Lodged Sugarcane/Crop Dividers Interaction: Analysis of Robotic Sugarcane Harvester in Agriculture via a Rigid-Flexible Coupled Simulation Method

As a critical component of the sugarcane harvester, the primary function of the crop dividers is to lift the lodged sugarcane (LS) and reduce the loss rate of the sugarcane harvest. In this study, a rigid-flexible coupling simulation method is proposed to improve the lifting efficiency of the crop dividers on severely LS and analyze the nature of interaction between the sugarcane stalk and the crop dividers. The model’s accuracy was verified using field experiments, and the operational performance of the crop dividers on sugarcane in different lodging postures was investigated. The results showed that the curve of the vertical height of the center (VHC) fluctuated more and slipped with highest frequency during the lifting process of side and forward LS. The speed of VHC was fastest during the lifting operation of side LS. The effect of side angle on the lifting effect of sugarcane was significant; the qualified values of the VHC of sugarcane being lifted in different lodged postures were: side and reverse lodged > side lodged > side and forward lodged. The coupling method and experimental results described in this paper can provide guidance for the optimal design and field operation of the crop dividers.

A conceptual framework for operational performance measurement in wholesale organisations

PurposePerformance measurement involves gaining useful information about performance. The purpose is to develop a conceptual framework to assist wholesale managers in selecting useful information to evaluate operational performance. The proposed framework identifies core operations, measures of operational performance and factors that affect the performance of wholesale organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe research essentially relies on the available literature to develop a conceptual framework and define related components. Research primary data were used to validate the framework components and to implement the framework in wholesale organisations by allocating performance factors to the different components of the proposed framework. Using a semi-structured interview design, ten face-to-face interviews were conducted with managers of ten different wholesale organisations.FindingsThe research identifies five core operations that affect the operational performance in wholesale organisations, four measures for evaluating efficiency and effectiveness in every core operation and 28 factors that influence operational performance in wholesale organisations.Originality/valueOperational performance is monitored by evaluating the achievement of efficiency and effectiveness in operations. The research introduces a performance measurement framework that identifies the required information to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of core operations in wholesale organisations.

IoT-Based Mobile Energy Storage Operation in Multi-MG Power Distribution Systems to Enhance System Resiliency

Multi-microgrids have gained interest in academics and industry in recent years. Multi-microgrid (MG) allows the integration of different distributed energy resources (DERs), including intermittent renewables and controllable local generators, and provides a more flexible, reliable, and efficient power grid. This research formulates and proposes a solution for finding optimal location and operation of mobile energy storage (MES) in multi-MG power distribution systems (PDS) with different resources during extreme events to maximize system resiliency. For this purpose, a multi-stage event-based system resiliency index is defined and the impact of the Internet of things (IoT) application in MES operation in multi-MG systems is investigated. Moreover, the demand and price uncertainty impact on multi-MG operational performance indices is presented. This research uses a popular PG & E 69-bus multi-MG power distribution network for simulation and case studies. A new hybrid PSO-TS optimization algorithm is constructed for the simulations to better understand the contributions of MES units and different DERs and IoT on the operational aspects of a multi-MG system. The results obtained from the simulations illustrate that optimal operation of MES and other energy resources, along with the corresponding energy sharing strategies, significantly improves the distribution system operational performance.

Mediating effect of the organizational culture on the relationship between leadership and operational performance in food processing SMEs

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of leadership on the operational performance of food processing SMEs in Punjab, Pakistan. This study also examines whether the organizational culture plays a mediating role in the relationship between leadership and operational performance. Previous studies explained that visionary leadership and dynamic organizational culture are the key factors for the organization’s success that provide a competitive environment and had an impact on the organization’s performance. The data were collected from 288 food processing SMEs through purposive with snowball sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was employed for data collection from the Owners/Managers of the food processing SMEs. The Partial Least Square (PLS) approach was used to test the proposed hypothesis. The empirical investigations show that leadership is positively related to organizational culture and operational performance. The study also found a mediating role of organizational culture between leadership and operational performance by adopting the Hayes process of mediation. The findings of the study will help food manufacturers in improving the operational performance of their SMEs. Moreover, by practicing transformational leadership styles, and adopting the quality culture, SMEs can get a competitive advantage.

Determinants of airport train operational performance

This study aims to analyze the improvement of the operational performance of Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport train through service quality which is mediated by train passenger loyalty and passenger satisfaction. The main problems in this study are the use of the same railway for long-distance train, airport train, and commuter Line train, the limited use of airport railway with four schedules, the headway which becomes 30 minutes since the number of travels becomes 82 trips, and the tariff being applied now is considered as burdening the passengers. The research method uses a quantitative analysis approach with the technique of Structural Equation Modeling-Lisrel. Data collection is done through observation and questionnaire distribution. The respondents are 306 passengers of trains heading for Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The benefit of this study for the domestic railway company is that by improving service quality, passenger loyalty and satisfaction, it will improve the operational performance of airport trains. The result of this research indicates the significant influence of service quality variable on passenger loyalty through passenger satisfaction, the significant influence of service quality variable on operational performance through passenger satisfaction and passenger loyalty as well as the significant influence of passenger satisfaction variable on operational performance through passenger loyalty.

KINERJA OPERASIONAL PELABUHAN PERIKANAN DI PERAIRAN TELUK SEMANGKA KABUPATEN TANGGAMUS LAMPUNG

The Semangka Bay in Tanggamus Regency of Lampung Province is a potential area for capture fisheries activities. The fishing port as the primary basis for the capture fisheries sector can increase regional economic growth. The fishing ports in Tanggamus Regency have physical and non-physical problems, so efforts to develop fishing ports are needed. The preparation of these efforts required information about the operational conditions of fishing ports. This study aims to describe the operational conditions of the fishing port in the Tanggamus Regency. The research method is descriptive with two stages. The first assessment of the operational performance of fishing ports. Second, gap assessment of fishing ports. The result showed that the average value of fishing ports operational performance is 26%, and the average gap value is 74%. The operational condition of the fishing ports in the Tanggamus Regency is classified as inferior. Fishing port facilities are the criteria with the lowest performance and the highest gap. Improvements to the fishing ports in Tanggamus Regency are needed through procurement and repair of fishing port facilities by local governments.