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The purpose of this paper is to focus on examining the first day returns of initial public offerings (IPOs) and the role of information on their performance. The study tries to optimize the returns of the new issues during 2005-2012 with risk as a constraint.

The initial returns are measured through the market-adjusted excess return and the risk associated with the new issue is measured through underwriters’ reputation. The returns have been optimized through a mixed integer linear problem using the Maple software.

The previous studies show that various informational variables affect the listing day returns significantly. The results of the present study indicate that the mean of initial returns for IPOs during 2005-2012 is 18.03 and the mean risk for these issues is 0.46. The findings also suggest that the optimal returns are obtained in the pre-recession era (2005-2008) and the value for the same is 50.02 percent.

The current study contributes in the investment decisions for global investors as every investor wants to maximize his/her returns. The optimal returns with risk as a constraint will help the investors in improving their investment decision as a prudent investor does not aim solely at maximizing the expected return of an investment but is also interested in optimizing with the minimization of risk.

The purpose of this paper is to develop chicken cutlets enrobed with bread crumbs vis-à-vis dried carrot pomace and to assess its effect on physico-chemical properties, sensory attributes and texture profile analysis.

Three experimental groups were made: control group chicken cutlets (C), chicken cutlets enrobed with bread crumbs group (T_b) and chicken cutlets enrobed with dried carrot pomace group (T_c). All the procedures used in the study for estimation of various physico-chemical properties, sensory evaluation and texture profile analysis were standard protocols.

There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in water holding capacity, crude fibre content and ash content of enrobed chicken cutlets, whereas moisture, fat content and shrinkage of product were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. The results for sensory evaluation and texture profile analysis of enrobed chicken cutlets were better than control group. Overall acceptability score of chicken cutlets enrobed with dried carrot pomace was revealed to be highest (7.5 ± 0.29) and that of control group was found to be lowest (6.4 ± 0.22). Hardness (N/cm²) value found for control group chicken cutlets, chicken cutlets enrobed with bread crumbs group and chicken cutlets enrobed with dried carrot pomace group were 2.2 ± 0.17, 3.1 ± 0.29 and 4.3 ± 0.27, respectively.

Future research may benefit to assess the effect of enrobing with bread crumbs and dried carrot pomace on mineral and vitamin content and lipid profile of meat products.

Enrobing of chicken cutlets with bread crumbs and dried carrot pomace improved the sensory attributes along with texture profile analysis. Hence, enrobing with bread crumbs and dried carrot pomace could be used as processing technology to improve sensory appeal, especially crispiness of meat products.

In the present study, wire electro-spark machining of Titanium alloy is performed with the machining parameter such as spark-on time, spark-off time, current and servo voltage. The purpose of this study is to model surface roughness using machine learning approach for input/controllable variable. Machined surface examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and XRD methods.

Full factorial approach has been used to design the experiments with varying machining parameters into three-level four factors. Obtained surface roughness was modeled using machine learning methods namely Gaussian process regression (GPR) and support vector machine (SVM) methods. These methods were compared for both training and testing data with a coefficient of correlation and root mean square error basis. Machined surface examined using scanned electron microscopy and XRD for surface quality produced and check migration of tool material to workpiece material.

Machine learning algorithms has excellent scope for prediction quality response for the wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) process, resulting in saving of time and cost as it is difficult to find each time experimentally. It has been found that the proposed model with minimum computational time, provides better solution and avoids priority weightage calculation by decision-makers.

The proposed modeling provides better predication about surface produced while machining of Ti6Al7Nb using zinc-coated brass wire electrode during WEDM operation.

This paper aims to focus on solving highly constrained redundancy optimization problems in binary complex systems.

The proposed algorithm searches a possibly improved solution in the k‐neighborhood (k≥2) of the current best feasible solution, by adding one unit in a selected subsystem and eliminating one from some other subsystem(s).

The algorithm is tested on complex system structures from the literature by solving a set of problems (with both linear and non‐linear constraints), with given and randomly generated data. It is observed that, compared with the other existing heuristics, there is much overall improvement in various performance measures.

The proposed algorithm is a better alternative and can be easily and efficiently applied to numerous real life systems such as computer and communication systems, telecommunication networks, automobile, nuclear and defense systems etc., giving optimal/near‐optimal solutions.

Researchers in reliability optimization have placed emphasis on heuristic approaches. The paper presents a new heuristic algorithm for solving the constrained redundancy optimization problems in complex binary systems.

This paper aims to focus on how home-grown Indian companies explored the potential of Indian middle class and realized an opportunity to seize the market gap not catered by MNCs in India. Across three distinct business contexts, the authors describe the companies’ procedures of developing segment-specific offerings. Doing so, the authors outline novel strategies implemented by these companies to cater to specific needs of the segments.

Seizing Bandura’s (1986) framework that stresses on the role of cognitive, vicarious, self-reflective and self-regulatory processes, the authors develop a four-layered model of the Indian middle class consumers. Building upon this model, they took multiple case (three caselets) approach for illustrating the strategies of home-grown companies. The authors identify their potential to explore the unknown terrains of various market segments and rework with unique local solutions.

The study highlights the power of home-grown companies over MNCs in terms of better market understanding and realistic offerings best suited to their needs. Across the divergent business contexts the companies’ strategies have four features in common: customer targeting and developing; localization of business models, particularly services; relating the products to the Indian society; and ethnocentrism and pride.

This study gives priority to a “thick” description of the proceedings without claiming causality. The authors limit this qualitative investigation to pinpointing congruence and contradictions to previous established results.

A key implication of this paper is the relevance of linking firm’s strategy to social-psychological development of customers in emerging economies component. This study provides critical insights for both managers and policymakers on the economic and social upswing as socially responsible and ethical practices are likely to gain public awareness.

The study’s originality springs from understanding the domestic company’s strategies when facing the pressure of (mainly Western) MNCs entering the emerging economies markets. While the latter takes advantage of economies of scale, country of origin effects and the powerful brands, the home-grown businesses are forced to develop divergent advantages and capabilities. Notably, earlier literature focused on changed demand pattern brought by MNCs in emerging economies and not on later part whereby, home-grown companies carve a space for themselves with specially designed improved products and innovative strategies.

The purpose of the study is to explore the suitability of social media influencers (SMIs) for communicating public health messages via social media platforms. The study identifies key persuasive communication components that influence individuals' attitudes and, subsequently, intentions to follow health-related information shared by SMIs.

Qualitative interviews with healthcare workers and interactions with 332 active social media users via structured online questionnaires were used for data collection. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse responses.

Results indicate that SMIs' credibility, SMI–individual homophily and quality of information shared by the SMI are the significant factors determining individuals' attitudes towards the information received. Furthermore, the individual's attitude significantly impacts their intention to follow information shared by the SMI. The study thus verifies the mediating role of attitude in persuasive communication.

The current study can serve as a foundation for future work to examine the suitability of SMIs for tasks other than marketing.

The study provides insights for planning and implementing SMI-sourced communication in the public health context. The study enhances the understanding of the tested relationships and thereby increases scholars' and practitioners' ability to leverage SMIs for health-related communication.

Whilst SMIs are attracting increasing attention in consumer markets, the study suggests that they can be used in public health communication. Considering the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, the empirical study provides insights into SMIs' role in persuasive public health communication amid a health crisis.

The peer review history for the article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-01-2021-0012

School library is regarded as the heart and soul of the school. It acts as learning resource centre and support the school curriculum in all possible manners. The main aim of this paper is to document the factors associated with library management in selected school libraries in Varanasi, India.

Survey method is used to conduct this research in which close-ended questions were provided to the school librarians. Simple random sampling was used to collect samples from secondary schools of Varanasi.

It was found that 34% school libraries affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education are managed properly and they are termed as first class library. Rest of the schools are not managed as per rules and regulations of school librarianship. Some librarians themselves are not properly aware of the significance of the library and hence the management is suffered accordingly.

This research will help in exploring the existing status of library management in school libraries. The work is designed specifically for school libraries. Simple ranking system for school libraries will be helpful to make an exhaustive school ranking based on library management.

This research will bring on record the ground reality of school librarianship in India and the way they are managed. Simple ranking system for school library is given in this paper that will help to find out which school library is functioning properly or not.

The purpose of this paper is to identify the input, process and output factors (along with their manifest variables) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and to establish cause and effect relationships amongst the factors and sub-factors. Systems thinking, a holistic approach, is used to carry out qualitative analysis of the feedback loops.

A well-structured questionnaire was developed to gather the relevant data to identify the factors affecting the performance of SMEs in a holistic manner. A total of 150 responses were collected during November 2015–March 2016. Factor analysis and path analysis were used to establish causal relationships between input, process and output factors. The systems thinking approach has been used for qualitative analysis.

Feedback loops have been identified amongst input-process-output-input factors and amongst sub-factors. They enabled authors to infer that the managers/owners of SMEs are systems thinkers, if not completely, at least partially. Six negative feedback loops and one positive feedback loop prevail. System behaviour arises out of the interaction of positive and negative feedback loops; it appears that in the long-run, the SMEs attain their target levels. The following inferences are drawn: circular relationships are identified amongst input, processes and organisational performance (OP), modern management tools such as just in times, Kanban have long-term benefits and are perceived as ineffective by small enterprises and formal financing and functional transparency enhances OP.

Systems thinking, a holistic approach, has been used to study the effect of input, process and output factors on one another. Such studies are sparse, especially, in the Indian context. Many studies have been conducted to study the effect of input and of processes on performance such as innovation, information technology, human resource, technology, government regulation on performance of SMEs in a silo but, rarely all together. The qualitative analysis adds value to the research. Many of the outcomes of the research have been largely discussed in Indian print media which indicates the pragmatic approach of the research.