Search Results (11)

The burgeoning crisis of plastic waste accumulation necessitates innovative approaches towards sustainable packaging solutions. Polylactic acid (PLA), a leading biopolymer, emerges as a promising candidate in this realm, especially for environmentally friendly packaging. PLA is renowned for its compostable properties, offering a strategic avenue to mitigate plastic waste. However, its dependency on specific industrial composting conditions, characterized by elevated temperatures, humidity, and thermophilic microbes, limits its utility for household composting. This study aims to bridge the research gap in PLA’s recyclability and explore its feasibility in mechanical recycling processes. The research focuses on assessing the mechanical characteristics of PLA and PLA-based composites post-recycling. Specifically, we examined the effects of two extrusion methods—conical and parallel—on PLA and its composites containing 20 wt.% basalt fibers (BF). The recycling process encompassed repeated cycles of hot melt extrusion (HME), followed by mechanical grinding to produce granules. These granules were then subjected to injection moulding (IM) after 1, 3 and 5 recycling cycles. The tensile properties of the resulting IM-produced bars provided insights into the material’s durability and stability. The findings reveal that both PLA and PLA/BF composites retain their mechanical integrity through up to 5 cycles of mechanical recycling. This resilience underscores PLA’s potential for integration into existing recycling streams, addressing the dual challenges of environmental sustainability and waste management. The study contributes to the broader understanding of PLA’s lifecycle and opens new possibilities for its application in eco-friendly packaging, beyond the limits of composting. The implications of these findings extend towards enhancing the circularity of biopolymers and reducing the environmental footprint of plastic packaging. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive review of GaAs HBT-based Doherty power amplifiers (DPAs) targeting 5G New Radio (NR) handset applications. Focusing on the critical challenges of linearity enhancement, back-off efficiency improvement, bandwidth extension under low-voltage (3.4 V) operation, and chip thermal management, the authors analyze state-of-the-art DPAs published in recent years. Key innovations including dynamic power division technique, third order intermodulation (IM3) cancellation technology, and compact output combiners are comparatively studied. Using 5G NR signals, the critical performance of the latest reported PA such as maximum linear power, back-off efficiency, bandwidth, and operating voltage are quantitatively investigated. The measurement results demonstrated that the best performance in recent DPAs achieved high linear power of 31 dBm with 34% PAE and 30 dBm with 31% PAE at the N78 and N77 bands, respectively. The corresponding adjacent channel leakage ratios (ACLRs) were lower than −36.5 dBc without digital pre-distortion (DPD). This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the latest advancements and future directions in highly efficient and linear DPA designs for 5G handset front-end modules. Full article

This study presents an innovative 4D digital model that integrates Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) with several types of data to defect detection in complex bridge structures. The model promotes precise data preparation, navigation, visualization, integration, and monitoring, enabling the identification of defects, like material deterioration, condition changes, and structural clashes in components like trusses. Bridge model provides time-based access to maps, allowing users to explore changes over time and predict future conditions. The integration of time dimension into the 4D model provides dynamic tools for exploring changes over time, allowing for analysis and maintenance planning. Through the use of advanced 4D simulation technology, the study’s effectiveness is in visualizing workflows, identifying constraints, and supporting proactive decision-making in structural management. By incorporating various perspectives and enabling users to interact with detailed visualizations, the model enhances understanding and maintenance practices. This approach advances defect modeling and digitization, supporting automation in defect detection while significantly contributing to the long-term safety and sustainability of bridges. In order to obtain non-destructive images and films of the morphology of the sandstone’s internal structure at the bridge pier in addition to the stone’s grain texture and surface characteristics, this research applied X-ray computed tomography approach (CT scan) and XRF as NDT to the analysis of sandstone. Full article

Using the bibliometric software VOSviewer^® version 1.6.20 and Scopus as a bibliographic database, this paper aims to investigate the research streams in terms of the co-occurrence network of authors, terms extracted from the title field, countries, keywords, and organizations researching on IM from publications between 1974 and 2024. Retrieved from Scopus and using science mapping bibliometric techniques with VOSviewer^®, 4756 documents published on IM from 1974 to 2024 were analyzed, divided in three phases (1974–1995, 1996–2019, and 2020–2024), and limited to BMA (Business, Management, and Accounting), EEF (Economics, Econometrics, and Finance), and SOC (Social Sciences). The main findings are as follows: (a) there is a tendency for a minimal relationship between authors from different organizations and countries to collaborate in research on IM; (b) almost half (45.12%) of the publications on IM were published by authors from the European Union, which rises to 55.24% in Europe if the United Kingdom is included. These results are far ahead of those of the United States (13.4%), China (7.6%), the Russian Federation (3.6%), and Japan (2.3%). (c) While the first publications on IM deal with aspects related to product development, management, technology, R&D, and competition, there is a recent trend to link IM to sustainable development, open innovation, ecosystems, stakeholders’ engagement, and entrepreneurship. Full article

Given the challenges of innovation and adaptation to change, Construction 4.0 (C4.0) is triggering a revolution within construction and industry firms from automation to a greater level of digitalization. Despite the plethora of advantages and growing research interest in certain aspects of C4.0 technology implementation (C4.0TeIm), previous discourses have been largely fragmented and lack a comprehensive investigation of the factors influencing C4.0TeIm. To this end, this study aims to holistically investigate the influencing factors of C4.0TeIm and propose guidelines for future research directions. Informed by the United Nations twin green and digital transition perspectives, this study initiated its exploration in the background by delving into the potential intersections between C4.0 and sustainability. To achieve the aim, this study (i) reviewed 77 relevant articles and discerned a comprehensive list of factors influencing C4.0TeIm; (ii) outlined and quantified the influence and importance of the identified factors using social network analysis and validated results against the simplified analysis; and (iii) revealed gaps in the literature and proposed a research roadmap directing future research needs. The results show that 60 factors could collectively influence construction firms’ C4.0TeIm; they can be categorized into the external environment, technology competence, organizational factors, project-based factors, and technology challenges. The findings also reveal that further endeavors should emphasize those understudied factors such as “perceived overall organizational performance improvement”, “corporate strategy and management policy”, and “availability of resources”. Practically, the proposed research guidelines provide valuable references to accelerate C4.0TeIm in both academics and the business world and offer strategies for the top management of firms to maximize potential benefits and gain competitiveness. Full article

In practice, R&D in public organizations in developing countries is confronted with a variety of failures related to supporting management disciplines. The primary goal of this study is to address this issue through multiple-criteria decision making, which includes the DANP (DEMATEL-based ANP) approach. The DANP approach helps to resolve the classification issue that arises as a result of interdependence and feedback characteristics among the capabilities related to supporting management disciplines, allowing weak capabilities to be prioritized based on their interdependence. In the case of criteria weighting, the empirical result in terms of the degree of the net causal relationship had a greater influence on other criteria; however, in terms of dimensions, the technology management process capability had a greater significance on other dimensions, while the innovation management process capability had the least significance on other dimensions. The studies were based on relevant capabilities under a generic perspective so as to oppose country-specific reviews. However, for empirical testing, the proposed framework needs to fit into a country-specific context. According to specific conditions, Pakistan is considered as a case of empirical testing, providing the experts from the multidisciplinary field of science and technology with robust professional credentials in managing multi-mission R&D from public organizations. Full article

Geoparks and geotourism are relatively new activities within tourism. However, both have grown rapidly over the past decade. Geoparks, as an innovation for the conservation of geoheritage, play an important role in the development of geotourism. Geotourism has evolved partially in response to the need to minimize the negative impacts of mass tourism in geologically and geographically sensitive and/or im-portant areas situated in tourist environments, while at the same time providing a catalyst for sustainable rural development. China, with its vast territory and complex geological and geomorphic features, is often referred to as an open laboratory in geosciences and has 289 national geoparks and 41 UNESCO global geoparks so far. Currently, it is a leading country in the world in establishing and maintaining geoparks. This paper reviews the geoparks initiatives in China, as well as attempts to assess the compatibility of geoconservation and rural development within geotourism areas by exploring the challenges and outcomes of the geotourism development in China and by identifying and analysing the outcomes of geopark development. The results indicate a geopark is a sustainable approach to advancing geoconservation and promoting local economic development. The results further emphasize the importance of sustainable management in geotourism. Only when managed in a sustainable manner is geotourism likely to provide long-term improvements for developments in rural areas. Implications for geopark management and geotourism development are discussed. Full article

Globalization and internationalization have received increasing attention from researchers in the field of education management over the past decade, who have found that internationalization is an indispensable component in the sustainable development of higher education (HE). This research aims to construct Innovative Marketing Strategies (IMS) for international student recruitment and contribute to the sustainable internationalization of higher education (IoHE). A literature review was used to construct an Innovative Marketing Strategies questionnaire. Data collected from 300 international students studying in Taiwan were used for a feasibility analysis in order to construct the final questionnaire, and survey data collected from 522 participants were used for more in-depth statistical analysis of the final strategies. The research results indicate that combining the marketing mix 4C with an innovative strategy (IS) approach provides sustainable recruitment marketing strategies toward higher education institution internationalization from a customer-oriented perspective. The IMS in this study includes 2 dimensions, 10 strategies, and 32 indicators. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis demonstrating the perspectives of international students with respect to the strategies was also conducted. This research contributes to the theoretical development and practical implementation of sustainable HE internationalization management. Discussions and recommendations based on the results of this study are also given. Full article

In order to establish an innovation culture, a set of organizational procedures and practices called “Innovation Management”, which may differ among companies, should be followed. At the enterprise level, systematic innovation management becomes more complicated. A number of works covering various aspects of this subject have been published. However, a systematic synthesis of all of these contributions is still lacking in management literature. In this review, we aim to analyze and classify the main contributions published on the topic of innovation management systems/standards in management literature, seeking to discover the gaps which still remain in the literature, and to outline future avenues of research in this domain. More than 70 articles in Innovation Management Systems/Standards (IMS/St) studies published in peer-reviewed journals during 2006–2020 are reviewed and analyzed systematically by searching the science databases ScienceDirect, Scopus and Emerald, etc., and using Google Scholar and Mendeley Elsevier to identify related terms. A complete and accurate view of the latest literature on IMS/St is provided, which identifies the main topics developed in the management literature on IMS/St, as well as significant gaps, and demonstrates the low maturity level of the current state of the field. This paper contributes theoretically to the development of literature on IMS/St and provides a clear understanding of the state of the field during the period 2006–2020, shedding light on the research needed in the future in this field of study. From a managerial perspective, it can help companies to better understand the implications of IMS/St, and to harvest the best benefits from the implementation of IMS/St. Our study also answers these three important questions: 1. What are the main topics developed in the management literature on IMS/St so far? 2. Are innovation management standards mature from a practical point of view? 3. What are the main research gaps in management literature, and how could future avenues of research be shaped? Full article

This paper is intended to design and provide a reliable and valid measurement instrument to aid organizations that wish to self-assess their performance and positioning relative to sustainable enterprise excellence. Recent research trends in performance excellence, quality management, and organizational sustainability have been directed towards integrated management systems (IMS). Sustainable Enterprise Excellence (SEE) is among these integrated management systems. SEE is undergoing ongoing development and its measurement scale is rudimentary, hence it lacks the more sophisticated sorts of measurement scales often used for organizational self-assessment purposes. A scientific approach is used herein to devise a more comprehensive SEE-oriented organizational assessment against six proposed performance results-oriented domains or constructs: governance and strategy, process implementation, sustainability performance, financial performance, innovation performance, and human capital performance. Each organizational performance construct is to be measured by ten attributes-based items. Maturity scale ratings that range from 0 to 10 reflect organizational performance relative to the associated item and the sum of item ratings across a construct reflects performance within the specific domain, the summation of the six construct scores then yields a measure of the overall organizational performance with respect to SEE. The assessment areas against which organization performance compares poorly suggest opportunities for improvement of associated business processes, the achievement of which will contribute to a sustainable future. Full article

A significant part of literature has shown that the adoption of Sustainability and Health-Safety management systems from organizations bears some substantial benefits since such systems (i) create a suitable frame for the sustainable development, implementation and review of the plans and/or processes, necessary to manage occupational health-safety (OHS) in their workplaces and (ii) imply innovative thinking and practices in fields of economics, policy-making, legislation, health and education. To this context, the paper targets at analysing current sustainability and OHSMSs in order to make these issues more comprehend, clear and functional for scholars and practitioners. Therefore, a literature survey has been conducted to map the territory by focusing on two interrelated tasks. The first one includes the presentation of the main International Management Systems (IMS) with focus on Sustainability and OHS (S_OHSMS) topics and the second task depicts a statistical analysis of the literature-review findings (for the years 2006–2017). In particular, the main purposes of the literature research were: (i) the description of key points of OHSMS and sustainability standards, (ii) the comparative analysis of their characteristics, taking into account several settled evaluation-criteria and (iii) the statistical analysis of the survey’s findings, while our study’s primary aim is the reinforcement of OHMSs’ application in any organization. The results evince, that the field of industry (with 28%) and also of the constructions (with 16%), concentrate the highest percentage of OHSMS use. In general, there were only few publications including OHSMSs (referred to various occupational fields) available in the scientific literature (during 2006–2017) but on the other hand, there was a gradually increasing scientific interest for these standards (especially during 2009–2012). Full article