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The integration of genetic algorithms to optimize the networks of value chains could enormously improve the performance of supply chains. For this reason, this paper describes in more detail the application of genetic algorithms in the value chains of the automotive industry. For this purpose, a theoretical model is built up to evaluate whether the application of the model can optimize the value chain. This option is described, analyzed and its restrictions are shown. Instead of looking at the entire network, individual finished goods and their bill of material are used as a basis for optimization, which greatly reduces the complexity of the original problem. The original complexity of the supply chain networks can thus be reduced and considered based on the bill of material.
For a detailed discussion of process mining, the objective of this paper is the analysis of the successful implementation of process mining in the practical fields of supply chain management. The research comprises the investigation of use cases in companies that are already actively using process mining.
Purpose: This research aims to highlight the applicability of process mining in the supply chain management business field.
Research Methodology: In order to examine the applicability of process mining in supply chain management a research study was conducted among experts in this business field. Further, theoretical findings were compared to the results and evaluated.
Results: Process Mining can be applied very well in the SCM area. The advantages that arise primarily reflect significant potential benefits and improved process throughput times. The information that can be gained from the operational areas supported by process mining is suitable for reliable decisions, both in the tactical and strategic areas.
Limitations: The results on the application of process mining show a certain generalization and have to be adapted and adjusted to the respective application case.
Contribution: This study is useful, especially for the purchasing and logistics business area.
A study of industry 4.0 technologies in the John Deere and Company and their impact on company operations is presented in this paper. Deere and Company’s implementation of Industry 4.0 to its factories and its factors was the focus of the research. The literature review with the systematic approach as well as a comprehensive review of current John Deere and Company’s developments is used in the current study. Also, it relied on freely available information on the company website. Public and investor relations have also been used as credible sources of information. An analysis found that adopting industry 4.0 technologies to agriculture manufacturing results in higher quality products, increased productivity, safety, and wider acceptance among stakeholders. This study assumes full implementation of these technologies in all agriculture manufacturing companies, and it also emphasizes up-to-date technologies. Studying this topic can be useful for engineers in mechanical and agricultural fields, managers in business, and marketers.
The aim of the study is to find out how SMEs used Social Media during Corona and how customers received it, to determine what should be continued or avoided by SMEs in the future. In this study, an interpretivist approach was adopted through problem-centred interviews with three SMEs. The second part of the study used an objectivist approach, where an online-based survey with a purpose sampling was conducted. The results were evaluated by means of thematic analysis.The SMEs interviewed considered Social Media essential during Corona. This was due to limited resources and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the situation. For customers a Social Media presence is also considered indispensable, and that the followership is based on the desire for the latest information. However, it also became clear that the survey participants do not believe the information on Social Media and prefer information on the website or at the location itself. No answers could be found about how the experts would answer sans or post Corona. Furthermore, due to anonymisation efforts, it was not possible to clarify the attitude of the survey participants specifically to the individual SMEs.
Sowohl der stationäre Handel als auch die Online Pure Player befinden sich durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung und die Beeinflussung durch die dynamisch veränderten Trends in einem Wandel. Insbesondere wird von der Möbelbranche ein adaptives Verhalten an die vorliegenden Entwicklungen verlangt. Durch die Intensivierung der Markt- und Wettbewerbslandschaften und die Veränderungen des Verbraucherverhaltens bezüglich der verlangten Verschmelzung der Einkaufskanäle wird ein Umdenken gefordert und notwendig. Zusätzlich wird diese Notwendigkeit durch aktuelle Gegebenheiten, wie die Covid-19-Pandemie dringlicher. Die Omnichannel-Strategie und deren Etablierung birgt für die Möbelbranche insbesondere hinsichtlich der logistischen Herausforderungen Gelegenheiten und Bedrohungen. Diese sind zu erkennen, zu nutzen und zu beheben.
Agility and digital trends go hand in hand, but the advantages of digitalization perform a high pressure on the established automotive companies. For years now, automotive groups have no longer been innovation drivers in the industry. This status is reserved for radical companies like Tesla. But is there any chance that conservative companies will reinvent themselves, establish leaner structures and thus regain market dominance and innovation?
E-commerce live streaming - An emerging industry in China and a potential future trend in the world
(2021)
With the widespread use of the Internet, many industries have developed rapidly. The economy based on the Internet poses a significant threat to the traditional economy. Live streaming plus e-commerce, which is acknowledged as the current global economic status, is the result of combing live streaming and various industries through the Internet. E-commerce live streaming is one of the most essential types of online live streaming. In this article, it is defined as the live streaming of the e-commerce platform used by Key Opinion Leaders or product sellers through the built-in live streaming function of the platform to propagate goods, brands, events, etc. to achieve goals of brand exposure and product sales. Compared with the traditional economic model, the combined model of e-commerce and live streaming has its advantages and characteristics. This kind of marketing tool is now prevalent. However, there are many deficiencies in e-commerce live streaming that need to be improved since the development of e-commerce is immature and supervision of Internet use is ongoing.
This study will describe how the robotics industry evolved increasingly and a new phase of advanced robotics has emerged, and the relation between humans and robots in the same workplace. Problems of designing safer robots in human-machine interaction systems are urgent research topics in the field of industrial robotics. Many of the problems in industrial robotics are related not just to technological issues, but also to human-robot collaboration also will be discussed as an effective method to tackle this issue is the invention of Collaborative robots.
Unternehmen verlassen sich bei der Entwicklung von Software und Lösungen häufig auf das Know-How externer Dienstleister. Moderne Arbeits- und Kollaborationsformen verändern gleichzeitig die Entwicklung von Produkten und Dienstleistungen. Wie beeinflussen diese Trends die Zusammenarbeit und Kooperation zwischen Unternehmen und ihren externen agilen Dienstleistern? Ziel dieser wissenschaftlichen Arbeit ist es herauszufinden, welche Schritte unternehmen müssen, um agiles Arbeiten und die Zusammenarbeit mit externen Dienstleistern umzusetzen. Daher wurde anhand einer Fallstudie inklusive einer qualitativen Befragung herausgefunden und aufgezeigt, welche Maßnahmen und Handlungen Unternehmen ergreifen müssen, um das Ziel einer effektiven Umsetzung einer agilen Zusammenarbeit und Kooperation zu erreichen. Drei Kernthemen wurden identifiziert, auf deren Grundlage die Forschungsfragen zu den Maßnahmen beantwortet werden: Erstens, welche Möglichkeiten Unternehmen haben, ein internes agiles Setup zu implementieren, um mit agilen Dienstleistern auf Augenhöhe zusammenzuarbeiten. Zweitens, welche Vertragsvarianten die agile Zusammenarbeit unterstützen und verbessern können und drittens, welche agilen Techniken und Methoden in der agilen Zusammenarbeit eingesetzt werden sollten. Die Ergebnisse der Fallstudien bestätigen die Annahme, dass die drei identifizierten Kernthemen für eine effektive Zusammenarbeit im agilen Umfeld essenziell sind. Während einerseits nachgewiesen wurde, dass sich die Vertragsanforderungen hinsichtlich ihrer Flexibilität und Anpassungsfähigkeit veränderten, wurde andererseits auch nachgewiesen, dass das interne Setup agile Treiber, Techniken und Methoden erfordert, um eine effektive Zusammenarbeit mit agilen Dienstleistern zu ermöglichen. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Inhalte innerhalb der drei genannten Kernthemen und gibt Unternehmen zudem Hinweise, wie sie eine Basis für eine effektive Zusammenarbeit schaffen können.
In relation to the fast development of e-commerce and rapid increasing of parcels, urban logistic sector is facing the challenge of sustainability. Especially, last-mile delivery as the last step of goods transport, it connects to customers’ satisfaction, cost efficiency of logistic companies, and more and more public expectations to sustainability of urban logistics. To handle with the complexity of urban logistics conditions, governments and logistics companies should develop a co-operating strategy for sustainability of urban last-mile delivery. This paper is based on data collection from the long-term empirical research and a survey to the e-commerce users in Germany and China to develop a sustainable concept for the urban last-mile delivery. The key to the development of concept is to create a balance among the requirements of customers, the competition abilities of logistics companies and the public interest.
Optimal mental workload plays a key role in driving performance. Thus, driver-assisting systems that automatically adapt to a drivers current mental workload via brain–computer interfacing might greatly contribute to traffic safety. To design economic brain computer interfaces that do not compromise driver comfort, it is necessary to identify brain areas that are most sensitive to mental workload changes. In this study, we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy and subjective ratings to measure mental workload in two virtual driving environments with distinct demands. We found that demanding city environments induced both higher subjective workload ratings as well as higher bilateral middle frontal gyrus activation than less demanding country environments. A further analysis with higher spatial resolution revealed a center of activation in the right anterior dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The area is highly involved in spatial working memory processing. Thus, a main component of drivers’ mental workload in complex surroundings might stem from the fact that large amounts of spatial information about the course of the road as well as other road users has to constantly be upheld, processed and updated. We propose that the right middle frontal gyrus might be a suitable region for the application of powerful small-area brain computer interfaces.
The present work aimed at investigating an extraction protocol based on consecutive steps of isoelectric point (pH ~ 4.25) mediated gum swelling and deproteinisation as an alternative method to produce flaxseed gum extracts of enhanced techno-functional characteristics. The osidic and proximate composition, structure conformation, flow behaviour, dynamic rheological and thermal properties of gums isolated from brown and golden flaxseeds were assessed. Gum extraction under near-to-isoelectric point conditions did not impair the extraction yield, residual protein and ash content, whilst it resulted in minor changes in the sugar composition of the flaxseed gum extracts. The deconvolution of the GPC/SEC chromatographs revealed the presence of four major polysaccharidic populations corresponding to arabinoxylans, rhamnogalacturonan–I and two AX-RG-I composite fractions. The latter appeared to minimise the intra- and interchain polymer non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonding) leading to a better solvation affinity in water and lyotropic solvents. Golden flaxseed gums exerted higher molecular weight (Mw = 1.34–1.15 × 106 Da) and intrinsic viscosities (6.63–5.13 dL g−1) as well as better thickening and viscoelastic performance than the brown flaxseed gum exemplars. Golden flaxseed gums exhibited a better thermal stability compared to the brown flaxseed counterparts and therefore, they are suitable for product applications involving severe heat treatments.
Cryotropic gelation is one of the most common approaches to design novel hydrogels with multifaceted technological and biological functionalities. In the present paper, we studied the ability of highly galactosyl-substituted galactomannans, i.e. fenugreek and alfalfa gum, to form physically crosslinked hydrogels via cryogenic processing. Cycling of the galactomannan solutions (0.25 to 4% wt) from 25 to −20 to 25 °C induced the physical crosslinking of the galactomannan chains leading to the formation of different cryogel structures, i.e. filamentous aggregates (c* < c < 1%), cellular-like gel networks (1 ≤ c < 4%) or a homogeneously swollen gel (c ≥ 4%), depending on the total biopolymer content. Alfalfa gum-based cryogels exhibited higher elasticity and stiffness, better uniformity of the structure and a lower macropore size than their fenugreek counterparts. The physical blending of alfalfa or fenugreek gum with locust bean gum (2% total biopolymer) led to the reinforcement of the mechanical properties of the cryogels without significantly altering their microstructural aspects.
Understanding and modulating CNS function in physiological as well as pathophysiological contexts remains a significant ambition in research and clinical applications. The investigation of the multifaceted CNS cell types including their interactions and contributions to neural function requires a combination of the state-of-the-art in vivo electrophysiology and imaging techniques. We developed a novel type of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) surface micro-electrode manufactured in three customized designs with up to 16 channels for recording and stimulation of brain activity. All designs include spare central spaces for simultaneous 2P-imaging. Nanoporous platinum-plated contact sites ensure a low impedance and high current transfer. The epidural implantation of the LCP micro-electrodes could be combined with standard cranial window surgery. The epidurally positioned electrodes did not only display long-term biocompatibility, but we also observed an additional stabilization of the underlying CNS tissue. We demonstrate the electrode’s versatility in combination with in vivo 2P-imaging by monitoring anesthesia-awake cycles of transgenic mice with GCaMP3 expression in neurons or astrocytes. Cortical stimulation and simultaneous 2P Ca2+ imaging in neurons or astrocytes highlighted the astrocytes’ integrative character in neuronal activity processing. Furthermore, we confirmed that spontaneous astroglial Ca2+ signals are dampened under anesthesia, while evoked signals in neurons and astrocytes showed stronger dependency on stimulation intensity rather than on various levels of anesthesia. Finally, we show that the electrodes provide recordings of the electrocorticogram (ECoG) with a high signal-to noise ratio and spatial signal differences which help to decipher brain activity states during experimental procedures. Summarizing, the novel LCP surface micro-electrode is a versatile, convenient, and reliable tool to investigate brain function in vivo.
Intraspecific diet specialization, usually driven by resource availability, competition and predation, is common in natural populations. However, the role of parasites on diet specialization of their hosts has rarely been studied. Eye flukes can impair vision ability of their hosts and have been associated with alterations of fish feeding behavior. Here it was assessed whether European perch (Perca fluviatilis) alter their diet composition as a consequence of infection with eye flukes. Young-of-the-year (YOY) perch from temperate Lake Müggelsee (Berlin, Germany) were sampled in two years, eye flukes counted and fish diet was evaluated using both stomach content and stable isotope analyses. Perch diet was dominated by zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates. Both methods indicated that with increasing eye fluke infection intensity fish had a more selective diet, feeding mainly on the benthic macroinvertebrate Dikerogammarus villosus, while less intensively infected fish appeared to be generalist feeders showing no preference for any particular prey type. Our results show that infection with eye flukes can indirectly affect interaction of the host with lower trophic levels by altering the diet composition and highlight the underestimated role of parasites in food web studies.
Modeling and executing knowledge-intensive processes (KiPs) are challenging with state-of-the-art approaches, and the specific demands of KiPs are the subject of ongoing research. In this context, little attention has been paid to the ontology-driven combination of data-centric and semantic business process modeling, which finds additional motivation by enabling the division of labor between humans and artificial intelligence. Such approaches have characteristics that could allow support for KiPs based on the inferencing capabilities of reasoners. We confirm this as we show that reasoners can infer the executability of tasks based on a currently researched ontology- and data-driven business process model (ODD-BP model). Further support for KiPs by the proposed inference mechanism results from its ability to infer the relevance of tasks, depending on the extent to which their execution would contribute to process progress. Besides these contributions along with the execution perspective (start-to-end direction), we will also show how our approach can help to reach specific process goals by inferring the relevance of process elements regarding their support to achieve such goals (end-to-start direction). The elements with the most valuable process progress can be identified in the intersection of both, the execution and goal perspective. This paper will introduce this new approach and verifies its practicability with an evaluation of a KiP in the field of emergency call centers.
Purpose: Grounded in the theoretical concepts of utilitarianism and deontology, this paper aims to evaluate the issue of child labour from an ethics perspective. By linking utilitarianism with normative stakeholder theory, relevant stakeholder groups are being identified in order to examine their influence on and role in the occurrence of child labour allowing for a practical reference. The findings may serve companies in particular as a basis for decision-making in the development of their value chains.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The author uses a literature review in order to analyze the findings of existing literature on the topic of child labour in an ethics context, thereby drawing on literature, indexed in Web of Science and Google Scholar by employing forward and backward citation analysis.
Findings: The investigation of child labour in terms of ethics yields conflicting results. From a deontological perspective, child labour can never be ethical and should always be rejected as it is not wanted to become a general law. In contrast, according to a utilitarian sentiment, child labour is ethically justifiable as long as the beneficiaries of the labour are greater in number than the children working or suffering.
Originality/Value: The examination of child labour from the perspective of deontology and utilitarianism in conjunction with normative stakeholder theory constitutes a novelty in the ethics literature. The integration of theoretical findings into a practical business context provides additional value for managers and global supply chain managers.
Objective: The objective of the article highlight the significance of culture in the entrepreneurial landscape and provides entrepreneurs and (project) managers with a guidance tool to overcome previously unconsidered stumbling blocks while operating in the intercultural setting.
Research Design & Methods: The following article was prepared based on a critical study review devoted to existing approaches to intercultural impact in business life and used the archival technique from 1990-2020. The study review reflects on the identification of existing literature gaps in the implementation of a subcultural business environment. It addresses these by designing an appropriate model to bypass the apparent pitfalls of intercultural business communication and co-existence, if possible.
Findings: Culture impacts diverse sets of society and businesses, including entrepreneurship. This article underpins which pitfalls are advisable to consider when encountering the intercultural and entrepreneurship-driven workplace.
Implications & Recommendations: Based on the study review, startups, as well as big corporate companies’ projects of a creational nature, are advised to reconsider their perception and handling of culture applying The Building of Cultural and Entrepreneurial Force.
Contribution & Value Added: The added value of this article is to be found in the solid analysis of cultural essentialism, anti-essentialism, and implications to beware of in the managerial and entrepreneurial context related to The Building of Intercultural and Entrepreneurial Force that intends to ease to co-work of intercultural teams.
This text will explain which role “Green Bonds” play in financing projects and how the green factor is weighted. It will be discussed on how the term “green” can change the price of the bond, if there is a “green premium” and for which group of investors this type of bond is interesting. We will discuss ways to reduce their cost of capital, also considering the risks and on ways on how to improve their conditions. The sustainable and eco-friendly aspects are also highlighted in this text and they might become crucial in future investing, which gives the bond an interesting role.
The dark side of Samsung’s value chain: The human costs of cobalt mining “BLOOD, SWEAT AND COBALT”
(2021)
Samsung has been implicitly linked to human rights abuses and wider social downgrading propagated within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Reports by different studies have shown artisanal cobalt mines (ASM) to exploit child labour and subject workers to perilous conditions. The IT multinational is dependent upon Congolese cobalt as a key element in lithiumion batteries used to produce their array of electronics. However, irresponsible cobalt sourcing practices undertaken by Tier 1 suppliers, Glencore and Huayou, have resulted in ASM operations being incorporated into Samsung’s global value chain, as Tier 2 suppliers. Analysis of the relationships underpinning Samsung’s cobalt value chain theoretical framework, highlights the presence of a relational governance structure, with captive elements among upstream Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Samsung is thereby reliant upon both Glencore and Huayou to transmit and enforce private codes of conduct down the value chain to expel human rights abuses. In conjunction, the DRC’s weak and unstable institutional environment has facilitated corruption and the improper enforcement of laws across the ASM industry. It is thereby imperative that Samsung takes ownership of the issues present within its value chain, as both Tier 1 suppliers and the Congolese government have failed to ensure responsible cobalt sourcing practices to date. This report recommends that Samsung adopt a holistic action plan, not only utilising their own resources and capabilities, but also those of critical stakeholders including Tier 1 suppliers, NGOs and the DRC and South Korean governments. Most prominently, this report suggests that supply chain transparency can be improved using certificates of origin and blockchain technology. Furthermore, it is recommended that poverty alleviation is targeted as a key measure through “Cobalt for Development”, an action plan designed to instigate both social and economic upgrading within ASM operations and the wider community. By employing a multi-scalar approach and addressing the issues inherent across multiple governance levels, Samsung can ensure a responsible source of cobalt be sustained.