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Unlocking synergies: how coopetition can generate sustained value in food aid supply chains
No full textPurpose:
Food insecurity remains a pressing global concern, with the role of charitable surplus food redistributors becoming increasingly crucial. Previous studies have highlighted the need for increased cooperation among redistributors who also compete for both surplus food and funding. Inspired by the benefits of coopetition in commercial food supply chains, this study explores coopetition in the food aid supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach:
We interviewed managers of 35 purposively sampled surplus food redistributing organisations across England. Our data were analysed abductively, guided by an adapted coopetition conceptual model for the food aid context to derive theoretically and practically meaningful insights.
Findings:
Redistributors, driven by the shared social concern for disadvantaged groups, commit food and logistics resources both vertically and horizontally to coopetitive relationships. Notwithstanding, power dynamics and value conflicts, along with resource scarcity, undermine joint and firm value creation opportunities and heighten value destruction.
Research limitations/implications:
By focusing exclusively on the food aid supply chain, this study parsimoniously offers a context-specific theoretical framework whose applicability to other supply chain types may be limited. However, this contextual specificity presents valuable opportunities for future research. Further inquiry could explore the influence of external actors (such as governments and donors), the effects of relational direction across varied supply chain configurations and the governance mechanisms that shape coopetitive dynamics more broadly.
Originality/value:
Coopetition in the context of surplus food redistribution is underexplored. Our study uniquely engages actors in the two-stage food aid supply chain and proffers pathways for navigating simultaneity and value creation intent towards transformational societal impact.This paper is part of the outputs of the Food Systems Equality (FoodSEqual) project titled “Co-production of healthy and sustainable food systems for disadvantaged communities,” funded by the BBSRC under UKRI’s Strategic Priorities Funds.The International Journal of Logistics Managemen
Bulk hydrogen production and the impact on turbomachinery lifing
No full textThe EU has made the commitment to reduce pollutant gases emissions by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve these targets the power generation sector must engage. Gas turbines will play a part through the use of alternative fuels such as H2. However the adoption of H2 as a fuel presents multiple engineering challenges, from flame stability, to NOx emissions, to materials’ degradation. The latter is inherently linked to the technologies used to produce hydrogen in the bulk quantities required. Different technologies will generate H2 with differing quantities and types of contaminants (i.e., Cl-based for seawater electrolysis, S-based from steam methane reforming). This is important as, upon combustion, these contaminants can form harmful species in the exhaust stream, linked to mechanisms causing materials degradation. It is therefore crucial to understand the types of contaminants that are present in bulk H2 and so in the combusted gases. This work links together fuel and ingested air chemistry in the gas turbines to the chemical composition of the combusted gases, to the degradation mechanism that might arise in blading materials, and finally their impact on the gas turbine life. Exhaust gas composition has been predicted via thermodynamic modelling, and the condensation of harmful species that will ultimately dictate the corrosion mechanisms (e.g., alkali vapour) calculated.12th International Gas Turbine Conference (IGTC 2025)E3S Web of Conference
Trust dimensions in blockchain and process industries
No full textFor some supply chains, the information flows between stakeholders are still manual, based on emails and paper exchanges that are kept in data silos. This research investigates how innovative technologies can improve the data flows in the milling industry, specifically in the flour supply chain. We explore whether adopting blockchain improves supply chain visibility, reduces operating costs, and increases collaboration and trust among supply chain partners. Using interactive research and participant observation as research methodology, we map the information flow between a miller and its buyers to replicate manual, paper-based information flows in a digital environment. Semi-structured interviews and process observations showed that blockchain technology provided visibility, automation, and reliability to the current manual, paper-based, and time-consuming information flows. We build theoretical knowledge on how blockchain, as an enabling technology, can provide a fairground to share data and consequently build trust. Managerial implications include guidelines for companies operating in comparable supply chains, specifically those in the food supply chain, in adopting blockchain primarily and other Industry 4.0 technologies. Future research could focus on building analytical models on immutable digitised information for forecasting and optimisation purposes and for process automation.The Palgrave Handbook of Supply Chain and Disruptive Technologie
Enhancing primary school leadership through cultural intelligence and talent management: a case study approach
No full textThis study addresses the challenge of sustaining effective primary school leadership in contexts of high accountability, limited resources, and staff turnover. The research examines how cultural intelligence, structured team dynamics, and strategic talent management can enhance leadership effectiveness and support school improvement. Drawing on a qualitative case study of a two-form entry primary school in Surrey, England, data were collected from performance management records, appraisal documentation, strategic planning documents, and leadership reflections. Thematic analysis identified how cultural alignment, collaborative structures, and internal talent pipelines improved staff engagement, retention, and professional growth. Findings show that leadership practices grounded in cultural intelligence and distributed responsibility fostered resilience, creativity, and collective efficacy among staff. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how these frameworks can be operationalized in primary schools. Practical implications include reevaluating inspection frameworks and leadership standards so they value cultural work, collaborative practice, and leadership-pipeline development as drivers of sustained school improvement.Educational Management Administration & Leadershi
A comprehensive review of robotics-aided aircraft non-destructive inspection towards the smart hangar
No full textAircraft maintenance is a multifaceted process that requires highly skilled, qualified and experienced personnel. Effective maintenance processes optimise aircraft operational lifespan, minimise lifecycle costs and improve reliability by reducing the probability of unexpected maintenance events. The initial diagnostic phase relies on detailed visual inspections conducted by certified technicians. Following inspections, data assessment leads to the development of a comprehensive maintenance plan, along with the sourcing of necessary resources and spare parts. As the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector transitions into the era of Industry 4.0, there is a growing emphasis on integrating data analytics and cyber-physical systems into maintenance practices. A key objective in this evolution is the adoption of robotic systems for inspection tasks. This shift requires the reconfiguration of formal inspection procedures to ensure compatibility with robotic operations. Moreover, it is critical to address the specific requirements of robotics and to incorporate smart hangar technologies that take advantage of real-time data to improve both efficiency and effectiveness in maintenance operations. This study provides a comprehensive review of the MRO landscape and maintenance checks, with a particular focus on robotic aircraft inspection systems, navigation and smart hangar infrastructure. The discussion concludes with an examination of defect detection methods using machine vision along with relevant metrics to compare with human performance.The Aeronautical Journa
Advanced characterization and resistance to failure of novel electron beam physical vapour deposited thermal barrier coatings for net zero - an experimental study
No full textSchiller, Tara - Associate Supervisor
Nicholls, John R. - Associate SupervisorThe efficiency of aeroengines is of paramount importance to reduce the environmental
impact and operating costs of the aviation industry. The attainable efficiency gains are
limited by the durability of the components in the hot section of the engine, the turbine.
Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) are ceramic layers protecting the metallic components in the hot section of the engine. Improvements to the thermal capability of these
coatings translates to overall efficiency gains. However, achieving them is a steep challenge, due to the harsh environment in which TBCs operate. Overcoming this challenge
requires a deep understanding of the links between manufacturing process, resulting microstructure and behaviour of TBCs, as well as their failure modes.
Electron Beam Physical Vapour Deposition (EB-PVD) was used to deposit TBCs
with a range of microstructures. Their microstructural features were quantified through
a method developed to that end. This analysis was complemented through the advanced
crystallographic study of the TBCs using Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD).
The characterized systems were tested for life-limiting failure modes: CMAS1 attack, erosion and cyclic oxidation. The response of the TBCs to CMAS infiltration and
the effect of the microstructural features was studied. A method for the quantification of
CMAS infiltration depth was developed and validated using isothermal and thermal gradient exposures. This method allowed for identifying of a previously unreported two-stage
mechanism for CMAS infiltration in EB-PVD TBCs.
The erosion resistance of the produced coatings was investigated through high velocity particle impact testing. The morphology of damage was observed and material loss
1 after its constituents, Calcia, Magnesia, Alumina, Silica
iimechanisms were proposed based on the microstructural and crystalline characteristics of
each coating.
The proposed methods will help accelerate the development of novel TBCs by laying
the foundations for a mechanistic understanding of coating characteristics and their effect
on failure behaviour.EngD in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturin
LayupFormer: a deep generative model for composite laminate layup design
Get PDFConventional laminate layup design relies on search-and-evaluate strategies that become intractable as ply counts grow, offering limited guarantees of feasibility, interpretability, and efficiency. While surrogate modelling and optimisation using artificial intelligence have accelerated composite design, most approaches still explore the design space via a search-centric manner. Generative methods offer an alternative by incorporating performance criteria, but often operate with restricted orientation sets, lack interpretability, or require auxiliary tools to ensure feasibility. This article introduces LayupFormer, a physics-informed Transformer framework that reformulates laminate layup design as an inverse sequence generation problem. The solution embeds mechanics through laminate parameters derived from Tsai's invariants and constrains designs with a domain-specific grammar over ply orientations. The framework couples a high-fidelity predictor, which regresses load and stiffness, with a generator that directly produces requirement-compliant layups efficiently across data scales. Attention analyses reveal that LayupFormer captures long-range through-thickness interactions and internalises laminate principle, providing interpretable insights into the generation process. Experimental validation confirms that LayupFormer-designed layups achieve superior bearing performance and reduced variability compared with empirical baselines. LayupFormer establishes a unified physics-informed generative framework that transforms laminate design from search-based optimisation into an interpretable and data-efficient inverse-design process, paving the way for scalable and automated composite design.Composites Science and Technolog
Evaluation of fixed-wing pilot strategies in startle and surprise events: a survey study
Get PDFPilots frequently encounter startle and/or surprise (S&S), which can negatively affect their performance. To investigate the types of non-nominal events that prompt S&S, 92 pilots from different fixed-wing operating backgrounds - commercial, military and general aviation - completed a survey. In addition to exploring the relative prevalence of different S&S events, the survey required participants to reflect on the level of stress and mental workload experienced during these events. They also rated the perceived effectiveness of any S&S management methods or techniques they may have implemented. Overall, 95% of the participants reported that they had experienced S&S events. Spatial disorientation and bird strikes caused the highest levels of stress. Aircraft system malfunctions, severe turbulence and automation surprises induced the highest workload. The respondents indicated that applying S&S management techniques helped relieve stress and mental workload. The perceived effectiveness of applying breathing-based techniques was significantly greater than other methods. However, despite regulatory recommendations, only 23% of participants were trained in breathing-based methods. The survey also asked participants to remark on their openness to adopt methods that are specifically tailored to expedite emotional and cognitive recovery from S&S. In this study, the Aviate-Breathe-Communicate (ABC) method was evaluated. Across a range of hypothetical S&S events, participants rated the ABC method as most useful in disorientation scenarios. The lack of time was perceived as the most significant barrier to applying this method in critical events. Additionally, participants rated the variability and unpredictability of their training; however, no significant relationship was found between these ratings and perceived stress levels during S&S events. These findings highlighted the need for improvement in S&S training programs and emphasised the recommendation of breathing-based techniques for managing acute stress in high-stakes situations.22nd International Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics Conference (EPCE 2025)Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomic
Process modelling and thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production through chemical looping ammonia cracking
Get PDFIn this study, a novel chemical looping ammonia cracking (CLCr) process was designed for efficient hydrogen production. A closed-loop, three-reactor chemical looping system using iron oxide as the oxygen carrier was modelled in Aspen Plus. A parametric study was carried out to evaluate the effect of key parameters, including the air reactor outlet temperature, fuel reactor outlet temperature, ammonia to oxygen carrier ratio, and the steam reactor pressure. The optimal operating conditions were then identified, under which a hydrogen yield of 69.4% with 99.99% purity can be achieved with an overall energy efficiency of 79.6%. An energy balance analysis was also carried out to confirm that the process is autothermal, and the overall exergy efficiency of the process was 70.4%. These findings highlight the novel CLCr process as an energy-efficient alternative to conventional ammonia catalytic cracking for hydrogen production.This work was supported by grants from Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK (EP/X03593X/1)Sustainable Energy & Fuel
Resilient or fragile? modelling economic disruptions in India's electronics sector due to the Red Sea crisis
Get PDFThe Red Sea crisis and the recent attacks on commercial ships have drawn significant attention worldwide, underscoring the need to understand how such geopolitical conflicts can disrupt global supply chains and economic stability. This paper thoroughly examines the complex impacts of the crisis on India's electronics and photonics sector, recognizing the sector's crucial importance as a fundamental pillar in the country's economic structure. The study creates a mathematical model to assess how disruptions in the Electronics and Photonics Sector affect India's economy in light of the Red Sea Crisis. The model uses two specific methods: interval programming and input-output modelling. How disruption in one area of the economy ripples to another is studied using Wassily Leontief's Inoperability Input-output Model (IIM). IIM now includes interval programming to handle data uncertainties. The findings disclose that, because of the Red Sea crisis, Indian Sector has experienced a huge economic loss of 605.52 million USD. The study also determines which sectors are anticipated to suffer significant losses due to the crisis, allowing decision-makers to prioritize their investment plans. Further, the research uses the inoperability value to analyse the interconnections between the sectors. Additionally, a decision-support conclusion is included in the research to analyse the sectors under various situations.Journal of Transport Geograph