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1 – 10 of 34This study aims to examine foreign direct investment (FDI) factors and develops a rational framework for FDI inflow in Western European countries such as France, Germany, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine foreign direct investment (FDI) factors and develops a rational framework for FDI inflow in Western European countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for this study were collected from the World development indicators (WDI) database from 1995 to 2018. Factors such as economic growth, pollution, trade, domestic capital investment, gross value-added and the financial stability of the country that influence FDI decisions were selected through empirical literature. A framework was developed using interpretable machine learning (IML), decision trees and three-stage least squares simultaneous equation methods for FDI inflow in Western Europe.
Findings
The findings of this study show that there is a difference between the most important and trusted factors for FDI inflow. Additionally, this study shows that machine learning (ML) models can perform better than conventional linear regression models.
Research limitations/implications
This research has several limitations. Ideally, classification accuracies should be higher, and the current scope of this research is limited to examining the performance of FDI determinants within Western Europe.
Practical implications
Through this framework, the national government can understand how investors make their capital allocation decisions in their country. The framework developed in this study can help policymakers better understand the rationality of FDI inflows.
Originality/value
An IML framework has not been developed in prior studies to analyze FDI inflows. Additionally, the author demonstrates the applicability of the IML framework for estimating FDI inflows in Western Europe.
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Devesh Singh and Viktorija Cohen
This study aims to quantify the concept of Industry 5.0, with a focus on human-centricity in the manufacturing sector.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to quantify the concept of Industry 5.0, with a focus on human-centricity in the manufacturing sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The panel nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag method is applied to assess asymmetry and vulnerability in the food, textile, chemical manufacturing, high-tech and transportation sectors. The robustness of the results is tested using a panel Granger non-causality test and panel vector autoregressive models.
Findings
This study finds that financial unions, fair internal markets, gender and youth participation are significant factors for human centricity in the manufacturing sectors. The NARDL results suggest that both the chemical and high-tech industries human participation are insignificant in both the long run and short run. The results of the food industry are significant in both the sort run and the long run.
Research limitations/implications
Manufacturing sectors need to create sustainable employment strategies that lead to stable, enduring and satisfying jobs in order to achieve human centricity. Involve skilled workers in important decision-making processes and empower them with technology.
Originality/value
This study differed from prior research in several ways. Firstly, it incorporates the social dimension as a control variable in the pursuit of I5.0 implementation across various manufacturing sectors. Secondly, it quantifies the human-centricity aspect of I5.0 within these sectors.
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Hitesh S. Vaid, Kanwar Devesh Singh, Helen H. Lou, Daniel Chen and Peyton Richmond
This paper aims to present a novel run time combustion zoning (RTCZ) technique based on the working principle of eddy dissipation concept (EDC) for combustion modeling. This…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a novel run time combustion zoning (RTCZ) technique based on the working principle of eddy dissipation concept (EDC) for combustion modeling. This technique selectively chooses cells in which the full reaction mechanism needs to be solved. The selection criterion is based on the concept of differentiating between combustion and the non-combustion zone. With this approach, considerable reduction in computational load and stability of the solution was observed and even the number of iterations required to achieve a stable solution was significantly reduced.
Design/methodology/approach
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of real life combustion problems such as industrial scale flares, fuel fired furnaces and IC engines are difficult due to the strong interactions of chemistry with turbulence as well as the wide range distribution of time and length scales. In addition, comprehensive chemical mechanisms for hydrocarbon combustion may include hundreds of species and thousands of reactions that are known in detail for only a limited number of fuels. Even with the most advanced computers, accurate simulation of these problems is not easy. Hence, the modeler needs to have strategies to either simplify the chemistry or to improve the computational efficiency.
Findings
The EDC turbulence model has been widely used for treating the interaction between turbulence and the chemistry in combustion problems. In an EDC model, combustion is assumed to occur in a constant pressure reactor, with initial conditions taken as the concentration of the current species and temperature in the cell. With these assumptions, EDC solves the full or simplified reaction mechanism in all the grid cells at all iterations.
Originality/value
This paper presents a novel RTCZ technique for improving the computational efficiency, when the EDC model is used in CFD modeling. Considerable reduction in computational time and stability of the solution can be achieved. It was also observed that the number of iterations required to achieve a converged solution was significantly reduced.
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Shashi Kumar, Pradeep Kumar Rathore, Brishbhan Singh Panwar and Jamil Akhtar
This paper aims to describe the fabrication and characterization of current mirror-integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based pressure sensor.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the fabrication and characterization of current mirror-integrated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based pressure sensor.
Design/methodology/approach
The integrated pressure-sensing structure consists of three identical 100-µm long and 500-µm wide n-channel MOSFETs connected in a resistive loaded current mirror configuration. The input transistor of the mirror acts as a constant current source MOSFET and the output transistors are the stress sensing MOSFETs embedded near the fixed edge and at the center of a square silicon diaphragm to sense tensile and compressive stresses, respectively, developed under applied pressure. The current mirror circuit was fabricated using standard polysilicon gate complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology on the front side of the silicon wafer and the flexible pressure sensing square silicon diaphragm, with a length of 1,050 µm and width of 88 µm, was formed by bulk micromachining process using tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution on the backside of the wafer. The pressure is monitored by the acquisition of drain voltages of the pressure sensing MOSFETs placed near the fixed edge and at the center of the diaphragm.
Findings
The current mirror-integrated pressure sensor was successfully fabricated and tested using in-house developed pressure measurement system. The pressure sensitivity of the tested sensor was found to be approximately 0.3 mV/psi (or 44.6 mV/MPa) for pressure range of 0 to 100 psi. In addition, the pressure sensor was also simulated using Intellisuite MEMS Software and simulated pressure sensitivity of the sensor was found to be approximately 53.6 mV/MPa. The simulated and measured pressure sensitivities of the pressure sensor are in close agreement.
Originality/value
The work reported in this paper validates the use of MOSFETs connected in current mirror configuration for the measurement of tensile and compressive stresses developed in a silicon diaphragm under applied pressure. This current mirror readout circuitry integrated with MEMS pressure-sensing structure is new and fully compatible to standard CMOS processes and has a promising application in the development CMOS-MEMS-integrated smart sensors.
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Sean Colbert-Lewis and Drinda E. Benge
The increase of Islamophobia-inspired hate crimes toward Sikh Americans led the Sikh Coalition of America and the National Council for the Social Studies to request social studies…
Abstract
Purpose
The increase of Islamophobia-inspired hate crimes toward Sikh Americans led the Sikh Coalition of America and the National Council for the Social Studies to request social studies educators to conduct a content analysis on the presentation of Sikhism in social studies textbooks. The Sikh Coalition hopes to use the findings of such research to encourage more appropriate inclusion about the religion in textbooks by the leading publishing companies and as a legitimate social studies subject of instruction in the state standards for all 50 states. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The incorporation of critical pedagogy, as a tool of critical multiculturalism, serves as the theoretical design of this study. Content analysis serves as the method of research for this study. The authors also employed an online survey to determine the scope of religious literacy of the pre-service teachers with regard to Sikhism before the conducting of content analysis of social studies textbooks for the presentation of Sikhism.
Findings
The current presentation of Sikhism in social studies textbooks has the potential to help fuel the Islamophobia that Sikh Americans now face. The authors found that the pre-service teachers possess little religious literacy regarding Sikhism. Furthermore, from the content analyses, the authors found that a total of 21 out of the sample of 32 textbooks (5 elementary, 11 middle grades and 16 high school) mention Sikhism. Eight textbooks include a mention of the origins of Sikhism. Nine textbooks misidentify the religion as a blending of Hinduism and Islam. Nine textbooks mention the religion in relation to the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Research limitations/implications
The originality of this research led the authors to find that the very limited and inaccurate information we found present in the most-used textbooks for elementary, middle grades and high school social studies made the employing of inferential statistics like correlation difficult. Also, the authors found from the literature that research addressing Islamophobia in the classroom has centered on the role of licensed teachers only. The research gives a model to how pre-service teachers may address Islamophobia in the classroom and also gain religious literacy regarding Sikhism.
Practical implications
The rise of Islamophobia-inspired violence toward students of South Asian descent has led to the call to address this matter. The research introduces a method to how social studies education professors may help engage their pre-service teachers in proactively addressing Islamophobia. Social studies professors have a responsibility to help promote social justice through critical pedagogy that explores the religious literacy of their pre-service teachers beyond Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
Social implications
The Sikh Coalition, by telephone, has formally acknowledged to the authors that the textbook research has been the most extensive they have received since making their joint request with the National Council for the Social Studies. They have used the research to successfully convince the state education boards of Texas and recently Tennessee to adopt the inclusion of Sikhism in social studies content. More Americans, at a young age, need to learn about Sikh culture, so they are less likely to develop prejudicial ideas about Sikh Americans and commit violent acts of religious-based discrimination.
Originality/value
The research is extremely rare. To date, no one else in the country has conducted research on the presentation of Sikhism in textbooks to the extent that the authors have. The authors hope that the research will encourage more dialogue and further research. The authors hope that the research will help prevent further acts of religious-based violence toward followers of the world’s sixth largest religion.
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Sandeep Kaur, Harpreet Singh, Devesh Roy and Hardeep Singh
Despite the susceptibility of cotton crops to pest attacks in the Malwa Region of Indian Punjab, no crop insurance policy has been implemented there– not even the Pradhan Mantri…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the susceptibility of cotton crops to pest attacks in the Malwa Region of Indian Punjab, no crop insurance policy has been implemented there– not even the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which is a central scheme. Therefore, this paper attempts to gauge the likely impact of the PMFBY on Punjab cotton farmers and assess the changes needed for greater uptake and effectiveness of PMFBY.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have conducted a primary survey to conduct this study. Initially, the authors compared the costs of cotton production with the returns in two scenarios (with and without insurance). Additionally, the authors have applied a logistic regression framework to examine the determinants of the willingness of farmers to participate in the crop insurance market.
Findings
The study finds that net returns of cotton crops are conventionally small and insufficient to cope with damages from crop failure. Yet, PMFBY will require some modifications in the premium rate and the level of indemnity for its greater uptake among Punjab cotton farmers. Additionally, using the logistic regression framework, the authors find that an increase in awareness about crop insurance and farmers' perceptions about their crop failure in the near future reduces the willingness of the farmers to participate in the crop insurance markets.
Research limitations/implications
The present study looks for the viability of PMFBY in Indian Punjab for the cotton crop, which can also be extended to other crops.
Social implications
Punjab could also use crop insurance to encourage diversification in agriculture. There is a need for special packages for diversified crops under any crop insurance policy. Crops susceptible to volatility due to climate-related factors should be identified and provided with a special insurance package.
Originality/value
There exist very scant studies that have discussed the viability of a central crop insurance scheme in the agricultural-rich state of India, i.e. Punjab. Moreover, they do not also focus on crop losses accruing due to pest and insect attacks.
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Devesh Kumar, Gunjan Soni, Yigit Kazancoglu and Ajay Pal Singh Rathore
This research aims to update the literature about the importance of reliability in supply chain (SC) and to find out the SC determinants.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to update the literature about the importance of reliability in supply chain (SC) and to find out the SC determinants.
Design/methodology/approach
This research surveys while contributing to the academic grasp of supply chain reliability (SCR) concepts. The study found 45 peer-reviewed publications using a structured survey technique with a four-step filtering process. The filtering process includes data reduction processes such as an evaluation of abstract and conclusion. The filtered study focuses on SCR and its determinants.
Findings
One of the major findings is that most of the study has focused on mathematical and conceptual studies. Also, this study provides the answer to a question like how can reliability be better accepted and evolved within the SC after finding the determinants of SCR.
Originality/value
The observed methodological gap in understanding and development of SCR was identified and classified into three categories: mathematical, conceptual and empirical studies (case studies and survey’s mainly). This research will aid academics in developing and understanding the determinants of SCR.
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Anjani Kumar, Devesh Roy, Gaurav Tripathi, P.K. Joshi and Rajendra P. Adhikari
The purpose of this paper is to quantify the benefits of contract farming (CF) on farmers’ income and adoption of food safety measures (FSMs) at the farm level. The paper also…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to quantify the benefits of contract farming (CF) on farmers’ income and adoption of food safety measures (FSMs) at the farm level. The paper also investigates the determinants of participation in CF.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a survey of 600 tomato farmers from Nepal. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis (using instrumental variable) and propensity score matching have been used to accomplish the objectives of the study.
Findings
The study found that the CF ensures higher returns to farmers as well as higher adoption of FSMs at the farm level. The contract farmers earned about 38 per cent higher net returns and had 38 per cent higher adoption of FSM as compared to independent farmers. Caste, occupation, farm size and cropping intensity significantly affected farmers’ participation in CF.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis based on cross-section data has limitations to consider unobserved farmer-level individual heterogeneity.
Originality/value
This study will provide an empirical base to promote CF in Nepal. The study will also contribute to bridge the gap in literature on the drivers of CF and its impact on smallholders’ income and compliance with FSM in Nepal.
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Shraddha Awasthi, Devesh Bathla and Sheetal Singh
Purpose: This study aims to review the existing literature on human resource management (HRM) as a major theme and sub-theme of human resource (HR) analytics. This chapter has the…
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to review the existing literature on human resource management (HRM) as a major theme and sub-theme of human resource (HR) analytics. This chapter has the objective of analysing the trends in HR analytics.
Design/Methodology/Approach: It covered the publications between 2010 and 2021. There was a total of 500 articles sourced through ProQuest. The systematic literature review is applied as a research methodology. The metadata analysis was carried out to understand the trends, challenges, best practices, and scope of HR analytics. The authors have taken the help of keywords, journals, authors, domains, and topics for sourcing, screening, shortlisting, and finalising the article for review purposes.
Findings: It was found that research published in the early period concentrated on HRM’s theoretical and conceptual frameworks. In the middle phase, HR analytics gained momentum while the recent publications have reiterated on adopting various tools and technologies for optimum utilisation of resources and sustainable organisational development.
Practical Implications: This research will add to the literature in the HR analytics domain. It also provides a deeper insight to the researcher to explore and analyse more trends in the area that needs further exploration.
Originality: This study is relevant and comprehensive within the context of digitalisation, people analytics and competition management. It provides valuable insights to analyse the present scenario of the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity environment exploring new horizons for organisational efficiency and human capital.
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Online health communities (OHCs) are platforms that help health consumers to communicate with each other and obtain social support for better healthcare outcomes. However, it is…
Abstract
Purpose
Online health communities (OHCs) are platforms that help health consumers to communicate with each other and obtain social support for better healthcare outcomes. However, it is usually difficult for community members to efficiently find appropriate peers for social support exchange due to the tremendous volume of users and their generated content. Most of the existing user recommendation systems fail to effectively utilize the rich social information in social media, which can lead to unsatisfactory recommendation performance. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel user recommendation method for OHCs to fill this research gap.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposed a user recommendation method that utilized the adapted matrix factorization (MF) model. The implicit user behavior networks and the user influence relationship (UIR) network were constructed using the various social information found in OHCs, including user-generated content (UGC), user profiles and user interaction records. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach based on a dataset collected from a famous online health community.
Findings
The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method outperformed all baseline models in user recommendation using the collected dataset. The incorporation of social information from OHCs can significantly improve the performance of the proposed recommender system.
Practical implications
This study can help users build valuable social connections efficiently, enhance communication among community members, and potentially contribute to the sustainable prosperity of OHCs.
Originality/value
This study introduces the construction of the UIR network in OHCs by integrating various social information. The conventional MF model is adapted by integrating the constructed UIR network for user recommendation.
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