87 research outputs found
The importance of network goals for strategic chain management
No full textNowadays food products are increasingly produced in supply chain networks that involve numerous firms. Due to their pyramidal-hierarchical structure, such networks possess a focal company that coordinates the network. The managerial task of the focal company is to work out collective strategy that addresses cooperation and coordination problems at the firm, dyadic and network levels. These strategies must take into account that at each level specific goals must be achieved. Though the focal company is a strategy setting unit that sets network goals, other network actors may perceive these goals as firm-level goals of the focal company. Therefore, conflicts may occur in supply chain networks.Supply chain networks, focal company, network goals, Agribusiness,
The Influence of Traditional Management Practices on Employee Satisfaction, Turnover Intention, and Perceived Organizational Profitability
No full textThis study explores the influence of traditional management practices on employee satisfaction, turnover intention, and perceived organizational profitability. While modern management approaches often emphasize flexibility and innovation, many organizations, particularly in developing contexts, continue to rely on classical principles such as clear hierarchies, standardized procedures, and centralized decision-making. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 230 employees across various sectors in Kabul, Afghanistan. The findings reveal that traditional management practices have a strong positive effect on employee satisfaction and perceived profitability, and a significant negative effect on turnover intention. Regression results showed that these practices explained 71% of the variation in employee satisfaction, 53% in perceived profitability, and 61% in turnover intention. These results suggest that structured management systems still offer practical value, especially in work environments that benefit from predictability and clear direction. The study provides empirical support for the continued relevance of traditional management in modern organizational settings and encourages a balanced approach that blends classical structure with evolving workplace needs
The The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Human Employment: A Traditionalist’s Perspective
No full textThis study investigates the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human employment through a traditionalist approach, emphasizing the enduring value of human work amidst rapid technological change. While mainstream discussions often highlight efficiency, innovation, and economic opportunity, this research addresses a critical gap: the emotional, ethical, and existential consequences of AI-driven labor transformations. Using a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds who share a traditional view of work as a source of dignity, identity, and moral purpose. Thematic analysis revealed five central themes: the intrinsic value of human labor beyond economic metrics, fears of alienation and dehumanization, the irreplaceability of human emotional and moral intelligence, ethical and spiritual concerns regarding AI’s unchecked influence, and cautious optimism about ethical human-AI collaboration. The findings suggest that while AI offers significant opportunities, it also poses serious risks to the human soul of work if not carefully managed. The study concludes that innovation must not be pursued at the expense of human dignity and meaning. It calls for businesses, policymakers, and researchers to prioritize human-centered approaches to AI development, ensuring that technology serves humanity, not the other way around. By restoring the traditionalist voice to contemporary debates, this research contributes a vital perspective to the broader conversation about the future of work in an AI-driven world
AI in Service Industries: Effects on Customer Satisfaction, Mediated by Service Quality, and Moderated by Customer Trust
No full textThis study examined the application of artificial intelligence in service industries and its impact on customer satisfaction, focusing on the mediating role of service quality perception and the moderating effect of customer trust in AI. AI-driven technologies have transformed customer service by improving efficiency, personalization, and responsiveness. However, the extent to which these enhancements translated into higher customer satisfaction depended on perceived service quality and trust in AI systems. Using a structured survey across various service industries, particularly in empathy-driven sectors like healthcare and education, the research employed statistical analysis to evaluate AI’s direct and indirect effects on customer satisfaction. The findings indicated that AI significantly enhanced customer satisfaction, with a , substantial direct effect (β = 0.642, p < 0.001) and an additional indirect effect through service quality perception (indirect effect = 0.286, p < 0.001). Service quality perception acted as a crucial mediator (β = 0.305, p < 0.001), confirming its importance in shaping satisfaction outcomes. While customer trust positively influenced satisfaction (β = 0.267, p < 0.001), its moderating effect on AI-driven service interactions was not statistically significant (p = 0.199). These results show that AI adoption aligns with customer expectations and ethical considerations. Future research is recommended to explore the long-term impact of AI on customer trust and examine its effectiveness across various industries that require higher levels of emotional intelligence in service delivery
TRIPS flexibilities: Implementation gaps between theory and practice
No full textThe article discusses the implementation gaps of flexibilities provided by World Trade Organization (WTO) Waiver Decision 2003 under the agreement of Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) in third world countries. The author concludes that the WTO is trying to facilitate the low in come countries by creating flexibilities under TRIPS but implementation gaps between theory and practice restricts third world countries to avail the flexibilities
MXenes in healthcare: synthesis, fundamentals and applications
No full textSince their discovery over a decade ago, MXenes have transformed the field of "materials for healthcare", stimulating growing interest in their healthcare-related applications. These developments have also driven significant advancements in MXenes' synthesis. This review systematically examines the synthesis of MXenes and their applications in sensing and biomedical fields, underscoring their pivotal role in addressing critical challenges in modern healthcare. We describe the experimental synthesis of MXenes by combining appropriate laboratory modules with the mechanistic principles underlying each synthesis step. In addition, we provide extensive details on the experimental parameters, critical considerations, and essential instructions for successful laboratory synthesis. Various healthcare applications including sensing, biomedical imaging, synergistic therapies, regenerative medicine, and wearable devices have been explored. We further highlight the emerging trends of MXenes, viz., their role as nanovehicles for drug delivery, vectors for gene therapy, and tools for immune profiling. By identifying the important parameters that define the utility of MXenes in biomedical applications, this review outlines strategies to regulate their biomedical profile, thereby serving as a valuable guide to design MXenes with application-specific properties. The final section integrates experimental research with theoretical studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the field. It examines the role of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), in accelerating material discovery, structure-property optimization, and automation. Complemented by detailed supplementary information on synthesis, stability, biocompatibility, environmental impact, and theoretical insights, this review offers a profound knowledge base for understanding this diverse family of 2D materials. Finally, we compared the potential of MXenes with that of other 2D materials to underscore the existing challenges and prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration. By synthesizing key studies from its discovery to current trends (especially from 2018 onward), this review provides a cohesive assessment of MXene synthesis with theoretical foundations and their prospects in the healthcare sector.Zaheer Ud din Babar acknowledges Scuola Superiore Meridional (SSM), University of Naples, Federico-II, Naples, Italy, for funding his stay as a visiting PhD scholar at the Catala Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. The authors are thankful to all individuals and/or organizations who provided permission to republish/reproduced their figures and other relevant information. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021–2027) under grant agreement No 101120706. The views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The ICN2 is funded by the CERCA programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. The ICN2 is supported by the Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence programme, Grant CEX2021-001214-S, funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039.501100011033. We acknowledge Departament de Recerca i Universitats of Generalitat de Catalunya for the grant 2021 SGR 01464. We also acknowledge grant PID2021-124795NB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033 and by ‘‘ERDF/EU’’With funding from the Spanish government through the "Severo Ochoa Centre of Excelence" accreditation (CEX2021-001214-S)Peer reviewe
Beyond Europe: Perspectives on Minorities, Religions & Secular States. Conversation with Faisal Devji
No full textFaisal Devji is professor of history at the university of Oxford. He is the author of Landscapes of the Jihad: Militancy, Morality, Modernity (Hurst, 2005), The Terrorist in Search of Humanity: Militant Islam and Global Politics (Hurst, 2009), The Impossible India: Gandhi and the Temptation of Violence (Harvard University Press, 2012) and Muslim Zion: Pakistan as a Political Idea (Harvard University Press, 2013). He has coedited Islam after Liberalism (with Zaheer Kazmi, Oxford University Pre..
سجاد ظہیر کے ناولٹ ”لندن کی ایک رات“ کا ما بعد نو آبادیاتی جائزہ: A POST-COLONIAL REVIEW OF SAJJAD ZAHEER'S NOVELETTE "LONDON KI EK RAAT"
No full text“London ki Ek Raat”is a famous novel by Sajjad Zaheer. In this novel, he has thoroughly reviewed the poor patriotism of the people of India. In this novel, the elements of post-colonialism have been reviewed. Creation relates differently to a creator. I think it is not fair to deny the author. The characters contribute according to the author's intention and move the story till the end. The feelings and emotions of the audience and viewers come out as the feelings and emotions of the characters and the pain and difficulty of the character becomes the difficulty of the reader and he feels sympathy for him. Even in "London Ki Ek Raat" where five, six stories are going on simultaneously. The purpose of Sajjad Zaheer himself to write this novelette is a different story, as every writer has a specific mindset. In the same way, those goals also enter into the creation even if the creator does not want it, and their reflections can be mixed up. Sajjad Zaheer has also given the most suitable role to the characters in the background and foreground of the world and the subcontinent in "London Ki Ek Raat
The noticeability of behavioral changes of a conversational agent: An evaluation of an agent-based social skills training system
No full textHelpline counselors can be trained faster using agent-based social skills training systems. These systems utilize conversational agents that simulate interactions with users and provide feedback. This research evaluates the noticeability of behavior changes in such a conversational agent. By examining participants' ability to detect and interpret these changes, valuable insights can be gained to enhance the agent's representation of real-life scenarios and improve its effectiveness as a training tool.A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data using descriptive statistics and qualitative data through content analysis. The quantitative analysis revealed a precision score of 93% and a recall score of 36%, indicating a higher accuracy in correctly identifying behavior changes compared to capturing all instances of change. The qualitative analysis revealed that participants' perceptions fell within four distinct categories: communication style, positive emotion, negative emotion, and tone & attitude. Participants demonstrated heightened attentiveness to changes in positive behavior, particularly instances of happiness expressed by the agent, and displayed less attention towards changes in negative behavior.In conclusion, this research demonstrates that behavior changes in the conversational agent are noticeable, albeit with varying degrees of attention across different types of behavior. Further exploration with a larger sample size is warranted to ascertain the extent of noticeability. The diverse range of behavior changes indicates the agent's capability to adapt and exhibit visible shifts in behavior. These insights can inform the refinement and development of agent-based training systems, ultimately enhancing the training experiences of chat-based helpline counselors.CSE3000 Research ProjectComputer Science and Engineerin
Interplay between network configurations and network governance mechanisms in supply networks a systematic literature review
No full textPurpose: This work systematically reviews the extant academic management literature on supply networks. It specifically examines how network configurations and network governance mechanisms influence each other in supply networks.
Design: 125 analytical and empirical studies were identified using an evidence-based approach to review the literature mainly published between 1985 and 2012.
Synthesis: Drawing on a multi-disciplinary theoretical foundation, this work develops an integrative framework to identify three distinct yet interdependent themes that characterize the study of supply networks: a) Network Configurations (structures and relationships); b) Network Governance Mechanisms (formal and informal); and c) The Interplay between Network Configurations and Network Governance Mechanisms.
Findings: Network configurations and network governance mechanisms mutually influence each other and cannot be considered in isolation. Formal and informal governance mechanisms provide better control when used as complements rather than as substitutes. The choice of governance mechanism depends on the nature of exchange; role of management; desired level of control; level of flexibility in formal contracts; and complementary role of formal and informal governance mechanism.
Research implications: This nascent field has thematic and methodological research opportunities for academics. Comparative network analysis using longitudinal case studies offers a rich area for further study.
Practical Implications: The complexity surrounding the conflicting roles of managers at the organisation and network levels poses a significant challenge during the development and implementation stage of strategic network policies.
Originality/value: This review reveals that formal and informal governance mechanisms provide better control when used as complements rather than as substitutes
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