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The purpose of this paper is to present an approach for continuous acoustic condition monitoring of transformers based on chromatic principles for abstracting information on individual acoustic events as well as secondary trends in the behaviour of the events.

The potential benefits of condition monitoring of high-value transformer equipment are explored, and an approach based on chromatic information abstraction is illustrated and discussed.

Tracking of large numbers of complex and variable individual acoustic events over time using a chromatic approach appears to offer a means for remote operators to evaluate mechanical transformer tap changer condition in a traceable manner.

The condition monitoring is retrofittable and non-intrusive, and the approach may be applied generically for combining condition indicators for overall health-checking. A complex system behaviour may be operationally simplified without discarding the complexity.

To introduce chromatic methods and their application to monitoring complex systems.

Complexity is introduced and the need for holistic monitoring is suggested. The chromatic methodologies are introduced and their broad‐ranging applicability is illustrated with reference to a number of diverse applications.

The generic chromatic monitoring technology has much to offer as a way of visualising, understanding, monitoring and controlling complex processes and system behaviour.

The technology is leading to new ways of characterising and evaluating aspects of system behaviour, in a holistic and non‐intrusive manner, that are difficult to measure – e.g. walking behaviour of the elderly, tiredness of drivers.

Draws out the generic basis of the chromatic methodology and how it may be applied to a wide range of complex systems and situations to predict when and where human intervention is required.

To illustrate the application of chromatic approaches to complexity with two illustrations each involving the interaction of two complex systems biological and polychromatic light.

Chromatic parameters (H, L, S) were derived from the monitored biological systems plant growth monitored by CCTV with light enhancement by light emitting diodes (LED) and human tissue oxygenation data that may be obtained from optical fibre‐based monitoring. A single chromatic parameter was derived from the H, L, S parameters.

The derived chromatic parameter C_T appears to vary linearly with the aspect being monitored plant growth as indicated by chromatic parameters and blood oxygenation as indicated by chromatic parameters.

Illustrates the possibility of cost‐effective chromatic‐based monitoring and control of complex systems plant growth enhanced by high efficiency/low energy LEDs and human tissue blood oxygenation (TBO) as well as additional applications in advanced pulse oximetry and neonatal bilirubin monitoring.

Illustrates the application of a generic technology in the area of complex systems, where there are interactions between two complex systems, biological and polychromatic light. The chromatic technology supports the derivation of linear relationships for monitoring and control.

Discusses how, in Part 1 the research group was at a “pioneering crisis” stage with considerable role and task ambiguity. An organizational development process was initiated aiming for greater systemization: a matrix structure was introduced and a groupware tool, the plan‐document (PD1), was implemented, as part of the group’s strategy to develop into a learning organization. States that the plan‐document was designed to enable information sharing and co‐ordination throughout the group, ranging over the short‐ and long‐terms. Usage was, however, low and PD1 was not widely adopted, although usage varied according to timescales and the personal relevance of objectives. A second plan‐document (PD2) was designed, aimed at being more “personal” and accessible, attuned to the new matrix structure and including reporting as well as planning functions. Looks at the introduction of PD2 and evaluates its contribution to the transition of the research group into both a systematized and a learning organization. Posits that groupware can go some way towards helping organizations meet the challenges of an uncertain environment through supporting open access between groups and individuals and fostering the group cohesiveness and interdependence.

Presents an extended study of the transformation of a university research group into a learning organization. The transformation process was realized during the rapid development of a small group into a medium‐sized organization through the addition of major projects, necessitating change from a hierarchy to a matrix organization. Central to the development of the organization and its learning ethos was the introduction of a hypermedia groupware system (PD1). Documents the cycles of evaluation and change up to assessment of PD1. Concludes that the evolutionary transformation of an organization can be a managed and a learning process, involving, and depending on, all participants and their constructive use of an enabling information technology infrastructure in a period of change and transition.

Encouraged by a variety of stakeholders and the benefits that could derive from corporate social responsibility (CSR), multinational corporations (MNCs) are increasingly concerned with limiting the social and environmental costs of their operations. Yet, they are often accused of not walking the talk on sustainability. Since offshoring and outsourcing became mainstream in international business, concerns have particularly emerged around MNCs’ ability to implement credible and efficient sustainability strategies along increasingly complex and dispersed global supply chains. Evidence on the effectiveness of private initiatives to socially and environmentally upgrade supplier practices remains mixed, and the different insights from the literature, siloed. This work aims to provide a survey of the literature documenting the challenges MNCs face trying to implement more sustainable policies in supplier networks located in developing countries, where sustainability standards and certifications are likely to be poorly enforced. We integrate insights from multiple disciplines, provide an overview of the existing body of research on the topic, and propose an analysis structured around three recurring themes: the policy tools available to MNCs and their limitations, the obstacles to suppliers’ compliance, and the different governance mechanisms available to MNCs to shape their suppliers’ practices. By providing a comprehensive picture of CSR policy implementation challenges, we contribute to practice and highlight potential avenues for future research.

The purpose of this paper is to: first, outline the features of the contemporary apprenticeship system, and its performance in terms of the numbers starting and completing programmes; and second, to report the findings of empirical research which sought to identify the characteristics of effective apprenticeship.

Two contrasting sectors were selected to identify aspects of provision that generate “success”: “engineering”, which has a long tradition of apprenticeships and “business administration”, which has a shorter history of involvement. Four organizations, two from each sector, were selected from those, which had gained the highest grade in the formal inspection of apprenticeship provision undertaken by the Adult Learning Inspectorate. Interviews were carried out with training personnel and investigated issues such as the organisation's rationale(s) for employing apprentices; the costs and benefits associated with the approach; the structure of the training and the pedagogical processes employed; and the links between the programme and career progression.

The findings in the paper indicate that effective apprenticeships are strongly associated with a sustained organisational commitment to apprenticeship. This stems from an identifiable business case to recruit and train young people and a concern with their personal (long‐term) as well as job‐specific (short‐term) development. This approach is manifested through the development of programmes which ensure that apprentices participate in a wide range of co‐ordinated and progressive work and learning opportunities.

The paper identifies a range of good practice features emerging from the case studies and discusses the prospects for extending this approach to other industries and occupations.

During pre-vaccine era, pharmaceutical supplies [self-care essentials (SCEs)] have been proved to be a major deflector, protector and safety guard against novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Hence, the objective of the study is to provide a comprehensive socio-technological decision-making framework based on multiple criteria for selecting the suppliers of pharmaceuticals, such as SCEs, by multi-brand enterprises (distributors) in the pandemic environment.

A hybrid methodology of Bayesian best worst method (BWM) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) method has been applied for carrying out the study. Bayesian BWM has been applied for computing the importance of criteria identified for the selection of SCEs' suppliers during pandemic environment and MABAC method evaluated the suppliers of the SCEs.

In the study, the authors have identified eight criteria such as disinfection and sanitization of vehicles, social conscience of suppliers, brand (Technological recognition) of SCEs and logistics and distribution network, among others, which are critical to the selection of a supplier for the supply of SCEs. The application of the proposed hybrid model revealed that lead time and quality of SCEs are of utmost concern for pharmacies in a pandemic environment. Among the ten suppliers, results showed that Suppliers 2, 4 and 5 have been ranked first for supplying hand wash, hand sanitizer and face mask, respectively.

The proposed model has helped the multi-brand distributors of pharmaceuticals in selecting suppliers during the ongoing crisis of COVID-19. In addition to that, in future the outcomes of the study would be helpful for multi-brand distributors as well as pharmacies and hospitals in selecting the best suppliers. Policy makers will be able to make and revise the policies immediately with the help of the proposed decision-making framework.

The paper makes a novel contribution towards theory with the criteria identified for selecting best suppliers during the pandemic COVID-19. Additionally, the proposed hybrid model helps multi-brand distributors of pharmaceuticals in making decisions that lead to a huge social and economic success in pandemic time.

Implementing sustainable practices in multi-tier supply chains (MTSCs) is a difficult task. This study aims to investigate why such endeavours fail and how MTSC partners can address them.

A single-case study of a global food retail company was used in this study. Semi-structured interviews with the case firm and its first- and second-tier suppliers were used to collect data, which were then qualitatively analysed using thematic analysis.

Major barriers impeding the implementation of sustainability in multi-tier food supply chains were revealed such as the cost of sustainability, knowledge gap, lack of infrastructure and supply chain complexity. Furthermore, the findings reveal five possible solutions such as multi-tier collaboration and partnership, diffusion of innovation along the chain, supply chain mapping, sustainability performance measurement and capacity building, all of which can aid in the improvement of sustainability practices.

Future research should investigate how specific barriers and drivers affect specific aspects of sustainability, pointing practitioners to specific links between the variables that can aid in tailoring sustainability oriented investment.

This research supports managerial comprehension of MTSC sustainability, pointing out ways to improve sustainability performance despite the complex multi-tier system of food supply chains.

The research on MTSC sustainability is still growing, and this research contributes to the debate about how MTSCs can become more sustainable from the perspective of the triple bottom line, particularly food supply chains which face significant sustainability challenges.