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1 – 4 of 4K. Karthick, A. Boris Ajit, V. Subramanaian, S.P. Anbuudayasankar, M.S. Narassima and D. Hariharan
The paper aims to analyse the postharvest Supply Chain (SC) of tomatoes to maximise profit by restructuring the modes of operation.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to analyse the postharvest Supply Chain (SC) of tomatoes to maximise profit by restructuring the modes of operation.
Design/methodology/approach
System Dynamics-based simulation of four scenarios depicting different operational modes of postharvest food SC was employed. Real-time of Tamil Nadu state, India was used to enact the scenarios using Vensim.
Findings
Results indicated that cold storage improved the profit of wholesalers by prolonging the shelf-life of commodities. Retailers and farmers gained more profit in the absence of wholesalers. Though the absence of middlemen reduces the transit time and prevents deterioration, the role of wholesalers, i.e. transporting the commodities to farther customers’ needs to be shouldered by other agents effectively to minimise losses.
Research limitations/implications
The accuracy of the results depend on the exactness of the data collected. The simulation findings, on the other hand, could be helpful in decision-making as these models portray the actual operational modes of postharvest SC. The suitability of each network structure depends on the capabilities of the agents, market scenario and demography. Implications based on discussions with stakeholders and in terms of establishing dedicated societies (cooperatives) have been provided.
Originality/value
Postharvest losses incurred for horticultural crops like tomatoes are significantly high. It is of much importance to India as agriculture contributes to 17% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and India is the second-largest producer of tomatoes globally. The study would shed light on restructuring the network appropriately.
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M.S. Narassima, V. Aashrith, C. Aldo Ronald, S.P. Anbuudayasankar and M. Thenarasu
The textile industry contributes 2 and 3% to the global and Indian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively. India supplies a quarter of global cotton yarn. Yet, most yarn…
Abstract
Purpose
The textile industry contributes 2 and 3% to the global and Indian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively. India supplies a quarter of global cotton yarn. Yet, most yarn manufacturing companies use outdated methods and lack organisational skills and strategies. Improvement in processes in India could significantly help the industry worldwide.
Design/methodology/approach
The variables that influence the performance of the system were identified. Their interrelationships and impact were identified from the employees in the chosen case study, a yarn manufacturing industry. A System Dynamics (SD) approach was employed to study the benefits of implementing 5S lean strategies. The impact of each variable on various performance measures such as throughput, Work In Progress, processing time, waiting time, idle time, over-processing and scraps was analysed.
Findings
Improvement in outcomes reflected an enhanced adoption of leanness in the industry. The decision-makers can utilise this study to optimise the necessary parameters in the system and attain the desired productivity levels. Better resource management and reduced processing time helped increase the despatch rate by 9.735% and decrease the WIP by 23.01%. Time management helped to reduce the inventory, idle time and waiting time. Over-processing, defects and scraps were minimised, indicating a shift towards lean.
Research limitations/implications
This study pioneers the use of SD simulation models for optimising yarn manufacturing using lean strategies. Improvement in performance measures by integrating these strategies opens avenues for future research using multiple approaches to address a problem.
Practical implications
Implementing 5S lean principles and simulations enhances productivity, reduces waste and optimises resource management for the yarn manufacturing industry. Decision-makers can employ simulation to witness the outcomes of their changes without investing cost and time and without associated implementation risks.
Originality/value
The use of a simulation model to witness the benefits of incorporating lean strategies in yarn production has not been explored. This approach could help the managers and policymakers understand their existing system's shortcomings and critical areas that require improvement.
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Neha Singh, Rohit Biswas and Mamoni Banerjee
The purpose of this article is to develop relationships between many major issues relevant to the agriculture supply chain.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to develop relationships between many major issues relevant to the agriculture supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
With the purpose of gaining an all-encompassing understanding of the agriculture supply chain, this work uses 233 filtered research articles and three bibliometric analysis tools, namely VOSviewer, term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) and Person correlation. The collected research publications were also catalogued using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA).
Findings
Using analytic techniques, a total of 12 keywords were obtained. The study found that agri-products are in dire need of digitisation via Internet of things (IoT) and blockchain due to the usage of economic variables and comprehensive management of total food waste throughout transportation, anchoring quality and the predominant variable.
Research limitations/implications
The study was limited to the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) indexing in order to assess the viability of the linked idea and problem.
Originality/value
This study aims to generate vital knowledge in the field of horticulture-focused agriculture supply chain based on previous justification and relationship formation.
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Keywords
C. Velmurugan, R. Subramanian, S.S. Ramakrishnan, S. Thirugnanam, T. Kannan and B. Anandavel
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of most predominant heat-treatment parameters on the wear behavior of Al6061 hybrid composite reinforced with 10 weight…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of most predominant heat-treatment parameters on the wear behavior of Al6061 hybrid composite reinforced with 10 weight per cent SiC and 2 weight per cent graphite particles.
Design/methodology/approach
The aluminum hybrid composite was produced using stir casting process. Wear testing of heat-treated samples was carried out using a pin-on-disc apparatus. Experiments were conducted by applying design of experiments (DOE) technique. The experimental values were used for formulation of a mathematical model. The wear surfaces of composite specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Findings
The volume loss of heat-treated composite initially decreased with increasing aging duration. This was followed by the attainment of a minimum and then a reversal in the trend at longer aging times. SEM micrographs of the wear surfaces of the composite show that the wear mechanisms were abrasion, delamination and adhesion.
Originality/value
In this paper, the hybrid composite was produced using stir casting route, and its wear properties after heat treatment were tested using pin-on-disc apparatus. It was found that heat treatment had a profound effect on the wear behaviour of the developed composite.
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