Search

Educators and researchers have increasingly recognized the importance of AI literacy. Despite the growing body of AI literacy literature, the challenges and enablers for introducing AI literacy for kindergarten children is still underexplored and undertheorized in early childhood education. It is critical to understand the challenges and enablers associated with promoting AI literacy and perceptions in kindergartens needs to be further researched and evaluated. This study aims to identify teachers' views on the importance of AI literacy in kindergartens and the challenges and enablers of promoting AI literacy in kindergartens. Data was collected from 15 teachers through individual interviews. It was found that the four main challenges of promoting AI literacy in kindergarten classrooms, including lack of school support, lack of children's comprehensive ability, insufficient teacher knowledge of AI, and lack of curriculum guidelines. The three main enablers of promoting AI literacy in kindergarten classrooms are government support, school support, and social needs. We also found that more than half of teachers in this study considered AI literacy education is crucial for kindergarten children. This study develops an AI literacy policy framework for young children that includes three dimensions—governance, pedagogical, and operational and management. Based on the findings, suggestions for educators, curriculum developers, policymakers, and researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solar photovoltaic energy supply chain (SPvESC) is a global network with several linkages, including mineral and metal mining, material processing, and module and panel manufacturing. Due to the wide range of uncertainties and the unfavorable environmental effects associated with current linear business models, this global network is vulnerable to disruptions. Strengthening the resilience of SPvESCs is crucial for addressing any disturbances. This requires identifying the key enablers of resilience in SPvESCs, an area that has been understudied in the existing literature. An enabler is an aspect that facilitates the achievement of a goal by another aspect. This research contributes to the existing literature by systematically investigating the enablers for SPvESCs to achieve resilience. Thus, the objective of this analysis is to identify enablers that have the potential to enhance the resilience of SPvESCs in Türkiye. This was done by applying the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) in conjunction with a review of the current literature. Neutrosophic (N)-DEMATEL was then utilized to determine the relationships between the identified enablers. Finally, the results were validated using N-DELPHI. The results revealed that sensing and seizing new business models, adaptability to changes in novel energy generation and information technologies, and business contingency plans for natural and man-made disasters were the most influential enablers. The findings provide implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to help ensure improved resilience in SPvESCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review is to investigate barriers and enablers of diabetes self-management strategies among migrant Arabic-speaking background [ASB] individuals living with type 2 diabetes in high-income Western countries. Despite living in high-income Western countries, individuals from ASB are perceived to have difficulties adopting self-management strategies and this necessitates gaining an understanding of factors that may impact the uptake of these strategies. Ten studies are included in this review: five quantitative and five qualitative. Quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal and Hawker tools. The findings of the quantitative studies were descriptively analysed, while thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative studies. The results indicate that individuals from ASB are perceived to have low levels of adherence to diabetes self-management. It is also suggested that participants who did not complete high school have poorer glycaemic control compared to those with a high school qualification (30 vs. 16%). Regular exercise was reported to be less likely to be adopted by ASBs homemakers, and those who were unemployed, by 82% and 70%, respectively, compared to those employed (homemakers: OR = 0.187, P = 0.006; 95% CI = 056–0.620), (unemployed OR = 0.30, P = 0.046; 95% CI = 0.093–0.980). Cultural, social, religious beliefs, lack of knowledge and language barriers are some of the factors identified that impact self-management among ASB individuals. It is suggested that diabetes self-management education program (DSME) tailored to ASB immigrants culture may be an effective way to encourage them to uptake self-management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Informal carers are an integral part of any health care system. However, provision of informal care is associated with caregiver burden and decreased wellbeing. Mindfulness programs can reduce caregiving burden and improve wellbeing among informal carers, but they face challenges when participating in face-to-face programs. Studies have explored the effects of online delivery of mindfulness programs for informal carers. However, the enablers and barriers for participation are not well understood. This review aimed to synthesise the evidence and provide a comprehensive understanding of the enablers and barriers to participation in online mindfulness programs among this population. Methods: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute mixed-methods systematic review approach and using eight databases. All empirical studies published in English and involving informal carers aged over 18 years were included. Critical appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Thematic analysis was conducted to integrate the data. Results: Nine studies were included: three quantitative, two qualitative, and four mixed methods. Three subthemes for enablers and barriers were developed. Three subthemes for enablers included self-motivation, positive experience of mindfulness, and program structure and delivery. Three subthemes for barriers included lack of self-motivation, external factors preventing participation, and program structure and delivery. The enablers and barriers were interrelated within and across the identified themes. Conclusions: A comprehensive synthesis of current evidence was provided for consideration when developing online mindfulness-based interventions for informal carers. Further investigation is recommended, particularly in relation to the enablers and barriers to engagement by informal carers. Preregistration: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023409311). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization has led companies to adopt a sustainable green perspective in their logistics business to achieve their financial goals and fulfill social and environmental aspects. A growing number of logistics organizations are now willing to adopt sustainability in their operations because of external pressure and to enhance their marketing. As it is difficult to change traditional logistics activities into sustainable green logistics, this study aims to identify and prioritize critical enablers for implementing sustainable green logistics, as no previous research discusses sustainable green logistics enablers by adopting an integrated modeling approach. In total, 21 enablers were identified with the assistance of 118 articles related to sustainable and green logistics. Initially, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to group relevant enablers into their concerning domain. Second, the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach analyzed interrelationships among enablers by finding cause-and-effect behavior and ranking them accordingly. Finally, the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) method formed a robust theoretical framework according to the results achieved with the assistance of fuzzy DEMATEL. Based on the acquired results, aspects A5 (Customer) and A7 (External management) are considered critical. At the same time, enablers E18 (Organization's/Top management support), E2 (Government regulation and legislation), and E14 (Public and consumers' pressure) got the highest ranking in achieving sustainable green logistics. This research will help the researchers and managers of logistics operations to build a suitable strategy before adopting sustainable green logistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

End-of-life vehicles (ELV) management is essential for sustainable development and waste minimization. However, the ELV recycling companies are facing supply and demand uncertainties in the product recovery of ELV. This study aims to identify the critical enablers and inhibitors for economic sustainability in Malaysia's supply and demand of ELV. The study adopted a qualitative interview approach in six ELV-related case companies. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was performed to assess the identified enablers (strengths and opportunities) and inhibitors (weaknesses and threats). The common strengths presented are the quality of cores (used parts) received and the strategic location of the case companies to optimize the reverse logistic network. The highlighted weaknesses are lack of established standard operating procedures, low employee specialization skills, and poor adoption of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies. The identified opportunity includes specific market demand from targeted customers, while the most prevalent threats are supply uncertainty in quantities of cores, no ELV policy in Malaysia, an inadequate subsidy system, customer misconceptions, and a market acceptance barrier for ELV products. The case companies and relevant stakeholders can formulate appropriate business strategies and policy frameworks to improve economic sustainability for optimizing the value chain of ELV in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher education institutions are essential generators and disseminators of knowledge; however, they must create conditions to lay the foundations supported by knowledge enablers and manage knowledge efficiently. In addition, intellectual capital and innovation are elements that help this process; if everything is correctly articulated, the academic staff and institution will promote better performance. This article analyzes how three knowledge enablers (leadership, culture, and organizational incentives) influence the knowledge management process. In turn, this process encourages the development of better intellectual capital and innovation in the teachers of Higher Education Institutions. A survey applied to 434 academics made it possible to collect information that, through structural equation models of partial least squares, allowed validation of the proposed hypotheses. The study results indicate that organizational culture and leadership significantly influence the knowledge management process. In addition, this process significantly influences intellectual capital and innovation. Finally, the vital link between the variables studied is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate about the adoption of green technologies (GTs) is trending due to increasing environmental concerns across the globe. In the context of the manufacturing industry, the research about enablers to GT adoption while using the ISM-MICMAC approach is scarce. Hence, the empirical analysis of GT enablers is being done in this study using a novel ISM-MICMAC method. Firstly, the research framework is developed by using the ISM-MICMAC methodology. Then, enablers to GTs were extracted from existing studies and validated by experts. Results showed that the most significant enabler to GT adoption is providing incentives for green manufacturers (1) in the ISM model. So, manufacturing firms must take initiatives for GTs to mitigate the negative environmental impact of industrialization without losing their earnings. This research brings substantial empirical scholarship to understand GT enablers and their contribution in GT enabler incorporation in the manufacturing industry of developing economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal for Educational & Vocational Guidance is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: 'Exercise snacking', which is characterised by shorter and more frequent exercise bouts compared with traditional exercise guidelines, may be an acceptable strategy for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in older adults. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the enablers and barriers for older adults associated with participation in a home-based exercise snacking program delivered and monitored using an Amazon Echo Show 5 device (Alexa). Methods: This study used an interpretive description qualitative design to conduct semi-structured interviews following a 12-week pilot study in 15 adults aged 60–89 years with at least one chronic condition. All participants were prescribed a home based, individualised, lower limb focussed 'exercise snacking' program (involving ≤ 10 min of bodyweight exercises 2–4 times per day) delivered and monitored by an Alexa. Qualitative interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: All 15 participants (mean age 70.3 years) attended the semi-structured interview. Themes including time efficiency, flexibility, perceived health benefits, and motivation were enablers for participation in the 'exercise snacking' program. A lack of upper body exercises and omission of exercise equipment in the program, as well as a lack of time and motivation for performing exercise snacks three or more times per day, were barriers to participation. Conclusion: While 'exercise snacking' is acceptable for older adults, future trials should provide equipment (e.g. adjustable dumbbells, exercise bands), prescribe whole-body exercise programs, and establish strategies to support participation in more than three exercise snacks per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An international need exists for effective programmes that will enhance learners' interest in studies and careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, i.e. STEM. When considering the impact of STEM programmes, it is important to identify what can enable or constrain effective programme implementation. As such, enablers can be systematically supported and constraints tackled to maximise a programme's impact. This study considers a nationwide STEM programme in Finland that involved 450 teachers and their learning communities. The study followed an interpretative paradigm, collecting data through semi-structured interviews and analysed with data-driven thematic analysis. The study participants were 14 external change agents operating between participating learning communities and the national programme administration and, thus, had a valuable overview on how the programme evolved. The most important enablers of effective programme implementation were versatile support, programme flexibility and long-term vision. Two major constraints were limited resources and collaboration challenges. Considering the findings of this study can help design effective STEM programmes by providing various support mechanisms for educators, particularly scaffolding; peer and school administrator support; flexibility to enable embedding activities and adapting programme objectives to participants' everyday work; long-term vision to support both lifelong learning and a continuum between different STEM programmes; sufficient time and economic resources to achieve a long-term impact; and collaboration and networking opportunities at the local, regional, national and international levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children and adolescents worldwide, especially girls, do not meet moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guidelines, a situation which is related to obesity and other comorbidities. Sex/gender differences in the practice of MVPA and motivations to engage in physical activity have not been previously examined among Spanish students considering different educational levels. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore these differences and analyse if motivations mediate the relationship between educational levels and MVPA in a large sample of students. From different schools in the Madrid region (primary: 11,122; lower secondary: 12,379; upper secondary: 3228) 26,729 students (13,491 boys and 13,238 girls; 9–19 years old) were recruited to participate in this study. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the third version of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire were used to evaluate, MVPA and motivations to exercise, respectively. Two-way ANCOVA and a mediation analysis were performed. Female students were found to be less active than males (43.4±38.7 and 58.6±45.9 min of MVPA; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.023) and showed lower intrinsic (ηp2 = 0.003), and integrated (ηp2 = 0.007) motivations than their male counterparts (p < 0.001). Primary school students were more active than lower and upper secondary students (53.3±44.2, 49.9±42.3 and 48.0±42.8 min of MVPA; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.002) and also presented higher intrinsic (ηp2 = 0.011) and integrated (ηp2 = 0.010) motivation than secondary school students (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Among Spanish children and adolescents, females showed lower levels of MVPA and intrinsic and integrated motivation across all the educational levels, and among primary school students in comparison to secondary school. This suggests that inner motivation is more determinant of increased engagement in MVPA and thus, there is need to reinforce it before the transition to secondary school and with special focus on females' preferences. What is Known: •Many children and adolescents worldwide, do not meet physical activity (PA) recommendations. • Within the self-determination theory, autonomous motivation seems to be the main responsible of greater PA levels. What is New: •This study shows for the first time sex and educational level differences in PA levels in a representative sample of Spanish students (9-19 yrs). •Autonomous motivation decreased from primary school onwards and was lower in female students than in their male counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is an important societal sector and a major consumer of energy. Improved energy efficiency is important for this sector, but energy efficiency at construction sites has so far been under-researched. The aim of this article is to analyse the drivers of and barriers to improved energy efficiency at construction sites, as perceived by professional actors. The peer-reviewed research and the grey literature on the topic were reviewed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 relevant professionals in Sweden. The identified barriers were related to lack of money, split incentives, lack of standards and procedures, low electricity prices, lack or regulations, lack of knowledge and information and the conservatism of the industry. The identified drivers were regulations forcing actors to implement energy efficiency, environmental and building certifications, internal education, be part of an industry network, engaged electricity utility company providing information, supportive top and site managers, competition between construction sites, the existence of a plan, checklists or project database, back-office support and client demand of energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) meets the challenges of dynamic customer demands, technological advancements, and reducing lead time, among other things. It was necessary to have a framework that can assist in increasing RMS adoption as well as evaluating its performance. The present study seeks to develop a hybrid framework for prioritizing performance metrics of RMS that helps the designers of the manufacturing system in decision making. A total of 31 enablers for RMS were identified through a literature review, the weight of each enabler was computed by the fuzzy-AHP (analytic hierarchy process) method, and the fuzzy-TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method was used to prioritize 22 performance metrics of RMS. According to the findings of the presented study, smart factory enablers have the highest weightage among all of the main criteria enablers, followed by strategy and policy enablers. The prioritization of performance metrics reveals that the top three most important performance metrics for RMS are lead time, reconfiguration time, and product flexibility. The feasibility and appropriateness of the framework was tested through a case analysis in the manufacturing organization. The framework developed has a high capacity to assist designers during the adoption of the RMS and will facilitate the identification of the relevant parameters. The authors believe that researchers and professionals will find this study as a ready reference for the stepwise adoption of RMS. The study presented here is likely the first to present a hybrid framework for RMS in which a set of enablers and performance metrics are presented together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality management has been widely discussed in the literature, and recent special issues on humanitarian supply chains and relief operations have emphasized the increasing importance of quality management in this key emerging area. In this paper, we provide an extensive literature review in the field of quality management in humanitarian operations and disaster relief management. Our comprehensive review, comprising 61 articles published from 2009 to 2018, leads to the identification of enablers (e.g., transparency, policy framework), challenges (e.g., financial services, identity protection), and theory development approaches, as well as numerous research gaps that must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen a marked increase among state-owned enterprises and large organizations. However, SMEs especially, those in Africa are yet to exploit the full potential opportunities embedded in the BRI. This study takes the initiative to systematically identify and rank the set of factors that enable the implementation of the BRI among Sub-Saharan African (SSA) SMEs using survey data from 178 stakeholders. In total, we identified twenty-two factors and categorized them into five broad headings. These are governmental, technical and innovation, firm-specific, network and cooperation, and BRI policy factors. Subsequently, the picture fuzzy projection-based TOPSIS technique was applied to rank the factors and sub-factors. The utmost ranked factor in the five categories was the governmental factors, while transparency in BRI policy, subsidy for SMEs, flexible trade agreements and clarity in the BRI policy framework emerged as the top four factors respectively within the 22 sub-factors. The study demonstrates that the BRI is embodied with its unique features, hence, the factors explored in this study could provide policymakers and SMEs in Africa and beyond with more useful information to understanding the nature of BRI projects objectively and comprehensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have explored the problem of engagement in relation to group psychoeducation from a multi-site and multi-stakeholder perspective. The aim of the study was to explore the factors influencing service user and family engagement with group psychoeducation programmes. The study design was qualitative descriptive. Data were collected through individual and focus group interviews with key stakeholders (n = 75) involved with the programme within 14 mental health sites in the Republic of Ireland. Enablers and barriers to engagement were identified at participant, provider, programme and organization level. Motivated participants and engaged clinicians, peer co-facilitation and support, and skilled and responsive facilitators were some of the factors which enhanced engagement. Barriers to engagement included readiness among participants, concerns related to stigma and confidentiality, desire to distance oneself from mental health services, a lack of support for programme participation within families, group discomfort, the time and length of the programme, issues with transport, visibility of the programme, and structural supports for clinicians. Findings from the study illustrate the multifaceted nature of engagement as well as provide a greater understanding of the multifactorial influences on engagement. Strategies to enhance engagement should therefore reflect a multipronged approach. At the outset of programme implementation, organizations should address their readiness to engage, conduct local needs assessments to anticipate individuals' needs and plan accordingly in order to maximize engagement, and bolster facilitators' engagement skills through the provision of training and mentoring opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While embracing digitalization that is further accentuated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the real business outcome is achieved through a robust and well-crafted 'Data Science Strategy' (DSS), as significant constituent of Enterprise Digital Strategy. Extant literature has studied the challenges in adoption of components of 'Data Science' in discrete for various industry sectors and domains. There is dearth of studies on comprehensive 'Data Science' adoption as an umbrella constituting all of its components. The study conducts a "Systematic Literature Review (SLR)" on enablers and barriers affecting the implementation and success of DSS in enterprises. The SLR comprised of 113 published articles during the period 1998 and 2021. In this SLR, we address the gap by synthesizing and proposing a novel framework of 'Enablers and Barriers' influencing the success of DSS in enterprises. The proposed framework of 'Data Science Strategy' can help organizations taking the right steps towards successful implementation of 'Data Science' projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban systems have a central role in the transition toward circular economy. Systematic analysis of drivers is needed because of the complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors. Such analysis requires a good understanding of direct and indirect influences on urban circularity. Because of the presence of indirect influences, visualizing the causal networks is necessary for systematic analysis. Existing methods for formulating causal network maps (CNMs) rely on subjective approaches which inhibit robust assessment. The generation of robust CNMs can provide more accurate representation of direct and indirect influences. Therefore, this study generates a robust CNM for drivers of urban circular economy through a hybrid decision-making and trial laboratory-fuzzy cognitive map (DEMATEL-FCM) framework. DEMATEL is used for building the initial structure of the network map. The network is then trained using FCM with data obtained from the Sustainable Cities Index. A 70:30 training–testing ratio is used to partition the training and testing datasets. The trained CNM has 92.75% accuracy during training and 96.77% accuracy during testing. The trained CNM provides an empirical depiction of driver interrelationships in urban circular economies. It indicates the importance of 'affordability' and 'economic development' in the network structure. The network yields significant insights for the development of city-level plans and policies to stimulate a transition to a more circular economy. Data-driven visualization of interactions among drivers give stakeholders insights on the most effective measures to implement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study is to present the implementation science approaches that were used before implementing electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) across an integrated chronic pain network that includes primary, rehabilitation, and hospital-based care. Methods: The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was used to identify potential barriers and enablers to the use of ePROMS by primary care clinicians. In rehabilitation and tertiary care, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation (CFIR) was used to guide the identification of determinants of implementations, through observation of workflow, patient and clinician surveys, and clinician interviews. A mixed-method concurrent design comprising a quantitative and qualitative analysis was used. The results were reviewed by a steering committee to iteratively inform the ePROM implementation plan. The Proctor framework of evaluation was used to guide the development of an evaluation plan for the implementation of ePROMs in the integrated chronic pain network. Results: Both frameworks provided similar results with respect to healthcare provider knowledge, behaviour, and experience interpreting PROM scores. The TDF and CFIR frameworks differed in identifying organizational-level determinants. The resultant implementation plan was structured around the adoption of PROMs to inform individual treatment planning and quality improvement. The evaluation plan focused on implementation and impact outcomes to evaluate the ePROM intervention. Conclusions: The TDF and CFIR guided the development of a multi-component knowledge translation and training intervention that will address multiple gaps and barriers to implementation of PROMs across the integrated network. The ePROM intervention will aim to increase clinicians' knowledge and skills and foster best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse logistics (RL) has turned into a key capability in current supply chain for treating the end-of-life products by all organizations (both public and private) to achieve sustainability. Organizing performance measures is a significant phase in adopting a coordinated and extensive approach to RL performance. This study aims to identify and prioritize the Reverse Logistics Performance Indicators (RLPI) according to their capability of measuring the success of RL implementation. A hybrid framework of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) and modified Fuzzy Additive Ratio Assessment (F-ARAS) is proposed to fulfill the objective of this research. F-AHP in association with Extent Analysis utilized to get relative weights of RL enablers and modified F-ARAS is utilized to prioritize the RLPI due to the execution of RL enablers. An Indian electrical manufacturing company is selected for a case examination to validate the proposed framework's pertinence. The prioritized list finds Environmental performance indicators (EP), Industrial Operations performance indicators (OP) and Customers performance indicators (CP) are of prime importance. Financial performance indicators (FP) and Social performance indicators (SP) are the next in the list. This is the most detailed, structured and systematic approach to study RLPI due to the implementation of RL enablers. The outcomes will provide knowledge to help the decision-makers to identify success and potential opportunities and to uncover the potency of organizational strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Companies wish to understand (1) the need for knowledge management implementation (KMI) and (2) its possible enablers and outcomes to facilitate its success. This study aims to provide a generic picture by identifying the awareness level of Turkish companies and their recognized key enablers and outcomes of KMI in supply chains. After determining influencing factors (internal and external) and short-term (internal and external) and long-term outcomes (sustainability) of KMI, they are evaluated by 82 respondents from 74 Turkish manufacturing companies which are members of supply chains. The results suggest that Turkish companies have implemented KM except four of the surveyed companies. The study identifies corporate culture as an internal enabler and market and customers as external enablers as the most apparent contributors of KMI. Regarding their focus on the outcomes, interviewees believe that KMI helps them achieve short-term outcomes more as opposed to long-term outcomes (sustainability). The study has also surprising results: while collaboration emerges to be a weak outcome, only the economic dimension of sustainability appears as an outcome of KMI. The results may imply that Turkish companies do not properly recognize, implement, and therefore realize the fundamental outcomes of KMI in their respective supply chains. The results also indicate that they mainly focus on their internal issues (production and organizational structure) instead of focusing on external issues (customers, market, and other chain members). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orsi and Garcia (Philos Stud, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-020-01471-6) argue that fitting-attitude analysis of value (FA-analysis, for short) is vulnerable to an explanatory objection. On FA-analysis, for an object to be valuable is for it to be a fitting target of an attitude—a pro-attitude if its value is positive and a con-attitude if it is negative. For different kinds of value different kinds of attitudes are fitting: desire for desirability, admiration for admirability, etc. To explain the fittingness relation we therefor need to appeal to the features of the relevant attitude, but these seldom, if ever, are needed for explaining the object's value. This explanatory disparity between the analysans and the analysandum implies that FA-analysis must be incorrect. In our reply to Orsi and Garcia, we provide a refutation of their objection. We argue that the features of a fitting attitude do have a right place in the explanation of an object's value, even though they are not among the properties that make the object valuable. They help to explain this value-making relation itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Civil registration of vital events such as deaths and births is a key part of the process of securing rights and benefits for individuals worldwide. It also enables the production of vital statistics for local planning of social services. In many low- and lower-middle-income countries, however, civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems do not adequately register significant numbers of births and, especially, deaths. In this study, we aim to estimate the completeness of adult death registration (for age 15 and older) in the Matlab health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) area in Bangladesh and to identify reasons for (not) registering deaths in the national CRVS system. We conducted a sample survey of 2538 households and recorded 571 adult deaths that had occurred in the 3 years preceding the survey. Only 17% of these deaths were registered in the national CRVS system, with large gender differences in registration rates (male = 26% vs. female = 5%). Respondents who reported that a recent death in the household was registered indicated that the primary reasons for registration were to secure an inheritance and to access social services. The main reasons cited for not registering a death were lack of knowledge about CRVS and not perceiving the benefits of death registration. Information campaigns to raise awareness of death registration, as well as stronger incentives to register deaths, may be needed to improve the completeness of death registration in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sports goods manufacturing industry in India has gained phenomenal growth over the past five decades and now holds a prominent place in the Indian economy by providing massive employment and export revenue to the country. To enhance the quality and efficiency of production the industry is trying to implement new and efficient techniques in its manufacturing operations. Cellular manufacturing is a solution to the batch manufacturing process; hence reducing the lead-time with higher machine utilization, improved product quality, and enhanced customer satisfaction. In this work an attempt has been made to study the current status, enablers, and barriers in the implementation of cellular manufacturing principles in the sports industry-specific to Meerut and nearby regions. An ISM based structural modeling and MICMAC analysis of implementation enablers, and barriers of cellular manufacturing practices in sports industry in Meerut are also presented. Management vision and Government support are the major driving enablers while 'Limited technological support, infrastructure and role model industry', and 'Lack of management support' are among the major barriers. The implementation barriers are also arranged into five categories based on the factors related to their removal. The practical implications and future scope of the study are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Money laundering has ascended the enforcement and criminological agenda in the course of this century, and has been accompanied by an increased focus on legal professionals as 'enablers' of crime. This article explores the dynamics of this enforcement, media and political agenda, and how the legal profession has responded in the UK and elsewhere, within the context of ignoring the difficulties of judging the effectiveness of anti money laundering. It concludes that legal responses are a function of their lobbying power, the determination of governments to clamp down on the toxic impacts of legal structures, and different legal cultures. However, it remains unclear what the effects on the levels and organization of serious crimes for gain are of controls on the professions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sex workers face many barriers to accessing the inalienable human right of mental health. The aim of this review was to synthesize the evidence on the barriers to mental healthcare for sex workers and the factors that facilitate uptake. Methods: A search conducted in 2018 of peer-reviewed and gray literature produced between 2008 and 2018 in OECD countries resulted in 32 documents eligible for inclusion. Results: The literature revealed that the barriers of stigma, discrimination, violence, pathologization, and criminalization exacerbate the psychological distress of sex workers while impeding uptake of mental healthcare. Personal resilience, protective factors, agency, and social inclusion offset these barriers. Conclusions: Despite the risk of pervasive mental illness among sex workers due to, primarily, external factors, few studies present comprehensive examinations of sex workers' mental health and fewer still explore sex workers with gender identities and sexual orientations that are not cisgender, heterosexual, or female. Policy Implications: Although timely, equitable treatment of sex workers in mental healthcare is currently atypical, the findings of this review suggest that inclusive, respectful psychological care is possible. Future research on holistic approaches to the mental health of sex workers could support the creation of much-needed, inclusive services and policies that improve sex workers' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to provide an accurate grounding-based formulation of positivism in the philosophy of law. I start off by discussing some simple formulations, based on the ideas that social facts are always either full or partial grounds of legal facts. I then raise a number of objections against these definitions: the full grounding proposal rules out possibilities that are compatible with positivism; the partial grounding proposal fails, on its own, to vindicate the distinctive role that is played by social facts within positivist accounts of law. Then, I present a more adequate and insightful formulation capable of solving their problems, which crucially relies on a robust notion of a social enabler. Finally, I model inclusive and exclusive positivism on the resulting template, and set out the advantages of the ground-enablers proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gout is increasing in prevalence despite effective pharmacotherapies. Barriers to effective management are largely educational deficiencies. Sufferers, usually men, need to understand more about gout, especially that maintaining serum urate below 0.36 mmol/L will eliminate recurrent attacks. Also, of great importance is appreciating that sub-optimal adherence to urate-lowering therapy (ULT) will result in a return of attacks. Prescribers also need to understand that acute attacks are likely to occur in the first few months of urate-lowering therapy (ULT), but these can be mitigated by commencing with a dose of ULT reflective of renal function and escalating the dose slowly, every 2–5 weeks until target serum urate is achieved. Prophylaxis against acute attacks over the initial 6 months period of ULT can be enhanced further with concomitant colchicine or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Gout is largely managed in primary care. Rates of adherence to ULT are 50% or less, worse than most other chronic illnesses. Efforts at educating primary care physicians to, firstly, manage gout effectively and, secondly, to educate their gout patients sufficiently have not been successful. Allied health practitioners, such as nurses, working with prescribers in primary care settings and given the mandate to educate and manage patients with gout, have been spectacularly effective. However, this approach is resource intensive. 'Personalised' eHealth interventions show promise as an alternative strategy, notably in improving adherence to ULT. Numerous applications for smart phones (apps) are now available to assist people with chronic health conditions. Their design needs to accommodate the barriers and enablers perceived by patients to maintaining adherence to prescribed therapies. Personalised feedback of serum urate may represent an important enabler of adherence to ULT in the case of gout. Harnessing mobile apps to support patients managing their chronic illnesses represents an important opportunity to enhance health outcomes. Rigorous, patient-centred and driven development is critical. These tools also require careful evaluation for effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors, the vast majority of survivors are not sufficiently active to reap these benefits. While cancer-specific physical activity guidelines exist, it remains unclear whether there are sufficient resources to support these recommendations. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the available cancer-specific physical activity programs for cancer survivors in Atlantic Canada and explore barriers and enablers to program implementation. Interviews were conducted with a purposefully selected sample of oncology healthcare professionals, administrators, and cancer-specific physical activity program leaders to examine the attitudes and practices of key stakeholders with respect to physical activity and cancer-specific programming. Thirty participants, including 7 oncologists, 7 nurses, 6 allied healthcare professionals, 5 administrators, and 5 program leaders, completed an interview. Three over-arching themes emerged, including (1) knowledge, attitudes and need for physical activity; (2) implementation barriers; and (3) implementation enablers. The results of this study suggest that cancer survivors in Atlantic Canada may require additional resources and support with respect to physical activity throughout their cancer care journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Industrial disputes result in a loss of work days, resources and also put a lot of pressure on employers, employees and the Government. Collective bargaining as a bipartite process is an effective mechanism to resolve disputes through the negotiation between employee and employer representatives. The study aims to identify the 'enablers', i.e. factors that permit and encourage collective bargaining in an industry. Through this study, the researchers have attempted to identify the nature of the relation and linkages between the factors identified. Design/Methodology: The research was undertaken in three major parts. In the initial part of the study, the enablers were identified through extant literature review. These factors were then validated with basic statistics in the second part of the research. In the final part, Interpretative Structural Modelling and MICMAC analysis was performed to arrive at a model highlighting the nature of relationship between the identified factors. Case studies on collective bargaining practices were studied to further validate the enablers. Findings: The ISM model for the enablers of collective bargaining had four levels, from the model awareness about law emerged as the most important enabler. MICMAC analysis further classified the enablers and disablers as driving, dependent, linkage and autonomous factors. Originality and Significance of the Study: The research is unique as it attempts to propose a model through the expert opinion on industrial relations manager, trade union representatives, employees' representatives, management and experts from academia. To the researcher's knowledge, there has been no significant contribution in the area of proposing a model for the enablers of collective bargaining through ISM and MICMAC. The researchers have also studied case studies related to the practices of collective bargaining in industries. The identified and validated factors would be useful to stakeholders in collective bargaining to design policies to ensure the effectiveness of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Building research capacity of European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) members aligns to the organisation's aim of advancing research. Objective To determine members' aspirations and needs in research training and practice, and to explore ways in which ESCP could provide support. Setting ESCP's international membership. Method Cross-sectional survey of members in 2018, followed by focus groups with samples of respondents attending an ESCP symposium. Survey items were: research activities; interests, experience and confidence; and Likert statements on research conduct. Principal component analysis (PCA) clustering of Likert statements from a previous study was used, with scores for each component calculated. Focus groups discussed barriers to research and how ESCP could provide support. Data analysis involved collating and comparing all themes. Main outcome measures Research interest, experience and confidence; attitudinal items; barriers to research; ESCP support. Results The response rate was 16.7% (83/499), with 89.2% (n = 74) involved in research and 79.5% (n = 66) publishing research in the preceding 2 years. While overwhelmingly positive, responses were more positive for research interest than experience or confidence. PCA component scores (support/opportunities, motivation/outcomes, and roles/characteristics) were positive. Thirteen members participated in focus groups, identifying barriers of: insufficient collaboration; lack of knowledge, skills, training; unsupportive environment; insufficient time; and limited resources. ESCP could support through mentorship, collaboration, education and funding. Conclusion Study participants were highly active, interested, experienced, confident and positive regarding research. There is an opportunity for ESCP to harness these activities and provide support in the form of mentoring, education and training, and facilitating collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green Lean Six Sigma is an inclusive approach, leads to optimum utilization of resources, reduces rejection and provides a path for sustainable development. In such an approach, decision-making becomes difficult in terms of selecting and prioritizing the different facets that incorporate sustainability in the system. The present research deals with the prioritization of Green Lean Six Sigma enablers through a novel decision-making approach Best Worst Method in a manufacturing organization. The present method was selected for prioritization as it provides the highly reliable results due to its high consistency; fewer pairwise comparisons (2n – 3) as compared to another matrix-based multiple-criteria decision-making methods use n(n – 1)/2 comparisons. The study depicts that the top three ranked enablers are organizational readiness for Green Lean Six Sigma measures together with competence for green product and process, top management commitment toward sustainable performance improvement and the integration of GLS with the business objectives with weights 0.4055, 0.1745 and 0.1288, respectively. Moreover, screened enablers' rank was further validated through decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory, analytical hierarchy process and preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations methods. The practitioners of the concerned industry will be assisted through the selection of most prominent enablers and evolving deliberate initiatives through primarily focusing on prominent enablers for the successful adoption of Green Lean Six Sigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Scholars often associate Operational Excellence (OPEX) enablers with high operational performance. Several studies have concluded that advancing OPEX enablers helps improve organizational performance. This paper aims to better understand the relation between OPEX enablers and a robust quality control lab. Integral to pharmaceutical quality systems, robust quality control labs ensure effective drug provision to patients. We examine how implementing OPEX enablers in quality control labs contributes to strengthening quality effectiveness a pharmaceutical manufacturing organization. Methods: The analysis was based on a database of the University of St.Gallen comprising 53 pharmaceutical quality control labs. An independent t-test and multiple linear regressions were used to study the relation between OPEX enablers and quality control lab effectiveness. Results: The results show that highly effective quality control labs exhibit significantly higher OPEX enabler implementation. Thirty-five percent of the variance in lab performance can be explained by enabler implementation. Conclusion: High OPEX enabler implementation contributes to robust quality control labs achieving high-level quality and service. Organizations thus attain effective and efficient drug release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizations need to focus more on sustainability practices because of the increasing impacts of the supply chain activities of the power industries that are negatively affecting the ecosystem and quality of life through the depletion of natural resources. Moreover, energy demand in India is growing fast, which not only necessitates preservation of natural resources but also demands sustainability in the energy sector, mainly, thermal power sector. However, the crucial fact is that it is not easy to incorporate sustainable practices in the prevalent supply chain activities of organization because of their reliance on different interconnected factors. It is vital to understand the influential factors along with their interplay that affect the sustainability efforts throughout the supply chain for accomplishing the desired achievements. Considering the importance of sustainability in the thermal power sector, this study has identified 14 relevant influential factors that initiate the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) for representing the possible interrelation among the identified factors. Total Interpretive Structural Modelling, an advance version of Interpretive Structural Modelling methodology, has been employed and their logical interpretation has also been explored from the group of experts. This study indicates that organisations in India perceive 'Establishment of company's green image' to be the least influencing enabler of SSCM, while 'Corporate social responsibilities', 'Government policies', 'Increasing scarcity of resources', and 'Avoidance of negative media attention' are considered as the key factors for SSCM adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As greenhouse gas emissions continue to be on the rise in our atmosphere, the urge to combat the same has become the need of the hour. This need continues to be advocated by organizations globally, with initiatives such as the Paris Agreement undertaken by many countries that have been enforced to save the environment. As the world’s focus shifts on minimizing the damage caused, an emphasis on decarbonizing the supply chain and using greener technologies for the same has been established. The main aim of this study is to identify and analyze the enablers and criteria that can help in implementing supply chain decarbonization in Industry 4.0. A novel integrated methodology was used to determine the enablers and criteria’s importance relative to its demand for decarbonizing the supply chain and for ranking the same based on its level of use and significance. The finding indicates that sustainability is the most important criteria. At the same time, cloud computing, government regulations, circular economy implementation, and blockchain technology capability are the most crucial enablers for implementing supply chain decarbonization in the industry. The study discusses the implications of supply chain decarbonization from a theoretical and practical perspective, proposes four recommendations for the industry to implement for a smooth transition to engage in supply chain decarbonization and highlights the future research directions for supply chain and Industry 4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to provide a systematic overview of the barriers and enablers that contribute to the success or failure of collaborative workplaces initiatives aimed at fostering innovation in service companies. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with innovation managers, human resource managers and facility department executives from a sample of multi-national service companies. Its primary focus is on the workplace initiatives carried out in their Spanish subsidiaries. The paper contributes to the extant research by identifying a conceptual model for collaborative workplaces and by providing a systematic overview of the related barriers and enablers. From the interviews, these factors were organized within a framework usable by practitioners for analysis. This paper is of interest to companies that aim to design collaborative workplace strategies to justify associated investments. It can also provide their managers with guidelines to lead the company in the transition toward new ways of working based on higher employee collaboration and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating green practices into the manufacturing process has gained momentum over the past few years and is a matter of great concern for both manufacturers as well as researchers. Regulatory pressures in developed countries have forced the organizations to adopt green practices; however, this issue still lacks attention in developing economies like India. There is an urgent need to identify enablers of green innovation for manufacturing organizations and also to identify prominent enablers among those. This study is an attempt to first identify enablers of green innovation and then establish a causal relationship among them to identify the enablers that can drive others. Grey DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) methodology is used for establishing the causal relationship among enablers. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that no study has been done in the past to identify the enablers of green innovation and then establishing the causal relationship among them. A total of 21 enablers of green innovation have been identified; research indicates developing green manufacturing capabilities, resources for green innovation, ease of getting loans from financial institutions, and environmental regulations as the most influential enablers of green innovation. Managerial and practical implications of the research are also presented to assist managers of the case company in adopting green innovation practices at their end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to report on a newly funded research project in which we will investigate how secondary students apply mathematical modelling to effectively address real world situations. Through this study, we will identify factors, mathematical, cognitive, social and environmental that “enable” year 10/11 students to successfully begin the modelling process, that is, formulate and mathematise a real world problem. The 3-year study will take a design research approach in working intensively with six schools across two educational jurisdictions. It is anticipated that this research will generate new theoretical and practical insights into the role of “enablers” within the process of mathematisation, leading to the development of principles for the design and implementation for tasks that support students’ development as modellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia's investment in the national MyHealthRecord has not been successfully communicated to the myriad of stakeholder groups, resulting in negative perceptions about the system and serious consequences for the uptake of the MyHealthRecord. Local stakeholder attitudes and perceptions will be crucial in setting the scene for success or failure with MyHealthRecord. A survey was undertaken to identify primary healthcare provider perceptions of the MyHealthRecord system, and capture the perceived enablers and barriers for use of the MyHealthRecord system. Almost all (89%) of the twenty-seven (27) respondents had previously heard of the MyHealthRecord system prior to completing the survey. Enablers included a decrease in duplication of effort and an increase in continuity of care. However, concerns about the perceived impact on healthcare provider time, privacy, access controls, and the need for full participation will need to be managed if MyHealthRecord is to be successfully implemented. The MyHealthRecord system will only be perceived as trustworthy when there is full participation by healthcare organisations, providers, and consumers. If Australian consumers become participants in an opt-out approach, it will be a catalyst for participation by healthcare organisations and providers. Incentives to encourage MyHealthRecord participation need to be extended to all healthcare providers as healthcare provider attitudes are influential with consumers. Therefore MyHealthRecord training and education needs to be targeted towards healthcare providers. Research into the attitudes of the local healthcare provider cohort is valuable in creating a change management strategy for maximising local success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to show the relationships between the enablers for knowledge creation and human capital (HC); the effect of HC on feedback and feedforward; and the influence of these learning flows on organizational performance. To achieve this, we developed a novel theoretical model of relationships and tested this model empirically. We quantitatively test this model using data from firms in the Spanish biotechnology sector. Results show strong relationships between HC and enablers for knowledge creation (redundancy, trust, and autonomy); HC and learning flows (feedback and feedforward); and learning flows and organizational performance. The originality of this study lies in linking-theoretically, empirically, and through a novel model-independent theories of HC, learning, and knowledge creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to provide an enabler-based approach for a supervised self-assessment of operations excellence (OsE). Based on the latest approaches of excellence in operations from the literature as well as on the philosophy of the EFQM model, an OsE working definition was developed. In contrast to operational excellence (OE), which deals exclusively with the optimization of result driven processes, OsE promotes the enhancement of operation-specific enablers and linked results. The evaluation of crucial cause-effect relationships of relevant enabler and result criteria supports the determination of a company's capability to achieve sustainability and excellence in terms of its operations. To foster a methodical integration of OsE in organizations, a phase model for a systematic assessment process was designed and verified with 24 companies in the Austrian machinery and metalware industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study combines conceptual and empirical review of the literature around interuniversity collaborations to identify known models and applications, and enablers and barriers impacting on their sustainability, to inform development of a collaborative public health teaching programme in Australia. A range of literature was explored in this study, including commentary on appropriate theoretical frameworks, exploratory studies, descriptive analyses and specific case study investigations. There was a dearth of literature that compares the factors that ultimately lead to success or failure of the models of collaboration identified. Further research investigating how different types of collaboration affect particular barriers and enablers, and how certain types of collaborations are more sustainable than others, is required. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Atrial fibrillation guidelines advocate screening to identify undiagnosed atrial fibrillation. Community pharmacies may provide an opportunistic venue for such screening.Objective: To explore the experience of implementing an atrial fibrillation screening service from the pharmacist's perspective including: the process of study implementation; the perceived benefits; the barriers and enablers; and the challenges for future sustainability of atrial fibrillation screening within pharmacies. Setting Interviews were conducted face-to-face in the pharmacy or via telephone, according to pharmacist preference.Method: The 'SEARCH-AF study' screened 1000 pharmacy customers aged ≥65 years using an iPhone electrocardiogram, identifying 1.5 % with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation. Nine pharmacists took part in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed in full and thematically analysed.Main Outcome Measure: Qualitative analysis of the experience of implementing an AF screening service from the pharmacist's perspective.Results: Four broad themes relating to service provision were identified: (1) interest and engagement in atrial fibrillation screening by pharmacists, customers, and doctors with the novel, easy-to-use electrocardiogram technology serving as an incentive to undergo screening and an education tool for pharmacists to use with customers; (2) perceived benefits to the pharmacist including increased job satisfaction, improvement in customer relations and pharmacy profile by fostering enhanced customer care and the educational role of pharmacists; (3) implementation barriers including managing workflow, and enablers such as personal approaches for recruitment, and allocating time to discuss screening process and fears; and, (4) potential for sustainable future implementation including remuneration linked to government or pharmacy incentives, combined cardiovascular screening, and automating sections of risk-assessments using touch-screen technology.Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation screening in pharmacies is well accepted by pharmacists and customers. Many pharmacists combined atrial fibrillation screening with other health screens reporting improved time-efficiency and greater customer satisfaction. Widespread implementation of atrial fibrillation screening requires longterm funding, which could be provided for a combined cardiovascular screening service. Further research could focus on feasibility and cost-effectiveness of combined cardiovascular screening in pharmacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Businesses across the globe are adopting digital supply chain (DSC) management parameters to attain supply chain resilience, flexibility and efficiency together. Interestingly, in some cases, businesses claim that the adoption of DSC has proven to be counter-productive. We argue that such firms faced issues because of their poor/lack of readiness to adopt DSC. The readiness for DSC includes identification of DSC enablers and development of a strategy to capitalize on them. Against this backdrop, the objective of the present study is to identify the enablers of DSC from the literature, validate them with help of experts and explore the contextual relationship between them. The list of enablers highlighted in this study can be used in the future, as a guideline to evaluating the service organisations’ readiness to adopt the DSC. The study adopts a threefold approach. In the first step, DSC enablers are identified from the literature. In the second step, the Interpretive structural model is developed using the expert opinion of 17 professionals from different service sector organisations in the United Arab Emirates, selected using the defined criterion. In the third step, decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory is employed to prioritise and find interrelationships among identified enablers. The results revealed that “smart warehousing” is the most influential enabler with high driving power and weak dependence power. Similarly, “Intelligence” and “Real-time” are operative enablers in the transformation process of DSC and have strong driving power and dependence power. The findings of this study can help organisations and decision-makers to focus on specific DSC transformation enablers, to transform their traditional supply chain to DSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the competitive world of today, each organization has a desire to sustain in the marketplace with the implementation of their healthier and flexible supply chain performance measurement (SCPM) system. For the successful implementation, needs to know the significant set of enablers. This study identifies a set of important enablers based on literature review and discussion with field experts of automobile manufacturing industries located in the National Capital Region of India. The vagueness and impreciseness of field expert's judgements has been reduced using fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (fuzzy DEMATEL) approach and analyzed the enablers in order to implement a flexible SCPM system. The findings of this research advocate that enabler 'higher customer satisfaction' comes in picture with highest value of 'Prominence' (6.4272) and 'Relation' (1.0354), therefore seems as a most significant and influencing enabler, while on other side the enabler 'proper capacity utilization' is considered as ample influencing enabler, because it has lowest Prominence' (4.4735) and 'Relation' (minus 0.9680) values. This research discussed the categorization into the cause and effect group, degree of interaction and inter-relationship of considered enablers. The outcomes of this study may provide an aid to the managers to implement an effective and flexible SCPM system through which overall profitability of an organization may be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the years to come, the maritime industry will have to improve its energy efficiency and soften its environmental footprint to meet higher energy prices and more stringent regulations. Shipowners, managers, and operators are often reluctant in installing new technologies even though they may already have successfully been applied in other industries. By analyzing historical data for the adoption of steel hull and diesel engine technology in the worldwide fleet, we find an indication that dissemination of new technologies happens in a step-like manner. That is, the underlying dynamics does not change continuously but rather abruptly. We argue that this phenomenon could be explained by the fact that any new technology has to function within given structures in a given context; if not, structures will act as barriers. We provide a new explanatory model where the concept of structures is central, i.e., tangible or intangible constructs, usually human made, in the form of infrastructure, regulations, competence, norms, behavior, etc. Constructs can limit (barriers) or support (enablers) a new technology. Once the structures and/or the (new) technology (which itself is a structure) are adapted to each other, they have an enabling effect and thereby change the underlying dynamics in a stepwise way. We support our view by comparing the proposed concept with other published approaches on technology adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incumbent trend in process industry is to deploy information and communication technology ( ICT), enabled wired process control systems. Distributed control system, supervisory control and data acquisition systems with wireless open loop control systems are commonly used to facilitate the same. However, wireless closed loop control system is a flexible system, which is not yet been introduced in the process industry. The major theme of this research work is to model the enablers of implementing ICT enabled control system in the process industry based on their interrelationships, with the help of industrialists in an oil refinery in central Kerala. The relationships of enablers have been established effectively by interpretive structural modeling ( ISM). However, the interpretation of links is comparatively weak in ISM. Qualitative criteria are often accompanied by obscurities and vagueness. To compensate for this, ISM is further modified by total ISM ( TISM). TISM is a novel qualitative modeling technique that has been used by researchers in diverse fields of investigation. For this study, TISM is used to develop the performance model for the enablers of a flexible control system for industry. The structural model developed using this methodology helps to understand the interaction between the various elements of enablers. After the model is developed, it is further subjected to assessment by a different group of domain experts so as to enhance its validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]