Artificial Intelligence in the Water–Energy–Food Model: A Holistic Approach towards Sustainable Development Goals

This study aims to analyze the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus under the lens of institutional, stakeholder, and innovation theories. Specifically, this study focuses on AI as the technology adopted by companies to promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A structured literature review has been conducted on 94 articles published from 1990 to 2021 in ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. This study develops an in-depth review of the literature on the main articles arguing about these issues. The findings highlight the increasing relevance of AI in the water, energy, and food industries individually considered, but the study of AI as a connector between water, energy, and food to achieve SDGs is still under investigation. Research on AI for WEF nexus management has adopted mostly a technical perspective, neglecting the relevance of management tools and the business model concept. Most of the articles did not adopt a specific theoretical lens, but scholars recognize the need to adopt a multi-stakeholder approach and the important role played by AI and other digital technologies to address the WEF nexus challenge. This study proposes an integrated approach for managing the nexus through AI technologies to meet sustainable and responsible business models. The gap between research and policy making could be filled by combining scientific data and policy needs with inclusive tools that are technically viable for sustainable resource utilization.

THERMAL SIMULATION OF CNC MILLING MACHINE DRIVES

The publication deals with the design of thermal simulation of CNC milling machine drives. The first part of the publication defines the individual parts of the thermal model concept and their mutual influence. Subsequently, simulations of drives were created. The first thermal model is defined for a stepper motor which is a drive for the linear axes of a CNC milling machine. Subsequently, the design of the thermal drive of the spindle is analysed, which uses a DC motor with permanent magnets. Using previous models of the drive, a model of the entire CNC milling machine was designed. In the last part, the model was compared with real measurements, which evaluated the tolerances of the system.

Business Model Enriched With User Experience, as a Systemic Tool in Service Design

Service design and business model design are considered in the literature as separate approaches to value creation for the customer. User experience, as a concept that represents a holistic emotional and meaningful result of the interaction with information technologies, is nowadays an important ingredient of the customer value. This paper aims to theoretically set the ground for using the business model concept as a systemic tool in service design that will support the design for user experience. Against this background, we ask: Can the business model concept successfully represent a system that is required for the value proposition-based service exchange? We investigate this question based on service-dominant logic and accompanying service science, and semantically compare elements of the service system, service ecosystem, and ten service science basic concepts. The analysis shows that the business model canvas, the chosen model for business model representation, satisfies the systemic perspective and can erve as a system platform for integrating with service design.

Empirical Indicators: Conceptual and Theoretical Origins

This paper discusses the connections between nursing conceptual model concepts, middle-range theory, and situation-specific theory concepts, as well as between the theory concepts and how they are measured, that is, empirical indicators. Three types of empirical indicators are described—instruments, assessment tools, and interventions—and an example of each type is given. The paper’s central thesis is that a conceptual model concept is —or should be— the starting point for selecting or constructing an empirical indicator.

NC 4.0, a Novel Approach to Nonconformities Management: Prioritizing Events With Risk Management Tools

Quality 4.0, the correspondent quality practice fit to address the Industry 4.0 mindset, is expected to provide models and processes endorsed by continuous improvement and data-driven proofs, especially given the exponential growth in available data. The research consolidates the reality of big data availability (part of Quality 4.0) with a generic aspect of quality—managing nonconformities. Its purpose is to suggest a model to improve the initiation step for dealing with nonconformity by prioritizing these events. The new concept in the model suggested is incorporating the risk management method of prioritizing into the nonconformity’s management. These tools are designed to transform qualitative data into quantitative ones and enable easier decision-making, in this case, choosing which issue to deal with first. The research approach is developing and testing the suggested model as a pilot in a real production environment to establish its impact and define key guidelines for utilizing it in various processes and, in addition, to conduct a survey among quality experts from different organizations for reference. Two main outcomes were achieved during the research: The quality experts’ survey welcomed the model concept as a structured tool based on the solid risk management methodology. Implementing the model on actual production lines resulted in a significant reduction of NC financial impact as the events were solved as per their impact.

Coupling business models and business strategies to strategic thinking: a strategy-as-practice perspective / Acoplar modelos de negócio e estratégias empresariais ao pensamento estratégico: uma perspectiva de estratégia como prática

In this paper we make an investigation to examine how the business model and business strategy concepts are used as a strategizing device into managers’ strategic thinking process from the strategy-as-practice perspective. An action research method was applied in four Brazilian companies. We have collected empirical evidences that suggest that fitting the business model and the business strategy concepts appropriately into managers’ strategic thinking raises the chances that this process becomes more creative at the individual and at the organizational level. As opposed to other academic definitions, we have hypothesized that reaching strategic thinking at the organizational level is more influenced by the vision of the top management rather than by the strategic thinking abilities of middle managers. This paper extends strategy-as-practice research suggesting four ways that the business model concept can be used as a strategizing device. Also, we point out that the business model concept can give new directions to the strategic thinking research, as well as to the strategic change research. In the end, we suggest that strategy practitioners need to emphasize their strategic dialogues more on intentions rather than just on numbers. We also suggest that managers need to add experimentation into their strategic thinking process, in order to low the risk of taking competitive moves that comprise business model changes.

Social Enterprise in Small Hydropower (SHP) Owned by a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) between a Food Cooperative and a Social Venture Company; a Case Study of the 20 kW Shiraito (Step3) SHP in Itoshima City, Fukuoka (Japan)

There was an unprecedented growth of SHP (small hydropower) in Japan during recent years because the government has provided a high FIT (USD 0.32/kWh) for SHP development projects of less than 200 kW. The public and private sectors are committed to harnessing this natural energy to achieve the renewable energy goal as well as to improve local communities social and economic conditions. This paper will discuss about renewable energy initiatives by a food corporation enterprise (FCOOP) based in Fukuoka prefecture of Japan to reduce their net carbon emissions. A detailed approach for social enterprises-based SHP development has been discussed which will be a role model concept for other social enterprises in Japan and in the world that are willing to reduce CO2 emissions. Also, this kind of project connects urban stake holders with local community where resources are available and it leads to development of the local community living standards. As a demonstrated example, a case study of a 20 kW SHP installed in Japan by a FCOOP has been discussed.