Structural Characteristics of EV Li-ion Batteries Recycling Supply Chain Network

With the rapid increase in the decommissioning of the EV Li-ion batteries (EV-LIBs), the EV-LIBs recycling industry is growing dramatically. Based on the realistic supply relationship data of major firms in the EV-LIBs recycling industry, this paper uses the complex network theory to construct a global firm-level EV-LIBs recycling supply chain (EV-LIBs-RSC) network and analyze the structural characteristics of the EV-LIBs-RSC network from the network level. Specifically, The degree distribution, average degree, overall density, average shortest path length, and community structure of EV-LIBs-RSC network are systematically analyzed. The relevant results can assist the government in proposing appropriate industrial policies.

Profits Optimization Reasearch of Dual-Channel Supply Chain Oriented to Manufacturers Online Customization and Traditional Retail

Under the background of "Internet +", increasing manufacturers sell standard products through retail channels and sell customized products in electronic channel. The competition about dual-channel supply, relationship between production cost and delivery time and the influences of online market acceptance, product customization attribute value, price and delivery time on online customization and traditional retail markets are considered, based on the decision variables of the price of custom and standard products and the guaranteed delivery time, the Stackelberg models are constructed respectively for the manufacturer-led and retail-led supply chain under decentralized system and the overall profits maximization of the supply chain is modeled under centralized system, the existence and uniqueness of the optimal solutions is proved by the optimization theory. The optimal decisions, market demands and enterprises profits under different systems are compared through numerical examples, the relation between the sensitivity coefficients and the optimal enterprises profits are obtained through the parameters sensitivity analysis. The idea of model construction and relevant conclusions are of reference and significance for manufacturing enterprise management practices.

INFLUENCE OF SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT ON PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of supplier relationship management on performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Methodology: This study employed descriptive research design. The targeted population of this study is comprised of 499 manufacturing companies which are all located in Nairobi and its environs. In order to come up with a representative sample, stratified random sampling method was used since the population is heterogeneous. The stratified technique ensured that each sector in the target population has an equal chance of being selected. There were 217 respondents sampled from the 499 manufacturing firms out of 217 ,180 respondents returned the questionnaires for analysis. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires which were tested for validity and reliability using 10% of the total sample respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and with the help of SPSS version 23 while qualitative data was analyzed descriptively. Linear and multiple regression models were used to show the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables. The information was presented using tables, charts, frequencies, percentages and graphs. Findings: The study established that there exists a positive influence of supplier relations management on performance management of manufacturing firms in Kenya at 5% level of significant (β=0.295, P<0.05). This indicates that as the level of supplier relationship management increases also performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya increases significantly. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study provides evidence that indeed supply relationship management as a strategic alliance influences performance in these organizations. In addition, the study is of benefit to the government of Kenya who should create awareness of their policies through training of the key stakeholders for this organizations since the majority of the respondents 53.17% indicated that the government policies and strategies are ineffective. Supply relationship management had significant effect on organization performance and this requires that to improve on quality production and lead time, manufacturing firms must also improve their supply relationship management. Since the quality of the products has not significantly improved for the last 5 years, more strategies must be put in place to incorporate technology which will aid to improve the quality and also maintain required lead time in these organizations.

Markets, Cultures, and the Politics of Value: The Case of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a global market engaging a variety of local moral economies where the construction of the demand–supply relationship takes different forms through the operation of the politics of value. This paper analyzes how the market–culture relationship works in different settings, showing how power and resources determine what value will, or will not, accrue from that relationship. A commodity’s potential economic value can only be realized through the operation of the market if its cultural status is seen to be legitimate. At the same time, local moral economies and their associated social orders are potentially susceptible to the destabilizing implications of new commodities. The formal or informal organization of power relationships in the market–culture interaction can enable potential value to become manifest and tangible over time or block its path. The interaction is steered through national institutional sources of cultural authority embedded in state and religion, where the visible contest in the politics of value is conducted. Increasingly, that interaction finds its expression in transnational institutions of governance where the struggle for control of the cultural agenda reflects the global nature of the ART market.

Muscle Atrophy and Artery Shrinkage of Residual Limb After Trans-Femoral Amputation: A Morphological Study

Aim: After limb amputation, patients will face many complex postoperative problems. The pathogeny of these problems usually involves blood circulation disorders, vascular lesions and other angioneurotic issues. The correlation between blood flow/vessels and those residual limb problems like the most prevalent muscle atrophy is very importent. Method: Through the case study of eight unilateral trans-femoral amputees, this research performed the morphological index analysis of residual limb muscle atrophy, arterial shrinkage and their potential correlations. Results: The atrophy level of muscles and the shrinkage level of arteries were different. Overall, Different muscles have different atrophy. Compared with the prosthesis users, those cases without using prosthesis exhibited more severe muscle atrophy and arterial shrinkage in their residual limbs. For the correlation between muscle atrophy and arterial shrinkage on the basis of blood supply relationship, there was a positive correlation expressed only in the cases using prosthesis. Conclusion: Using a prosthesis could not only effectively achieve the functional compensation for residual limb, but also promote a joint adaptation of the muscular and arterial physiological state of both the sound and amputated limbs to the new gait pattern and body balance, as well as rehabilitation process.

Pricing and Quality Provision in a Supply Relationship: A Model of Efficient Relational Contracts

This paper develops a model in which a supply relationship can sustain higher effort levels if firms use cross-subsidized pricing.

Dynamic impacts of farm-level technology adoption on the Brazilian dairy supply chain

Agricultural technology adoption that increases individual firm productivity is generally assumed to improve competitiveness and profitability. However, technology that is adopted by many firms in an industry can shift the basic supply relationship, increasing total production while lowering farm prices. While generally beneficial to consumers, this result can reduce (or completely offset) benefits for farmers, especially late or non-adopters. Our objective is to assess the market dynamics of alternative assumptions about exogenous productivity-enhancing technology adoption by Brazilian dairy farms. Of particular interest is the distributional impact on farm incomes and on the proportion of milk production for different farm size classes. To achieve this objective, we developed an empirical System Dynamics model that evaluates market and farm profitability impacts from 2006 to 2016. We simulated six counterfactual scenarios comprising three rates of adoption (slow, medium and fast) by two farm size categories (small and large). Technology adoption impact differs in the short- and long-term and depending on the assumed rates and farm sizes. Non-adopters of technology can experience lower incomes and a smaller production and income shares when other farms adopt. The underlying causal structure of farm profitability and the herd management decisions suffices to explain the potential market exclusion of non-adopting farms (especially small-scale farms) when others adopt.

KERJA SAMA MEMODERASI PENGARUH SISTEM PENGENDALIAN MANAJEMEN TERHADAP KINERJA STRATEGIC SUPPLY RELATIONSHIP (STUDI KASUS RUMAH SAKIT DI KOTA PALEMBANG

This research is a model that tests the effect of performance measurement systems on role clarity,psychological empowerment and managerial performance. This research was conducted at ahospital in the city of Palembang, with a sample of 55 managers. Data collected fromquestionnaires were delivered directly to the object of the research and tested through SEM usingAMOS. The test results show that the Management Control System has a positive and negativeeffect on cooperation, Management Control Systems have a positive and negative effect on SSRsPerformance, Management Control Systems have positive and negative effects on SSRsPerformance with collaboration and communication as moderating variables. That way theManagement Control System effectiveness afects the performance of SSRs.

Labor Supply and the Value of Non-Work Time: Experimental Estimates from the Field

We estimate the marginal value of non-work time (MVT) using a field experiment. We offered job applicants randomized wage-hour bundles. Choices over these bundles yield estimates of the MVT as a function of hours, tracing out a labor supply relationship. The substitution effect is positive. Individual labor supply is highly elastic at low hours and more inelastic at higher hours. For unemployed applicants, our preferred estimate of the average opportunity cost of a full-time job due to lost leisure and household production is 60 percent of after-tax marginal product, and 72 percent when including fixed costs of employment and child-care costs. (JEL C93, J22, J24, J31, J64, J65)

Impact of Technology Adoption on the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in India

Technological innovation is believed to improve organization’s performance stimulates growth and the survival of the organization. Many factors influence the SME performance on technology adoption, such as formal strategy, Organization size, customer and supply relationship, technical capabilities, innovative cost and innovative support. The current study examines the performance of SMEs on technology adoption. It also examines the business performance along with the manufacturing performance of SMEs on adoption of newer technologies. The study uses logistic regression and linear regression to estimate manufacturing and business performance of SMEs. The results convey that the adoption of technologies by SMEs influence their manufacturing performance. Further, it can be concluded that, drivers of technology adoption partly influence the business performance of SMEs.