Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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Crisis management and planning in given company
Get PDFThe article deals with the issue of crisis management in a given organization and it is focused on the creation of crisis scenarios and plans. Crisis scenarios and plans are the way how to prevent, prepare and resolve a potential crisis before it occurs. The first part of the article deals with theoretical background and literature research focused on crisis and crisis management. The second part of this article is focused on a specific company, its description, problems, threats, and weaknesses. The rest of the article comes with a reaction and solution for all mentioned threats that were determined and consulted by the company management. Created process of crisis management can be used also by other companies that have the same work plan. This article aims to emphasize the importance of crisis management to propose solutions to crises in the selected organization.IGA/FAI/2022/00
Identifying the co-curing effect of an accelerated-sulfur/bismaleimide combination on natural rubber/halogenated rubber blends using a rubber process analyzer
Get PDFThe rheometer curing curves of 50/50 blends of natural rubber (NR) and two different halogenated rubbers with a combination of conventional accelerated sulfur (CV) and 3 phr of a bismaleimide (MF3 ) at 170◦C indicates that a co-curing reaction has been taken place between NR and the halogenated rubbers via Diels–Alder reaction. To further confirm whether the co-curing reaction has taken place in the early stage of curing, a complex test methodology was applied with the help of a rubber process analyzer. In this test, the blends with CV and with CVMF3 were subjected to cure at 170◦C for a predetermined time so that both the CV and CVMF3 cured blends will have the same magnitude of curing torque. It is then cooled down to 40◦C and the storage modulus (G′ ) was evaluated as a function of strain from 0.5% to 100% at a constant frequency of 1 Hz. The results reveal that the blends cured with CVMF3 exhibit a higher G′ due to the enhanced network strength because of the formation of bismaleimide crosslinks than the same cured with only the CV system. The swelling resistance and the mechanical properties of the blends cured with CVMF3 were significantly higher than those cured with only the CV system. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.RP/CPS/2020/004; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMTMinistry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic-DKRVO [RP/CPS/2020/004
Comparison of dialdehyde polysaccharides as crosslinkers for hydrogels: The case of poly(vinyl alcohol)
No full textA little is known about the link between the macromolecular architecture of dialdehyde polysaccharides (DAPs), their crosslinking capabilities, and the properties of resulting hydrogels. Here, DAPs based on cellulose, dextrin, dextran, and hyaluronate were compared as crosslinkers for poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA. The swelling, network parameters, viscoelastic properties, porosity, and cytotoxicity of PVA/DAP hydrogels were investigated concerning the crosslinker structure, molecular weight, aldehyde group density per macromolecule, and the size of spontaneously formed crosslinker nano-assemblies. Generally, crosslinkers based on linear polysaccharides (cellulose, hyaluronate) performed more reliably, while the presence of branching could be both beneficial (dextran) but also detrimental (dextrin) at lower crosslinker concentrations. For example, the hydrogel swelling differed by up to one-third (600 vs. 400%) and storage modulus even by up to one half (~7000 vs. ~3500 Pa) depending on crosslinker structure and properties. These differences were rationalized by variances in crosslinking modes derived based on obtained data. © 2021 Elsevier LtdRP/CPS/2020/006; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GA ČR: 19-16861S; Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: IGA/CPS/2021/002Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - DKRVO [RP/CPS/2020/006]; Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/CPS/2021/002]; Czech Science FoundationGrant Agency of the Czech Republic [19-16861S
Building the prestige of a university as a tool to achieve competitiveness
Get PDFThe study addresses the importance of a higher education institution's marketing management and brand and prestige building in relation to its applicants. The research employs a wide range of secondary data sources from around the world while mainly consisting of a case study conducted in the form of a survey. The objective is to determine homogenous groups of applicants based on how they perceive the reputation of a selected university/faculty and what their preferences are when choosing a study program. The results of the research are then used to verify whether the brand values defined by the faculty in question correspond with actual perception of its brand. Groups of applicants were determined using a K-means cluster analysis and subsequently tested for the applicants' preferences when choosing a university and their perceived associations to the selected faculty using an ANOVA. The results show 3 basic clusters of applicants and provide an overview of a possible approach to brand building in the context of universities. They can therefore serve as a model example fit for implementation in universities in Europe and even beyond, provided cultural dimensions and the specific environment are accounted for.UMK Research Teams [RVO/FMK/2021/001
External factors influencing SME’s innovation outcomes in visegrad countries: A document analysis
No full textStimulating innovation has been key in addressing policy challenges facing small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the Visegrad countries. Innovational activities among firms within the Visegrad countries have given firms a competitive advantage. Understanding some factors that influence process and product innovation and their impact are very necessary for deciding on the innovation strategy that leads to successful innovation. The study assesses some external factors that SMEs within Visegrad countries find most detrimental to their innovative activity using document analysis. Twenty-five articles were reviewed from the web of science, Scopus, and Google scholar databases, thus, from 2006 to 2020. The articles revealed the innovation types of SMEs in the Visegrad countries and external factors influencing innovation the most. The document analysis results show that external factors such as spatial and locational, markets for firms’ product, public policy, society, and environmental factors are very important for SMEs product and process innovation outcomes. Again, the study not only gives insights into the SME's innovation literature but rather a wake-up call to SME's practitioners and stakeholders on the need to ensure sustainable SME's given the swift growth of innovation across the globe. Limitation and future research directions are presented at the end of the paper. © 2021, Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited. All rights reserved.IGA/FaME/2021/006Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Management & Economics of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2021/006
Zein-based films containing monolaurin/eugenol or essential oils with potential for bioactive packaging application
Get PDFZein is renewable plant protein with valuable film-forming properties that can be used as a packaging material. It is known that the addition of natural cross-linkers can enhance a film’s tensile properties. In this study, we aimed to prepare antimicrobial zein-based films enriched with monolaurin, eugenol, oregano, and thyme essential oil. Films were prepared using the solvent casting technique from ethanol solution. Their physicochemical properties were investigated using structural, morphological, and thermal techniques. Polar and dispersive components were analyzed using two models to evaluate the effects on the surface free energy values. The antimicrobial activity was proven using a disk diffusion method and the suppression of bacterial growth was confirmed via a growth kinetics study with the Gompertz function. The films’ morphological characteristics led to systems with uniform distribution of essential oils or eugenol droplets combined with a flat-plated structure of monolaurin. A unique combination of polyphenolic eugenol and amphiphilic monoglyceride provided highly stretchable films with enhanced barrier properties and efficiency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and molds. The prepared zein-based films with tunable surface properties represent an alternative to non-renewable resources with a potential application as active packaging materials. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.IGA/FT/2021/009; European Cooperation in Science and Technology, COSTInternal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FT/2021/009]; [CA19124
Development and initial validation of the nonparticipation in nonformal education questionnaire
Get PDFNonformal adult education (NFE) provides adults with the opportunity to obtain competences needed to adapt to today’s changing job market. Despite the well-documented positive effects of NFE, there remains a lack of valid research instruments to assess factors of nonparticipation. Specifically, defining the perspectives of social groups with the highest incidence of barriers and the lowest level of participation in NFE has not been a primary research goal. This study describes the development and initial validation of a novel research tool entitled the Nonparticipation in Nonformal Education Questionnaire (NP-NFE-Q). The analysis covers the use of the NP-NFE-Q on a representative sample of the adult population (n = 878) as well as three additional cohorts: low-educated workers (n = 227), persons caring for children under the age of three (n = 227), and retired persons (n = 232). The results consistently support the validation of a correlated five-factor model, which includes two situational, one institutional and two dispositional factors. © The Author(s) 2021.Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GA ČRCzech Science Foundation (GACR)Grant Agency of the Czech Republic [GA_19-00987S
Quality 4.0 for processes and customers
Get PDFPurpose Considering the speed of technological development towards the Industry 4.0 era the change is necessary for managerial aspects in industrial companies. In this paper an attempt is made to understand the influence of Industry 4.0 technologies on the Quality 4.0 concept better. Methodology/Approach: Two aspects were analysed in order to achieve the goal - the influence of Industry 4.0 on quality management and the influence of Quality 4.0 on customer satisfaction. The paper is based on a literature review and a pilot study based on questionnaires prepared for research purposes. Findings: It was found out that the emergence of new technologies is beneficial for Quality Management processes and customer satisfaction. Moreover, the influence is greatly described by the amount of data now available for analysis. However, as the concept of Quality 4.0 is in its infancy, the necessary change is still required. Research Limitation/Implication: As the research was conducted in the Czech Republic, the results are limited according to the territory. Also, the study was based on the literature review available from SCOPUS and WoS databases in English, thus further studies of available literature in other languages might be needed. Originality/Value of paper: Although the quality tools that are used in Quality are already known and accepted the influence of advanced technologies on quality management is not clear. In this paper an attempt is made to understand the influence. © 2021 by the authors.Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2020/009
Influence of temperature and transmitted power on losses in particular transmission system
Get PDFInnovations and trends has been significantly increased during modern theory and practical realizations in the field of energetic. In the Czech Republic, the research of predictions of technical losses on the transmission system can be considered as novel and important topic. Using software possibilities can be appropriately utilized in the frame of estimations of the technical losses. While they cannot be eliminated, they may be minimized. Losses can be measured or calculated using transmission-line parameters. This causality is considered in the form of the presented and proposed mathematical equations including real measured data of the atmospheric temperatures achieved on the substations selected in the Moravian-Silesian region. In this contribution, results of proposed calculations of technical losses based only on line parameters considering the ambient temperature are being compared in relation to a particular transmission system using prediction software. Particularly, technical losses caused by a configuration change of a selected part of a transmission system are considered related to the operation of Dlouhe Strane pumped storage hydro power plant. As can be conclude, after the resulted comparisons using by the proposed mathematical models in software and the obtained real measured data, general minimization of the losses is necessary to create the most accurate models of the states that might occur in the future and to propose required modifications of the given part of the transmission system. Future bounded research can be focused on the sensors situated on the transmission lines instead of the substations. © 2022, World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society. All rights reserved
Bioactive zein/chitosan systems loaded with essential oils for food-packaging applications
Get PDFBACKGROUND: There has recently been increased interest in biodegradable and sustainable packaging within the food industry. Biopolymer materials based on renewable biomass can be used as alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. A corn protein, zein, possesses excellent film-forming properties because of its hydrophobic nature. It can be used for making edible films and for producing nanofibrous layers. Combination with polysaccharides like chitosan offers promising prospects for the production of delivery systems for the controlled release of active substances. The current trend is to minimize the content of chemical additives; thus essential oils are suitable alternatives to synthetic antimicrobials. RESULTS: This study aimed to develop various zein/chitosan-based film-forming solutions, films, and coatings with antimicrobial substances to prepare active food packaging. Thymol and three essential oils (thyme, cinnamon, oregano) were applied as bioactive ingredients against bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. The incorporation of these natural active compounds led to a decrease in particle size in most film-forming solutions and a reduction of zeta potential compared to controls. Release of the bioactive compound into an aqueous environment was proved by antimicrobial test. A zein/chitosan-based coating with thymol was applied on fresh strawberries. Microbiological analysis over 10 days confirmed the efficient control of bacterial and fungal growth. CONCLUSION: Zein/chitosan (7:1) systems are suitable as bioactive compound carriers to make barriers and to prevent moisture loss, ensuring microbial food quality and prolonging the shelf life of fruits. These systems can serve as sustainable active food packaging. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.European Cooperation in Science and Technology, COST; Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: IGA/FT/2022/006COST [CA19124]; Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FT/2022/006