Contribution of Manufacturing Strategy to Competitive Performance of Manufacturing Companies: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam

This paper presents the results of an empirical study examining the relationship between manufacturing strategy and competitive performance of Vietnamese manufacturers, with focus on the technology factor of manufacturing strategy. Statistical techniques were used to analyze the data collected from 25 manufacturing enterprises, and the qualitative research method was employed to enrich the captured results. Findings indicate the positive impact that manufacturing strategy (together with its components namely competitive priorities and technology choices) has on firm’s competitive performance. Two case studies also provided more in-depth knowledge of the development and implementation of manufacturing strategy at Vietnamese manufacturers. From there, recommendations are proposed for management to better implement manufacturing strategy and utilize technology in order to improve competitive performance

Moderating roles of information technology link and information sharing in driving supply chain performance through supplier development and knowledge absorption: Empirical evidence from manufacturing firms across countries

Along with information technology adoption, supply chain coordination through information sharing activities has become essential to achieve supply chain effectiveness and resilience. This paper presents the results of an empirical study investigating the moderating roles of information technology link and information sharing on the relationship between supplier development, knowledge absorption from customers, and supply chain performance. Statistical techniques such as measurement test, correlation analysis, and regression analysis are applied to analyze the data collected during the Round 4 of the High Performance Manufacturing (HPM) Project. The data sample includes 304 manufacturing plants operating in 13 countries including Brazil, China, Finland, German, Italy, Israel, Japan, Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Analytical results indicate that a supply chain would perform better when focal firms invest their effort in supplier development and knowledge absorption activities and develop a strong link with suppliers and customers through information technology systems. Information technology links with suppliers and customers have significant moderating roles in strengthening the relationship between supplier development, knowledge absorption from customers, and supply chain performance. Moreover, information sharing exchange with suppliers were found to make the association between supplier development and supply chain performance becomes more pronounced. The empirical results contribute to the existing literature of information sharing and supply chain coordination in supply chain management. In addition, this study provides several practical implications, such that information technology linkage and information sharing activities should be considered as the platforms for organizations to interact with different supply chain partners for achieving high supply chain performance

Dataset of Vietnamese students’ intention in respect of study abroad before and during COVID-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 Pandemic had completely disrupted the worldwide educational system. Many schools chose the online delivery mode for students in case learning losses incurred during social distance decree. However, as to these students who are currently in the study abroad planning stages, reached an intention crossroads, whether standing for certain unchanging decisions in study abroad destinations or changing swiftly due to the unexpected policies in quarantine. This case opened to interpretation, which was based on our e-survey since 3 May to 13 May 2020 with 397 responses covering a range of Vietnamese students. In this dataset, we focused on (i) Students’ Demographics; (ii) The previous intention of students to study abroad before and during the Covid-19 ravaged and (iii) Their intention afterwards

Assistive technologies for the older people: Physical activity monitoring and fall detection

The advancements in information and communications technologies (ICT) and micro-nano manufacturing lead to innovative developments of smart sensors and intelligent devices as well as related assistive technologies which have been directly contributing to improving the life quality, from early detection of diseases to assisting daily living activities. Physical activity monitoring and fall detection are two specific examples where assistive technologies with the use of smart sensors and intelligent devices may play a key role in enhancing the life quality, especially improving the musculoskeletal health which is an essential aspect of health and wellbeing; and it is more important for the older people. This paper presents and dis-cusses about how sensors and wearable devices, such as accelerometers and mobile phones, may be employed to promote the musculoskeletal health. Assistive technologies and methods for physical activity monitoring and fall detection are discussed, with the focus on the fall detection using mobile phone technology, and assessments of the loading intensity of physical activity in a non-laboratory environment. The possible research directions, challenges and potential collaborations in the areas of assistive technologies and ICT solutions for the older populations are proposed and addressed

A Bibliometrics study on homework from 1977 to 2020

Homework effectiveness has long been a controversial issue for many educators, schools, and parents. Many researchers have tried to prove that homework is not just a nuisance we all have to face throughout the years but really can build character and good for students, like teachers and parents typically say. This bibliometrics review studied 429 documents related to homework in education from the Clarivate Web of Science from 1977 to 2020. This study aims to record the volume, growth pattern of homework literature and identify critical authors, publications, and topics of this knowledge base. The review found that the homework literature has grown remarkably over the past 43 years, with the most cited authors are from the US, Germany, and Portugal. Using co-citation, co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling analysis from the VOSviewer program, this research also indicated significant results and suggestions for future research. The findings showed that homework literature increased gradually in volume, with the most publications originated in the USA, and critical authors were Cooper, Xu, and Trautwein. Additionally, five common research topics were illustrated, namely the effect of homework and its measurement, homework environment, homework tasks and feedback, family involvement in homework, and time and effort

Coot Bird Behavior-Based Optimization Algorithm For Optimal Placement Of Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator Devices In Transmission Power Networks

This study presents the new application of Coot bird behavior-based optimization algorithm (COOTBA) for optimal placement of Thyristor Con- trolled Series Compensator (TCSC) devices in an IEEE 30-node transmission power network with three single objectives, including fuel cost, power loss, and voltage deviation. COOTBA is implemented for the system with one case without TCSC devices and three others with TCSC. COOTBA can reach smaller cost and loss than previous algorithms by from 0.04% to 3.78%, and from 6.7% to 40.3% in the first case with- out TCSC. In the second case with TCSC, COOTBA can reach smaller cost than others by from 0.008% to 0.66%. In addition, the comparisons of results from COOTBA in the three cases with TCSC indicate that TCSC should be optimized for both location and reac- tance, and the limitation of TCSC devices should be high enough. Thus, COOTBA is an effective algorithm for optimizing TCSC devices on transmission power systems

Simulation Study on a New Hybrid Autonomous Underwater Vehicle with Elevators

This study aims to design a new hybrid twin autonomous underwater vehicle (HTAUV) consisting of dual cylinder hulls and analyze its pitching motion. The kinematic model for the HTAUV is established, followed by the execution of hydrodynamic simulation CFD of the HTAUV using Ansys Fluent. These simulations are conducted to obtain the hydrodynamic force equation of the HTAUV, which relates to the deflection angle of the elevator. Through the motion simulation of the HTAUV, under the same net buoyancy condition, notable differences emerge when the elevator is deflected. Specifically, parameters such as gliding speed, gliding angle, and pitch angle of the HTAUV are larger when the elevator is deflected, as compared to cases where no deflection is applied

Text mining in the trend of education 4.0: A study on clustering mathematical terms of algebra textbooks in Vietnamese high schools

In the context of Educational Revolution 4.0, text mining with digital tools plays an important role. Various techniques and softwares have been employed in text mining, among which the clustering technique using Atlas.ti, a German software, is widely used thanks to its versatility and open access. This article presents the results of clustering Mathematical terms in Algebra textbook in Vietnamese high schools with the support of Atlas.ti. Initial research results can yield the insight into the relationship among Mathematical terms in the curriculum, thereby, aiming for a better teaching process

Green Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate Exhibits Anticancer Effect in Human Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells via the Inhibition of Both Focal Adhesion Kinase and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor

The exact molecular mechanism by which epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) suppresses human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation is unclear. We show here that EGCG-treated pancreatic cancer cells AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 decrease cell adhesion ability on micro-pattern dots, accompanied by dephosphorylations of both focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) whereas retained the activations of mitogen-activated protein kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin. The growth of AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells can be significantly suppressed by EGCG treatment alone in a dose-dependent manner. At a dose of 100 μM which completely abolishes activations of FAK and IGF-1R, EGCG suppresses more than 50% of cell proliferation without evidence of apoptosis analyzed by PARP cleavage. Finally, the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 enhances growth-suppressive effect of EGCG. Our data suggests that blocking FAK and IGF-1R by EGCG could prove valuable for targeted therapy, which can be used in combination with other therapies, for pancreatic cancer