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Article
Publication date: 1 July 1991

Frank Safayeni, Lyn Purdy, Ralph van Engelen and Siva Pal

Many companies experience difficulty in implementing Just‐in‐Time(JIT) in their manufacturing system. Based on observations, the articleargues that the problem is partly due to…

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Abstract

Many companies experience difficulty in implementing Just‐in‐Time (JIT) in their manufacturing system. Based on observations, the article argues that the problem is partly due to confusion about JIT and its implications and partly due to a desire to implement JIT within an existing organisational structure. A four‐level classification system is presented as a way of summarising the different degrees of JIT implementation and their difficulties.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 11 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2019

Siva Kumar and Ramesh Anbanandam

Growth in a number of the supply chain (SC) disruptions threatens the enterprises globally. Earlier studies and reports say that many organizations go out of businesses within two…

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Abstract

Purpose

Growth in a number of the supply chain (SC) disruptions threatens the enterprises globally. Earlier studies and reports say that many organizations go out of businesses within two or three years after they experience a major disruption. Therefore, companies in today’s volatile business arena need to possess the necessary resilience level to combat supply china disruptions. This is even more important for organizations of developing nations, which are constantly struggling to gain the advantages of globalization and to grab the new opportunities. Thus, this paper aims to help organizations understand their SC resilience level through a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology comprises integrated Delphi – fuzzy logic approach in identifying formative elements of SC resilience from a diverse resilience related body of knowledge and distinguish key obstacles of SC resilience based on their performance level.

Findings

Findings reveal that SC flexibility components such as sourcing, manufacturing and logistic flexibility are the major contributors of SC resilience index of case organization. Similarly, lack of risk management culture, inter-organizational relationships, information sharing and integration of SC stakeholders are the major inhibitors of resilience. Thus, the organization needs to overcome these identified obstacles to enhance their SC resilience level.

Practical implications

Present study offers a novel focus of research on SC resilience measurement that is significant for understanding the level of immunity enterprises possess to unanticipated SC interruptions, and the ability to bounce back after an unforeseen event.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an integrated Delphi – fuzzy logic framework for measuring SC resilience. In doing so, the study identifies key potential inhibitors of SC resilience of the case company under study.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Siva Reddy Sheri, Chamkha Ali. J. and Anjan Kumar Suram

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the thermal-diffusion and diffusion-thermo effects on magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) natural convective flow through porous medium in a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the thermal-diffusion and diffusion-thermo effects on magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) natural convective flow through porous medium in a rotating system with ramped temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the non-dimensional variables, the flow governing equations along with corresponding initial and boundary conditions have been transformed into non-dimensional form. These non-dimensional partial differential equations are solved by using finite element method. This method is powerful and stable. It provides excellent convergence and flexibility in providing solutions.

Findings

The effects of Soret number, Dufour number, rotation parameter, magnetic parameter, Hall current parameter, permeability parameter, thermal Grashof number, solutal Grashof number, Prandtl number, thermal radiation parameter, heat absorption parameter, Schmidt number, chemical reaction parameter and time on the fluid velocities, temperature and concentration are represented graphically in a significant way and the influence of pertinent flow governing parameters on the skin frictions and Nusselt number are presented in tabular form. On the other hand, a comparison for validation of the numerical code with previously published work is performed, and an excellent agreement is observed for the limited case existing literature.

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for researchers on the subject of MHD flow through porous medium in a rotating system with ramped temperature.

Originality/value

The problem is moderately original, as it contains many effects like thermal-diffusion (Soret) and diffusion-thermo (Dufour) effects and chemical reaction.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 27 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2023

Nausheen Bibi Jaffur, Pratima Jeetah and Gopalakrishnan Kumar

The increasing accumulation of synthetic plastic waste in oceans and landfills, along with the depletion of non-renewable fossil-based resources, has sparked environmental…

Abstract

The increasing accumulation of synthetic plastic waste in oceans and landfills, along with the depletion of non-renewable fossil-based resources, has sparked environmental concerns and prompted the search for environmentally friendly alternatives. Biodegradable plastics derived from lignocellulosic materials are emerging as substitutes for synthetic plastics, offering significant potential to reduce landfill stress and minimise environmental impacts. This study highlights a sustainable and cost-effective solution by utilising agricultural residues and invasive plant materials as carbon substrates for the production of biopolymers, particularly polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), through microbiological processes. Locally sourced residual materials were preferred to reduce transportation costs and ensure accessibility. The selection of suitable residue streams was based on various criteria, including strength properties, cellulose content, low ash and lignin content, affordability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, shelf-life, mechanical and physical properties, short maturation period, antibacterial properties and compatibility with global food security. Life cycle assessments confirm that PHB dramatically lowers CO2 emissions compared to traditional plastics, while the growing use of lignocellulosic biomass in biopolymeric applications offers renewable and readily available resources. Governments worldwide are increasingly inclined to develop comprehensive bioeconomy policies and specialised bioplastics initiatives, driven by customer acceptability and the rising demand for environmentally friendly solutions. The implications of climate change, price volatility in fossil materials, and the imperative to reduce dependence on fossil resources further contribute to the desirability of biopolymers. The study involves fermentation, turbidity measurements, extraction and purification of PHB, and the manufacturing and testing of composite biopolymers using various physical, mechanical and chemical tests.

Details

Innovation, Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83797-462-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Ruhaila Md Kasmani, S. Sivasankaran, M. Bhuvaneswari and Ahmed Kadhim Hussein

The purpose of this study is to investigate the Soret and Dufour effects on the double-diffusive convective boundary layer flow of a nanofluid past a moving wedge in the presence…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the Soret and Dufour effects on the double-diffusive convective boundary layer flow of a nanofluid past a moving wedge in the presence of suction.

Design/methodology/approach

The similarity transformation is applied to convert the governing nonlinear partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. Then, they are solved numerically by the fourth-order Runge–Kutta–Gill method along with the shooting technique and the Newton–Raphson method. In addition, the ordinary differential equations are also analytically solved by the homotopy analysis method.

Findings

The results for dimensionless velocity, temperature, solutal concentration and nanoparticle volume fraction profiles, as well as local skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt and local Sherwood numbers are presented through the plots for various combinations of pertinent parameters involved in the study. The heat transfer rate increases on increasing the Soret parameter and it decreases on increasing the Dufour parameter. The mass transfer behaves oppositely to heat transfer.

Practical implication

In engineering applications, a wedge is used to hold objects in place, such as engine parts in the gate valves. A gate valve is the valve that opens by lifting a wedge-shaped disc to control the timing and quantity of fluid flow into an engine.

Originality/value

No such investigation is available in literature, and therefore, the results obtained are novel.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 27 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 December 2020

Alka Pandita and Ravi Kiran

Our findings show that the academic culture is base for quality teaching and education delivery and it impacts employee experience through employee involvement in decision-making…

Abstract

Purpose

Our findings show that the academic culture is base for quality teaching and education delivery and it impacts employee experience through employee involvement in decision-making and employee engagement demonstrating benefits for universities such as increased employee attraction, higher retention, greater productivity and improved student service. Higher education institutions that offer development opportunities to their faculty are likely to have less turnover than those that do not. Globally tuned curriculum matching the expectation of students one hand and developing a conducive environment for implementing the changes on the other hand is the need of the hour. Branding and student employability needs the focus of policymakers, and it can highly impact the visibility of institute.

Design/methodology/approach

This research has been undertaken to examine the role of critical success factors (CSFs) for augmenting quality of higher education institutes in India. The aspects considered are: branding, employability, employee experience, student experience. The study tries to analyse their impact on overall performance. The results highlight that academic culture mediates between student experience and overall performance. The current research also indicates that academic culture mediates between employee experience and overall performance. Employee experience through academic culture emerges as a strongest predictor of overall performance. Student experience through academic culture emerges as another important predictor of overall performance. Employability was next to follow. The beta values were low for branding. The results highlight that for improving performance Indian higher educational institutes need to focus on branding. Implementing this model will enable educational institutions to focus on these predictors to boost overall performance and equip engineers with requisite skills through academic culture.

Findings

The results show that employee experience is the most importance significant performance indicator to enhance the performance of the engineering institute when academic culture is taken a mediator (Anderson et al., 1994; Owlia and Aspinwall, 1997; Pal Pandi et al., 2016). The direct effect of employee experience (Beta = 0.473) is less in comparison to the indirect effect (beta = 0.518). The student experience is also second important indicator that is very significant for the overall performance, and this level of signification is even more enhanced when academic culture acts as a mediator. On the other hand, employability of students (EM) (Ashok Pandit and Wallack, 2016) and branding (BR) play an important role to influence the overall performance of the HEIs. However, branding has least impact on the performance compared to the other indicators as it has lowest beta value (0.169). This reveals that engineering institutes need to emphasis on developing strategies to improve branding by participating in activities that enhance outreach and visibility of the institutes (Nandi and Chattopadhyay, 2011). The results of the study showed the academic culture acts as critical pathway to reach the performance peak.

Research limitations/implications

Competition is spreading in the higher education sector with widespread consequences, and in order to effectively respond to the pressures, universities have to be able to draw attention and retain their precious human capital. Developing linkages for faculty and student will generate mutually beneficial sustainable outcomes. Institutes preferably be multi-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary and have both teaching and research focus of an exceptionally high quality. Developing diverse programmes and activities targeting at developing quality of mind, ethical standard, social awareness and global perspectives, let the students shape their own experience and growth. Solid linkages with industry to impart a practical dimension to technical training is must, and an effective semester internship in industry is a testimony of project-led teaching. Research excellence and quality teaching are the basis of quality education. Engagement in external collaborations that extend and deepen institution impact through increasing international engagements. In future, empirical studies can also be conducted on the AQAR model by collecting data through questionnaires based on the perception of students, and it can be tested through hypotheses employing R software to determine the extent of implementation of AQAR in EEIs in India.

Practical implications

The results show that employee experience is the most important significant performance indicators to enhance the performance of the engineering institute when academic culture is taken a mediator (Anderson et al., 1994; Owlia and Aspinwall, 1997; Pal Pandi et al., 2016). The direct effect of employee experience (Beta = 0.473) is less in comparison to the indirect effect (beta = 0.518). The student experience is also second important indicator that is very significant for the overall performance, and this level of signification is even more enhanced when academic culture acts as a mediator. On the other hand, employability of students (EM) (Ashok Pandit and Wallack, 2016) and branding (BR) play an important role to influence the overall performance of the HEIs; however branding has least impact on the performance compared to the other indicators as it has lowest beta value (0.169). This reveals that engineering institutes need to emphasis on developing strategies to improve branding by participating in activities that enhance outreach and visibility of the institutes (Nandi and Chattopadhyay, 2011). The results of the study showed the academic culture acts as critical pathway to reach the performance peak.

Originality/value

The results show that student experience is the most importance significant performance indicators to enhance the performance of the engineering institute when academic culture is taken a mediator. The direct effect of student experience (Beta = 0.101) is less in comparison to the indirect effect (beta = 0.412). The employee experience is also second important indicator that is very significant for the overall performance, and this level of signification is even more enhanced when academic culture acts as a mediator. On the other hand, employability of students (EM) (Ashok Pandit and Wallack, 2016) and branding (BR) play an important role to influence the overall performance of the HEIs; however branding has least impact on the performance compared to the other indicators as it has lowest beta value (0.169). This reveals that engineering institutes need to emphasis on developing strategies to improve branding by participating in activities that enhance outreach and visibility of the institutes (Nandi and Chattopadhyay, 2011). The results of the study showed the academic culture acts as critical pathway to reach the performance peak.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 22 August 2014

Rohit Setty

The focus and goal of this chapter is to systematically detail how the “cascade” system is organized and how it operates by coordinating current research. To do so, this chapter…

Abstract

The focus and goal of this chapter is to systematically detail how the “cascade” system is organized and how it operates by coordinating current research. To do so, this chapter first builds an understanding of the historical conditions that forged the “cascade” system, then turns to how the system operates – charting its affordances and limitations through others’ research – and then discusses what opportunities can be leveraged to support teachers’ work. In doing so, this chapter provides relevant information and documentation about the “cascade” system so that readers can understand how this system currently works and what is possible. Two interpretations are made from the analysis of current research. First, the “cascade” is overwrought with voices, and the participants overwhelmed; and second, the “cascade” fosters an untenable view of how people learn and what constitutes teaching. Increasingly, teachers and their education are being widely recognized as central to the fortunes of schoolchildren. In India, a significant amount of attention is being paid to teacher education more than ever before. For example, the recent 5-year planning and operations budget is being touted as the “Teacher Education Plan.” Thus, probing the existing system and its norms and practices is vital to ensuring this attention isn’t frittered away and is put toward helping teachers step up to the challenge of providing all students rich opportunities to learn.

Details

Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2014
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78350-453-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 March 2015

Mohammed Alharbi, Stephen Emmitt and Peter Demian

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a pragmatic definition of architectural management (AM) derived from systematic research.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a pragmatic definition of architectural management (AM) derived from systematic research.

Design/methodology/approach

A triangulated approach to data collection was employed, comprising a number of sequential stages. First, a literature review was carried out to analyse the previous attempts to define the term. Then, a preliminary survey was conducted (online questionnaire) to capture the current interpretations of the term. After that, a new definition was formulated based on analysing and synthesising the collected data. The fourth stage was focused on examining the consistency of the new definition through the perspectives of architectural researchers and practitioners. The final stage was refining the definition based on the feedback.

Findings

After following a pragmatic approach for constructing a new definition of AM; and based on the results of the several testing stages, it was found that AM is associated with the strategic management of the architectural office and its individual projects; and it is responsible for value design and delivery for its adopter and for the different types of stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

Although there was some quantitative testing in addition to the qualitative data the response rate was low in terms of the population of UK architectural practices.

Originality/value

The outcome is the first definition of AM grounded in research. The research is unique in terms of reviewing the scope and limitations of the previous definitions of AM. Based on the research findings, the new definition of AM was found to offer an accepted description of AM that can be used by both researchers, educators and practising architects. The definition provides a common understanding (vocabulary) for those working in the area of AM.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 September 2001

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Abstract

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 18 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2021

D.D. Devisasi Kala and D. Thiripura Sundari

Optimization involves changing the input parameters of a process that is experimented with different conditions to obtain the maximum or minimum result. Increasing interest is…

Abstract

Purpose

Optimization involves changing the input parameters of a process that is experimented with different conditions to obtain the maximum or minimum result. Increasing interest is shown by antenna researchers in finding the optimum solution for designing complex antenna arrays which are possible by optimization techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Design of antenna array is a significant electro-magnetic problem of optimization in the current era. The philosophy of optimization is to find the best solution among several available alternatives. In an antenna array, energy is wasted due to side lobe levels which can be reduced by various optimization techniques. Currently, developing optimization techniques applicable for various types of antenna arrays is focused on by researchers.

Findings

In the paper, different optimization algorithms for reducing the side lobe level of the antenna array are presented. Specifically, genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), ant colony optimization (ACO), cuckoo search algorithm (CSA), invasive weed optimization (IWO), whale optimization algorithm (WOA), fruitfly optimization algorithm (FOA), firefly algorithm (FA), cat swarm optimization (CSO), dragonfly algorithm (DA), enhanced firefly algorithm (EFA) and bat flower pollinator (BFP) are the most popular optimization techniques. Various metrics such as gain enhancement, reduction of side lobe, speed of convergence and the directivity of these algorithms are discussed. Faster convergence is provided by the GA which is used for genetic operator randomization. GA provides improved efficiency of computation with the extreme optimal result as well as outperforming other algorithms of optimization in finding the best solution.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper includes a study that reveals the usage of the different antennas and their importance in various applications.

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