S. Egersdörfer, D. Dragoi, G.J. Monkman, B. Füchtmeier and M. Nerlich
The application of robotics in manufacturing industry is increasingly spreading to other fields such as service, security and medical, and more recently into orthopedic surgery…
Abstract
The application of robotics in manufacturing industry is increasingly spreading to other fields such as service, security and medical, and more recently into orthopedic surgery. Most research projects to date have concentrated on the lighter side of non‐invasive surgery, camera, laser guidance, light cutting and milling through bone. Just as in industrial production and processing applications, the choice of robot and its accompanying control and programming system is absolutely paramount. This simple fact has been justified in recent research dealing with the heavier forms of fracture repositioning robotics in accident surgery. This paper discusses the development of the complete system including robot, end‐effector and sensors.
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Ceramic materials and glasses have become important in modern industry as well as in the consumer environment. Heat resistant ceramics are used in the metal forming processes or…
Abstract
Purpose
Ceramic materials and glasses have become important in modern industry as well as in the consumer environment. Heat resistant ceramics are used in the metal forming processes or as welding and brazing fixtures, etc. Ceramic materials are frequently used in industries where a wear and chemical resistance are required criteria (seals, liners, grinding wheels, machining tools, etc.). Electrical, magnetic and optical properties of ceramic materials are important in electrical and electronic industries where these materials are used as sensors and actuators, integrated circuits, piezoelectric transducers, ultrasonic devices, microwave devices, magnetic tapes, and in other applications. A significant amount of literature is available on the finite element modelling (FEM) of ceramics and glass. This paper gives a listing of these published papers and is a continuation of the author's bibliography entitled “Finite element modelling of ceramics and glass” and published in Engineering Computations, Vol. 16, 1999, pp. 510‐71 for the period 1977‐1998.
Design/methodology/approach
The form of the paper is a bibliography. Listed references have been retrieved from the author's database, MAKEBASE. Also Compendex has been checked. The period is 1998‐2004.
Findings
Provides a listing of 1,432 references. The following topics are included: ceramics – material and mechanical properties in general, ceramic coatings and joining problems, ceramic composites, piezoceramics, ceramic tools and machining, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, applications of ceramic/composites in engineering; glass – material and mechanical properties in general, glass fiber composites, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, and applications of glasses in engineering.
Originality/value
This paper makes it easy for professionals working with the numerical methods with applications to ceramics and glasses to be up‐to‐date in an effective way.
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Areej Ahmad Alsaadi, Wadee Alhalabi and Elena-Niculina Dragoi
Differential search algorithm (DSA) is a new optimization, meta-heuristic algorithm. It simulates the Brownian-like, random-walk movement of an organism by migrating to a better…
Abstract
Purpose
Differential search algorithm (DSA) is a new optimization, meta-heuristic algorithm. It simulates the Brownian-like, random-walk movement of an organism by migrating to a better position. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the performance analysis of DSA into two key parts: six random number generators (RNGs) and Benchmark functions (BMF) from IEEE World Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC, 2015). Noting that this study took problem dimensionality and maximum function evaluation (MFE) into account, various configurations were executed to check the parameters’ influence. Shifted rotated Rastrigin’s functions provided the best outcomes for the majority of RNGs, and minimum dimensionality offered the best average. Among almost all BMFs studied, Weibull and Beta RNGs concluded with the best and worst averages, respectively. In sum, 50,000 MFE provided the best results with almost RNGs and BMFs.
Design/methodology/approach
DSA was tested under six randomizers (Bernoulli, Beta, Binomial, Chisquare, Rayleigh, Weibull), two unimodal functions (rotated high conditioned elliptic function, rotated cigar function), three simple multi-modal functions (shifted rotated Ackley’s, shifted rotated Rastrigin’s, shifted rotated Schwefel’s functions) and three hybrid Functions (Hybrid Function 1 (n=3), Hybrid Function 2 (n=4,and Hybrid Function 3 (n=5)) at four problem dimensionalities (10D, 30D, 50D and 100D). According to the protocol of the CEC (2015) testbed, the stopping criteria are the MFEs, which are set to 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000. All algorithms mentioned were implemented on PC running Windows 8.1, i5 CPU at 1.60 GHz, 2.29 GHz and a 64-bit operating system.
Findings
The authors concluded the results based on RNGs as follows: F3 gave the best average results with Bernoulli, whereas F4 resulted in the best outcomes with all other RNGs; minimum and maximum dimensionality offered the best and worst averages, respectively; and Bernoulli and Binomial RNGs retained the best and worst averages, respectively, when all other parameters were fixed. In addition, the authors’ results concluded, based on BMFs: Weibull and Beta RNGs produced the best and worst averages with most BMFs; shifted and rotated Rastrigin’s function and Hybrid Function 2 gave rise to the best and worst averages. In both parts, 50,000 MFEs offered the best average results with most RNGs and BMFs.
Originality/value
Being aware of the advantages and drawbacks of DS enlarges knowledge about the class in which differential evolution belongs. Application of that knowledge, to specific problems, ensures that the possible improvements are not randomly applied. Strengths and weaknesses influenced by the characteristics of the problem being solved (e.g. linearity, dimensionality) and by the internal approaches being used (e.g. stop criteria, parameter control settings, initialization procedure) are not studied in detail. In-depth study of performance under various conditions is a “must” if one desires to efficiently apply DS algorithms to help solve specific problems. In this work, all the functions were chosen from the 2015 IEEE World Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC, 2015).
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Nanond Nopparat and Damien Motte
Present for more than 20 years, 3D food printing (3DFP) technology has not experienced the same widespread adoption as its non-food counterparts. It is believed that relevant…
Abstract
Purpose
Present for more than 20 years, 3D food printing (3DFP) technology has not experienced the same widespread adoption as its non-food counterparts. It is believed that relevant business models are crucial for its expansion. The purpose of this study is to identify the dominant prototypical business models and patterns in the 3DFP industry. The knowledge gained could be used to provide directions for business model innovation in this industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors established a business model framework and used it to analyse the identified 3DFP manufacturers. The authors qualitatively identified the market’s prototypical business models and used agglomerative hierarchical clustering to extract further patterns.
Findings
All identified 3DFP businesses use the prototypical business model of selling ownership of physical assets, with some variations. Low-cost 3D food printers for private usage and dedicated 3D food printers for small-scale food producers are the two primary patterns identified. Furthermore, several benefits of 3DFP technology are not being used, and the identified manufacturers are barely present in high-revenue markets, which prevents them from driving technological innovation forward.
Practical implications
The extracted patterns can be used by the companies within the 3DFP industry and even in other additive manufacturing segments to reflect upon, refine or renew their business model. Some directions for business model innovation in this industry are provided.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first quantitative study to give an account of the current 3DFP business models and their possible evolution. This study also contributes to the business model patterns methodological development.
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Mohd Hairul Mohd Salleh, Yuzine Esa and Rozihan Mohamed
Most Asians are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, and most live in rural areas. Since Asia is primarily an agricultural economy, rural tourism and agrotourism are…
Abstract
Most Asians are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, and most live in rural areas. Since Asia is primarily an agricultural economy, rural tourism and agrotourism are critical in enabling growth. Agrotourism is a term that refers to the fusion of tourism and agriculture. The freshwater turtles (Batagur sp.) are a group of six turtles that once roamed southern Asia's great rivers and estuaries from the Indian Subcontinent to the Indonesian islands. Therefore, this review is to investigate the current state of agrotourism in Batagur sp. conservation and assess the associated challenges and opportunities. This review paper recognized the impacts and benefits for the rural site as an agrotourism industry. Moreover, three initiatives in Batagur sp. conservation programs were also discussed. Agrotourism, with a focus on the conservation of Batagur sp., is a vital driver of economic growth in rural Asian regions. It diversifies rural communities' income sources, enhancing economic stability and resilience.
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Entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the creation of a resilient, green economy are intricately linked, particularly as conventional economic models grapple with existential…
Abstract
Entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the creation of a resilient, green economy are intricately linked, particularly as conventional economic models grapple with existential challenges. However, empirical research addressing the connection between entrepreneurship and sustainability for a more balanced and resilient future is notably scarce. This chapter aims to bridge this gap by investigating the role of entrepreneurship in advancing sustainability and establishing a resilient, green economy. Through comprehensive research utilizing critical discourse analysis (CDA), three research questions were explored to draw insightful managerial and practical implications. In the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and a green, resilient economy, opportunities are seized by entrepreneurship amid limitations, while sustainability presupposes responsible management of resources for current needs without compromising the future. A green economy ensures adaptability, growth, and ecological stability even in resource-scarce conditions. The CDA affirms the influential role of entrepreneurship in pursuing sustainability and a green, resilient economy, drawing from 18 cases across public, private, and social sectors to highlight environmental, social, and economic impacts. Furthermore, the CDA uncovers power dynamics, ideologies, and social structures affecting entrepreneurship’s role in fostering sustainable and resilient, green economies. Collaborations between governments, corporations, and social ventures in diverse countries promote sustainability within existing social structures, fostering comprehensive development. However, imbalanced power dynamics pose challenges, risking potential social exclusion. This chapter concludes by addressing practical implications and limitations, aiming to contribute to an ecologically balanced and socially equitable future by understanding entrepreneurship’s role in promoting sustainability and green resilience within the context of power dynamics, ideologies, and social structures.
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David W. Taylor and Richard Thorpe
Applying social concepts to the social relations that the entrepreneur maintains, this research seeks to identify the impact of these relationships, and the learning that might…
Abstract
Applying social concepts to the social relations that the entrepreneur maintains, this research seeks to identify the impact of these relationships, and the learning that might result from them, on the decision‐making process. A social and conversational model of experiential learning is put forward, where learning and influence are seen to emerge as part of an ongoing negotiated process. This argument complements Kolb's “fundamentally cognitive” theory of experiential learning, by challenging the view that the learner should be viewed as an “intellectual Robinson Crusoe”, and stating that even when an individual reflects and theorises their thoughts have a social character. Data were collected using critical incident technique through one‐to‐one in‐depth interviews over several weeks. The paper goes some way to confirm the importance of networks in the business development process, helping further to define how networks exist. The learning identified, is understood therefore as part of an ongoing negotiated process within a complex network of domestic, voluntary, commercial and professional relations.
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Andreea Claudia Crucean and Camelia-Daniela Hategan
Introduction: Information technology is a field with particular importance in the activity of companies, which requires additional procedures in the audit of financial…
Abstract
Introduction: Information technology is a field with particular importance in the activity of companies, which requires additional procedures in the audit of financial statements.
Aim: The purpose of the chapter is to identify the reports in which the financial auditors considered the impact of information technology on the financial statements of companies as a Key Audit Matter (KAM) and what was the approach in assessing this issue.
Method: The sample consists of companies listed on the primary market on European stock exchanges for 2013–2021 from 25 countries. Data were synthesised, systematised and analysed according to auditor type, audit year, countries and industries.
Findings: During the analysed period, 465 KAMs were identified for 174 distinct companies that referred to information technology, of which a Big4 auditor issued 97 per cent. The most KAMs were issued on companies from countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Norway, and the least in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy. Also, most KAMs were issued by auditors in 2018 (19 per cent), and the least in 2013 (2 per cent). The industry that recorded the most KAMs related to information technology was finance, insurance, and real estate (64 per cent), and those which identified a single KAM on this topic were agriculture, forestry, fishing.
Conclusion: Information technology and its impact on audit quality and automation remain a growing topic especially in this pandemic period that caused more changes in the financial audit planning and risk assessment. The auditors were forced to perform remote audits and use information technology more than in previous years.