bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering cellular organisation and operation for effective healthcare delivery supply chains
Authors: Parnaby J. , Towill D.R.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive description, justification and modus operandi for implementation of cellular operations within healthcare delivery supply chains. The methodology outlined has a sound theoretical basis, has been proven in a wide range of market sectors (including hospitals) and hence qualifies for consideration as a contribution to “new management theory”.

Design/methodology/approach

Approach is based on the well established management‐by‐projects (MBP) methodology for analysis, design and effective implementation of change. There is detailed coverage of the five‐step MBP programme with specific applications in healthcare. The importance of “people involvement” as a core requirement is demonstrated via the set‐up of task forces to design and operate such cells. These groups integrate cognate activities so as to provide seamless patient flow within the healthcare delivery process. MBP is derived from a systems perspective. This in turn is concerned with maintaining quality, reducing uncertainty, smooth transference, synchronisation, schedule adherence, and minimisation of throughput times.

Findings

The outputs from case studies executed in a large UK teaching hospital confirm the substantial benefits accruing from cellular operation. In both materials supplies and urology admission processes significant improvements result form adoption of the MBP change methodology. This includes substantive 50 per cent reduction in patient throughput times, plus 25 per cent increase in bed utilisation. Measurable cost benefits are achieved in materials supply, especially via simplification of ordering systems.

Research limitations/implications

The healthcare applications demonstrate the applicability of MBP within this specialised scenario. However, the solutions depend on the innovatory capability of the relevant task forces who execute the projects. Since these necessarily include participation by coal‐face “players”, i.e. doctors, nurses, support staff, etc. advised by internal “change experts” the solutions adopted are shaped to be the best and most appropriate “local” schema.

Practical implications

It is essential that task forces be properly constituted, well trained, well advised, and actively practice the plan‐do‐check‐act cyclic route of well‐tested improvement. “Train‐Do” is the key. However, in healthcare especially, the “Elephant Must Be Eaten in Bite Sized Chunks”. In other words the organisation needs visible progressive change, unit‐by‐unit, thus avoiding saturation of scarce resources.

Originality/value

Brings together the MBP methodology and cellular organisational concepts into an integrated, sustainable, systems based approach to the analysis, design and implementation of effective change.
The impact of integrating return components planning with purchasing decisions on purchasing performance
Authors: Jinhui Wu Sarah , Closs David J.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to apply a simulation experiment to investigate the impact of new components purchasing and used components recovery strategies on multiple performance measures. The research compares the effectiveness of these strategies, given different levels of uncertainty for the return flow from the contingency perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The experimental design is implemented using an ARENA simulation model. Simulation results are used to test the proposed research model. Multivariate analysis of variance is used for data analysis.

Findings

The results demonstrate that while a proactive purchasing strategy reduces total system cost, it also negatively affects service level. While there are some general conclusions, it is equally important to make decisions under specific business contexts.

Practical implications

The primary implication is that a firm has to align its purchasing strategy and recovery strategy with its business strategy. Given the tradeoff on multiple performance dimensions, the business strategy guides the selection of the appropriate purchasing and recovery strategy.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that using multiple performance measures is necessary to accurately assess cost and service trade‐offs related to a proactive purchasing strategy. Considering a wide range of circumstances, this paper suggests that the contingency perspective is a valid approach for investigating closed‐loop supply chains.
Sourcing from low‐cost countries
Authors: Ruamsook Kusumal , Russell Dawn M. , Thomchick Evelyn A.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the issues pertinent to sourcing internationally from low‐cost countries (LCCs) and to understand which issues are associated most strongly with a firm's logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparative examination of supply sources in developed countries and LCCs is conducted using a paired‐sample setting. Data acquired by a mail survey of US‐based manufacturing firms are analyzed using a canonical correlation analysis (CCA). CCA helps to reveal the structure of relationships within and between a set of sourcing issue variables and a set of the logistics performance variables investigated.

Findings

Results indicate that the issues that should be priorities for improvement are: supplier production capability; business culture and practices; and communication infrastructure.

Research limitations/implications

The survey data and analysis focused on US manufacturing firms importing from LCCs. However, there is increasing activity of US retailers importing from LCCs, suggesting a need for a follow‐on study which considers the retailer perspective.

Practical implications

Results not only validate the issues to be considered in sourcing from LCCs, but also provide a direction for logistics managers in allocating an organization's scarce resources to the issues of highest potential for improving logistics performance.

Originality/value

The fast emerging role of LCCs as supply sources of US firms and the cost advantages of sourcing from LCCs are widely recognized. However, challenges associated with sourcing internationally from LCCs and the extent to which they are related to a firm's logistics performance have received limited attention in existing logistics research. This study contributes valuable insights into this area of international sourcing and logistics management.
Understanding the concept of supply chain resilience
Authors: Ponomarov Serhiy Y. , Holcomb Mary C.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

In the emerging disciplines of risk management and supply chain management, resilience is a relatively undefined concept. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated perspective on resilience through an extensive review of the literature in a number of disciplines including developmental psychology and ecosystems. In addition, the paper identifies and addresses some of the current theoretical gaps in the existing research.

Design/methodology/approach

Supply chain resilience has been defined by a number of disciplines. An integrative literature review is conducted in an attempt to integrate existing perspectives. This review also serves as the basis for the development of a conceptual model.

Findings

The key elements of supply chain resilience and the relationships among them, the links between risks and implications for supply chain management, and the methodologies for managing these key issues are poorly understood. Implications for future research advocate testing the proposed model empirically.

Practical implications

Supply chain disruptions have adverse effect on both revenue and costs. Resilient supply chains incorporate event readiness, are capable of providing an efficient response, and often are capable of recovering to their original state or even better post the disruptive event.

Originality/value

Supply chain resilience has yet to be researched from the logistics perspective. Even in well‐developed disciplines the unified theory of resilience is still under development. This research leverages existing knowledge and advances an interdisciplinary understanding of the concept.
Coordinating material and information flows with supply chain planning
Authors: Kaipia Riikka
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how companies can select a supply chain planning (SCP) mechanism to improve the balance between material flow and information flow.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of the paper is an inductive case study approach. Coordination theory is used as a background for the paper. Based on a literature survey, determinants of the selection of a SCP approach are defined. Cases of SCP are used to validate the framework presented.

Findings

The paper suggests that specific supply chain characteristics need to be balanced by selecting a coordination mechanism that uses information optimally to support the material flow. Flexible material flow needs frequent updates of the plan based on accurate information. If frequent information sharing and planning practices are used to support inflexible material flow, the result may be volatility in plans, and planning resources are wasted. If a flexible material flow is supported by inadequate information, waste may be produced in the material flow, in the form of excess inventories or capacity.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents a framework for finding the balance between information flows and material flows and for applying a coordination mechanism.

Practical implications

Companies can use the framework to analyse the management of their material flow and their use of information. In future research the framework could be developed to give more support for situations with different levels and sources of uncertainty.

Originality/value

The framework provides a new perspective on the discussion how information should be used to improve supply chain performance.
Application of a decision support system to strategic warehousing decisions
Authors: Min Hokey
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to illustrate the successful development of a warehousing decision support system (WDSS) that aided the Buckeye Cable Vision Incorporated (BCV) in making its strategic warehouse expansion and re‐warehousing decisions. The WDSS utilized by the BCV can be a blue‐print for other companies which would like to improve their warehousing productivity and strengthen the warehousing link to their supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Warehousing costs make up a significant portion of a company's business expenditures. Thus, many companies are pressured to control warehousing costs by improving their warehousing productivity. However, it is not an easy task to improve warehousing productivity given the increased complexity associated with today's warehousing activities such as value‐added services and cross‐docking operations. To cope with such warehousing challenges, a specific decision support system (DSS) that incorporates several computer‐based models into the warehouse decision‐making process is proposed. These models include: a simulation model based on computer‐aided design, an analytic hierarchy process, and a forecasting technique. To demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed DSS and provide practical guidance for other companies that seek the DSS as a powerful decision‐aid tool, this paper conducted an in‐depth case analysis of the BCV that successfully exploited the WDSS.

Findings

Through the BCV's case, it was shown that the WDSS could not only enhance warehousing productivity, but could also improve supply chain visibility. Also, it was found that the WDSS success lay in the company's ability to sustain high data quality by standardizing, cleaning, and updating relevant data on a real‐time basis.

Originality/value

Since the early 1970s, a DSS has attracted attention from both profit and non‐profit organizations. Despite the long history of DSS evolution, it has been rarely applied to strategic warehousing decisions. This paper is one of the first attempts to develop a specific DSS that can assist warehousing managers in documenting warehousing costs, identifying non‐value adding activities, evaluating strategic warehousing alternatives, and utilizing given warehousing resources.
The relationship between strategic orientation, service innovation, and performance
Authors: Grawe Scott J. , Chen Haozhe , Daugherty Patricia J.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine how a firm's strategic orientation affects service innovation capability and the resulting impact on market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to supply chain executives. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships among the following constructs: customer orientation, competitor orientation, cost orientation, service innovation, and market performance.

Findings

Although the relationship between cost orientation and service innovation is not supported, the relationships between customer orientation and competitor orientation and service innovation are supported. Additionally, the relationship between service innovation and market performance is supported.

Research limitations/implications

This study is one of a limited number of studies which has empirically addressed service innovation. Additional research is needed to address the impact of a firm's strategic orientation on product innovation capability.

Practical implications

The study found that firms seeking to develop a service innovation capability should employ customer orientation, competitor orientation, or a combination of the two different types of strategic orientation.

Originality/value

Service innovation has received very little empirical attention in the current innovation literature. This paper fills in some of the gaps in the literature.
Managing the product design‐supply chain interface
Authors: Khan Omera , Creazza Alessandro
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interface between product design and the supply chain and to develop a roadmap to the design centric business through better management of this interface.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is adopted. This enabled the development of a roadmap to inform businesses on how to develop a design centric business integrated with the extended supply chain.

Findings

The research shows that successful companies will be those which seek to extend and develop the contribution of design into all aspects of their business. The roadmap to a design centric business enables firms to better position product design within their business processes and helps facilitate better integration between product design and the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from this research have been derived from a scoping study of a relatively small sample. However, the findings are grounded by a structured literature review and are generalisable to other industry sectors.

Originality/value

Design for the supply chain is an under‐explored area. The conceptual framework highlights the importance of the product design‐supply chain management interface and offers a roadmap for companies to develop a more design centric business.
Extending landed cost models to improve offshore sourcing decisions
Authors: Young Richard R. , Swan Peter F. , Thomchick Evelyn A. , Ruamsook Kusumal
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the components required for more robust landed cost models given the now widespread interest in sourcing finished goods, components for assembly, and basic raw materials from global sources. This study also seeks to establish the need for broad‐based participation in operationalizing such models.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews are conducted with several major firms that import a range of merchandise into the USA to develop in‐depth case studies. A taxonomy of variables found in increasingly comprehensive forms of landed cost models is developed from the case studies. These variables are assembled into modules and analyzed with the use of an expert panel consisting of executives responsible for import activities at major firms.

Findings

Most major firms are relatively unsophisticated in their approach to making offshore sourcing decisions. Few employ models that are sufficiently detailed and some do not even embrace the basic logistical elements of price, transportation, and inventory. The administrative overhead required for offshoring is seldom considered nor are the potential risks associated with sourcing globally that may result.

Research limitations/implications

The study considered only imports into the USA. Even with a relatively broad range of industries represented and the in‐depth research design, there are very few data points. Hence, this is theory building research upon which a more broad‐based methodology will be found.

Practical implications

With firms of all sizes and industries seeking to employ offshore sources of supply, a rational approach needs to be developed to support such decisions. Historically, such actions were taken on the basis of price alone; however, such an approach is clearly suboptimal. Many firms need to develop the ability to collect the requisite data, allow sufficient time to conduct proper analysis, and establish the cross‐functional mechanism for decision making.

Originality/value

This paper provides a range of modules, the more sophisticated potentially useful for supporting effective offshore sourcing decisions. It also advances the idea that while cost advantages may be present, there may be certain risk factors that obviate offshore sourcing alternatives.
Prediction of turbulent flow and heat transfer in channels with array of detached and alternative attached‐detached ribs
Authors: Raisee Mehrdad , Rokhzadi Arman
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer through passages with an array of either detached or alternative attached‐detached ribs of square cross‐section.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite‐volume method in a partially staggered grid system has been applied. For the modeling of turbulence, the zonal as well as the linear and non‐linear low‐Reynolds number k  −  ε models have been employed.

Findings

The numerical results show that the presence of the ribs produces a very complex flow in the channel. The mean flow predictions for the channel with detached ribs show that the low‐Re k  −  ε models are able to reproduce most of the experimentally observed flow features away from the ribbed wall, but return lower stream‐wise velocities close to the wall. Additionally, all low‐Re k  −  ε models underpredict the stream‐wise turbulence intensity whilst producing correct cross‐stream turbulence intensity levels close to the measured data. All three turbulence models fail to completely reproduce the distribution of Nusselt number. Among three turbulence models examined in this work, the zonal k  −  ε model produces the best heat transfer predictions.

Originality/value

The work contributes in understanding of the flow and thermal development in passages with detached ribs. The present set of 2D and steady heat and fluid flow comparisons establishes a base‐level for more realistic three‐dimensional and unsteady computations. The results of this study may be of interest to engineers attempting to re‐design the internal cooling system of gas turbine blades and to researchers interested in the turbulent flow‐modification aspects of heat transfer enhancement of forced convection in ribbed passages.
Network modelling of unsteady natural convection flow over a vertical plate submitted to surface temperature oscillation
Authors: Zueco Joaquín
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The unsteady natural convection flow of a viscous dissipative fluid along a semi‐infinite vertical plate subjected to periodic surface temperature oscillation is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

An electrical‐network model based on the Network Simulation Method is developed to solve the governing equations. The accuracy and effectiveness of the method are demonstrated.

Findings

The increasing of the viscous dissipation and the decreasing in the Prandtl number lead to a decrease in Nusselt number and an increase in the local skin‐friction. Also, it is found that the oscillations of the Nusselt number and of the local skin‐friction depend on the frequency and amplitude of the oscillating surface temperature. For Pr = 1,000 and ε = 0.005 (realistic case) the effect of the viscous dissipation is appreciable at large distances from the leading edge.

Research limitations/implications

The inclusion of viscous dissipation in the energy equation, except of the theoretical interest, has applications in very special cases, for example, gases at very low temperature and also for high Prandtl number liquids.

Originality/value

The influence of the non‐uniformity of wall temperature on the heat transfer by natural convection along of the plate together with the viscous dissipation of the fluid are analysed by means of a new numerical technique based on the electrical analogy.
Entropy generation analysis for the free surface turbulent flow during laser material processing
Authors: Chatterjee Dipankar , Chakraborty Suman
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to carry out a systematic energy analysis for predicting the first and second law efficiencies and the entropy generation during a laser surface alloying (LSA) process.

Design/methodology/approach

A three‐dimensional transient macroscopic numerical model is developed to describe the turbulent transport phenomena during a typical LSA process and subsequently, the energy analysis is carried out to predict the entropy generation as well as the first and second law efficiencies. A modified k–ε model is used to address turbulent molten metal‐pool convection. The phase change aspects are addressed using a modified enthalpy‐porosity technique. A kinetic theory approach is adopted for modelling evaporation from the top surface of the molten pool.

Findings

It is found that the heat transfer due to the strong temperature gradient is mainly responsible for the irreversible degradation of energy in the form of entropy production and the flow and mass transfer effects are less important for this type of phase change problem. The first and second law efficiencies are found to increase with effective heat input and remain independent of the powder feed rate. With the scanning speed, the first law efficiency increases whereas the second law efficiency decreases.

Research limitations/implications

The top surface undulations are not taken care of in this model which is a reasonable approximation.

Practical implications

The results obtained will eventually lead to an optimized estimation of laser parameters (such as laser power, scanning speed, etc.), which in turn improves the process control and reduces the cost substantially.

Originality/value

This paper provides essential information for modelling solid–liquid phase transition as well as a systematic analysis for entropy generation prediction.
Mixed convection in a buoyancy‐assisted two‐sided lid‐driven cavity filled with a porous medium
Authors: Vishnuvardhanarao Elaprolu , Das Manab Kumar
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider a two‐dimensional, steady, mixed convection flow in an enclosure filled with a fluid‐saturated uniform porous medium. The left wall is moving down and the right wall is moving up and are maintained at cold and hot constant temperatures, respectively. The top and the bottom walls are fixed and are thermally insulated.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations are normalized and solved numerically with appropriate boundary conditions by finite‐volume approach using third‐order accurate scheme (deferred QUICK).

Findings

The study is conducted by varying the key parameters, i.e. Richardson number (Ri=Gr/Re2), Darcy number (Da=κ /H2) and Grashof number (Gr=gβ H3 Δ T/ν 2) and fixing Prandtl number at (Pr=0.71). A parametric study is conducted and a set of streamline and isotherm plots are presented. The average Nusselt number reaches a value of 1 asymptotically when the Ri is gradually increased for Gr up to 103. The asymptotic value is 1.5 for Gr=104. A heat transfer correlation is also presented.

Originality/value

The study of the mixed convection problem with lid‐driven flows in enclosures will be useful in cooling of electronic devices, lubrication technologies, chemical processing equipment, etc.
Convective heat transfer augmentation through vortex shedding in sinusoidal constricted tube
Authors: Batina J. , Batchi M. , Blancher S. , Creff R. , Amrouche C.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the convective heat transfer of an unsteady pulsed, laminar, incompressible flow in axisymmetric tubes with periodic sections. The flow is supposed to be developing dynamically and thermally from the duct inlet. The wall is heated at constant and uniform temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem is written with classical homogeneous boundary conditions. We use a shift operator to impose non‐homogeneous boundary conditions. Consequently, this method introduces source terms in the Galerkin formulation. The momentum equations and the energy equation which govern this problem are numerically solved in space by a spectral Galerkin method especially oriented to this situation. A Crank‐Nicolson scheme permits the resolution in time.

Findings

From the temperature field, the heat transfer phenomenon is presented, discussed and compared to those obtained in straight cylindrical pipes. This study showed the existence of zones of dead fluid that locally have a negative influence on heat transfer. Substantial modifications of the thermal convective heat transfer are highlighted at the entry and the minimum duct sections.

Practical implications

Pulsated flows in axisymmetric geometries can be applied to medical industries, mechanical engineering and technological processes.

Originality/value

One of the original features of this study is the choice of Chebyshev polynomials basis in both axial and radial directions for spectral methods, combined with the use of a shift operator to satisfy non‐homogeneous boundary conditions.
The entropy generation for a rotating sphere under uniform heat flux boundary condition in forced‐convection flow
Authors: Antar Mohamed A. , El‐Shaarawi Maged A.I.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the problem of entropy generation around a spinning/non‐spinning solid sphere subjected to uniform heat flux boundary condition in the forced‐convection regime.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing continuity, momentum, energy and entropy generation equations are numerically solved for a wide range of the controlling parameters; Reynolds number and the dimensionless spin number.

Findings

The dimensionless overall total entropy generation increases with the dimensionless spin number. The effect of increasing the spin number on the fluid‐friction component of entropy generation is more significant compared to its effect on heat transfer entropy generation.

Research limitations/implications

Since the boundary‐layer analysis is used, the flow is presented up to only the point of external flow separation.

Practical implications

Entropy generation analysis can be used to evaluate the design of many heat transfer systems and suggest design improvements.

Originality/value

A review in the open literature indicated that no study is available for the entropy generation in the unconfined flow case about a spinning sphere.
Natural convection heat transfer augmentation in a partially heated and partially cooled square cavity utilizing nanofluids
Authors: Das Manab Kumar , Shridhar Ohal Pravin
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behaviour of nanofluids numerically inside a partially heated and partially cooled square cavity to gain insight into heat transfer and flow processes induced by a nanofluid.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed to analyze the behaviour of nanofluids taking into account the solid volume fraction χ. The transport equations are solved numerically with finite volume approach using SIMPLEC algorithm.

Findings

Comparisons with previously published work on the basis of special cases are performed and found to be in excellent agreement. Five different relative positions of the active zones are considered.While circulation depend strongly on the total exit length. Governing parameters were 103 < Gr < 107 but due to space constraints the results for 104 < Gr <107 are presented. It is found that both the Grashof number and solid volume fraction χ affect the fluid flow and heat transfer in the cavity. CopperWater nanofluid is used with Pr = 6.2 and solid volume fraction is varied as 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 per cent. Detailed results are presented for flow pattern and heat transfer curves.

Originality/value

The present study focusses on the analysis of several parameters on the heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids within the enclosure.
Effects of injection (suction) on a steady mixed convection boundary layer flow over a vertical cone
Authors: Ravindran R. , Roy Satyajit , Momoniat E.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the steady mixed convection flow over a vertical cone in the presence of surface mass transfer when the axis of the cone is inline with the flow.

Design/methodology/approach

In this case, the numerical difficulties to obtain the non‐similar solution are overcome by applying an implicit finite difference scheme in combination with the quasilinearization technique.

Findings

Numerical results are reported here to display the effects of Prandtl number, buoyancy and mass transfer (injection and suction) parameters at different stream‐wise locations on velocity and temperature profiles, and on skin friction and heat transfer coefficients.

Research limitations/implications

Thermo‐physical properties of the fluid in the flow model are assumed to be constant except the density variations causing a body force term in the momentum equation. The Boussinesq approximation is invoked for the fluid properties to relate the density changes to temperature changes and to couple in this way the temperature field to the flow field.

Practical implications

Convective heat transfer over a stationary cone is important for the thermal design of various types of industrial equipments such as heat exchangers, conisters for nuclear waste disposal, nuclear reactor cooling systems and geothermal reservoirs, etc.

Originality/value

The combined effects of thermal diffusion and surface mass transfer on a vertical cone has been studied.
Radiation effects on hydromagnetic free convective and mass transfer flow of a gas past a circular cylinder with uniform heat and mass flux
Authors: EL‐Hakiem M.A.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the effect of combined heat and mass transfer characteristics of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) free convection flow of an electrically conducting Newtonian fluid on circular cylinder with uniform heat/mass flux, taking into consideration the effects of uniform transverse magnetic field and thermal radiation.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis is performed to study the momentum, combined heat and mass transfer characteristics of MHD free convection flow past a circular cylinder surface under the effect of thermal radiation with uniform heat and mass flux. By using Lie group method, the infinitesimal generators of governing equations are calculated. Using the resulting generators for the boundary value problem, the equations are transformed into an ordinary differential system. Numerical solutions of the outcoming non‐linear differential equations are found by using a combination of a Runge–Kutta algorithm and shooting technique.

Findings

Application of a magnetic field normal to the flow of an electrically conducting fluid gives rise to a resistive force that acts in the direction opposite to that of the flow. This resistive force tends to slow down the motion of the fluid along the cylinder and causes increases in its temperature and concentration and hence the respective changes in the wall shear stress, local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers as the magnetic parameter, respectively are changed with various values of angle which is measured in degrees from the front stagnation point on the surface. It is noted that these coefficients reduced as the magnetic parameter increases. Also, the effect of thermal radiation works as a heat source and so the quantity of heat added to the fluid increases, therefore the local Nusselt number reduced as the radiation parameter increases.

Research limitations/implications

An analysis is performed to study the momentum, combined heat and mass transfer characteristics of MHD free convection flow of an electrically conducting Newtonian fluid on circular cylinder with uniform heat/mass flux with the effects of uniform transverse magnetic field and thermal radiation.

Practical implications

This paper provides a very useful source of coefficient of heat and mass transfer values for engineers planning to transfer heat and mass by using electrically conducting gases with uniform heat/mass flux.

Originality/value

The combined heat and mass transfer of an electrically conducting gases on free convection flow in the presence of magneto and thermal radiation effects are investigated and can be used by different engineers working on industry, geothermal, geophysical, technological and engineering applications.
Mixed convection flow of a micropolar fluid near a non‐orthogonal stagnation‐point on a stretching vertical sheet
Authors: Lok Y.Y. , Pop I. , Ingham D.B. , Amin N.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study theoretically the steady two‐dimensional mixed convection flow of a micropolar fluid impinging obliquely on a stretching vertical sheet. The flow consists of a stagnation‐point flow and a uniform shear flow parallel to the surface of the sheet. The sheet is stretching with a velocity proportional to the distance from the stagnation point while the surface temperature is assumed to vary linearly. The paper attempts also to show that a similarity solution of this problem can be obtained.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a similarity transformation, the basic partial differential equations are first reduced to ordinary differential equations which are then solved numerically using the Keller box method for some values of the governing parameters. Both assisting and opposing flows are considered. The results are also obtained for both strong and weak concentration cases.

Findings

These results provide information about the effect of a/c (ratio of the stagnation point velocity and the stretching velocity), σ (shear flow parameter) and K (material parameter) on the flow and heat transfer characteristics in mixed convection flow near a non‐orthogonal stagnation‐point on a vertical stretching surface. The results show that the shear stress increases as K increases, while the heat flux from the surface of the sheet decreases with an increase in K.

Research limitations/implications

The results in this paper are valid only in the small region around the stagnation‐point on the vertical sheet. It is found that for smaller Prandtl number, there are difficulties in the numerical computation due to the occurrence of reversed flow for opposing flow. An extension of this work could be performed for the unsteady case.

Originality/value

The present results are original and new for the micropolar fluids. They are important in many practical applications in manufacturing processes in industry.
Flow simulation in a complex fluidics using three turbulence models and unstructured grids
Authors: Wang Junye , Priestman Geoffrey H.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simulate the behaviour of the symmetrical turn‐up vortex amplifier (STuVA) to obtain insight into its maximum through‐flow operation within the eight‐port STuVA, and understand the relation between its design parameters and flow characteristics. Furthermore, it is to test the performance of different turbulent models and near‐wall models using the same grid, the same numerical methods and the same computational fluid dynamics code under multiple impingement conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Three turbulence models, the standard k‐ε, the renormalization group (RNG) k‐ε model and the Reynolds stress model (RSM), and three near‐wall models have been used to simulate the confined incompressible turbulent flow in an eight‐port STuVA using unstructured meshes. The STuVA is a special symmetrical design of turn‐up vortex amplifier, and the simulation focused on its extreme operation in the maximum flow state with no swirling. The predictions were compared with basic pressure‐drop flow rate measurements made using air at ambient conditions. The effect of different combinations of turbulence and near‐wall models was evaluated.

Findings

The RSM gave predictions slightly closer to the experimental data than the other models, although the RNG k‐ε model predicted nearly as accurately as the RSM. They both improved errors by about 3 per cent compared to the standard k‐ε model but took a long time for convergence. The modelling of complex flows depends not only on the turbulence model but also on the near‐wall treatments and computational economy. In this study a good combination was the RSM, the two layer wall model and the higher order discretization scheme, which improved accuracy by more than 10 per cent compared to the standard k‐ε model, the standard wall function and first order upwind.

Research limitation/implications

The results of this paper are valid for the global pressure drop flow rate. It should be desirable to compare some local information with the experiment.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight into the maximum through‐flow operation within the eight‐port STuVA to understand the relation between its design parameters and flow characteristics and study the performance of turbulence and near wall models.
Application of axisymmetric analog to unstructured grid for aeroheating prediction of hypersonic vehicles
Authors: Parhizkar H. , Karimian S.M.H.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an engineering inviscid‐boundary layer method for the calculation of convective heating rates on three‐dimensional non‐axisymmetric geometries at angle of attack.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the axisymmetric analog, convective heating rates are calculated along the surface streamlines which are determined using the inviscid properties calculated on an unstructured grid.

Findings

Since the method is capable of using inviscid properties calculated on an unstructured grid, it is applicable to a variety of configurations and it requires much less computational effort than a Navier‐Stokes code. The results of the present method are evaluated on different wing body configurations in laminar and turbulent hypersonic equilibrium flows. In comparison to experimental data, the present results are found to be fairly accurate in the windward and leeward regions.

Practical implications

With this approach, heating rates can be predicted on general three‐dimensional configurations at hypersonic speeds in an accurate and fast scheme.

Originality/value

In order to calculate the heating rates at any specific point on the surface, a technique is developed to calculate the inviscid surface streamlines in a backward manner using the inviscid velocity components. The metric coefficients are also calculated using a new simple technique.
Numerical solution of wetting fluid spread into porous media
Authors: Markicevic B. , Navaz H.K.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a general numerical solution for the wetting fluid spread into porous media that can be used in solving of droplet spread into soils, printing applications, fuel cells, composite processing.

Design/methodology/approach

A discrete capillary network model based on micro‐force balance is numerically implemented and the flow for an arbitrary capillary number can be solved. At the fluid interface, the boundary condition that accounts for the capillary pressure jump is used.

Findings

The wetting fluid spread into porous medium starts as a single‐phase flow, and after some particular number of the porous medium characteristic length scales, the multi‐phase flow pattern occurs. Hence, in the principal flow direction, the phase content (saturation) decreases, and in the lower limit for the capillary number sufficiently small, the saturation should become constant. This qualitative saturation behavior is observed irrespective of the flow dimensionality, whereas the quantitative results vary for different flow systems.

Research limitations/implications

The numerical solution has to be expanded to solve the spread of the fluid in the porous medium after there is no free fluid left at the porous medium surface.

Practical implications

It is shown that the multi‐phase flow can develop even on a small domain due to the porous medium heterogeneity. Neglecting the medium heterogeneity and flow type can lead to a large error as shown for the droplet spread time in the porous medium.

Originality/value

This is believe to be the only paper relating to solving the droplet spread into porous medium as a multi‐phase flow problem.
On MHD boundary‐layer flow and mass transfer past a vertical plate in a porous medium with constant heat flux
Authors: Makinde O.D.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The hydromagnetic mixed convection flow of an incompressible viscous electrically conducting fluid and mass transfer over a vertical porous plate with constant heat flux embedded in a porous medium is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Boussinesq and boundary‐layer approximations, the fluid equations for momentum, energy balance and concentration governing the problem are formulated. These equations are solved numerically by using the most effective Newton–Raphson shooting method along with fourth‐order Runge–Kutta integration algorithm.

Findings

It was found that for positive values of the buoyancy parameters, the skin friction increased with increasing values of both the Eckert number (Ec) and the magnetic field intensity parameter (M) and decreased with increasing values of both the Schmidt number (Sc) and the permeability parameter (K).

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for researchers on the subject of hydromagnetic flow in porous media.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the effects of magnetic field on mixed convective boundary layer flow past a vertical plate embedded in a saturated porous medium with mass transfer and a constant heat flux.
Marketing in the Great Recession: an executive guide
Authors: Grossberg Kenneth Alan
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The world economy is likely to worsen because of the consumer's fears created by a cascade of financial and business catastrophes. To adapt their marketing approach, executives need guidance on how to respond to the sea change in the attitudes of individual customers during this current Great Recession. this paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Given that experts believe that we have entered a period of austerity marketing, which is defined as marketing to consumers who do not want to spend, the paper shows how companies can reconcile consumers' fear, their aspirations for comfort, and their new reluctance to flaunt extravagance. His research indicates that marketers will have to include reassurance as part of their appeal.

Findings

Some businesses think that the fail‐safe approach is to emphasize great value, but this will require them to understand their evolving customers' value system better than ever in order to sell to them successfully; in particular their need for self‐respect, status and self‐fulfillment.

Research limitations/implications

The author, a professor of marketing at Waseda University in Tokyo has also been a senior marketing executive for major global businesses. Much of his research is based on first‐hand observation.

Practical implications

In the consumer markets of the USA, Japan and Europe, one new marketing approach that addresses consumers' higher needs is that of indulgent parsimony, or frugal indulgence. The theory is that recession‐shocked consumers are shopping for less costly goods and services but nonetheless want their purchases to provide comfort and relief from stress.

Originality/value

For the next few years, marketers should encourage guilt‐free (and altruistic) gratification by customers. A potentially successful marketing approach could articulate this customer mindset: “I'm worth it … because I've examined all the alternatives and this one gives me the best value for something I really do need”. Indulgent parsimony – offering reassurance, value and self‐esteem at bargain – may prove most effective.
How to cut costs in a recession – with help from employees
Authors: Katzenbach Jon , Bromfield Paul
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The economic downturn requires prudent cost reductions, yet only 10 percent of companies sustain cost reductions after three years. Some of the most successful cost cutters have learned to engage their workforce to embrace both the rational and emotional arguments for taking action and to focus on what the company is and will become. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The task of securing employee commitment to cost reductions is not easy, and requires paying close attention to six principles which this paper introduces. This is referred to as the motivating cost discipline (MCD) approach.

Findings

In the example application of the MCD approach, costs were cut by 30 percent with employee satisfaction and price lifted 20 percent.

Research limitations/implications

The six principles offered are collected from observing best practice in the field.

Practical implications

This paper shows that beyond the mandate to an immediately lower cost structure, it is also possible to motivate people in positive ways that produce emotional as well as rational commitment.

Originality/value

Contrary to conventional wisdom, it is possible to get more costs out sooner and realize benefits that are more lasting; the secret is fully engaging employees in the cost cutting process, which this paper helps to do.