Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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Climate as a bridge between knowledge and retention
No full textThis study explores how implicit and explicit knowledge affect talent retention in Vietnam's high-end hotels, mediated by innovation and mindfulness climates. Survey data from 300 employees analysed via PLS-SEM show that knowledge enhances these climates, which in turn support retention, though no direct link to retention was found. The findings highlight the importance of aligning knowledge management with organisational climate to sustain talent and address retention in emerging market hospitality.Đại học Kinh tế Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh; FaME TBU, (IGA/FaME/2024/015)University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietna
The effect of hardness and surface roughness of elastomer on friction between shoe soles and particle-contaminated floors
Get PDFNearly one third of workplace injuries results from slip- and trip-induced falls. Solid particles are among the most common floor contaminants in both occupational and outdoor environments, reducing shoe–floor friction and increasing slip risk. This study investigates how rubber hardness and surface roughness affect the frictional behaviour of shoe soles on smooth, particle-contaminated floors. Coefficient of friction (COF) measurements and post-test surface wear analyses were conducted using nitrile rubbers with hardness between 57.9 and 84.0 ShA and varied surface roughness. Samples were slid against smooth epoxy flooring in a pin-on-plate test simulating the heel-strike phase of walking. The floor was either clean or uniformly covered with corundum particles (40–50 µm, 120–140 µm, or 280–315 µm). On clean floors, increasing rubber hardness and roughness significantly decreased COF (p < 0.0001) due to reduced real contact area. Under contaminated conditions, softer and rougher rubbers yielded higher COF values (p < 0.0001). Higher COF correlated with greater floor wear, showing long scratches and grooves, suggesting slip occurs mainly at the particle–floor interface. Rubber hardness and surface roughness primarily influence the strength of the particle–elastomer interface; greater particle–elastomer strength suppresses particle rolling and thereby leads to an increase in COF. These findings indicate that, on particle-contaminated smooth floors, slip resistance is governed more by particle–floor interactions than by rubber adhesion. Increasing outsole roughness and reducing hardness can help mitigate the adverse effects of particle rolling within the contact area and improve the frictional performance of the outsole.Open access publishing supported by the institutions participating in the CzechELib Transformative Agreement. This study was supported by the internal grant of the Brno University of Technology focused on specific research and development No. FCH/FSI-J-24\u20138561 and also supported by the project \u201CMechanical Engineering of Biological and Bio-inspired Systems\u201D, funded as Project No. CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004634 by Programme Johannes Amos Comenius, call Excellent Research, administered by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth.Czech ELib Transformative Agreement; Brno University of Technology focused on specific research and development [FCH/FSI-J-24-8561]; Mechanical Engineering of Biological and Bio-inspired Systems [CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004634]; Programme Johannes Amos Comenius, call Excellent Researc
(Re)envisioning the role of technology transfer intermediaries in socio-technical transition
Get PDFRecent year has seen a rise scholarly interest in examining the functions and value of technology transfer intermediaries (TTIs) in spurring and commercializing sustainable innovations. In this paper, we embark on a conceptual endeavor that explores existing research on TTIs to identify their various roles, structure, networks and practices that define their organizing patterns and schemas. We adopt an envisioning approach to reconceptualize the role of TTIs in sustainable transition and go on to reconceive the core insights from the extant literature to inform ways to facilitating a global socio-technical transition agenda. This attempt thus set forth a system that captures a global TTI market for the exchange of technological capabilities across regions. Our study contributes to discourses at the intersection of international technology transfer intermediaries and sustainability transition
Wearable sas monitoring system for environmental reconnaissance
No full textFirefighters and other emergency units can face significant risks from hazardous gases during crisis situations, necessitating advanced tools to ensure their safety. This research focuses on designing and developing a wearable device capable of real-time monitoring of dangerous gas concentrations in the environment. The device combines ergonomic design and advanced gas sensors to give firefighters real-time alerts. By combining lightweight construction with robust functionality, the system aims to minimize potential threat of hazardous substances inhalation. Key features include multi-gas detection, continuous monitoring, and compatibility with existing personal protective equipment. The goal is to enhance firefighter safety by equipping them with a versatile and effective tool for managing gas-related hazards during crises.This research was funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Program Project No. LO1303 (MSMT-7778/2014), also by the European Regional Development Fund under the project CEBIA-Tech ED2.1.00/03.0089, and by the Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University supported under project No. IGA/CebiaTech/2024/002. Thanks to the developers of the AI tools, which were used only for language proofreading of some parts of the text
Thermoresponsive hyaluronate-based nanogels for enhanced phenanthriplatin delivery in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer
Get PDFStimuli-responsive hyaluronic acid carriers face limitations due to limited carboxyl groups, which are divided between drug conjugation and functional modifications. Thermoresponsive nanogels based on selectively oxidized hyaluronan (2,3-dicarboxy hyaluronate, DCH) grafted with poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM) were developed for phenanthriplatin (PhPt) delivery. Sequential oxidation after pNIPAM grafting introduced additional carboxylic groups, enabling a more efficient drug loading and controlled release. Compared to nonoxidized pNIPAM-modified HA, this approach achieved 3 times higher loading efficacy and significantly slower drug release. Upon PhPt loading, DCH-pNIPAM conjugates self-assembled into nanogels, with the drug binding mode (ionic vs covalent) influencing particle rearrangement and drug release behavior. Covalently bound PhPt showed reduced release compared to nonthermoresponsive controls. In vitro studies on ovarian cancer cell lines, including cisplatin-resistant variants, demonstrated up to an 18-fold increase in cytotoxicity versus free PhPt. These nanogels offer a promising strategy for enhancing drug efficacy, reducing off-target effects, and overcoming resistance in cancer therapy.Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic [NW24-03-00331]; Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic [DKRVO RP/CPS/2024-28/001]; Internal Grant Agency Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/CPS/2024/002, IGA/CPS/2025/001]; Funds of specific academic research; Masaryk University Foundation [MUNI/A/1587/2023
The determinants of non-traditional activities of Vietnamese commercial banks: The role of women, private sector and foreign investors
Get PDFThis study investigates the determinants and their influence on non-traditional banking activities among commercial banks in Vietnam, measured by non-interest income. Using a panel dataset of 23 listed Vietnamese commercial banks from 2010 to 2021, the research applies various panel data estimation techniques, including OLS, FEM, REM and GLS, to address potential model specification issues. However, the two-step Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator is ultimately employed due to its robustness in handling endogeneity and dynamic relationships. The results reveal that operational efficiency, loan-to-deposit ratio and bank size positively impact non-traditional activities. In contrast, net profit margin, non-performing loan ratio and selected macroeconomic variables exert negative effects. Notably, the presence of women on the board of directors significantly moderates these relationships, reversing the impact of operational efficiency and macroeconomic factors. In addition, the study finds that banks in the private sector and those with foreign capital contributions demonstrate similar moderating patterns. However, the effects of equity dependence and capital adequacy differ from the baseline case. These findings highlight the importance of governance characteristics and ownership structure in shaping non-interest income strategies. The study offers new empirical evidence on the role of gender diversity on boards, private ownership, and foreign investor participation in influencing income diversification in the banking sector, particularly in an emerging market context
Optimizing interfacial adhesion and mechanical performance of multimaterial joints fabricated by material extrusion
Get PDFMultimaterial 3D printing is transforming the landscape of additive manufacturing, enabling the production of advanced, functional parts with tailored properties for sectors like automotive, aerospace, and engineering. However, achieving strong interlayer adhesion between different polymers remains a significant challenge, limiting the mechanical reliability. This study investigates adhesion properties of widely used materials—polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)—and enhances mechanical performance of structural joints through optimized interlayer bonding techniques. Using the Material Extrusion (MEX) method, tensile testing was employed to evaluate the mechanical strength of joints by co-depositing and bonding material layers during the printing process. The results demonstrate that specific material combinations and joint design strategies, particularly increasing the interfacial contact area and applying interlayer bonding pressure, significantly enhance tensile strength. For instance, the strength of PC/PTEG composite joints increased from 15.2 MPa (standard joint) to 29.9 MPa (interlayer bonding strategy), nearly doubling the bond strength. These findings provide valuable insights into the behavior of multimaterial joints and propose practical approaches for improving the durability and functionality of 3D-printed structures. This research lays the groundwork for advancing multimaterial additive manufacturing, with implications for high-performance applications in engineering, aerospace, and beyond.This research was funded by the Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin, supported under project No. IGA/FT/2025/002 and IGA/CebiaTech/2024/002.Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin; [IGA/FT/2025/002]; [IGA/CebiaTech/2024/002
Determinants of the productivity gap between Japanese and Vietnamese firms in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector
No full textThis article examines the productivity gap between Japanese and Vietnamese manufacturing firms in Vietnam from 2005 to 2018. The Kitagawa-Oaxaca-Blinder method is applied to decompose the productivity gap into endowments, coefficients, and interaction effects. The results show that the gap between Japanese and Vietnamese firms is significant, explained by the differences in endowment of the two groups. Also, investing in human capital seems to be the most efficient way to reduce the endowment gap and the productivity gap. Vietnamese firms should expand their business size as the marginal effect increases the coefficients’ effect and reduces the productivity gap to Japanese firms.University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam [2024-06-25-2328]; Nafosted [502.01-2021.69
Sustainable composite from furfuryl alcohol and wood flour with outstanding fire resistance and its prediction using neural networks
Get PDFNovel composites were successfully produced using renewable green sources, furfuryl alcohol resin, commonly obtained from biomass, and wood flour. Compared with a conventional melt-blending technique used for the preparation of wood-plastic composites, this unique approach, utilizing low-viscosity thermoset resin with high affinity for wood, enables the avoidance of excessive treatment of wood flour. Four flame retardants possessing different flame-retardant mechanisms (expandable graphite (EG), ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP), Exolit OP560 and dimethyl propane phosphonate) at two loading levels (7.5 and 15 wt%) were used to suppress the flammability of the composites evaluated by a cone calorimeter test, limiting oxygen index and UL 94. All investigated flame retardants significantly reduced maximum value of heat release rate (HRR) (EG and ADP approx. up to 75 %) and, moreover, ADP and EG significantly reduced the total smoke production (EG up to 25 % and ADP up to 96 %) confirming outstanding and unusual flammability suppression considering HRR reduction and a decrease in smoke production rate (SPR) at the same time. Besides that, the neural network prediction models for HRR and SPR from test time and mass loss rate were created and trained, giving the possibility to predict HRR and SPR values from simple and cheap tests, providing only mass loss rate at specific conditions.This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic \u2013 DKRVO (RP/CPS/2024\u201328/003). This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No. APVV-24-0143. This work was also supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (project No. VEGA 1/0755/25).Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - DKRVO [RP/CPS/2024-28/003]; Slovak Research and Development Agency [APVV-24-0143]; Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic; Slovak Academy of Sciences [VEGA 1/0755/25]Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - DKRVO [RP/CPS/2024-28/003]; Slovak Research and Development Agency [APVV-24-0143]; Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic; Slovak Academy of Sciences [VEGA 1/0755/25
Effect of side chain branching on the structural and dynamic properties of polyacrylates: A combined molecular dynamics and experimental study
No full textPolyacrylates and polymethacrylates have found a diverse array of applications owing to their remarkable characteristic and tunability of physical and chemical properties. Systematic investigations of these polymers primarily assume homology that arises from the linear extension of the alkyl group in the alkoxycarbonyl substituent, rather than from branching of the alkyl group. Consequently, the presented atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) study is focused on the structural and dynamic properties of a series of bulk atactic poly(alkyl acrylates), which includes poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), poly(isopropyl acrylate) (PiPA), and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) at varying temperatures. For comparative purposes, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been included in this series as it is a polymer that has been frequently examined. The nonmonotonous trend observed in the radius of gyration and end-to-end distance of the polymer chains reflects the conflicting interplay between enhanced intrachain repulsion and reduced mutual penetration of chain pervaded volumes. The intramolecular and intermolecular radial distribution functions of pairs of branched carbon atoms were identified as being particularly sensitive to variation in substituents. The predicted local dynamics of the α- and β-relaxation processes, both computationally and experimentally, exhibit a slowdown in the following order: PEA > PiPA > PMA > PtBA > PMMA. The diffusion rate is dictated by the shape of the chain and its substituents. Similarities in dynamic properties are found between PMA and PtBA as well as between PEA and PiPA. This study has potential implications for applied polymer science including 3D printing, electrospinning, vitrimers, and other dynamic systems where flow, glass transition, and viscosity effects are relevant under thermal and pressure loads.This work was supported by grants APVV-21-0346 (Z.B.), VEGA 2/0098/23 (Z.B.), SK-AT-20-0011 (Z.B.), and APVV-21-0335 (D.B.). The author M.M. gratefully acknowledges to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic\u2500DKRVO (RP/CPS/2024-28/003).Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic-DKRVO [RP/CPS/2024-28/003]; [APVV-21-0346]; [VEGA 2/0098/23]; [SK-AT-20-0011]; [APVV-21-0335