Devnaad Singh, Anupam Sharma, Rohit Kumar Singh and Prashant Singh Rana
Natural calamities like earthquakes, floods and epidemics/pandemics like COVID-19 significantly disrupt almost all the supply networks, ranging from medicines to numerous…
Abstract
Purpose
Natural calamities like earthquakes, floods and epidemics/pandemics like COVID-19 significantly disrupt almost all the supply networks, ranging from medicines to numerous daily/emergency use items. Supply Chain Resilience is one such option to overcome the impact of the disruption, which is achieved by developing supply chain factors with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics (BDA).
Design/methodology/approach
This research examines how organizations using AI and BDA can bring resilience to supply chains. To achieve the objective, the authors developed the methodology to gather useful information from the literature studied and developed the Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) by consulting 44 supply chain professionals. The authors developed a quantitative questionnaire to collect 229 responses and further test the model. With the analysis, a conceptual and comprehensive framework is developed.
Findings
A major finding, this research advocates that supply chain resilience is contingent upon utilizing supply chain analytics. An empirical study provides further evidence that the utilization of supply chain analytics has a positive and favorable effect on the flexibility of demand forecasting to inventory management, resulting in increased efficiency.
Originality/value
Few studies demonstrate the impact of advanced technology in building resilient supply chains by enhancing their factors. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no earlier researcher has attempted to infuse AI and BDA into supply chain factors to make them resilient.
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Prashant Singh, Rajesh Kumar Jha, Manish Goswami and B.R. Singh
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of high-k material HfO2 as a buffer layer for the fabrication of metal-ferroelectric-insulator-silicon (MFeIS) structures on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of high-k material HfO2 as a buffer layer for the fabrication of metal-ferroelectric-insulator-silicon (MFeIS) structures on Si (100) substrate.
Design/methodology/approach
RF-sputtered Pb[Zr0.35Ti0.65]O3 or (PZT) and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposited HfO2 films were selected as the ferroelectric and high-k buffer layer, respectively, for the fabrication of metal-ferroelectric-insulator-silicon (MFeIS) structures on Si (100) substrate. Multiple angle ellipsometry and X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to obtain the crystal orientation, refractive index and absorption coefficient parameters of the deposited/annealed films. In the different range of annealing temperature, the refractive index was observed in the range of 2.9 to 2 and 1.86 to 2.64 for the PZT and HfO2 films, respectively
Findings
Electrical and ferroelectric properties of the dielectric and ferroelectric films and their stacks were obtained by fabricating the metal/ferroelectric/silicon (MFeS), metal/ferroelectric/metal, metal/insulator/silicon and MFeIS capacitor structures. A closed hysteresis loop with remnant polarization of 4.6 µC/cm2 and coercive voltage of 2.1 V was observed in the PZT film annealed at 5000 C. Introduction of HfO2 buffer layer (10 nm) improves the memory window from 5.12 V in MFeS to 6.4 V in MFeIS structure with one order reduction in the leakage current density. The same MFeS device was found having excellent fatigue resistance property for greater than 1010 read/write cycles and data retention time more than 3 h.
Originality/value
The MFeIS structure has been fabricated with constant PZT thickness and varied buffer layer (HfO2) thickness. Electrical characteristics shows the improved leakage current and memory window in the MFeIS structures as compared to the MFeS structures. Optimized MFeIS structure with 10-nm buffer layer shows the excellent ferroelectric properties with endurance greater than E10 read/write cycles and data retention time higher than 3 h. The above properties indicate the MFe(100 nm)I(10 nm)S gate stack as a potential candidate for the FeFET-based nonvolatile memory applications.
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Prashant Singh, Rajesh Kumar Jha, Rajat Kumar Singh and B.R. Singh
Development of (1T-type) ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) has most actively progressed since 1995 and motivated by the physical limits and technological drawbacks of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Development of (1T-type) ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) has most actively progressed since 1995 and motivated by the physical limits and technological drawbacks of the flash memory. 1T-type FeRAM implements ferroelectric layer at the field effect transistor (FET) gate. During the course of the investigation, it was very difficult to form a thermodynamically stable ferroelectric-semiconductor interface at the FET gate, leading to the introduction of one insulating buffer layer between the ferroelectric and the silicon substrate to overcome this problem. In this study, Al2O3 a high-k buffer layer deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) is sandwiched between the ferroelectric layer and silicon substrate.
Design/methodology/approach
Ferroelectric/high-k gate stack were fabricated on the silicon substrate and pt electrode. Structural characteristics of the ferroelectric (PZT) and high-k (Al2O3) thin film deposited by RF sputtering and PEALD, respectively, were optimized and investigated for different process parameters. Metal/PZT/Metal, Metal/PZT/Silicon, Metal/PZT/Al2O3/Silicon structures were fabricated and electrically characterized to obtain the memory window, leakage current, hysteresis, PUND, endurance and breakdown characteristics.
Findings
XRD pattern shows the ferroelectric perovskite thin Pb[Zr0.35Ti0.65]O3 film with (101) tetragonal orientation deposited by sputtering and PEALD Al2O3 with (312) orientation showing amorphous nature. Multiple angle analysis shows that the refractive index of PZT varies from 2.248 to 2.569, and PEALD Al2O3 varies from 1.6560 to 1.6957 with post-deposition annealing temperature. Increase in memory window from 2.3 to 8.4 V for the Metal-Ferroelectric-Silicon (MFS) and Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator-Semiconductor (MFIS) structure has been observed at the annealing temperature of 500°C. MFIS structure with 10 nm buffer layer shows excellent endurance of 3 × 109 read-write cycles and the breakdown voltage of 33 V.
Originality/value
This paper shows the feature, principle and improvement in the electrical properties of the fabricated gate stack for 1T-type nonvolatile FeFET. The insulating buffer layer sandwiched between ferroelectric and silicon substrate acts as a barrier to ferroelectric–silicon interdiffusion improves the leakage current, memory window, endurance and breakdown voltage. This is perhaps the first time that the combination of sputtered PZT on the PEALD Al2O3 layer is being reported.
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Prashant Singh, Sanjay Yadav, Ashok Pathera and Diwakar Sharma
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of vacuum tumbling and red beetroot juice (RBJ) incorporation on quality characteristics of marinated chicken breast and leg…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of vacuum tumbling and red beetroot juice (RBJ) incorporation on quality characteristics of marinated chicken breast and leg meat cuts.
Design/methodology/approach
Vacuum tumbling of breast and leg meat cuts was carried for a duration of 2 h and compared with control (0 h tumbling) and traditionally marinated (6 h) meat cuts. Vacuum-tumbled treatments were also marinated using RBJ in place of water to assess the combined effect of RBJ and vacuum tumbling. All the cuts were cooked in an oven at 170°C for 40 min. Quality characteristics of fresh and refrigerated products were analysed.
Findings
Vacuum tumbling for 2 h resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in marinade pickup, water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking yield, moisture and ash content and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in hardness, gumminess, chewiness and shear press values in both types of meat. Breast meat treatments had significantly (p < 0.05) higher WHC, moisture, protein, cohesiveness and gumminess and significantly lower fat content, hardness and shear press values than leg meat treatments. Control breast and leg meats had marinade pickup of 9.19 and 9.31 per cent and cooking yield of 69.08 and 68.31 per cent, respectively, whereas corresponding values for treated breast and leg meats varied from 11.28 to 11.98 per cent and 73.32 to 74.94 per cent, respectively. Sensory scores declined significantly (p < 0.05) during refrigerated storage. On the 12th day of storage, control breast and leg meat cuts had acceptability scores of around 5.0, whereas all other treatments had acceptability scores between 6.0 and 7.0 on an eight-point scale, with RBJ-treated products having the highest acceptability. All the products were also microbiologically safe up to the 12th day of refrigerated storage.
Originality/value
The research is valuable to meat processors because vacuum tumbling for 2 h using RBJ as marinade can be used in place of 6 h of traditional marination for developing marinated chicken breast and leg meat products.
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Anita M. Chappalwar, Vikas Pathak, Meena Goswami, Arun Kumar Verma, V. Rajkumar and Prashant Singh
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of banana peel flour as fat replacer on rheological, physico-chemical, textural, mineral content and sensory properties of…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of banana peel flour as fat replacer on rheological, physico-chemical, textural, mineral content and sensory properties of chicken patties.
Design/methodology/approach
Ultra low fat chicken patties were prepared with incorporation of banana peel flour at 0% (C), 1% (BP1), 2% (BP2) and 3% (BP3) levels separately to replace 50% externally added vegetable fat in formulation and evaluated for various quality characteristics and sensory attributes.
Findings
Highest G' and G''? modulus were observed in banana peel powder incorporated emulsion. No cross-point was observed at all ranges of frequency in meat emulsions prepared with banana peel. Among physico-chemical properties, control had significantly (p < 0.05) higher emulsion pH, emulsion stability, product pH, water activity values, fat and cholesterol content; however, cooking yield, moisture and ash content, fat retention and moisture retention values increased significantly (p < 0.05) in treatment patties. Mineral, textural and colour parameters had a significant (p < 0.05) effect except on manganese content and a* values. Various sensory scores decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increased level of banana peel flour.
Practical implications
Sensory scores of 3% banana peel powder incorporated patties were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than other treatments. There was no significant difference between 1 and 2% banana peel incorporated chicken patties. Therefore, an ultra low fat chicken patties incorporated with 2.0% banana peel flour to replace 50% vegetable fat were selected as the best treatment.
Originality/value
Present global trend and life style are currently driving ready-to-eat healthy meat products and factors include extended working hours, increasing number of single-person households and perception of food as reward. Fat is an important component of meat products and imparts tenderness, improving flavor and mouth feel to processed meat products, like chicken patties. However intake of excess energy in form of saturated and unsaturated fat may lead to various life style diseases in consumers. Hence development of ultra low fat chicken patties with incorporation of fruit waste without adverse effect on sensory properties may be a significant challenge.
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Prashant Kumar Singh and Prabir Sarkar
The main purpose of this research is to understand the priorities of designers for an ecodesign support, while developing environmentally sustainable products. Also, this study…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this research is to understand the priorities of designers for an ecodesign support, while developing environmentally sustainable products. Also, this study identifies the requirements of the designers for managing the environmental quality of products.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is conducted in two phases of survey. In the first phase, various requirements of designers are collected, refined and segregated under certain well defined characteristics of the ecodesign support. In second phase, the designers are asked to rank each characteristic of the ecodesign support in a questionnaire. The responses obtained from the designers are analyzed separately for engineering designers and design researchers by using Henry Garrett ranking technique to identify the priorities of designers for an ecodesign support.
Findings
Results show that there is a contrast between the perspective of engineering designers and design researchers, and their priorities for an ecodesign support are opposite to each other. Thus it can be understood that the features which are added by design researchers in ecodesign support may not be adequate for engineering designers to manage the environmental quality of products.
Originality/value
The designers play a key role in the development of environmentally benign products through the use of different ecodesign supports (i.e. tools or methods). Therefore, it is important to understand the desired characteristics of the ecodesign support from designer's perspective. Also, the priorities of designers from academia (design researchers) and industry (engineering designers) must be understood because they are the two stakeholders indulged in the development and usage of various ecodesign supports for environmentally conscious product development (ECPD).
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Hemant K. Singh, Prashant M. Pawar, Ranjan Ganguli and Sung Nam Jung
This study aims to investigate the effects of mass and stiffness imbalance in a tail rotor induced by damage in forward flight.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of mass and stiffness imbalance in a tail rotor induced by damage in forward flight.
Design/methodology/approach
An aeroelastic analysis based on finite element in space and time and capable of modeling dissimilar blades is carried out to study the effect of damage occurring in one, two, and three blades in a four‐bladed tail rotor system in forward flight. The effect of damage growth on vibratory hub loads and blade responses is studied using a comprehensive aeroelastic code.
Findings
The diagnostic chart which is the summary of damage analysis of tail rotor shows that the root hub vibration spectrum gives enough indication to predict damage growth in the tail rotor blade. Hence, this can be useful towards development of health monitoring system for tail rotor blades.
Originality/value
The proposed analysis helps in understanding the basic physics behind the damaged tail rotor and also gives qualitative assessment of damaged tail rotor where obtaining the flight test data with damaged tail rotor is difficult.
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Jean Sébastien Lacam and David Salvetat
Many firms engage in co-opetitive projects during which they have simultaneously competitive and collaborative relationships with many rivals in a complex network. A co-opetitive…
Abstract
Purpose
Many firms engage in co-opetitive projects during which they have simultaneously competitive and collaborative relationships with many rivals in a complex network. A co-opetitive network offers them access to a large volume of resources and knowledge, for example, to support new markets and/or territories. So, does the network grow with the scope of the co-opetition project? The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study of 106 French boating intermediate-sized enterprises (ETIs) and small and medium enterprises provides a descriptive and explanatory analysis of co-opetitive networks.
Findings
The results support this definition of a complex co-opetitive network only when the objectives of a firm are part of the geographical expansion of its activities. In contrast, these relations remain simple (dyadic) when a firm favours a strategy of diversifying its activities while maintaining its unique local geographical market.
Research limitations/implications
First, the work is based on a quantitative methodology, so is static. It would be interesting to analyze the process of the building of co-opetitive relationships and opportunism between rival firms, for example, through a qualitative study. Second, this work focusses on boating companies in France. It may be appropriate to consider the sanctions placed on the opportunism of foreign firms in co-opetition. Third, future work could increase understanding, not only of the nature of reprisals inflicted on individualistic co-opetitors, but also on the structure, objectives and results of these reprisals.
Originality/value
The study deepens our knowledge of the definition, composition and determinants of co-opetitive networks.
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The case explores information technology (IT) company Mindtree’s journey of 20 years from the time it was founded in 1999 to be different from others, and how it became a target…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The case explores information technology (IT) company Mindtree’s journey of 20 years from the time it was founded in 1999 to be different from others, and how it became a target for acquisition by an Indian diversified conglomerate in 2019. It offers insights into developing organizational culture and values in an organization, threats faced by a company when promoters dilute their shareholding, and the strategies followed by the acquirer and the target firm. It also deals with the challenges in the acquisition of a knowledge service digital firm. After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to: identify the circumstances under which a company can become a target for hostile takeover; describe motivations of the acquirer firm in an acquisition; distinguish between acquisition and hostile takeover, and discuss salient features of Securities and Exchange Board of India (substantial acquisition of shares and takeover) regulations, 2011; list the defenses a target firm can adopt to ward off hostile acquirer; explore strategies followed by acquirer and target firms; analyze important ingredients of organization culture, and importance of cultural congruence in an acquisition; and discuss challenges faced by an acquirer in India, namely, legal, retention of clients and key people in the target firm particularly in hostile environment.
Case overview/synopsis
The case explores how ten IT professionals founded mid-tier IT services company Mindtree in 1999 in Bengaluru, India (home to Infosys and Wipro) to be different from others – by inserting themselves at a higher level in the value chain, being philanthropic as a part of broader business strategy to attract a certain kind of employee and customer. It developed a culture of equality, consideration and respect. Its attrition rate of 12 to 13 per cent was significantly lower than the Industries. Mindtree crossed annual revenue of US$1bn for FY 2019 and was growing at twice the industry’s growth rate. The most attractive part was that its proportion of revenue from digital services was about 50 per cent as compared to 25-35 per cent of other services vendors. With time, the share of promoters/founders declined and increased one investor’s shareholding of V. G. Siddhartha and his related entities. In early March 2019, the promoters’ stake was 13.32 per cent while Siddhartha had 20.32 per cent. Larsen and Toubro (L&T) one of India’s conglomerate entered into a share purchase agreement on March 18, 2019 with Siddhartha to acquire his 20.32 per cent stake. Immediately, L&T asked its broker to purchase up to 15 per cent of share capital of Mindtree at a price not exceeding INR 980 per share (each share of face value INR 10). This would trigger an open offer by L&T to purchase additional 31 per cent shares of Mindtree. The action of hostile takeover bid by L&T evoked emotional criticism from Mindtree founders. Mindtree efforts to defend itself could not materialize. L&T’s stake crossed 26 per cent on May 16, 2019. After Indian regulator SEBI’s approval, L&T’s open offer to buy shares from Mindtree shareholders commenced on June 17, 2019. The case examines motivation of the acquirer firm particularly when it is a conglomerate, and how a well-performing company became a target for hostile takeover. It looks at vulnerabilities of a target firm, and defensive steps a firm can take to fence itself against such takeover. The case also explores how organizational culture is built in a people-oriented business, namely, digital services, and what role it plays in a merger of two firms.
Complexity academic level
The case is suited for postgraduate students of management, as well as those undergoing executive courses in management.
Supplementary materials
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Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.