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Article
Publication date: 20 September 2011

Soma Ghosh

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze those US colleges and universities that are participating in the Green Power Partnership (GPP). GPP is a voluntary…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze those US colleges and universities that are participating in the Green Power Partnership (GPP). GPP is a voluntary environmental program initiated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2001 to help increase the use of green power (electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low‐impact small hydroelectric sources) among US organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on literature in voluntary environmental programs to develop an understanding as to what types of campuses might be most likely to partner with the US Government to be leaders in the use of green power. It then characterizes partner campuses based on institutional, geographical, financial, student specific and sustainability variables. The study draws attention to the GPP participants that are also signatories of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). This provides leeway into future research that would benefit from investigating the motivations for and constraints to such dual commitments.

Findings

The analysis reveals that GPP partners are primarily private, four‐year institutions located in the northeast region. These campuses show a high level of awareness for the environment and vested interest on part of the students, as evidenced by the dominance of environmental studies in the curriculum, student‐run organizations dedicated to sustainability issues, and adoption of green fees. Further, they are actively involved in the generation and use of electricity from renewable sources and more than two‐thirds have also signed the PCC.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore EPA's GPP program with respect to the participation of higher education institutions (HEIs) in this program. It serves as a pioneer study, exploring a voluntary partnership between the US Government and the higher education sector and contributes to the understanding of the vital role of higher education in the development and deployment of renewable energy.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2019

Musarrat Shaheen, MD Sikandar Azam, Mahesh Kumar Soma and T. Jagan Mohan Kumar

The purpose of this paper is to develop a competency dictionary and model for contractual workers of the steel manufacturing sector of India.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a competency dictionary and model for contractual workers of the steel manufacturing sector of India.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews with 30 supervisors and behavioral events interviews (BEIs) with 40 contractual workers were conducted to identify and validate the competencies of the contractual workers.

Findings

The competencies identified are arranged according to the similarity and dissimilarity between it under three broad categories of competencies, i.e., knowledge, skills and attitudes. These categories are used to develop a competency dictionary which has behavioral indicators, and a framework that can be used to map and evaluate the competencies.

Practical implications

The competency dictionary and the framework developed in the present study will assist human resource practitioners in implementing competency-based human resource processes such as recruitment and selection, training and development and performance management for the contractual workers in the manufacturing sector.

Originality/value

The present study is among the few empirical studies that provide a competency dictionary and a framework of contractual workers in the manufacturing sector of India.

Details

Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 51 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0019-7858

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 June 2020

A. Ali, Soma Mitra Banerjee and S. Das

The purpose of this study is to analyze an unsteady MHD Darcy flow of nonNewtonian hybrid nanoliquid past an exponentially accelerated vertical plate under the influence of…

58

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze an unsteady MHD Darcy flow of nonNewtonian hybrid nanoliquid past an exponentially accelerated vertical plate under the influence of velocity slip, Hall and ion slip effects in a rotating frame of reference. The fluids in the flow domain are assumed to be viscously incompressible electrically conducting. Sodium alginate (SA) has been taken as a base Casson liquid. A strong uniform magnetic field is applied under the assumption of low magnetic Reynolds number. Effect of Hall and ion-slip currents on the flow field is examined. The ramped heating and time-varying concentration at the plate are taken into consideration. First-order homogeneous chemical reaction and heat absorption are also considered. Copper and alumina nanoparticles are dispersed in base fluid sodium alginate to be formed as hybrid nanoliquid.

Design/methodology/approach

The model problem is first formulated in terms of partial differential equations (PDEs) with physical conditions. Laplace transform method (LTM) is used on the nondimensional governing equations for their closed-form solution. Based on these results, expressions for nondimensional shear stresses, rate of heat and mass transfer are also determined. Graphical presentations are chalked out to inspect the impacts of physical parameters on the pertinent physical flow characteristics. Numerical values of the shear stresses, rate of heat and mass transfer at the plate are tabulated for various physical parameters.

Findings

Numerical exploration reveals that a significant increase in the secondary flow (i.e. crossflow) near the plate is guaranteed with an augmenting in Hall parameter or ion slip parameter. MHD and porosity have an opposite effect on velocity component profiles for both types of nanoliquids. Result addresses that both shear stresses are strongly enhanced by the Casson effect. Also, hybrid nanosuspension in Casson fluid (sodium alginate) exhibits a lower rate of heat transfer than usual nanoliquid.

Social implications

This model may be pertinent in cooling processes of metallic infinite plate in bath and hybrid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators, metallurgical process, manufacturing dynamics of nanopolymers, magnetic field control of material processing, synthesis of smart polymers, making of paper and polyethylene, casting of metals, etc.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is to obtain an analytical solution of the modeled problem by using the Laplace transform method (LTM). Such an exact solution of nonNewtonian fluid flow, heat and mass transfer is rare in the literature. It is also worth remarking that the influence of Hall and ion slip effects on the flow of nonNewtonian hybrid nanoliquid is still an open question.

Book part
Publication date: 3 June 2021

Soma Pal, Chandrima Chakraborty and Dipyaman Pal

The present chapter examined the behavior of relative wage rate, productivity of labor, and total factor productivity growth (TFPG) and also attempted to explore the causal…

Abstract

The present chapter examined the behavior of relative wage rate, productivity of labor, and total factor productivity growth (TFPG) and also attempted to explore the causal relationship between relative wage rate and productivity of labor as well as relative wage rate and TFPG in food and beverage industry in India over the period 1980–1981 to 2017–2018. The result of Sen (2003) approach of endogenous structural break suggests that the series of relative wage rate, productivity of labor, and TFPG follows trend stationary process. A significant break is found for all the three aforementioned variables, being 1984–1985 for relative wage rate and productivity of labor whereas 2007–2008 for TFPG. For the three variables, growth rate has increased after the break. Bidirectional causality between relative wage rate and productivity of labor as well as relative wage rate and TFPG is evident.

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 3 June 2021

Abstract

Details

Productivity Growth in the Manufacturing Sector
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-094-8

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2015

Boutheina Gherib, Youcef Baghdadi and Naoufel Kraiem

The purpose of this paper is to consider the method engineering perspective for service-oriented system engineering (SOSE). A number of SOSE methods have been proposed in both…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the method engineering perspective for service-oriented system engineering (SOSE). A number of SOSE methods have been proposed in both academia and industry. Given this, many intuitive, common questions arise. To answer these questions, many comparison frameworks have been developed. Each of which has considered certain methodological perspectives. However, less attention has been given to the method engineering (ME) perspective. The authors argue that this perspective would answer the question “what ME to apply in order to produce SOSE methods that themselves produce quality services at different levels of abstraction and SBAs”. This research question is further decomposed into other questions; the main one is “whether the existing ME do apply to service orientation”. Answering such a question would lead to either developing SOSE methods by using the existing ME or developing a new ME or framework for the specifics of SOSE.

Design/methodology/approach

This work first provides a literature review on ME approaches and techniques; then, it compares a sample of existing SOSE methods with respect to their ME within a comparison framework that comprises a set of relevant properties of a solution that would be provided by an SOSE method, namely, service-oriented architecture (SOA) adoption, quality of services and ME; and finally, it discusses the applicability of the existing ME to SOSE.

Findings

Strengths and weaknesses of the existing methods with respect to the aforementioned criteria, in addition to SOSE methodology open issues, were identified. The comparison has shown that while the existing SOSE methods have proved their success in a specific task, they still present some weaknesses. Therefore, it is better to benefit from the advantages of the existing ME techniques, notable method fragments, even if they need some alteration.

Research limitations/implications

While this work has many open issues related to SOSE methods with respect to ME, it could be further developed in many directions by exploring the open issues. For instance, the generation of a new ME technique and application of this new ME technique to the existing SOSE methods to see to what extent the existing methods may be situational.

Practical implications

This work has practical implications, as it provides a better understanding of different views of SOSE methods, and assists the method engineers in deciding which ME technique is most suitable to their situation.

Social implications

The produced artifact provides a research roadmap toward SOSE ME.

Originality/value

None of the existing comparison frameworks for SOSE methods has considered the criteria such as SOA adoption and ME techniques. Indeed, ME techniques and approaches would allow better reuse of the existing proven fragments of methods.

Details

International Journal of Web Information Systems, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1744-0084

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 August 2021

Amrita M., Rukmini Srikant Revuru, Sreeram Chatti, Sree Satya Bharati Sri Satya Moram, Chandu Byram and Venugopal Rao Soma

Ti6Al4V is a commonly used titanium alloy with several applications in aerospace industry due to its excellent strength to weight ratio. But due to low thermal conductivity, it is…

Abstract

Purpose

Ti6Al4V is a commonly used titanium alloy with several applications in aerospace industry due to its excellent strength to weight ratio. But due to low thermal conductivity, it is categorized as “difficult to machine.” Though machinability can be improved with cutting fluids, it is not preferred due to associated problems. This study aims at eliminating the use of cutting fluid and finding an alternate solution to dry machining of Ti6Al4V. AlTiN coated tools provide good heat and oxidation resistance but have low lubricity. In the present work, graphene, which is known for lubricating properties, is added to the tools using five different methods (tool condition) to form graphene self-lubricated cutting tools.

Design/methodology/approach

Graphene-based self-lubricating tools are prepared by using five methods: dip coating (10 dips and 30 dips); drop casting; and filling of micro/macroholes. Performance of these tools is evaluated in terms of cutting forces, surface roughness and tool wear by machining Ti6Al4V and comparing with conventional coated cutting tool.

Findings

Self-lubricating tool with micro holes filled with graphene outperformed other tools and showed maximum decrease of 33.42% in resultant cutting forces, 35% in surface roughness (Ra) and 30% in flank wear compared to conventional cutting tool.

Originality/value

Analysis of variance for all forces show that tool condition and machining time have significant influence on all components of cutting forces and resultant cutting forces.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 March 2021

Eva Lienbacher, Julia Koschinsky, Christina Holweg and Christine Vallaster

Increasingly complex societal challenges call for new, innovative solutions that social hybrid business models can provide. Social supermarkets (SSMs) are one example offering…

Abstract

Purpose

Increasingly complex societal challenges call for new, innovative solutions that social hybrid business models can provide. Social supermarkets (SSMs) are one example offering access to affordable food to people living in poverty while reducing food waste of nearby retailers. Finding the “right” location is an essential part of this retail marketing strategy. However, limited research has attempted to investigate the specific conditions of locational planning for hybrid and nonprofit retail organizations. This paper illustrates the case of Austria where SSMs are well established.

Design/methodology/approach

A GIS-based white space analysis was carried out to identify potential neighborhoods or rural areas for new social supermarkets with sufficient nearby demand, supply and no existing SSMs. The empirical parameters for this spatial analysis can be transferred to European countries with similar ecosystems. The authors collected a unique data set of 79 (2014) and 88 SSMs (2019) and 4,665 (2014) and 4,211 (2019) food retailers as (potential) suppliers to SSMs. To determine demand, the authors relied on small-scale integrated wage and income tax data and unemployment rates (2011) from Statistics Austria.

Findings

Overall, Austria has very good spatial access to grocery stores, including to SSMs. SSM access increased especially in the capital of Vienna between 2014 and 2019. The GIS-based white space analysis identified several other regions where residents have a high demand for affordable food with sufficient potential suppliers of surplus food but no SSM yet. Neighborhood-level findings are released as part of a publicly accessible spatial decision support system.

Originality/value

The methodology allowed a specific definition of the key areas of relevance by matching the demand for SSMs, calculated as the number of people with low incomes in the respective regions in Austria, with the supply of SSMs, calculated as the amount of potential food loss prevention by nearby retail stores. These parameters have proven to help in identifying the white spaces and therefore can be used in Austria and other European countries with similar ecosystems.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 49 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2000

Reginald Foster

As e‐commerce capability becomes more and more integral to business success, a new executive is stepping in to lead the way.

Abstract

As e‐commerce capability becomes more and more integral to business success, a new executive is stepping in to lead the way.

Details

Handbook of Business Strategy, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1077-5730

Book part
Publication date: 22 August 2018

Adrija Dey

Abstract

Details

Nirbhaya, New Media and Digital Gender Activism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78754-529-8

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