Tomas Bata University in Zlín
Institutional repository of Tomas Bata University LibraryNot a member yet
10673 research outputs found
Sort by
Inter-organizational social capital of firms in developing economies and industry 4.0 readiness: the role of innovative capability and absorptive capacity Author-1
Get PDFThe globalization of markets provides opportunities for firms to collaborate on various activities. These collaborations are the resource of social capital for firms to achieve sustainable competitiveness. This study aims to investigate how social capital (i.e., structural, relational, and cognitive social capital) between firms in a developing economy and developed economy strengthens their innovation capability and enhance their industry 4.0 readiness. Using Smart PLS-SEM to analyse the data collected from 320 managers representing 81 manufacturing firms in Pakistan, we found that social capital is positively associated with industry 4.0 readiness, and innovative capability mediates this relationship. The study contributes to the existing knowledge of understanding industry 4.0 readiness and provides useful insights for firms in developing economy to improves their innovation capability during the industry 4.0 era. This study likewise reveals the significance of three dimensions of social capital, which can facilitate to bring in digital knowledge from developed economies to developed economies to get ready for the fourth industrial revolution.IGA/FaME/2021/006, IGA/FaME/2022/005, IGA/FaME/2022/008; Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve ZlíněInternal Grant Agency of Faculty of Management and Economics through Tomas Bata University in Zln. Czech Republic [IGA/FaME/2021/006, IGA/FaME/2022/005, IGA/FaME/2022/008
Multivariate long memory structure in the cryptocurrency market: The impact of COVID-19
No full textIn this paper, we study the long memory behavior of Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Monero, and Dash with a focus on the COVID-19 period. Initially, we apply a time-varying Lifting method to estimate the Hurst exponent for each cryptocurrency. Then we test for a change in persistence over time. To model the multivariate con-nectivity, the wavelet-based multivariate long memory approach proposed by Achard and Gannaz (2016) is implemented. Our results indicate a change in the long-range dependence for the majority of cryptocurrencies, with a noticeable downward trend in persistence after the 2017 bubble and then a dramatic drop after the outbreak of COVID-19. The drop in persistence after COVID-19 is further illustrated by the Fractal connectivity matrix obtained from the Wavelet long-memory model. Our findings provide important implications regarding the evolution of market efficiency in the cryptocurrency market and the associated fractal structure and dy-namics of the crypto prices over timeMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación, MICINN: PID2020-114797GB-100Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [PID2020-114797GB-100
Biofilm formation reduction by eugenol and thymol on biodegradable food packaging material
Get PDFBiofilm is a structured community of microorganisms adhering to surfaces of various polymeric materials used in food packaging. Microbes in the biofilm may affect food quality. However, the presence of biofilm can ensure biodegradation of discarded packaging. This work aims to evaluate a biofilm formation on the selected biodegradable polymer films: poly (lactic acid) (PLA), poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) by selected bacterial strains; collection strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus; and Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus tequilensis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated from dairy products. Three different methods for biofilm evaluation were performed: the Christensen method, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and fluorescence microscopy. High biofilm formation was confirmed on the control PBS film, whereas low biofilm formation ability was observed on the PLA polymer sample. Furthermore, the films with incorporated antimicrobial compounds (thymol or eugenol) were also prepared. Antimicrobial activity and also reduction in biofilm formation on enriched polymer films were determined. Therefore, they were all proved to be antimicrobial and effective in reducing biofilm formation. These films can be used to prepare novel active food packaging for the dairy industry to prevent biofilm formation and enhance food quality and safety in the future. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.IGA/FT/2021/00
Greenhouse gas emissions and health in the countries of the European Union
Get PDFIn the current era of globalization, a clean environment remains a crucial factor for the health of the population. Thus, improving air quality is a major focus of environmental policies, as it affects all aspects of nature, including humans. For these reasons, it is appropriate to take into account the health risks posed by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released into the atmosphere. With regard to global GHG emissions, there are concerns about the loss of protection of the ozone layer and it is very likely that climate change can be expected, which multiplies the environmental threat and has potentially serious global consequences. In this regard, it is important to pay increased attention to emissions that enter the atmosphere, which include countless toxic substances. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between selected GHG emissions and the health of the European Union (EU) population represented by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). This aim was achieved using several analytical procedures (descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and panel regression analysis), which included five environmental variables (carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) in CO2 equivalent, nitrous oxide (N2O) in CO2 equivalent, hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) in CO2 equivalent, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) in CO2 equivalent) and one health variable (DALYs). An emphasis was placed on the use of quantitative methods. The results showed that CO2 emissions have a dominant position among selected GHG emissions. The revealed positive link between CO2 and DALYs indicated that a decrease in CO2 may be associated with a decrease in DALYs, but it is also true that this cannot be done without reducing emissions of other combustion products. In terms of CO2, the least positive scores were observed in Luxembourg and Estonia. Germany had the lowest score of DALYs, representing the most positive health outcome in the EU. In terms of total GHG emissions, Ireland and Luxembourg were considered to be less positive countries compared to the other analyzed countries. Countries should focus on reducing GHG emissions in general, but from a health point of view, reducing CO2 emissions seems to be the most beneficial. Copyright © 2021 Gavurova, Rigelsky and Ivankova.Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: RO/2020/0
Electromagnetic noise as entropy source for cryptographic system
No full textThis paper presents a system for gathering electromagnetic noise to extract surrounding entropy at 430 MHz. The uniqueness of electromagnetic noise depends on geographical location, time, used technology, and a plethora of other variables. The proposed system consisting of telescopic whip antenna and software defined radio HackRF One takes advantage of the said fact to extract entropy and transform it into a random number which could be then used in cryptography. Said system is supposed to be low-cost and made from generally available equipment to ensure usability for the general population. Three experiments were devised to transform received noise into random numbers. The first experiment extracts entropy from the time domain by averaging the magnitude of the signal and comparing it to magnitude. The second experiment uses Fast Fourier Transformation to obtain the frequency composition of the received signal and extracts entropy out of magnitude of different frequencies. The last experiment combines the two through logical operation XOR to gain the random number. Obtained random numbers are then tested for randomness by checking entropy, monobit test from NIST standard, and proportion of logic ones and zeroes in the sequence.Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: IGA/FAI/2022/004Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University [IGA/FAI/2022/004
Evolutionary algorithms as a tool for shielding design
No full textThe paper deals with the shielding enclosure design using evolutionary algorithms without predetermined conditions. The designed shield consists of an array of elements that represent conductive or non-conductive parts. The expected output is to design a shield with sufficient balance between shielding effectiveness and transparency in systems that need an optical line of sight. The wide frequency transparent shielding design is a complex task that researchers so far mostly solved by composite polymers. The authors use a different approach using traditional conductive material and element folding technology. Element assembly is performed by an evolutionary algorithm that decides the properties of the material used and creates the optimal structure to achieve the desired results. The paper describes the design concept for planar shielding with metaheuristics and the preliminary results.CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/16028/0006243; Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: IGA/CebiaTech/2022/004, IGA/FAI/2022/001Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University [IGA/FAI/2022/001, IGA/CebiaTech/2022/004]; TBU Research and Development Capacity Development project in Zlin [CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/16028/0006243
Effect of machining conditions on temperature and Vickers microhardness of chips during planing
Get PDFFor the machining of long and narrow surfaces and when processing multiple pieces, planing technology is used, the productivity of which can be higher than that of milling, although it is relatively slow machining. The article aims to study the degree of influence of the geometry of the tool (the angle of cutting-edge inclination and the angle of the tool-orthogonal rake), as well as the cutting conditions (cutting depth and cutting speed) on the chip characteristics (temperature and microhardness) in orthogonal and oblique slow-rate machining of steel 1.0503 (EN C45). The experiments were carried out on specially prepared workpieces designed for immediate stopping of machining. The results of the experiments were statistically processed, and behavioural models were created for temperature and Vickers microhardness of chips for individual combinations of factors. The obtained dependencies revealed how the geometry of the cutting tool and the cutting conditions affect the temperature and microhardness in the cutting area and at the same time allowed the best conditions for both orthogonal and oblique machining to be set up.Ministerstvo školstva, vedy, výskumu a športu Slovenskej republiky: APVV-19-0550, SK-CN-21-0046; Kultúrna a Edukacná Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR, KEGA: 005TUKE-4/2021, 032TUKE-4/2022[APVV-19-0550]; [SK-CN-21-0046]; [KEGA 005TUKE4/2021]; [KEGA 032TUKE-4/2022
Gifted education in the Czech Republic and the role of the school counselor for gifted students
Get PDFEnsuring quality care for gifted students requires a functional school-based conception of giftedness. The role of a school counselor for gifted students (SCGS) is to develop and reinforce this concept at each school. The theoretical background describes the school-based conceptions of giftedness with regard to activities of SCGS. The research examines whether an SCGS leads to the improvement of care for gifted students and secondly, whether it reinforces the school-based conception of giftedness. The research was conducted by means of a questionnaire and involved 352 general secondary schools, which is 98% of all these schools in the Czech Republic. The data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The research has found that schools build their conceptions on proven and simple-to-organize activities, based on traditional concepts of giftedness. It was discovered that schools create a unified conception of giftedness, irrespective of the existence of an SCGS. The weakest part of conceptions was teacher training. The limitation of the study to be the collection of data by questionnaire, follow-up research should be qualitatively oriented. The study aims to describe the effects of legislative changes on the state of gifted education at general secondary schools in the Czech Republic, with a focus on identifying the functionality of SCGS.TACR (Technology Agency of the Czech Republic) [TL03000191-P]Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, TACR; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠM
Machine learning based predictive modelling of micro gas turbine engine fuelled with microalgae blends on using LSTM networks: An experimental approach
Get PDFAir transport plays an inevitable role in the transportation sector. In the modern world, the aviation contribution is very immense to establish worldwide developments. However, the emission released by the aviation industry is massively high. Due to the sudden increase in the air traffic the contribution of global CO2 and CO have increased in recent years. Hence the aviation sector seeks the replacement for fossil fuels. In this study, the micro gas turbine engine has been experimentally studied for different engine speeds and throttle position. The gas turbine was allowed to run in the different test fuels such as, Jet-A, A20 (20% microalgae 80% Jet-A) and A30 (30% microalgae 70% Jet-A) and the predicted results were compared. In addition to the typical experimental calibrations, machine learning has been applied to examine the differences in the both performance and emission characteristics of the biofuel blends with approximately 51 different fuel combinations using LSTM networks. Based on the predicted results, introduction of the biofuel affects the production of the static thrust. On the contrary, the emissions of the CO and CO2 were very low compared to Jet-A. With regard to the nitrogen of the oxides, no massive reduction has been witnessed despite running at different fuel conditions. Besides, the marginal decrease in the NOx was observed above 75000 rpm.King Saud University, KSU; Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province: BK20200775, RSP-2021/257Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [BK20200775, RSP-2021/257]; King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabi
Effect of crises on human resources management in small and medium enterprises: Evidence from manufacturing industry in the Czech Republic
Get PDFThe current turbulent times have never been so demanding to adapt to ever-changing conditions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the cornerstone of the economy. Moreover, they are the driving force of economic processes in all countries. Therefore, this paper aims to empirically map and identify the causes of the crisis and statistically verify how these crises affect the personnel measures taken and human resource management (HRM) in SMEs. The chi-square test and Cramer's coefficient were used to verify the statistical dependences of research questions and hypotheses. A statistically significant impact of external economic influences on enterprises' activities was empirically confirmed (59%). It was proved that nowadays, the most important external factor influencing the activities of enterprises in the market is the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also focused on the personnel measures taken during the crisis. It was confirmed that small businesses apply alternative personnel measures, namely reducing variable wage components before radical redundancies. © 2022 The author(s).GA/16/201