A multi-objective Flexible Job-shop Scheduling technique for hospitals is proposed using DPSO-AIW i.e. discrete particle swarm optimization with adaptive inertia weight method. The approach encodes the layer of the chromosomes using an operation sequence (OS) and machine assignment (MA) which is a two-layer coding structure. Global selection based on the operation (GSO) of MA and random selection of OS are coupled in the initial population. Rapid non-dominated sorting yields fronts of non-domination, which are necessary for getting the Pareto optimum solution. The diversity of the population is increased during the evolution process by adaptive adjustment of the variation of the weight of inertia, expressed by ω. Then, the Pareto optimal solution found during the process is kept in the Pareto optimal solution set (POS). The discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm is utilized to solve the values of the next generation chromosomes in the discrete domain directly. Lastly, comparisons with certain current techniques and numerical simulation based on two sets of international standard examples are performed, which are already established. The findings from the comparison show that the suggested DPSO-AIW is practical, effective, and more feasible for solving the problem related to the Multi-objective Flexible Job-shop Scheduling Problem.

A 100% overlap double pass friction stir process technique was developed for the fabrication of AA1100/17-4 PH stainless steel composites, using an H13 tool steel cylindrical threaded pin with shoulder diameter of 21 mm, pin diameter of 7 mm and pin height of 5 mm. Grooves of 2 mm width and 3.5 mm depth were machined on the 6 mm thick AA1100 plate, where the 17-4 PH stainless steel powder was packed and compacted using a pinless tool. Friction stir processing was conducted at rotational speeds of 2100, 2450 and 2800 rpm, while the travel speed of 20 mm/min, tilt angle of 2.5° and plunge depth of 0.2 mm, were kept constant. Investigations were carried out on the microstructure, elemental composition, and tensile testing and microhardness as well as structural analysis using X-ray diffraction. Defect-free micrographs with good mechanical and metallurgical connections were obtained from all the employed process parameters. However, agglomeration of reinforcements became noticeable at 2450 and 2800 rpm. Uniform distribution of reinforcements were observed at 2100 rpm. Elemental analysis confirmed matrix and reinforcements blending and mixing. Superior SZ hardness of as high as 4 times that of the base metal were achieved, while ultimate tensile strength properties with joint efficiencies as high as 97.29% were attained at 2450 rpm. However, the percentage elongation of the fabricated samples dropped by around 10% due to the reinforcements-induced hardness. Nonetheless, the fabrications retained superior mechanical properties. All the X-ray diffractograms had 5 intense peaks with different phases and crystal planes. However, an Al syn (111) crystal plane was common to all diffractograms at around 39° 2θ range. The obtained crystallite sizes of as small as 4 nm revealed the attainment of ultrafine grains, while the observed high dislocation densities and micro strains gave an indication that the fabricated AA1100/17-4 PH stainless steel composite is of high strength.

The research investigated the relationship among Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), risk assessment capabilities and value creation in service sector firms. The study also sought to examine the effect of KPI`s components on risk assessment & value capitalisation, and how they either facilitate or hinder implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement processes. In this context, a quantitative cross-sectional research design was applied using an online survey of shared middle and senior managers in service organizations. After filtering, the final version of segmented sample included a total of 215 respondents engaged in different service businesses. The analysis was determined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The results showed that all components of KPIs have significant positive relationships with risk assessment and value improvement outcomes First, performance drivers were found to be the most significant predictor of both constructs. As such, the results show that both risk assessment and value improvement had a positive effect on implementation/monitoring processes which in turn enabled continuous improvements. Performance measurement, risk management and value creation in service organizations: A performance at-risk-based conceptual model. The results have numerous managerial, practical and policy implications for the service sector. This drives home the necessity of creating integrated KPI systems that include risk assessment and value improvement factors. In building on existing theory, the study is of substantial interest in that it provides empirical evidence for these organizational mechanisms related to service organizations. Resilient Organizations in the Service Sector picture of Resilience across Performance Management with KPIs, Risk Assessment and Value Creation strategies offering a comprehensive foundation for sustainable organizational success.

This work studies the scheduling of elective procedures, with stochastic durations, in surgery rooms. Given a set of rooms with limited availability and a set of procedures, it must be decided in which room and when each procedure will be performed. The problem’s objectives are to maximize the use of the operating rooms and to minimize the delays in starting the scheduled surgeries. A simulation-optimization approach is proposed. First, procedures’ durations are modeled as random variables and a set of test percentiles (i.e. it is assumed that all surgeries will last as many minutes as the 75th percentile of its probability density function) is selected. Subsequently, using these durations as a parameter, a greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP) is run. Consequently, as many solutions as selected test percentiles are generated. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to estimate three indicators: i) rooms utilization, ii) percentage of surgeries that had delays, and iii) average delay time of scheduled surgeries. The technique was tested by solving the elective procedures scheduling problem in a high-complexity hospital in Bogota. This hospital has 19 operating rooms and 35,000 surgeries performed annually. Currently, the scheduling process is manual. The simulation-optimization proposed approach allowed to determine the relation between utilization rate and delays in the service. As the occupation percentage increases, delay times also augment, implying a reduction of the service level. An average reduction of 5% in delay times entails a reduction between 3% and 9% of operating room occupancy.

The braking force of the tractor semi-trailer depends on many random factors and road parameters. Therefore, determining the braking force based on theoretical calculation or simulation is not accurate. This paper presents the method of setting up the braking force measurement system of the tractor semi-trailer on the road and constructing the braking dynamics model of the tractor semi-trailer to investigate the braking force using Matlab-Simulink software. The study results show that the average error between the simulation and experimental results of the tractor semi-trailer braking force is 9,81%.

Organizations are increasingly acknowledging the vital impact of talent management on boosting their performance. Effective talent management within the central bank is crucial, as it plays an indispensable role in maintaining economic stability and advancing the nation’s financial well-being. The study aims to examine the role of talent management, transformational leadership, organizational climate, employee engagement, employee performance, and organizational commitment in increasing the central bank’s performance. The study uses a quantitative approach by collecting data from 600 sample employees of Bank Indonesia in 30 divisions of departments at the head office, 45 domestic representative offices, and 5 foreign representative offices. The data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling-LISREL. The finding shows that transformational leadership has a positive impact on talent management. Talent management has a positive impact on organizational climate, employee engagement, and organizational commitment. Organizational climate has a positive impact on employee engagement. Employee engagement has a positive impact on organizational commitment. Organizational climate, employee engagement, and organizational commitment have a positive impact on employee performance, while talent management does not have a positive impact on employee performance. Employee performance, organizational commitment, and talent management have a positive impact on organizational performance. The study offers valuable insights into talent management practices within central banks. It serves as a guide for central bank management and human capital professionals in formulating policies to enhance performance amidst disruptive times. Additionally, educators can leverage these findings to develop curricula that align more closely with industry demands and produce competent graduates ready to excel on the global stage.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer by layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies. Selective Laser Melting, commercially known as Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS®), is the most diffused additive process in today’s manufacturing industry. Introduction of a DMLS® machine in a production department has remarkable effects not only on industrial design but also on production planning, for example, on machine scheduling. Scheduling for a traditional single machine can employ consolidated models. Scheduling of an AM machine presents new issues because it must consider the capability of producing different geometries, simultaneously. The aim of this paper is to provide a mathematical model for an AM/SLM machine scheduling. The complexity of the model is NP-HARD, so possible solutions must be found by metaheuristic algorithms, e.g., Genetic Algorithms. Genetic Algorithms solve sequential optimization problems by handling vectors; in the present paper, we must modify them to handle a matrix. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms will be tested on a test case formed by a 30 Part Number production plan with a high variability in complexity, distinct due dates and low production volumes.

The study presented herein describes promising designs of shell vibration isolators. The feature of the proposed designs is the cut thin-walled shell usage as the main bearing link. These resilient elements have high load capacity and, on the other hand, can provide the desired level of damping. From the point of view of mechanics, shell resilient elements are considered as the deformable systems with dry friction. When simulating these systems, structurally nonlinear non-conservative mixed contact issues of cut shell – resilient body frictional interaction arise. In order to take into account all essential options of the aforementioned issues and specify shell resilient element peculiarities of behavior under operational loads, the authors used the method of laboratory experiments for research. We considered two different contact systems. The first one is a cylindrical shell cut along its generatrix, which contacts a deformable filler. The second system is a cylindrical shell with several incomplete slots interacting with the elastic filler. The stress state and radial displacements of the shells, pliability of the resilient elements, and energy dissipation in the contact systems were time-tracked. As a result, we obtained relations for monitored options of the contact bodies and deformation diagrams for different physical-mechanical and geometrical options of the systems It was found that for a fixed cycle asymmetry coefficient with an increase in the friction coefficient between the shell and the filler, the amount of energy dissipated per cycle gradually decreases. The idea of optimizing shell vibration protection devices according to the criterion of maximum absorption of energy from external influences by determining the required tribological properties of contacting pairs is declared.

This study investigates the ways in which collaboration may provide a competitive advantage in global marketing through focused strategy, differentiation, and cost leadership. The study uses Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data and present a comparative analysis of separate and combined strategic approaches. The result of the study implies that differentiation is the main factor influencing the variation in collaborative competitive advantage, which accounts for the largest percentage of explained variance (R² = 0.729). Whereas the combined model also shows a high level of explanatory ability (R² = 0.693). The path coefficient shows that differentiation, focused strategy, and cost leadership have a positive impact on competitive advantage. The integrated model also shows significant indirect effects, highlighting the benefits of combining several strategies. These results suggest that in order to optimize resource allocation and enhance market positioning, firms should adopt a comprehensive approach that incorporates many techniques. This study contributes to the existing research in strategic management by emphasizing the importance of a cohesive strategy in sustaining a competitive advantage in the fast-evolving digital marketing field.

The current trend in deteriorating mechanical performance of green polymeric-based materials has made it essential for designers to establish more reliable and sustainable bio-products. Here, the mechanical performance of Jordanian lignocellulosic olive fibers in polymeric-based composites has been methodically investigated. The outcomes of different reinforcement conditions on the desired mechanical performance of the olive leaf’s lignocellulosic fibers with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composites have been examined, including the properties of tensile strength, tensile modulus, mechanical strain, impact strength, and the intensity per composite volume. This has been accomplished to determine the optimum reinforcement condition for the desired mechanical behavior as well as to establish the performance deterioration and enhancement trends of such bio-materials in a more consistent manner. The results signify that lignocellulosic olive fibers have exhibited various enhancements in terms of mechanical performance. Both the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity have been dramatically improved at 20 wt.% fiber content. This was the most desired reinforcement condition among all considered cases. The olive fibers also possess the capability of maintaining relatively high ductility and impact strength properties, making them suitable for various industrial applications where high ductility is necessary. Thermal stability analysis using TGA and DTG has been employed to obtain accurate results.