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This paper addresses important technical problems related with methodological limitations of welding project methods currently adopted, mostly regarding numerical modelling procedure of welding processes. The progress in high nano‐technologies give rise to the same approaches to be applied in traditional mechanics and material science, really concerning welding processes using various methods and techniques. Recent investigations of welded joints have shown the benefits related to the employment of neutron techniques, to obtain substantial information advancing quality and durability that cannot be found by using other means. Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Neutron Diffraction (ND), in particular, consent materials characterization at atomic and nanoscale level, offering to the existing technologies the essential contribution of precise structural methods. The basic theoretical aspects are described, and some SANS investigations of weldments are reported. An experimental programme has been recently projected to develop welding processes, with quality assurance improvement, safety enhancement, life‐time management and cost effectiveness of the considered joints.

Residual stresses (RS) in welded joints can contribute to the stress enhancement concentrated in the connection of different components, mainly concerning structures and piping. A fast method for assessing RS in a thin weld through the calculation of heat flow and thermal expansion data is explained ‐ obtained by implementing a previous programme in a personal computer (PC) code ‐ to evaluate the through‐wall temperature distribution and the RS field due to multi‐pass welding of flat or axi‐symmetric joints. The calculation of temperature distribution, axial and hoop thermal stresses through the finite thickness of a specimen is described, in particular, considering some basic simplifying assumptions. Validation of experimental is shown, related to thin welded joints, comparing finite elements method (FEM) analysis, direct measurements and the considered analytical method results.

The aim of the paper is to develop a method to block hydroxyl groups of epoxy acrylate (AAEP) in vinyl ester resin (VER) and to study the influence of modified VER on polyurethane/(VER) interpenetrating polymer network (PU/VER IPN).

The hydroxyl groups of AAEP in VER were blocked via different methods. Infra‐red spectroscopy was adopted to study the influence of the reagents, reaction temperature and feed molar ratio on the blocking effect of hydroxyl groups and the optimised technological parameters were determined. The PU/VER IPN and PU/modified VER IPN were prepared by simultaneous interpenetrating of VER (mixture of AAEP and butyl methacrylate with the mass ratio of 2/1) or modified VER and synthesised PU in their laboratory. The microstructure, dynamic mechanical properties and mechanical properties of PU/VER IPN and PU/modified VER IPN were compared.

The results showed that compared to unmodified IPN, because the hydroxyl groups in VER were blocked and no chemical cross‐linked structure existed between the two networks, the modified IPN showed dual‐continuous microsturcture with larger phase domain sizes between 20 and 50 nm. The effect damping temperature range of modified IPN was broadened and its damping performance was improved. The mechanical strength of modified IPNs decreased and their break elongation increased evidently.

The PU/modified VER IPN with excellent damping properties can be used in the applications where reduction of vibration and noise is desired.

The PU/modified VER IPN, in which no chemical cross‐linked structure existed between the two networks, was novel and its damping performance was improved and excellent.

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new finite difference method for solving the seismic wave propagation in fluid-solid media, which can be described by the acoustic and viscoelastic wave equations for the fluid and solid parts, respectively.

In this paper, the authors introduced a coordinate transformation method for seismic wave simulation method. In the new method, the irregular fluid–solid interface is transformed into a horizontal interface. Then, a multi-block coordinate transformation method is proposed to mesh every layer to curved grids and transforms every interface to horizontal interface. Meanwhile, a variable grid size is used in different regions according to the shape and the velocity within each region. Finally, a Lebedev-standard staggered coupled grid scheme for curved grids is applied in the multi-block coordinate transformation method to reduce the computational cost.

The instability in the auxiliary coordinate system caused by the standard staggered grid scheme is resolved using a curved grid viscoelastic wave field separation strategy. Several numerical examples are solved using this new method. It has been shown that the new method is stable, efficient and highly accurate in solving the seismic wave equation defined on domain with irregular fluid–solid interface.

First, the irregular fluid–solid interface is transformed into a horizontal interface by using the coordinate transformation method. The conversion between pressures and stresses is easy to implement and adaptive to different irregular fluid–solid interface models, because the normal stress and shear stress vanish when the normal angle is 90° in the interface. Moreover, in the new method, the strong false artificial boundary reflection and instability caused by ladder-shaped grid discretion are resolved as well.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a model of redistribution of point radiation defects, interaction between themselves and redistribution of their simplest complexes in a multilayer structure. The model gives a possibility to qualitatively describe nonmonotonicity of distributions of concentrations of radiation defects on interfaces between layers of the structure, which recently was found experimentally. To take into account the nonmonotonicity, the authors complement the model for the analysis of distribution of concentration of radiation defects, which were recently used in the literature. To analyze the model, the authors used an approach of solution of boundary problems, which could be used without crosslinking of solutions on interfaces between layers of the considered multilayer structures.

The authors introduce a model of redistribution of point radiation defects, interaction between themselves and redistribution of their simplest complexes in a multilayer structure. The model gives a possibility to qualitatively describe nonmonotonicity of distributions of concentrations of radiation defects on interfaces between layers of the structure, which recently was found experimentally. To take into account the nonmonotonicity, the authors complement the model for analysis of distribution of concentration of radiation defects, which were recently used in the literature. To analyze the model, the authors used an approach of solution of boundary problems, which could be used without crosslinking of solutions on interfaces between layers of the considered multilayer structures.

The authors obtain better agreement of obtain results in comparison with recently obtained results in the literature.

The results are original.

The World Wide Web's search engines are the main tools for indexing and retrieval of Internet resources today. Comparison and evaluation of their performance is of great importance for system developers and information professionals, as well as end‐users, for the improvement and development of better tools. The paper describes categories and special features of Web‐based databases and compares them with traditional databases. It then presents a review of the literature on the testing and evaluation of Web‐based search engines. Different methodologies and measures used in previous studies are described and their findings are summarised. The paper presents some evaluative comments on previous studies and suggests areas for future investigation, particularly evaluation of Web‐based search engines from the end‐user's perspective.

This work introduces an efficient and accurate technique to solve the eddy current problem in laminated iron cores considering vector hysteresis.

The mixed multiscale finite element method based on the based on the T,Φ-Φ formulation, with the current vector potential T and the magnetic scalar potential Φ allows the laminated core to be modelled as a single homogeneous block. This means that the individual sheets do not have to be resolved, which saves a lot of computing time and reduces the demands on the computer system enormously.

As a representative numerical example, a single-phase transformer with 4, 20 and 184 sheets is simulated with great success. The eddy current losses of the simulation using the standard finite element method and the simulation using the mixed multiscale finite element method agree very well and the required simulation time is tremendously reduced.

The vector Preisach model is used to account for vector hysteresis and is integrated into the mixed multiscale finite element method for the first time.

This study aims to investigate the influence of the digitalization of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the sustainable competitive performance (SCP) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging economy and to examine the moderating effect of digital organizational culture on this relationship.

Data collection was conducted through a survey completed by 311 owners and top managers operating in service, trading and manufacturing sector SMEs positioned within the twin cities of Pakistan. A convenient purposively sampling technique and snowball method were used for data collection, and structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

The results of this study suggest that CSR digitalization has a markedly positive influence on the SCP. Digital organizational culture appears to moderate these relationships.

This study highlights the importance of considering CSR digitalization and fostering a digital organizational culture for SMEs to achieve SCP. The findings provide valuable insights for strategic decision-makers, including owners, CEOs and senior management of SMEs, to enhance their knowledge concerning how and why a digital organizational culture makes it easier to digitalize CSR activities, with the ultimate objective of ensuring SCP and SME growth. Overall, the findings of this study have practical implications for policymakers and managers in SMEs as they can promote the adoption of digital technologies in CSR initiatives and develop a digital organizational culture within the organization. This would contribute to enhancing the SCP of SMEs. Thus, this research is beneficial for business actors, policymakers and researchers seeking to enhance SMEs’ SCP.

This study provides valuable guidance to the senior management of SMEs regarding successfully adopting and integrating digital technologies into their CSR practices. This integration can lead to increased social and environmental benefits, which positively impact both business and society. Policymakers can use these findings to develop policies and initiatives to encourage CSR digitalization among SMEs. By providing support and incentives for digital transformation, policymakers can help SMEs adopt digital tools to improve their CSR performance, contributing to economic growth and sustainability.

This study pioneers research on the links between CSR digitalization, digital organizational culture and the SCP of SMEs. This study contributes to the literature by defining CSR digitalization as an antecedent to the SCP of SMEs. In addition, this study underlines the significance of CSR digitalization for the achievement of SMEs’ SCP of SMEs with the moderating role of digital organizational culture. Overall, this study enriches the resource base view literature through empirical evidence.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the determinants of dividend policy in an emerging and developing market.

The study employs a quantitative approach using 191 Sri Lankan firms and 1,337 firm-year observations as the sample. The authors apply a Binary Logistic Regression model to uncover the determinants of the propensity to pay dividends, and a Fixed Effect Panel Regression to investigate the determinants of dividend payout.

The authors identify past dividend decision, earnings, investment opportunities, profitability, free cash flow (FCF), corporate governance, state ownership, firm size and industry influence as the key determinants of propensity to pay dividends. In addition past dividends, investment opportunities, profitability and dividend premium are identified as the determinants of dividend payout. Moreover, there is a feedback between dividend yield and profitability in one lag and between dividend yield and dividend premium in two lags, as short-term relationships. Hence, past dividend decision or payout, profitability and investment opportunities are a common set of determinants with implications for both propensity to pay dividends and its payout. The findings support theories of dividends such as signaling, outcome, catering, life cycle, FCF and pecking order.

The findings are important for investors, managers and future research. Investors should focus on the determinants identified by our study when making investment decisions whereas managers should practice the same when formulating appropriate dividend policies for their firms. Future research should rely on propensity to pay dividends and its payout simultaneously to promote a theoretical consensus on the dividend determinant puzzle.

This is the first study that investigates determinants of propensity to pay dividends and dividend payout along with short-term relationships in a single study.

The purpose of this chapter is to determine the main stages in the formation of information economy.

The authors use the method of noosphere research, a bifurcation approach to studying dynamic systems, which is related to systemic approach, the method of structural and functional analysis, the method of dialectical materialism, and the methodology of the institutional economic theory, abstraction, and formalization.

As a result of complex application of totality of the aforementioned methods and approaches to study the formation of information economy, the authors determine the essence and the main stages of information economy: formation of technosphere (technological foundation), formation of sociosphere (social core), and formation of economic sphere (economic pinnacle). At each of these stages, economic system faces serious socioeconomic changes that first face opposition from society and business, but then – with accumulation of practical experience – are accepted, opening the possibility for transition to the next stage of this process.

The authors conclude that while the influence of the global financial crisis in the early twenty-first century is common for all modern economic systems, it stimulated them to begin the formation of information economy. Furthermore, socioeconomic changes that followed this phenomenon are diverse and are largely predetermined by the context such as readiness of economic systems for continuation of their evolution, their reaction to crisis, susceptibility to changes, and other national peculiarities. That’s why the speed of passing the various stages in different economic systems varies.