Relationship of individual and organizational factors and employee performance : moderating effects of psychological empowerment in the ceramic tile industry (Abstract and Table of content only)

The Malaysia ceramic tile industry is facing many challenges which include competition from cheap imported tiles from China, increasing costs to procure raw materials as well as the continual increases in natural gas prices, hence causing the production costs to be very high which will have an impact on the industry’s survival. Therefore, one way to boost productivity in order to reduce the labour costs is to have a team of high performing employees. For this reason, this research was initiated to study the factors that could optimize individual employee performance in this industry. Factors that had an influence on employees’ performance in this research were divided into two categories, the first being the independent variables or organisational factors consisting of rewards, procedural justice, organizational culture and psychological empowerment and the second category were the individual factors or demographic factors consisting of employees’ academic background and their tenure at their organizations. Psychological empowerment was also studied to see if it could moderate the relationship between rewards, employees’ academic background and their tenure at their organizations, and employee performance. Based on the factors above, 10 research hypotheses were developed to study their relationships with employee performance. The respondents, totalling 600 employees, were from the supervisory level as they play a significant role in the success or failure of any organization. Questionnaires were given to all respondents and the response rate was 39 %. The completed questionnaires were analysed using SPSS version 20. The results obtained showed that all the independent variables and demographic factors influenced individual employee performance. However, when all the variables were combined together, rewards and employees’ academic background were unable to influence employee performance. The study also found that psychological empowerment did not moderate the relationship between employees’ tenure and their performance. The theoretical implication of this study was that expectancy and goal setting theories were observed by the respondents. The practical implication to employers is that the respondents highlighted the importance of feeling psychologically empowered in order to perform well on their job. The limitation of this study was that it only looked at the supervisory level in the ceramic tile manufacturing sector. Therefore, future research could consider different levels of management and different industries to determine whether if there is any similarity with the results from this study. Besides, this research considered psychological empowerment as a variable and did not study the impact of the four cognitions separately. [ABSTRACT BY AUTHOR

Modeling diffusion limitation in solid-oxide fuel cells

Effect of surface diffusion on the performance of solid-oxide fuel cell is investigated. A methodical approach for the evaluation of surface diffusion coefficients of various adsorbed species based on bond-order conservation Morse potential (BOC-MP) method is presented. The surface diffusion fluxes are used for the evaluation of temporal changes in surface coverages. Our analysis shows that surface diffusion does not lead to the concentration losses in solid oxide fuel cells. Further analysis is carried out and results are presented to substantiate the significance of interface diffusion on the behavior of voltage at limiting current

Computational Fluid Dynamics of Catalytic Reactors

Catalytic reactors are generally characterized by the complex interaction of various physical and chemical processes. Monolithic reactors can serve as example, in which particle oxidation and reforming of hydrocarbons, combustion of natural gas, and reduction of pollutant emissions from automobiles are frequently carried out

Modeling of Solid-Oxide Electrolyser Cells: From H2, CO Electrolysis to Co-Electrolysis

In this analysis, we report an in-house model to describe the complex fundamental and functional interactions between various internal physico-chemical phenomena of a SOEC. Electrochemistry at the three-phase boundary is modeled using a modified Butler-Volmer approach that considers H2 and CO, individually, as electrochemically active species. Also, a multi-step elementary heterogeneous reaction mechanism for the thermo-catalytic H2/CO2 electrode chemistry, along with the dusty gas model (DGM) to account for multi-component diffusion of ideal gases through porous media, are used. The model is geometry independent. Results pertaining to detailed chemical processes within the cathode, electrochemical behavior and irreversible losses during SOEC operation are demonstrated

Sulfur Poisoning of SOFCs: A Model Based Explanation of Polarization Dependent Extent of Poisoning

Several experimental studies have shown that, 1) the extent of the poisoning effect due to trace amounts of sulfur compounds in the fuel is lower if a SOFC is operated at a higher current density, and 2) the performance drop due to sulfur poisoning is much lower for Ni-GDC or Ni-ScSZ anodes when compared to Ni-YSZ anodes. This work presents a first principles numerical model that simulates experimental studies of sulfur poisoning on SOFC button cells. The exchange current densities for the electrodes are determined using sulfur-free polarization data for cells fueled by humidified mixtures of H2 and N2. A detailed surface reaction model that predicts the fractional coverage of all adsorbed species at the three phase interface is coupled to the SOFC model and the sulfur coverage is used to alter the anode exchange current density. The resulting model predictions match experimental observations during both galvanostatic and potentiostatic operation. Our analysis shows that the observed lower performance drop at higher current density is due to the non-linear nature of the electrochemical rate equations, and that the lower impact of sulfur poisoning on Ni-GDC and Ni-ScSZ anodes (compared to Ni-YSZ anodes) is due to their higher electrochemical activity

Numerical study of on-board fuel reforming in a catalytic plate reactor for solid-oxide fuel cells

A pseudo-transient numerical model is used for the simulation of a multi-functional catalytic plate reactor (CPR). The work mainly addresses the problems associated with on-board reforming for solid-oxide fuel cells. Heat management is achieved by indirectly coupling partial oxidation with reforming. Water management is achieved by partially recycling the anode stream from a solid-oxide fuel cell. The model uses detailed heterogeneous chemistry for reforming and oxidation reactions occurring on the catalyst beds

Deactivation and regeneration of Ni catalyst during steam reforming of model biogas: An experimental investigation

his paper presents detailed study of biogas reforming. Model biogas with different levels of H2S is subjected to reforming reaction over supported Ni catalyst in a fixed bed reactor at 700 °C and 800 °C. In order to understand the poisoning effects of H2S the reactions have been initially carried out without H2S in the feed stream. Three different H2S concentrations (20, 50 and 100 ppm) have been considered in the study. The H2O to CH4 ratio is maintained in such as way that CO2 also participates in the reforming reaction. After performing the poisoning studies, regeneration of the catalyst has been studied using three different techniques i) removal of H2S from the feed stream ii) temperature enhancement and iii) steam treatment. Poisoning at low temperature is not recoverable just by removal of H 2S from the feed stream. However, poisoning at high temperature is easily reversed just by removal of H2S from the feed stream. Unlike some previous reports by Li et al. (2010) and Rostrup-nielsen (1971) [1,2], catalyst regeneration is achieved in shorter time frames for all the regeneration techniques attempte

A Distributed Parameter Model for a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Simulating Realistic Operating Conditions

We present a detailed multiphysics model capable of simulating the dyn amic behavior of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). This model includes a description of a ll the important physical and chemical processes in a fuel cell: fluid flow, mass and heat trans fer, electronic and ionic potential fields, as well as the chemical and electrochemical react ions. The resulting highly nonlinear, coupled system of differential equations is solved using a fi nite volume discretization. Our interest lies in simulating realistic operating conditions with the obj ective of high efficiency operation at high fuel utilization. While there are a number of studies in the literature that present multiphysics models for SOFCs, few have focused on simulat ing operating conditions that are necessary if SOFC systems are to realize their promise of h igh efficiency conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy. In this report we present s imulation results at operating conditions that approach the required ranges of power density an d overall efficiency. Our results include a) the temperature and composition profiles along a typical f uel cell in a SOFC stack, b) the dynamic response of the cell to step changes in the available inpu t variables. Since models such as the one presented here are fairly expensive computationa lly and cannot be directly used for online model predictive control, one generally looks to use simplifie d reduced order models for control. We briefly discuss the implications of our model results o n the validity of using reduced models for the control of SOFC stacks to show that avoid ing operating regions where well-known degradation modes are activated is non-trivial without u sing detailed multiphysics models

A detailed kinetic model for biogas steam reforming on Ni and catalyst deactivation due to sulfur poisoning

This paper deals with the development and validation of a detailed kinetic model for steam reforming of biogas with and without H2S. The model has 68 reactions among 8 gasphase species and 18 surface adsorbed species including the catalytic surface. The activation energies for various reactions are calculated based on unity bond index-quadratic exponential potential (UBI-QEP) method. The whole mechanism is made thermodynamically consistent by using a previously published algorithm. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to understand the influence of reaction parameters on surface coverage of sulfur. The parameters describing sticking and desorption reactions of H2S are the most sensitive ones for the formation of adsorbed sulfur. The mechanism is validated in the temperature range of 873-1200 K for biogas free from H 2S and 973-1173 K for biogas containing 20-108 ppm H2S. The model predicts that during the initial stages of poisoning sulfur coverages are high near the reactor inlet; however, as the reaction proceeds further sulfur coverages increase towards the reactor exit. In the absence of sulfur, CO and elemental hydrogen are the dominant surface adsorbed species. High temperature operation can significantly mitigate sulfur adsorption and hence the saturation sulfur coverages are lower compared to low temperature operation. Low temperature operation can lead to full deactivation of the catalyst. The model predicts saturation coverages that are comparable to experimental observatio

A Role of Knowledge Level of Employees in Customer Relationship Management With Special Reference to Lic

Purpose: Role ofknowledge level of employees in customer relationship management with special reference to LIC. In order to investigate a range of factors of CRM in LIC of India. In this specially concentrate to understand the knowledge level of the employees as perceived by the customer.   Theoretical framework: The theoretical frame work of the study, CRM is assessed the Knowledge level of employees isthe independent variables and the customer satisfaction is the dependent variable in the study. CRM is shown influencing the customer satisfaction. The significant influences of the factors on CRM vary according to different demographic profiles and views on policy holdings.   Design/Methodology/Approach:Descriptive research design was use in this studyThe prime data were collected from the sample of the respondents was identified from the total population of lic policy holders. The statistical analysis was carried out with the application of SPSS package. Both Descriptive and Inferential Analysis were carried out. The tools for the Inferential Analysis included Independent Sample t-test, One Way ANOVA, Chi Square Test, Friedman Test, Correlation and Regression.   Findings: The findings of the study based on output of the study. Henceforth reasoned that there is a huge distinction between mean positions towards Factors of Customer Relationship Management. In light of mean position, Customer Engagement is the main variable of CRM, trailed by Deployment of Modern Technology Knowledge level of the Employees etc. There is no importance contrast between capability of representatives concerning the Factors of Knowledge level of the Employees, There is significance contrast among male and female of laborers with respect to the Factors of Knowledge level of the Employees. The connection coefficient between Perception on Explanation of various items and Ready for Clarification is positive connections between Perception on Explanation of various item and Perception on Ready for Clarification .The connection coefficient between Explanation of various item and Recommending Right Schemes is positive connections between Explanation of various item and Recommending Right Schemes. The connection coefficient between Perception on Explanation of various items and Knowledge about Procedure is positive connections between Perception on Explanation of various items and Easy Acquisition of Policy and also different variables are decidedly corresponded with one another.   Research, practical & social implications:This article express a different perspective on CRM in LIC.The results of this study indicate knowledge level of employees has a strong impact on customer satisfaction. Therefore top management should implement latest technology based increase the knowledge level of employees. To increase the knowledge level of employees to help the increasing satisfaction level of policy holders. It is intended to help guide and reassure current and potential Ph. D students.   Originality/value:To date, no systematic review has been conducted on the knowledge level of employees in LIC .This paper makes an important contribution to knowledge level of employees in CRM