scholarly journals Dynamics of Coffee Certifications in Producer Countries: Re-Examining the Tanzanian Status, Challenges and Impacts on Livelihoods and Environmental Conservation

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 931
Author(s):  
Joseph Rajabu Kangile ◽  
Reuben M. J. Kadigi ◽  
Charles Peter Mgeni ◽  
Bernadetha Pantaleo Munishi ◽  
Japhet Kashaigili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Switching Regression ◽  
Export Markets ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Status ◽  
Coffee Farmers ◽  
Using Data

Certification is increasingly becoming necessary for accessing coffee export markets and practicing environmental conservation, especially at this time when many of the farmers in developing countries strive to achieve agricultural transformation. Using data from 400 randomly selected coffee farmers in Tanzania, the study determined the status, constraints, key drivers, and impact of coffee certifications. Descriptive statistics and the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model were used for data analysis. Results indicated that the level of coffee certification is low, being constrained by unawareness and inaccessibility, the prevalence of coffee diseases, failure in realizing price advantages, and certification not being cost effective. Economies of scale, experience, and participation in collective actions are significant factors affecting coffee farmers’ decision to join certification schemes. Additionally, the study rejects the hypothesis of certification to improve household income. However, certification improved awareness and practices of environmental conservation among coffee farmers. It is thus important to embark on awareness creation and make certification services accessible and cost effective to coffee farmers for increased access to niche export markets. Easing transmission of price premiums to coffee farmers will also increase the supply of sustainably grown coffee, improve coffee farmers’ livelihood, and help in the attainment of environmental sustainability goals within the coffee supply chain.

Building a Sustainable Talent Acquisition Model in a Dynamic Business Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 42-52
Author(s):  
Mamta Mohapatra ◽  
Priyanka Sahu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Sustained Competitive Advantage ◽  
Hiring Process ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Talent Acquisition

This article describes how rapid globalization, changes in the technology landscape, and changes in the way people manage organizations, have increased the need for competent workforce who could be a source of sustained competitive advantage for the organization. Thus, companies specifically in IT/ITES sector are investing huge amount of time, money and resources to build their talent acquisition strategy. Recruitment has mostly been a reactive approach and organizations generally scout for candidates only when there is vacancy. This article attempts to introduce the concept of sustainable talent acquisition to ensure steady supply of talent to meet future needs of an organization. Authors have tried to incorporate the idea of three pillars of sustainability – environmental, social, and economic into the recruitment landscape and to build an action plan to speed up hiring process and improve cost efficiency. Authors believe that environmental sustainability can be achieved by constantly gauging talent demand and ensuring steady supply, social sustainability can be met by engaging talent pool to build long term relationships and economic sustainability can be attained by effectively using data to ensure cost effective hiring. Taking the example of a study conducted to optimize recruitment funnel in an ITES company, authors have explained how analytics can help achieve desired results.

Factors affecting Canadian pulp and paper prices

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 683-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. K. Singh ◽  
J. C. Nautiyal
Keyword(s):  
Technological Progress ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Paper Industry ◽  
Pulp And Paper Industry ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Costs Of Production ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Cost

Price equations for the following product groupings of the Canadian pulp and paper industry were estimated using data from 1955 to 1981: (i) woodpulp; (ii) newsprint; (iii) "other paper and paperboard"; and (iv) "aggregate paper and paperboard," which includes (ii) and (iii). Price equations were formed on the assumption that firms markup average costs of production to set prices. These equations show the effects of factor costs, economies of scale, and technological progress on the prices of the products. They also help understand relevant aspects of production processes. Newsprint and "other paper and paperboard" production costs and prices are most responsive to the prices of material (woodpulp), labour, and energy, while woodpulp price responds more to the prices of pulpwood and energy. Substantial economies of scale are experienced by newsprint and woodpulp sectors. Such economies in the "other paper and board" sector are nonexistent. Technological progress has also contributed to reduction in the costs of production: 4.3% in woodpulp, 4.4% in "other paper and board," and 2.6% in newsprint per annum. Reduction in the cost of obtaining pulpwood to woodpulp sector is important in reducing the cost of paper and paperboard production. Substitution of existing capital with low energy and labour using capital is also required to lower the costs. Also, efforts to modernize the whole industry and the use of available economies of scale are indicated to keep the Canadian pulp and paper industry competitive in world markets.

Glass Substrates for Advanced Packaging

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 000388-000392
Author(s):  
Aric Shorey ◽  
Scott Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Glass Substrates ◽  
The Status ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Advanced Packaging

There has been substantial work done in the past few years to apply glass solutions for Advanced Packaging. Advantages of glass based solutions create significant opportunities by leveraging economies of scale, forming substrates at design thickness and leveraging thermal and electrical properties. A lot of work is being done to validate the value of glass as an interposer substrate. The ability to leverage both wafer and panel-based metallization strategies for filling glass vias has been shown. Transitioning these processes to cost-effectiveness and high throughput has shown great promise. The electrical performance of glass relative to silicon at high frequencies makes glass solutions very attractive, particularly in RF applications. Electrical models and characterization have demonstrated the advantages of the insulating properties of glass, and its positive impact on functional performance. Reliability tests show that glass solutions can meet device requirements. The substantial progress and readiness in these areas will be presented. Glass based solutions in panel format provide exciting and cost effective industry opportunities by leveraging economies of scale and glass forming technology. Existing technologies can be used to fill glass vias in a panel format, as well as apply redistribution layers. We will present the status of leveraging panel based technology to enable glass interposers.

Factors affecting carbon nanotube fillers towards enhancement of thermal conductivity in polymer nanocomposites: A review

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (26) ◽  
pp. 3657-3668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muthuraman Namasivayam ◽  
Joe Shapter
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Polymer Composites ◽  
Conductive Polymer ◽  
Polymer Nanocomposite ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Power Generators ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Status ◽  
Thermally Conductive ◽  
Commercial Applications

Thermally conductive polymer composites have opened up new possibilities in various applications including solar cells, power generators, electronics, biomedical applications, etc. Polymer matrices have some interesting advantages to offer such as being lightweight, cost effective, corrosion resistant, and many more. However, the thermal conductivity of a polymer matrix is relatively low for some commercial applications. Recent research has focused on enhancing the thermal conductivity of polymer composites through addition of nanofillers such as nanotubes, graphite, carbon fibers, etc. Among these possibilities, carbon nanotubes are considered to be promising candidates due to their unusually high thermal conductivity. This article discusses the properties of nanotube fillers that should be taken into account in order to fabricate a thermally conductive polymer nanocomposite and reviews the status of research in terms of thermal conductivity and nanotubes.

scholarly journals Investigating the status of marital burnout and related factors in married women referred to health centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbobeh Nejatian ◽  
Ali Alami ◽  
Vahideh Momeniyan ◽  
Ali Delshad Noghabi ◽  
Alireza Jafari
Keyword(s):  
Marital Satisfaction ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Married Women ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Status ◽  
Multistage Sampling ◽  
Emotional Burnout

Abstract Background Marital burnout is an important issue in marriage and many factors play an important role in this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to determine the status of marital burnout and the factors affecting married women who were referred to health centers because of it. Methods In this study, 936 women were selected by multistage sampling and data collection was performed using questionnaires of demographic and couple burnout. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 24. Results The mean (± SD) of marital burnout, in this study, was 55.46 (± 18.03) (out of 147 score). There was a significant relationship between the level of women's education with total marital burnout, and the subscales of somatic and emotional burnout (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was also observed between mandatory marriage and total marital burnout, as well as subscales of somatic, emotional, and psychological burnout (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was detected and observed between women's participation in training courses of communication skills and total marital burnout, inclusive of the subscales regarding psychological burnout (P < 0.05). The results of linear regression showed a significant relationship between mandatory in marriage, marital satisfaction, marriage duration, and husband's level of education with women's marital burnout. The variables were finally able to predict 12% of marital burnout variance. It should be noted that marital satisfaction had a higher effect on predicting marital burnout (P < 0.001). Conclusions Marital satisfaction was one of the effective factors in predicting marital burnout, so it can be concluded that it is necessary to pay more attention to this issue. Educational programs and examining the factors that enhance marital satisfaction are needed to prevent and reduce marital burnout in married couples.

scholarly journals Modeling Fused Filament Fabrication using Artificial Neural Networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Oehlmann ◽  
Paul Osswald ◽  
Juan Camilo Blanco ◽  
Martin Friedrich ◽  
Dominik Rietzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Print Quality ◽  
Ann Model ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Fused Filament Fabrication ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Artificial Neural Network Ann

AbstractWith industries pushing towards digitalized production, adaption to expectations and increasing requirements for modern applications, has brought additive manufacturing (AM) to the forefront of Industry 4.0. In fact, AM is a main accelerator for digital production with its possibilities in structural design, such as topology optimization, production flexibility, customization, product development, to name a few. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is a widespread and practical tool for rapid prototyping that also demonstrates the importance of AM technologies through its accessibility to the general public by creating cost effective desktop solutions. An increasing integration of systems in an intelligent production environment also enables the generation of large-scale data to be used for process monitoring and process control. Deep learning as a form of artificial intelligence (AI) and more specifically, a method of machine learning (ML) is ideal for handling big data. This study uses a trained artificial neural network (ANN) model as a digital shadow to predict the force within the nozzle of an FFF printer using filament speed and nozzle temperatures as input data. After the ANN model was tested using data from a theoretical model it was implemented to predict the behavior using real-time printer data. For this purpose, an FFF printer was equipped with sensors that collect real time printer data during the printing process. The ANN model reflected the kinematics of melting and flow predicted by models currently available for various speeds of printing. The model allows for a deeper understanding of the influencing process parameters which ultimately results in the determination of the optimum combination of process speed and print quality.

scholarly journals Measuring the Efficiency of Football Clubs Using Data Envelopment Analysis: Empirical Evidence From Spanish Professional Football

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402198925
Author(s):  
Isidoro Guzmán-Raja ◽  
Manuela Guzmán-Raja
Keyword(s):  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Efficiency Measure ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Football Clubs ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Using Data

Professional football clubs have a special characteristic not shared by other types of companies: their sport performance (on the field) is important, in addition to their financial performance (off the field). The aim of this paper is to calculate an efficiency measure using a model that combines performance (sport and economic) based on data envelopment analysis (DEA). The main factors affecting teams’ efficiency levels are investigated using cluster analysis. For a sample of Spanish football clubs, the findings indicate that clubs achieved a relatively high efficiency level for the period studied, and that the oldest teams with the most assets had the highest efficiency scores. These results could help club managers to improve the performance of their teams.

scholarly journals Association between Dyslipidemia and Mercury Exposure in Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 775
Author(s):  
Purum Kang ◽  
Hye Young Shin ◽  
Ka Young Kim
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Subjective Health Status ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Using Data

Background—Dyslipidemia is one of the prominent risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. Dyslipidemia has various causes, including metabolic capacity, genetic problems, physical inactivity, and dietary habits. This study aimed to determine the association between dyslipidemia and exposure to heavy metals in adults. Methods—Using data from the seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2017), 5345 participants aged ≥20 years who were tested for heavy metal levels were analyzed in this study. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to assess the factors affecting the prevalence of dyslipidemia. Results—The risks of dyslipidemia among all and male participants with mercury (Hg) levels of ≥2.75 μg/L (corresponding to the Korean average level) were 1.273 and 1.699 times higher than in those with levels of <2.75 μg/L, respectively. The factors that significantly affected the dyslipidemia risk were age, household income, body mass index, and subjective health status in both males and females. Conclusions—In adult males, exposure to Hg at higher-than-average levels was positively associated with dyslipidemia. These results provide a basis for targeted prevention strategies for dyslipidemia using lifestyle guidelines for reducing Hg exposure and healthy behavioral interventions.

Assessing policies to mitigate abandonment of shade-grown coffee production in forest systems amid low and uncertain prices

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Heidi J. Albers ◽  
Stephanie Brockmann ◽  
Beatriz Ávalos-Sartorio
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Payments For Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Coffee Production ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Coffee Farmers ◽  
Effective Policy

Abstract Low and highly variable prices plague the coffee market, generating concerns that coffee farmers producing in shade systems under natural forests, as in biodiversity hotspot Oaxaca, Mexico, will abandon production and contribute to deforestation and reduced ecosystem services. Using stakeholder information, we build a setting-informed model to analyze farmers' decisions to abandon shade-grown coffee production and their reactions to policy to reduce abandonment. Exploring price premiums for bird-friendly certified coffee, payments for ecosystem services, and price floors as policies, we find that once a farmer is on the path toward abandonment, it is difficult to reverse. However, implementing policies early that are low cost to farmers – price floors and no-cost certification programs – can stem abandonment. Considering the abandonment that policy avoids per dollar spent, price floors are the most cost-effective policy, yet governments prefer certification programs that push costs onto international coffee consumers who pay the price premium.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document