Electron and laser-based additive manufacturing of Ni-based superalloys: A review of heterogeneities in microstructure and mechanical properties

The adaptation of additive manufacturing (AM) for Ni-based superalloys has gained significance in aerospace and power-generation industries due to the ability to fabricate complex, near-net-shape components on-demand and with minimal material waste. Besides its advantages, challenges remain in metal AM, especially for printing complex alloys such as superalloys. These challenges are often linked to heterogeneity in the as-fabricated parts and continue to limit the practical applications of AM products. A thorough understanding of the relationship between the complex AM process and the resulting microstructure heterogeneity needs to be established before mitigation strategies can be developed. The ability to fabricate more homogeneous Ni-based superalloy parts is expected to unlock not only better mechanical properties but also additional fields of applications. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of heterogeneities in the microstructure and mechanical properties of AM Ni-based superalloys. Microstructure heterogeneities discussed include heterogeneity in the chemical composition, phase constitution, porosity, grain and dendrite morphology, and solid-state precipitates. Related heterogeneities in hardness, tensile, creep, fatigue, and residual stress are discussed to represent mechanical properties, and mitigation strategies are summarized. The origins of heterogeneity in the as-fabricated parts are linked to the variations in AM thermal conditions caused by the complex thermal histories

Do environmental regulations and technological innovation enhance environmental well‐being in sub‐Saharan Africa?

We investigate the regulation–technology–environment nexus in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), one of the world's most rapidly growing regions. Using a comprehensive panel dataset consisting of 32 countries from 2000 to 2022, we find that stronger environmental regulations and technological innovation enhance environmental well‐being. Moreover, we identify that stronger environmental regulations positively affect pro‐environment innovation. Finally, we present clear evidence for a dynamic and nonlinear regulation–technology–environment relationship, ruling out one‐size‐fits‐all policy approaches to environmental well‐being. Our results remain robust to different estimators, measurements, and sample selections

Human flourishing from eudaimonic balance of values in entrepreneurs

Much of the focus in the entrepreneurial literature is on the primacy of financial values but in this paper, we argue that this is misplaced. Instead, we propose that entrepreneurs pursue an eudaimonic balance of values to achieve human flourishing. Using insights from the institutional logics perspective, we present findings from an empirical, qualitative, cross-cultural, multi-case study in Taiwan and Vietnam. We show how entrepreneurs strive for a range of goals from different facets of life, demonstrating the importance of non-financial goals for eudaimonia, or human flourishing. We contribute insights from outside the commonly studied North American and European contexts, showing the importance of culture and tradition in shaping the influences operating upon individuals and the value-laden objectives they pursue. Consequently, we illustrate the need for a more complex and complete framing of entrepreneurial values that contradicts much of the literature employing rational-actor theory, economic models, and quantitative analysis

How and when does founder polychronicity affect new venture performance? The roles of entrepreneurial orientation and firm age

This paper proposes a moderated mediation model to examine the relationship between polychronicity and venture performance. We argue that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) mediates the positive relationship between polychronicity and venture performance. The hypotheses were tested using time-lagged data from a sample of 249 ventures from Vietnam. Using structural equation modeling, our findings indicate that EO mediates the relationship between polychronicity and venture performance. Additionally, the results reveal the relationship between polychronicity and EO is moderated by firm age, and that this interaction effect is stronger for younger firms than older firms. Our theory-based arguments and findings help extend and provide support to the polychronicity-venture performance relationship, which highlights the significance of the effect polychronicity has on venture performance through founders polychronic proclivities

Corporate Social Performance and Non-Financial Reporting in the Cruise Industry: Paving the way towards UN Agenda 2030

This article investigates the role of accounting disciplines in assessing and fostering corporate social performance (CSP) of business organisations to meet the UN Agenda 2030. Drawing from legitimacy theory, this qualitative study analyses if and how non-financial reporting positively affects and fosters CSP practices and outcomes within the cruise industry. Specifically, using a case study methodology, a major cruise company has been analysed outlining its sustainable behaviour, through the manual content analysis of sustainability reports (2016–2017–2018), in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) introduced by the UN Agenda 2030. The findings outline that the cruise company presents a clear sustainability and community orientation and adopts several initiatives, mostly focused on environmental and social issues, addressed to meet the 17 SDGs, where reputation and positive image have been recognised as the major antecedents in the perspective of CSP. This study contributes to the literature giving a broader and different reading of sustainability reporting as a “booster” of the CSP in meeting the SDGs and a further interesting application of the legitimacy theory, and offers managerial implications to systematise the content of non-financial reporting by improving the quality of disclosure to achieve the SDGs, with focus on CSP processes, outcomes and ways

Relationship between land use and groundwater quality in six districts in the eastern region of Ghana

The chemical quality of groundwater in six district of the eastern region beneath the different types of land use areas of Ghana was examined to evaluate the effects of human activities on groundwater. Analyses indicate that groundwater in the studied area is fresh and generally suitable for most uses. The groundwater is generally characterised by a chemical facies of Ca-HCO3−, Na-Cl and mixed Na–Ca-HCO3 types and is weakly mineralised. Anthropogenic disturbances have had and continue to have an impact on the aquatic ecosystem of Ghana. High concentration of Cl− and TDS were found in wells in high residential areas while the highest levels of Na, Ca, SO42− and NO3− were found in agricultural and high density residential areas. About 50% of boreholes sampled have elevated level of NO3−-N emanating from agricultural runoff

Big Data Analytics and Business Failures in Data-Rich Environments: An Organizing Framework

In view of the burgeoning scholarly works on big data and big data analytical capabilities, there remains limited research on how different access to big data and different big data analytic capabilities possessed by firms can generate diverse conditions leading to business failure. To fill this gap in the existing literature, an integrated framework was developed that entailed two approaches to big data as an asset (i.e. threshold resource and distinctive resource) and two types of competences in big data analytics (i.e. threshold competence and distinctive/core competence). The analysis provides insights into how ordinary big data analytic capability and mere possession of big data are more likely to create conditions for business failure. The study extends the existing streams of research by shedding light on decisions and processes in facilitating or hampering firms’ ability to harness big data to mitigate the cause of business failures. The analysis led to the categorisation of a number of fruitful avenues for research on data-driven approaches to business failure

Sustainability orientation, CSR implementation and new venture growth

Purpose: Building on the upper echelons theory and sustainability orientation (SO) literature, we examined the possibility that the relationship between chief executive officers’ (CEOs’) SO and venture growth might be mediated by levels of CSR implementation. Design/methodology/approach: We used data obtained from from 211 new ventures operating in Ghana. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings: We found that CSR implementation mediates the relationship between SO and venture growth. In addition, we found that, at higher levels of financial slack, the effect of SO on CSR implementation is attenuated. However, our results show that, at higher levels of CEO power, the influence of SO on CSR implementation is amplified. Originality: To the best of our knowledge, this study is among the first to examine mediating role of CSR implementation in the relationship between SO and venture growth, and also, examines two internal contingency factors (i.e., CEO power and financial slack) on this association. Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study builds on prior scholarly works by articulating a key managerial characteristic that shapes the implementation of environmental and social policies. Specifically, we show that SO influences venture growth through CSR implementation. We also provide insights on the connection of CSR implementation to growth of new business ventures. Practitioner/Policy Implications: Our study encourages CEOs to voluntarily adopt CSR and sustainability initiatives. The analysis also reinforces the need that higher levels of CEO power have a major impact in amplifying the effects of sustainability orientation on degree of CSR implementation. There is a need for government to create forums where organizational decisionmakers, i.e., CEOs, exchange not only the best knowledge about CSR implementation and sustainability, but also best practices to provide opportunities for cross fertilization of ideas and increased innovations

Efficacy of spraying intervals of Ridomil Plus 66 WP for control of taro leaf blight disease

Taro leaf blight causes up to 100% yield loss in susceptible taro ( Colocasia esculenta L. (Schott)) cultivars. The use of fungicides in disease management is fast and effective; however efficacy of fungicides could be affected by frequency of application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of spraying intervals and economic benefits of Ridomil Plus 66 WP (12% Metalaxyl-M and 60% Copper (1) oxide) on taro leaf blight disease. The study consisted of four fungicide spraying intervals, viz at one, two and at four weekly intervals, all at the concentration of 3.3 g l-1 and no fungicide application as the control. Results showed no significant differences (P > 00.5) between one and two weekly spraying intervals in terms of taro leaf blight disease incidence and severity. These were, however, significantly different (P < 0.05) from four weekly and no fungicide applications. Taro corm yield was higher in weekly spraying interval, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) from biweekly application intervals. Yields in weekly intervals were 2.9, 33.0 and 44.0% higher than biweekly, four weekly and no application intervals. Applying fungicide at a biweekly interval was found to be economically efficient as it recorded higher total revenue and net present values. Applying 66 WP (12% Metalaxyl-M and 60% Copper (1) oxide) at 2 weekly interval was the optimum period and most efficient to reduce the incidence and severity of Phytophthora leaf blight disease and increase yield of taro.La br\ufblure des feuilles de taro peut causer une perte de rendement allant jusqu\u2019\ue0 100% chez les cultivars sensibles de taro ( Colocasia esculenta L. (Schott)). L\u2019utilisation de fongicides dans la gestion des maladies est rapide et efficace; cependant, l\u2019efficacit\ue9 des fongicides pourrait \ueatre affect\ue9e par la fr\ue9quence d\u2019application. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer l\u2019efficacit\ue9 des intervalles de pulv\ue9risation et les avantages \ue9conomiques de Ridomil Plus 66 WP (12% de m\ue9talaxyl-M et 60% d\u2019oxyde de cuivre (1)) sur la maladie du taro. L\u2019\ue9tude consistait en quatre intervalles de pulv\ue9risation de fongicide, c\u2019est-\ue0-dire \ue0 une, deux, quatre intervalles hebdomadaires, le tout \ue0 la concentration de 3,3 g l-1 et sans application de fongicide. Les r\ue9sultats n\u2019ont montr\ue9 aucune diff\ue9rence significative (P> 00,5) entre un et deux intervalles de pulv\ue9risation hebdomadaires en termes d\u2019incidence et de gravit\ue9 de la br\ufblure du taro. Celles-ci \ue9taient cependant significativement diff\ue9rentes (P <0,05) de quatre applications hebdomadaires et sans fongicide. Le rendement en corme de taro \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 dans l\u2019intervalle de pulv\ue9risation hebdomadaire, mais pas significativement diff\ue9rent (P> 0,05) des intervalles d\u2019application bihebdomadaires. Les rendements \ue0 intervalles hebdomadaires \ue9taient de 2,9, 33,0 et 44,0% sup\ue9rieurs \ue0 ceux des deux semaines, quatre semaines et aucun intervalle d\u2019application. L\u2019application d\u2019un fongicide toutes les deux semaines s\u2019est av\ue9r\ue9e \ueatre \ue9conomiquement efficace car elle a enregistr\ue9 des revenus totaux et des valeurs actuelles nettes plus \ue9lev\ue9s. En conclusion, l\u2019application de 66 WP (oxyde de m\ue9talaxyl-M \ue0 12% et oxyde de cuivre (1) \ue0 60%) \ue0 intervalles de 2 semaines s\u2019est av\ue9r\ue9e \ueatre la p\ue9riode optimale et la plus efficace pour r\ue9duire l\u2019incidence et la gravit\ue9 de la maladie phytophthora et augmenter le rendement du taro

The health and social care costs of a selection of health conditions and multi-morbidities

Background Multimorbidity (MM) is the presence of 2 or more long-term health conditions in a single individual. It impacts an individual’s quality of life, mental health and wellbeing, daily function, and often results in greater healthcare utilisation the more co-existing conditions they have (1-4). MM is a big challenge facing the NHS, especially given England’s ageing population, with an estimated two-thirds of individuals aged 65 and over having 2 or more long-term conditions (5-6). Yet, little is known about the resource use of these patients despite being the group with the largest impact on the NHS and with the worst health outcomes (7). Existing evidence focuses on specific health conditions and their interactions with other conditions using different methodologies, making comparisons across different conditions difficult. This work has empirically assessed the impact of multi-morbidity on NHS and social care costs. With the aim of answering the question: is the impact of developing a condition on health and social care costs greater for someone with no prior conditions, or for someone with an existing condition. If patients have multiple conditions, there may be some economies of scale involved with treatment, for example they may be able to discuss multiple queries during a single GP appointment, or in some cases the treatment provided will address multiple conditions. However, treating patients with multi-morbidities could theoretically also be more expensive than treating 2 conditions separately, as patients may be more likely to experience complications. Methodology This work considered the individual cost of 11 health conditions with high prevalence in the English population and their most common interactions. These were: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes (types 1 and 2), lung cancer, breast cancer, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, hypertension, dementia, liver disease, depression and colorectal cancer. This project had 2 components: a literature review and an empirical estimation of the costs associated with MM. The literature review was used to inform and establish the methodology used in the empirical estimation. The empirical estimation used data on primary healthcare, secondary healthcare, and prescriptions usage from 2015 to estimate annual aggregated healthcare costs per patient. We assessed the cost impact of MM in a systematic way by applying advanced econometric methods to account for the specificities of the data distribution. Our methodology allowed us to attribute healthcare costs to specific conditions. For social care costs, we calculated the estimated costs using 2 different methodologies. For the first (preferred) methodology, we used Somerset Symphony data to calculate the 2014/15 social care costs of patients in South Somerset. This is a dataset that combines primary healthcare, secondary healthcare, and social care data. We thus applied the same methodology that was used to calculate primary and secondary healthcare costs. For the second methodology, we used the estimated health-related quality of life for patients with different conditions and combinations of conditions. We then used a regression (‘line of best fit’) to estimate their probability of requiring social care. Finally, we used unit cost estimates to arrive at estimated values for the costs of social care for individuals with different diseases. What this publication adds Average ‘cost per case’ estimates for individuals with single conditions or multimorbidities, each calculated based on the average age of patients with the condition or multi-morbidity of interest. These average ‘costs per case’ figures are always higher for individuals with multimorbidities than individuals with a single condition, as individuals with multi-morbidities tend to be older and additional conditions incur additional costs. We found that the cost of treating an individual with a multimorbidity is not statistically different than the additive cost of treating 2 individuals, each with one of the conditions, controlling for age and costs unrelated to the condition. As an illustrative example, if it costs £200 to treat a patient with depression and £200 to treat a patient with CHD, we did not find any evidence that it would cost more than £400 to treat a single patient with both depression and CHD (controlling for age and unrelated disease costs). In numerous cases, when considering healthcare costs, we have found that multimorbidity is associated with a reduction of the total individual cost compared to the sum of individual costs of patients. For example, a male patient with diabetes and CHD will cost between 77% and 78% (depending on the definition of sample prevalence) of the cost of treating 2 patients, one with diabetes and one with CHD, controlling for age and unrelated costs. Applying the same methodology for social care costs as for healthcare costs, we did not find any evidence that multi-morbidity is associated with either an increase or a reduction in total individual cost compared to the sum of individual costs of patient, for social care costs. This may be due to the relatively small sample size of the South Somerset data we used to estimate social care costs. Applying the alternative methodology for social care costs, which estimated social care need based on age and quality of life, we estimated higher social care costs than we found by analysing the South Somerset data. This implies that social care need may be greater than local authority social costs in South Somerset. This may be due to the relative affluence of South Somerset, which would limit the proportion of patients eligible for local authority-funded social care