Jayaraman Chillayil, M. Suresh, Viswanathan P.K. and Sasi K. Kottayil
Energy-efficiency leads to productivity gains as it can lower operating and maintenance costs, increase production yields per unit of manufacturing input and improve staff…
Abstract
Purpose
Energy-efficiency leads to productivity gains as it can lower operating and maintenance costs, increase production yields per unit of manufacturing input and improve staff accountability. Implementation of energy-efficient technologies amongst industries, the factors influencing them and the barriers to their adoption have been the subject of several studies during the past three to four decades. Though energy-use behaviours of individuals or households are sufficiently explored, industrial energy conservation behaviour is scarcely studied. This study identifies the relationship between the different behavioural elements to open up a door for behaviourally informed intervention research.
Design/methodology/approach
Total interpretive structural modelling technique was used to determine the relationship between different elements of the behaviour of energy managers. Expert responses were collected to understand the relationship between the behavioural elements, through telephone interviews.
Findings
The study identified the relationship between the behavioural elements and found imperfect evaluation as the key element with the highest driving power to influence other elements.
Research limitations/implications
The authors postulate that a behaviourally informed intervention strategy that looks into the elements with high driving power such as imperfect evaluation, lack of focus on energy-saving measures and the lack of sharing energy-saving objectives can lead to: an increase in the adoption of energy efficiency measures and thereby a reduction in the energy efficiency gap; greater productivity gains and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; Preparation of M&V protocol that incorporates behavioural, organisational and informational barriers.
Social implications
Various policy level interventions and regulatory measures in the energy field which did not address the behavioural barriers are found unsuccessful in narrowing the energy-efficiency gap, reducing the GHG gas emissions and global warming. Understanding the key driving factor of behaviour can help to design an effective intervention strategy to address the barriers to energy efficiency improvement.
Originality/value
Understanding the key driving factor of behaviour can help to design an effective intervention strategy to address the barriers to energy efficiency improvement. This study argues that through the systematic analysis of the imperfect evaluation of energy audit recommendations, it is possible to increase the adoption of energy efficiency measures that can lead to greater productivity gains and reduced GHG emissions.
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This paper intends to discover, analyze and construct a model that may be used to measure the interactions between major factors which are identified by expert opinion and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper intends to discover, analyze and construct a model that may be used to measure the interactions between major factors which are identified by expert opinion and literature review for sustainable maintenance specific to manufacturing industries using the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 12 factors were acknowledged from the literature review and the opinions of experts from manufacturing industries. Scheduled interviews with the employees were conducted by using the questionnaire which is developed from the identified 12 factors in order to find the interrelationships among these factors. The TISM approach is used for analyzing factors' interrelationships. The Matrice d'Impacts Croises Multiplication Appliques a un Classement (MICMAC) approach is used to identify the key factors which influence sustainable maintenance.
Findings
This paper found 12 factors that have ascendancy over the sustainable maintenance practices in the industry by reviewing the literature and consulting industry experts to realize the linkage between the factors. The results found that availability rate, adopting government policies, training and education are key factors that influence sustainable maintenance.
Practical implications
The proposed model would be valuable for experts to understand the factors influencing sustainable maintenance in the industry. This model can be used by an organization's maintenance managers to implement sustainable maintenance practices in their plants.
Originality/value
This study analyzes the interrelationship between factors influencing sustainable maintenance in manufacturing industries, which is a new effort in this domain of practice.
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Rinu Sathyan, Parthiban Palanisamy, Suresh G. and Navin M.
The automotive industry appears to overcome much of its obstacles, despite the constant struggle facing COVID-19. The pandemic has resulted in significant improvements in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The automotive industry appears to overcome much of its obstacles, despite the constant struggle facing COVID-19. The pandemic has resulted in significant improvements in the habits and conduct of consumers. There is an increased preference for personal mobility. In this dynamic environment with unexpected changes and high market rivalry, automotive supply chains focus more on executing responsive strategies with minimum costs. This paper aims to identify and model the drivers to the responsiveness of automotive supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
Seventeen drivers for supply chain responsiveness have been identified from the extensive literature, expert interview. An integrated methodology of fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory–interpretive structural modelling (DEMATEL–ISM) is developed to establish the interrelationship between the drivers. The cause–effect relationship between the drivers was obtained through fuzzy DEMATEL technique, and a hierarchical structure of the drivers was developed using the ISM technique.
Findings
The result of the integrated methodology revealed that strategic decision-making of management, accurate forecasting of demand, advanced manufacturing system in the organisation and data integration tools are the critical drivers.
Research limitations/implications
This study has conceptual and analytical limitations. In this study, a limited number of drivers are examined for supply chain responsiveness. Further research may examine the role of other key performance indicators in the broad field of responsiveness in the automotive supply chain or other industry sectors. Future study can uncover the interrelationships and relative relevance of indicators using advanced multi-criteria decision-making methodologies.
Originality/value
The authors proposed an integrated methodology that will be benefitted to the supply chain practitioners and automotive manufacturers to develop management strategies to improve responsiveness. This study further helps to compare the responsiveness of the supply chain between various automotive manufacturers.
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Aviral Kumar Tiwari and K.G. Suresh
This study aims to examine the stationarity characteristics of per capita GDP of 17 Asian countries and subpanels for South Asia, East Asia, and high income Asian countries in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the stationarity characteristics of per capita GDP of 17 Asian countries and subpanels for South Asia, East Asia, and high income Asian countries in nonlinear framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employed a recently developed nonlinear panel unit root test suggested by Ucar and Omaga in PESTAR framework for full panel and the subpanels.
Findings
The results indicate that per capita GDP for the full panel of Asian countries and panel of South Asian countries are linear nonstationary, whereas for the panel of East Asia and high income developed countries have a nonlinear data generating process and are stationary.
Originality/value
The use of newly developed nonlinear panel unit root test for Asian countries is the main contribution of the study. In that aspect, this is the first study to employ such a test in this area.
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Pavana Kumara Bellairu, Shreeranga Bhat and E.V. Gijo
The aim of this article is to demonstrate the development of environment friendly, low cost natural fibre composites by robust engineering approach. More specifically, the prime…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this article is to demonstrate the development of environment friendly, low cost natural fibre composites by robust engineering approach. More specifically, the prime objective of the study is to optimise the composition of natural fibre reinforced polymer nanocomposites using a robust statistical approach.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, the material is prepared using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), Cantala fibres and Epoxy Resin in accordance with the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. Further, the composition is prepared and optimised using the mixture-design approach for the flexural strength of the material.
Findings
The results of the study indicate that MWCNT plays a vital role in increasing the flexural strength of the composite. Moreover, it is observed that interactions between second order and third order parameters in the composition are statistically significant. This leads to proposing a special cubic model for the novel composite material with residual analysis. Moreover, the methodology assists in optimising the mixture component values to maximise the flexural strength of the novel composite material.
Originality/value
This article attempts to include both MWCNT and Cantala fibres to develop a novel composite material. In addition, it employs the mixture-design technique to optimise the composition and predict the model of the study in a step-by-step manner, which will act as a guideline for academicians and practitioners to optimise the material composition with specific reference to natural fibre reinforced nanocomposites.
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Saikrishnan G., Jayakumari L.S., Vijay R. and Lenin Singaravelu D.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of commercially available iron–aluminum alloy compared to copper, iron and aluminum powders on the tribological…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of commercially available iron–aluminum alloy compared to copper, iron and aluminum powders on the tribological performances of friction composites. The main objective is to replace copper from the friction composite formulations.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, friction composites were fabricated as of standard brake pads using commercially available iron–aluminum alloy and compared to copper powder, iron powder and aluminum powder-based without varying the other ingredients. The brake pads were developed as per the industrial procedure. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the developed brake pads were analyzed as per industrial standards. Tribological properties were analyzed using the chase test. Initial speed and deceleration tests in a real-time braking scenario were performed using a full-scale inertia brake dynamometer. Worn surface analysis was done using a scanning electron microscope.
Findings
The results indicate that iron–aluminum alloy (mechanomade)-based friction composites possess good physical, chemical, thermal and mechanical properties with stable fade and recovery characteristics due to its composition and flake morphology. During initial speed and deceleration braking conditions, iron–aluminum alloy also showed good tribological behavior.
Originality/value
This paper explains the influence of commercially available iron–aluminum alloy in friction composites in enhancing tribological performance by its composition and flake morphology, which could potentially replace copper in friction composites by solving subsequent problems.
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Raimonda Alonderiene and Modesta Majauskaite
Although leadership is found to have impact on the followers’ attitudes and performance there is a gap in leadership studies in HEIs, especially having Lithuania in mind. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Although leadership is found to have impact on the followers’ attitudes and performance there is a gap in leadership studies in HEIs, especially having Lithuania in mind. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of leadership style on job satisfaction of faculty in higher education institutions (HEI).
Design/methodology/approach
In order to investigate before mentioned problem, the representative quantitative empirical research was conducted in 2013. It includes 72 faculty members and ten supervisors from Lithuanian public and private universities. The survey was conducted to check how leadership styles of supervisors influence faculty job satisfaction and compare the opinion of supervisors and subordinates.
Findings
The empirical research revealed significant positive impact of leadership style on job satisfaction of faculty where servant leadership style has been found to have the highest positive significant impact on job satisfaction of faculty while controlling autocrat leadership style has the lowest impact.
Research limitations/implications
There are several implications for further research. It can be expanded whether geographically (e.g. comparative analysis in different countries) or institutionally (e.g. in other educational institutions, such as schools or pre-schools).
Practical implications
Practical implications reveal that supervisors have the power to increase the levels of job satisfaction of their faculty members, by defining their role as a leader, demonstrating certain leadership behaviors.
Originality/value
This survey covers the area which lacks academic research, namely, the impact of leadership on HEI faculty. Previous leadership studies in HEI focus on particular leadership style demonstrated (van Ameijde, 2009), the impact of leadership on culture (Asmawi et al., 2013), organizational effectiveness (Siddique et al., 2011) and other factors. However, very few of them (one of the examples is the study of Webb, 2009 in USA) investigate the direct managers’ leadership style and faculty job satisfaction. Besides, the previous surveys have not covered as many leadership styles as this one does.
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Aswathy Sreenivasan and M. Suresh
This study aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 epidemic using total interpretive structural modelling…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 epidemic using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM).
Design/methodology/approach
A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data in addition to the scheduled interview. The TISM methodology is used to determine how the variables interact, and the matrice d’Impacts croises-multiplication applique´ a classement (MICMAC) method is used to rank and categorise the lean-sustainability enablers.
Findings
This study identified ten lean-sustainability enablers for start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study says that the key factors are leadership and managerial commitment, implementation of employee skills and abilities, strategic need, personnel engagement and financial ability.
Research limitations/implications
The study focused primarily on lean-sustainability characteristics for start-ups.
Practical implications
This research will aid key stakeholders and academics in better understanding the factors that contribute to lean-sustainability in start-ups.
Originality/value
This study proposes the TISM technique for start-ups, which is a novel attempt in the subject of lean-sustainability in this industry.
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Albi Thomas and M. Suresh
Using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM), this paper aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the sustainable-resilience readiness factors for healthcare during…
Abstract
Purpose
Using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM), this paper aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the sustainable-resilience readiness factors for healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
To obtain the data, a closed-ended questionnaire was used in addition to a scheduled interview with each respondent. To identify how the factors interact, the TISM approach was employed and the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to a classification method was used to rank and categorise the sustainable-resilience readiness factors.
Findings
This study identified ten sustainable-resilience readiness factors for healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study states that the major factors are environmental scanning, awareness and preparedness, team empowerment and working, transparent communication system, learning culture, ability to respond and monitor, organisational culture, resilience engineering, personal and professional resources and technology capability.
Research limitations/implications
The study focused primarily on sustainable-resilience readiness characteristics for the healthcare sector.
Practical implications
This research will aid key stakeholders and academics in better understanding the factors that contribute to sustainable-resilience in healthcare.
Originality/value
This study proposes the TISM technique for healthcare, which is a novel attempt in the subject of readiness for sustainable-resilience in this sector. The paper proposes a framework including a mixture of factors for sustainability and resilience in the healthcare sector for operations.
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Shalini Menon, M. Suresh and R. Raghu Raman
The study has a two-fold purpose: first, to identify the enablers of partnering agility in higher education, and, second, to analyze the interplay between the enablers.
Abstract
Purpose
The study has a two-fold purpose: first, to identify the enablers of partnering agility in higher education, and, second, to analyze the interplay between the enablers.
Design/methodology/approach
Total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) was used to construct a theoretical model of partnering agility enablers, and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis was used to rank and segregate the enablers into independent, autonomous, dependent and linkage zones on the basis of their driving and dependence power.
Findings
The study helped in identifying eight enablers that can be instrumental in driving partnering agility in higher education. According to the TISM model, clarity on roles and responsibilities of partners was found to be the most crucial and vital enabler followed by resource sharing.
Practical implications
The conceptual model provides a new direction on how to develop and strengthen higher education partnerships. The model has prioritized all the crucial enablers that the management can work around in order to drive partnering agility in higher education institutions.
Originality/value
Studies in the past have majorly focused on academia–industry partnerships. This research has tried to provide a comprehensive view of the enablers and the multidirectional interplay between the enablers that can facilitate partnerships between academia and industry, Indian and international universities, and academia and community.