16168 research outputs found
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LEAN methods and digital technologies integration challenges.
No full textIn times of dynamic markets, where customer needs, supply chains of materials and products, and the needs of the market itself are often changing, the synthesis of LEAN methods and flexible digital insights is a necessary process for rapid adaptation and successful operation. For manufacturing organizations, this process is necessary to remain smart against the backdrop of changing innovations. The integration of these two paradigms into a single organizational model is not a new prospect, but for successful functioning it is necessary to overcome fundamental challenges, such as structural organization, cultural transformation. Scientific literature emphasizes that there is still a lack of sociotechnical assessment factors for potential risks in organizations
Selecting loyalty building measures for generation X and Y consumers.
No full textCustomer loyalty is important for achieving better business results, as repeat purchases increase sales volume, market share, and company profitability. 80% of customers (who are not loyal, with a purchase frequency of 1–15 times per year) generate 37% of revenue, which means that 20% of loyal customers (with a purchase frequency of 16 or more times per year) generate 63% of revenue. Loyal customers generate a larger share of the company's revenue, even though loyal customers account for less than half of all the company's customers. Loyal customers are important to the company, and a loyal customer base is essential to ensure the company's profitability. When applying loyalty measures to consumers, it is necessary to take generational differences into account. Representatives of different generations have formed different habits and values and have different levels of technological literacy. Representatives of different generations will engage with brands differently and will also respond differently to companies' efforts to reach them. The subject of this master's thesis is loyalty–building measures for Generation X and Y consumers, and the aim of the thesis is to select loyalty–building measures for Generation X and Y consumers. To achieve this aim, the following tasks have been set: to examine the concept of consumer loyalty, revealing loyalty–building measures; to identify the characteristics of Generation X and Y consumers and the factors that determine their loyalty, to develop a theoretical model of consumer loyalty–building measures for Generation X and Y consumers, based on the results of empirical research, to justify the selection of consumer loyalty–building measures for Generation X and Y. Traditional methods of scientific literature analysis and written surveys were used for data collection, and data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis methods. A literature review shows that consumer loyalty is defined as a positive attitude of consumers towards a brand and/or company, which is formed through marketing measures and reflected in repeat purchases, product advocacy and rational choice. Measures for building consumer loyalty include quality improvement, discounts, marketing communication, and personalization. The objective of this study is to select loyalty-building measures for Generation X and Y consumers, which is achieved through a quantitative research study. The Cronbach Alpha method is used to assess the reliability of the research questionnaire. An analysis of the empirical research results using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal Wallis H test, and regression analysis revealed that, from the perspective of Generation X consumers, the most acceptable loyalty-building measure is marketing communication, followed by quality improvement and discounts. The most acceptable means of improving the loyalty of Generation Y consumers is quality improvement, followed by marketing communication, as well as discounts and personalization
Application of spatial planning principles and their impact on sustainable real estate development.
No full textThe study examines the impact of spatial planning processes on the sustainable development of real estate projects and urbanized areas in Lithuania. The relevance of the research is determined by increasing urbanization, the growing intensity of real estate development and the need to balance economic, social and environmental interests with spatial planning decisions. The study analyzes cases from the cities of Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda, assessing planning solutions in spatial planning documents, urbanization trends and the implementation outcomes of specific real estate projects. The data used in the research includes legal acts regulating spatial planning, national and municipal level strategic documents, statistical indicators from official sources, geographic information systems data and publicly available information on the analyzed real estate projects. A mixed research methodology was applied, encompassing scientific literature and document analysis, comparative statistical analysis, case study analysis and multicriteria evaluation using PROMETHEE method. The methodology enabled a comprehensive assessment of the impact of spatial planning solutions on sustainability indicators, including urban quality, energy efficiency, social environment and infrastructure coherence. Based on the research findings, recommendations for improving spatial planning processes were formulated. The research results indicate that the quality and consistency of spatial planning decisions have a significant influence on the sustainability of real estate projects. It was found that municipalities applying an integrated planning approach, clear strategic guidelines and more effective stakeholder coordination achieve higher sustainability outcomes. However, the results also reveal that economically more advanced municipalities are better positioned to ensure more sustainable planning practices. Additionally, key challenges were identified, including lengthy planning procedures, fragmented application of planning documents and insufficient public participation. The study provides recommendations for improving spatial planning processes to promote more sustainable real estate development and enhance urban quality of life. Although Lithuania’s spatial planning system is being modernized and is legally well structured, in practice it remains fragmented and overly procedural, which limits its ability to deliver sustainable urban outcomes. Urbanization analysis reveals targeted development trends that strengthen suburban areas and city centers, while conversion projects demonstrate that integrated and high-quality planning solutions can generate tangible social, environmental and economic value. Therefore, sustainable real estate and urban development require a transition toward spatial planning model based on multicriteria evaluation, enabling evidence-based management of development decisions and ensuring long-term urban quality
The consequences of the Green Deal for the automotive industry.
No full textThe European Union's automotive sector has a century-long tradition of manufacturing vehicles with internal combustion engines. This industry is recognized worldwide for its mechanical engineering expertise, product quality, and innovative designs. However, the industry is currently facing new challenges due to the requirements of the European green course. The European automotive industry is undergoing significant changes due to the shift in demand to external markets, the growing focus on green mobility, and the emergence of software-controlled vehicles
Investigation of the properties of self-compacting concrete using dispersed electronic waste.
No full textThis Master’s Final Degree Project examines whether electronic waste glass, used as a partial Portland cement replacement, can be applied in self-compacting concrete without deteriorating its technological, mechanical and durability properties. The aim of the research is to determine the optimal proportion of Portland cement replacement with ground electronic waste glass particles that ensures compliance of self-compacting concrete of class C30/37–XC2–XF3–XA1–SF1, while simultaneously contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the amount of electronic waste
Pastatų valdymo strategijų vertinimo metodologija: tvarumo požiūris.
No full textThis study proposes a framework for assessing facility management strategies that would facilitate the improvement of operational phase of building’s life cycle. The research task is to develop a conceptual FM framework that covers pre- and post-renovation stages and introduces performance assessment and strategy assessment matrices that facilitate decision-making in the sustainability of FM. This is supported by a comprehensive literature review on the current research trends in FM and sustainability aspects in FM domain, as well as by practical application of the framework through a case-study of healthcare facilities in the Republic of Moldova. The proposed framework is a response to the lack of frameworks that would translate governance-driven sustainability requirements into actionable FM strategies. Thus, the research creates a tool that includes performance assessment and strategies assessment matrices to improve the sustainability of the facilities through the application of FM strategies. The practical application of the framework reveals that facilities’ compliance with international or national policy objectives can be significantly improved through renovation interventions and specifically energy efficiency measures. For instance, the compliance of interventions with policy targets of analysed healthcare facilities improved by 50% after the renovation. Moreover, the sustainability of the facility highly depends on the implementation of FM strategies at all organisational levels, and adoption of advanced technology. The sustainability aspect to which the FM strategies and objectives contribute the most or the least is identified and FM readiness assessed. The case-study reveals through the application of the proposed framework and integrated matrices that after the implementation of renovation interventions and adoption of FM strategies and objectives at each sustainability domain, the sustainability readiness of the facilities has significantly improved. Thus, from a maturity score of 0.71 (level 1 – basic) for the environmental aspect, it has increased to 3.57 (level 4 – advanced), completely reducing the areas of no maturity by integrating FM strategies at all organisational levels. Hence, the environmental aspect that was underdeveloped before renovation, has experienced the most significant improvement. This way, the framework intends to be a strong analytical tool for practitioners to identify sustainability weaknesses in FM
The gender gap in the care economy is larger in highly developed countries: sociocultural explanations for paradoxical findings /
No full textDespite the growing demand for care economy employees (e.g., nurses, teachers, and social workers), men remain underrepresented in these careers. While economically developed countries support more equal rights for women and men, their labor markets are highly gender segregated (Charles, 1992, 2003). We conducted a focused investigation of this paradoxical pattern in the care economy, testing whether gender gaps in care economy career interest are larger in more economically developed countries and, if so, what psychological and cultural factors underlie these patterns. We examined these questions with labor data from 70 countries (Study 1) and a preregistered study of career interests among 19,240 university students from 49 countries (Study 2). Although more economically developed countries tend to promote greater gender equality, our results reveal that the gender gap in care economy representation (Study 1) and interest (Study 2) is especially large in such countries. We did not observe parallel patterns for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics representation or interest. Results from Study 2 supported an integrated theoretical account of this development paradox in care economy interest: Cross-national variation in the gender gap in care economy interest was predicted by country-level variation in economic development and individualism/collectivism but not by self-expression values or country-level gender equality, countering prior (controversial) claims of a gender equality paradox. Furthermore, larger gender gaps in communal values (e.g., men’s lower valuing of helping and caring for others) were a proximal predictor of larger gender gaps in care economy interest in highly economically developed countries
Rationale for new pontoon-cable bridge structure parameters for providing uninterrupted transportation /
No full textA novel type of pontoon bridge was proposed, characterized by fully submerged pontoons, creating excessive buoyant forces, and overdeck cable intended for keeping them from surfacing. Various scheme configurations were calculated using FEM to determine structure’s behaviour and substantiate its parameters. Result show increased rigidity, when compared to traditional floating bridges, which translates into improved passenger comfort and overall usability
Lightweight, heat-insulating, alkali-activated slag composites with carbon-based biochar additive and filler /
No full textAn alkali-activated slag binder based on biochar was developed in this research. The biochar was produced from waste wood and is referred to as biochar waste (BW). In the alkali-activated slag system, a small amount of biochar (up to 0.5%) was used as an additive, and a larger amount (from 1% to 25%) was used as a filler. The influence of the biochar powder on compressive strength was determined. The hydrated samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the thermal, acoustical properties, and hydration temperature were also determined. The compressive strength of the alkali-activated slag composite, especially after 7 days, was found to increase slightly due to the introduction of a small amount (0.05-0.5%) of BW powder. The powder in the alkali-activated slag matrix was distributed homogenously, resulting in a reduction in the crack propagation. A larger amount of BW led to a non-homogeneous distribution, and this resulted in a gradual reduction in compressive strength with increasing BW. The highest values of compressive strength at 28 days of hydration (44.4 MPa) were recorded for samples with 0.25% of BW. According to mathematical analysis methods, the compressive strength is mainly influenced by the specific surface area of the initial mix ingredients and the amount of BW additive. In the alkali-activated slag matrix, BW acted as an inert micro-filler, with the dilution effect possibly being the reason for the decrease in the hydration temperature. SEM analysis demonstrated that the BW had a good adhesion with the alkali-activated slag matrix. The thermal and acoustic insulation performance of samples with BW improved. These investigations suggest that BW can be successfully incorporated in alkali-activated material, resulting in low thermal conductivity and adequate acoustic insulation performance
Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of novel thioimidazole derivatives bearing a trimethoxyphenyl moiety /
No full textNitrogen-containing heterocycles remain central to drug discovery, with imidazole standing out for its versatility and biological relevance. Sulfur substitution yields thioimidazoles, which offer altered electronic properties and pharmacokinetics. In parallel, the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl (TMP) group is recognized as a privileged pharmacophore in oncology, anchoring ligands within protein binding pockets and contributing to multi-target activity. Here, we combined these motifs to synthesize a series of thioimidazole–TMP conjugates. Their activity was tested across human cancer cell models representing distinct tissue origins, alongside non-malignant lung fibroblasts. Among the library, compound 13b emerged as a lead, showing sub-micromolar potency in the most sensitive cancer cells while remaining inactive in fibroblasts, yielding a selectivity index above 20. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that 13b induces a canonical apoptotic program: Annexin V positivity, caspase-3/7 activation, and γH2AX foci consistent with DNA damage. Crucially, these effects extended beyond two-dimensional assays. In three-dimensional spheroid models, which better mimic tumor architecture, 13b penetrated compact structures, suppressed growth, and induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Together, these findings indicate that merging thioimidazole and TMP frameworks yields a hybrid scaffold with strong promise in anticancer research. Compound 13b therefore represents a promising candidate for further mechanistic investigation and optimization toward improved drug-like properties