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Purpose: Existing productivity improvements activities such as inventory buffer, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and total productive maintenance (TPM) do not analytically associate the throughput shortage with process parameters. The paper aims to develop and test an integrated model to recover the throughput shortage through process parameters adjustment in a semiconductor assembly. Design/methodology/approach: The mathematical model of planned throughput is developed as a function of input parameters in an integrated multiple process line. When the planned throughput does not meet the real-time throughput, the throughput shortage occurs. The planned throughput for the next day is summed with the throughput shortage from previous day and mathematical programming is used to find the optimum process parameter values. Findings: The throughput shortage is restored using mathematical programming for the subsequent day of planning. If there still exist throughput shortage, the additional throughput shortage will be carried forward for the subsequent day of planning where mathematical programming is used again to find the adjusted process parameters. The proposed optimization model in essentially a parametric model using input parameters of real-time data based on a normal distribution that is translated into a range of minimum and maximum using 95% confidence interval. Research limitations/implications: The adjusted input parameters in this model is based on the cycle time of three processes which are Die Attach, Wire Bond and Pre-Cap Inspection. Downtime and setup time are not subjected to adjustments. Practical implications: The mathematical programming computes optimum process parameters values to restore the throughput shortage where it correlates the process parameters and throughput shortage quantitatively rather than conventional method of throughput shortage recovery. Originality/value: The research addresses the process parameter adjustment to recover the throughput shortage in integrated multiple processes.

The study of laughter therapy can help people better understand how laughter can reduce stress, boost mood, and improve the immune system and overall physical condition, so this topic is quite relevant and necessary in the modern world. The influence of laughter, as a nonverbal emotional component, helps to socialise faster, so studying changes in the psycho-emotional state of a person after laughter therapy is a necessary aspect. The study aims to determine the interaction of the psycho-emotional state and physiological indicators with laughter. The study used the methods of survey, analysis, statistics and generalisation. The dependence of a person’s physical condition and mood before and after positive emotions and laughter was determined. The survey results were also analysed, and the data obtained were summarised. The study summarised the impact of laughter on everyday life and mood. The study also noted that an increase in the level of endorphins in the blood after laughter leads to an improvement in mood and overall well-being. The study analysed and formed a percentage of the main effects of the therapy on people, which included an improvement in mood after laughter 24%, a reduction in stress and an improvement in overall well-being 34%, an increase in energy and life optimism 22%, and an increase in productivity and creativity 20%. The study of laughter and its effects on the body can help in the development of new methods of treating psychological and physiological diseases of the body. Laughter therapy, which is used to improve health through laughter, can have a positive impact on a person’s mental state, reduce stress, improve mood and promote the production of endorphins. Such research could provide a basis for the development of new health and well-being programmes based on the use of humour and laughter to improve both mental and physical health.

The study of laughter therapy can help people better understand how laughter can reduce stress, boost mood, and improve the immune system and overall physical condition, so this topic is quite relevant and necessary in the modern world. The influence of laughter, as a nonverbal emotional component, helps to socialise faster, so studying changes in the psycho-emotional state of a person after laughter therapy is a necessary aspect. The study aims to determine the interaction of the psycho-emotional state and physiological indicators with laughter. The study used the methods of survey, analysis, statistics and generalisation. The dependence of a person’s physical condition and mood before and after positive emotions and laughter was determined. The survey results were also analysed, and the data obtained were summarised. The study summarised the impact of laughter on everyday life and mood. The study also noted that an increase in the level of endorphins in the blood after laughter leads to an improvement in mood and overall well-being. The study analysed and formed a percentage of the main effects of the therapy on people, which included an improvement in mood after laughter 24%, a reduction in stress and an improvement in overall well-being 34%, an increase in energy and life optimism 22%, and an increase in productivity and creativity 20%. The study of laughter and its effects on the body can help in the development of new methods of treating psychological and physiological diseases of the body. Laughter therapy, which is used to improve health through laughter, can have a positive impact on a person’s mental state, reduce stress, improve mood and promote the production of endorphins. Such research could provide a basis for the development of new health and well-being programmes based on the use of humour and laughter to improve both mental and physical health.

Emerging economies are facing the dual challenge of enhancing productivity while maintaining competitive service quality. This study explores the interplay between Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and Quality Management (QM) practices in influencing productivity improvement. The authors examine how HRM practices in AMO framework can support productivity improvement via such QM practices as process management and continuous improvement. Statistical techniques including ANOVA and PLS-SEM are applied to analyze data collected from 120 hotels through the questionnaire survey. Analytical results reveal that Ability-enhancing HRM practices have the indirect effect on productivity improvement by the mediating role of continuous Improvement. In addition, process management is positively influenced by all dimensions of the AMO model, highlighting the significant role of HRM practices to support QM practices. These results emphasize the strategic importance of aligning HRM practices with QM initiatives to foster sustainable productivity growth in the service sector of emerging economics.

This paper presents a case study of continuous productivity improvement of an automotive parts production line using Internet of Everything (IoE) data for fault monitoring. Continuous productivity improvement denotes an iterative process of analyzing and updating the production line configuration for productivity improvement based on measured data. Analysis for continuous improvement of a production system requires a set of data (machine uptime, downtime, cycle-time) that are not typically monitored by a conventional fault monitoring system. Although productivity improvement is a critical aspect for a manufacturing site, not many production systems are equipped with a dedicated data recording system towards continuous improvement. In this paper, we study the problem of how to derive the dataset required for continuous improvement from the measurement by a conventional fault monitoring system. In particular, we provide a case study of an automotive parts production line. Based on the data measured by the existing fault monitoring system, we model the production system and derive the dataset required for continuous improvement. Our approach provides the expected amount of improvement to operation managers in a numerical manner to help them make a decision on whether they should modify the line configuration or not.

PurposeThis study aims to improve productivity and customer satisfaction through lean manufacturing for metals and engineering industries. Its aims also to understand the concept of lean manufacturing, various tools and techniques of lean, lean implementation benefits and barrier toward its implementation. Then, on the basis of the result, a conceptual frame work was developed to reduce the existing gaps.Design/methodology/approachLean thinking is one of the methods that can bring productivity and customer’s demand improvement for manufacturing and service giving industries. To arrive at the lean thinking productivity improvement and customer satisfaction of the sector (MEIs), intensive literature review and secondary data investigation were conducted.FindingsArticles and secondary data related to the case were reviewed and found the existing gaps. The gaps identified such as missing energy waste, space waste and material waste, waste of knowledge or talents. In addition to the 5 S of kaizen, this study added safety as the sixth on the existing Kaizen’s strategies. In lean practice, managers give priority to waste reduction and ignore the product quality aspect, which lead to dissatisfaction among customers. Fragmented implementation of lean manufacturing and the conflict between human resource waste and unemployment were reconciled in this study. A model that can improve productivity and increase customer satisfaction was developed. Solutions to alleviate the problems and speed up development were forwarded.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused solely on the manufacturing industries of developing countries, specifically deals with basic metals and engineering industries. In addition to this, the research didn’t take a case study on a specific firm as it is a literature review.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study emphasized that lean manufacturing is the key for wise resource utilization, which enables a firm for cost, lead time and waste reductions on one hand and productivity and flexibility improvements on the other. To the end, lean can bring sustainable development and bright images to firms, and wellbeing life to workers together with customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThe gaps that have not been identified by other researchers were clearly discussed, and on the basis of the gaps, a new conceptual model was developed. This is useful to basic metals and engineering industries in overcoming resource-limitation problems by eliminating wastes.

Purpose The core principle of implementing Lean manufacturing is reducing waste through optimum utilization of all resources. In this research paper, the authors have examined the effect of implementing Lean practices on the overall productivity in central India-based manufacturing industries. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the relationship between the implementation of Lean practices and overall productivity particularly in central India-based manufacturing industries. Design/methodology/approach A model in the integrated form is developed to illustrate how Lean manufacturing practices improve the overall productivity. Based on this model, a survey is performed to validate all hypotheses related to the conceptual model subject to various statistical tests. Findings It is established by the findings of this research that industries based in central India should implement the whole concept of Lean manufacturing practices to improve overall productivity. Industries should adopt the concept of Lean manufacturing in totality, not through the island approach. Originality/value The value of this research paper is to showcase the possibility for central India-based companies to become world-class industries. For this, an approach in the form of an integrated model has been developed.

This study investigates the molecular mechanisms by which Hariman mitigates damage and productivity losses caused by Cucumber Aphid-Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV) in the passion fruit genotypes ‘FB300’ and ‘H09-110/111’ under greenhouse and field conditions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Hariman treatment induced the upregulation of key defense genes and phytohormones in response to CABMV infection, enabling treated plants to counteract virus-induced developmental impairments effectively. The relative accumulation of CABMV and disease severity were significantly reduced, with treated plants showing no decline in growth parameters such as height, leaf count, flower production, or fruit set. Over 18 months, total productivity increased by 65.7% and 114% for ‘FB300’ and by 44% and 80% for ‘H09-110/111’ after one and two applications of Hariman, respectively. Notably, infected plants treated with Hariman outperformed healthy plants grown under similar conditions, underscoring the biofertilizer’s dual role in promoting plant growth while enhancing resistance to biotic stressors. These findings indicate that Hariman stimulates robust growth and induces the expression of the defense-related genes PR-3, SOD, POD12, PAL, and LOX2 alongside the expression of the phytohormone-associated genes SAUR20 and GA2ox across different passion fruit genotypes. The adoption of these sustainable technologies holds significant potential for enhancing passion fruit productivity in the face of diseases that severely threaten this crop.

The global steel industry is rapidly transitioning towards energy decarbonization to address the climate crisis. Sintering is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions from steel mills. Traditional sintering processes use straight inclined chutes to feed raw materials into the sinter machine. However, this design suffers from insufficient horizontal momentum, resulting in poor segregation of the layered materials. This study proposes an improved charging chute design profile that uses a cycloid curve and rolls to enhance segregation, thus reducing coal consumption and increasing productivity. To achieve this, we first modeled a charging chute using the cycloid curve. Secondly, building upon the cycloid concept, we created a roll-type chute by strategically placing rollers along the cycloid trajectory. Finally, the cycloid roll-type charging chute, integrating the cycloid trajectory with the roll-shaped charging chute, was simulated. Pilot tests comparing the cycloid roll-type and straight chute models demonstrated a significant increase in dispersion for the cycloid roll-type design, with a 65% improvement in the Strand-ward segregation (Sw) index compared to the straight chute. Furthermore, actual filed implementation in a sintering process achieved a 2.9% increase in operational productivity and a 6% reduction in fuel consumption. This study is significant not only for proposing an optimal chute design, but also for successfully implementing it in a full-scale steel mill, contributing to a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon reduction in steel mills.