Gambhir Shrestha, Rashmi Mulmi, Deepak Kumar Yadav, Dharanidhar Baral, Birendra Kumar Yadav, Avaniendra Chakravartty, Paras Kumar Pokharel and Nidesh Sapkota
The purpose of this paper is to assess the health status and risky behaviours of inmates in Nepal.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the health status and risky behaviours of inmates in Nepal.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jhumka Regional Prison, the largest male prison in eastern Nepal from September 2014 to August 2015. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews from 434 randomly selected incarcerated participants using semi-structured questionnaires.
Findings
The mean age of 434 participants was 35.7 years (SD 13.3). The majority (84 per cent) had at least one current health problem, of which the commonest were respiratory (50 per cent), skin (38 per cent) and digestive (26 per cent). Alcohol (73 per cent) and cigarettes (71 per cent) were the most commonly used substances prior to imprisonment. Approximately, 27 and 11 per cent reported illicit drug use and injectable drug use prior to incarceration, respectively. A total of 204 inmates reported having intercourse with sex workers. Of these, 49 per cent did not use a condom in their last intercourse with a sex worker.
Research limitations/implications
This paper illustrates that a wide range of physical and mental health problems exist among incarcerated people in Nepal. The study may lack generalisability, however, as it was conducted in a single male prison.
Practical implications
The paper suggests a need for medical, psychiatric and substance abuse care in correctional settings to improve the health status of the prison population. It is also important to develop screening policies for blood-borne viral and other infectious diseases in the prison.
Originality/value
This is the first study of its kind drawn from prisons in Nepal.
Details
Keywords
Paras Kumar, Harish Hirani and Atul Kumar Agrawal
This paper aims to investigate the effect of misalignment on wear of spur gears and on oil degradation using online sensors.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect of misalignment on wear of spur gears and on oil degradation using online sensors.
Design/methodology/approach
The misalignment effect on gears is created through a self-alignment bearing, and is measured using laser alignment system. Several online sensors such as Fe-concentration sensor, moisture sensor, oil condition sensor, oil temperature sensor and metallic particle sensor are installed in the gear test rig to monitor lubricant quality and wear debris in real time to assess gearbox failure.
Findings
Offset and angular misalignments are detected in both vertical and horizontal planes. The failure of misaligned gear is observed at both the ends and on both the surfaces of the gear teeth. Larger-size ferrous and non-ferrous particles are traced by metallic particle sensor due to gear and seal wear caused by misalignment. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images examine chuck, spherical and flat platelet particles, and confirm the presence of fatigue (pitting) and adhesion (scuffing) wear mechanism. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis of SEM particles traces carbon (C) and iron (Fe) elements due to gear failure.
Originality/value
Gear misalignment is one of the major causes of gearbox failure and the lubricant analysis is as important as wear debris analysis. A reliable online gearbox condition monitoring system is developed by integrating wear and oil analyses for misaligned spur gear pair in contact.
Details
Keywords
Manoj Kumar Paras and Antonela Curteza
The purpose of this study is to review the literature and practice of upcycling. In particular, the objective of this study is threefold: to comprehend the concept of upcycling…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to review the literature and practice of upcycling. In particular, the objective of this study is threefold: to comprehend the concept of upcycling and, subsequently, understanding the prominent terminologies used in the literature; to understand the process of upcycling and problem associated with it; and to review current literature and practice of upcycling for clothes.
Design/methodology/approach
A scientific literature review procedure proposed by Mayring (2002) was adopted to select and screen the paper that comprises the following steps: material collection, descriptive analysis and material evaluation.
Findings
Upcycling literature has witnessed significant contribution in the past one decade. The paper has identified various terminologies and definitions such as recycling, down-cycling, upcycling and redesign, which are used in the literature.
Research limitations/implications
The present study may help the scholars to understand the current state of literature. A practitioner of upcycling can use the findings to improve and standardise the existing process.
Originality/value
The process of redesigning is one of the important steps in upcycling, which comprises ideation, reconstruction and fitting. The limitation of redesigning is variability in size and pattern. This can be overcome through various techniques such as craftsmanship, time, innovation, provenance, desire and narrative.
Details
Keywords
Manoj Kumar Paras, Antonela Curteza and Geetika Varshneya
Undesired changes in the environment and reduction of natural resources have necessitated the need for environmental protection and resource conservation. Textile and clothing…
Abstract
Purpose
Undesired changes in the environment and reduction of natural resources have necessitated the need for environmental protection and resource conservation. Textile and clothing industry is the second largest (after food) industry. Therefore, there is a need to protect the environment by reducing the use of natural resources. The purpose of this paper is to explore and identify the best reverse value chain alternatives for the clothing industry.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory study is undertaken at six organizations working in the area of used clothes. The data were collected with the help of semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire, for the analytical hierarchy process analysis. The information from other sources such documents, websites, and reports was also gathered to strengthen the findings.
Findings
There are different reverse value chain methods to minimize the use of natural resources such as direct reuse, upcycling and downcycling. Incineration and landfill can be considered as the last options. The selection of best reverse value chain method is a multi-criteria value decision-making problem, as this involves complex decision parameters.
Practical implications
The industry practitioners can use the above model and results to make end-of-life decisions.
Originality/value
This paper develops a model on the basis of the analytic hierarchy process to determine the best method to close the loop of the clothing value chain. On the basis of the result and analysis, upcycling emerged to be the best alternative to close the loop of the clothing industry.
Details
Keywords
Manoj Kumar Paras, Rudrajeet Pal and Daniel Ekwall
The process of redesigning is one of the essential steps in upcycling, which comprises ideation, reconstruction and fitting. This paper aims to study the best practice of…
Abstract
Purpose
The process of redesigning is one of the essential steps in upcycling, which comprises ideation, reconstruction and fitting. This paper aims to study the best practice of upcycling in the clothing industry. This study is an attempt to standardise upcycling/redesign process.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory approach was adopted to perform the research. This study draws on the multiple organisations involved in the upcycling of clothes. The organisations chosen for this study are located in Sweden and Romania using the snowball technique. Semi-structured interviews, direct and participatory observation approaches were used to collect information. The collected data are systematically analysed using NVivo 10 software.
Findings
This paper provides empirical insights into the diverse practices of upcycling. Process, product and demand-based were three fundamental approaches to performing the redesigning process. The fabric quality and durability, variations in size, colour and pattern, skills and efforts required in the extraction of parts and environmental consciousness and awareness were the main factors influencing upcycling process.
Research limitations/implications
The use of the European case may miss best practices from the other region. This study may help scholars to understand the method of upcycling. A practitioner of upcycling can use the findings to improve and standardise the existing process. This research is beneficial for society, as this leads to the reduction of textile wastage.
Originality/value
This paper conceptualises some of the best practices of clothes redesign. This provides a good insight for the organisation for the improvement in the redesign business.
Details
Keywords
Rudrajeet Pal, Erik Sandberg and Manoj Kumar Paras
This paper aims to purport deeper understanding of, and instigate theoretical elaboration to, multidimensional value created through different reverse supply chain (RSC…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to purport deeper understanding of, and instigate theoretical elaboration to, multidimensional value created through different reverse supply chain (RSC) relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
By capturing the relationships (and their differences) constituted and embedded in three “extreme” case studies from global used clothing supply chain, the sources of multidimensional values are explored in line with Dyer and Singh’s (1998) relational theory.
Findings
In the RSC, when downstream relationships are typically more opportunistic, value is created using inter-personal ways of knowledge sharing and through use of informal safeguards. In contrast, the upstream RSC relationships are more symbiotic, and value is created through more seamless (and routinized) knowledge sharing practices, and additional use of more formal transaction-specific controls or financial incentives as safeguarding instruments.
Research limitations/implications
The use of consolidated case studies may affect the consistency in the findings presented. Another limitation relates to deriving propositions per each source presented in relational theory.
Practical implications
Practitioners particularly from industries whose global RSCs include different natures of relationships and multiple value incentives can be benefited through this study.
Originality/value
The paper extends the original sources of value creation prescribed in relational theory by contextualizing them in RSCs. It depicts how multidimensional values are created relationally by dyadic partners as the nature of relationship differs between upstream and downstream.
Details
Keywords
Manoj Kumar Paras, Lichuan Wang, Rudrajeet Pal and Daniel Ekwall
This study proposes a garment modularization model based on an interactive genetic algorithm. The suggested model consists of extraction and identification of parts and the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study proposes a garment modularization model based on an interactive genetic algorithm. The suggested model consists of extraction and identification of parts and the determination and implementation of connections. Rules and corresponding mathematical equations have been formulated for the part's extractions from the discarded products and connections for the redesigned products.
Design/methodology/approach
Sustainability entices scholars and practitioners while referring to reducing waste to control environmental degradation. One of the ways to safeguard natural resources is to increase the reuse of old or discarded products. The current study focuses on the redesign process to improve the reuse of products.
Findings
The intelligent system proposed based on the modularization techniques is expected to simplify and quantify the redesign process. The model can further help in the minimization of wastage and environmental degradation.
Originality/value
Presently, manual decisions are taken by the designers based on their memory, experience and intuition to extract and join the parts.
Details
Keywords
Manoj Kumar Paras, Daniel Ekwall and Rudrajeet Pal
This paper aims to propose a framework for evaluating the performance of reverse value chain activities in the clothing industry operating at base of the pyramid. Specifically…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a framework for evaluating the performance of reverse value chain activities in the clothing industry operating at base of the pyramid. Specifically, the research explores firm and supply chain factors influencing clothing reverse value chain activities with a focus on developing economies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted an explorative technique using direct observations and semi-structured interviews to collect information from eight companies and two traders. Internal resources and value chain capabilities were examined using theoretical underpinnings of resource-based view, transaction cost economics and base of the pyramid.
Findings
The paper identified multiple benefits of offshoring reverse value chain activities to the developing countries (at the base of the pyramid). Low operation cost, skilled manpower, business knowledge and location are found to be internal success factors. While favourable government legislation and domestic recycling markets are important external factors contributing to the success. Developing economies such as India contribute to firm performance by integrating, transforming, acquiring and co-creating the resources at base of the pyramid. Further, it was found that to achieve higher assets specificity, a few companies have opened their own shops in African countries, while others have opened sourcing branches in Canada or the USA to ensure good quality of raw materials. Collaboration and coordination among different value chain partners minimise cost and increases profitability. Innovation in the process such as clothes mutilation for recycling has created new business opportunities.
Research limitations/implications
Information was collected from only eight organisations and two traders from India. Future scholars may extend the research to generalise the findings by documenting similar phenomena.
Practical implications
The proposed framework can serve a basis for the practitioners to evaluate firm performance, and the insights can be used to achieve sustainability by engaging producers, employees, consumers and community using base of the pyramid approach.
Originality/value
The study provides unique insights into the prevalent export and re-exports phenomena of used clothing. The resource-based view, transaction cost economics and base of the pyramid strategy underpinned together to develop a framework for understanding reverse value chain activities of clothing.
Details
Keywords
Gangadhar Kotha, Keziya Kukkamalla and S.M. Ibrahim
The purpose of this paper is to examine the magneto hydrodynamic flow and heat transfer of nanofluids over a permeable wedge based on engine oil which is under the effects of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the magneto hydrodynamic flow and heat transfer of nanofluids over a permeable wedge based on engine oil which is under the effects of thermal radiation and convective heating.
Design/methodology/approach
The equations governing the flow are transformed into differential equations by applying similarity transformations. Keller box method is used to bring out the numerical solution.
Findings
The discovery interprets that temperature as well as the velocity of Ag-engine oil nanofluids are more noticeable than Cu-engine oil nanofluids. Thermal boundary layer increases for radiation parameter as well as Biot number. Fluctuations of co-efficient of drag skin friction as well heat transfer rate at the wall are also tested.
Originality/value
Till now, no numerical studies are reported on the heat transfer enhancement of the permeable wedge under thermal radiation on engine oil nanofluid flow by considering convective heating.
Details
Keywords
This chapter reviews the extent of influence new regionalism has had on the development of the education sector in South Asia. The history of South Asian Association of Regional…
Abstract
This chapter reviews the extent of influence new regionalism has had on the development of the education sector in South Asia. The history of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) development, and its regional state-supported initiative, the South Asian University, reflect a multitude of local challenges to effective regionalization for cross-national educational development. The chapter describes and distinguishes the various forms of regional efforts for cooperation and integration among government actors, nongovernmental organizations, and local activist groups and forums, to chart certain key regional efforts to consolidate intraregionalism as well as establish interregional relations of educational development and policy with countries of sub-Saharan African region. It utilizes the transnational advocacy networks framework to understand and interpret diverse manifestations of interregional cooperation between nonstate partners in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.