Search results
1 – 10 of 13Jieren Guan, Shuhu Luo, Xinfeng Kan, Chao Chen and Qiuping Wang
The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing parameters on the surface quality and dimensional accuracy of FFF-fabricated copper…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing parameters on the surface quality and dimensional accuracy of FFF-fabricated copper green parts using the appropriate filaments. The orthogonal experiments were implemented and the errors in length, width and height were measured and analyzed. The results of range analysis and variance analysis indicated the orders of effect factors. Dissolvent debinding combined with thermal debinding was adopted to remove the binders inside the green part by calculating debinding rate. The influence mechanism of sintering temperatures on the microstructure and shrinkage was elaborated.
Design/methodology/approach
The extrusion-based FFF in manufacturing copper parts can overcome shortcomings for high reflectivity and heat dissipation in laser powder bed fusion process at cost-saving and materials saving. This study makes an attempt to prepare copper/binder composite filaments through mixing, extrusion and flowability evaluation.
Findings
The results showed that the suitable composite filaments applied for FFF should balance rigidity and plasticity. The combination of printing speed and heating temperature impacts on the surface quality significantly, and the major factor in determining the dimensional accuracy is layer thickness. Two-stage debinding procedure was beneficial for binder removal and sintering process. The higher sintering temperature results in less voids, sizes shrinkage and densified microstructure, which is attributed to the occurrence of sintering neck among the fused copper powders.
Originality/value
The self-prepared copper/binder composite filaments were successfully manufactured using the FFF process. This study provides unique approach and print guidance for fabricating complex structures of pure copper components.
Details
Keywords
The article focuses on cross-sectoral analysis concerning services, especially ICT services, flowing from China to European manufacturing. The aim of the study is to analyse…
Abstract
Purpose
The article focuses on cross-sectoral analysis concerning services, especially ICT services, flowing from China to European manufacturing. The aim of the study is to analyse Sino-European relations in terms of ICT servicification. The article attempts to answer the following questions: does China’s relationship with Europe in terms of the servicification of manufacturing align with global servicification trends? Have global economic shocks, such as decoupling policies, diminished the flows of Chinese ICT services in European advanced manufacturing sectors?
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed input–output models to analyse the increasing role of China as a supplier of ICT services to European manufacturing. It also identified the industries that are most dependent on Chinese ICT services.
Findings
The analysis highlights the increasing reliance of European manufacturing on Chinese ICT services, with a notable rise across both Western Europe and CEE. This dependency is particularly strong in advanced sectors such as automotive and electronics, and there is no evidence of decoupling from China, even amidst global shocks or geopolitical tensions like the Trump presidency. Additionally, the BRI had limited direct impact, as the servicification trends appear driven more by broader globalization processes.
Originality/value
The study investigates all European countries and their manufacturing sectors’ reliance on Chinese services. It concentrates on services related to high technology, specifically ICT. Moreover, the previous research has focused on servicification of manufacturing, in general, neglecting industry-specific analysis. It contributes to the literature by providing insights into the relationships between developing and developed economies in terms of GVCs in the context of digital servicification and decoupling conditions.
Details
Keywords
Mahadev Laxman Naik and Milind Shrikant Kirkire
Asset maintenance in manufacturing industries is a critical issue as organizations are highly sensitive towards maximizing asset uptime. In the advent of Industry 4.0, maintenance…
Abstract
Purpose
Asset maintenance in manufacturing industries is a critical issue as organizations are highly sensitive towards maximizing asset uptime. In the advent of Industry 4.0, maintenance is increasingly becoming technology driven and is being termed as Maintenance 4.0. Several barriers impede the implementation of Maintenance 4.0. This article aims at - exploring the barriers to implementation of Maintenance 4.0 in manufacturing industries, categorizing them, analysing them to prioritize and suggesting the digital technologies to overcome them.
Design/methodology/approach
Twenty barriers to the implementation of Maintenance 4.0 were identified through literature survey and discussion with the industry experts. The identified barriers were divided into five categories based on their source of occurrence and prioritized using fuzzy-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), sensitivity analysis was carried out to check the robustness of the solution.
Findings
“Data security issues” has been ranked as the most influencing barrier towards the implementation of Maintenance 4.0, whereas “lack of skilled engineers and data scientists” is the least influencing barrier that impacts the implementation of Maintenance 4.0 in the manufacwturing industries.
Practical implications
The outcomes of this research will help manufacturing industries, maintenance engineers/managers, policymakers, and industry professionals for detailed understanding of barriers and identify easy pickings while implementing Maintenance 4.0.
Originality/value
Manufacturing industries are witnessing a paradigm shift due to digitization and maintenance 4.0 forms the cornerstone. Little research has been carried in Maintenance 4.0 and its implementation; this article will help in bridging the gap. The prioritization of the barriers and digital course of actions to overcome those is a unique contribution of this article.
Details
Keywords
The research provides new strategies for enhancing resilience in pharmaceutical manufacturing by addressing the dynamic nature of digital technology within the challenging…
Abstract
Purpose
The research provides new strategies for enhancing resilience in pharmaceutical manufacturing by addressing the dynamic nature of digital technology within the challenging framework of a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) world, focusing on the concept of digital twins (DTs). This paper aims to emphasize the pivotal role of resilience in navigating disruptions and propose future research directions to contribute to the industry’s effective adaptation to uncertainties and dynamic challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a qualitative approach, drawing insights from an extensive literature review on pharmaceutical manufacturing resilience and the integration of digital technologies. Methodologically, it synthesizes information from scholarly articles, empirical studies and industry reports to construct a comprehensive understanding. This design facilitates a thorough examination of the subject, providing valuable insights for practitioners, researchers and policymakers in the pharmaceutical industry.
Findings
This paper illustrates the practical application of DTs in vaccine production, emphasizing their critical role in ensuring quality, safety and adaptability. It adopts the “seizing, sensing and transforming” framework, showcasing the strategic integration of Industry 4.0 technologies to address dynamic challenges. Key insights include the significance of human elements alongside technological advancements, the need for real-time monitoring using Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) and the transformative potential of sustainability practices, diversified supply chains and collaborative ecosystems.
Research limitations/implications
This paper highlights the integration of human and digital elements, emphasizing IoT, AI and DTs for resilience. It underscores sustainable practices, supply chain diversification and collaboration as key strategies for addressing pharmaceutical industry challenges.
Practical implications
This paper offers practical insights for pharmaceutical manufacturing, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures, strategic investments in digital technologies and proactive regulatory compliance. Managers are encouraged to allocate budgets for digital integration, prioritize change management for technology adoption and invest in a skilled workforce. The adoption and management of DTs are highlighted to enhance resilience. Overall, the paper guides pharmaceutical organizations in navigating the complexities of the VUCA environment, ensuring the quality and safety of products through a multifaceted approach that combines advanced technologies with sustainability practices, supply chain diversification and collaborative ecosystems.
Social implications
The research addresses VUCA challenges, including volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It emphasizes societal benefits such as uninterrupted drug supply, environmental responsibility through sustainable practices and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. By leveraging digital technologies and resilience strategies, the study highlights the pharmaceutical sector’s pivotal role in managing health crises and ensuring patient safety.
Originality/value
This paper offers substantial originality and value by presenting a comprehensive framework for bolstering resilience in pharmaceutical manufacturing within the VUCA environment. The integration of advanced digital technologies, notably DTs, is explored in-depth, providing novel insights into their practical application. The “seizing, sensing and transforming” concept contributes a nuanced approach, considering both technological and human dimensions. This paper addresses the gaps in current literature by combining diverse elements such as Industry 4.0, risk assessment, sustainability practices and collaborative ecosystems. Its practical implications for managers and detailed exploration of research directions add tangible value, guiding future endeavors in enhancing pharmaceutical industry resilience.
Details
Keywords
It Nguyen Van, Anna Kotaskova, Alberto Ferraris and Thanh Tiep Le
This study investigates the impact of human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) for accelerating the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the impact of human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) for accelerating the digitalization process and improving the firm performance. It also studies the role of supply chains as both direct and indirect mediators of the correlation between digitalization and business performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This article aims to develop an empirical study using a random sampling technique and survey data collected from 368 managers and owners of different food enterprises in Vietnam. The study adopted a methodological approach quantitatively. Analysis of the relationships and confirmatory factors was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM), a technique to evaluate the proposed relationships.
Findings
In line with expectations, the findings emphasize the impact of human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) for accelerating the digitalization process and the role of supply chains as both direct and indirect mediators of the correlation between digitalization and improving the firm performance, in the context of emerging markets.
Originality/value
This is an important investigation, according to the authors' knowledge, regarding the role of developing human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) as a key strategy for accelerating the digitalization process and improving the firm performance. Further, the study's novelty reinforces the role of supply chains as both direct and indirect mediators of the correlation between digitalization and business performance in the Vietnamese food companies, where a market economy is emerging.
Details
Keywords
Huan Yang, Jun Cai and Robert Webb
We aim to examine two issues. First, we intend to identify the best performing expected return proxies. Second, we investigate whether the expected return proxies for individual…
Abstract
Purpose
We aim to examine two issues. First, we intend to identify the best performing expected return proxies. Second, we investigate whether the expected return proxies for individual stocks can track the corresponding realized returns during extremely good or extremely bad times of the economic environment related to business conditions, stock market valuation and broad market performance.
Design/methodology/approach
We construct four sets of expected return proxies, including: (1) characteristic-based proxies; (2) standard risk-factor-based proxies; (3) risk-factor-based proxies that allow betas to vary with firm characteristics and (4) macroeconomic-variable-based proxies. First, we estimate expected returns for individual stocks using newly developed methods and evaluate the performance of these expected return proxies based on the minimum variance criterion of Lee et al. (2020). Second, we regress expected return proxies and realized returns on indicator variables that capture the extreme phases of the economic environment. Then we compare the estimated coefficients from these two sets of regressions and see if they are similar in magnitude via formal hypothesis testing.
Findings
We find that characteristic-based proxies and risk-factor-based proxies that allow betas to vary with firm characteristics are the two best performing proxies. Therefore, it is important to allow betas to vary with firm characteristics in constructing expected return proxies. We also find that model-based expected return proxies do a reasonably good job capturing actual returns during extremely bad and extremely good phases of business cycles measured by leading economic indicators, consumer confidence and business confidence. However, there is a large gap between the adjustment of model-based expected returns and realized returns during extreme episodes of stock market valuation or broad market performance.
Originality/value
We examine four types of expected return proxies and use the newly developed methodology as in Lee et al. (2020) to see which one is the best. In addition, we document whether model-based expected returns from individual stocks adjust partially or fully to keep pace with actual returns in response to changing economic conditions. No prior studies have examined these two issues.
Details
Keywords
Xiaojian Jiang, Zhonggui Zhang, Jiafei Cheng, Yongjie Ai, Ziyue Zhang, Shuolei Wang, Shi Xu, Hongyu Gao and Yubing Dong
This study aims to fabricate the reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) composite films with electric-driven two-way shape memory properties for…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to fabricate the reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) composite films with electric-driven two-way shape memory properties for deployable structures application. The effect of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and rGO on the structure and properties of the rGO/EVA composite films were systematically investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
The rGO/EVA composite films were fabricated by melting blend and swelling-ultrasonication method, DCP and rGO were used the crosslinking agent and conductive filler, respectively.
Findings
The research results indicate that the two-way shape memory properties of rGO/EVA composite films were significantly improved with the increase of DCP content. The rGO endowed rGO/EVA composite films with excellent electric-driven reversible two-way shape memory and anti-ultraviolet aging properties. The sample rGO/EVA-9 can be heated above Tm within 8 s at a voltage of 35 V and can be heated above the Tm temperature within 12 s under near-infrared light (NIR). Under a constant stress of 0.07 MPa, the reversible strain of the sample rGO/EVA-9 was 8.96% and its electric-driven shape memory behavior maintained great regularity and stability.
Research limitations/implications
The rGO/EVA composite films have potential application value in the field of deployable structures.
Originality/value
With the increase of DCP content, the two-way shape memory properties of rGO/EVA composite films were significantly improved, which effectively solved the problem that the shape memory properties of EVA matrix decreased caused by swelling. The rGO endowed rGO/EVA composite films with excellent electric/NIR driven reversible two-way shape memory properties.
Details
Keywords
Waheed Ali Umrani, Noman Rafique, Yasir Kundi, Umair Ahmed and Reem Abi Abdallah
Employees’ creativity is a critical factor in today’s dynamic working conditions. This study investigates the impact of authentic leadership on the creative work behavior of…
Abstract
Purpose
Employees’ creativity is a critical factor in today’s dynamic working conditions. This study investigates the impact of authentic leadership on the creative work behavior of employees through psychological empowerment as a mediating mechanism. Moreover, the study also aims to examine the moderating role of organizational identification, drawing upon social identity theory. Specifically, organizational identification is expected to moderate the relationship between psychological empowerment and creative work behavior. Furthermore, it can also potentially moderate the indirect effect of authentic leadership on creative work behavior through psychological empowerment.
Design/methodology/approach
We collected a total of 314 valid responses from the employees working in private and public sector organizations within the telecommunications sector in Sindh, Pakistan.
Findings
We analyzed the data using Mplus 8.0. Our findings revealed that authentic leadership leverages creativity via psychological empowerment. Moreover, authentic leadership potentially acts as a moderator. Our results also found support for conditional indirect effects.
Originality/value
Leaders’ authenticity is an emerging concept. Its role in producing a creative workforce is still in the developmental stage. This study highlights that managers must be trained to develop the traits of authentic leadership and organizational identification so that they can raise employees’ psychological empowerment and creative work behavior.
Details
Keywords
Shipra Pathak and Navjit Singh
The purpose of this paper is to explore future directions in E-learning research by analysing data from Scopus indexed publications in order to have a comprehensive overview of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore future directions in E-learning research by analysing data from Scopus indexed publications in order to have a comprehensive overview of the trends and thematic focus post COVID-19 in Asian context.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses Vos viewer and Biblioshiny software packages to analyse the bibliometric data. This software helped in identifying the anatomy of E-learning and their themes which were instrumental in forecasting future trends.
Findings
The paper depicts the trends in post COVID-19 E-learning research in Asian context. It identifies key publications, authors and journals in the field, with a focus on numerous networks of collaboration between writers and nations, identifying keyword clusters and co-citation analysis clusters. This study also explored that China and the USA are having maximum number of collaborations, whereas, countries like India, the United Kingdom, Singapore and New Zealand have comparatively weaker collaboration networks. So there is lot of potential for these countries for such collaborations. India is the most cited country globally and China is having maximum number of scientific productions per year.
Research limitations/implications
The paper has been written by exclusively referring to Scopus database papers. Collecting data from different databases would significantly improve the study. Future researchers can also focus on papers from psychology, computer science and engineering fields as current work is based on open access articles on social business, business and arts and humanities.
Practical implications
This research will be useful to educational institutions that use these platforms to offer E-learning content and match future trends. This study will help researchers in understanding the new dimensions in the field of E-learning.
Originality/value
The current study uses bibliometric analysis to examine the association between E-learning, higher education and COVID-19. It aids in the identification of new difficulties within the complex and expanding study fields in the world of E-learning. Newly published studies on E-learning trends can improve understanding and bridge the knowledge gap. As a result, recommendations can be made to improve and implement newer strategies in field of education.
Details
Keywords
Prosperity is a multifaceted concept that encompasses human well-being through economic and non-economic aspects, as well as material and immaterial attributes. Prosperous…
Abstract
Purpose
Prosperity is a multifaceted concept that encompasses human well-being through economic and non-economic aspects, as well as material and immaterial attributes. Prosperous development refers to a community’s ability to thrive physically, socially, and psychologically while integrating environmental priorities and social objectives with economic directions. The City Prosperity Initiative (CPI) conceptualizes the broad understanding of human and societal livability and well-being regarding sustainable and inclusive urban development. Hence, this paper aims to elucidate urban prosperity and explore it in Tehran using the CPI Index.
Design/methodology/approach
It was possible to analyze Tehran’s prosperous development by valuing 56 indicators of the CPI Index, which served as a composite indicator based on reliable secondary data from official statistical yearbooks and reports. Instead of employing a global weighting methodology for aggregating sub-dimensions and dimensions, the analysis considered local context and priorities, incorporating insights from experts and scholars. For this purpose, the CPI’s methodology and metadata and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) logic were applied using Expert Choice software.
Findings
Tehran’s overall prosperity score is 47.6 out of 100, indicating a weak and vulnerable status. The asymmetric hexagonal shape of Tehran’s CPI Index reflects the unbalanced development of its urban system. Quality of Life and Infrastructure Development are solid, while Equity and Social Inclusion is fragile. Productivity, Environmental Sustainability and Urban Governance and Legislation are very weak. Thus, environmental unsustainability, low productivity, and inadequate governance and legislation significantly hinder Tehran’s prosperous development. Unsatisfactory conditions of social infrastructure and economic equity exacerbate this problematic situation.
Research limitations/implications
As one of the largest metropolises in the Middle East and one of the globalizing cities from developing countries and emerging economies, Tehran has not yet been studied using the CPI. This study adds Tehran to the limited number of cities analyzed through the CPI. Tehran has surpassed its carrying capacity, and if current trends continue, its quality of life will also be fragile. The city’s environmental challenges are evident, and experts and scholars are well aware of these issues and concerned about the situation.
Originality/value
Despite the difficulty of obtaining accurate and reliable data and the need for a robust weighting system, the CPI framework remains adaptable. It allows for modifications based on the study’s objectives, scale, and context. In addition to the strategies proposed to improve Tehran’s prosperity, enhancing urban prosperity could be expected only through adopting an integrated approach that addresses all dimensions regarding environmental priorities, social objectives, and economic directions, considering the unique needs and preferences of the city at local, regional, national, and transnational planning levels.
Details