N. Kapaj, E. Amici, S. Ghini and C. Pietrosanti
This paper presents a finite element simulation of the hot fiat rolling of steel. An elastoplastic behaviour of steel and plane strain are assumed. The results presented here were…
Abstract
This paper presents a finite element simulation of the hot fiat rolling of steel. An elastoplastic behaviour of steel and plane strain are assumed. The results presented here were calculated with the finite element program MARC and they have shown good agreement with experimental data.
This paper gives a review of the finite element techniques (FE)applied in the area of material processing. The latest trends in metalforming, non‐metal forming and powder…
Abstract
This paper gives a review of the finite element techniques (FE) applied in the area of material processing. The latest trends in metal forming, non‐metal forming and powder metallurgy are briefly discussed. The range of applications of finite elements on the subjects is extremely wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore the aim of the paper is to give FE users only an encyclopaedic view of the different possibilities that exist today in the various fields mentioned above. An appendix included at the end of the paper presents a bibliography on finite element applications in material processing for the last five years, and more than 1100 references are listed.
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Andreas Kakouris, Eleni Sfakianaki and Matilda Kapaj
This paper aims to identify the readiness factors (RFs) required for the deployment of lean initiatives within the context of higher education (HE), a field not yet significantly…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the readiness factors (RFs) required for the deployment of lean initiatives within the context of higher education (HE), a field not yet significantly explored.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to thoroughly identify and consolidate all relevant scholarly literature concerning lean practices and readiness in the context of HE. Subsequently, a three-phase Delphi study was conducted to evaluate and enhance the findings of the SLR.
Findings
The results indicate the following seven RFs for use in HE: leadership/top management, changing environment and organisational culture, lean initiatives linked with the strategic agenda of the educational institute, employee empowerment and engagement, student value, supplier relations and continuous improvement.
Practical implications
By identifying such factors, the present study acknowledges the strategic nature of lean and recognises that its full strategic benefits can only be realised when properly implemented at a macro-level.
Originality/value
The authors believe that this is the first attempt to provide a consolidated list of RFs in the context of HE validated by a group of experts. This study expands the knowledge of lean in HE contexts, benefiting both researchers and professionals. For researchers, it provides a valuable foundation for further study of the implementation of lean programs. For professionals and practitioners, it offers insights for better preparation that are crucial for the sustainability of lean initiatives leading to overall improved performance.
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Pankaj Kumar Bahety, Souren Sarkar, Tanmoy De, Vimal Kumar and Ankesh Mittal
This study aims to identify the major factors influencing the consumers to prefer milk products and also to analyze the awareness level of the Indian consumers.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the major factors influencing the consumers to prefer milk products and also to analyze the awareness level of the Indian consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the data is obtained through a structured questionnaire from Indian consumers considering convenience sampling under the nonprobability sampling technique. The consumer preference is explained using a multiple-regression model followed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), which shed insight on the significant differences between the variables that influence consumer preference for dairy products.
Findings
Investigation is done to analyze the factors influencing the consumers' buying behavior toward milk and its products. The results showed that quality, health consciousness, price and availability are the most influencing factors to buy milk products. Quantity of milk showed a significant relationship between age, monthly income and family size.
Research limitations/implications
This study helps marketing managers to frame the marketing strategies based on consumer preference, quality, health consciousness, price and availability. The research outcome will not only be advantageous for the entrepreneurial perspective but also takes care of consumer likeliness. Though the research reveals the opinion of Indian consumers, it limits the likeliness of the western world. Because of the scarcity of resources, several dairy products are unexplored, which could pave the future scope of research.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study is to identify the quality, health consciousness, price and availability are the most influencing factors to buy milk products considering ANOVA and the multiple regression model.
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Andrzej Szymkowiak and Marcin Adam Antoniak
This research delved into the intricate dynamics between celebrity endorsements and consumer behavior focusing on eco-friendly wine product. This study aims to understand the…
Abstract
Purpose
This research delved into the intricate dynamics between celebrity endorsements and consumer behavior focusing on eco-friendly wine product. This study aims to understand the relationship between attitudes toward the celebrity endorser (CATT), perception of wine as eco-friendly (PECO), overall positive attitude toward the product (PATT) and the intention to purchase (PINT).
Design/methodology/approach
The present study relies on a large sample of 478 US citizens. Mediation moderation analysis is adopted for data analysis.
Findings
The findings revealed a full mediation effect where the influence of CATT on PINT is primarily through PECO and PATT. This suggests that the celebrity's endorsement indirectly affects purchase intention by first influencing perceptions of the product's eco-friendliness and the overall product attitude. Notably, perceiving wine as eco-friendly leads to a favorable product attitude, subsequently enhancing purchase intentions. While CATT significantly impacts both PECO and PATT, its effect is more potent on PATT, emphasizing that the celebrity's overall image might align more closely with the general product attitude than specific attributes like eco-friendliness.
Originality/value
Recognizing the complex landscape of the wine market, the research emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive marketing strategies that consider both the direct and mediated impacts of celebrity endorsements. The findings offer a foundational framework for understanding the nuanced interplay of celebrity endorsement, product perception and purchase intention in the context of the wine market.
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Jesús Miguel Rodríguez-Mantilla, Angélica Martínez-Zarzuelo and Víctor León-Carrascosa
In the current education context, quality management has increasingly become a key element and more educational organizations are deciding to implement a Quality Management…
Abstract
Purpose
In the current education context, quality management has increasingly become a key element and more educational organizations are deciding to implement a Quality Management System. Because there are so few studies on the impact that implementation has on educational institutions, the main objective of this paper is to profile educational centers on the basis of their implementation of ISO 9001 quality standards.
Design/methodology/approach
Specifically, this was done by taking a sample of 83 educational centers from four regions of Spain (Comunidad de Madrid, Castilla y León, Andalucía and the Comunidad Valenciana) and analyzing assessments made by teachers and members of the center Management Teams (2,132 subjects in total). The first step was to carry out a number of descriptive and differential studies globally, analyzing 8 broad dimensions: Communication System, Management, Support and Recognition, Learning Process, Quality, Climate, Satisfaction, and External Relations. A cluster analysis was then performed to identify center profiles in terms of the degree of impact from their having implemented ISO 9001 standards.
Findings
The results show that the impact of is greater in educational centers in Comunidad Valenciana and Andalucía with 9–11 years of implementation, with internal financial aid or funding, and at charter centers.
Originality/value
The cluster analysis reveals three clearly differentiated profiles (with high, medium, and low degrees of impact) in the different dimensions evaluated in the study.
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Mohammed Awad Alshahrani and Khalid Sami Husain
The study seeks to examine the effectiveness of implementing the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance in Saudi Arabia. It…
Abstract
Purpose
The study seeks to examine the effectiveness of implementing the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance in Saudi Arabia. It explores ISO 9001 usefulness through the dimensions of continuous improvement, customer satisfaction focus and prevention of nonconformities. The study investigates two dimensions of firm performance's: operational performance and product/service quality.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a quantitative method. A simple random sampling technique is used to collect study samples. A self-administered questionnaire is employed as the data collection tool. The study was based on 263 samples from SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS/AMOS.
Findings
Prevention of nonconformities, customer satisfaction focus and continues improvement had a positive significant correlation with operational performance and product/service quality. Moreover, the ISO 9001 QMS effectiveness construct showed a helpful and important correlation with the performance of the company.
Originality/value
The study offers empirical evidence to clarify ambiguous findings from past studies, as well as expounds knowledge on the effect of ISO 9001 on SMEs' performance through the lenses of operational performance and quality/service quality.