Deepak Mahajan, Z.F. Bhat and Sunil Kumar
The purpose of the study was to explore the possibility of utilization of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a novel preservative in cheese. EGCG has strong antioxidant and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to explore the possibility of utilization of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a novel preservative in cheese. EGCG has strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and may be commercially exploited as a natural antioxidant and preservative in cheese like products which are highly susceptible to lipid oxidation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using EGCG as a natural antioxidant and preservative in cheese. Kalari, a hard and dry cheese, was used as a model and treated with different concentrations of EGCG (0, 0.05 and 0.10 per cent) and aerobically packaged within low-density polyethylene pouches and assessed for oxidative stability and storage quality under refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) conditions.
Findings
EGCG showed a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the lipid oxidative stability as the treated products exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (milligram malonaldehyde/kg) values. A significant (p < 0.05) effect was also observed on the microbiological characteristics of the products, as treated products showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower values for total plate count (log cfu/g), psychrophilic count (log cfu/g), yeast and mould count (log cfu/g) and free fatty acid (% oleic acid) values. Coliforms (log cfu/g) were not detected throughout the storage period. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores were observed for various sensory parameters of the treated products. EGCG successfully improved the oxidative stability and storage quality of Kalari.
Originality/value
The results suggest that EGCG might be useful to the dairy industry as an efficient alternative to synthetic antioxidants and preservatives.
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Deepak Mahajan, Z. F. Bhat and Sunil Kumar
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) on the quality characteristics of low-fat Kalari, a hard and dry cheese. The products…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) on the quality characteristics of low-fat Kalari, a hard and dry cheese. The products treated with TBHQ were assessed for various oxidative stability and storage-quality parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
Low-fat Kalari was prepared and treated with different concentrations of TBHQ (0, 200, 300 ppm) and aerobically packaged within low-density polyethylene pouches and assessed for physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics under refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) conditions.
Findings
TBHQ showed a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the lipid stability, as the treated products exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) lower TBARS (mg malonaldehyde/kg) values for the entire period of storage. pH showed a significant (p < 0.05) decreasing trend, whereas titratable acidity followed a significant (p < 0.05) increasing trend with storage period in control as well as treated products. No significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed on the microbiological characteristics of the products, as TBHQ-treated products showed comparable (p > 0.05) values for total plate count, psychrophillic count and yeast and mould count. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores were observed for various sensory parameters of the treated products.
Originality/value
TBHQ successfully improved the storage quality of low fat Kalari during refrigerated (4 ± 1°C) storage and may be commercially exploited as an antioxidant in Kalari and other cheese like products.
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Tisha Meriam Cherian, Deepak Mathivathanan, C. Joe Arun SJ, M. Ramasubramaniam and Sreejith Alathur
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has been severely felt by India's construction industry, which contributes heavily to economic growth and employment. An analysis of the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has been severely felt by India's construction industry, which contributes heavily to economic growth and employment. An analysis of the impact of supply chain agility, supply chain resilience and information technology capability on the construction supply chain cost and delivery performance is presented in this study in an Indian scenario post-COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
An analysis of moment structures-confirmatory factor analysis-based structural equation modeling is applied to a structured questionnaire received from 220 construction companies located in Southern India.
Findings
According to the results, supply chain agility, supply chain resilience and information technology capability are essential capabilities for post-COVID-19 supply chain performance. Furthermore, these factors are observed to have a positive impact on improving cost and delivery performance in construction supply chains focused on building sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this study can be used by other industries to ensure robustness and sustainability of business operations during post-COVID periods. Improving supply chain agility and information technology capabilities along with building resilience results in improving cost and delivery performance against disruptive scenarios.
Originality/value
Despite previous studies addressing the effects of COVID-19 on supply chain performance, information technology capability, agility and resilience are not addressed in construction industry research. The current study examines the simultaneous effects of resilience, agility, and information technology capability on the cost and delivery performance of Indian construction projects.
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Shashank Rao, Thomas J. Goldsby and Deepak Iyengar
The purpose of this study is to investigate key differences between web‐only and multi‐channel retailers in terms of five different measures of web activity and three different…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate key differences between web‐only and multi‐channel retailers in terms of five different measures of web activity and three different forms of outsourcing behavior. Specifically, the research examines the marketing and logistics efficacy between business‐to‐consumer (B2C) retailers who sell exclusively via the web and retailers for whom the web offers one additional channel for sales. Finally, it is suggested that how this study may give rise to future research in this area.
Design/methodology/approach
This empirical study using the lens of transaction cost economics (TCE) to examine hypotheses regarding customer buying behavior and the retailers' proclivity to outsource is conducted. Secondary data sources provide key metrics for the more than 250 companies found in the sample.
Findings
Several key differences exist between the efficacy of web‐only and multi‐channel retailers, which can be explained with the TCE framework. Both web‐only and multi‐channel retailers are found to exhibit respective advantages. Multi‐channel retailers enjoy more web traffic and offer more items for the consumer, yet are disadvantaged in terms of ease of search and conversion rate (percentage of shoppers who actually buy). In addition, web‐only retailers are more likely to outsource the functions of logistics, marketing, and customer support.
Practical implications
This study has value to researchers and practitioners in that it illustrates how two of the most common types of retailing alternatives differ from each other. Multi‐channel retailers are challenged with the broad scope and immense collection of goods they offer and, therefore, struggle to convert shoppers into buyers. Web‐only retailers, on the other hand, enjoy less web traffic, but prove more effective in conversion rates, perhaps related to their more extensive use of outsourced expertise in logistics, marketing, and customer support services.
Originality/value
In the decade since internet retailing (e‐tailing) began to be accepted as a new sales channel, e‐tailing has grown to a market size of over $160 billion within the USA alone. However, empirical examination of the functioning and performance of this sales channel is only now commencing.
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Saeed Aldulaimi, Swati Soni, Isha Kampoowale, Gopala Krishnan, Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid, Ali Khatibi, Deepak Minhas and Meenu Khurana
Drawing from stakeholder (ST) and social exchange theory (SET), the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between customer perceived ethicality (CPE), electronic…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing from stakeholder (ST) and social exchange theory (SET), the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between customer perceived ethicality (CPE), electronic word of mouth (eWOM), customer trust (CT) and customer loyalty (CL). Furthermore, this study aimed to understand the dual role of CPE and eWOM in obtaining CT and achieving CL.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, data were collected from face-to-face surveys, yielding 358 responses. The partial least square algorithm was used to test the proposed hypothesis.
Findings
The analysis revealed that CPE and eWOM positively affect CT and CL, and CT has a mediating effect on the association between CPE–CL and eWOM–CL. CT was also found to positively affect CL.
Practical implications
Hotel managers can prioritize ethical practices and leverage the power of eWOM to build trust and achieve loyalty. This integrated approach not only enhances customer satisfaction and retention but also creates a competitive advantage.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study lies in the investigation of the dual role played by CPE and eWOM as antecedents of CT and CL within the hotel industry. Finally, this study explains the drivers of CT and CL, thereby making a novel contribution to the literature.
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Monika Sheoran and Divesh Kumar
The consumption patterns of humanity are putting an enormous burden on the resources, which are beyond the fulfiling capacity of the earth. These consumption patterns need to be…
Abstract
Purpose
The consumption patterns of humanity are putting an enormous burden on the resources, which are beyond the fulfiling capacity of the earth. These consumption patterns need to be made sustainable. Therefore, this study aims to focus on identifying the key enablers driving the sustainable consumer behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the literature review of 107 studies (1995 to 2018), which were published over a period of 23 years, fourteen key enablers of sustainable consumer behaviour were identified. These 14 enablers were validated with the help of empirical research done by surveying 200 consumers of electronic products. This was followed by the application of interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique, to get an insight into how these enablers are influencing sustainable consumer behaviour.
Findings
ISM technique and empirical research aided in classifying the enablers based on their driving and dependence power. A further analysis was done to know about the contextual relationship between all 14 enablers and how these enablers are influencing each other and sustainable consumer behaviour. Attitude, subjective norm and perceived controlled behaviour were found dependent variables while education, government policy and advertisement emerged as an autonomous variable.
Research limitations/implications
This study will be helpful for future research in the field of sustainable consumer behaviour. Through understanding of the enablers of sustainable consumer behaviour, a scale can be developed having significant theoretical and managerial implications. This study may help in improving the sustainability initiatives by various stakeholders involved in the process of purchase, usage and dispose of electronic products.
Originality/value
This study is the first temporal and spatial study, which includes a holistic view of the enablers of sustainable consumer behaviour.
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Keyoor Purani and Deepak S. Kumar
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the biophilic stimuli present in the servicescape and restorative effects on psychological states among consumers…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the biophilic stimuli present in the servicescape and restorative effects on psychological states among consumers. The research also examines moderating role of service contexts in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This empirical study applied a laboratory-like experimental design with one-shot treatment. About 566 usable responses were collected using six photographic images – three were biophilic environments and three were non-biophilic environments – for four a priori service contexts: hospital lobby, upscale restaurants, spa and bank lobby.
Findings
The tests of hypotheses confirm restorative effects of biophilic servicescapes on consumer’s psychological states, attention and mood, which, in turn, positively influence service preference. Further, the restorative effects of natural elements are found to vary across hedonic – utilitarian and experience – credence type service contexts.
Originality/value
Because of higher levels of natural stressors, consumers today likely have attention fatigue and depleted mood states, which, in turn, may have adverse effects on their service consumption behaviour. In this context, building upon theories from environmental psychology, findings of this study contribute by establishing restorative potential of biophilic servicescape. The study also establishes that natural elements in biophilic servicescapes influence service preference, which is mediated by consumers’ psychological states – attention and mood. Further, it demonstrates that consumers are more responsive with regards to such restorative effects of biophilic elements in contexts where they seek emotional, experiential value compared to rational, functional value.
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Manish Garg, B S Salaria and V K Gupta
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate steady state creep behavior of a functionally graded rotating disc under varying thermal gradient (TG).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate steady state creep behavior of a functionally graded rotating disc under varying thermal gradient (TG).
Design/methodology/approach
The steady state creep in a rotating FGM disc with linearly varying thickness has been investigated by using von-Mises yield criterion. The disc under investigation is assumed to be made of FGM containing non-linear distribution of silicon carbide particle (SiCp) in a matrix of pure aluminum along the radial distance. The creep behavior of the FGM composite disc is described by threshold stress-based law. The stresses and strain rates in the FGM disc have been estimated for different kinds of TG.
Findings
The results indicate that when the FGM disc is subjected to a radial TG, with temperature increasing with increasing radius, the radial stress in the disc increases over the entire disc but the tangential and effective stresses increase near the inner radius and decrease toward the outer radius. The imposition of such a radial TG in the FGM disc leads to significant reduction in the radial and tangential strain rates. With the increase in magnitude of TG in the FGM disc, the inhomogeneity in creep stresses increases but the inhomogeneity in strain rates decreases significantly, thereby reducing the chances of distortion in the FGM disc.
Originality/value
The creep strain rates in rotating FGM disc could be significantly reduced when the disc is subjected to a radial TG, with temperature increasing with increasing radius.