Shreya Jha, Shashi Kant, Nishakar Thakur, Pradeep Kumar, Sanjay Rai, Partha Haldar, Priyanka Kardam, Puneet Misra, Kiran Goswami and Shobini Rajan
Prisoners are at a higher risk of HIV infection compared to the general population. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours…
Abstract
Purpose
Prisoners are at a higher risk of HIV infection compared to the general population. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours among inmates of the Central Prisons in four states of North India.
Design/methodology/approach
The HIV sentinel surveillance was conducted in seven Central Prisons in four states of North India from February to April 2019. Four hundred inmates were included from each prison. The interviews were conducted at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre located within the prison premises. The Ethics Committee of the National AIDS Control Organization, New Delhi, granted ethical approval before the start of the surveillance.
Findings
Overall, 2,721 inmates were enrolled in this study. The mean (SD) age was 38.9 (13.9) years. One-third of prison inmates had comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The proportion of convict (54%) and undertrial (46%) inmates was almost equal. The overall prevalence of HIV infection among inmates was 0.96% (95% CI 0.65–1.40). The odds of being HIV positive were significantly higher in never married inmates, undertrials, inmates who were in the prison for more than three months to one year, inmates incarcerated for multiple times, inmates with history of injecting drug use and inmates with history of intercourse with a commercial sex worker.
Originality/value
The findings from the very first HIV sentinel surveillance in central prisons in North India have been presented in this paper. This has huge implications for future policy decisions.
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Sumit Mishra, Shashi Kant, Vinay Sharma and Rajat Agrawal
Industrial Relations and People Management.
Abstract
Subject area
Industrial Relations and People Management.
Study level/applicability
Graduate or Postgraduate level, Executive working in manufacturing sector.
Case overview
This case highlights the industrial relation issues in a public sector undertaking, a government-owned company in India. The case depicted the issues taken place in the company in the year 2015-2016. The primary data were collected by a working professional, who dealt with and was involved in the scenarios discussed in the case. Other modes such as in-depth interviews were also taken as per requirements. This case also highlights the importance of roles of unions and association in these organizations. Factors which are important to maintain industrial harmony were analyzed and their perspective with respect to production loss were addressed.
Expected learning outcomes
Every employee must be dealt with in a dignified manner with rationale. Hierarchy is required to be in place but doesn’t need to be authoritative. Be communicative and transparent while taking action. There should be no compromise on indiscipline at workplace and decision to be taken accordingly. Manage conflict by involving all the concerned authorities from outset. The analysis of the case shows that if the rationale was followed while managing the people it will lead to industrial harmony. Role of trade unions and association will prove beneficial as they will become a part of creating a solution in the matter of discords, ensuring growth for the company and its employees. It is important to mention here that the case was developed on the basis of the first-hand experience of the author.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Subject code
CSS 6: Human Resource Management.
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Zhe Dai, Yazhen Gong, Shashi Kant and Guodong Ma
This article aims to explore the impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers’ willingness to cooperate and explore the mediating effect of social capital.
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to explore the impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers’ willingness to cooperate and explore the mediating effect of social capital.
Design/methodology/approach
The study investigates farmers’ willingness to cooperate through a framed field approach and surveys the information of individuals and villages, including climate disasters and social capital, using a structured questionnaire from rural communities in Jiangxi and Sichuan, China.
Findings
The results show that climate disasters and social capital are significant and positive determinants of farmers’ willingness to cooperate. In specific types of climate disasters, drought is positively associated with farmers’ cooperation willingness. Moreover, the mediation effect of drought on farmers’ willingness to cooperate through social capital has been demonstrated to be significant although negative, whereas the mediation effect of flood on farmers’ willingness to cooperate through social capital is significant and positive.
Originality/value
First, given the limited studies focusing on the impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers’ willingness to cooperate, the authors complement the existing literature through a framed field experiment approach by designing a scenario that every farmer may encounter in their production activities. Second, the study figures out the roles of drought and flood as different kinds of climate disasters in farmers’ decision-making of cooperation and sheds light on the positive impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers. Finally, this paper provides empirical evidence of social capital as a potential channel through which climate disasters could possibly affect farmers’ willingness to cooperate.
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Shashi Kant Ratnakar, Utpal Kiran and Deepak Sharma
Structural topology optimization is computationally expensive due to the involvement of high-resolution mesh and repetitive use of finite element analysis (FEA) for computing the…
Abstract
Purpose
Structural topology optimization is computationally expensive due to the involvement of high-resolution mesh and repetitive use of finite element analysis (FEA) for computing the structural response. Since FEA consumes most of the computational time in each optimization iteration, a novel GPU-based parallel strategy for FEA is presented and applied to the large-scale structural topology optimization of 3D continuum structures.
Design/methodology/approach
A matrix-free solver based on preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method is proposed to minimize the computational time associated with solution of linear system of equations in FEA. The proposed solver uses an innovative strategy to utilize only symmetric half of elemental stiffness matrices for implementation of the element-by-element matrix-free solver on GPU.
Findings
Using solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method, the proposed matrix-free solver is tested over three 3D structural optimization problems that are discretized using all hexahedral structured and unstructured meshes. Results show that the proposed strategy demonstrates 3.1× –3.3× speedup for the FEA solver stage and overall speedup of 2.9× –3.3× over the standard element-by-element strategy on the GPU. Moreover, the proposed strategy requires almost 1.8× less GPU memory than the standard element-by-element strategy.
Originality/value
The proposed GPU-based matrix-free element-by-element solver takes a more general approach to the symmetry concept than previous works. It stores only symmetric half of the elemental matrices in memory and performs matrix-free sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV) without any inter-thread communication. A customized data storage format is also proposed to store and access only symmetric half of elemental stiffness matrices for coalesced read and write operations on GPU over the unstructured mesh.
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The case delves into the significant factors contributing to the steep decline of Sintex shares, examining both external and internal factors. Internally, the primary drivers were…
Abstract
Research methodology
The case delves into the significant factors contributing to the steep decline of Sintex shares, examining both external and internal factors. Internally, the primary drivers were the expansion plan, the demerger decision, financial mismanagement and the delayed and inadequate integration of Information Technology (IT) into the business.
Case overview/synopsis
Sintex, a prominent private sector company listed in the Indian stock markets, operated in the textile and plastics sectors. However, in 2017, Sintex underwent a demerger into two separate entities: Sintex Industries Limited (SIL) and Sintex Plastics Technology Limited (SPTL). While SIL focused on textiles, SPTL dealt with plastics. However, soon after the demerger, the share prices of both companies began plummeting, leading to significant losses for investors. This case investigates the reasons behind this decline through a step-by-step analysis.
Complexity academic level
This case is suitable for postgraduate students pursuing an MBA, MMS and executive programs such as PGDBM and PGDM, with a specialization in business strategy. It is also beneficial for participants in management development programs (MDPs) designed for higher level executives. Additionally, the case can serve as training material for executives undergoing strategic role training within an organization. It is recommended to teach the case toward the end of the course, where the instructor can provide a summary of the previous classes’ teachings.
Subject Code
CCS7: Management Science
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Sandeep Singh, Shashi Kant Sharma and M. Abdul Akbar
The purpose of this work is to improve the air entrainment capacity of a concrete by using fine mineral admixtures such as fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) as cement substitute…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this work is to improve the air entrainment capacity of a concrete by using fine mineral admixtures such as fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) as cement substitute, and coal bottom ash (CBA) as fine aggregate substitute. Air entrainment capacity has been studied indirectly as a measure of heat resistance of concrete. Literature has suggested that mineral admixtures improve the air absorption in the paste component of the concrete, on the one hand, whereas they perform pore and grain size refinement, on the other, thereby reducing the air entrainment. CBA, which being porous, creates the possibility of air adsorption by the aggregate component. Therefore, the study finds out whether a double benefit of adding both of these materials will be achieved, or CBA will try to improve the deficiency in the air entrainment created by the mineral admixtures.
Design/methodology/approach
Air-entrained concrete (AEC) mixes were constituted in three groups. First group represents mixes with natural fine aggregates only, and second with 25% fine aggregates substituted by CBA. Progressively, the third group has 50% fine aggregates substituted with CBA. In all the three groups, cement was substituted with FA and SF @ 0%, 20% and 40%, and 0%, 5% and 10%, respectively, thereby creating four binary and four ternary mixes corresponding to each group. Compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted at 28 days on the concrete mixes pre and post high-temperature heat treatment, i.e. 100°C, 200°C and 400°C, respectively. This study also examines the microstructure characteristics of AEC after 14 days of curing via X-ray diffraction. Sorptivity test was also conducted to estimate the capillary and air-entrained voids in concrete.
Findings
It was found that a concrete mix containing 20% FA and 10% SF along with 50% CBA could give similar post-heated strength to a normal (without mineral admixtures) AEC. In AECs where only CBA is present and cement paste is not substituted, both of the pre- and post-heated strengths of concrete reduce. Also, some mixtures containing large amounts of mineral admixtures in concrete with nil CBA show a high reduction in post-heated strength though they show good pre-heated strength. Therefore, mineral admixtures and CBA complement each other in improving the post-heated strength. Air pore structure found from sorptivity test also verifies these results.
Originality/value
AEC is very helpful for insulation of buildings during summer season by absorbing heat waves. AEC containing FA and CBA reduces carbon footprint because of substitution of cement and it also helps to conserve natural resources by the use of CBA in place of fine aggregates.
Details
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Shashi Kant, J.C. Nautiyal and R.A. Berry
A single dimensional measure of economic welfare in terms of per capita income has neglected the contribution of the non‐timber benefits of forests; hence forests have not…
Abstract
A single dimensional measure of economic welfare in terms of per capita income has neglected the contribution of the non‐timber benefits of forests; hence forests have not received their due weight in literature on the development process. Advocates a multi‐dimensional measure of economic welfare. Presents, at the global level, an overview of the contribution of non‐timber forest products and at the micro level a case study from India. Highlights a more complete evaluation of the contribution of forests, and focuses on the economic contribution of forest resources to household income, income distribution, and spread of income over the year.
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Corruption in India reached a crescendo between 2011 and 2013, with the exposure of the 2G Spectrum scandal and the “Coalgate” report fiasco at the top of all recent events. The…
Abstract
Corruption in India reached a crescendo between 2011 and 2013, with the exposure of the 2G Spectrum scandal and the “Coalgate” report fiasco at the top of all recent events. The largest working democracy is under the scanner. As the third largest economy in Asia, a nuclear power, and an information technology powerhouse, India has a lot to clean up. Current experience shows the failure of the top investigative agencies and the lack of political will to tackle corruption. The spate of high-level corruption scandals has also led to a popular movement in 2011, which also fizzled out, including the newly introduced “Anti-Corruption, Grievance Redressal and Whistleblower Protection Act, 2011.” This chapter examines the several issues involved.
Rahul Priyadarshi, Srikanta Routroy and Girish Kant Garg
The literature review of post-harvest supply chain (PHSC) losses is carried out and analyzed in this paper followed by bibliometric analysis of the literature.
Abstract
Purpose
The literature review of post-harvest supply chain (PHSC) losses is carried out and analyzed in this paper followed by bibliometric analysis of the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature survey is performed across various dimensions such as PHSC losses, PHSC risks and PHSC sustainability (waste management and waste reduction). One hundred thirty research articles during the period of 1989–2020 were considered for the review.
Findings
The PHSC losses have been identified in this literature survey. The calculation and mitigation strategies stated by various researchers in the literature are addressed. The important loss mitigation dynamics are also presented to reduce the PHSC losses and to improve food availability.
Research limitations/implications
The major focus is given on the PHSC of agriculture produces. However, research articles from fish and meat supply chain are excluded as they follow a different perishability curve.
Practical implications
The current work will add value to the agriculture supply chain literature, provide a platform for PHSC losses and provide assistance/guideline toward loss calculation, loss mitigation, improved rural employability, improved rural entrepreneurship and improved revenue generation.
Social implications
The performed research will assist the researchers, entrepreneurs and farmers to understand the current scenario of food wastage at different stages of the supply chain better. It will provide the guidelines for calculation and mitigation of various stated PHSC losses. This study will be helpful to enhance food availability and food security in post-coronavirus crisis.
Originality/value
The paper explores and highlights PHSC loss calculations and mitigation strategies to identify the postharvest loss situation and better utilization of fresh produces.
Details
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This study aims to summarize the trend and overall aspect of Circular Economy (CE) in supply chain management research as a contribution of the previous research towards the CE…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to summarize the trend and overall aspect of Circular Economy (CE) in supply chain management research as a contribution of the previous research towards the CE concept narrowed in perspective, without presenting a specific application. Further, it is explored to identify the research hotspot, knowledge base, topic, landmark and pivot point in this research.
Design/methodology/approach
The scientometric mapping of CE in supply chain research papers is analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to cover the broader field spectrum and overcome a manual review. The Research papers are extracted from the Web of Science core collection comprising keywords “Circular Economy*” and “Supply Chain*”. A number of 1,092 papers are selected from the reputed journals over 20 years (2001–2021) for review.
Findings
The co-operation visualization network analysis initially identifies the descriptive analysis of overall publications, leading authors, countries, institutions and journal sources. The co-occurrences of keywords present the research hotspot. Moreover, the co-citation cluster analysis identifies knowledge base, research topic, landmark and pivot point. Industry 4.0 integrated supply chain, their driver, barrier, challenges and risks need further investigation.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are based on networks visualization analysis principles, which indicate connection, quality and impact of academic works that might be open to accusations. The methodology chosen for the research and findings interpretations are based on researchers' perceptive limitations and subjective judgment.
Originality/value
This review paper covers a diverse view to attain sustainable development goals due to considerable attention from researchers, practitioners and policymakers. Also is expected to set the future direction of the CE in the supply chain research.