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1 – 10 of 23Soheil Oveissi, Davood Toghraie, S. Ali Eftekhari and Ali J. Chamkha
This study aims to study the transverse vibration and instabilities of the fluid-conveying single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). To this purpose, the Euler–Bernoulli beam model…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to study the transverse vibration and instabilities of the fluid-conveying single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). To this purpose, the Euler–Bernoulli beam model is used. Also, the surface effects, small-size effects of the both fluid and structure and two different elastic mediums viscoelastic and Pasternak elastic are investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
To consider the nano-scale for the CNT, the strain-inertia gradient theory is used and to solve the governing equation of motion for the system, the Galerkin’s method is used. The effect of the flow velocity, aspect ratio, characteristic lengths of the mentioned theory, effects of Knudsen number and effects of the Winkler, the Pasternak elastic and the viscoelastic medium on the frequencies and stabilities of the system are studied. The effects of the above parameters on the vibrational behavior are investigated both separately and simultaneously.
Findings
The results show that the critical flow velocity value is increased as the aspect ratio, characteristic lengths, Winkler modulus, shear and damping factors increase. Also, the critical flow velocity is increased by considering the surface effects. In addition, the consequence of increase in the nano-flow-size effects (Knudsen number) is decreasing the critical flow velocity. Moreover, it can be observed that the effect of the shear factor on increasing the critical flow velocity is different from the rest of parameters.
Originality/value
Use of Timoshenko and modified couple stress theories and taking into account Von-Karman expressions for investigating the nonlinear vibrations of triple-walled CNTs buried within Pasternak foundation.
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Bijan Mohamadi, S. Ali Eftekhari and Davood Toghraie
The purpose of this paper is to investigate nonlinear vibrations of triple-walled carbon nanotubes buried within Pasternak foundation carrying viscous fluids.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate nonlinear vibrations of triple-walled carbon nanotubes buried within Pasternak foundation carrying viscous fluids.
Design/methodology/approach
Considering the geometry of nanotubes, the governing equations were initially derived using Timoshenko and modified couple stress theories and by taking into account Von-Karman expressions. Then, by determining boundary conditions, type of fluid motion, Knudsen number and, ultimately, fluid viscosity, the principal equation was solved using differential quadrature method, and linear and nonlinear nanotube frequencies were calculated.
Findings
The results indicated that natural frequency is decreased as the fluid velocity and aspect ratio increase. Moreover, as the aspect ratio is increased, the results converge for simple and fixed support boundary conditions, and the ratio of nonlinear to linear frequencies approaches. Natural frequency of vibrations and critical velocity increase as Pasternak coefficient and characteristic length increase. As indicated by the results, by assuming a non-uniform velocity for the fluid and a slip boundary condition at Kn = 0.05, reductions of 10.714 and 28.714% were observed in the critical velocity, respectively. Moreover, the ratio of nonlinear to linear base frequencies decreases as the Winkler and Pasternak coefficients, maximum deflection of the first wall and characteristic length are increased in couple stress theory.
Originality/value
This paper is a numerical investigation of nonlinear vibration analysis for triple-walled carbon nanotubes conveying viscous fluid.
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Sajjad Shokouhyar, Amirhosein Dehkhodaei and Bahar Amiri
Recently, reverse logistics (RL) has become more prominent due to growing environmental concerns, social responsibility, competitive advantages and high efficiency by customers…
Abstract
Purpose
Recently, reverse logistics (RL) has become more prominent due to growing environmental concerns, social responsibility, competitive advantages and high efficiency by customers because of expansion of product selection and shorter product life cycle. However, effective implementation of RL results in some direct advantages, the most important of which is winning customer satisfaction that is vital to a firm's success. Therefore, paying attention to customer feedback in supply chain (SC) and logistics processes has recently increased, so manufacturers have decided to transform their RL into customer-centric RL. Hence, this paper aims to identify the features of a mobile phone which affect consumers’ purchasing behavior and to analyze the causality and prominence relations among them that can help decision-makers, policy planners and managers of organizations to develop a framework for customer-centric RL. These features are studied based on analysis of product review sites. This paper's special focus is on social media (SM) data (Twitter) in an attempt to help the decision-making process in RL through a big data analysis approach.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper deals with identifying mobile phone features that affect consumer's mobile phone purchasing decisions. Using the DEMATEL approach and using experts' insights, a cause and effect relationship diagram was generated through which the effect of features was analyzed.
Findings
Eighteen features were categorized in terms of cause and effect, and the interrelationships of features were also analyzed. The threshold value is calculated as 0.023, and the values lower than that were eliminated to obtain the digraph. F6 (camera), F13 (price) and F5 (chip) are the most prominent features based on their prominent score. It was also found that the F5 (chip) has the highest driving power (1.228) and acts as a causal feature to influence other features.
Originality/value
The focus of this article is on SM data (Twitter), so that experts can understand the interaction between mobile phone features that affect consumer's decision on mobile phone purchasing by using the results. This study investigates the degree of influence of features on each other and categorizes the features into cause and effect groups. This study is also intended to help organizational decision-makers move toward a reverse customer SC.
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Process orientation, which involves managing organizations based on horizontal end-to-end processes, has been shown to increase the quality of products/services, decrease costs…
Abstract
Purpose
Process orientation, which involves managing organizations based on horizontal end-to-end processes, has been shown to increase the quality of products/services, decrease costs, and make business functions faster and more reliable. However, current process orientation methods are radical and destructive, leading to failure in most cases. The purpose of this paper is to present a non-destructive method of implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
Supporting by literature review and two case studies, this paper presents a new process orientation methodology named as Business Process Rearrangement and Renaming (BPR2).
Findings
The existing process management methodologies mostly aim to provide a comprehensive view on all of the main activities involved in process management and strategic alignment, with insignificant focus on mitigating the risk of failure in their redesign stage. In contrast, every step in the methodology presented in this paper, including the design phase, aim to reduce the risk of failure.
Practical implications
Name is the most communicated characteristic of a department; however, this most communicated characteristic of the departments has always been the most neglected characteristic as well. For the first time in the literature, this paper provides a description on how to use the power of departmental names to promote the main customer values expected from each department.
Originality/value
Added to a detailed guideline on the new process design and process names, this paper presents a new marketing mix model with a process-oriented delegation of authority view, which may be of interest to the marketing researchers and practitioners.
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Nazanin Eftekhari and Peyman Akhavan
The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive IT tools based methodology (CITM) for BPR projects in order to facilitate implementing BPR project by considering relevant…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive IT tools based methodology (CITM) for BPR projects in order to facilitate implementing BPR project by considering relevant IT tools in each phase of the methodology, both approaches (clean slate and analysis of existing processes on details), and failure analysis for diminishing the risk of the BPR project.
Design/methodology/approach
In today's world, corporations need to adjust with the environment changes in order to stay stable in facing market changes. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology in which by considering different aspects for implementing BPR project including IT tools, both BPR approaches, and failure analysis can facilitate BPR project. The proposed methodology's validation was tested by getting the 50 experts' ideas in each phase of the methodology and in a case study at organization and planning department in an IT company.
Findings
The structured methodology developed in this paper contain the two debatable approaches of BPR (clean slate approach as well as analysis of existing processes on details approach). This methodology enables the organization to derive a proper way to implement BPR project in order to its situation. In every phase of this methodology, based on their applications in each specific phase, required softwares and IT tools are proposed. The applicability of methodology was analyzed and confirmed thoroughly by the 50 BPR experts and in a case study at an IT company.
Originality/value
This study provides a comprehensive methodology to consider the gap of the BPR methodologies in their comprehensiveness, use IT tools and softwares and lower the risk of the BPR implementation. In developing the CITM the challenging approaches are considered, the related softwares and IT tools are proposed and failure analysis is done and considered in each phase of the CITM in order to decrease the risk of its implementation.
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Iraj Radad, Hassan Behzadi and Somayeh Zadehrahim
The present research aims to compare information-seeking behaviour of ordinary and elite saffron farmers in Iran.
Abstract
Purpose
The present research aims to compare information-seeking behaviour of ordinary and elite saffron farmers in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consisted of 375 saffron farmers (295 ordinary and 80 elite saffron farmers) selected using the cluster sampling method. Data were collected by a kind of researcher-made questionnaire.
Findings
The results showed saffron onion, pesticides, cultivators and farmland worker were the main components of saffron farmers’ information-seeking behaviour of both groups. The most important sources of information for both groups included reference to past experience, neighbouring saffron farmers, contact with informants and other family members. The main criteria which affected the behaviour of the two groups on the use of information sources were provided information in local language, native people, clear and intelligible information and low cost. Farmers were also confronted with common problems such as lack of attention to the needs of farmers and insufficient number of technical experts. It was also found that there was no significant relationship between information-seeking behaviour of elite and ordinary saffron farmers and their performance.
Originality/value
Saffron is one of the most important agricultural export products in Iran, and this paper is the first research in this subject. The results can help develop information-seeking behaviour of farmers.
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Ali Jamshed, Irfan Ahmad Rana, Masood Ali Khan, Nikhil Agarwal, Ahsan Ali and Mayank Ostwal
The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical framework for community participation in post-disaster resettlement.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical framework for community participation in post-disaster resettlement.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed framework has been tested in two model villages (MVs) of Punjab, Pakistan. Primary data were collected through household surveys, focus group discussions and expert interviews. A survey with 67 households was conducted for obtaining qualitative data regarding community participation in post-disaster resettlement.
Findings
The first MV (Ittehad MV) was resettled by the local NGO, and the second (Basti Meera Mullan) by the provincial government. Results indicate that community participation significantly varied in selected MVs. NGOs have achieved positive realizations due to effective community involvement in resettlement efforts, whereas the governmental approach lacked in proactive community participation.
Practical implications
This framework can be used for other disasters, by refining and incorporating disaster relevant components. This research will be highly useful for disaster managers, private developers and NGOs engaged in resettling disaster-affected population.
Social implications
The proposed framework can help disaster-affected communities to resettle according to their terms. This can only be attained if affected communities will proactively participate in resettlement planning process.
Originality/value
This original framework is exclusively designed to attain sustainability for post-disaster settlement through community participation.
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Madjid Tavana and Vahid Hajipour
Expert systems are computer-based systems that mimic the logical processes of human experts or organizations to give advice in a specific domain of knowledge. Fuzzy expert systems…
Abstract
Purpose
Expert systems are computer-based systems that mimic the logical processes of human experts or organizations to give advice in a specific domain of knowledge. Fuzzy expert systems use fuzzy logic to handle uncertainties generated by imprecise, incomplete and/or vague information. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of the methods and applications in fuzzy expert systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have carefully reviewed 281 journal publications and 149 conference proceedings published over the past 37 years since 1982. The authors grouped the journal publications and conference proceedings separately accordingly to the methods, application domains, tools and inference systems.
Findings
The authors have synthesized the findings and proposed useful suggestions for future research directions. The authors show that the most common use of fuzzy expert systems is in the medical field.
Originality/value
Fuzzy logic can be used to manage uncertainty in expert systems and solve problems that cannot be solved effectively with conventional methods. In this study, the authors present a comprehensive review of the methods and applications in fuzzy expert systems which could be useful for practicing managers developing expert systems under uncertainty.
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Katrina Elizabeth Champion, Emma Louise Barrett, Tim Slade, Maree Teesson and Nicola Clare Newton
Alcohol and cannabis are the two most commonly used substances by young people in many developed nations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the longitudinal relationships…
Abstract
Purpose
Alcohol and cannabis are the two most commonly used substances by young people in many developed nations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the longitudinal relationships between risky substance use (binge drinking and cannabis use) and psychological distress, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and truancy among Australian adolescents.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 527 students (Mage=13.4 years, SD=0.43; 67 per cent female) from seven Australian schools completed an online self-report survey on four occasions over two years (baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months). The survey assessed binge drinking (5+ standard drinks on one occasion), cannabis use in the past six months, psychological distress, emotional and behavioural difficulties (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire), and truancy. Generalised estimating equations (GEEs) were conducted to examine the longitudinal relationship between the substance use outcomes and each predictor variable.
Findings
At baseline, 3 per cent of students reported binge drinking and 6 per cent had used cannabis in the past six months. Rates of binge drinking significantly increased over time (21.1 per cent at 24 months) however, rates of cannabis use remained relatively stable (8.8 per cent at 24 months). Multivariate GEE analyses indicated that higher levels of hyperactivity/inattention, more days of truancy and being female were independently and consistently associated with binge drinking over time. Conduct problems was the only factor to be independently associated with cannabis use over time.
Originality/value
These findings provide valuable information about psychosocial risk factors for harmful alcohol and cannabis use. A better understanding of these associations is critical for informing substance use prevention efforts in the future.
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Ali Jamshed, Irfan Ahmad Rana, Joanna M. McMillan and Joern Birkmann
The extreme flood event of 2010 in Pakistan led to extensive internal displacement of rural communities, resulting in initiatives to resettle the displaced population in model…
Abstract
Purpose
The extreme flood event of 2010 in Pakistan led to extensive internal displacement of rural communities, resulting in initiatives to resettle the displaced population in model villages (MVs). The MV concept is quite new in the context of post-disaster resettlement and its role in building community resilience and well-being has not been explored. This study aims to assess the role of MVs in building the resilience of relocated communities, particularly looking at the differences between those developed by governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Design/methodology/approach
Four MVs, two developed by government and two by NGOs, were selected as case studies in the severely flood-affected province of Punjab, Pakistan. A sample of 145 households from the four MVs was collected using a structured questionnaire to measure improvements in social, economic, physical and environmental domains and to form a final resilience index. Supplementary tools including expert interviews and personal observations were also used.
Findings
The analysis suggests that NGOs are more successful in improving the overall situation of relocated households than government. Core factors that increase the resilience of communities resettled by NGOs are provision of livelihood opportunities, livelihood skill development based on local market demand, training on maintenance and operation of different facilities of the MV and provision of extensive education opportunities, especially for women.
Practical implications
The results of this study can guide policymakers and development planners to overcome existing deficiencies by including the private sector and considerations of socioeconomic development whenever resettling communities.
Originality/value
In resilience discourse, resettlement of communities has been extensively debated based on qualitative arguments. This paper demonstrates an approach to quantify community resilience in a post-disaster resettlement context.
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