Auto Components Research Articles

Thermal decomposition kinetics of jute fiber filled HDPE composites

Natural fiber–plastic composites are being used for many light structural applications. The thermal behaviour is particularly important for applications where product is subjected to conditions which are above ambient temperatures like under the hood auto components, processes involving elevated temperatures like curing, reprocessing, or in case of fire damage. This paper discusses thermal decomposition kinetics of Jute reinforced High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). The thermal behaviour of jute fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composites was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Jute reinforced HDPE composites exhibited sequential degradation of jute appearing at around 375 °C and that of HDPE at around 485 °C. Horowitz–Metzger and Coates–Redfern methods were used to evaluate kinetic parameters associated with thermal degradation of jute fiber filled composites. The result also showed that both jute and HDPE degrades in two distinct steps. Apparent activation energy of around 50 and 95 kJ/mol for jute and approximately 245 and 345 kJ/mol for HDPE was obtained.

Order Picking Problem in a Warehouse with Bi-Objective Genetic Algorithm Approach: Case Study

In this paper, an order picking problem with the capacitated forklift in a warehouse is studied by considering the total distance and the penalized earliness/tardiness. These objectives are important to reduce transportation costs and to satisfy customer expectations. Since this problem has been known as NP-hard, a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed to solve the bi-objective order picking problem. The proposed approach is applied to auto components industry that produces wire harnesses responsible for all electrical functions in the vehicle. Experimental design is used for tuning the influential parameters of the proposed GA. The GA approach was solved by weighted sum scalarization.

English

English

Justification of advanced manufacturing technologies for small and medium enterprises from auto component sector: AHP approach

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered as engine of economic growth in most of the countries. They need to change themselves with dynamic market requirements. This study tries to justify implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from auto component sector. The seven major benefits of using AMTs are identified from literature and expert's opinion. These are improvement in flexibility, reduction in production cost, inventory reduction, lead time reduction, delivery on time, productivity improvements and innovative products. Global desirability index of SMEs with AMTs and traditional manufacturing is calculated and compared with the help of AHP. It is observed that AMTs-based production systems have more global desirability index as compared to traditional manufacturing systems. Therefore findings imply that SMEs can improve their performance by judicious application of AMTs in their processes.

Can TOC be the catalyst for lean implementation? A case investigation

The objective of the paper is to investigate the potential of integrating lean philosophy with Goldratt's theory of constraints (TOC) to improve operational performance in an auto component manufacturing firm. This paper proposes an integrated lean philosophy-TOC framework and its case application to enhance operational performance in an auto component manufacturing firm. Case study results indicate that the company benefited from its emphasis on operational performance enhancement by the TOC concept. Managers were able to select a continuous improvement (CI) project that had a greater impact on the bottom line performance. On the other hand, lean philosophy provided seven wastes identification and reduction techniques, to enhance customer value as well as to optimise utilisation of available resources. Further empirical investigation and robust model development on TOC-based lean implementation will guide lean practitioners to leverage lean advantages which can further be improved by integrating with other CI techniques. Integration of lean manufacturing philosophy and TOC can provide managers with an effective platform for two CI techniques to work together and create great energies. The paper reveals a typical case of a journey of enhancing operational performance by adopting lean philosophy with initiations of TOC approach.

CEOs' cultural and demographic attributes and organisational performance of Indian SMEs: an upper echelon approach

In this study, we examine the impact of organisational scanning (process of collecting information necessary to identify important events and trends impacting organisations) and strategic flexibility capabilities (ability to adapt to substantial, uncertain, environmental changes) of chief executive officers (CEOs) on organisational performance in Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Based on upper echelon theory, we argue that cultural and demographic attributes of CEOs moderate this relationship. Our hypotheses are tested against a sample of 341 firms in the Indian auto components and textile industry. The positive influence of CEOs' organisational scanning and strategic flexibility on firm performance is confirmed. Findings reveal a significant moderating influence of uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and functional background. No effect is found for CEOs religiosity and tenure. The implications for the upper echelon theory and managerial practice are discussed. Our results further provide interesting avenues for further research.

Justification of advanced manufacturing technologies for small and medium enterprises from auto component sector: AHP approach

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered as engine of economic growth in most of the countries. They need to change themselves with dynamic market requirements. This study tries to justify implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from auto component sector. The seven major benefits of using AMTs are identified from literature and expert's opinion. These are improvement in flexibility, reduction in production cost, inventory reduction, lead time reduction, delivery on time, productivity improvements and innovative products. Global desirability index of SMEs with AMTs and traditional manufacturing is calculated and compared with the help of AHP. It is observed that AMTs-based production systems have more global desirability index as compared to traditional manufacturing systems. Therefore findings imply that SMEs can improve their performance by judicious application of AMTs in their processes.

Technical and Soft Skill Competencies Mapping at the Entry Level of Diploma Holders in Mechanical and Automobile Engineering for Auto and Auto Components Industries

Technical and Soft Skill Competencies Mapping at the Entry Level of Diploma Holders in Mechanical and Automobile Engineering for Auto and Auto Components Industries

Can TOC be the catalyst for lean implementation? A case investigation

The objective of the paper is to investigate the potential of integrating lean philosophy with Goldratt's theory of constraints (TOC) to improve operational performance in an auto component manufacturing firm. This paper proposes an integrated lean philosophy-TOC framework and its case application to enhance operational performance in an auto component manufacturing firm. Case study results indicate that the company benefited from its emphasis on operational performance enhancement by the TOC concept. Managers were able to select a continuous improvement (CI) project that had a greater impact on the bottom line performance. On the other hand, lean philosophy provided seven wastes identification and reduction techniques, to enhance customer value as well as to optimise utilisation of available resources. Further empirical investigation and robust model development on TOC-based lean implementation will guide lean practitioners to leverage lean advantages which can further be improved by integrating with other CI techniques. Integration of lean manufacturing philosophy and TOC can provide managers with an effective platform for two CI techniques to work together and create great energies. The paper reveals a typical case of a journey of enhancing operational performance by adopting lean philosophy with initiations of TOC approach.

Future of Electronic Vehicles in India: Review and Scope

The global automotive industry is on the verge of disruption. Digitization, increasing automation and new business models has revolutionized other industries, and the automotive industry will be no exception to such a revolution. The Indian automotive industry has started to experience the effects of this global disruption. This paper outlines the importance and imminence of the disruption, the drivers of electric vehicle penetration and the implications for all stakeholders, especially auto component manufacturers. Acknowledging the upcoming disruption and reinventing the business accordingly is the key to managing the changes that lie ahead.

Buyer–Supplier Relationships in B–B Markets—An Analysis from the Buyer's Perspective in Southern Indian Automotive Industry

Today the auto component industry is a very vibrant industry of the Indian economy. The industry is scale sensitive and hence more massive volumes are needed for cost-effectiveness and improving quality. The industry is also capital and labour intensive. The players will have to think global and should set up capabilities and adopt the technology, deliver quality standards to meet the global requirements of the component or part. Long-term commitments and enhanced purchases from the automotive OEM's are the two critical aspects in which the automotive OE supplier will be interested. Long-term obligations are dependent on the buyer's purchase considerations and switching costs involved in the transaction. Purchase enhancements are dependent on the tangible and intangible value in the form of benefits received from the supplier. This paper is an attempt to understand the dimensions of buyer's behaviour and switching costs which affects the long-term commitments, and economic value which changes the purchase enhancements. The research is based on the buyer's perspective. A survey of automotive manufacturers found in Southern India was selected for the study.

Application of DEMATEL approach to identify the influential indicators towards sustainable supply chain adoption in the auto components manufacturing sector

The problem of industrial pollution has increased globally at presently. Countries across the globe are aware of the concept of sustainable implementation in industries from a local to the global level to reduce pollution. Recent research supported this by focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) rather than Multinational Corporations (MNC). Sustainability development is a key to ensure control of the hazards and pollution in traditional activities. In India, many SMEs are involved in manufacturing varied products and services for customers. The auto component manufacturing sector is playing as an important role in the Indian economy by creating numerous job opportunities. Based on this, researchers gave special attention to auto components SMEs in sustainable development (SD) because of pollution which harms the environment. Analysis of SD is an essential activity for industries to ensure environmental improvement. Analyzing the indicators for SD helps confirm the development of sustainability in industries. However, analyzing the indicators for SD is a challenge for managers and needs detailed analysis and significant effort. Indicator analysis is a vague concept for managers who lack alternatives to evaluate SD in their industry. The aim of this present paper is to develop a set of measurement indicators for SD from literature. This paper, with the help of discussions with experts and Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology analyzes sustainable development indicators in the auto components sectors. Fifteen SD indicators were considered for this study from a relevant literature background. These SD indicators indicate the industries’ sustainable development. Based on their interest, a questionnaire for this study was circulated among 35 leading auto components manufacturing SMEs in North India. This study will identify the influential indicator for SD based on experts' judgments through a pairwise comparison matrix. The results from the study clearly states that Indian auto component manufacturing industries believe that among the fifteen listed indicators, carbon management indicator helps in measuring sustainable development. Due to this reason, embedded or embodied carbon (SI2) indicator plays an influential role. Finally, the study concludes with insights about the future path of sustainability performance in a developing country like India.

Examining sustainable supply chain management of SMEs using resource based view and institutional theory

The long-term viability of an organization hinges on social, environmental, and economic measures. However, based on extensive review of the literature, we have observed that measuring and improving the sustainable performance of supply chains is complex. We have grounded our theoretical framework in institutional theory and resource-based view and drawn thirteen hypotheses. We developed our instrument scientifically to validate our model and test our research hypotheses. The data was collected from the Indian auto components industry following Dillman’s total design test method. We gathered 205 usable responses. Following Peng and Lai’s (J Oper Manag 30(6):467–480, 2012) arguments, we have tested our model using variance-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). We found that the constructs used for building our theoretical model possess construct validity and further satisfy the specified criteria for goodness of fit. The hypotheses test further suggests that coercive pressures under the mediation effect of top management belief and participation have significant influence on resource selection (i.e. supply chain connectivity and supply chain information sharing). The supply chain connectivity and supply chain information sharing have significant influence on environmental performance. Contrary to our belief, the normative and mimetic pressures have no significant influence on top management participation. The managerial implications of the findings are also discussed.

Performance analysis of agile manufacturing: a case study on an Indian auto component manufacturer

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) for agile manufacturing (AM) and to propose a methodology for its performance evaluation.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed methodology was developed using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and performance value analysis (PVA) to evaluate and analyze the AM performance. The FAHP is applied to determine the importance of KPIs, and PVA is used to evaluate AM performance.FindingsThe proposed methodology is applied to an Indian auto component manufacturer, and it is observed that there is an improvement of performance along the timeline.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed approach is generic in nature and can be applied to different agile business environments for performance evaluation.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights into the AM performance evaluation. The managers can establish the impact of each significant area (SA) on AM and each KPI on its corresponding SA by capturing their manufacturing environments.Originality/valueAlthough many issues related to AM have been widely researched, only a few studies have been carried out to quantify, analyze and evaluate the AM performance in the Indian manufacturing environment. The proposed model has the ability to capture the performance of AM along the KPIs to draw fruitful conclusions.

Analysis of Heterogeneous Indian Auto Component Replacement Suppliers: A Perspective On Simultaneous Entry

Analysis of Heterogeneous Indian Auto Component Replacement Suppliers: A Perspective On Simultaneous Entry

Assessing the Fragility of Global Trade

Anecdotal evidence suggests the existence of specific choke points in the global trade network revealed especially after natural disasters (e.g. hard drive components and Thailand flooding, Japanese auto components post-Fukushima, etc.). Using a highly disaggregated international trade database we assess the spillover effects of supply shocks from the import of specific goods. Our goal is to identify inherent vulnerabilities arising from the composition of a country’s import basket and to propose effective mitigation policies. First, using network analysis tools we develop a methodology for evaluating and ranking the supply fragility of individual traded goods. Next, we create a country-level measure to determine each country’s supply shock vulnerability based on the composition of their individual import baskets. This measure evaluates the potential negative supply shock spillovers from the import of each good.

Measurement Modelling on Knowledge Management and Mentoring Behaviour: Employee Self-Efficacious and Citizenship Behaviour in Indian Auto Ancillaries & Auto Components

Measurement Modelling on Knowledge Management and Mentoring Behaviour: Employee Self-Efficacious and Citizenship Behaviour in Indian Auto Ancillaries & Auto Components

Disruptive innovation through a dynamic capabilities lens: an exploration of the auto component sector in India

Innovation has gained momentum for the development; spread; and survival of auto industrial firms in India. In this paper; we study the less-explored aspect of organisational response focusing on discontinuous innovation. The Indian auto sector requires a tool for long-term market dominance; particularly owing to the rapid change in the business environment. This can be achieved through a special kind of discontinuous innovation known as disruptive innovation (DI). We further affirm how developing DI is facilitated by the firm's dynamic capability (DC); to substantiate our claims; we develop and utilise a survey instrument to test a hypothesised model with responses from various firms affiliated with the Indian auto component industry. Our findings confirm the positive roles of DC and research and development (R&D) expenditure as antecedents to DI. We further conduct exploratory analysis to study factors such as R&D and environmental turbulence as moderators of the DC-DI relationship. We offer the following contributions: the operationalisation of DC and DI for the Indian context, a sector specific study and critical results pertaining to moderating role of R&D and environmental turbulence on the positive DC-DI relationship.

Identify and prioritise the critical factors in implementing the reverse logistics practices: a case of Indian auto component manufacturer

Identify and prioritise the critical factors in implementing the reverse logistics practices: a case of Indian auto component manufacturer

Disruptive innovation through a dynamic capabilities lens: an exploration of the auto component sector in India

Disruptive innovation through a dynamic capabilities lens: an exploration of the auto component sector in India