Search

This article presents a comprehensive investigation into the structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of Ba1−xCoxFe12O19 (x = 0.00, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50) prepared at 1100 °C using the heat treatment method. The FTIR analysis revealed the formation of the ferrite phase. XRD analysis provided valuable crystallographic parameters and confirmed the formation of M-type hexaferrites along with a BaFe2O4 phase. TGA investigations elucidated the thermal stability after 600 °C. VSM measurements unveiled the variation in magnetic saturation with cobalt substitutions from 24.390 to 41.629 Am2 kg−1; coercivity from 1508 to 3577 Oe. Formed samples are magnetically hard in nature. The dielectric measurements indicate that the conduction observed at low frequencies can be attributed to the presence of grain boundaries, while the conduction observed at higher frequencies is mostly influenced by the grains themselves. All samples have a frequency-dependent increase in AC conductivity. These findings contribute to the understanding of its potential applications in the automotive industry, sensors, biomedical applications and related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prior literature has discussed the benefits of the circular economy business model (CEBM) while working to streamline the environmental aspect, touching upon the social aspect and improving the economic aspect. These aspects have been widely recognised as pillars of sustainability. Thus, prior scholars have sought to identify the relationship between the CEBM and sustainability. However, the extant literature, which remains relatively nascent, has failed to clarify this linkage for each pillar of sustainability. To address this lacuna, we followed a systematic literature review (SLR) approach to determine the current state of research on the CEBM and sustainability. Our study identifies and presents the thematic foci in the prior literature, which highlight the linkages between the CEBM and the pillars of sustainability. These thematic foci include the CEBM and sustainability, the CEBM and the environmental dimension, the CEBM and the social dimension and the CEBM and the economic dimension. In addition, this SLR recognises various research gaps within each theme and offers actionable avenues for future research. We also propose a conceptual framework, rooted in social capital theory (SCT), that highlights the linkages between the CEBM and sustainability. Our findings reveal that research at the intersection of the CEBM and sustainability considers the CEBM an integral component of sustainability. We conclude by presenting our work's theoretical and practical implications, which can assist scholars and organisations to incorporate the pillars of sustainability within their CEBMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Erbium substituted X-type Ba 2 Co 2 Er x Fe 28- x O 46 (x = 0.00, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16, and 0.20) hexaferrites were prepared by the method of heat treatment. The obtained precursors were heated at 1350 °C for 6 h. XRD investigation reveals that x = 0.0 sample possesses X, W-type, and α-Fe 2 O 3 phases, while Er- substituted samples show presence of X and W phases. The room temperature Mössabuer spectra have been fitted with five sextets. A variation in saturation magnetization (M S) is explained and supported by the Mössbauer spectroscopy. The maximum values of M S (52.29 Am2/kg) and anisotropy field- Ha (1370 kA/m) are found for x = 0.12 composition. Similarly, the maximum relative area (~69%) for spin up sites (k + a + b) is also found for x = 0.12 composition. Low frequency (20 Hz–2 MHz) dielectric response of all samples show normal behavior of ferromagnetic materials. The dielectric measurements reveal that the conduction in low frequency is due to grain boundary contributions and at the higher frequency it is due to grain contributions. AC conductivity is found to increase with frequency in all prepared hexaferrites. The substituted compositions can have potential applications in filter application due to soft ferrite behavior and low dielectric loss tangent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing knowledge has become a critical aspect of the contemporary business landscape. In addition, business no longer has profit as the sole purpose of their existence. Therefore, there has been growing impetus for socially and environmentally conscious business actions. The present article takes a dimensional view of the process of knowledge management. The authors disaggregate the process along three dimensions- knowledge acquisition, knowledge dissemination and responsiveness to knowledge and investigate their impact on sustainable business performance. In addition, this article assesses the moderating role of empowering leadership in the relationship between knowledge management components. Among various leadership behaviors, empowering leadership has assumed critical significance owing to growing chorus on providing autonomy and empowerment to employees. This article tests the hypotheses on data collected from manufacturing firms in India. The results demonstrate a positive relationship between dimensions of knowledge management, as well as positive moderation by empowering leadership. Further, the authors discuss implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the state of the art of the literature in the domain of food loss and waste (FLW) in food supply chains (FSC). The authors used a systematic literature review (SLR) approach to examine and synthesise the findings of the existing literature to identify the key research themes, research gaps and avenues of future research on FLW in FSC. To this end, this SLR considered 152 articles relevant for the review. The authors uncovered the extant literature in the domain by presenting the research profile of the selected studies, along with thematic analysis. The authors identified eight key themes from the extant literature. The themes range from factors responsible for FLW generation to new, emerging areas of research such as digitalisation and food surplus redistribution. The study's findings will help clarify existing practices in FSC for waste mitigation and act as a foundation for strategic and policy initiatives in this area. The findings indicate that the major factors responsible for FLW include the poor management of perishable food items, stakeholder attitudes, buyer−supplier agreements and supply chain interruptions. Some of the important implications of the study include formal guidelines and policy-level interventions for assisting the accurate quantification of FLW along with an impetus on digitalisation to reduce FLW. The study concludes with the development of a research framework to assist future research in this domain. • The study presents an SLR on food loss and waste in food supply chain. • Formal guidelines for waste quantification are indispensable. • The authors revised 152 articles and identified eight key research themes on FLW in FSC. • Factors responsible for FLW generation is one of the most popular themes. • Internet of things and use of digital technologies are important emerging themes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature has proposed several barriers to Industry 4.0 adoption or digitalisation. The present study assesses how the intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to digitalisation affect Industry 4.0 adoption by the firms. The paper also evaluates how these barriers influence the linkage between digitalisation and the firm's performance with regards to its supply chain competency as well as operational performance. Sketching the arguments from the resource-based view as well as the contingency approach, a model for Industry 4.0 adoption is developed. Eight hypotheses encompassing the intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to digitalisation, digitalisation practices, and two constructs of firm performance constitute the model, which is tested on 143 manufacturing companies using Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS). The findings suggest that intrinsic and extrinsic barriers are negatively linked with the digitalisation. The analysis also reveals that Industry 4.0 adoption improves operational performance as well as supply chain competency. The paper sheds light on the contingency effects of extrinsic barriers on digitalisation. This research would assist the practitioners and policymakers to comprehend the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic barriers. Image 1 • Study empirically examines effects of barriers to digitalisation. • Intrinsic and extrinsic barriers are negatively linked with the digitalisation. • The contingency perspective and resource-based view of the firm is utilised. • Industry 4.0 adoption improves operational performance. • Supply chain competency is positively linked to digitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of healthcare waste from different patient care activities in hospitals, pathology labs and research centres has been a matter of great concern for environmental and social bodies across the world. This concern comes from its infectious and hazardous nature which brings life taking disease such as human immunodeficiency virus and Hepatitis-B. Moreover, with the outbreak of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic across the world, healthcare waste has become even more infectious like never before and showing its potential for claiming lives if not disposed properly. Additionally, the COVID-19 has put up another challenge in terms of exponentially increasing demand for personal protective equipments for healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, ward boys, and sanitation workers. In this paper, seven criteria related to smart healthcare waste disposal system infused by circular economy aspects to recover value from disposables are identified and analysed using a decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The criteria have been prioritized by its importance and net cause and effect relationship through a causal diagram. Two criteria, (i) digitally connected healthcare centres, waste disposal firms and pollution control board, and (ii) providing a pollution control board's feedback app to public and other stakeholders, feature as strong reasons for a smart healthcare waste disposal system. Conclusively, this study provides a causal relationship model among the intertwined drivers of industry 4.0 and circular economy for developing a smart healthcare waste disposal system enriched with the benefits of circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M-type hexagonal ferrites with chemical composition Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co x Al x Fe 12-2x O 19 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) have been synthesized using a standard ceramic method. The electromagnetic or microwave parameters have been measured in the frequency range of 8.2 to 12.4 GHz using a vector network analyzer. The microwave absorption or reflection loss (RL) of different compositions has been evaluated comprehensively as a function of frequency, thickness and substitution Co 2 + and Al 3 + ions. The frequency dependence of microwave absorption, accompanied by the observed RL peaks in compositions, is governed by the quarter wavelength and/or impedance matching mechanisms. It was observed that composition x = 0.2 possesses highest RL peak of − 40.4 and − 39.7 dB at 11.72 and 10.63 GHz with thickness of 1.4 and 1.5 mm respectively. It also exhibits − 10 dB wideband absorption bandwidth of 3.27 GHz at 1.5 mm and − 20 dB absorption bandwidth of 1.09 GHz at 1.4 mm. Composition x = 1.0 owes − 20 dB narrowband absorption bandwidth of 170 MHz at 1.7 mm. The microwave absorption can be tuned by varying frequency, thickness and substitution of Co 2 + and Al 3 + ions. The large RL suggests that the compositions could be a potential candidate for microwave absorbing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]