External Integration Research Articles

Optimizing supply chain performance in Somali SMEs: The role of internal and external integration

This study explores how supply chain integration (SCI) affects the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Data were gathered through surveys from SMEs in Mogadishu, Somalia, involving supply, logistics, and operations managers as well as employees. The findings indicate that SCI significantly enhances performance in areas such as cost efficiency, product quality, delivery timeliness, and operational effectiveness. The study highlights the importance of not only internal integration but also strong connections with suppliers and customers. It adds to existing research by providing empirical evidence on the performance benefits of supply network integration and the factors driving these improvements. The study recommends that managers adopt a comprehensive strategy to strengthen both internal integration and collaboration with external supply chain partners.

SynAsk: unleashing the power of large language models in organic synthesis.

The field of natural language processing (NLP) has witnessed a transformative shift with the emergence of large language models (LLMs), revolutionizing various language tasks and applications, and the integration of LLMs into specialized domains enhances their capabilities for domain-specific applications. Notably, NLP has made significant strides in organic chemistry, particularly in predicting synthetic tasks, paving the way for the development of LLMs tailored to the organic chemistry field. In this work, we introduce SynAsk, a comprehensive organic chemistry domain-specific LLM platform developed by AIChemEco Inc. By fine-tuning an LLM with domain-specific data and integrating it with a chain of thought approach, SynAsk seamlessly accesses our knowledge base and advanced chemistry tools in a question-and-answer format. This includes functionalities such as a basic chemistry knowledge base, molecular information retrieval, reaction performance prediction, retrosynthesis prediction, chemical literature acquisition, and more. This novel methodology synergizes fine-tuning techniques with external resource integration, resulting in an organic chemistry-specific model poised to facilitate research and discovery in the field. Accessible at https://synask.aichemeco.com, SynAsk represents a significant advancement in leveraging NLP for synthetic applications.

Simulate Scientific Reasoning with Multiple Large Language Models: An Application to Alzheimer's Disease Combinatorial Therapy.

This study aims to develop an AI-driven framework that leverages large language models (LLMs) to simulate scientific reasoning and peer review to predict efficacious combinatorial therapy when data-driven prediction is infeasible. Our proposed framework achieved a significantly higher accuracy (0.74) than traditional knowledge-based prediction (0.52). An ablation study highlighted the importance of high quality few-shot examples, external knowledge integration, self-consistency, and review within the framework. The external validation with private experimental data yielded an accuracy of 0.82, further confirming the framework's ability to generate high-quality hypotheses in biological inference tasks. Our framework offers an automated knowledge-driven hypothesis generation approach when data-driven prediction is not a viable option. Our source code and data are available at https://github.com/QidiXu96/Coated-LLM.

ADVANCED MONITORING IN WATER COOLING SYSTEMS USING LSTM NETWORKS AND EXTERNAL FACTOR INTEGRATION

This paper presents an advanced approach to monitoring and predicting the performance of water cooling systems in industrial settings. Traditional methods often relied on fixed setpoints and overlooked the impact of external factors like wind speed, treating these variations as errors. By leveraging Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, this study integrates these external influences into the predictive model, transforming what was previously seen as noise into actionable data. The result is a more accurate prediction of potential system failures and an improved understanding of how various factors affect the overall reliability of water cooling systems. Keywords: water cooling systems, LSTM networks, predictive maintenance, external factors integration, industrial monitoring.

Taqwa Sharing Knowledge Integration: Menghilangkan hambatan untuk meningkatkan Inovasi dan Daya Saing

AbstractThere is still little empirical research that has been conducted on the impact of internal and external integration on the innovative capabilities of companies and competitive advantage through shared knowledge. Barriers to the KM process hinder the generation, storage, distribution and application of knowledge, which in turn will hinder OL. This study aims to combine the concepts of internal knowledge sharing, coopetition and the concept of external knowledge integration, as well as organizational learning capabilities by controlling barriers to the knowledge management process to produce innovation and increase organizational competitiveness and become a characteristic of a new leader. Using a critical review approach, we combine it with the Islamic worldview, namely taqwa, so that a single stone concept emerges which we call Taqwa Sharing Knowledge Integration. The birth of this new concept will have an impact on the birth of a leader who is able to overcome obstacles and invite people inside and outside the organization to share knowledge and be able to capture and integrate their knowledge to be processed into innovation and increase competitiveness based on taqwa.

Taqwa Sharing Knowledge Integration: Menghilangkan hambatan untuk meningkatkan Inovasi dan Daya Saing

AbstractThere is still little empirical research that has been conducted on the impact of internal and external integration on the innovative capabilities of companies and competitive advantage through shared knowledge. Barriers to the KM process hinder the generation, storage, distribution and application of knowledge, which in turn will hinder OL. This study aims to combine the concepts of internal knowledge sharing, coopetition and the concept of external knowledge integration, as well as organizational learning capabilities by controlling barriers to the knowledge management process to produce innovation and increase organizational competitiveness and become a characteristic of a new leader. Using a critical review approach, we combine it with the Islamic worldview, namely taqwa, so that a single stone concept emerges which we call Taqwa Sharing Knowledge Integration. The birth of this new concept will have an impact on the birth of a leader who is able to overcome obstacles and invite people inside and outside the organization to share knowledge and be able to capture and integrate their knowledge to be processed into innovation and increase competitiveness based on taqwa.

EXAMINING THE FACTORS THAT AFFECT INTERNSHIP STUDENT TEACHERS' USE OF TECHNOLOGY: A STUDY OF UNIVERSITAS NEGERI MAKASSAR

This study investigates the factors influencing internship student teachers' use of technology at Universitas Negeri Makassar. The research aims to identify key determinants that shape their preferences and attitudes toward integrating technology into teaching practices. Data were collected and analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), revealing several critical factors with varying levels of influence based on their loading factors. The strongest predictors of technology use included Student Interest and Motivation (0.81), Perceived Value (0.79), and Self-Efficacy (0.76). These highlight the importance of student engagement, personal confidence, and the perceived utility of technology in driving adoption. Other significant factors were Resources and Infrastructure (0.72), Alignment with Curriculum Goals (0.64), and Administrative Support (0.63), underscoring the role of institutional and logistical support. Moderate contributions were noted from Societal and Cultural Influences (0.61), Government Policies and Mandates (0.57), and Professional Development Opportunities (0.54). These indicate external and professional contexts shaping technology integration. Meanwhile, Innovative Teaching Practices (0.53) and Professional Development (0.43) demonstrated lower impacts, suggesting room for improvement in training initiatives.

The Design and Implementation Strategy of Internal and External Integration Mode of Physical Education

The Design and Implementation Strategy of Internal and External Integration Mode of Physical Education

Biomimetics through bioconjugation of 16-methylheptadecanoic acid to damaged hair for hair barrier recovery

The primary component of the lipid barrier on human hair, which is essential for defense against aging and environmental stresses, is 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA), which provides hydrophobic properties and protective benefits. Since 18-MEA cannot be regenerated once damaged, developing technology that can permanently bind alternative materials to hair is critical. Once 18-MEA was removed from hair via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), pentaerythritol tetraisoosterate (PTIS) was hydrolyzed and observed via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to confirm that it mimicked 18-MEA, and 16-methylheptadecanoic acid (16-MHA) was obtained at pH 4 or lower. 16-MHA was bioconjugated to damaged hair from which 18-MEA was removed via a carbodiimide reaction using polycarbodiimide. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) confirmed that 16-MHA remained on the surface of the bioconjugated hair even after washing. Observation of the endothermic reaction of moisture in hair via a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and evaluation of the moisture content confirmed that the physical properties of hair enriched with 16-MHA were similar to those of virgin hair. This biomimetic approach has been shown to restore both external structural integrity and internal moisture homeostasis.

Examining the factors influencing sustainability performance in the UK food industry

ABSTRACT This research examines the role of organisational culture (OC) and supply chain integration (SCI) in improving sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP) in the food manufacturing industry in the UK. A competing value framework (CVF) was used to categorise OC into developmental, group, rational and hierarchical cultures. Qualitative interviews with 11 senior managers in the UK food industry were conducted and manually analysed. We found that three competing values in developmental, group and hierarchical cultures are effective in implementing and achieving higher SSCP. The values inherent in these cultures also trigger internal and external integration through which the firms acquire sustainability ideas, knowledge, training and skills from customers and suppliers to improve SSCP. We also found that within the context of sustainability, internal integration is critical to a successful external integration. The study contributes immensely to sustainability literature by highlighting the actual OC values relevant to achieving higher SSCP and establishing SCI’s mediating role. The study further assesses how SCI is established and formed by firms on the verge of achieving higher SSCP. Managers are advised to adopt blended competing values (developmental, group and hierarchical culture) and strengthen and heighten systemic SCI to implement sustainability practices, improve SSCP as well as overcome sustainability challenges.

Enhancing ambidextrous green innovation: the role of green supply chain integration, knowledge capabilities and technology dynamism in manufacturing

PurposeIn the context of the environmental degradation challenge in manufacturing firms, greening the supply chain (SC) is the most widely endorsed method to mitigate the adverse repercussions of climate change. Based on organizational learning and resource dependence theories, the aim of this research is to know how green supply chain external integration (GSCEI) and green supply chain internal integration (GSCII) influence ambidextrous green innovation (AGI). It also examines the mediating roles of green absorptive capacity (GAC) and green knowledge integration capability (GKIC), as well as the moderating role of green technology dynamism (GTD).Design/methodology/approachTo assess the hypothesized model, data were obtained with 386 questionnaires from managers employed in manufacturing firms in Pakistan applying a cross-sectional approach. A partial least square structural equation modeling technique was implemented to evaluate the data.FindingsThe results revealed that GSCEI and GSCII substantially impact AGI. Moreover, GAC and GKIC serve as mediators between GSCEI and AGI. GAC and GKIC also intervene in the relationship between GSCII and AGI. GTD was significant as a moderator for the correlation between GSCEI and AGI. However, it does not moderate the relationship between GSCII and AGI.Practical implicationsThis research offers significant comprehension and an innovative approach for manufacturing organizations to curb environmental corrosion by stimulating AGI through green SC integration. It suggests to practitioners that integrating internal knowledge with external partners expands communication and collaboration to ensure that resources connected with environmental preservation flow smoothly.Originality/valueThis research is a valuable addition to the field, as it explores for the first time the missing link among the studied constructs. It opened the black box of how knowledge-related capabilities facilitate knowledge resources to elicit AGI, an area that has not yet been explored.

External Integration and Halal Assurance System Integrity for Achieving the Performance: Based on The Structural Contingency Theory Approach

Based on the Structural Contingency Theory, which examines external and internal factors influencing business strategies within the extent of the Halal Food Supply Chain (HFSC), the role of the Halal Assurance System as a variable that can mediate the influence of supplier, customer integration and regulator integration on the Halal MSMEs’ performance. This study used 195 of samples Halal MSME proprietors in Malang Regency with a quantitative methodology, with data evaluated by SEM-PLS. The study’s findings prove that supplier and customer integration have an impact to the MSMEs’ performance. However, regulator integration only significantly impacts MSME performance. The Halal Assurance System owned by halal MSMEs can mediate the influence between supplier and customer integration on the performance of MSMEs. However, the Halal Assurance System owned by halal MSMEs does not significantly mediate the influence of the integration of regulators on the MSMEs’ performance. Effective supplier and customer integration management yields advantages that enhance performance via the Halal Assurance System

The New Trend of Grassroots Social Governance: The Connotation Extension and Logical Deconstruction of The "three cooperatives" Model

"Community, social organization and social worker" as the key element of "three community linkage" is the latest practice form and theoretical form of grassroots social governance, in the community needs satisfaction, community interest adjustment, community culture cultivation and community strength The cohesion and other aspects have achieved remarkable results. The "three cooperatives" is composed of community "two committees", social organizations and social workers in the main structure, presenting the "state-society-individual" linkage level, which is essentially to build a benign interactive relationship between government and society. In reality, a network matrix structure of "vertical to bottom, up and down interaction, horizontal to side, criss-cross, internal and external integration" has been formed, which finally realizes the structural embedding and functional coupling of various subjects. With the continuous deepening of theory and practice, the connotation of communities, social organizations and social workers should be expanded and extended, and the "linkage" relationship needs to be considered in multiple dimensions. Summarize and summarize the innovative modes and practices of linkage across the country in a timely manner, clarify the dilemmas and difficulties, and on this basis, deconstruct the thinking logic, operation logic and domain logic of the "three cooperatives" mode, and strive to understand and grasp the essential laws of grassroots governance.

Role of Trans perineal Ultrasound in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract Background Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a medical terminology for a group of diseases that cause chronic intestinal inflammation. It is categorized into two subtypes: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Fistulae are frequently seen manifestations of perianal IBD, and their clinical course these consists of flare-ups with bouts of active drainage, followed by intervals of clinical remission. Improved prognosis, treatment, and assessments of perianal disease activity may all contribute to a better patient quality of life. Aim of the Work to explore the role of trans perineal ultrasound in assessment of disease activity and/or complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Patients and Methods The Diagnostic Radiology Unit; Radiology Department, Ain Shams University Hospitals. For 6 months. We studied the relevance of 23 different ultrasound parameters and 6 indices in conjunction with clinical, endoscopic based scores. Sample size of at least 30 patients with IBD with affection of anal or perianal area were sufficient to achieve study objective. Results Rectal wall thickness and submucosal band thickness could be used as indicators for presence of disease in ulcerative colitis patients. TPUS could be used to assess the internal sphincter thickness, external sphincter integrity in Crohn’s disease. Partial Mayo clinical score showed significant correlation with Mayo endoscopic score; however, it couldn’t predict degree of severity. Internal sphincter thickening increased anal canal vascularity and perianal fistula is more common in Crohn’s disease than ulcerative colitis. Conclusion Trans perineal ultrasound is considered as a good tool that is noninvasive, cost effective and convenient and shows a potential in the assessment of disease activity and complications in inflammatory bowel disease.

ROLE OF ASEAN IN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION PROCESSES IN ASIA

ASEAN plays significant role in the economic integration processes in Asia. The financial crisis in 1997 fostered the integration processes between Asian countries. Asian integration mainly characterized by the open regionalism which promotes economic integration and trade liberalization between states. Asian regionalism is market-driven and open to economic cooperation, trade and investment. ASEAN promote the internal integration between member states of the organization and external integration between ASEAN and partners. ASEAN’s initiativesthat focused on external integration such as ASEAN Regional Forum, APEC, East Asia Summit, ASEAN+3 and others. Through its collaborative efforts and commitment to fostering economic partnerships, the Asian region has witnessed substantial progress in trade, investme nt and economic cooperation. The article analyzes the intra-regional trade, investment flows , economic cooperation initiatives between ASEAN and East Asian countries. This article examine s economic relations of ASEAN with China, Japan and South Korea in the framework of ASEAN+3. The ASEAN+3 forum fosters economic cooperation between Southeast Asia and East Asian countries such as China, Japan, South Korea. The cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan, South Korea mainly focused on the economic cooperation, mainly trade, FDI Investment and digital economy.ASEAN+3 considered asan important platform for promoting regiona l cooperation between the countries of Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Pressure-Driven Batch Distillation Optimal Control for Acetone-Methanol Separation

Over the last fifteen years, immense progress has been made in the research of pressure-swing batch distillation. The challenge lies in the fact that certain pressure-sensitive azeotropic mixtures cannot be separated in a regular open batch mode with an acceptable outcome. Throughout most of this text, findings contradict previously established facts. The separation of acetone-methanol by pressure-swing batch distillation in a mixed double system, consisting of a regular and inverted column, is the process under investigation. In this work, a comprehensive global solution to the optimal control problem is derived in the form of a sequential synthesis of controlled trajectories. A thorough analysis of the control variables, with and without parametric sensitivity of manipulated variables, on the optimal control pattern with variable reflux is presented. Most authors did not achieve significant results by simultaneously optimizing reflux and liquid division ratios or by using a "variable pressure gap." This study challenges previous findings, emphasizing the importance of simultaneous optimization of all three factors mentioned. During this study, the optimal reflux strategy through cyclic operation was extended to optimize energy expenditure over a fixed time horizon. Moreover, the proposed scheme offers a high level of operational flexibility, allowing units to be operated independently or as a system. Additionally, the facility of connecting additional devices is highlighted by the significant difference in output temperatures and the potential for using evaporated fluids consecutively. Lastly, the research provides a solid basis for future investigations into internal and external heat integration, potentially leading to conclusions about expanding the network using well-known heat cycles.

The mediating role of halal supply chain integrity in enhancing performance for halal herbal-based food SMEs

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the influence of supply chain management by assessing the relationship between internal and external integration and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owners’ Islamic practices in enhancing halal supply chain integrity (HSCI) and SMEs’ performance.Design/methodology/approachA total of 176 SMEs were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. The sample was selected using convenience sampling from two major halal exhibition events in Malaysia. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings showed that supply chain integration (SCI), Islamic human capital and HSCI have a significant relationship with SMEs’ performance. It was also found that HSCI mediated the relationship between both SCI and Islamic human capital and SMEs’ performance.Practical implicationsSME owners or managers should be committed to developing the internal processes within the organization and strategizing to link these processes with the external processes to obtain the full benefits of integration. Furthermore, as the upper management, owners and managers must understand the supply chain challenges, priorities and practices thoroughly, as they are responsible for Islamic business ethics. They should work to provide support to increase religious orientation in the SMEs, as this would likely enhance all other factors.Originality/valueThis is one of the few types of research to use HSCI as a mediator in halal food studies in addition to improving SMEs’ performance.

Do Regional Integration Policies Promote Integrated Urban–Rural Development? Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

Regional integration policies play a crucial role in promoting coordinated regional development. However, it remains unclear whether the polices simultaneously take into account urban–rural integration to achieve a dynamic balance between efficiency and equity. Based on socioeconomic data from 250 cities in China between 2003 and 2019, we used a staggered difference-in-difference method to investigate the impact of the strategy for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YD integrated development) on integrated urban–rural development. Our results indicate that the YD integrated development effectively promotes integrated urban–rural development and this conclusion holds after conducting various robustness tests and heterogeneity analyses. Additionally, the YD integrated development can facilitate integrated urban–rural development through the following three main pathways: promoting economic growth, improving road transport links, and advancing technological progress. This paper offers new insights for advancing integrated urban–rural development. The next step could involve the further exploration of the connections between external regional integration policies and internal rural reforms, which will contribute to expediting the establishment of an integrated urban–rural pattern.

The effect of external integration of supply chain on Oman container ports’ operational performance: The mediating role of supply chain management practices

The effect of external integration of supply chain on Oman container ports’ operational performance: The mediating role of supply chain management practices

Research on the relationship among resource integration, shared value, and value creation in scenic areas

This study investigates the potential predictors of resource creation behaviours in the Shanxi merchant courtyard scenic areas based on resource dependence theory. The research was conducted in China using questionnaire survey, and data analysis employed structural equation modelling, including mediation and moderation effects. The model was tested using a sample of 376 individual managers from scenic areas. The results show that external resource integration, internal resource integration, and shared value significantly affect resource creation in scenic areas. The findings indicate that shared value plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between resource integration and resource creation, while environmental dynamism significantly moderates this relationship. This study clearly demonstrates the relationship among resource integration, shared value, and value creation in scenic areas. This research contributes to the tourism management literature by identifying gaps and offering a comprehensive perspective to understand resource creation behaviours in the tourism industry.