Search results

The calculation of electromagnetic fields can involve many degrees of freedom (DOFs) to achieve accurate results. The DOFs are directly related to the computational effort of the simulation. The effort is decreased by using the proper generalized decomposition (PGD) and proper orthogonalized decomposition (POD). The purpose of this study is to combine the advantages of both methods. Therefore, a hybrid enrichment strategy is proposed and applied to different electromagnetic formulations.

The POD is an a-priori method, which exploits the solution space by decomposing reference solutions of the field problem. The disadvantage of this method is given by the unknown number of solutions necessary to reconstruct an accurate field representation. The PGD is an a-priori approach, which does not rely on reference solutions, but require much more computational effort than the POD. A hybrid enrichment strategy is proposed, based on building a small POD model and using it as a starting point of the PGD enrichment process.

The hybrid enrichment process is able to accurately approximate the reference system with a smaller computational effort compared to POD and PGD models. The hybrid enrichment process can be combined with the magneto-dynamic T-Ω formulation and the magnetic vector potential formulation to solve eddy current or non-linear problems.

The PGD enrichment process is improved by exploiting a POD. A linear eddy current problem and a non-linear electrical machine simulation are analyzed in terms of accuracy and computational effort. Further the PGD-AV formulation is derived and compared to the PGD-T-Ω reduced order model.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new method to model a stranded wire efficiently in 3D finite element simulations.

In this method, the stranded wires are numerically approximated with the Cauer ladder network (CLN) model order reduction method in 2D. This approximates the eddy current effect such as the skin and proximity effect for the whole wire. This is then projected to a mesh which does not include each strand. The 3D fields are efficiently calculated with the CLN method and are projected in the 3D geometry to be used in simulations of electrical components with a current vector potential and a homogenized conductivity at each time step.

In applications where the stranded wire geometry is known and does not change, this homogenization approach is an efficient and accurate method, which can be used with any stranded wire configuration, homogenized stranded wire mesh and any input signal dependent on time steps or frequencies.

In comparison to other methods, this method has no direct frequency dependency, which makes the method usable in the time domain for an arbitrary input signal. The CLN can also be used to interconnected stranded cables arbitrarily in electrical components.

The horizontal rotational single-sheet tester (RSST) suffers from weaknesses such as the reduced size of test samples, measurement disturbances due to magnetic flux leakage and nonhomogeneity of field in the measurement area. Although the vertical RSST allows to overcome the first two aforementioned drawbacks, the heterogeneity of the field in the test sample remains an issue. In addition, there is still a lack of device standardization to ensure test repeatability, as already is well established with the Epstein frame. This paper aims to investigate the influence of several parameters on the field homogeneity in the test sample.

A fully 3D finite element model of a vertical RSST is developed and used to perform a sensibility study on several geometrical parameters.

The influence of several parameters on the field homogeneity in the test sample, such as the geometrical dimensions of the yokes, the presence or not of holes drilled inside the test sample for B-coil placement as well as the size of the H-coils and B-coils, is addressed.

It is expected that this study will contribute to the optimization and standardization vertical RSSTs.

The paper aims to explain how agility capabilities (competence, flexibility, responsiveness and speed) influence the chance of improving a small and medium-sized enterprise's (SME's) competitive position, measured by market share and profit.

Combining organisational agility with competitiveness, the authors analysed how an SME's activities in the field of agility capabilities – competence, flexibility, responsiveness and speed – influence the chance of improving their competitive position. Data were collected from 1,286 SMEs from Poland using the computer-assisted personal interviews method (CAPI). To analyse the data, the authors used logistic regression and odds ratios.

The study provides empirical evidence of the relationship between agility capabilities and an SME's competitive position. First, the results suggest that all the studied agility capabilities positively impact SMEs' competitive position. Second, the study shows that seeking to increase market share requires particular attention to flexibility, the impact of which is slightly higher than that of the other variables. Third, the findings suggest that the drive to increase profitability requires an appreciation of responsiveness and competence.

The literature contains much discussion about the relationship between agility capabilities and a company's competitive position. However, these studies refer to large companies, whilst the question of the relationship between agility capabilities and competitive position amongst SMEs remains mainly unanswered, which given SMEs' contribution to the creation of economic growth, seems difficult to understand. Although small companies are by nature highly flexible, due to the size of the companies' operations and flattened and decentralised structure, companies' competitive potential is limited as a result of the limited resources that can be devoted to developing procedures for change.

Considering the high impacts caused by manufacturers on sustainability, this research aims to analyse how Brazilian manufacturing companies deal with sustainability issues. To do this, sustainability parameters are analysed to verify possible improvement opportunities.

This research uses Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and grey relational analysis (GRA) to analyse data from a survey with Brazilian professionals regarding aspects of sustainability in Brazilian manufacturers. The average score levels and the ranking of these aspects are evaluated.

Through the analysis performed, it was possible to verify that manufacturers in Brazil still have a long path to travel in the search for sustainability. Comparatively, it was observed that practices related to local communities received the lowest scores, on average. In contrast, on average, practices related to productivity and efficiency, occupational accidents and diseases, and compliance with environmental legislation received the highest scores.

The results presented in this paper show that there are several improvement opportunities to be sought by Brazilian manufacturing companies regarding sustainability aspects. Particular attention should be given to local community practices. Besides companies, policymakers can also use this analysis to guide their future actions, encouraging manufacturing companies to better support the local community. Researchers can use the instrument of analysis (TOPSIS and GRA) to analyse other realities and compare them with the findings presented.

The analysis of Brazilian manufacturing companies’ reality regarding sustainability practices and considering a model based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC) is novel in the literature. The use of TOPSIS and GRA, as well as comparing their findings, generated interesting insights for companies, policymakers and researchers. The analysis presented shows the need for more significant concern for local communities and can be used to support further debates and action plans to minimise this gap.

This study aims to examine the relationship between human resource development (HRD) and the interaction between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and marketing capabilities in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry.

This research uses the extended regression model on a sample of 2,649 food SMEs in Vietnam.

This research found that CSR and marketing strategies positively influence HRD; the interaction of CSR and marketing capabilities has a negative effect on HRD; the endogenous role of network capabilities on the effects of CSR and marketing capabilities on HRD.

This research helps food companies use their resources in allocating resources for CSR and conduct marketing reasonably and effectively. This study highlights that the impact of CSR and marketing on HRD is dominated by endogenous networking.