Search results

The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for product service system (PSS) design for machine tools and discuss the PSS implementation issues focusing on the Indian machine tool business sector.

The paper opted for an exploratory survey conducted in the Indian machine tool sector including 39 in-depth interviews with employees of different organizations representing middle and senior management having decision-making authority. It also involves proposing a framework to address the stakeholder’s requirements for services that offers foundation for PSS designers.

The paper helps get an insights about key issues for PSS implementation by the Indian machine tool sector. The hybrid PSS model proposed in the paper can address the stakeholder’s requirements for flexibility in business models through different business phases.

The paper offers suggestions for the development of PSS for machine tools for designers and identify issues to be considered particularly in Indian machine tools business context.

This paper provides an insight to judge the feasibility of PSS concept for machine tools in Indian context and offers framework for PSS designers.

This paper aims to discuss that a conventional Al₂O₃, 1.5 Wt.% carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-Al₂O₃, 2 Wt.% CNTs-Al₂O₃ and 4 Wt.% CNTs-Al₂O₃ composite coatings were deposited with the help of Plasma spray process.

To better understand the effect of CNT reinforcement on oxidation resistance, high-temperature oxidation behaviour of conventional Al₂O₃, 1.5 Wt.% CNTs-Al₂O₃, 2 Wt.% CNTs-Al₂O₃ and 4 Wt.% CNTs-Al₂O₃ composite coatings at 900°C was compared with the performance of the uncoated ASME-SA213-T11 boiler tube steel substrate.

The results showed that the CNT-reinforced alumina coatings exhibited better oxidation resistance and thermal stability than uncoated ASME-SA213-T11 boiler tube steel. The coated steel substrates had a lower mass gain rate than the substrate after different oxidation times.

Limited literature is available where the CNT have been reinforced into the composite alloy powders and has been thermally spray-deposited for various surface engineering applications. This research showed that with the increase in the percentage of CNTs into the alloy powder mixture, there is a significant reduction in weight gain and hence higher resistance to oxidation.

In keeping with global developments rendering online shopping as an emerging trend among consumers, the present study extends the unified theory of use and acceptance of technology (UTAUT2) comprising the digital payment mode (DPM) as a new driver of online shopping and with the mediation of attitudes toward technology (ATTs) to gauge a better and deeper understanding of behavioral intention (BI).

This study used a survey instrument with snowball sampling from 600 consumers in northern India. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to find the association between drivers using UTUAT2, along with DPM and ATTs. The data were divided into a test group (20%) and validated through a training group (80%).

DPM was shown to be directly associated with BI. The mediation of ATTs was also validated through the model. The predictability of the model was 67.5% for the test group (20%) and 69.6% for the training group (80%). The results also indicated that facilitating conditions is a critical driver of BI.

This study enhances the understanding of the roles that DPM and ATTs play in BI during online shopping, suggesting that Indian managers need to adopt DPM as a support service to make online shopping a worthwhile experience.

The main cause of boiler tube failure in high-temperature thermal power plants is molten sulphate-vanadate-induced hot corrosion. Applying thermal spray coatings on alloy steels can reduce hot corrosion. This study aims to examine the impact of nano yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) reinforcement on Ni-20Cr composite coatings on hot corrosion behaviour of T22 steel in a corrosive environment of Na₂SO₄-60%V₂O₅ at 650 °C over 50 cycles.

The coatings were deposited using a high velocity oxyfuel technique. The samples were subjected to hot corrosion in a Silicon tube furnace at 650 °C for 50 cycles. Weight gain data after each cycle were used to analyse the kinetics of corrosion behaviour. Corrosion products were examined using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive and cross-sectional analytical methods.

During investigation, nano YSZ-reinforced Ni-20Cr composite coatings on T22 steel were discovered to give superior corrosion resistance in a molten salt environment at 650 °C. Throughout the experiment, the coatings gained less weight and formed protective oxide scales. Increased YSZ concentration in the coating matrix resulted in better protection against hot corrosion.

The inclusion of nano YSZ reduced porosity in Ni-20Cr coatings by filling voids and interlocking particles, as well as blocking the penetration of corroding species, hence improving the corrosion resistance of composite coatings. The corrosion rate decreased with increasing YSZ content in the coating matrix.

It should be noted that the high temperature corrosion behaviour of thermally sprayed nano YSZ-Ni-20Cr composite coatings has never been investigated and is not documented in the literature. As a result, the current study can provide useful information for the application of nano YSZ-reinforced coatings in high-temperature fuel combustion conditions.

This paper aims to identify the determinants of the intention to use mobile banking services among Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka. The study was carried out based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT 2). The predictor variables of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit were used to predict the variable of behavioural intention to use. The moderating variables entail age, gender and experience.

Quantitative method with questionnaire survey was used. Data collection relied on the questionnaire survey method of which items were derived and adapted from past literatures. The responses were captured using the seven-point Likert scale. The study population consisted of Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka. A total of 594 questionnaires were returned of which 582 were found usable for analysis. Data analysis was conducted using the partial least square structural equation modelling along with SmartPLS 3.

The analysis results demonstrated the significant effect of all the variables on the Islamic Banking customers’ intention to use m-banking services along with the significant effect of the moderating variables as initially hypothesized.

As the first study of its kind in the context of Islamic banking customers in Sri Lanka, this study offers decision makers valuable guidelines for when they intend to re-engineer their m-banking applications and promote them to the public.

Following a comprehensive literature review, this study is identified as the pioneering effort in the investigation of m-banking usage intention among Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study contributes new knowledge and insights to the existing body of literature by confirming the viability of the UTAUT2 model in driving m-banking usage adoption among Islamic Banking customers in Sri Lanka.

In Indian thermal power plants, the main cause of boiler tube failure is the presence of molten sulphates and vanadates, which deteriorate the tube material at high temperatures. To combat the hot corrosion failure of metals, thermal spray technology is adopted. This study aims to investigate and study the effect of hot corrosion behaviour of carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ composite coatings on T-91 boiler tube steel in a molten salt environment at 900 °C for 50 cycles.

A plasma spray technique was used for development of the coatings. The samples were exposed to hot corrosion in a silicon tube furnace at 900 °C for 50 cycles. After testing, the test coupons were analysed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy and cross-sectional analysis techniques to aid understanding the kinetics of the corrosion reaction.

CNT-based reinforced coatings showed lower weight gain along with the formation of protective oxide scales during the experimentation. Improvement in protection against hot corrosion was observed with increase in CNT content in the coating matrix.

It is pertinent to mention here that the high temperature behaviour of CNT-reinforced ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ composite on T-91 steel at 900°C temperature in molten salt environment has never been studied. Thus, the present research was conducted to provide useful results for the application of CNT-reinforced composite coatings at elevated temperature.

The purpose of this study was to fabricate carbon nanotubes (CNT)-reinforced chromium oxide coatings and investigate mechanical and microstructural properties of these newly developed coatings on the boiler tube steel.

1 and 4 Wt.% CNT-reinforced Cr₂O₃ composite coatings were prepared and successfully deposited on ASTM-SA213-T22 (T22) boiler tube steel substrates using high-velocity oxy fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying method. Microhardness, porosity, metallography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, cross-sectional elemental analysis and X-ray mapping analysis have been used to examine the coated specimens.

The porosity of the CNT-Cr₂O₃ composite coatings was found to be decreasing with the increases in CNT content, and hardness has been found to be increasing with increase in percentage of CNT in the composite coatings. The CNT were able to increase hardness by approximately 17 per cent. It was found that the CNT were uniformly distributed throughout Cr₂O₃ matrix. The CNT were found to be chemically inert during the spraying process.

It must be mentioned here that studies related to fabrication of HVOF sprayed CNT reinforced Cr₂O₃ composite coatings on T22 boiler tube steel are not available in the literature. Hence, present investigation can provide valuable information related to fabrication and properties of CNT reinforced coatings on boiler steel.

This paper aims to determine a scale for measuring psychological factors of apparel-buying intention for young Indian online shoppers.

Churchill’s three-stage systematic scale-development methodology is used to develop a psychometric scale. Items were generated and selected in Phase I, followed by scale refinement in Phase II and scale validation in Phase III.

The final scientifically validated scale has 36 item scales that measure 10 psychological factors of apparel online-buying intention for online shoppers, from which “perceived value” emerged as the most significant factor.

This scale is a sector-specific scale that cannot be generalized to other sectors; therefore, further iterations/customizations should be made in future studies for applicability in other sectors.

This reliable and valid scale will help marketing managers to understand online shopper behavior and formulate effective strategies for online shoppers.

This paper, to the author’s knowledge, is the first attempt to develop a validated tool to measure the psychological factors of apparel-buying intention for young Indian online shoppers. This scale encompasses all important touch-points in measuring psychological factors influencing online buyer behavior for apparel products.

This paper aims to explore consumers’ post-pandemic (COVID-19) motivations for an e-retailer preference in an emerging market like India.

This study applied qualitative methodology to explore the research question, and 44 in-depth interviews were conducted with online consumers. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using open, axial and selective coding strategies.

This study identified seven post-pandemic motivations for consumers’ e-retailer preference, and the motivations were classified into: utilitarian (remote location and fast delivery, product choice and availability, comparative price and discounts and customer service), hedonic (aesthetics of the e-retailer store) and both utilitarian and hedonic (mobile-friendliness and user interface and interactivity).

Creating knowledge post-pandemic period is essential. This study communicates empirical evidence to suggest consumers are motivated through both utilitarian and hedonic motivation for an e-retailer preference in an emerging market. Furthermore, the researchers are encouraged to collect data from more developing countries and test the proposed e-retailer preference factors.

The study offers new knowledge to online retail managers to understand how emerging market consumers prefer an e-retailer and strive to attract and retain customers in the market.

Past studies have highlighted the importance of consumer online shopping motivations and channel preferences. However, there is limited literature investigating how consumers prefer an e-retailer over other e-retailers for online shopping. This study addresses the gap in the existing retailing literature and offers fresh insights into how consumers prefer an e-retailer post-pandemic from an emerging market context.

The banking sector requires a major comeback with the series of bank frauds that has shook the nation. The rising non-performing assets (NPAs) and corporate frauds find their roots in the top-level management or executive levels. The purpose of this study to analyse the behavioural component with corporate governance lapses for creating a trail and to what extent it can contribute to forensic analysis to help reduce and prevent fraud in the future.

This study is investigative in nature. This study uses case study approach by taking into account the major Advance–NPA–Fraud cases over period of 2010–2022. RBI data for bank advances, NPAs and advances-relate frauds from 2005 to 2019 were studies and interpreted for creating a trend and pattern for the reduction and prevention of frauds.

The authors found that behavioural factors and personalities affect the systems and culture of the company, thereby giving a jolt to the corporate governance mechanisms along with various entities like depositors, consumers and shareholders.

Assessing the behavioural aspects for risk mitigation remains unexplored in the banking sector. The personality dimension can help in contributing to comprehending the mental aspects and the reasons behind the combination of dark triads with economic offences.

This study is beneficial to all the beneficiaries of the banking sector and the economy at large in understanding the implications of risks because of patterns formed by emotions and vulnerability towards economic and fugitive economic crimes.