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To develop a mathematical and algorithmic approach of avoiding the limitations of deterministically computing the values of energy, time, position and momentum imposed by Heisenberg's uncertainity principle (HUP) which is of profound significance from the point of view of some emerging science and technology like quantum computing, nano scale technology and chaotic dynamical systems.

A parametric method of establishing deterministic solutions for energy and momentum on the basis of quantized energy limits (instead of HUP) if developed in the non‐infinite non‐zero quantized energy limits where hidden deterministic solutions can be obtained for micro/nano structures.

The philosophical foundations of quantum mechanics as developed by Max Planck, Neils Bohrz, Werner Heisenburg, Dirac and Edwein Schrodinger is based on a duality concept of complimentarity notions. In most general logical sense for any physical reality qualitative dualism have to have a quantitative dualism may be hidden or virtual. The upper and lower limits of the dynamical quantum mechanical observables are determined based on the dimensional considerations for the physical constants H, C, G and H₀. The conceptual basis and mathematical framework of the paper in based Norbert Wiener's work on theory of cybernetics and D. Dutta Majumdars' unified cybernetic and general dynamical systems theory.

The testability of the theory needs to be established.

Without challenging HUP this is a contribution of tremendous practical implications.

Mr. Sajjan Jindal, MD of JVSL (nos JSW) wanted to bring the latest technology of iron making into India. His project went to several cost overrun and time overrun due to several foreseen and unforessen circumstances. This case discusses the issues new technology introduction in iron making area, problem faced by inexperienced contractor. It shows the need for proper risk management is required. It also shows the criticality of the project does not mean time cost trade off, but many other factors like reliability of the equipment, process and reliability of the equipment and plants.

This paper aims to draw on Adler and Borys’ (1996) concept of an enabling use of bureaucracy to examine how the integration of a single-book tax-compliant transfer pricing system into the management control system is related to the perceived success of that transfer pricing system.

Based on survey data from Swiss multinational firms, the authors test a structural equation model. In addition, the authors conduct interviews with executives from three multinational enterprises.

The authors find that the integration of a tax-compliant transfer pricing system into the management control system may be perceived to be successful in achieving both tax compliance and internal (control) purposes. This is particularly true when the transfer pricing system is transparent and can be amended in the case of fundamental management control problems.

The typical shortcomings of a survey-based research apply to this study. Future research could build on this model and more closely investigate the relationship between transfer pricing system integration and an enabling use of the transfer pricing system.

Based on this study’s findings, the authors recommend that a strong integration of tax-compliant transfer prices into the management control system should be accompanied by internal transparency and the ability to repair the transfer pricing system.

Prior research on the integration between transfer pricing and management control systems has either been analytical or based on case studies. This cross-sectional analysis provides reliable insights into different levels of integration, use and the success of transfer pricing systems.

The purpose of this paper is to draw on resource orchestration theory (ROT) and resource advantage theory (RAT) to develop a measurement scale for supply chain competitive advantage (SCCA) as a second-order construct with the dimensions of agility, adaptability and alignment (triple-A).

A survey research design is adopted to collect primary and secondary data from 182 international firms. The paper utilizes a scale development procedure to develop a measurement instrument and assess its psychometric properties. The scale’s predictive validity is tested using both subjective and objective data. Additionally, the simultaneous effect of triple-A is tested using latent congruent modeling.

Drawing upon ROT and RAT, this study introduces SCCA as a second-order construct composed of SC agility, adaptability and alignment. In addition, the findings show that an SCCA has a direct and positive impact on firms’ financial and market performance.

Existing literature indicates that competition has shifted from inter-firm to inter-SC. To account for this change in competition level, past studies have suggested various capabilities that SCs must possess to offer a competitive advantage, such as triple-As. However, drawing upon RAT and ROT, the authors argue that the SCCA construct accounts for sources of advantage in both the resource side and the demand side. The authors further assert that possessing supply chain resources (i.e. agility, adaptability, alignment as disparate resources) is not sufficient to create advantage but the resources must be orchestrated to create SCCA (i.e. the combination of agility, adaptability and alignment).

Cold supply chain (CSC) distribution systems are vital in preserving the integrity and freshness of transported temperature sensitive products. CSC is also known to be energy intensive with a significant emission footprint. As a result, CSC requires strict monitoring and control management system during storage and transportation to improve safety and reduce profit losses. In this research, a systematic review of recent literature related to the distribution of food CSC products is presented and possible areas to extend research in modeling and decision-making are identified.

The paper analyzes the content of 65 recent articles related to CSC and perishable foods. Several relevant keywords were used in the initial search, which generated a list of 214 articles. The articles were screened based on content relevance in terms of food vehicle routing modeling and quality. Selected articles were categorized and analyzed based on cost elements, modeling framework and solution approach. Finally, recommendations for future research are suggested.

The review identified several research gaps in CSC logistics literature, where more focused research is warranted. First, the review suggests that dynamic vehicle modeling and routing while considering products quality and environmental impacts is still an open area for research. Second, there is no consensus among researchers in terms of quality degradation models used to assess the freshness of transported cold food. As a result, an investigation of critical parameters and quality modeling is warranted. Third, and due to the problem complexity, there is a need for developing heuristics and metaheuristics to solve such models. Finally, there is a need for extending the single product single compartment CSC to multi-compartment multi-temperature routing modeling.

The article identified possible areas to extend research in CSC distribution modeling and decision-making. Modified models that reflect real applications will help practitioners, food authorities and researchers make timely and more accurate decisions that will reduce food waste and improve the freshness of transported food.

The purpose of the paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance mechanisms, i.e. board structure and ownership structure on the underpricing of small and medium enterprises (SME) IPOs in India.

Most of the extant empirical research studies have either pivoted on mainstream IPOs or SMEs IPOs in developed economies, but the present study examines 200 SME IPOs issued during Feb 2012 to April 2017. Multiple regressions have been used to examine the impact of the corporate governance mechanisms on raw return (RR). Furthermore, robustness of the results has been verified through the employment of market-adjusted excess return (MAER) as an additional proxy of underpricing.

The results highlight that board size, inverse of board committees, board independence, board age, board directorships positively, and top ten shareholding negatively influence RR. Further, direction of promoter ownership variable indicates curvilinear relationship with underpricing. Other explanatory variables used in model lack statistical validity. Similar results have been obtained when variables were regressed against MAER with related board members being additionally significant in model.

The findings suggest that Indian investors do take cues from board structure and ownership patterns for making investment decisions in small- and medium-sized firms. Further, the results are also helpful to top management in structuring their boards.

The present research enriches SME IPOs underpricing literature because the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on unadjusted returns is relatively under explored particularly within the context of small- and medium-sized firms.

This paper aims to introduce the usage of sensitivity analysis (SA) for the problem of faults identification in three-phase induction motors (IMs). These motors are susceptible to different kinds of faults that should be detected in a proper time to keep the systems working in a safety environment.

One of the effective approaches for faults identifications, which is presented in the literature, is a model-based strategy. This strategy mainly depends on using a software model to make an identification decision. Therefore, this work intends to examine the model sensitivity towards variables’ variation. The SA toolbox of Matlab R2017b package is used for this purpose since the Matlab software is a well-known environment, and it is easy for a nonstatistical person to deal with it. As a study case, open-circuit and stator inter-turn faults in the stator windings of a three-phase IM have been chosen.

The results show that the model-based strategy is considerably speed up by up to 30% when neglecting the trivial model’s parameters with the same accurate identification decision as compared with the results of this strategy without using the SA.

The novelty of this work is summarized in devoting the usage of SA in the field of faults identification to enhance the speed of final decision.

The increasing global competition, worldwide economic and political uncertainities, and continuously changing dynamics in business environment require companies act differently and differentiate via smart strategies in order to have sustainable operations, growth, and profitability. Therefore, firms should be more agile, creative, and adaptive in planning and strategizing their mid- to long-term business objectives.

In that regard, for the last decade globally many firms across all industries seek opportunities to utilize benefits of digitalization. Lately, COVID-19 has also accelerated companies' efforts and investments in digital platforms.

Today, supply chain and procurement functions are expected to have a strategic role for organizations contributing to management decisions. The digital transformation in procurement is promising to enhance and lean the total workflow of operations. Data analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging digital technologies are all highly powerful tools supporting strategic supply and supplier management, providing predictability for demand planning as well as value-based negotiation power to buyers.

On the other hand, there are still challenges and conflicts throughout this transformation process. Level of technological maturity, infrastructure and investment decisions, expertise and competency of procurement professionals, cultural adaptation, and compliance of related stakeholders are some of the key barriers that are addressed with a unique model in this chapter.

Digital era offers a lot of advantages to firms to improve their procurement facilities and practices while it may still take time both for the technologies to fully evolve and also for companies to adapt and embrace digitalization on their benefit.

Project scheduling/rescheduling occurs in all stages of projects, from feasibility stage to monitoring stage to completion. Since the late 1950s, network‐based techniques CPM (critical path method) and PERT (programme evaluation review technique) are the techniques commonly used for project management. However, there are limitations in working with these tools that need to be overcome. Also, the computing ef. ciency of classic CPM/PERT analysis needs to be enhanced. Substantial research has been carried out globally in this field covering all areas of project scheduling: time scheduling, resource scheduling, cost scheduling, modern project management techniques, advanced mathematical models used for construction scheduling, and so on. To understand and document this research status, the authors have carried out an extensive study of various journals, published and unpublished research papers, and present this literature review.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theoretical foundations, development, and application of the quick scan audit methodology (QSAM) for comparative evaluation of supply chains via uncertainty codification and material flow assessment.

Charts the evolution of QSAM via the Parnaby concept of a manufacturing system leading to a control model representation of a value stream. Monitoring in process and critical interface material and information flows provide the substantive data to evaluate supply chain health. The authors show how QSAM satisfies the six desirable attributes previously established as advantageous when value stream auditing.

Basing QSAM on this particular systems approach readily leads to transferability of approach to new market sectors and new companies within the same sector. It ensures comparability via uncertainty levels to be established. Hence, using statistical cluster analysis “best practice” may be identified and annotated.

There may yet be specific supply chain regimens where uncertainty codification is insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion. However, QSAM is now sufficiently mature that it has been applied successfully and widely beyond its original systems‐friendly European automotive sector.

A systematic, non‐industry‐specific audit method based on systems modelling builds confidence into comparability studies and identification of “exemplars” exhibiting best practice. The importance of understanding and satisfying the expectations of the four “players” in the QSAM balanced scorecard is discussed and exemplified.

QSAM is an original contribution which fits well into the spectrum of excellence measurement techniques. The two established extremes are vertical case studies (European style) and horizontal surveys (US style). QSAM brings together certain strengths of each so that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.