The use of offsets is one of the main characteristics of international defence trade. The rising costs of defence equipment and the significant contraction of defence spending…
Abstract
The use of offsets is one of the main characteristics of international defence trade. The rising costs of defence equipment and the significant contraction of defence spending have resulted in an environment that favoured the use of offset policies, the latter becoming increasingly demanding in both quantitative and qualitative terms. The chapter analyses the role of offsets on the process of integration of defence equipment markets, with a specific focus on the EU. Particular attention is given to the offset-relevant regulation and practice and to their recent evolution in the EU following the adoption of European Directive on defence and security procurement (81/81/EC). Offsets play a dual role with regard to the integration of defence industries: on one hand they can be trade-distorting and contribute to the survival of inefficient suppliers in arms importing countries; on the other hand, they can contribute in overcoming barriers that may otherwise prevent some potentially efficient suppliers from accessing the supply chains of the big system integrators. The chapter draws the attention on the need to complement the regulatory evolution by further initiatives aiming at improving the access of non-incumbent suppliers to the supply chains of the large defence system integrators.
P. Markowski, A. Dziedzic and E. Prociow
Possible application of mixed (thick/thin film) thermopiles to supply autonomous microsystems.
Abstract
Purpose
Possible application of mixed (thick/thin film) thermopiles to supply autonomous microsystems.
Design/methodology/approach
PdAg/AG or PdAg/TSG thermocouples were deposited onto a circular alumina or LTCC substrates. Their thermoelectric power, resistance as well as output electrical power were characterized vs temperature gradient and chosen parameters of thermopile fabrication process.
Findings
Semiconductors have high Seebeck coefficient, so investigated kind of thermopile has high output electrical power ET. It achieves 50 mV per single junction for temperature difference of about 200°C.
Research limitations/implications
The problem is very high resistivity of germanium alloys, even after burn‐in process. Therefore output electrical power P is seriously reduced. To improve thermocouples properties, optimization process is required. For example, thin film layers quality can be improved, semiconductive arms width can be increased or shorter arms can be used.
Originality/value
Application of mixed thick/thin film technology for fabrication of miniaturized thermoelectric generators.
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A. Hadi-Vencheh and A. Yousefi
Nowadays, most of the organizations have focused through the world on Six Sigma to reduce the costs, improve the productivity and enhance concerned individuals’ satisfaction…
Abstract
Purpose
Nowadays, most of the organizations have focused through the world on Six Sigma to reduce the costs, improve the productivity and enhance concerned individuals’ satisfaction, especially customers’ satisfaction. Annually, these organizations define and execute thousands of Six Sigma projects which involve a great deal of investments. But are all of these projects successful and do the organizations benefit from the above advantages? The purpose of this study is to proposing a methodology to to answer this question that: How can we reduce the risk of failure in Six Sigma projects? The first step to reduce the risk of failure in Six Sigma projects is selecting optimal ones which have the most profits and the least expected risks.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the effective criteria are recognized and defined in selecting Six Sigma projects. Then, a new data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is proposed for project selection process. A real example is resolved by the presented model. Finally, the authors use linear discriminate analysis (LDA) to examine the validity of obtained results from the proposed model.
Findings
The results show that the proposed model is a suitable tool for selecting Six Sigma Projects. The findings demonstrate that the selected projects by suggested integrated DEA model are those confirmed by LDA.
Originality/value
The paper, using a real case study, provides a mathematical model to enhance decision quality in Six Sigma project selection. Applying the specific DEA model is remarkable itself, which joined to a pioneering procedure to use LDA to validity evaluation of the results.
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Witold Nawrot and Karol Malecha
The purpose of this paper is to review possibilities of implementing ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) into electronic device production, which can enable great new…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review possibilities of implementing ceramic additive manufacturing (AM) into electronic device production, which can enable great new possibilities.
Design/methodology/approach
A short introduction into additive techniques is included, as well as primary characterization of structuring capabilities, dielectric performance and applicability in the electronic manufacturing process.
Findings
Ceramic stereolithography (SLA) is suitable for microchannel manufacturing, even using a relatively inexpensive system. This method is suitable for implementation into the electronic manufacturing process; however, a search for better materials is desired, especially for improved dielectric parameters, lowered sintering temperature and decreased porosity.
Practical implications
Relatively inexpensive ceramic SLA, which is now available, could make ceramic electronics, currently restricted to specific applications, more available.
Originality/value
Ceramic AM is in the beginning phase of implementation in electronic technology, and only a few reports are currently available, the most significant of which is mentioned in this paper.
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The purpose of this paper was to develop the methodology of thick-film/low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) multilayer thermoelectric microgenerator fabrication including the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to develop the methodology of thick-film/low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) multilayer thermoelectric microgenerator fabrication including the procedure of silver-nickel thermocouples integration with LTCC.
Design/methodology/approach
To miniaturize the structures and to increase the output parameters (generated voltage, electrical power), the microgenerator was designed as multilayer systems. It allows to reduce size of the system and to increase the number of thermocouples integrated inside the structure. It also protects buried thermocouples against exposure to harmful external factors (e.g. moisture, oxidation and mechanical exposures). As a substrate, LTCC was used. For the thermocouples fabrication, thick-film pastes based on silver and nickel were chosen. Ag/Ni thermocouple has nearly three times higher Seebeck coefficient and 30 per cent lower electrical resistance than the combination of Ag/PdAg used in previous works of the author.
Findings
A multi-layer thick-film thermoelectric generator based on LTCC and Ag, Ni pastes was fabricated. Thirty Ag/Ni thermocouples were precisely screen-printed on few layers. Thermocouples’ arms are 15 mm long and about 150 μm wide. Interlayer connections (via-holes filled with conductive paste) provided the electrical contact between the layers. The biggest fabricated harvester consisted of 90 miniature thermocouples buried inside the LTCC.
Originality/value
The paper presents the results of research that provided to optimize the co-firing process of the LTCC/Ni set. In the result, the methodology of co-firing of silver-nickel thermocouples and LTCC ceramic was elaborated. Also, the methodology of fabrication of miniature thermoelectric energy harvesters was optimized.
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Zeki Ayağ and Funda Samanlioglu
In this paper, two popular multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods with hesitant fuzzy logic approach; hesitant fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (hesitant F-AHP) and…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, two popular multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods with hesitant fuzzy logic approach; hesitant fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (hesitant F-AHP) and hesitant fuzzy the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (HF-TOPSIS) are integrated as HF-AHP-TOPSIS to evaluating a set of enterprise resource planning (ERP) alternatives and rank them by weight to reach to the ultimate one that satisfies the needs and expectations of a company.
Design/methodology/approach
Selecting the best ERP software package among the rising number of the options in market has been a critical problem for most companies for a long time because of the reason that an improper ERP software package might lead to many issues (i.e. time loss, increased costs and a loss of market share). On the other hand, finding the best ERP alternative is a comprehensive MCDM problem in the presence of a set of alternatives and several potentially competing quantitative and qualitative criteria.
Findings
In this integrated approach, the hesitant F-AHP is used to determine the criteria weights, as the hesitant F-TOPSIS is utilized to rank ERP package alternatives. The proposed approach was also validated in a numerical example that has five ERP package alternatives and 12 criteria by three decision-makers in order to show its applicability to potential readers and practitioners.
Research limitations/implications
If the number of the alternatives and criteria are dramatically increased beyond reasonable numbers, the reaching to final solution will be so difficult because of the great deal of fuzzy based calculations. Therefore, the number of criteria and alternatives should be at reasonable numbers.
Practical implications
The proposed approach was also validated in a illustrated example with the five ERP package options and 12 criteria by the three decision-makers in order to show its applicability to potential readers and practitioners.
Originality/value
Furthermore, in literature, to the best of our knowledge, the authors did not come cross any work that integrates the HF-AHP with the HF-TOPSIS for ERP software package selection problem.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible application of thick‐film, metal‐based thermocouples to microsystems power supply. The subject of matter was development…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible application of thick‐film, metal‐based thermocouples to microsystems power supply. The subject of matter was development of the procedure of thick‐film thermopile miniaturisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The aptitude of four photoimageable inks (based on silver or silver‐palladium) to fabrication of miniaturised thermocouples' arms was investigated. The object of interest was their compatibility with different kinds of low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrates, maximum resolution, shrinkage and electrical resistivity. Usage of the laser shaping technique to fabrication of narrow thermocouples' arms was also subject of matter. After tests and processes optimization both techniques were combined to fabricate the thick‐film Ag/Ni microthermopile.
Findings
Most of investigated inks were compatible with all tested LTCC tapes – fired as well as unfired (green tapes). Photoimageable inks technique can be successfully used for thermocouples' arms miniaturization. 40 μm/40 μm line/spaces resolution can be easily achieved. Combining this technique with laser shaping enabled microthermopile fabrication. It consisted of 42 Ag (photoimageable)/Ni (laser shaped) thermocouples. Arms width was 40 μm and 225 μm (Ag‐ and Ni‐arm, respectively), spaces between them – 65 μm. Overall, width of single thermocouple was smaller than 0.4 mm.
Practical implications
Fabrication of microthermopile consisting of several hundreds of thick‐film thermocouples will be possible if described procedure is applied. Such microgenerator will generate output power sufficient to supply some microsystems or microelectronic circuits.
Originality/value
The properties of four photoimageable inks were investigated as well as their compatibility with five different LTCC substrates (fired and unfired). Procedure of thick‐film microthermopile fabrication using photoimageable inks technique combined with laser shaping was proposed for the first time.
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– The purpose of this work was fabrication of a small energy harvester.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this work was fabrication of a small energy harvester.
Design/methodology/approach
The multilayer thermoelectric power generator based on thick-film and low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology was fabricated. Precise paths printing method was used to fabricate Ag/Ni and Ag/PdAg thermocouples on a number of unfired LTCC tapes. The tapes were put together to form a multilayer stack. The via holes were used to make the electrical connections between adjacent layers. Finally, the multilayer stack was fired in the appropriate thermal profile.
Findings
It consists of 450 thermocouples and generates output voltage of about 0.45 V and output electrical power of about 0.13 mW when a temperature difference along the structure is 135°C. In the paper, individual stages of energy harvester fabrication process as well as its output parameters are presented.
Originality/value
Miniaturized thermoelectric energy harvester based on thick-film and LTCC technology was fabricated. As materials, metal-based pastes were used. This is the first paper where multilayer thermoelectric harvester, fabricated with the aid of LTCC technology, was described.
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Offsets are contracts that require the seller to provide extra benefits to the purchasing government's economy as a condition for the sale of goods and services. The federal…
Abstract
Offsets are contracts that require the seller to provide extra benefits to the purchasing government's economy as a condition for the sale of goods and services. The federal government of the United States does not have an offset policy for procurement. Nor does it intervene in private markets where U.S. firms often face steep offset obligations. Although there have been calls for unilateral government intervention, the U.S. is currently engaged in multilateral discussions with other industrialized nations aimed at reducing or limiting offset bids. The reality in most of the relevant markets is that buyers command significant bargaining power and multilateral talks are likely to fail. This paper offers another approach for firms (in any country) facing offset requirements and presents a case study from the state of Maryland (USA) that demonstrates how cooperation between local firms and the state government can reduce the offset burden at a surprisingly small marginal cost. The case study provides micro-level data and follows several transactions from the initial negotiation stage through offset fulfillment. The analysis details the costs and benefits of this strategy, and the requirements for such a program to be successfully implemented.
Mushtaq Ahmad Darzi and Suhail Ahmad Bhat
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study undertaken to understand customer satisfaction and customer retention in business-to-consumer markets. The study…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study undertaken to understand customer satisfaction and customer retention in business-to-consumer markets. The study investigates the effect of personnel capability and customer satisfaction on customer retention in the banking sector. The influence of the control variable (gender) on customer retention and mediating role of customer satisfaction has also been examined.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has used structural equation modeling (SEM) for data analysis across a sample of 409 bank customers of a private bank operating in Jammu and Kashmir state of India. Questionnaires were distributed and respondents were selected through a cluster sampling technique.
Findings
The empirical analysis through SEM has confirmed that personnel capability and customer satisfaction have a significant positive impact on customer retention. Customer satisfaction partially mediates the effect of personnel capability on customer retention. Moderation analysis was performed and established that gender moderates the effect of personnel capability on customer satisfaction. It was also found that gender has no effect on other relations. Furthermore, the study shows that personnel capability has a stronger impact on customer retention as compared to customer satisfaction. However, the relationship between personnel capability and customer satisfaction is significant.
Research limitations/implications
The study has been conducted on the customers of a private bank in India. Therefore, generalizations may be limited. As personnel capability is the predictor of satisfaction and retention, individuals with proper social and technical skills – in addition to other skills – should be hired for managing relationships with customers.
Originality/value
The study has added to the understanding of the relationship which exists among the following variables: gender, personnel capability, customer satisfaction and customer retention. These variables have not been studied together previously.