to uniaxial partial edge compression. Analysis is carried out for four different kinds of partial edge compression and it is extended to study the effect of aspect ratio of plate on buckling load.

A finite element method technique is used in the current work to solve the buckling problem of plate using eight node quadrilateral element and plate kinematics based on first order shear deformation theory. Results obtained from finite element analysis are first validated for isotropic square plates, without cutouts, subjected to uniaxial partial edge compression with some earlier published literature.

From the current work it is concluded that the buckling strength of square plates is highly influenced by partial edge compression, as compared to plate subjected to uniform edge compression; but with increase in aspect ratio, influence of partial edge compression on plate buckling load decreases.

This paper usefully shows how partial edge compression of plates affects the buckling strength of plate having circular cutouts. Generally, simply supported plates subjected uniaxial partial edge compression of Type I and Type III are found to be stronger than plates subjected to partial edge compression Type II and Type IV, respectively.

The purpose of this paper is to implement coating system by varying the amount of nano-sized titanium dioxide, (nano-TiO₂) combined with various organic binders and to study the coating effects on the performance of solar cell in terms of temperature and efficiency.

Nano-TiO₂ coatings are developed in two types of binder networks; the combination of methyltrimethoxy silane (MTMS) and nitric acid and the combination of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) and MTMS. Overall, the formulations method was cost-effective, produces good transparency, clear and managed to dry at room temperature. The coating mixtures were applied onto the glass substrate by using the dip-coating method and the coated substrate were sent for several characterizations.

This study demonstrated that TiO₂ nanoparticle coating in APTES/MTMS matrix showed a thermal-decreasing result on solar cells, where the cell temperature is reduced to 46.81°C (T₂ coating type) from 55.74°C (without coating) after 1-h exposure under 1,000 W/m² irradiance in a solar simulator. Contrary to prior works where solar cell coatings were reported to reduce the cell temperature at the expense of the cell efficiency, the results from this study reported an improved fill factor (FF) of solar cells. From the photovoltaic (PV) characteristics study, the FF for solar cells is increased by approximately 0.2, i.e. 33.3 per cent, for all coatings compared to the non-coated cell.

Findings will be able to contribute in the development of temperature-reducing and efficiency-enhancing coating for PV panels.

A simple dip-coating method provides an even distribution of TiO₂ nanoparticle coating on the glass panel, which is cost-effective and time-efficient to reduce the temperature of solar cell while maintaining its efficiency.

The ability of nano-TiO₂ coatings with a simple fabrication method and the right solution to reduce the surface temperature of solar cells while improving the FF of the cells.

There is a strong inducement to develop new inorganic materials to substitute the current industrial pigments, which are known for their poor ultraviolet absorbent and low photoluminescence (PL) properties. The purpose of this paper is to invent a better rare-earth-based pigment material as a spectral modifier with good luminescence properties to enhance the spectral response for photovoltaic panel application.

Different phosphor samples made of nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) with varied wt.% of the dopant Dysprosium doped calcium borophosphate (CBP/Dy) as (W0 – 0%, W1 – 3,85%, W2 – 7.41%, W3 –10.71% and W4 –13.79%) were prepared via the solid-state diffusion method at 600 °C for 6 h using a muffle furnace. The structural, morphological and luminescence properties of the CaCO₃:CBP/Dy powder samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and PL test.

The XRD, SEM and FTIR results verified the crystalline formation, morphological behaviour and vibration bonds of synthesized CBP/Dy-doped CaCO₃ powder samples. XRD pattern revealed that the synthesized powder samples exhibit crystalline structured materials, and SEM results showed irregular shape and porous-like structured morphologies. FTIR spectrum shows prominent bands at 712, 874 and 1,404 cm⁻¹, corresponding to asymmetric stretching vibrations of CO3²⁻ groups and out-of-plane bending. PL characterization of CBP/Dy-doped CaCO₃ (sample W) shows emission at 427 nm (λmax) under the excitation of 358 nm. The intensity of PL emission spectra drops due to the concentration quenching effect, while the maximum PL intensity is observed in the W3 phosphor powder system.

This phosphor powder is expected to find out the potential application such as a spectral modifier which is applied to match the energy of photons with solar cell bandgap to improve spectral absorption and lead to better efficiency.

The introduction of a nano-CaCO₃:CBP/Dy hybrid powder system with good luminescence properties to be used as spectral modifiers for solar cell application has been synthesized in the lab, which is a novel attempt.

This paper aims to develop a good quality pork sandwich spread incorporated with different levels of antioxidant mixture [butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) + butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); 1:1] and to assess sensory, physico-chemical and microbiological properties of frozen product during storage.

Three levels of antioxidant mixture (BHA + BHT; 1:1) i.e. 100, 200 and 400 ppm were tried, and the product was compared for physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory properties along with the control during frozen storage (−18 ± 1°C).

pH and water activity decreased significantly (p < 0.05), whereas water holding capacity, 2-thiobarbituric acid reacting substances value, total plate count and psychrotrophic count increased significantly (p < 0.05) during storage period. No coliform, yeast and molds were detected throughout the study period. There was non-significant (p < 0.05) effect of antioxidant treatment on the scores of colour, texture, juiciness, adhesion ability and spreadability, but scores for flavour and overall acceptability significantly (p < 0.05) increased.

Pork sandwich spread is envisaged to help in providing nutrition to a large section of needy population and will add a new dimension to the convenience foods.

Antioxidant mixture (BHA + BHT, 1:1) treatment improved the sensory and microbiological properties of pork sandwich spread at frozen storage (−18 ± 1°C). At the end of storage period (60 days), the pork sandwich spread was found safe for human consumption. Hence, BHA and BHT antioxidant mixture could be used to improve quality attributes of meat products during storage.

Serpentine is usually added into the lubricant oil to form a self-repairing protective layer on worn ferrous surface. But few works have paid close attention to the preparation of composites with the addition of serpentine. In this work, serpentine reinforced Al matrix composites were successfully prepared to be industrial lubrication components. And its fabricating parameters, compressive strength and tribological properties were analyzed.

An MM-W1 three-pin-on-disk apparatus was used to investigate the tribological properties. The worn surface, microstructure and cross-sectional morphologies were characterized by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The compression test was carried out on a universal testing machine. An X-ray diffractometer was used to investigate the phase constitutions. The decomposition temperature of serpentine powders was investigated by a thermal analyzer, which allows simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. With the help of finite element method model, a diagrammatic model of the self-repairing surface layer was developed to analyze the anti-friction mechanism.

Through evaluating density and Brinell hardness, sintering at 560°C for 3 h are the appropriate parameters for fabricating the composites. Compressive strength was increased by the addition of serpentine. A self-repairing surface layer was formed, reducing the friction coefficient. And a diagrammatic model of the self-repairing surface layer was developed to analyze the anti-friction mechanism.

Serpentine was added in fabricating the Al matrix composites for the first time. Sintering parameters were optimized to make better Al/Si/serpentine composites. Compressive strength was increased by the addition of serpentine. A self-repairing surface layer was formed, reducing the friction coefficient under the dry sliding condition. And a diagrammatic model of the self-repairing surface layer was developed to analyze the anti-friction mechanism. It is hoped to be helpful in further confirming the factors for the formation of the self-repairing surface layer, and in designing a new industrial anti-friction composite used for dry sliding conditions.

This study aims to comprehensively analyse the implementation and effectiveness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies within the context of the Indian coal mining sector. Furthermore, it investigates the alignment between CSR initiatives and the unique challenges faced by the coal mining sector and examines the outcomes and impacts of these initiatives on the employees of the sector and their perspective on the situation.

This study adopts a comprehensive qualitative research method, including a review of the literature, case studies and stakeholder interviews. This study seeks to deconstruct the application of CSR policies.

The analysis developed a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding CSR policies in the Indian coal mining sector, offering insights into strategies for enhancing the effectiveness and relevance of these initiatives while fostering sustainable development.

This study reveals a rich tapestry of theoretical implications and how they connect to important organisational and societal paradigms. The results of this qualitative analysis can work as a foundation for creating scales to measure the level of efficiency of CSR policies implemented by different companies. Furthermore, this study goes beyond theoretical knowledge and gives companies, regulators and communities information they can use. By looking at how CSR policies work in the real world, a road map for responsible resource extraction and community growth can be made.

The findings are unique in exploring the CSR initiatives and the unique challenges faced by the coal mining sector. This study offers insight on the employees of the sector and their perspectives on the situation and delves into the multifaceted dimensions of CSR practices.

The purpose of the paper is to depict a study on analysis of barriers to lean adoption in fabrication industry using interpretive structural modelling (ISM).

From the literature review, 22 barriers to lean adoption in fabrication industry have been recognized . Self-structure interaction matrix has been developed based on expert opinion. Computational steps of ISM are being done to develop the structural model. cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis is being done to group the barriers into four types.

Based on the study, it has been found that “lack of knowledge about lean (philosophy, principles, tools)”, “lack of top management support and commitment” and “poor leadership” are found to be the principal barriers. MICMAC analysis indicated that number of driving, dependent, linkage and autonomous barriers are 9, 8, 4 and 1, respectively.

The study has been executed based on the inputs from industrial practitioners and hence the inferences are found to have practical relevance.

The study is an attempt to analyze the barriers for lean concepts adoption in fabrication kind of industry.