Modelling the abstract knots in supply chains using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approaches: a review-based comprehensive toolkit

PurposeThis study endeavours to (a) develop a comprehensive interpretive structural modelling (ISM) toolkit containing sufficient details about the suitability and procedural aspects of each ISM approach and offer points of reference for budding researchers, (b) highlight the compatibility of ISM approaches with other qualitative and quantitative approaches, and (c) chalk-out an agenda for future research.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on an extensive review of 74 studies where researchers have used one or more ISM approaches. These studies span across the different industry sectors.FindingsThere exists a huge void in terms of the methodological synthesis of ISM approaches. ISM approaches are frequently used in sync with other qualitative and quantitative approaches. Furthermore, it highlights the need of improving the robustness of the proposed ISM models by sharing the critical details of research process.Research limitations/implicationsBeing a review-based work, it could not illustrate the discussed ISM approaches with real data. However, it offers a research agenda for the prospective researchers.Practical implicationsThe prerequisites, pitfalls, suitability and the procedural aspects of various ISM approaches contained in this toolkit are equally useful for the academicians as well as practitioners.Originality/valueIn the absence of a synthesized framework, this study contributes a comprehensive ISM toolkit which will help the researchers to choose a suitable ISM approach in a given case.

Stochastic Modeling of Stratospheric Temperature

This study suggests a stochastic model for time series of daily zonal (circumpolar) mean stratospheric temperature at a given pressure level. It can be seen as an extension of previous studies which have developed stochastic models for surface temperatures. The proposed model is a combination of a deterministic seasonality function and a Lévy-driven multidimensional Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, which is a mean-reverting stochastic process. More specifically, the deseasonalized temperature model is an order 4 continuous-time autoregressive model, meaning that the stratospheric temperature is modeled to be directly dependent on the temperature over four preceding days, while the model’s longer-range memory stems from its recursive nature. This study is based on temperature data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ERA-Interim reanalysis model product. The residuals of the autoregressive model are well represented by normal inverse Gaussian-distributed random variables scaled with a time-dependent volatility function. A monthly variability in speed of mean reversion of stratospheric temperature is found, hence suggesting a generalization of the fourth-order continuous-time autoregressive model. A stochastic stratospheric temperature model, as proposed in this paper, can be used in geophysical analyses to improve the understanding of stratospheric dynamics. In particular, such characterizations of stratospheric temperature may be a step towards greater insight in modeling and prediction of large-scale middle atmospheric events, such as sudden stratospheric warming. Through stratosphere–troposphere coupling, the stratosphere is hence a source of extended tropospheric predictability at weekly to monthly timescales, which is of great importance in several societal and industry sectors.

SETA and Security Behavior

This article contends that information security education, training and awareness programs can improve employee security behavior. Empirical studies have analyzed the direct effects of employee security training on security behavior without taking into account the mediating role of employee relations, monitoring, and accountability. Based on employee relations and accountability theories, this study proposes and tests a causal model that estimates the direct effect of employee security training on security behavior as well as its indirect effects as mediated by employee relations, monitoring, and accountability. The empirical analysis relies on a survey data from a cross section of employees from five major industry sectors and a structural equation modeling approach via SmartPLS 3.0. The results show that employee security training has indirect and significant effects on security behavior through its influence on employee relations, monitoring, and accountability. However, the result does not indicate direct and significant effect of security training on employee security behavior.

Variation of Political Skill Dimensions Across Different Industries

The purpose of this study to ascertain if there is any variation in political skill dimensions ((a) social astuteness, (b) interpersonal influence, (c) networking ability and (d) apparent sincerity) exhibited by employees in India’s seven industry sectors. In this study, the Political Skill Inventory (PSI) is used to examine such variations. Five hundred fifty survey respondents are employed in seven sectors viz. automobile, education, finance, fast moving consumer goods, health, information technology and telecom. The results exemplify that statistically significant differences are exhibited in these political skill dimensions by the employees in different industry sectors chosen for this research. Since these differences are reflected on four dimensions of the political skill, this study makes a unique contribution by developing an understanding of individual dimensions of political skill, thus, enabling greater insight into skill enhancement at various levels. Further, this study contributes by furnishing insights on skills useful for practitioners to understand dominance and lack of industry-specific skills within PSI inventory. The implications of this study could be in the areas such as personnel selection, framing skill development tools and programmes, enhancing job performance, achieving organizational goals and improvising organizational culture.

Evaluation of melt quality during polymer extrusion

Polymer materials are widely spread and used in all industry sectors. The operating properties of polymer products make them practically indispensable in various industries. They have acquired widespread popularity and their production volumes are predicted to grow every year. The extrusion of polymers is one of the main methods for their processing. The melt uniformity is one of the main factors that influence the quality of the products and is determined by the level of mixing, i.e., by the redistribution of additives in a dispersion medium when these additives are introduced into the main polymer. The influence of working conditions, geometry of working bodies and other parameters on the melt temperature uniformity was determined. Nowadays, there are a lot of methods for determining the melt uniformity. They can be used indirectly in or after the extrusion process and can be short or long lasting, which in fact determines the acceptability of each of the methods. To determine the melt uniformity, statistical evaluation methods, which have been verified by many experiments and are well known, are often used. The analysis showed that the mixing index is most sensitive among the criteria described. Although statistical criteria of evaluating the melt uniformity are widespread, it is better to use parameters that allow the state of the mixture to be analyzed directly in the work process for the extrusion of polymers, to identify those that depend on the mixing process. Methods and criteria for verifying the melt quality were analyzed and potential use of their temperature uniformity for measuring and evaluating the melt quality directly in the extrusion process, to eliminate the costly sampling process, was determined.

PENGARUH PARTISIPASI PENYUSUNAN ANGGARAN DAN BUDAYA ORGANISASI TERHADAP KINERJA MANAJERIAL PADA PT PERKEBUNAN NUSANTARA VIII

PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII is a state-owned plantation engaged in the Agribusiness and Agro-Industry sectors.. The budget preparation process that involves subordinates can improve the performance of subordinates in achieving budget targets. Participatory budgets can be carried out to achieve budget targets by negotiating between superiors and subordinates. In addition to being measured by employees and the cultural linkages attached to them, organizational success can also be seen from the overall performance of the organization. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of budgetary participation and organizational culture on managerial performance. The total population of this study was 23 PTPN VIII tea gardens in West Java. Respondents in this study were garden managers, assistant heads, assistants, and large foremen of PTPN VIII (Persero) who were involved in the participation process (proposing and or implementing) the budget with a total sample of 63 respondents selected through purposive sampling. testing the quality of the data used is the validity and reliability of the data. The classical assumptions used are normality test, multicollinearity, and heteroscedasticity test. Model analysis uses multiple linear regression is used to analyze data with the help of the SPSS.23.0 program. The results showed that budget participation had a significant effect on managerial performance and organizational culture had a significant effect on managerial performance.

See What I Mean? Analogical Objects for Knowledge Mediation in Early Phases of Cross-Industry Innovation

The objective of this research is to explore the nature and role of analogies as objects for knowledge transfer in cross-industry collaborations. A case study of an organization seeking cross-industry innovation (CII) across two industry sectors was conducted, and the empirical data were analyzed qualitatively. We found that analogies used as knowledge mediation objects could be classified as explanatory or inventive, each expressed as linguistic or visual representations. Explanatory analogical objects help build prior knowledge of a foreign industry domain, thus easing later use of inventive analogical objects to identify how knowledge from one industry can be applied in another industry for innovation purposes. In these roles, the analogies serve as boundary objects. Both explanatory and inventive analogies can also serve as epistemic objects, motivating for further collaborative engagement. Visual representations of analogies help bridge the abstract with the concrete, thereby easing the process of creating analogies. They also enable nonverbal communication, thus helping bypass language barriers between knowledge domains. The reported research expands current research literature on knowledge mediation objects to the context of CII and provides added detailed understanding of the use of analogies in CII.

Economic Dispatch Model of Nuclear High-Temperature Reactor with Hydrogen Cogeneration in Electricity Market

Hydrogen produced without carbon emissions could be a useful fuel as nations look to decarbonize their electricity, transport, and industry sectors. Using the iodine–sulfur (IS) cycle coupled with a nuclear heat source is one method for producing hydrogen without the use of fossil fuels. An economic dispatch model was developed for a nuclear-driven IS system to determine hydrogen sale prices that would make such a system profitable. The system studied is the HTTR-GT/H2, a design for power and hydrogen cogeneration at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency’s High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor. This study focuses on the development of the economic model and the role that input data plays in the final calculated values. Using a historical price duration curve shows that the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) or breakeven sale price of hydrogen would need to be 98.1 JPY/m3 or greater. Synthetic time histories were also used and found the LCOH to be 67.5 JPY/m3. The price duration input was found to have a significant effect on the LCOH. As such, great care should be used in these economic dispatch analyses to select reasonable input assumptions.

Blockchain Technology in Life Cycle Assessment—New Research Trends

Environmental protection is currently one of the key priority areas of the European Union (EU). The search for precise tools to assess the impact of the economy, industry, or the production of individual products or services is crucial for an effective and efficient policy in environmental protection. Blockchain technology, originally related to the financial sector and cryptocurrencies, is an innovative solution that is increasingly being implemented by other areas of the economy and industry sectors. The authors reviewed the literature and based on it presented the possibilities and effects of using blockchain technology in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is in line with the current development trends of this method. The analysis of the research conducted in this area also allowed to present not only the advantages of blockchain in LCA, but also the limitations of this technology and the potential directions of further research.