L. Kozielski, M. Adamczyk, A. Lisińska-Czekaj, D. Czekaj, R. Zachariasz, M. Pawełczyk and M. Pilch
Gaining the precise control over the matter at the nanometre scale is the main leitmotif in a majority of nanoscience oriented research measurements nowadays. The availability of…
Abstract
Gaining the precise control over the matter at the nanometre scale is the main leitmotif in a majority of nanoscience oriented research measurements nowadays. The availability of new advanced tools, as a nanoindentation technique, for evaluation of the mechanical properties, seems to be prerequisite for exploitation of the dramatic development in nanoscience and meeting the emerging needs of the industries in new electronic applications. The nanoindentation technique was applied to evaluate the elastic modulus and hardness values as a function of indentation depth. However, in the presented experiment the nanoscale mechanical properties of BaBi2Nb2O9 ceramics have been characterized and compared with the macroscale measurements with macroscale method with the implementation of ultrasound techniques. A draw conclusion indicates that expensive nanoscale characterisation presented here is not fully consisted with the microscale. The reasons of such state of things are widely discussed.
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M. Adamczyk, A. Lisińska-Czekaj, L. Kozielski, R. Zachariasz, R. Nowak and D. Czekaj
The mechanical properties of the pure as well as vanadium modified BaBi2Nb2O9 ceramics have been studied in macro and nano-scales using three different methods. Specifically for…
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the pure as well as vanadium modified BaBi2Nb2O9 ceramics have been studied in macro and nano-scales using three different methods. Specifically for macro-scale, ultrasonic velocity and internal friction were employed to evaluate the Young modulus (E), whereas for nano-scale the nanoindentation method was a very useful tool to obtain the elastic modulus and hardness. These results reveal the strong influence of vanadium admixture on mechanical properties of the discussed material. In the case of modified ceramics the value of Young modulus increases, which is probably connected with the decreasing of the number of defects. Moreover, the described results show the significant differences in mechanical properties measured on nano and macro-scale. It is concluded that the knowledge of the mechanical properties of the ceramic material is complete only when we take into account both the macro and nano-scale.
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Rashmi Ranjan Panigrahi, Neha Singh and Kamalakanta Muduli
This paper aims to deepen the understanding of robust food supply chains (FSC) in SMEs by exploring and analyzing the literature through the lenses of digital technologies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to deepen the understanding of robust food supply chains (FSC) in SMEs by exploring and analyzing the literature through the lenses of digital technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected data from Scopus spanning from 2010 to 2024, employing selected keywords, and processed it using VOS-viewer and Biblioshiny to derive valid inferences and theoretical arguments.
Findings
The review paper identified several key themes shaping the future of supply chain management – Sustainability in SCM, Industry 4.0, Digitalization with FSCM, Circular Economy, Food Waste with Supply Chain, Food Security and Climate Change. These themes collectively bring transformative opportunities for both the adoption of digital technologies and sustainable practices in food supply chains.
Research limitations/implications
The review found limitations are rooted in financial constraints, institutional barriers and expertise-related challenges encountered within the realm of Digitalization and FSC. Government and corporate houses should focus on these limitations as well as convert them to strengthen the SMEs of FSC.
Originality/value
The study stands out as a pioneering review that not only explores Digitalization in FSC but also explores the link and evidence of SMEs in the unorganized sector, providing unique insights into a previously underexplored area.
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The aim of this article is to present the changes in the medical tourism market due to shifting in consumer behavior, international competition and the influence of political…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this article is to present the changes in the medical tourism market due to shifting in consumer behavior, international competition and the influence of political factors.
Design/methodology/approach
The article is based on the author’s own qualitative research carried out between November 2023 and January 2024 within medical clinics dealing actively with medical tourism in Poland and is supported by partial statistical data as well as estimates of the entire phenomenon over a five-year period.
Findings
The most important factors influencing the change in the tourism market relate to the emergence of new international competitors, challenges related to the image of the country and region as a destination, the impact of changes in the healthcare system on tourists' needs and inbound medical tourism. The changes also relate to the services sought and are driven by megatrends. The article also indirectly points to barriers to the development of extensive cooperation for the creation of medical tourism destinations.
Research limitations/implications
The article provides practical knowledge from important players in the market on factors influencing success in the medical tourism market. It is also possible to deduce from the interviews which factors enable a sustainable competitive advantage in the market. This can serve as a guideline for other clinics.
Originality/value
The article provides practical knowledge from important players in the market on factors influencing success in the medical tourism market. It is also possible to deduce from the interviews which factors enable a sustainable competitive advantage in the market. This can serve as a guideline for other clinics. They should focus on very high-quality specialized procurements, as low prices are no longer a factor in gaining victory over the competition.
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Massimiliano de Magistris and Alessandro Formisano
The identification of magnetic field profiles is crucial in many applications where a direct measurement is difficult. We discuss here a technique, based on the injection of…
Abstract
The identification of magnetic field profiles is crucial in many applications where a direct measurement is difficult. We discuss here a technique, based on the injection of charged particles in the region under examination, which promises to be an innovative and effective tool in the analysis of 1‐D field profiles in high current plasma discharges. After the decription of the inverse problem related to the field construction, we consider a suitable discrete identification scheme, and analyze some properties of the latter. The field map in the interest region is reconstructed via a minimization procedure, which identifies the coefficient of a well‐suited expansion for the field. In particular, we discuss the precision and robustness of the identification procedure, with respect to the chosen optimization scheme, the amount of data, the order in the field expansion, and the influence of noise on the data.
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Expansion of large international hotel chains into the Polish hospitality market has radically changed hotel management practices in Poland. The article investigates the impact of…
Abstract
Expansion of large international hotel chains into the Polish hospitality market has radically changed hotel management practices in Poland. The article investigates the impact of these changes on hotels’ economic performance. This impact is assessed by monitoring changes in the break‐even point, the percentage share of variable costs in sales, margins of safety, operating leverage, and other indicators reflecting economic effects of applied management methods. The research results indicate that cost reduction resulting from the introduction of new management methods must in the future be replaced by measures aimed at stimulating revenue growth.
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Marek Szelagowski and Justyna Berniak-Woźny
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the current business process management (BPM) maturity models meet the requirements of evaluating organizations in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the current business process management (BPM) maturity models meet the requirements of evaluating organizations in the knowledge economy (KE) which manage processes in a dynamic way.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a content analysis of the OMG (2008) Business Process Maturity Model and ten research papers on the practical application of business process management maturity models was conducted. The nature of the study is descriptive and based solely on information from secondary data sources.
Findings
The research results reveal that the current BPM maturity models do not correspond with the knowledge-based organizations and take into account knowledge-intensive (usually dynamic) processes in a very limited way. That is why the adaptation of the current BPM maturity models to the KE is needed.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the BPM theory and practice in two ways. First, it provides an enhanced insight into the requirements of the KE toward BPM and BPM maturity models by distinguishing between static and dynamic processes. Second, it formulates the recommendations on possible ways of adapting the current BPM maturity models to the requirements of the KE.
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This article seeks to examine the strategic options open to transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe in the face of intense competition in two highly sensitive economic…
Abstract
Purpose
This article seeks to examine the strategic options open to transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe in the face of intense competition in two highly sensitive economic sectors within the EU.
Design/methodology/approach
This exploratory paper makes use of cross‐country case analysis.
Findings
The investigation demonstrated that protective mechanisms are used in veiled fashion to some degree even amongst the more economically advanced members of the EU and not just the transition economies as commonly perceived. It further argues that whilst a free and open EU will contribute to the quicker full realisation of its common market aspirations, transition economies are currently not adequately prepared for its required economic adjustments. Transition economies may need to respond in measured phases, taking into account its economic and political limitations. Otherwise, it might not be able to withstand the full onslaught of globalisation.
Practical implications
This research challenges the one size fits all notion of zealous free marketers and offers a middle ground strategic option for transition economies in the EU for further evaluation by policy makers and academics alike.
Originality/value
This research uses two highly economic sectors in the EU to argue for a more middle ground strategic economic strategy for transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe. This contrasts with the more global agenda of liberal economics.
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This article aims to investigate the financial constraints and nonlinearity of farm size growth.
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to investigate the financial constraints and nonlinearity of farm size growth.
Design/methodology/approach
Farm size growth is measured with land, labor and output using data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for Hungary and Slovenia. A dynamic panel model is applied to assess financial constraints and nonlinearity of farm size growth.
Findings
Results show that, except for land in Slovenia and output in Hungary, liquidity constraints are less important for farm size growth than endogenous factors based on farm size growth expectations and steady farm size restructuring. Smaller farms are growing faster than larger ones. The hypothesis that a higher level of subsidies would increase farm size is not supported for Hungary. When farms reach a certain size, the land area of the largest farms increases. Farm debts in Hungary are linked with land growth and in Slovenia with output growth.
Research limitations/implications
Further research on the impact of liquidity constraints and subsidies can be conducted at a disaggregate farm-type level to examine whether there is variability in the underlying interlinkages at the farm-type specialization level.
Practical implications
The implication that farm size growth is dependent on initial size and that smaller farms are growing faster than bigger ones indicates that it is not necessary to favor the fastest growing smaller farms thus supports the application of a non-discriminatory farm size policy for observing farm size structural changes.
Originality/value
The dynamic panel econometric model that incorporates cash flow as a measure of financial constraints provides insight into farm size growth in cross-country comparison in relation to potential farm liquidity constraints, farm debt and the nonlinearity of farm size, which information is of relevance to policy makers and practitioners.
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Rafał Wolski, Monika Bolek, Jerzy Gajdka, Janusz Brzeszczyński and Ali M. Kutan
This study aims to answer the question whether investment funds managers exhibit behavioural biases in their investment decisions. Furthermore, it investigates if fund managers…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to answer the question whether investment funds managers exhibit behavioural biases in their investment decisions. Furthermore, it investigates if fund managers, as a group of institutional investors, make decisions in response to central bank’s communication as well as other information in relation to various behavioural inclinations.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive study was conducted based on a questionnaire, which is composed of three main parts exploring: (1) general information about the funds under the management of the surveyed group of fund managers, (2) factors that influence the investment process with an emphasis on the National Bank of Poland communication and (3) behavioural inclinations of the surveyed group. Cronbach’s alpha statistic was applied for measuring the reliability of the survey questionnaire and then chi-squared test was used to investigate the relationships between the answers provided in the survey.
Findings
The central bank’s communication matters for investors, but its impact on their decisions appears to be only moderate. Interest rates were found to be the most important announcements for investment fund managers. The stock market was the most popular market segment where the investments were made. The ultra-short time horizon played no, or only small, role in the surveyed fund managers’ decisions as most of them invested in a longer horizon covering 1 to 5 years. Moreover, most respondents declared that they considered in their decisions the information about market expectations published in the media. Finally, majority of the fund managers manifested limited rationality and were subject to behavioural biases, but the decisions and behavioural inclinations were independent and, in most cases, they did not influence each other.
Practical implications
The results reported in this study can be used in practice to better understand and to improve the fund managers’ decision-making processes.
Originality/value
Apart from the commonly tested behavioural biases in the group of institutional investors in the existing literature, such as loss aversion, disposition effect or overconfidence, this paper also focuses on the less intensively analysed behavioural inclinations, i.e. framing, illusion of the control, representativeness, sunk cost effect and fast thinking. The originality of this study further lies in the way the research was conducted through interviews with fund managers, who were found to be subject to behavioural biases, although those behavioural inclinations did not influence their investment decisions. This finding indicates that professionalism and collectivism in the group of institutional investors protect them from irrationality.