Sumita Srivastava, Kanika Satsangi and Nandita Satsangee
The purpose of this paper is to identify the elements of education and training intervention that facilitate occupational transition intentions of undergraduates and encourage…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the elements of education and training intervention that facilitate occupational transition intentions of undergraduates and encourage them to opt for entrepreneurial pursuit.
Design/methodology/approach
The study, conducted in India, employed the nominal group technique (NGT) – A systems science technique – which considers that users are experts and they must participate in the decision-making process. The application of NGT involved a workshop format; 15 domain experts participated in the workshop. Throughout the process, a democratic process was followed to avoid individual dominance and premature focusing on a single idea.
Findings
The study obtained 63 responses from experts for effective entrepreneurship education in India. The responses were reduced to seven elements after a few thematic iterations. These elements were then segregated into content (knowledge, skills and attitude) and learning interaction on the basis of experts’ responses. An initial draft of the course based upon the elements identified through NGT is presented in this paper.
Originality/value
This study is unique and different from previous research on entrepreneurship education in several ways: It takes cognizance of multiple stakeholders; It provides a theoretical framework along with empirical groundwork; It suggests curriculum contents that have contextual as well as universal relevance. This paper contributes to the emerging dimensions of entrepreneurship literature, which implies a shift from understanding a well-established Western context of entrepreneurship research to transitional societies from the East.
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Two important methodologies having some common grounds, but based on differing contexts and paradigms are Physical System Theory (PST) and System Dynamics (SD). The developments…
Abstract
Two important methodologies having some common grounds, but based on differing contexts and paradigms are Physical System Theory (PST) and System Dynamics (SD). The developments in both the fields have taken place almost independently, and attempts have been made to integrate the two to complement their strengths and limitations. This paper provides an overview of PST in terms of its foundations, philosophy, fundamental postulates, recent developments on its simplification and enlargement, and applications to socio‐economic and managerial systems. A comparison of PST is made with SD on different fronts so as to understand their similarities and differences for carving out their place in modelling of managerial and socio‐economic systems and integrating the two more meaningfully and flexibly. The paper is concluded emphasizing the need for a ‘Flexible System Theory’ which can relate many such systems based approaches and techniques on the whole continuum from hard to soft systems thinking to cater the whole spectrum of problem situations effectively.
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A systems perspective of waste management allows an integratedapproach not only to the five basic functional elements of wastemanagement itself (generation, reduction, collection…
Abstract
A systems perspective of waste management allows an integrated approach not only to the five basic functional elements of waste management itself (generation, reduction, collection, recycling, disposal), but to the problems arising at the interfaces with the management of energy, nature conservation, environmental protection, economic factors like unemployment and productivity, etc. This monograph separately describes present practices and the problems to be solved in each of the functional areas of waste management and at the important interfaces. Strategies for more efficient control are then proposed from a systems perspective. Systematic and objective means of solving problems become possible leading to optimal management and a positive contribution to economic development, not least through resource conservation. India is the particular context within which waste generation and management are discussed. In considering waste disposal techniques, special attention is given to sewage and radioactive wastes.
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Sushil Kumar, P.S. Satsangi and D.R. Prajapati
The purpose of this paper is to identify the influencing factors which cause casting defects and determination of optimum value of factors to minimize these defects in a melt shop…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the influencing factors which cause casting defects and determination of optimum value of factors to minimize these defects in a melt shop industry, situated in north India. Percentage contribution of these factors is also estimated to develop an empirical expression between process performance and independent input variables.
Design/methodology/approach
Optimization technique for melt shop process parameters of a cast iron differential housing cover based on the Taguchi method is proposed. The focus of this paper is on the robustness of the sand casting process and the case study is based upon a leading automobile foundry industry, located in north India. Taguchi's experimental design and regression analysis techniques are used to optimize the control factors, resulting in improvement of the product quality and stability. The various confirmation tests are also carried out in the range of process parameters.
Findings
The outcome of this case study is to optimize the process parameters of the melt shop process, which leads to minimizing the casting defects. The process parameters considered are: mild steel, pig iron, cast iron, ferrosilicon, lime stone, ferromanganese, cock and ferrochrome. Best proportions of charge constituents that are contributing to casting defects in melt shop are identified in the first stage. These identified factors are analyzed using “Design of Experiments” approach in the second stage. ANOVA analysis is also performed for robust design of factor values and an appropriate empirical model is formulated.
Research limitations/implications
A lot of effort has been put into developing the appropriate empirical model for the automobile foundry industry but additional work may also be done for gating design of the casting industry.
Practical implications
The paper shows that the process parameters of any casting industry can be optimized and casting defects in the melt shop can be identified in the first stage.
Originality/value
The research findings could be applied to various manufacturing industries, especially the casting industries.
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Sushil Kumar, P.S. Satsangi and D.R. Prajapati
The purpose of this paper is to explore Six Sigma practices in a casting industry, that could improve the green sand casting process in a foundry by reducing the casting defects…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore Six Sigma practices in a casting industry, that could improve the green sand casting process in a foundry by reducing the casting defects. The goal was to determine which variables influenced this evolution and the relative weight of critical success factors as the methodology developed.
Design/methodology/approach
The DMAIC (Define, Measurement, Analyze, Improve, and Control)‐based Six Sigma approach is implemented to improve the green sand casting process and has made the process more robust to quality variations. Analysis of various critical process parameters of the melt shop is also carried out with the help of Taguchi's method of experimental design.
Findings
The proposed techniques optimized control factors, resulting in superior quality and stability of the green sand castings process, which contributes to minimizing the casting defects and improving the Sigma level of the industry.
Research limitations/implications
This study was carried out with some boundaries such as the number of castings of differential housings, available resources, time constraints, etc.
Practical implications
This paper is most valuable for the foundry industry, which can avail the direct benefit of Six Sigma results from the reduction in the number of defects due to improved casting processes and dispels the myths concerning the hardly ever use of Six Sigma in the casting industry.
Originality/value
The novelty of the paper lies in conducting a comparative study on the performance of a Six Sigma project. The paper will be valuable for quality professionals and management personnel in the casting industry.
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To present the hypergraph as a systems model that is more versatile than are the single‐purpose models known from literature.
Abstract
Purpose
To present the hypergraph as a systems model that is more versatile than are the single‐purpose models known from literature.
Design/methodology/approach
Parting from a previously known approach, pertinent hypergraph structures are specified, three new propositions are proved and the role of system elements and relations is analyzed.
Findings
Unlike a simple graph and a simple logical analysis, hypergraphs make it possible to apply a single theoretical approach to modelling a variety of systems. A worked‐out example illustrates the procedure.
Originality/value
Hypergraphs as a research tool appear sparsely in scientific literature. This paper fills the gap by presenting the hypergraph‐based systems model as being more versatile than are the models known from literature. It also highlights the effect of system elements and relations on the make‐up of the system in point.
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P.S. Satsangi, D.S. Mishra, S.K. Gaur, B.K. Singh and D.K. Jain
A systems dynamics (SD) simulation model has been developed to analyse dynamics of system behaviour in terms of various performance indicators representing city problems, on one…
Abstract
A systems dynamics (SD) simulation model has been developed to analyse dynamics of system behaviour in terms of various performance indicators representing city problems, on one hand, and city development, on the other, with three types of policy interventions: changes in the level of sectoral activities, structural changes in different sectors; and changes in the tolerable city problems index. An artificial neurals network (ANN) model has been successfully trained and used as a quick response model for fast feature extraction of the dynamics of the integrated urban energy‐economy‐environment system such that the outputs are within reasonable acceptable error for values of inputs covered by the input space of training patterns. For the sake of further convenience and effectiveness in policy decision making, optimised simulation trajectories are generated by applying genetic algorithms (GAs) search and optimisation methods for alternative policy scenarios of input variables. An application is shown in the context of the city of Jaipur.
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Karan Narain, Agam Swami, Anoop Srivastava and Sanjeev Swami
The purpose of this paper is to address both the evolutionary and control aspects associated with the management of artificial superintelligence. Through empirical analysis, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address both the evolutionary and control aspects associated with the management of artificial superintelligence. Through empirical analysis, the authors examine the diffusion pattern of those high technologies that can be considered as forerunners to the adoption of artificial superintelligence (ASI).
Design/methodology/approach
The evolutionary perspective is divided into three parts, based on major developments in this area, namely, robotics, automation and artificial intelligence (AI). The authors then provide several dynamic models of the possible future evolution of superintelligence. These include diffusion modeling, predator–prey models and hostility models. The problem of control in superintelligence is reviewed next, where the authors discuss Asimov’s Laws and IEEE initiative. The authors also provide an empirical analysis of the application of diffusion modeling to three technologies from the industries of manufacturing, communication and energy, which can be considered as potential precursors to the evolution of the field of ASI. The authors conclude with a case study illustrating emerging solutions in the form of long-term social experiments to address the problem of control in superintelligence.
Findings
The results from the empirical analysis of the manufacturing, communication and energy sectors suggest that the technology diffusion model fits well with the data of robotics, telecom and solar installations till date. The results suggest a gradual diffusion process, like any other high technology. Thus, there appears to be no threat of “existential catastrophe” (Bostrom, 2014). The case study indicates that any future threat can be pre-empted by some long-term social measures.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the emerging stream of artificial superintelligence. As humanity comes closer to grappling with the important question of the management and control of this technology for the future, it is important that modeling efforts be made to understand the extant perspective of the development of the high-technology diffusion. Presently, there are relatively few such efforts available in the literature.