Low-quality Products Research Articles

Problems of Falsification of Medicinal products in the conditions of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the norms of the European Union

The problem of distribution of low-quality medicinal products in Ukraine has become especially relevant against the background of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge to the national medical system became more tangible, as the fight against the virus and quarantine restrictions became heavy psychological blows for patients who sought appropriate treatment in an unofficial way. The purpose of the article is to analyze the problem of falsification of medicines in the conditions of a pandemic and to develop development models against the background of the study of European legislative norms. General scientific methods (synthesis, analysis, induction and deduction) became the main methods for writing the article. The methods of content analysis, systematic review of scientific literature, SMART and FINER principles were also used. The results highlighted one of the most important problems of the distribution of falsified and unlicensed drugs during the spread of COVID-19 - the semi-legal activity of pharmacies that work exclusively in the field of online sales. The requirements for their activities are quite loyal, and the distribution of low-quality or uncertified medicinal products is punished only administratively. The possibility of using European (primarily German) experience to counter the distribution of falsified medicines was discussed. Attention was also drawn to the geopolitical factor in the fight against COVID-19 – the use of the Russian vaccine “SPUTNIK V”, which in the conditions of Russian aggression can be assessed as a hybrid threat. The problematic nature of using this vaccine has been demonstrated, given the secrecy of the mechanism of conducting experiments. Resolutions of the European regulatory bodies allowed Ukrainian doctors not to use this vaccine either. This episode can be considered a positive moment of using European experience to establish medical rules for work in Ukraine. The conclusions note the need to reform Ukrainian legislation, take into account the European experience and harmonize with European regulations on the circulation of medical drugs. Such a step will make it possible to face modern challenges and significantly complicate the entry of counterfeit medicines into Ukraine.

Environmental technology licensing with multi-product competition in a vertically differentiated duopoly

ABSTRACT In many polluting industries, firms with high environmental quality (HEQ) products often license their new environmental technology to firms with low environmental quality (LEQ) products. After accepting the licensing arrangement, firms with LEQ products can produce both the HEQ and LEQ products and compete with the licensor. What type of licensing mode is optimal under such circumstance becomes an interesting question and warrants analysis. To analyze this issue, we construct a vertical product differentiation duopoly model with multi-product competition. The results show that two-part tariff licensing is always the optimal strategy for the licensor, and it is the optimal licensing strategy as well to improve the environment and social welfare only when the degree of product environmental quality differentiation is relatively high.

Improving the Quality of Environmentally Friendly Liquid Smoke Distillation Process to Increase Artisan Income

The problems the Smoke-liquid Craftsman Group often faces are production capacity, product quality, and low selling prices. Low production capacity due to the limited ability distillation machine. The low quality of smoke-liquid products is due to the absence of standard quality. The smoke produced from the coconut shell charcoal production process has the potential to disturb the environment, so it has been carried out the process of melting smoke into liquid, which is then called smoke-liquid. However, the resulting smoke-liquid is still mixed with ash, brown colour, and intense aroma, and still contains much tar, so it does not meet the standard quality for food preservatives the price is low. The objective of this activity is to apply appropriate technology is carried out by enforcing standard product quality and repairing distillation machines to produce high-quality smoke liquid. This one is to support renewable and environmentally friendly energy programs while being able to increase revenue. Appropriate Technology (TTG) is in the form of improvements in distillation technology, which was previously a distiller using annular pipes, where the inner pipe is 1/2 inch. The outer pipe diameter is 1.5 inches and is changed with parallel heat pipe exchanger technology using an inner pipe with a diameter of 1 inch and an outer pipe with a diameter of 4 inches. The result of this service is prototyping a new distillation machine that can increase the production capacity and quality of liquid smoke that meets the specified standard quality and increase the selling price four times.

Solar distillation of human urine to recover non-potable water and metal phosphate mineral.

Human urine is a readily available nutrient source that can complement commercial fertilizer production, which relies on finite mineral resources and global supply chains. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a simplified solar distillation process for urine to recover phosphorus (P) and nitrogen for agricultural use and water for non-potable purposes. Synthetic fresh, synthetic hydrolyzed, real fresh, and real hydrolyzed urine were exposed to direct sunlight for 6 h in a simple distillation apparatus, which produced distillation bottoms and distillate. Metal phosphate precipitation in the distillation bottoms was evaluated to recover P. The non-potable water was recovered as distillate. Hydrolyzed urine recovered more metal phosphate solid in the distillation bottoms and had a higher conductivity in the distillate than fresh urine. Hydrolyzed urine also achieved greater distillate volume recovery than fresh urine. Hydrolyzed urine had a greater presence of UV-absorbing organics in the distillate than fresh urine and therefore produced a lower-quality product water. There was no significant correlation between the daily high air temperature and the volume of distillate recovered. This study provides a comprehensive data set on simplified solar distillation of human urine considering the fate of nutrients and water for different types of urine.

Activated waste cotton cellulose as renewable fuel and value-added chemicals: Thermokinetic analysis, coupled pyrolysis with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

The bioenergy potential of waste textile cotton cellulose (BOC) and the activated waste textile cotton cellulose by H3PO4 (BOP) were assessed in this study. BOC and BOP were pyrolyzed in TG at four heating rates. The thermal weight-loss process of BOC and BOP can be separated into drying stage, rapid pyrolysis stage and carbonization stage. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the pyrolysis reaction were evaluated using an isoconversion model. The Ea, ΔH and ΔG values of BOC are 84.79–206.79 kJ mol−1, 159.85–318.88 kJ mol−1 and 357.72–359.16 kJ mol−1, respectively. The Ea, ΔH and ΔG values of BOP are 101.81–453.85 kJ mol−1, 169.11–389.47 kJ mol−1 and 257∼335.78 kJ mol−1, respectively. Py-GC/MS analysis illustrated that the peak area percentages of the products of BOC/BOP, including Glucopyranose, Ketones, Cycloalkane, Aromatic, Furan, Aliphatic, CO2, and others, were 47.7%/5%, 4.66%/30.41%, 0%/27.12%, 16.64%/3.22%, 8.55%/12.44%, 12.75%/13.29%, 4.19%/3.91% and 5.51%/4.61%, respectively. Compared with BOC, the low-quality products of BOP, Glucopyranose and Aromatic, decreased from 47.7% to 16.64%–5% and 3.22%, respectively, and the high-quality products, Ketone and Cycloalkane, increased from 4.66% to 0%–30.41% and 27.12%, respectively. The complexity of bio-oil of BOP is reduced, which gives a positive prospect for the purification of backward position.

Pendampingan Kewirausahaan bagi Pelaku UMKM di Kelurahan Jakamulya Kota Bekasi

The real performance faced by most businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia, which is most prominent is the low level of productivity, low added value and low product quality. Among the various contributing factors, the low level of mastery of technology and entrepreneurial skills among MSMEs is the issue that is currently surfacing. Therefore, the objectives to be achieved through entrepreneurship training activities for MSME actors in the Jakamulya Village, Bekasi City are to develop and enhance the entrepreneurial spirit of MSME actors, and increase marketing management knowledge of MSME actors. Among the various contributing factors, the low level of mastery of technology and entrepreneurial skills among MSMEs is the issue that is currently surfacing. Partial MSME development so far has not provided maximum results for improving MSME performance.

Biochemical composition of ciders from various raw materials

Apple tree is the most common among other fruit crops. Apple fruit is the primary raw material used in cider making. Although the majority of Russian regions are rich in raw materials for the production of high-quality cider, the development of this industry is hampered by a number of issues. As a result, the domestic market sometimes offers low-quality and adulterated products. In this work, we study the organoleptic and biochemical indicators (volatile components, metal cations, phenolcarboxylic acids and organic acids) of fermented diffused apple juice and ciders prepared from both freshly squeezed and reconstituted apple juice. The biochemical composition and organoleptic characteristics of samples were determined by conventional methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (organic acids), capillary electrophoresis (phenolcarboxylic acids) and gas chromatography (volatile components). The concentrations of most of the studied parameters and organoleptic indicators werehigher in ciders from fresh apple juice. However, in the fermented diffused juice, the concentrations of chlorogenic (9.5 g/dm3), orotic (1.9 g/dm3) and gallic (4.7 mg/dm3) acids, as well as furfural (11.84 mg/dm3), exceeded those in other studied samples. Future research should investigate the possibility of secondary use of apple pomace, e.g., for the production of fruit spirits. Involvement of such raw materials ensures the rational use of secondary raw materials.

Understanding requirements dependency in requirements prioritization: a systematic literature review

Requirement prioritization (RP) is a crucial task in managing requirements as it determines the order of implementation and, thus, the delivery of a software system. Improper RP may cause software project failures due to over budget and schedule as well as a low-quality product. Several factors influence RP. One of which is requirements dependency. Handling inappropriate handling of requirements dependencies can lead to software development failures. If a requirement that serves as a prerequisite for other requirements is given low priority, it affects the overall project completion time. Despite its importance, little is known about requirements dependency in RP, particularly its impacts, types, and techniques. This study, therefore, aims to understand the phenomenon by analyzing the existing literature. It addresses three objectives, namely, to investigate the impacts of requirements dependency on RP, to identify different types of requirements dependency, and to discover the techniques used for requirements dependency problems in RP. To fulfill the objectives, this study adopts the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method. Applying the SLR protocol, this study selected forty primary articles, which comprise 58% journal papers, 32% conference proceedings, and 10% book sections. The results of data synthesis indicate that requirements dependency has significant impacts on RP, and there are a number of requirements dependency types as well as techniques for addressing requirements dependency problems in RP. This research discovered various techniques employed, including the use of Graphs for RD visualization, Machine Learning for handling large-scale RP, decision making for multi-criteria handling, and optimization techniques utilizing evolutionary algorithms. The study also reveals that the existing techniques have encountered serious limitations in terms of scalability, time consumption, interdependencies of requirements, and limited types of requirement dependencies.

Quality and price competition in a duopoly under product liability and traceability

This study aims to explore how traceability affects quality and price competition in a duopoly. A theoretical model is developed in which both enterprises are liable to recall low-quality (defective) products identified by traceability and compensate consumers for the disutility caused by unidentified low-quality products. The equilibrium results are derived by determining the optimal product quality and sales price decisions. The key findings are highlighted below. (1) Traceability affects product quality primarily through the expected social cost (the sum of expected recall cost and expected consumer disutility), i.e., higher (lower) expected social cost induced by increased traceability of each enterprise leads to higher (lower) product quality for both enterprises, enhancing (reducing) quality competition. (2) If an enterprise’s improved (decreased) product quality is driven by its own increased traceability, it will result in lower (higher) consumer demand and profit, while it will result in higher (lower) consumer demand and profit if caused by its competitor’s increased traceability. (3) If an enterprise’s increased traceability results in higher expected social cost, the enterprise’s sales price falls while the competitor’s sales price rises; otherwise, both enterprises’ sales prices fall, leading to greater price competition. (4) Quality competition is unaffected by product liability but is improved by increased recall cost and consumer disutility, whereas price competition is intensified by increased consumer disutility but is reduced by increased product liability and recall cost. Managerial insights are also discussed.

ANALISIS TINGKAT KEPUASAN PEMILIK PROYEK TERHADAP KINERJA KONTRAKTOR PADA PEKERJAAN KONSTRUKSI DI KOTA AMBON

The contractor is a construction company that is key in implementing construction projects in the city of Ambon. The problem that occurs is the performance of contractor services in the city of Ambon is not optimal, so construction services with low quality and product quality are not in accordance with the expectations of the project owner. This study aims to determine the level of satisfaction of project owners on the quality of contractor performance in Ambon City and to evaluate this performance. Data analysis used the CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) and IPA (Importance Performance Analysis) methods with the help of the SPSS 25 application. The variable attributes in this study totaled 36 attributes and the number of samples in this study were 100 respondents. From the analysis results obtained a CSI value of 0.803 with a satisfied classification so that it can be said that the construction project owner is satisfied with the contractor's performance on construction work in the city of Ambon. From the results of the IPA analysis it is known that the contractor's performance attributes which are the top priority for performance improvement include 8 attributes X1.5, X2.1, X3.6, X3.8, X4.3, X4.4,and X4.5.Keywords: Contractor Performance, Customer Satisfaction, Owner Satisfaction Index

Comparing Fishing Technology of Korea and Indonesia: An Evaluation of the Efficiency, Quality, and Sustainability of Fishery Resources

This article compares the fishing technologies used by Korea and Indonesia in efficiency, quality, and sustainability. The author uses the literature study method by collecting secondary data from various sources, such as scientific journals, government reports, mass media, and official websites. The analysis shows that Korea has more sophisticated, modern, and integrated fishing technology than Indonesia. This technology allows Korea to catch fish more efficiently and produce high-quality fishery products. In addition, Korea also has a fishery resource management system that is better than Indonesia. Korea implements various policies and regulations to maintain the sustainability and productivity of fishery resources. Indonesia still needs to face various problems and challenges in the fisheries sector, such as overfishing, fish theft by foreign vessels, damage to the marine environment, and low-quality fishery products. Indonesia also needs more research and development of fishery technology. This article recommends that Indonesia increase cooperation with Korea in fisheries technology through the Marine Technology Cooperation Research Center (MTCRC). This cooperation will help Indonesia improve its fishing technology and fisheries resource management system.

Trajectory optimization for arbitrary layered geometries in wire-arc additive manufacturing

AbstractIn wire-arc additive manufacturing, a wire is molten by an electrical or laser arc and deposited droplet-by-droplet to construct the desired workpiece, given as a set of two-dimensional layers. The weld source can move freely over a substrate plate, processing each layer, but there is also the possibility of moving without welding. A primary reason for stress inside the material is the large thermal gradient caused by the weld source, resulting in lower product quality. Thus, it is desirable to control the temperature of the workpiece during the process. One way of its optimization is the trajectory of the weld source. We consider the problem of finding a trajectory of the moving weld source for a single layer of an arbitrary workpiece that maximizes the quality of the part and derive a novel mixed-integer PDE-constrained model, including the calculation of a detailed temperature distribution measuring the overall quality. The resulting optimization problem is linearized and solved using the state-of-the-art numerical solver IBM CPLEX. Its performance is examined by several computational studies.

Understanding the complexity of the Indonesian fresh mango industry in delivering quality to markets: A systems thinking approach

In response to anticipated export demand growth and the expansion of the modern domestic market, the Indonesian mango industry faces both opportunities and challenges in elevating the production of high-quality mangoes. This industry’s complexity, characterised by various actors with wide-ranging interests, poses a key challenge. We implemented a systems thinking approach in this study to comprehend this complex Indonesian mango value chain and identify deep-rooted issues that could obstruct high-quality mango production. Our research employed participatory group model building with primary actors and stakeholders, which disclosed that conventional agricultural management practices, inadequate postharvest handling, and a lack of coordinated quality standards are key drivers of low-quality mango production. By utilising system archetypes—interpretive tools capturing complex food system behaviour—we demonstrate that adopting clear market orientation through mutual contractual arrangements and fostering collaboration among key actors can significantly influence high-quality mango production. This study provides a nuanced understanding of the underlying factors affecting system behaviour over time, a component often overlooked in traditional value chain analysis. As a result, policy formulation can better address the root causes of Indonesia’s low production of high-quality mangoes.

Reduction of changeover time through SMED with RACI integration in garment factories

Purpose Shorter lead time with low price and quality product demand is pivotal in the garment industry. Pressure on production lead time stresses the importance of reducing style changeover time in manufacturing factories, and this paper aims to contribute to solving the challenge by showing how the single minute exchange of die (SMED) methodology in practice can be adapted to garment factories in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach The paper investigates three cases of SMED implementation integrated with responsible, accountable, consulted, informed (RACI) matrices in garment factories in an action research approach. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are applied. Findings The study shows a reduction of 50% to 64% of changeover time with SMED implementation measured with two key indicators – throughout time and time to reach peak production. Moreover, the implementation depends on the application of the RACI matrix for the distribution of responsibility as well as integration with the basic production flow before and after the application of SMED. Practical implications The study can guide better SMED implementation in garment factories with limited investment by stressing the need to adapt to the specifics of the garment industry, secure the division of responsibility and integrate SMED in the production flow before and after the changeover. Originality/value Limited research on the application of SMED in the garment industry. This paper contributes to understanding the specific conditions for successful implementation in the garment industry in developing countries and addresses additional activities that help secure a sustainable implementation process.

Revelation mechanism and decoy strategy for a supply chain with consumer's perceived substitutability

The decoy effect has been proven to be effective in simplifying choice and improving consumer outcomes in a regular choice context. This paper examines two decoy strategies in the presence of the consumer's perceived substitutability, namely decoy low-quality product strategy in a mixed bundling (strategy DL) and decoy high-quality product strategy in a mixed bundling (strategy DH). The manufacturer offers a menu of contracts to induce the retailer to report the information truthfully and choose one of the decoy strategies. Under symmetric information, we find that: (i) if the unit production cost of a high-quality product is low, the manufacturer and the retailer benefit more from strategy DL; otherwise, they benefit more from strategy DH. By investigating asymmetric scenario, we find that: (ii) under both strategies, the high-type retailer has no incentive to report wrong information while the low-type retailer may distort information, and both types of retailers have incentive to opt for a wrong strategy; (iii) under asymmetric information, the manufacturer is willing to design a menu of wholesale price-order quantity contracts to induce the retailer to report true information and opt for a correct strategy, and information asymmetry decreases the wholesale prices but increases the order quantities. Finally, we examine the impact of some key factors on the manufacturer's strategy choice and find that: (iv) if the high type consumer's perceived substitutability is low, the manufacturer will induce strategy DH; otherwise, the manufacturer will induce strategy DL; (v) when high-quality product's quality is high, the manufacturer will induce strategy DL if the probability of the low-type is low; otherwise, the manufacturer will induce strategy DH. When high-quality product's quality is low, the manufacturer benefits more from strategy DH.

Benefits of sourcing alternative inputs of manufacturers for suppliers

A downstream manufacturer can procure high‐quality inputs from its upstream raw material supplier to produce finished products with high quality. The manufacturer may also have the option to source alternative cheaper low‐quality inputs to partially replace the inputs from its supplier to produce finished products of lower quality. That is, the manufacturer can use a mixture of the supplier's inputs and alternative ones in product design such that product quality depends on the proportion of each input used in products. We endogenize this product quality decision in a simple analytical model to study the impact of this option on the supplier's profits. Intuitively, the option of sourcing alternative inputs could hurt the supplier in two ways: It sells fewer inputs, and it needs to set a lower wholesale price due to competitive pressure. However, our study reveals an opposite finding: The supplier can benefit not only by selling more inputs but also by setting a higher wholesale price when the manufacturer has the option of sourcing alternative low‐quality inputs. This interesting finding is due to the wholesale price push‐up effect: The upstream supplier may deliberately raise the wholesale price when sourcing alternative inputs is an option for the downstream manufacturer. This increased wholesale price encourages the manufacturer to use a higher proportion of alternative cheaper inputs in its product design; as a result, the manufacturer's marginal cost is reduced, which leads to a decrease in its retail price. Therefore, consumer demand for the manufacturer's products becomes higher, which in turn results in higher manufacturer demand for the supplier's inputs. Moreover, we show that despite this higher wholesale price, the manufacturer can earn higher profits by optimally charging a lower retail price. Furthermore, we find that the wholesale price of the supplier's inputs can exceed the manufacturer's retail price, thereby leading to a negative profit margin for the manufacturer from using the supplier's inputs. Finally, we demonstrate the robustness of our findings under several model extensions.

Production Enhancement through Integration of Lean, Life Cycle Assessment & Industry 4.0

Advancement in the manufacturing sector has attained a dominate interest from the researchers as well as the industrialists, for attaining the more products efficiencies. The concept of Lean Manufacturing set the cornerstone for excellence in manufacturing sector by improving the production times and reducing the non-value-added processes. In 2011, the concept of Industry 4.0 pivoted the concept of automation in factories to complement the production improvement processes. The under developing countries such as Pakistan, the manufacturing sector is run with the conventional manufacturing practices, which yields the products of lower quality and much time is being wasted resulting in overall poor efficiency. Moreover, those industries which want to improve their processes are not very much certain, about the methodologies they shall implement. In this research study, the authors have used the mathematical modelling approach of Analytical Hierarchy Processes (AHP) to recognise the pertinent Industry 4.0 technologies and lean perceptions – this technique empowers opportunity of organizing and analysing the intricate decisions for a strong understanding. By using Value Stream Mapping and Automation in a simulation-based case study, improvements of 44.70% in lead time, 17% in value added time and 45.25% in non-value-added time were witnessed. This research explores the avenue of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM), based decision making in Industry 4.0 related environments. It will provide clarity to academicians regarding the integration of lean and Industry 4.0 through optimized and logical selection of relevant approaches, in addition to aiding practitioners in intelligent decision making.

Bacterial-Mediated Salinity Stress Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.): A Fortunate Way toward Sustainable Agriculture.

Sustainable agriculture is threatened by salinity stress because of the low yield quality and low crop production. Rhizobacteria that promote plant growth modify physiological and molecular pathways to support plant development and reduce abiotic stresses. The recent study aimed to assess the tolerance capacity and impacts of Bacillus sp. PM31 on the growth, physiological, and molecular responses of maize to salinity stress. In comparison to uninoculated plants, the inoculation of Bacillus sp. PM31 improved the agro-morphological traits [shoot length (6%), root length (22%), plant height (16%), fresh weight (39%), dry weight (29%), leaf area (11%)], chlorophyll [Chl a (17%), Chl b (37%), total chl (22%)], carotenoids (15%), proteins (40%), sugars (43%), relative water (11%), flavonoids (22%), phenols (23%), radical scavenging capacity (13%), and antioxidants. The Bacillus sp. PM31-inoculated plants showed a reduction in the oxidative stress indicators [electrolyte leakage (12%), H2O2 (9%), and MDA (32%)] as compared to uninoculated plants under salinity and increased the level of osmolytes [free amino acids (36%), glycine betaine (17%), proline (11%)]. The enhancement of plant growth under salinity was further validated by the molecular profiling of Bacillus sp. PM31. Moreover, these physiological and molecular mechanisms were accompanied by the upregulation of stress-related genes (APX and SOD). Our study found that Bacillus sp. PM31 has a crucial and substantial role in reducing salinity stress through physiological and molecular processes, which may be used as an alternative approach to boost crop production and yield.

Regulating markets for post-consumer recycling plastics: Experiences from Germany's Dual System

Different from plastics recycling policies in many European countries, the German Dual System aims to provide a comprehensive regulatory system for post-consumer plastics recycling. Our paper analyses, how the interplay of actors and regulations shaped market processes in that system. Based on 18 expert interviews, we discuss, how institutional factors influenced the system outcome at the level of recycling markets. The Dual System led to the development of three recycling market segments that differ substantially with respect to competition, market behaviour, and market outcomes. While a functioning market for medium quality recycling products was established, also a cost-intensive segment for low-quality products developed. Existing incentives do not provide an appropriate framework for a high-quality market segment to develop. Our analysis shows that the Dual System was partly successful in developing markets for plastics recycling. A continuous adaption of the regulatory environment is required to counteract unwanted developments.

Probabilistic product design with regret-anticipated consumers

Designing and marketing new products are essential tasks for firms. In this paper, we consider a firm’s optimal strategy of utilizing existing products to synthesize a probabilistic product, which can result in a virtually new product without development cost. Consumers will experience regret and euphoria from purchasing a probabilistic product if they are assigned to low-quality and high-quality products, respectively. Uncertain about which product they would obtain, consumers anticipate this regret and euphoria before purchasing. We develop an analytical model to explore the effect of consumers’ anticipation on such a probabilistic product’s design and pricing, as well as the performance of the probabilistic selling strategy. We show that the firm can profit from consumers’ heterogeneous regret propensity under probabilistic selling. Interestingly, the probabilistic product may also benefit consumers. We further analyze endogenous quality choices. We find that the quality differentiation between the existing products increases with anticipated regret. Compared with the case without the probabilistic product, probabilistic selling will shrink (widen) the quality differentiation between the existing products when consumers’ regret perception is relatively low (high). Overall, by incorporating anticipated regret and euphoria behavior in our models and analyses, we provide firms with new managerial implications when adopting probabilistic selling as a marketing strategy for existing products.