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This research was initiated by motivation from a real business problem that delves into lean management practices in dairy farm operations. It investigates how lean management practices can be applied as an improvement strategy in the dairy business to evaluate its impact on performance, where profitability is a decisive factor.

Based on the qualitative design, a 5-phase action research methodology was used in this study, where multiple data collection sources were used, including focus group discussions, on-site observation or Gemba walks and process mapping. The impact is evaluated by comparing the key performance measures with the same period before and after research.

The research revealed that lean management practices can significantly improve dairy business performance. It explained vital aspects of lean management practices and their sequence with examples of first-hand applications. It explained, how lean management practices were applied in dairy farm operations. Furthermore, the research resulted in significant benefits, in terms of quality, cost and profitability.

This research was conducted in a real business setting in the field environment, to improve dairy business performance. It was a distinctive application of lean management practices to solve a national problem. This could be used as a road map to bring continuous improvement at the national level to improve the performance of food value chains.

This research is unique because it addresses the methodological, population and empirical gaps in dairy farm operations. It adds value to the existing knowledge base by sharing best practices, developed and implemented for the first time to the best of our knowledge, like high-level process mapping and performance measures at different levels. Furthermore, the solutions can be simulated in related farm operations to bring breakthrough improvements in dairy business performance.

The present critical analysis has been performed to explore the steady stagnation point flow of Jeffery fluid toward a stretching surface, in the presence of convective boundary conditions. It is assumed that the fluid strikes the wall obliquely. The governing non-linear partial differential equations for the flow field are converted to ordinary differential equations by using suitable similarity transformations. Optimal homotopy analysis method (OHAM) is operated to deal the resulting ordinary differential equations. OHAM is found to be extremely effective analytical technique to obtain convergent series solutions of highly non-linear differential equations. Graphically, non-dimensional velocities and temperature profile are expressed. Numerical values of skin friction coefficients and heat flux are computed. The comparison of results from this paper with the previous existing literature authorizes the precise accuracy of the OHAM for the limited case. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The governing non-linear partial differential equations for the flow field are converted to ordinary differential equations by using suitable similarity transformations. OHAM is operated to deal the resulting ordinary differential equations.

OHAM is found to be extremely effective analytical technique to obtain convergent series solutions of highly non-linear differential equations. Graphically, non-dimensional velocities and temperature profile are expressed. Numerical values of skin friction coefficients and heat flux are computed.

The comparison of results from this paper with the previous existing literature authorizes the precise accuracy of the OHAM for the limited case.

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel model on the unsteady MHD flow of heat transfer in carbon nanotubes with variable viscosity over a shrinking surface.

The temperature-dependent viscosity makes the proposed model non-linear and coupled. Consequently, the resulting non-linear partial differential equations are first reformed into set of ordinary differential equations through appropriate transformations and boundary layer approximation and are then solved numerically by the Keller box method.

Graphical and numerical results are executed keeping temperature-dependent viscosity of nanofluid. It is noted that, for diverse critical points, it is found that at one side of these critical values, multiple solutions exist; on the other side, no solution exists. A comparison is also computed for the special case of existing study. The temperature and pressure profiles are also plotted for various effective parameters.

The work is original.

Surface properties (smooth or roughness) play a critical role in controlling the wettability, surface area and other physical and chemical properties like fluid flow behaviour over the rough and smooth surfaces. It is reported that rough surfaces are offering more significant insights as compared to smooth surfaces. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of surface roughness in the diverging channel on physiological fluid flows.

A mathematical formulation based on the conservation of mass and momentum equations is developed to derive exact solutions for the physical quantities under the assumption of low Reynolds numbers and long wavelengths, which are appropriate for biological transport scenarios.

The results reveal that an increase in surface roughness reduces axial velocity and volumetric flow rate while increasing pressure distribution and turbulence in skin friction.

These findings offer valuable insights for biological flow analysis, highlighting the effects of surface roughness, non-uniformity of the channel and magnetic fields.

These findings are very much applicable for designing the pumping devices for transportation of the fluids in non-uniform channels.

This study examines the impact of surface roughness on the peristaltic pumping of viscoelastic (Jeffrey) fluids in diverging channels with transverse magnetic fields.

Energy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the energy-saving behavior of individuals in the workplace.

As a theoretical research model, the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to analyze the determinants of energy-saving intentions. A survey method is used to collect 289 valid data, and structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the data.

The final result shows that the variables attitude at home, subjective norm (SN) and descriptive norms positively impact intention to save energy at the workplace. In contrast, the construct attitude and perceived behavior control is insignificant in this research. On the other hand, the personal moral norm (PMN) is a powerful predictor of individual energy-saving intentions at the workplace.

This research provides insights that will help the organizations understand the behavior of individuals at the workplace for energy-saving intentions to formulate such policies that will enhance individuals' practice for energy savings.

The purpose of this paper is to study the thin film flow of a fourth grade fluid subject to slip conditions in order to understand its velocity profile.

An exact expression for flow velocity is derived in terms of hyperbolic sine functions. The practical usage of the exact flow velocity is restrictive as it involves very complicated integrals. Therefore, an approximate solution is also derived using a Galerkin finite element method and numerical error analysis is performed.

The behavior of fluid velocity with respect to various flow parameters is discussed. The results are not restrictive to small values of flow parameters unlike those obtained earlier using homotopy analysis method and homotopy perturbation method.

An approximate solution based on finite element technique is derived.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of firm-specific (i.e. firm size, profitability, leverage, dividend, growth opportunities, management quality and firm age) and country-specific (i.e., gross domestic product [GDP] growth) variables on compensation/remuneration offered to chief executive officers (CEOs) working in different industries of Pakistan.

Panel data techniques, namely, pooled ordinary least squares, fixed effects and random effects methods are used to estimate the results. Moreover, Hausman test is used to choose which estimation method, either fixed effects or random effects, is better to explain the results.

Firm size, profitability, leverage, growth opportunities and age are some important firm-specific factors that have mixed (i.e. positive/negative) impact on CEO compensation in different industries. Variations in results are due to industry dynamics. However, it is important to mention that three key variables, namely, dividend, management quality and GDP growth have shown consistent positive impact on CEO compensation in most of the industries. In sum, results show that firm-specific and country-specific variables have material effects on CEO compensation. Moreover, results are found consistent with the predictions of agency theory and human capital theory.

The authors are sure that findings of this study provide some support to the board of directors to determine the pay slice for CEOs. Moreover, findings provide support to the regulatory authorities in formulating mechanisms to determine the compensation package for CEOs working in different industries and to improve the Code of Corporate Governance.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no empirical study in Pakistan has yet estimated the effects of firm-specific and country-specific variables on compensation offered to CEOs working in different industries. Thus, industry-wise analysis provides some new insights to the decision-makers and lays some foundation upon which a more detail analysis could be based.

This study aims to assess the relationship between intellectual and social capital and financial statement fraud and money laundering of Iraqi firms before and after the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In other words, this paper seeks to answer the question of “whether the intellectual and social capital can contribute favourably to fraud in financial statements and money laundering or not.”

For the study, the multivariate regression model is used for hypothesis testing. Research hypotheses have also been examined using a sample of 35 listed firms on the Iraqi Stock Exchange during 2012–2018, using the panel data technique-based multivariate regression pattern and fixed-effect model.

The results show a negative and significant relationship between social capital and intellectual capital, fraud in financial statements and money laundering. Besides, the results indicate a positive and significant effect of the interactive variable of ISIS on the relationship between social and intellectual capital and fraud in financial statements and money laundering.

Since this paper is the first study on such a topic in the emergent markets, it provides helpful information for the users, analysts and legal institutions about intellectual capital and social capital that contributes significantly to fraud and money laundering of business units. Moreover, the study results help the development of science and knowledge in this field and fill the existing gap in the literature.

Generally, in computational thermofluid dynamics, the thermophysical properties of fluids (e.g. viscosity and thermal conductivity) are considered as constant. However, in many applications, the variability of these properties plays a significant role in modifying transport characteristics while the temperature difference in the boundary layer is notable. These include drag reduction in heavy oil transport systems, petroleum purification and coating manufacturing. The purpose of this study is to develop, a comprehensive mathematical model, motivated by the last of these applications, to explore the impact of variable viscosity and variable thermal conductivity characteristics in magnetohydrodynamic non-Newtonian nanofluid enrobing boundary layer flow over a horizontal circular cylinder in the presence of cross-diffusion (Soret and Dufour effects) and appreciable thermal radiative heat transfer under a static radial magnetic field.

The Williamson pseudoplastic model is deployed for rheology of the nanofluid. Buongiorno’s two-component model is used for nanoscale effects. The dimensionless nonlinear partial differential equations have been solved by using an implicit finite difference Keller box scheme. Extensive validation with earlier studies in the absence of nanoscale and variable property effects is included.

The influence of notable parameters such as Weissenberg number, variable viscosity, variable thermal conductivity, Soret and Dufour numbers on heat, mass and momentum characteristics are scrutinized and visualized via graphs and tables.

Buongiorno (two-phase) nanofluid model is used to express the momentum, energy and concentration equations with the following assumptions. The laminar, steady, incompressible, free convective flow of Williamson nanofluid is considered. The body force is implemented in the momentum equation. The induced magnetic field strength is smaller than the external magnetic field and hence it is neglected. The Soret and Dufour effects are taken into consideration.

The variable viscosity and thermal conductivity are considered to investigate the fluid characteristic of Williamson nanofluid because of viscosity and thermal conductivity have a prime role in many industries such as petroleum refinement, food and beverages, petrochemical, coating manufacturing, power and environment.

This fluid model displays exact rheological characteristics of bio-fluids and industrial fluids, for instance, blood, polymer melts/solutions, nail polish, paint, ketchup and whipped cream.

The outcomes disclose that the Williamson nanofluid velocity declines by enhancing the Lorentz hydromagnetic force in the radial direction. Thermal and nanoparticle concentration boundary layer thickness is enhanced with greater streamwise coordinate values. An increase in Dufour number or a decrease in Soret number slightly enhances the nanofluid temperature and thickens the thermal boundary layer. Flow deceleration is induced with greater viscosity parameter. Nanofluid temperature is elevated with greater Weissenberg number and thermophoresis nanoscale parameter.

In recent years, microfluidics has turned into a very important region of research because of its wide range of applications such as microheat exchanger, micromixers fuel cells, cooling systems for microelectronic devices, micropumps and microturbines. Therefore, in this paper, micropolar nanofluid flow through an inclined microchannel is numerically investigated in the presence of convective boundary conditions. Heat transport of fluid includes radiative heat, viscous and Joule heating phenomena.

Governing equations are nondimensionalized by using suitable dimensionless variables. The relevant dimensionless ordinary differential systems are solved by using variational finite element method. Detailed computations are done for velocity, microrotation and temperature functions. The influence of various parameters on entropy generation and the Bejan number is displayed and discussed.

It is established that the entropy generation rate increased with both Grashof number and Eckert number, while it decreased with nanoparticle volume fraction and material parameter. Temperature is decreased by increasing the volume fraction of Ag nanoparticle dispersed in water.

According to the literature survey and the best of the author’s knowledge, no similar studies have been executed on micropolar nanofluid flow through an inclined microchannel with effect of viscous dissipation, Joule heating and thermal radiation.