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    24762 research outputs found

    Line-start permanent magnet synchronous motors : evolution, challenges, and industrial prospects

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    Line-Start Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (LSPMSMs) offer a hybrid solution that combines the high efficiency of permanent magnet motors with the self-starting capability of induction machines. This review examines their key performance characteristics, historical development, and design approaches. Advantages such as high efficiency, improved power factor, and operational stability are discussed alongside challenges like limited critical inertia and synchronization issues. Design enhancements through rotor topology optimization and cage resistance adjustment are also explored. Finally, market trends and economic considerations are evaluated, highlighting the strong potential of LSPMSMs in energy-efficient motor applications.peer-reviewe

    Reengineering organizations in integrated transport management systems

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    PURPOSE: The article sequentially presents elements of technological development in transportation and organization reengineering.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Τhe article aims to analyse integrated transport systems, with an emphasis on their integration as a part of reengineering transport needs, and to develop data flow models. Accordingly, the following research problem was formulated: Should structural business modelling techniques be subject to organization reengineering and teaching for future transport managers? Obtaining answers to the above questions required the application of qualitative methods. The synthesis method and literature analysis were used for research purposes.FINDINGS: Ιt characterizes Data Flow Diagram (DFD) models and describes the stages of DFD modelling. It was stated that the indicated techniques can be used both for the analysis of an existing system, to determine its functions, effectiveness, and efficiency, as well as for collecting, describing, and modelling functions and data for a newly implemented system.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Reengineering can be used to support the activities of transport managers by providing timely, competition- and distortion-proof information representing an appropriate level of information, as well as defending against various types of threats.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: A dynamically changing environment, progressing globalization, increasing intensity of competition, and threats of crisis phenomena require the development, improvement, and implementation of innovative management systems. The challenge lies in skilfully selecting and implementing a management concept that is closely related to the company's tradition, current state of enterprise, and external factors resulting from the system's environment.peer-reviewe

    Education, skills and the intensity of labour demand : a comparative study of EU countries

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    PURPOSE: The labour market plays a key role as one of the strategic elements of the modern economy. Its appearance and functioning are changing under the influence of increasing globalisation, and its importance is mainly due to the presence of human capital. The main objective of this study was to analyse the intensity of labour demand in selected countries.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The availability and comparability of statistical data made it possible to calculate an indicator of labour demand intensity according to the educational level of employees according to the ISCED classification and their level of qualification according to the ISCO-08 classification. The research covered 24 of the 27 EU countries.FINDINGS: The components of the ISCO-08 classification for tertiary education were characterised by higher variability. The intensity of labour demand in the group of people with tertiary education was characterised by an upward trend. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the labour market for tertiary graduates was characterised by a higher intensity of labour demand irrespective of the level of the ISCO-08 classification of occupations. Those with secondary education were more exposed to negative fluctuations in the labour market.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The research carried out allows for a better understanding and analysis of the labour market situation, in particular the relationship between labour demand and the qualifications and skills that employees possess.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article contributes to the development of knowledge on the functioning of the contemporary labour market, which is undergoing a continuous process of transformation under the influence of globalisation and the development of advanced technology. It explains the relationship between one's education and qualifications and the intensity of labour demand in selected European Union countries.peer-reviewe

    Thermodynamic properties of non-singular Hayward black hole through the lens of minimal gravitational decoupling

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    In this article, we formulate three different solutions by extending the regular Hayward black hole in the background of gravitational decoupling, a well-known approach to extend the existing solutions to the more generalized domain. To do this, we consider a seed perfect fluid spherical source and add an extra matter content in the Einstein’s field equations. This makes the gravitational equations more complex and thus we are required to implement the decoupling technique, resulting in two subsystems. For solving first of them representing perfect fluid setup, we consider Hayward black hole. As the other system is concerned, three constraints are taken into account to find the deformation function which completes the solution. A particular combination of both these solutions leads to a novel extension analogous to the total fluid distribution. Afterwards, we choose multiple values of the decoupling parameter to graphically analyze the physical attributes for our resulting solutions. Some thermodynamic characteristics are also discussed. Finally, we conclude that the stability for all three models remains preserved according to the specific heat and Hessian matrix criteria.peer-reviewe

    Construction of identity and transnationalism : a journey with Migrantour

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    Identities are formed through intertwined interactions amongst people, in the context of societal and institutional practices. Thus, experiences of migration impact the individual formation of different self-understandings, which need to navigate different cultures simultaneously. The study looks at the experiences of first and second-generation migrants who are intercultural companions in the Migrantour network. As Migrantour is a project aimed at creating a comprehensive view of cultures, combat stigma, and foster inclusion, the intercultural companions play a significant role in developing personalised narratives, mixing autobiographical and non-autobiographical testimonies with historical facts, to create a rich tour which makes everyone the protagonist of their own story. Through this acquired agency, intercultural companions develop a self-understanding of themselves, as well as a communal identity as part of a network.peer-reviewe

    Financial resilience of cooperative banks : the Polish experience

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    OBJECTIVE: The financial resilience of a bank is the key to its stable development and a key benchmark for the planning of its activities. Only financially resilient banks are able to perform their functions effectively, withstand crisis and, most importantly, secure the trust of their customers. The purpose of this article is to study the financial resilience of a cooperative bank drawing on the example of one of the largest and oldest banks in Poland, Poznański Bank Spółdzielczy.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The methods of generalization, grouping, comparison, analysis, and descriptive methods were used to analyze the activities and key indicators of financial resilience of a cooperative bank. Statistical and graphical methods were used to process the bank's data and arrange them in tables and figures. For the purposes of this study, the data from the website of Poznański Bank Spółdzielczy for 2013-2023 were used.FINDINGS: The article analyzes the key performance indicators of a cooperative bank reflecting its financial resilience. In particular, the bank's assets and its resource potential (liabilities), as well as profitability, ROI and solvency of the bank. Based on the analysis of these indicators, a conclusion about the overall assessment of the financial stability of a cooperative bank has been drawn. Over the past ten years, the changes of the key performance indicators of Poznański Bank Spółdzielczy indicates a stable development and strengthening of its position in the financial market.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This article contributes to the body of literature on the peculiarities of the cooperative banks’ operations. Besides, the study of the financial resilience of these financial institutions allows us to better understand their ability to withstand financial shocks, given their business peculiarities.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: A characteristic feature of cooperative banks is the possibility of becoming an Associated Bank member. This allows them to rely on additional funding from the Associated Bank where they need financial resources. Besides, Poznański Bank Spółdzielczy is a member of the SGB Protection System, which was created by a group of cooperative banks in Poland. This institution legally ensures the liquidity and solvency of the banks in the system and can take effective measures to limit risk and ensure the resilience of the cooperative bank. Such an internal structure of supervision over the operations of cooperative banks is a guarantee of stability and resilience of their operation and allows for faster prevention of the impact of negative factors.peer-reviewe

    A new model of public safety management in the voivodeship : the voivode's tasks

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    PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to define and analyze the role of the voivode as a local government body responsible for protecting public safety and order, both before and after the changes introduced in Poland by the new Act of December 5, 2024, on Population Protection and Civil Defense. The paper aims to present the voivode's responsibilities under the new legal system, and to indicate the extent to which this reform has strengthened their position as a key entity responsible for coordinating activities in the sphere of public safety, order, and population protection. The article also highlights the systemic consequences of the new regulations and their impact on relations between the government and local government.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study utilizes a dogmatic legal method and an institutional analysis, supplemented by a comparative legal approach, which allows fan assessment of the differences between the previous and current legal frameworks regarding the voivode's powers.FINDINGS: The analysis indicates that the provisions of the Act of December 5, 2024, on Population Protection and Civil Defense significantly expanded the scope of the voivode's powers in the areas of public safety, population protection, and civil defense. Compared to the previous legal status, the voivode has become not only a coordinator but also a key authority responsible for the organization, supervision, and cooperation of entities comprising the local population protection system. At the same time, the provisions of the Act imprecisely regulate the voivode's relationship with local government units, which in practice may raise doubts about the legality of the voivode's actions and potentially excessive interference with the constitutionally protected autonomy of local government.PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Clarifying the scope of coordination, cooperation, supervision, management, and collaboration between the voivode and local government authorities appears crucial to ensuring both the effectiveness of civil protection activities and respect for the principle of decentralization of public authority. Whether the new regulations, while strengthening the security system in Poland, will also pose a potential threat to the autonomy of local governments remains to be seen.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The issue of redefining the role of the voivode within the system of security authorities in Poland in the context of the changes introduced by the Act on Civil Protection and Civil Defense has not been widely analyzed in the literature. This paper provides a synthetic and comparative overview of these changes and formulates de lege ferenda postulates that can serve as a starting point for further discussion on changes that increase the transparency and effectiveness of the security system in Poland and their effects, which may threaten the constitutionally protected autonomy of Polish local governments.peer-reviewe

    Integrating financial management with intelligent technologies : financial services companies case study

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    PURPOSE: The goal of the research is to investigate the role of intelligent technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Big Data analytics, in enhancing financial management practices within banking and non-banking institutions. The study aims to identify how technology adoption influences operational and economic efficiency, financial stability and resilience, competitiveness, and strategic decision-making, while also addressing the challenges of digital transformation in the financial services sector.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research methodology is based on a case study approach that analyzes the integration of intelligent technologies into financial management practices in digital-only, traditional, and hybrid financial institutions. The case study integrates qualitative insights from interviews and structured questionnaires with quantitative assessments of financial performance indicators. To evaluate the research results and to provide a comprehensive perspective on the impact of intelligent technologies on the effectiveness of financial management practices, SWOT analysis and weighted evaluation models were applied.FINDINGS: The findings suggest that intelligent technologies enhance financial management through optimized operational efficiency, economic performance and financial stability, increased customer base and competitiveness, improved risk management, inclusivity and institutional resilience. Digital-only financial institutions demonstrate rapid innovation and strong customer engagement, while traditional maintain stability through a focus on customer satisfaction with comprehensive service offerings and their trust, but with relatively slower technology adoption. Hybrid models leverage the combination of physical and digital channels to strengthen service delivery and expand presence on regional financial markets. Challenges related to cybersecurity and regulatory changes, increasing competition from agile fintech companies, investment requirements in innovative technologies and workforce training, highlight the importance of adaptive strategies to digitally driven global financial market.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The research results demonstrate that strategic integration of intelligent technologies can improve operational efficiency, financial resilience, customer satisfaction,, while also supporting financial inclusion. Financial institutions that effectively adopt AI and analytics are better equipped to respond to market dynamics, enhance competitiveness, and sustain long-term growth. Key enablers include investment in technology and talent, regulatory monitoring, and fostering an innovation-driven culture.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study demonstrates that intelligent technologies are critical for modern financial management and competitive positioning. By comparing digital, traditional, and hybrid institutions, the research provides practical and theoretical insights into how technology adoption reshapes financial performance, strategic decision-making, and customer engagement, offering guidance for institutions navigating digital transformation.peer-reviewe

    Artificial intelligence in public health : promises, challenges, and an agenda for policy makers and public health institutions

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    Artificial intelligence (AI) can rapidly analyse large and complex datasets, extract tailored recommendations, support decision making, and improve the efficiency of many tasks that involve the processing of data, text, or images. As such, AI has the potential to revolutionise public health practice and research, but accompanying challenges need to be addressed. AI can be used to support public health surveillance, epidemiological research, communication, the allocation of resources, and other forms of decision making. It can also improve productivity in daily public health work. Core challenges to its widespread adoption span equity, accountability, data privacy, the need for robust digital infrastructures, and workforce skills. Policy makers must acknowledge that robust regulatory frameworks covering the lifecycle of relevant technologies are needed, alongside sustained investment in infrastructure and workforce development. Public health institutions can play a key part in advancing the meaningful use of AI in public health by ensuring their staff are up to date regarding existing regulatory provisions and ethical principles for the development and use of AI technologies, thinking about how to prioritise equity in AI design and implementation, investing in systems that can securely process the large volumes of data needed for AI applications and in data governance and cybersecurity, promoting the ethical use of AI through clear guidelines that align with human rights and the public good, and considering AI’s environmental impact.peer-reviewe

    Shifting structures : promoting gender mainstreaming for structural & systemic change vol. 1

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    This publication is the result of a collaborative effort between the University of Malta’s Department of Gender and Sexualities and the Human Rights Directorate. While the University of Malta regularly hosts research symposiums to showcase student research, this initiative marks the first symposium dedicated exclusively to themes related to gender mainstreaming. In early 2024, a call for abstracts was issued, inviting research contributions that explore the intersections of gender, work, care, and social structures. The Women and Gender Studies Symposium, held in September 2024, featured three sessions focusing on gender roles, the dynamics of paid and unpaid work, and the intersections of gender-based violence and sexuality. The selected research papers examine critical themes, including gender and family structures, the gendered dimensions of care work, well-being in professional and institutional settings, and the interplay between care, sexuality, and vulnerability. From the submissions received, eight pieces were chosen for inclusion in this publication. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Department of Gender and Sexualities, particularly its Head, Prof. JosAnn Cutajar, for partnering with the HRD’s Gender Mainstreaming Unit in the organization of this symposium. We also acknowledge the dedication of all contributing researchers, whose work advances scholarly discourse on gender equality and care work. Their contributions not only enrich academic inquiry but also inform policy and practice in this crucial field.peer-reviewe

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