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This study aims to explore the characteristics of the Love wave propagation through a heterogeneous hydrogel layer bounded to a functionally graded PFRC substrate while determining the displacement and electric potential in a di-electrically faintly conducting, mechanically compliant interface.

In order to calculate the value of response variables, the Wave mode method has been used. The governing modeled equations are non-homogeneous. The analytical solution has been obtained by deploying the boundary conditions.

The effect of thickness on the field variables for different values of variation parameter, mechanical constant of proportionality, electrical constant of proportionality and volume fraction of the PFRC substrate is examined for both, electrically open and short cases.

To the best of authors' knowledge, no attempt has been made to analyze the propagation characteristics of Love wave through the heterogeneous hydrogel Layer bedded over the functionally graded piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composites substrate.

Due to stern management policies and increased community attentiveness, sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) performs a vast component in endeavor operation and production management. Sustainable circular supplier selection (SCSS) and evaluation presented the environmental and social concerns in the fields of circular economy and sustainable supplier selection. Choosing the optimal SCSS is vital for organizations to persuade SSCM, as specified in various researches. Based on the subjectivity of human behavior, the selection of ideal SCSS often involves uncertain information, and the Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs) have a huge capability to tackle strong vagueness, uncertainty and inaccuracy in the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) procedure. Here, a framework is developed to assess and establish suitable suppliers in the SSCM and the circular economy.

This paper introduced an extended framework using the evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) with PFSs and implemented it to solve the SCSS in the manufacturing sector. Firstly, the PFSs to handle the uncertain information of decision experts (DEs) is employed. Secondly, a novel divergence measure and parametric score function for calculating the criteria weights are proposed. Thirdly, an extended decision-making approach, known as PF-EDAS, is introduced.

The outcomes and comparative discussion show that the developed method is efficient and capable of facilitating the DEs to choose desirable SCSS. Therefore, the proposed framework can be used by organizations to assess and establish suitable suppliers in the SCSS process in the circular economy.

Selecting the optimal sustainable circular supplier (SCS) in the manufacturing sector is important for organizations to persuade SSCM, as specified in various research. However, corresponding to the subjectivity of human behavior, the selection of the best SCS often involves uncertain information, and the PFSs have a huge capability to tackle strong vagueness, uncertainty and inaccuracy in the MCDM procedure. Hence, manufacturing companies' administrators can implement the developed method to assess and establish suitable suppliers in the SCSS process in the circular economy.

The behavioural decision-making process of individuals highlights the importance of investors’ sentiment and their correlation with the real economy. This paper aims to contribute to the literature of behavioural finance by examining the influence of contextual factors on investment decision-making.

Using a questionnaire, a total of 445 valid responses were collected from March to May 2021 through online sources. The current study uses a technique of Fuzzy-analytical hierarchical process (AHP) to assign relative weights to various contextual factors influencing investment decision-making. Harman’s single factor test was used to check common method bias.

Results of the study reveal that accounting information, self-image/firm-image coincidence, and neutral information as the top-ranked factors in influencing investment decisions, whereas advocate recommendation and personal financial needs emerged as less important factors in influencing investment decisions.

The current study collects data from Indian stock market investors, which may limit the generalization of the study to India only. Moreover, this study is cross-sectional in nature, and there are numerous factors that are not part of the study but might significantly influence the investors’ decision-making process.

The research has implications for both academicians working in the area of behavioural finance and practitioners’ who are active in stock markets, more specifically dealing with retail investors and in the domain of personal finance. Also, the current study will accommodate different groups, i.e. policy makers, financial advisors, investors, investment professionals, etc. in carrying out their professional work.

The current study will provide a comprehensive overview of individual investor behaviour. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is one of its kind to use the Fuzzy-AHP technique for evaluating the relative ranks of contextual factors influencing investment decision-making.

The present study aims to demonstrate the use of renewable source in the preparation of polyurethane (PU) coatings and mitigation of corrosion of mild steel using nano zinc phosphate. Results indicated improvement in the properties of the PU coatings, especially anticorrosive properties by the addition of nano zinc phosphate.

Renewable-source-based polyestermyristamide polyol was synthesized using myristic acid as a starting material. The synthesis of polyol was carried by amidation as well as by esterification by a one-pot route. The structure of the prepared polyestermyristamide was confirmed with the support of end-group analysis and spectral study. PU coatings were prepared from synthesized polyestermyristamide polyol and used to protect metal substrate against corrosion. Corrosion properties of the prepared PU were found to be lower; hence, to improve the performance of these coatings, nano zinc phosphate was added to the coatings. The nano zinc phosphate was synthesized in the laboratory by reported sonication method and analyzed for morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Performance of coatings was studied with respect to effect of percentage nano zinc phosphate on thermal stability, mechanical properties and chemical resistances of PU coatings.

The combination of zinc phosphate nano rods and particles in myristic acid-based PU coatings provided substantial corrosion barrier properties to the coatings. Different per cent of the synthesized zinc phosphate nano rods and particles were loaded into the matrix, and corresponding coatings were estimated for corrosion resistance, thermal and chemical properties. Immersion study of the coated panels in 3.5 per cent NaCl solution showed good corrosion resistance for both PU coatings containing 2 and 3 per cent nano zinc phosphate.

This paper has provided the solution to replace existing petroleum-based raw materials with myristic acid as a renewable source in preparing PU coatings. Conventional coatings act as physical barriers against aggressive species but do not have ability to perform as permanent impassable to corrosive species. Hence, nano-sized zinc phosphate is used as corrosion inhibitor in to the synthesized PU coatings for enhancing anticorrosive performance.

In the paper, polyesteramide polyol is synthesized using renewable-source-based material, i.e. myristic acid to replace existing petroleum-based acid as a greener approach. Normally, vegetable oils are preferred as they have such kinds of polyols. The polyesteramide reaction is one pot that avoids the extra steps required in the synthesis. Further, it has been found that the pristine renewable coatings are unable to fully protect subtract from corrosion, whereas an addition of the nano-size zinc phosphate has enhanced the corrosion properties of the coatings.

This case is meant for MBA/MS/executive MBA students.

Entrepreneurship development, leadership.

This case is about the successful entrepreneurial journey of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder of India-based biotechnology company Biocon Limited. Mazumdar-Shaw established Biocon in 1978 as a joint venture company. As a woman entrepreneur, Mazumdar-Shaw faced many challenges and setbacks during her initial days. She overcame these and took Biocon to new heights. Later, Mazumdar-Shaw decided to make a strategic shift in Biocon’s business model – going from manufacturing enzymes to biopharmaceuticals with the vision of making an impact on global health care by providing access to affordable, life-saving drugs.

The learning outcomes are as follows: understand the ecosystem of women entrepreneurs in developing countries; examine the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in their entrepreneurial journey and how successful entrepreneurs convert challenges into opportunities; and analyze what entrepreneurial leadership is and understand how these leadership qualities play an important role in the success of entrepreneurial ventures.

Mazumdar-Shaw was able to break through the gender barrier that was highly prevalent in Indian society then and successfully established her entrepreneurial venture in biotechnology, a discipline that was still nascent in the1970s. Though she has scaled great heights in the biotechnology area and developed her business, she has remained sensitive to the problems of those who are unable to get affordable medicines. Firmly believing that she should share the prosperity of the company with the poor and the marginalized, Mazumdar-Shaw, through her philanthropic venture, Biocon Foundation, started providing essential drugs at affordable prices to them.

CCS 3: Entrepreneurship.