Showing papers by "Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad published in 2019"

Robotized and Automated Warehouse Systems: Review and Recent Developments

Abstract: Robotic handling systems are increasingly applied in distribution centers. They require little space, provide flexibility in managing varying demand requirements, and are able to work 24/7. This ma...

Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy:

Abstract: 97 Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 4.0 License (http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-Commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy

A hybrid PSO–BFO evolutionary algorithm for optimization of fused deposition modelling process parameters

Abstract: Fused deposition modeling (FDM), a well known 3D printing technology is widely used in various sorts of industrial applications because of its ability to manufacture complex objects in the stipulated time. However, the proper selection of input process parameters in FDM is a tedious task that directly affects the part performance. Here, in this work, the research efforts have been made to optimize the FDM process parameters in order to find out the best parameter setting as per the mechanical and surface quality perspectives by using hybrid particle swarm and bacterial foraging optimization (PSO–BFO) evolutionary algorithm. Taguchi L18 orthogonal array was used for the development of acro-nitrile butadiene styrene based 3D components by considering layer thickness, support material, model interior and orientation as a process parameters. Further, the relationships among selected FDM process parameters and output responses such as hardness, flexural modulus, tensile strength and surface roughness were established by using linear multiple regression. Then, the effects of individual process parameters on selected response parameters were examined by signal to noise ratio plots. Finally, a multi-objective optimization of process parameters has been performed with hybrid PSO–BFO, general PSO and BFO algorithm, respectively. The overall results reveal that the layer thickness of 0.007 mm, support material type sparse, part orientation of 60 $${^\circ }$$ and model interior of high density helps in achieving desired performance level.

Robot-storage zone assignment strategies in mobile fulfillment systems

Abstract: The robotic mobile fulfillment system (MFS) is widely used for automating storage pick and pack activities in e-commerce distribution centers. In this system, the items are stored on movable storage shelves, also known as inventory pods, and brought to the order pick stations by robotic drive units. We develop stylized performance evaluation models to analyze both order picking and replenishment processes in a mobile fulfillment system storage zone, based on multi-class closed queueing network models. To analyze robot assignment strategies for multiple storage zones, we develop a two-stage stochastic model. For a single storage zone, we compare dedicated and pooled robot systems for pod retrieval and replenishment. For multiple storage zones, we also analyze the effect of assigning robots to least congested zones on system throughput in comparison to random zone assignment. The models are validated using detailed simulations. For single zones, the expected throughput time for order picking reduces to one-third of its initial value by using pooled robots instead of dedicated robots; however, the expected replenishment time estimate increases up to three times. For multiple zones, we find that robots that are assigned to storage zones with dedicated and shortest queues provide a greater throughput than robots assigned at random to the zones.

Does the Diversification – Firm Performance Relationship Change Over Time? A Meta-Analytical Review

Abstract: We study the relationship between diversification and firm performance in the context of the decline in levels of diversification over time. We argue that the pressure to reduce diversification may have more strongly affected those firms whose diversification strategies were most detrimental to firm performance. We employ meta-analytical regression (MARA) in order to test our hypotheses, using a total of 267 primary studies containing 387 effect sizes based on 150,000 firm-level observations from over 60 years of research on the diversification–firm performance relationship. The findings suggest that levels of unrelated diversification have decreased, whereas levels of related diversification have increased since the mid-1990s, following an initial decrease in the 1970s and 1980s. Furthermore, we find that the relationship between unrelated diversification and firm performance has improved significantly over time, whereas the relationship between related diversification and performance has remained relatively stable.

Experimental evidence on promotion of electric and improved biomass cookstoves.

Abstract: Improved cookstoves (ICS) can deliver "triple wins" by improving household health, local environments, and global climate. Yet their potential is in doubt because of low and slow diffusion, likely because of constraints imposed by differences in culture, geography, institutions, and missing markets. We offer insights about this challenge based on a multiyear, multiphase study with nearly 1,000 households in the Indian Himalayas. In phase I, we combined desk reviews, simulations, and focus groups to diagnose barriers to ICS adoption. In phase II, we implemented a set of pilots to simulate a mature market and designed an intervention that upgraded the supply chain (combining marketing and home delivery), provided rebates and financing to lower income and liquidity constraints, and allowed households a choice among ICS. In phase III, we used findings from these pilots to implement a field experiment to rigorously test whether this combination of upgraded supply and demand promotion stimulates adoption. The experiment showed that, compared with zero purchase in control villages, over half of intervention households bought an ICS, although demand was highly price-sensitive. Demand was at least twice as high for electric stoves relative to biomass ICS. Even among households that received a negligible price discount, the upgraded supply chain alone induced a 28 percentage-point increase in ICS ownership. Although the bundled intervention is resource-intensive, the full costs are lower than the social benefits of ICS promotion. Our findings suggest that market analysis, robust supply chains, and price discounts are critical for ICS diffusion.

Classification of Smart City Research - a Descriptive Literature Review and Future Research Agenda

Abstract: Smart City (SC) has been a popular area of research and practice during the last decade. An in-depth examination of the existing literature reviews on SCs divulges the scarcity of studies classifying the literature into multiple themes and identifying the popular and less popular themes based on the number of peer reviewed research papers under respective theme. Hence, in this study, a descriptive literature review of 86 peer-reviewed papers on SCs has been conducted to bridge this gap. The findings demonstrate that themes such as SC services design and management, innovation and technology, and citizens’ engagement in design and development of SCs have been extensively studied, whereas, themes such as the social impact, governance and policy, and performance indicators and standards have received moderate attention. However, there are also less popular themes such as the implementation barriers and SC strategy. Further, this study provides a reference source to future researchers. It also delivers valuable information to the policymakers and government bodies, which are actively, involved in the SC projects.

Blockchain in Finance

Abstract: Blockchain—the decentralized replicated ledger technology that underlies Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies—provides a potentially attractive alternative way to organize modern finance. Currently, the financial system depends on a number of centralized trusted intermediaries: central counter parties (CCPs) guarantee trades in exchanges; central securities depositories (CSDs) provide securities settlement; the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) intermediates global transfer of money; CLS Bank handles the settlement of foreign exchange transactions, a handful of banks dominate correspondent banking, and an even smaller number provide custodial services to large investment institutions. Until a decade ago, it was commonly assumed that the financial strength and sound management of these central hubs ensured that they were extremely unlikely to fail. More importantly, it was assumed that they were too big to fail (TBTF), so that the government would step in and bail them out if they did fail. The Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2008 shattered these assumptions as many large banks in the most advanced economies of the world either failed or were very reluctantly bailed out. The Eurozone Crisis of 2010–2012 stoked the fear that even rich country sovereigns could potentially default on their obligations. Finally, repeated instances of hacking of the computers of large financial institutions is another factor that has destroyed trust. When trust in the central hubs of finance is being increasingly questioned, decentralized systems like the blockchain that reduce the need for such trust become attractive.

Using Karush-Kuhn-Tucker proximity measure for solving bilevel optimization problems

Abstract: A common technique to solve bilevel optimization problems is by reducing the problem to a single level and then solving it as a standard optimization problem. A number of single level reduction formulations exist, but one of the most common ways is to replace the lower level optimization problem with its Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions. Such a reduction strategy has been widely used in the classical optimization as well as the evolutionary computation literature. However, KKT conditions contain a set of non-linear equality constraints that are often found hard to satisfy. In this paper, we discuss a single level reduction of a bilevel problem using recently proposed relaxed KKT conditions. The conditions are relaxed; therefore, approximate, but the error in terms of distance from the true lower level KKT point is bounded. There is a proximity measure associated to the new KKT conditions, which gives an idea of the KKT error and distance from the optimum. We utilize this reduction method within an evolutionary algorithm to solve bilevel optimization problems. The proposed algorithm is compared against a number of recently proposed approaches. The idea is found to lead to significant computational savings, especially, in the lower level function evaluations. The idea is promising and might be useful for further developments on bilevel optimization both in the domain of classical as well as evolutionary optimization research.

Workplace bullying across the globe: a cross-cultural comparison

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze cross-national and cross-cultural similarities and differences in perceptions and conceptualizations of workplace bullying among human resource professionals (HRPs) Particular emphasis was given to what kind of behaviors are considered as bullying in different countries and what criteria interviewees use to decide whether a particular behavior is bullying or not,HRPs in 13 different countries/regions (n=199), spanning all continents and all GLOBE cultural clusters (House et al, 2004), were interviewed and a qualitative content analysis was carried out,Whereas interviewees across the different countries largely saw personal harassment and physical intimidation as bullying, work-related negative acts and social exclusion were construed very differently in the different countries Repetition, negative effects on the target, intention to harm, and lack of a business case were decision criteria typically used by interviewees across the globe – other criteria varied by country,The results help HRPs working in multinational organizations understand different perceptions of negative acts,The findings point to the importance of cultural factors, such as power distance and performance orientation, and other contextual factors, such as economy and legislation for understanding varying conceptualizations of bullying

A “NOTCH” Deeper into the Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Program in Breast Cancer

Abstract: Notch signaling is a primitive signaling pathway having various roles in the normal origin and development of each multicellular organisms. Therefore, any aberration in the pathway will inevitably lead to deadly outcomes such as cancer. It has now been more than two decades since Notch was acknowledged as an oncogene in mouse mammary tumor virus-infected mice. Since that discovery, activated Notch signaling and consequent up-regulation of tumor-promoting Notch target genes have been observed in human breast cancer. Moreover, consistent over-expression of Notch ligands and receptors has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis in human breast cancer. Notch regulates a number of key processes during breast carcinogenesis, of which, one key phenomenon is epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a key process for large-scale cell movement during morphogenesis at the time of embryonic development. Cancer cells aided by transcription factors usurp this developmental program to execute the multi-step process of tumorigenesis and metastasis. In this review, we recapitulate recent progress in breast cancer research that has provided new perceptions into the molecular mechanisms behind Notch-mediated EMT regulation during breast tumorigenesis.

An Orchestrated Negotiated Exchange: Trading Home-Based Telework for Intensified Work

Abstract: In this paper, we explore a popular flexible work arrangement (FWA), home-based telework, in the Indian IT industry. We show how IT managers used the dominant meanings of telework to portray telework as an employee benefit that outweighed the attendant cost—intensified work. While using their discretion to grant telework, the managers drew on this portrayal to orchestrate a negotiated exchange with their subordinates. Consequently, the employees consented to accomplish the intensified work at home in exchange of telework despite their opposition to the intensified work in the office. Thus, whereas the extant studies consider work intensification as an unanticipated outcome of using FWAs, we show how firms may use FWAs strategically to get office-based intensified work accomplished at home. While the dominant argument is that employees reciprocate the opportunity to telework with intensified work, we show a discursively orchestrated negotiation that favors management. A corrective policy measure is to frame telework as an employee right.

Mining top-k high utility itemsets with effective threshold raising strategies

Abstract: Top-K High Utility Itemset (HUI) mining problem offers greater flexibility to a decision maker in specifying her/his notion of item utility and the desired number of patterns. It obviates the need for a decision maker to determine an appropriate minimum utility threshold value using a trial-and-error process. The top-k HUI mining problem, however, is more challenging and requires use of effective threshold raising strategies. Several threshold raising strategies have been proposed in the literature to improve the overall efficiency of mining top-k HUIs. This paper advances the state-of-the-art and presents a new Top-K HUI method (THUI). A novel Leaf Itemset Utility (LIU) structure and a threshold raising strategy is proposed to significantly improve the efficiency of mining top-k HUIs. A new utility lower bound estimation method is also introduced to quickly raise the minimum utility threshold value. The proposed THUI method is experimentally evaluated on several benchmark datasets and compared against two state-of-the-art methods. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed THUI method offers one to three orders of magnitude runtime performance improvement over other related methods in the literature, especially on large, dense and long average transaction length datasets. In addition, the memory requirements of the proposed method are found to be lower.

Review of literature on working capital management and future research agenda

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to take a stock of what has been studied on working capital management (WCM) so far and ascertain the factors which are more likely to be impacted by poor WCM. Moreover, it aims to spell out the areas for further research on WCM so that the body of knowledge can be expanded. A systematic literature review of the research works on WCM has been performed using Google Scholar. Articles with citations of 50 and above as of June 05, 2018 are considered for the detailed citation based analysis. Further, classification of such articles has been done on the basis of common themes followed by a thorough content analysis. The citation based analysis suggests that there is a growing popularity of studies related to WCM in recent times. However, majority of the impactful studies are published in relatively lower category journals. This further intrigues us to explore the content of such studies. Based on the content, the studies are classified under five different themes. It is found that majority of the highly cited articles have examined the relation between the WCM and profitability of the firms. Moreover, repetitive uses of few proxies in such studies have also been identified. This finding most probably explains the reason behind so many highly cited articles getting published in relatively lower category journals. In view of this, this study tries to explore further scope of research on WCM and lists down potential research questions for the future researches. Firstly, it provides an idea about the most cited area of researches related to WCM and the recent growth of studies in this domain. Academicians can decide upon their future area of research based on the findings related to the proxies and outcome from these studies. Secondly, it shows the most popular avenue of publishing the articles related to WCM which will certainly motivate the researchers to pursue such study. It has been found from the analysis that majority of the impactful articles are published in lower category journals. Therefore, this study identifies the reason behind the same and lists down some innovative research questions to provide some future research directions. Thirdly, the finance managers can use this finding to identify the relevant consequences of poor WCM. Finally, it can serve as a reference point for all future ideas related to WCM. The paper classifies the present literature on WCM into five major themes and performs a content analysis of the same. This is essential as the content analysis highlights different proxies used as inputs which effectively drive efficient WCM. Moreover, the study also identifies the huge scope of future research in the domain of WCM. According to our limited knowledge, such extensive literature review on WCM is rare.

Understanding the structural characteristics of a firm’s whole buyer–supplier network and its impact on international business performance

Abstract: Building on the network theory and the concept of organizational ambidexterity, we investigate the impact of structural characteristics of a firm’s whole buyer–supplier network: network density, betweenness centralization, and average clustering coefficient on its international business (IB) performance. We also explore the moderating roles of average path length and PageRank centrality. Using a manually-collected dataset and a robust empirical methodology, we find that, while network density is negatively related, betweenness centralization and average clustering coefficient have an inverted U-shape and a U-shaped relationship with IB performance, respectively. We also find significant moderation effects, and, in the process, we show the economic importance of firms’ whole buyer–supplier network to their IB performance. We contribute to the international business and whole buyer–supplier network literature.

E-Waste Management in India: Issues and Strategies:

Abstract: 127 Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 4.0 License (http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-Commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). E-Waste Management in India: Issues and Strategies