Nagarajan Karthiyayini, C. Rajendran and Munusamy Kumaravel
The purpose of this paper is to formulate the strategy for improving the laboratory practices to enhance customer satisfaction by analyzing the performance of critical factors of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to formulate the strategy for improving the laboratory practices to enhance customer satisfaction by analyzing the performance of critical factors of IS/ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) laboratory accreditation and the importance attached by the quality/technical managers in the accredited Indian testing/calibration laboratories.
Design/methodology/approach
The perceptions of the critical factors of laboratory accreditation and the importance attached by the quality/technical managers in their organizations have been collected and analyzed to develop an importance-performance analysis (IPA) model to enhance the customer satisfaction.
Findings
Findings report that the performance of the critical factors and the importance assigned to them are not the same. There exist gaps between the performance and importance which need to be measured and analyzed by the management to strive toward continual improvement to enhance the customer satisfaction through the accredited testing and calibration services.
Research limitations/implications
This study is restricted to 54 responses out of 150 which were sent (i.e. about 36 percent response rate) to capture the perspectives of the quality/technical managers.
Practical implications
This study would enable the accredited laboratories to analyze the gap in performance and the importance assigned to critical factors through the feedback from the quality/technical managers. By analyzing the strengths and weaknesses in the accredited testing/calibration laboratories, managerial decisions and strategic plans can be proposed to gain greater insights into benchmarking improvement of the laboratory quality management system with the existing resources to strive toward customer satisfaction.
Originality/value
This paper proposes IPA as a tool to assess the gap between the importance and performance of critical factors of accredited testing and calibration laboratories in India.
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V. Viswanath Shenoi, T.N. Srikantha Dath, C. Rajendran and P. Shahabudeen
The purpose of this paper is to provide strategic recommendations to supply chain managers of Indian manufacturing industries for a robust supply chain related to risk management…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide strategic recommendations to supply chain managers of Indian manufacturing industries for a robust supply chain related to risk management by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers in manufacturing industries to ensure a robust supply chain risk management (SCRM).
Design/methodology/approach
Importance-performance analysis (IPA) is utilized to identify and provide strategic recommendations to manufacturing industries for improving their supply chain performance by attaching due importance to risk constructs and appropriately choosing mitigation strategies.
Findings
The investigation using the strategic action grids reveals that most of the means of risks are near the point of intersection of the grand means of the risk constructs and their impact on the supply chain, indicating that all the risks have the equal likelihood of occurrence. The mean importance of risk monitoring, risk avoidance (RA) and risk sharing surpass the mean performance for both OEMs and suppliers.
Research limitations/implications
The study is executed with following limitations: the study assumes that the manufacturing industries across different sectors perceive similar risk. The sectors considered are automotive, heavy engineering, general engineering and home appliances. The Southern States of India are considered because of the dominant presence of many industries, especially automotive industries. However, it should be noted that these States form the manufacturing hubs where the lead organizations are functioning along with their major suppliers.
Practical implications
By understanding the importance of SCRM dimensions and utilization of these dimensions, firms can mitigate the impact of risk on the supply chain. The detailed study of SCRM strategies highlights the importance attached to risk factors, mitigation strategies, and top management commitment. By the implementation of SCRM strategies, supply chain managers can improve the firm’s performance.
Originality/value
The study involves empirically validated data on SCRM dimensions. The IPA is performed on the SCRM dimensions to investigate the importance attached to the factors of the dimensions and their performance.
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C. Rajendran, K. Srinivasan, V. Balasubramanian, H. Balaji and P. Selvaraj
Presently, the materials used in light combat aircraft structures are aluminium alloys and composites. These structures are joined together through riveted joints. The weight of…
Abstract
Purpose
Presently, the materials used in light combat aircraft structures are aluminium alloys and composites. These structures are joined together through riveted joints. The weight of these rivets for the entire aircraft is nearly one ton. In addition to weight, the riveted connection requires a lot of tools, equipments, fixtures and manpower, which makes it an expensive and time-consuming process. Moreover, Al alloy is also welded using tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process by proper control of process parameters. This process has limitations such as porosity, alloy segregation and hot cracking. To overcome the above limitations, an alternative technology is required. One such technology is friction stir welding (FSW), which can be successfully applied for welding of aluminium alloy in LCA structures. Therefore, this paper aims to compare the load carrying capabilities of FSW joints with TIG welded and riveted joints.
Design/methodology/approach
FSW joints and TIG welded joints were fabricated using optimized process parameters, followed by riveted joints using standard shop floor practice in the butt and lap joint configurations.
Findings
The load-carrying capabilities of FSW joints are superior than those of other joints. FSW joints exhibited 75 per cent higher load-carrying capability compared to the riveted joints and TIG-welded joints.
Practical implications
From this investigation, it is inferred that the FSW joint is suitable for the replacement of riveted joints in LCA and TIG-welded joints.
Originality/value
Friction stir butt joints exhibited 75 per cent higher load-carrying capability than riveted butt joints. Friction stir welded lap joints showed 70 per cent higher load-carrying capability than the riveted lap joints. Friction stir butt joints yielded 41 per cent higher breaking load capabilities than the TIG-welded butt joints. Moreover, Friction stir lap weld joints have 57 per cent more load-carrying capabilities than the TIG-welded lap joints.
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Cdr S. Navaneetha Krishnan (Retd.), L.S. Ganesh and C. Rajendran
This paper aims to analyse various failures that Indian innovative start-ups (ISs) are exposed to and proposes interventions from management accounting tools (MATs) that can…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse various failures that Indian innovative start-ups (ISs) are exposed to and proposes interventions from management accounting tools (MATs) that can tackle their failure-causing risks. This paper justifies the applicability of contingency theory (CT) for applying MATs for failure prevention and risk management.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses multimethod research while undertaking two sequential studies. The methods include a Survey via semi-structured interviews of 51 specialists and media reports and the Delphi method.
Findings
Reasons for the failures of Indian ISs have been identified and grouped based on eight broad underlying risk factors. Appropriate MATs relevant to ISs have been identified and examined by relating them with the risk factors underlying failure. Applicability of CT is shown while using the MATs for failure prevention and risk management of ISs.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the Indian context. Empirical validation of the applicability of MATs for each type of failure along the lifecycle stages of ISs needs to be undertaken.
Practical implications
Founders/owners of ISs can use this conceptual framework to tackle the risks underlying the failure of their firms. Policymakers can introduce appropriate policies to enhance the survival of ISs. Researchers can further explore the application of CT for failure prevention and risk management of ISs.
Originality/value
A conceptual framework has been developed relating failure-causing risk factors relevant to ISs and appropriate MATs, which justifies the applicability of CT.
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Examines the fourteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects…
Abstract
Examines the fourteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.
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Piyoosh Rautela, Girish Chandra Joshi and Shailesh Ghildiyal
The purpose of this study is to estimate the cost of seismic resilience of identified vulnerable lifeline public buildings in earthquake-prone Himalayan province of Uttarakhand in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to estimate the cost of seismic resilience of identified vulnerable lifeline public buildings in earthquake-prone Himalayan province of Uttarakhand in India.
Design/methodology/approach
Built area of the identified vulnerable lifeline buildings together with prevalent rate of construction has been considered for assessing the cost of seismic resilience while improvised rapid visual screening (RVS) technique, better suited to the built environment in the region, has been used for assessing seismic vulnerability.
Findings
Investment of US$250.08m is assessed as being required for ensuring seismic safety of 56.3, 62.1, 52.9, 64.6, 71.9 and 61.7% surveyed buildings, respectively, of fire and emergency services, police, health, education, local administration and other departments that are to become non-functional after an earthquake and result in a major socio-political turmoil. A total amount of US$467.71m is estimated as being required for making all the buildings of these departments seismically resilient.
Research limitations/implications
Actual investment estimates and reconstruction/retrofitting plans have to be prepared after detailed investigations as RVS technique only provides a preliminary estimate and helps in prioritising buildings for detailed investigations.
Practical implications
This study is intended to provide a snapshot of the state of seismic vulnerability together with the financial resources required for corrective measures. This is to help the authorities in planning phased mobilisation of financial and technical resources for making the built environment seismically resilient.
Social implications
This study is to bring forth awareness on this important issue and consequent public opinion in favour of safety of public facilities to ensure allocation of appropriate financial resources together with changes in techno-legal regime for the cause of earthquake safety. At the same time, this study is to motivate masses to voluntarily assess safety of their neighbourhood and undertake corrective measures.
Originality/value
This study is based on primary data collected by the authors.
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The purpose of this paper is to present an assessment of the potential tsunamigenic seismic hazard to Sri Lanka from all active subduction zones in the Indian Ocean Basin.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an assessment of the potential tsunamigenic seismic hazard to Sri Lanka from all active subduction zones in the Indian Ocean Basin.
Design/methodology/approach
The assessment was based on previous studies as well as past seismicity of the subducion zones concerned.
Findings
Accordingly, four seismic zones capable of generating teletsunamis that could reach Sri Lanka have been identified, namely, Northern Andaman‐Myanmar, Northern Sumatra‐Andaman and Southern Sumatra in the Sunda trench and Makran in the Northern Arabian Sea. Moreover, plausible worst‐case earthquake scenarios and respective fault parameters for each of these seismic zones have been recommended.
Research limitations/implications
However, other potential tsunami sources such as seismic activity in the near‐field, submarine landslides and volcanic eruptions have not been considered.
Practical implications
Numerical simulations of tsunami propagation have been carried out for each of the four scenarios in order to assess the potential impact along the coastline of Sri Lanka. Such information relating to the spatial distribution of the likely tsunami amplitudes and arrival times for Sri Lanka would help authorities responsible for evacuation to make a better judgment as to the level of threat in different areas along the coastline, and act accordingly, if a large earthquake were to occur in any of the subduction zones in the Indian Ocean.
Originality/value
In the absence of comprehensive probabilistic assessments of the tsunami hazard to Sri Lanka, this paper's recommendations would provide the necessary framework for the development of deterministic tsunami hazard maps for the shoreline of Sri Lanka.
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This study explores the immobilisation of enzymes within porous catalysts of various geometries, including spheres, cylinders and flat pellets. The objective is to understand the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the immobilisation of enzymes within porous catalysts of various geometries, including spheres, cylinders and flat pellets. The objective is to understand the irreversible Michaelis-Menten kinetic process within immobilised enzymes through advanced mathematical modelling.
Design/methodology/approach
Mathematical models were developed based on reaction-diffusion equations incorporating nonlinear variables associated with Michaelis-Menten kinetics. This research introduces fractional derivatives to investigate enzyme reaction kinetics, addressing a significant gap in the existing literature. A novel approximation method, based on the independent polynomials of the complete bipartite graph, is employed to explore solutions for substrate concentration and effectiveness factor across a spectrum of parameter values. The analytical solutions generated through the bipartite polynomial approximation method (BPAM) are rigorously tested against established methods, including the Bernoulli wavelet method (BWM), Taylor series method (TSM), Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and fourth-order Runge-Kutta method (RKM).
Findings
The study identifies two main findings. Firstly, the behaviour of dimensionless substrate concentration with distance is analysed for planar, cylindrical and spherical catalysts using both integer and fractional order Michaelis-Menten modelling. Secondly, the research investigates the variability of the dimensionless effectiveness factor with the Thiele modulus.
Research limitations/implications
The study primarily focuses on mathematical modelling and theoretical analysis, with limited experimental validation. Future research should involve more extensive experimental verification to corroborate the findings. Additionally, the study assumes ideal conditions and uniform catalyst properties, which may not fully reflect real-world complexities. Incorporating factors such as mass transfer limitations, non-uniform catalyst structures and enzyme deactivation kinetics could enhance the model’s accuracy and broaden its applicability. Furthermore, extending the analysis to include multi-enzyme systems and complex reaction networks would provide a more comprehensive understanding of biocatalytic processes.
Practical implications
The validated bipartite polynomial approximation method presents a practical tool for optimizing enzyme reactor design and operation in industrial settings. By accurately predicting substrate concentration and effectiveness factor, this approach enables efficient utilization of immobilised enzymes within porous catalysts. Implementation of these findings can lead to enhanced process efficiency, reduced operating costs and improved product yields in various biocatalytic applications such as pharmaceuticals, food processing and biofuel production. Additionally, this research fosters innovation in enzyme immobilisation techniques, offering practical insights for engineers and researchers striving to develop sustainable and economically viable bioprocesses.
Social implications
The advancement of enzyme immobilisation techniques holds promise for addressing societal challenges such as sustainable production, environmental protection and healthcare. By enabling more efficient biocatalytic processes, this research contributes to reducing industrial waste, minimizing energy consumption and enhancing access to pharmaceuticals and bio-based products. Moreover, the development of eco-friendly manufacturing practices through biocatalysis aligns with global efforts towards sustainability and mitigating climate change. The widespread adoption of these technologies can foster a more environmentally conscious society while stimulating economic growth and innovation in biotechnology and related industries.
Originality/value
This study offers a pioneering approximation method using the independent polynomials of the complete bipartite graph to investigate enzyme reaction kinetics. The comprehensive validation of this method through comparison with established solution techniques ensures its reliability and accuracy. The findings hold promise for advancing the field of biocatalysts and provide valuable insights for designing efficient enzyme reactors.
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Indrajit Pal, Subhajit Ghosh, Itesh Dash and Anirban Mukhopadhyay
This paper aims to provide a general overview of the international Tsunami warning system mandated by the United Nations, particularly on cataloging past studies and a strategic…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a general overview of the international Tsunami warning system mandated by the United Nations, particularly on cataloging past studies and a strategic focus in the Indian Ocean, particularly on the Bay of Bengal region.
Design/methodology/approach
Present research assimilates the secondary non-classified data on the Tsunami warning system installed in the Indian Ocean. Qualitative review and exploratory research methodology have been followed to provide a holistic profile of the Tsunami rarly warning system (TEWS) and its role in coastal resilience.
Findings
The study finds the need for strategic focus to expand and interlink regional early warning cooperation mechanisms and partnerships to enhance capacities through cooperation and international assistance and mobilize resources necessary to maintain the TEWS in the Indian Ocean region. The enhanced capacity of the TEWS certainly improves the resilience of Indian Ocean coastal communities and infrastructures.
Originality/value
The study is original research and useful for policy planning and regional cooperation on data interlinkages for effective TEWS in the Indian Ocean region.
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Nagarajan Karthiyayini and Chandrasekharan Rajendran
The purpose of this paper is to determine the critical factors (CRFs) of IS/ISO/IEC 17025:2005 laboratory accreditation and indicators of the performance (IOPs) in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the critical factors (CRFs) of IS/ISO/IEC 17025:2005 laboratory accreditation and indicators of the performance (IOPs) in the testing/calibration laboratories. The impact of accreditation on the performance is analyzed using the level of presence of critical factors that can be used to benchmark the best practices in the accredited testing and calibration laboratories.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire is designed on the basis of an extensive literature review on laboratory accreditation and performance. Based on the responses from pilot study, the developed instrument is tested for its unidimensionality, reliability and validity. Multiple regression analysis is carried out to analyze the impact of critical factors on the IOPs.
Findings
The findings reveal that the six distinct critical dimensions of laboratory accreditation (which are the independent variables) have a significant impact on the performance of the accredited testing/calibration laboratories. The performance is measured by the dependent variables which are the IOPs. The customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, laboratory performance, image of the laboratory, the number of increased customers and loyalty of the existing customers are highly influenced by the accreditation which in turn improves the performance to gain the competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
Contribution to research is in the area of laboratory accreditation and the performance measurement by the development of a comprehensive instrument to analyze the Laboratory Quality Management System. The results are dependent on the number of respondents who are the quality/technical managers.
Practical implications
This instrument would enable the accredited laboratories to analyze their performance through the feedback from the quality/technical managers to gain credibility and to continually improve and benchmark the quality management system in alignment with the quality policies.
Originality/value
This paper proposes an instrument to measure and benchmark the performance of the accredited testing and calibration laboratories.