Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyse and compare the status of manufacturing flexibility adoption, its barriers and adoption practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and ...large firms in India.
Design/methodology/approach
– Using mixed methods sequential explanatory design, this study employs survey responses from 121 firms, followed by 16 semi-structured interviews to investigate and explain the status of manufacturing flexibility adoption, barriers to adoption and practices adopted to achieve flexibility in SMEs and large firms in India.
Findings
– The study suggests that awareness of manufacturing flexibility concept in SMEs is considerably low and application of manufacturing flexibility is still at embryonic stage. It was found that both SMEs and large firms employ manufacturing flexibility, but they differ with respect to their emphasis on adoption practices used to achieve flexibility. SMEs emphasize entrepreneurial orientation and flexible human resource practices to achieve flexibility, whereas large firms emphasize practices such as technological capability, sourcing practices and integration practices to achieve flexibility. The study also illustrates barriers that hinder manufacturing flexibility adoption at plant level in India.
Research limitations/implications
– The study is cross-sectional in nature and is limited to specific regions of India. The use of subjective measures in survey questionnaire is another limitation of the study.
Practical implications
– Practitioners should consider combinations of adoption practices to achieve the desired level of manufacturing flexibility. It is also important to give due consideration to barriers before considering manufacturing flexibility adoption.
Originality/value
– The findings contribute to the manufacturing flexibility and SMEs research by providing insights into manufacturing flexibility adoption from the developing economy perspective and by widening the scope of existing research into SMEs.
Abstract
The first extrasolar planets were discovered serendipitously, by finding the slight variation in otherwise highly regular timing of the pulses, caused by the planets orbiting a millisecond ...pulsar. In analogy with the solar system planets, we predict the existence of aurora on planets around millisecond pulsars. We perform the first magnetohydrodynamic simulations of magnetospheric pulsar–planet interaction and estimate the radio emission from such systems. We find that the radio emission from aurora on pulsar planets could be observable with the current instruments. We provide parameters for such a detection, which would be the first radio detection of an extrasolar planet. In addition to probing the atmosphere of planets in such extreme conditions, of great interest is also the prospect of the first direct probe into the pulsar wind.
PurposeThe study aims to identify and analyse complex interrelationships among factors influencing omnichannel retailing adoption in Indian apparel firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies ...an integrated interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach for understanding the hierarchical and contextual relationship structure among the factors influencing omnichannel retailing adoption.FindingsThe integrated ISM–DEMATEL approach identifies that financial commitment is the most crucial factors followed by technological capability, training and development, performance metrics, supportive organisational structure, collaboration and knowledge sharing, offline–online information aggregation and integrated technological platform. Also, the study reveals that financial commitment and supportive organisational structure impact the majority of factors but are affected by only a few factors.Research limitations/implicationsUnlike previous studies, this study suggests an alternate approach to theory building emerging from the various factors that could be considered while developing omnichannel retailing.Practical implicationsPractitioners should pay close attention to leading factors that influence the adoption of omnichannel retailing, namely, financial commitments, supportive organisational structure, technological capability, integrated technological platform and training and development rather than focusing on significant receivers, such as warehouse management and assortment management.Originality/valueThe integrated approach of ISM-DEMATEL offers a hierarchical model and cause–effect relationship among factors influencing omnichannel retailing adoption.
Abstract The importance of vascularization in the field of bone tissue engineering has been established by previous studies. The present work proposes a novel poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF)/fibrin ...composite scaffold for the development of vascularized neobone tissue. The effect of prevascularization (i.e., in vitro pre-culture prior to implantation) with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on in vivo vascularization of scaffolds was determined. Five conditions were studied: no pre-culture (NP), 1 week pre-culture (1P), 2 week pre-culture (2P), 3 week pre-culture (3P), and scaffolds without cells (control, C). Scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously in a severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model for 9 days. During in vitro studies, CD31 staining showed a significant increase in vascular network area over 3 weeks of culture. Vascular density was significantly higher in vivo when comparing the NP and 3P groups. Immunohistochemical staining of human CD-31 expression indicated spreading of vascular networks with increasing pre-culture time. These vascular networks were perfused with mouse blood indicated by perfused lectin staining in human CD-31 positive vessels. Our results demonstrate that in vitro prevascularization supports in vivo vascularization in PPF/fibrin scaffolds.
Introduction: Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SH) is often treated by thyroxine hormone by general pediatricians considering deranged thyroid profile, attributing the derangement to be the cause of ...obesity. However, childhood obesity increases the risk of SH by means of adaptive mechanisms. Aim: To study the prevalence of SH and their lipid profile derangement in overweight and obese children of Indian population. Materials and Methods: The present study was a crosssectional study conducted in which 60 children, between 5 to 15 years of age, presenting in Department of Paediatrics at ESI PGIMSR Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India from October 2019 to April 2021 were enrolled. The children were grouped into two with 30 in each-overweight (Body Mass Index (BMI) between 23rd to 27th adult equivalent) and obese (BMI more than 27th adult equivalent) children. They were assessed for biochemical derangement including thyroid profile and lipid profile. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 9.3 years and male/female was 41/19. Mean BMI of the obese children was 24.24 kg/m2 and that of overweight was 20.4 kg/m2 . Seven (23.33%) children in overweight group and nine (30%) in obese group were diagnosed with SH (normal T4 with high TSH level). Nine out of the total 16 children with SH also had dyslipidaemia. Conclusion: About 23% in overweight and 30% in obese children were found to have subclinical hypothyroidism. Nine out of these 16 children with subclinical hypothyroidism also had dyslipidaemia.
PurposeThe study aims to conceptualize and empirically develop an instrument to measure manufacturing flexibility development practices in firms.Design/methodology/approachUsing a dataset of 315 ...responses, a series of procedures were used to develop, modify and refine item measures of constructs to enhance their reliability and validity. Further, following a competing model strategy, alternative models were compared to finalize the manufacturing flexibility development practices.FindingsThe study develops 36-item instrument capturing eight distinct constructs that influence manufacturing flexibility development, namely operational improvement practices, supplier integration practices, advanced manufacturing technologies, advanced human resource practices, supplier flexibility, customer integration practices, marketing and manufacturing integration practices and product-process technology integration. The derived factors exhibit an adequate level of consistency, reliability and validity.Research limitations/implicationsSince the external environment is always affected by externalities, tools and technologies used to develop flexibility may also vary over time. Therefore, the developed measurement instrument can be used over the medium term. Further, the statistical generalizability of this study cannot be drawn beyond the scope of this sample.Practical implicationsThe derived items measure and their underlying factor structure facilitates practitioners to identify areas that need attention. Practically, practitioners should strive to improve multiple factors that influence manufacturing flexibility to arrive at the full realization of flexibility.Originality/valueThis study is probably the first to develop an instrument for assessing the factors influencing the potential of manufacturing flexibility.
Introduction: The causes for short stature are multifactorial. The recombinant Growth Hormone (rGH) is used worldwide for its treatment however there is paucity of data on use of growth hormone in ...Indian Children. Aim: To study the effect of rGH in Indian children with short stature who were enrolled under ESIC scheme. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. Subjects who had short stature (≤2SD) and diagnosed to have Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) by stimulation test and other causes for which growth hormone was indicated were enrolled. All subjects received treatment at ESI PGIMSR Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India, from July 2016 to July 2020, without discontinuation for more than one week. The data regarding gain in height was collected at the end of first year and then at the end of second year. Height velocity and change in Height SD were calculated (Mean±Standard Deviations). The associations and correlations were calculated by Spearman correlation test. Results: This study included data of 27 children (19 male and 8 female) with short stature. The mean age at treatment initiation was 9.85 years±3.04. The most common aetiology for which growth hormone was started was Idiopathic GHD (IGHD) seen in (15/27) 55.5% followed by Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency (MPHD) 18.5% (5/27). The mean height and height SD at baseline was 111.76 cm ±17.40 and -3.85±1.19 (-6.0 to -1.5), respectively. The mean bone age delay (chronological age‑bone age difference) was 40.96±25.58 months. The height velocity response was maximum during the first year of treatment (8.74±2.59 cm), declining to 8.13±2.30 cm in the second year. Correlation of the treatment response with age at treatment initiation, bone age delay and MPH was not significant. C onclusion: It was found that the growth velocity was significantly increased after one year of treatment. The study provides long term follow-up and response to rGH Treatment (rGHT) in Indian children enrolled under ESIC scheme however prospective studies with large sample size and longer follow‑up duration which can report final height outcomes are needed.
PurposeThe objective of this paper is to empirically test and verify the enablers of volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility and to assess the influence of these flexibilities on operational ...performance.Design/methodology/approachA research framework consisting of nine pairs of hypotheses was developed using an extensive literature review. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 391 responses were collected, and these responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling techniques.FindingsThe findings empirically confirm the enablers of volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility. The proposed model explained 59 percent variance in volume flexibility and 63 percent variance in product-mix flexibility. Volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility together explained 38 percent variance in operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, this study advances flexibility literature in two significant ways. First, the study conducts first of its kind quantitative empirical investigation considering upstream, downstream, and internal integration practices as enablers of volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility. Second, this study adds to the flexibility literature by suggesting the positive influence of volume and product-mix flexibility on the operational performance of firms.Originality/valueThe study reinforces the role of enablers in the development of volume and product-mix flexibilities. Thus, the study provides a comprehensive view of flexibility enablers that can be used as a diagnostic tool, which practitioners can use to assess and deploy flexibility.
PurposeThe study aims to assess and prioritise the enablers of manufacturing flexibility by evaluating the degree of environmental uncertainty and manufacturing flexibility in an uncertain ...environment.Design/methodology/approachThe study proposes a methodological approach based on fuzzy quality function deployment (FQFD), fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (FAHP) and fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) to assess and prioritise enablers of manufacturing flexibility in an uncertain environment.FindingsThe study proposes a methodological approach that can facilitate firms to concentrate on preferred enablers and assist them in formulating a strategy to develop manufacturing flexibility. The empirical case study analysis of an Indian auto-air conditioning manufacturing firm was done to illustrate the effectiveness, flexibility and feasibility of the proposed approach.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed approach is limited to manufacturing flexibility. This study does not consider inter-dependencies among environmental uncertainties.Practical implicationsThe proposed methodological approach can assist practitioners in the identification and development of the preferred enablers to improve manufacturing flexibility. Thus, practitioners can invest strategically in the right resources to improve manufacturing flexibility.Originality/valueThe study proposes and validates a methodological approach that simultaneously addresses drivers and enablers of manufacturing flexibility; therefore, it aims to fill the gaps of earlier studies that have majorly studied flexibility concept in an isolated way.
Introduction: Cancer cervix is a major health problem responsible for causing a higher mortality rate in women worldwide; the exponential increase in such cases can be reduced by early screening of ...women. The cytology-based cervical screening had a higher success rate in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the use of Pap smear screening to find cytological abnormalities and precancerous lesions. Materials and Methods: Sexually active women over 21 years of age were enrolled for the study. A detailed history was taken on the preformed proforma, and all were subjected to vaginal examination. Samples for Pap smear were taken with the help of Ayre spatula and immediately spread over a marked grease-free glass slide and dipped into 95% ethyl alcohol fixative for cytological examination. Results: Most of the abnormality of the epithelial cells found was in the age range of 31-50 years, and most of them were multiparous. 47.92% of the women had a chief complaint of vaginal discharge, an irregular menstrual cycle in 11.07%, and abdominal pain in 7.83%, while 30.41% were asymptomatic. Women found negative for intraepithelial neoplasia were 82.94%, while 13.36% had an inflammatory smear. 0.92% atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 2.78% Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) were found, no woman had High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Conclusion: Pap smear is a simple, cost-effective, non-invasive, and easy to perform tool for early detection of precancerous lesions, and it is evident that every woman above the age of 25-30 years must be recommended for cervical screening.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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