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This study aims to deal with supplier selection problem. The supplier selection problem has significantly become attractive to researchers and practitioners in recent years. Many real-world supply chain problems are assumed as multiple objectives combinatorial optimization problems.

In this paper, the authors propose a multi-objective model with fuzzy parameters to select suppliers and allocate orders considering multiple periods, multiple resources, multiple products and two-echelon supply chain. The objective functions consist of total purchase costs, transportation, order and on-time delivery, coverage and the weights of suppliers. Distance-based partial and general coverage of suppliers makes the number of orders of products more realistic. In this model, the weights of suppliers are determined by fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, as a multi-criteria decision analysis method, in the objective function. Also, the authors consider the parameters related to delays as triangular fuzzy numbers.

A small-sized numerical example is provided to clearly show the proposed model. The exact epsilon constraint method is used to solve this given multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem. Subsequently, the sensitivity analysis is conducted to testify the proposed model. The obtained results demonstrate the validity of the proposed multiple objectives mixed integer mathematical programming model and the efficiency of the solution approach.

In real-life situations, supplier selection parameters are uncertain and incomplete. Hence, the fuzzy set theory is used to tackle uncertainty. In this paper, a multi-objective supplier selection problem is formulated taking into consideration the coverage of suppliers and suppliers’ weights. Integrating coverage of suppliers to select and allocate the order to them can be mentioned as the main contribution of this study. The proposed model considers the delay from suppliers as fuzzy parameters.

Considering the important role of knowledge management in the global growth of world economies, the importance of knowledge management in the tourism industry can hardly be overestimated. Knowledge management, empowering leadership and innovation can open new research prospects for online travel and tourism, thereby increasing organizational capacity. In this context, this study aims to investigate the relationship between knowledge management practices and transformational leadership, along with the mediating role in this relationship of leadership communication. Knowledge management practices are discussed through the lens of managers’/organizational perspectives working in the online travel and tourism industry.

Using a descriptive research method, the data were collected from a total of 174 managers/senior executives working in the online travel and tourism sectors. The proposed conceptual framework was evaluated using structural equation modeling through AMOS 21 and Process Macro (SPSS-Plugin).

The results revealed a significant increase in the adoption of knowledge management practices in the online travel and tourism sector under transformative leadership. The results also highlighted that effective communication is a vital contributor and significant complementary mediator in the relationship between transformative leadership and knowledge management practices.

The results of this study suggest that transformational leaders, who are equipped with the “high touch” nature of leadership and the “high tech” aspect of the contemporary workplace, are the best fit to manage online travel and tourism organizations. To have an adequate knowledge management system, knowledge managers should adopt a transformative leadership style and receive comprehensive training in developing leadership abilities such as effective communication competencies.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that, in emerging online travel and tourism sectors, organizational knowledge can be managed through effective leadership communication.

This paper aims to present a new one-variable first-order shear deformation theory (OVFSDT) using nonlocal elasticity concepts for buckling of graphene sheets.

The FSDT had errors in its assumptions owing to the assumption of constant shear stress distribution along the thickness of the plate, even though by using the shear correction factor (SCF), it has been slightly corrected, the errors have been remained owing to the fact that the exact value of SCF has not already been accurately identified. By using two-variable first-order shear deformation theories, these errors decreased further by removing the SCF. To consider nanoscale effects on the plate, Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory was adopted. The critical buckling loads were computed by Navier’s approach. The obtained numerical results were then compared with previous studies’ results using molecular dynamics simulations and other plate theories for validation which also showed the accuracy and simplicity of the proposed theory.

In comparing the biaxial buckling results of the proposed theory with the two-variable shear deformation theories and exact results, it revealed that the two-variable plate theories were not appropriate for the investigation of asymmetrical analyses.

A formulation for FSDT was innovated by reconsidering its errors to improve the FSDT for investigation of mechanical behavior of nanoplates.

The authors’ aim is to investigate if entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has a role in interpreting an external crisis, such as COVID-19, as an opportunity for investing in digital transformation.

The authors undertook multiple case study research on the digital transformation of seven “Made in Italy” SMEs and proposed a conceptual framework that sees an external stimulus (e.g. the pandemic) as a driver of the digitalisation, filtered by the entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs.

The authors’ results show how EO deals with the changing environment and helps address the market opportunities related to digitalisation.

This study contributes to the existing literature on EO and digital transformation of SMEs, creating a new model for forthcoming studies on this topic. In addition, interesting insights are offered on the role of EO to promote the introduction of digital transformation in SMEs operating in the “Made in Italy” sectors.

This study shows the role of EO as a reactive characteristic during a crisis. Thus, the authors’ suggestion to SMEs is to develop their EO as a part of the strategic orientation. In addition, this work encourages policymakers to invest in the promotion of specific interventions aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in enhancing their capacity to effectively manage digital transformation.

Identifying the most important triggers of digitalisation in times of crisis remains an underexplored area of research. Thus, this study adds value to both digital transformation and entrepreneurial orientation topics.

This study aims to examine the relationship between brand innovativeness, brand attitude and brand equity within the service industry. Despite the prior literature’s acknowledgement of the importance of brand innovativeness, the previous studies on its impact on brand equity have yielded inconsistent results. This study also explores the moderating effect of perceived brand ethicality on the relationship between brand innovativeness, brand attitude and brand equity.

This study collected the self-administered survey data of 402 respondents in the Chinese retail banking sector and employed a moderated mediation analysis to examine the research hypotheses.

Brand innovativeness positively influences brand equity, and brand attitude mediates the effect. Perceived brand ethicality strengthens the positive association between brand innovativeness and brand equity.

This study contributes to the extant brand literature by demonstrating how the positive impact of brand innovativeness transcends brand evaluation to impact overall brand equity; it also reveals the mechanism through which brand innovativeness affects brand equity. The findings advance the under-researched issue of whether consumer perceptions of a brand’s ethical conduct affect the efficacy of brand innovativeness in brand equity.

This study aims to perform a systematic literature review to organize the abundance of information on employee relations (ER) and sustainable organizations. Moreover, this study identifies the research gaps by investigating the review of ER’ mediating and moderating variables and the relationship between ER and sustainable organizations.

This study is based on the systematic literature review methodology involving 257 studies in the final stage. The Scopus and Google Scholar databases with search criteria “employee relations” and “employee relations and sustainable organization” were used to achieve the research objective. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, researchers come to the distribution of the articles based on the subthemes, geographical region, types of methods, top authors with affiliation and complete research articles based on the citation. In the final stage, this study concluded with the conceptual model comprising mediators and moderators of ER as well as the mediating and moderating variables of the relationship between ER and sustainable organizations.

The reviewed literature shows that employee relation is an optimal strategy for retaining employees via proper disclosure of human resources (HRs) and ER Index. This study included the top six publishers, namely, Emerald, Elsevier, Sage, Springer, Taylor and Francis and Wiley Online Library, to do an exhaustive review on a specific topic. The findings indicate that after COVID-19, the ER index, HR disclosures and the sustainability of ER are among the new and required paradigm shifts needed to manage a crisis impact and perform productively. The mediator and moderator variables that can improve employee–employer relationships are organizational trusts, organizational justice, perceived job satisfaction, organizational structure and firm ownership. On the other hand, variables that mediate and moderate the relationship between ER and sustainable organizations are organizational climate, organization trust, organization culture, perceived organization support, psychological empowerment, firm ownership, leadership behavior and attitude, respectively. The findings concluded that harmonious and cordial ER are pertinent in building sustainable organizations and accomplishing organizational goals.

The mediating and moderating variables that have been identified can be helpful for enthusiastic researchers in contributing to empirical research. Practitioners and managers can use the findings in making an effective organizational model that develops good employee–employer relationships and helps create a culture of trust and harmony. This study focuses on exploring the variables of ER, which strengthens employee–employer relationships and supports organizations to stay agile and attain sustainability to endure in the future.

This study insights on the specific mediating and moderating variables of ER and sustainable organizations. Till date, studies exploring constructs of ER and sustainable organizations are still in deficit. Better employee relation reflects and leads to a more resilient organization. Future researchers should explore the connection between pandemics and ER which is done insufficiently in the present time.

This paper aims to focus on research work related to metamaterial-based sensors for material characterization that have been developed for past ten years. A decade of research on metamaterial for sensing application has led to the advancement of compact and improved sensors.

In this study, relevant research papers on metamaterial sensors for material characterization published in reputed journals during the period 2007-2018 were reviewed, particularly focusing on shape, size and nature of materials characterized. Each sensor with its design and performance parameters have been summarized and discussed here.

As metamaterial structures are excited by electromagnetic wave interaction, sensing application throughout electromagnetic spectrum is possible. Recent advancement in fabrication techniques and improvement in metamaterial structures have led to the development of compact, label free and reversible sensors with high sensitivity.

The paper provides useful information on the development of metamaterial sensors for material characterization.