New Product Development Research Articles

Optimization of crude rotenone oil extraction from birbira plant (Milletia ferruginea) seed by Soxhlet and maceration methods

The extraction of active compounds from plant materials is one of the most critical processes in the commercial development of natural products for pharmaceutical, herbicide or pesticide production. The focus of this study was extraction of crude rotenone oil (CRO) from Birbira plant (Milletia ferruginea) seed. The extraction was done using maceration anda Soxhlet extractor using organic solvents, such as ethanol, hexane, and chloroform. For the efficient extraction of crude rotenone oil from Birbira plant seed the effect of parameters, such as extraction method, solvent type, extraction time and size of crushed Birbira seed were investigated. Based on the experimental results obtained Soxhlet extraction method was more efficient (41.6% CRO yield) compared to the maceration extraction method (25.1 % CRO yield). The extraction results for both Soxhlet and maceration methods indicated that chloroform is more efficient compared to ethanol and hexane solvents. On the other hand, the effects of crashed seed size and extraction time on the % CRO yield were also investigated. The results showed that medium size (0.1–0.35 mm) for both Soxhlet and maceration extraction was the optimum size leading to the highest % CRO yield compared to fine and coarse ground seed size. The highest % CRO yield was obtained during 4 to 5 h of Soxhlet extraction and 25 to 30 h of maceration extraction method. Therefore, the Soxhlet extraction method is the fastest and efficient method for the extraction of CRO from plant materials. The characterization of Birbira seed powder and CRO was done with FTIR and Rheology test equipment. The FTIR result revealed that CRO is composed of aliphatic, olefin, polyphenol and alcohol functional groups, in which polyphenol functional groups are the most essential flavonoid components available in crude rotenone oil.

Manufacturing processes, additional nutritional value and versatile food applications of fresh microalgae Spirulina.

Spirulina is capable of using light energy and fixing carbon dioxide to synthesize a spectrum of organic substances, including proteins, polysaccharides, and unsaturated fatty acids, making it one of the most coveted food resources for humanity. Conventionally, Spirulina products are formulated into algal powder tablets or capsules. However, the processing and preparation of these products, involving screw pump feeding, extrusion, high-speed automation, and high-temperature dewatering, often result in the rupture of cell filaments, cell fragmentation, and the unfortunate loss of vital nutrients. In contrast, fresh Spirulina, cultivated within a closed photobioreactor and transformed into an edible delight through harvesting, washing, filtering, and sterilizing, presents a refreshing taste and odor. It is gradually earning acceptance as a novel health food among the general public. This review delves into the manufacturing processes of fresh Spirulina, analyzes its nutritional advantages over conventional algal powder, and ultimately prospects the avenues for fresh Spirulina's application in modern food processing. The aim is to provide valuable references for the research and development of new microalgal products and to propel the food applications of microalgae forward.

Agritourism as a strategy of remote island’s development: the case study of Kasos

In rural, depopulated areas, agritourism, as a development model, could serve the goal of non- exclusively seasonal tourism while creating additional economic opportunities for the locals who are mainly engaged in agriculture. Kasos is an isolated island of the Dodecanese, Greece, preserving interesting elements of the authentic agricultural practices and architecture like terraces serving the island’s agricultural cultivation, mills and mitata, small stone- built creameries. Kasos served as a case study of AEI program (Sustainable Development of Less Developed Regions and Isolated Areas by Creating New Touristic Resources and Products through Analysis, Documentation and Modelling of Cultural Assets using Innovative ICT Applications, project code:T2EDK- 01278). For thιs island that lies within the wider region of Rhodes, it is possible with the appropriate development of new touristic resources and products through the advancement of the unique architectural, cultural and environmental assets to orient towards them special parts of the touristic flow from Rhodes, creating new touristic activity by increasing the residence beyond the daily or short time tourism, as it stands for now. For the analysis of the study area, research in local archives and communication with the municipality and local stakeholders was conducted. Thus, both the special features of the island and the needs of the local community were identified, organized, classified and presented in GIS maps. The implementation of a GIS for Kasos Island aims to provide a comprehensive representation of the different aspects of the island, providing useful information for policy-making and the development of strategic cultural and agrotourism plans to the local authorities and stakeholders. According to the integrated plan for Kasos by AEI program, the island could preserve its special rural identity while revealing its cultural and environmental assets and attracting external economies within an agritourism model. In this work, we present AEI’s integrated plan for Kasos that refers to the island’s agricultural character, to the existing trail network as well as to the restoration and adaptive reuse of important architectural assets that could serve to the overall revealing of Kasos history and cultural reserve.

Time management as the growth factor of small manufacturing enterprises

The article deals with small manufacturing enterprises as a point of an industry economic growth which potentially outpaces the average growth rate of the industry and the GDP growth rate that makes it possible to increase the share of gross production product in the general structure of small business of Russia. As one of the reserves of growth of such enterprises the author presents implementation of corporate time management technologies which allow the administration of the enterprises to increase the time for solving the tasks facilitating the economic growth: working with the major clients and contracts, searching for new financial sources, introduction of new capacities, development of new products, formation and development of new management teams. The author suggests the structure of a corporate time management standard which regulates the issues of managing meetings, calendars, operational tasks, work communications. The article contains description of the method of implementation of corporate time management at the example of a small manufacturing enterprise of the instrumentation industry.

Financial Analysis of NVIDIA Enterprises Based on Harvard Analytical Framework

Based on the financial data of NVIDIA from 2018 to 2023, the Harvard analysis framework is used to analyze the enterprise from four perspectives: strategy, accounting, finance, and prospects. By constructing the model at the strategic level and studying the key indicators at the accounting and financial levels, it is found that the enterprise has good debt-paying ability, profitability, operation ability, and growth ability. As a technology-driven company, NVIDIA should continue to invest in the research and development of new technologies and products. Meanwhile, while NVIDIA has a leading position in the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) market, it should consider further diversifying its product line to reduce its dependence on a single market and develop new revenue streams. In addition, NVIDIA should maintain and promote strong partnerships with other companies and actively enter emerging markets. This article helps to understand the company's operating status and future development trends and also provides a reference for investors, managers, and academia to promote further research and decision-making.

API integration in FinTech: Challenges and best practices

API integration is a cornerstone of innovation in the FinTech sector, enabling seamless connectivity between disparate financial systems, enhancing service delivery, and fostering the development of new financial products. This review explores the challenges and best practices associated with API integration in FinTech, emphasizing the importance of effective strategies for overcoming integration obstacles and achieving successful outcomes. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) facilitate the exchange of data and functionality between financial applications, such as payment systems, banking platforms, and financial data aggregators. However, integrating these APIs presents several challenges, including compatibility issues, security concerns, and regulatory compliance. Ensuring that APIs are compatible with various systems and standards is essential for smooth integration. Security is another critical concern, as financial data is highly sensitive and requires robust protection against breaches and unauthorized access. Compliance with financial regulations, such as GDPR and PSD2, adds an additional layer of complexity to API integration. To address these challenges, best practices in API integration include adopting standardized protocols and frameworks to enhance compatibility and interoperability. Implementing comprehensive security measures, such as encryption, authentication, and authorization, is crucial to safeguarding data and maintaining trust. Additionally, establishing clear documentation and version control practices helps ensure that APIs are easy to use and integrate while accommodating future updates and changes. Effective API management also involves continuous monitoring and testing to identify and resolve issues promptly. Leveraging API management platforms can streamline the integration process by providing tools for monitoring performance, managing security, and facilitating communication between systems. Collaboration between development teams, IT departments, and business stakeholders is essential for aligning technical and business requirements and ensuring that integration goals are met. In conclusion, while API integration in FinTech presents various challenges, adhering to best practices and leveraging appropriate tools can facilitate successful integration. By addressing compatibility, security, and compliance issues, FinTech organizations can enhance their service offerings, drive innovation, and improve operational efficiency. Keywords: API Integration, Fintech, Compatibility, Security, Regulatory Compliance, Standardized Protocols, Encryption, Authentication, API Management, Performance Monitoring.

New Product Development Strategy and its Impact on MSME Growth: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the research landscape surrounding New Product Development (NPD) strategies and their impact on the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Through a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer, key themes and trends were identified, including the centrality of SME growth, the critical role of finance and government policy, the importance of resilience in response to external shocks like COVID-19, and the strategic focus on marketing and competitive advantage. The findings suggest that tailored financial products, supportive government policies, and an emphasis on digital transformation are essential for enhancing SME growth. Additionally, fostering an innovative and customer-oriented business culture is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. These insights provide practical implications for policymakers, business leaders, and financial institutions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to supporting SME development in dynamic market environments.

Effect of Innovation Processes on the Financial Growth of Small Scale Businesses in Custom Market, Juba-South Sudan

Innovation refers to the introduction of new products, services, processes, or ideas in conducting businesses. It encompasses both technological advancements and non-technological improvements, such as organizational changes or novel marketing strategies. The main aim of this study was to assess the overall effect of innovation processes on the performance and growth of small-scale businesses in Custom market. The study adapted a descriptive survey design, by quantitative approaches to enrich the understanding of the phenomenon under study. The study adopted; descriptive Statistics; Mean, Percentages, Frequencies, Standard deviation and Inferential Statistics; Correlation analysis to determine the relationships, ANOVA to test the model fitness, and Regression analysis to test the effect of independent variables on the dependent. The research findings stated that, ideas development had a weak positive insignificant relationship with and financial growth. Idea development had no statistical effect on financial growth. It also revealed that based on idea selection had a strong positive significant relationship with financial growth. The findings also indicated Idea implementation had a weak positive insignificant relationship with financial growth and it had no statistical effect on financial growth. It was recommended that business idea development should be done by in-depth exploration of passion, skills and keen observation to identify market gaps and opportunities thus improving financial growth. There is also need for a study to identify customers’ satisfaction factors that can be improved through innovation processes by the small scale businesses in Custom market, Juba South Sudan.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to investigate how information and communication technology (ICT) contributes to the growth of entrepreneurship in Nigeria. When it comes to the broad acceptance of social media and digital apps, ICT plays a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of entrepreneurial endeavours. A desk research strategy was used, and literature on the effects of ICT on the growth of entrepreneurship was examined. According to the report, there is a plethora of potential for youth empowerment, employability, and general employment when ICT is applied to business growth. A lack of proper entrepreneurship orientation, inconsistent power supplies, inadequate ICT infrastructure, a lack of skilled technicians and technologists, poor access to financing, and poor marketing abilities were among the difficult factors that the study also uncovered. These were obstacles that any aspiring business owner had to overcome to ensure the sustainability of an existing venture. The report suggested, among other things, that given the critical role that ICT plays in the creation of entrepreneurial possibilities, the government and other stakeholders should create an environment that is supportive of the development of ICT infrastructure to support the growth of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, training facilities in ICT should be provided by relevant government agencies and networth stakeholders to increase the efficiency of the country’s entrepreneurs, enabling them to acquire relevant technical and technological skills needed to expand output, maintain existing customers, gain access to wider markets, and improve their entrepreneurial activities generally, particularly in terms of the development of new products for solving societal problems in the country.

Extracts of the Canadian goldenrod (Solidago Canadensis L.) – promising agents with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity

S. canadensis L. and S. virgaurea L. are the most common species of Solidago L. in Europe and with a long tradition of use in medicine for various therapeutic purposes: diseases of the urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, diabetes, allergies and antiseptic purposes. Therefore, the research of species of the Solidago genus, which have a rich content of natural BACs, and the development of new effective medicinal products of plant origin are relevant. The aim. The method of work is the phytochemical and pharmacological study of extracts of the Canadian goldenrod herb, obtained by ethanol solutions of various concentrations, for the innovative perspective of creating new medicines based on them with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were extracts of herb from Canadian goldenrod, obtained using purified water, 40 %, 70 % and 90 % ethanol. Phytochemical study of the extracts was performed by TLC and spectrophotometry. Study of acute toxicity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity of extracts was carried out according to standard methods. Research results. A study of the phytochemical composition and pharmacological activity of extracts of herb from Canadian goldenrod obtained with different solvents. It was established that extracts of herb from Canadian goldenrod show anti-inflammatory activity. The most pronounced antiexudative activity is shown by the extract of the Canadian goldenrod herb (extractant - 40 % ethanol), reducing the degree of swelling by 24.77 %. Herb extracts from from Canadian goldenrod in acute toxic liver damage show moderate hepatoprotective activity, which is somewhat inferior to the comparative drug "Silibor". A more intense and effective effect on the hepatobiliary system was shown by the extract of the Canadian goldenrod herb (extractant - 40 % ethanol). Conclusions. The perspective of creation based on herb of Canadian goldenrod new drugs with hepatoprotective activity. The most promising substance turned out to be an extract of herb from Canadian goldenrod obtained with a 40 % ethanol solution.

Novel dissolution methods for drug release testing of Long-Acting injectables

Long-acting parenteral drug products are a popular choice for therapeutic areas requiring long term treatment. These products range from dispersed systems such as drug suspensions and polymeric microspheres to in situ forming polymeric implants. The lack of reliable drug release testing methods for these drug products not only impedes the development of new drug products but also affects generic drug development. Current release methods suffer from a range of problems such as high variability, poor reproducibility, poor discriminatory ability, lack of depot-like structure formation (that could mimic the in vivo situation). Moreover, shorter duration (less than a week) of release renders them unsuitable for in vitro-in vivo correlations (IVIVCs). To overcome these issues, novel adapters were developed for both USP-type-II & IV apparatus. These adapters were validated and assessed using the long-acting injectable (LAI) suspension drug product Depo Provera 150® as well as its Q1/Q2 equivalents. For USP-type-IV apparatus, two open adapter designs (conical and ellipsoidal shaped cavity with volume capacities of 50 µl and 1 ml, respectively) were developed. A closed conical adapter design with a volume capacity of 0.05 ml was developed for USP apparatus type-II. All three novel adapter designs effectively retained the suspensions, achieved release durations of 3–6 weeks with good reproducibility, minimal variability (RSD≤5%) and had good discriminatory ability. Based on this, the adapter-based dissolution methods were deemed suitable for IVIVC development of long-acting injectables. A successful Level A IVIVC was developed for Depo SubQ Provera 104® and its Q1Q2 equivalents using USP apparatus type IV with a conical adapter design. The closed adapter design for apparatus type-II was also investigated for suitability with risperidone in situ forming implants. The adapter was able to securely retain and maintain the shape of the in situ forming implants and resulted in release profiles of up to one month with good discriminatory ability and low standard error (RSD≤5%). These novel adapters hold promise of wide use for in vitro release testing of different long-acting parenteral drug products.

Black and Red Currant Pomaces as Raw Materials to Create Smoothies with In Vitro Health-Promoting Potential.

Pomace is a by-product resulting from the pressing of fruits and vegetables into juices, and it is typically treated as waste. Interestingly, pomace contains minimal amounts of protein and fat but is characterized by its high polyphenol and dietary fiber contents, which may have health benefits for human physiology. Therefore, they are a potentially attractive raw material for the food industry, but to our knowledge, no smoothies with their addition have been prepared and described so far. Consequently, products derived from apple juice, incorporating different doses of fresh (6% and 12%) and dried (3% and 6%) black or red currant pomace, were formulated, and their physical properties, chemical composition, bioactive compound content, and health-promoting potential (in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activity) were evaluated. Additionally, the products underwent sensory assessment by consumers. The fortified beverages exhibited different physical characteristics and chemical compositions than apple juice. All smoothies were characterized by higher concentrations of anthocyanins, flavonols, and procyanidin polymers compared to the base product. Moreover, 75% of them exhibited a significantly elevated phenolic acid content as well as a higher concentration of flavan-3-ols. The majority of fresh smoothies exhibited significantly higher in vitro antioxidant capacities and increased in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects compared to the base product. The highest ABTS activity was recorded in the variant with 6% dried black currant pomace. In turn, the smoothie with 3% dried red currant pomace had the most effective FRAP effect and, together with the product containing 12% fresh black currant pomace, ORAC antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibition also. The introduction of 6% dried red currant pomace led to the creation of a beverage that most effectively inhibited α-glucosidase. The study showed that the application of various types of pomace, mainly that of black currant, into apple juice enables the development of new functional products with sensory attributes that are favorably evaluated by consumers.

Recent advances in the bioproduction of mannitol

D-mannitol is a six-carbon sugar alcohol and one of the most abundant polyols in the nature. With antioxidant and osmotic pressure-regulating effects and non-metabolism by the human body, D-mannitol has been widely used in functional food and pharmaceutical industries. At present, a major way for industrial production of D-mannitol is chemical hydrogenation. In addition, D-Mannitol can be produced by microbial metabolism or catalysis. Compared with the chemical hydrogenation, the microbial methods for synthesizing mannitol do not produce sorbitol as a by-product and have the advantages of mild reaction conditions, strong specificity, and high conversion rate. Microbial fermentation is praised for easy access of strains and raw materials and simple separation of the product. Microbial catalysis usually adopts a multi-enzyme coupling strategy, which uses enzymes produced by engineered bacteria for whole-cell catalysis, and the cofactor recycling pathway is introduced to replenish expensive cofactor. This method can achieve high yields with cheap substrates under mild conditions without the formation of by-products. However, the application of microbial methods in the industrial production of D-mannitol is limited by the high costs of fermentation media and substrates and the long reaction time. This article reviews the reported microbial methods for producing D-mannitol, including the use of high-yielding strains and their fermentation processes, the utilization of low-cost substrates, whole-cell catalytic strategies, and the process control for high productivity. The biosynthesis of mannitol is not only of great significance for promoting industrial upgrading and realizing green manufacturing, but also provides strong support for the development of new bio-based products to meet the growing market demand. With the continuous improvement of technological innovation and industrial chain, it is expected to become one of the main ways of mannitol production in the future.

More is less: The dual role of government subsidy in firms’ new product development

This study focuses on “the paradox of government support,” and examines the direct, moderating, and contingent effects of government subsidies on new product development (NPD). Drawing on the resource management perspective, we argue that subsidies lead to both learning effects and inefficiency problems. Different subsidy levels make these two conflicting effects more or less salient. Consequently, subsidies and firms’ NPD have an inverted U-shaped relationship. Moreover, subsidies negatively (positively) moderate the relationship between a firm’s internal (external) R&D investments and NPD, which is further strengthened (weakened) by state ownership. An empirical analysis of panel data on Chinese high-growth firms strongly supports our hypotheses. We discuss the implications for the resource management perspective and NPD research, high-tech industry practitioners, and policymakers in emerging economies.

An AI-Powered Product Identity Form Design Method Based on Shape Grammar and Kansei Engineering: Integrating Midjourney and Grey-AHP-QFD

Product Identity (PI) is a strategic instrument for enterprises to forge brand strength through New Product Development (NPD). Concurrently, facing increasingly fierce market competition, the NPD for consumer emotional requirements (CRs) has become a significant objective in enterprise research and development (R&D). The design of new product forms must ensure the continuity of PI and concurrently address the emotional needs of users. It demands a high level of experience from designers and significant investment in R&D. To solve this problem, a generative and quantitative design method powered by AI, based on Shape Grammar (SG) and Kansei Engineering (KE), is proposed. The specific method is as follows: Firstly, representative products for Morphological Analysis (MA) are selected, SG is applied to establish initial shapes and transformation rules, and prompts are input into Midjourney. This process generates conceptual sketches and iteratively refines them, resulting in a set of conceptual sketches that preserve the PI. Secondly, a web crawler mines online reviews to extract Kansei words. Factor Analysis (FA) clusters them into Kansei factors, and the Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process (G-AHP) calculates their grey weights. Thirdly, after analyzing the PI conceptual sketches for feature extraction, the features are integrated with CRs into the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) matrix. Experts evaluate the relationships using interval grey numbers, calculating the optimal ranking of PI Engineering Characteristics (PIECs). Finally, professional designers refine the selected sketches into 3D models and detailed designs. Using a Chinese brand as a case study, we have designed a female electric moped (E-moped) to fit the PI and users’ emotional needs. Through a questionnaire survey on the design scheme, we argue that the proposed innovative method is efficient, applicable, and effective in balancing the product form design of PI and user emotions.

Youth-derived Lactobacillus rhamnosus with prebiotic xylo-oligosaccharide exhibits anti-hyperlipidemic effects as a novel synbiotic

Changes in dietary patterns and living habits have led to an increasing number of individuals with elevated cholesterol levels. Excessive consumption of high-cholesterol foods can disrupt the body’s lipid metabolism. Numerous studies have firmly established the cholesterol-lowering effects of probiotics and prebiotics, with evidence showing that the synergistic use of synbiotics is functionally more potent than using probiotics or prebiotics alone. Currently, the screening strategy involves screening prebiotics for synbiotic development with probiotics as the core. However, in comparison to probiotics, there are fewer types of prebiotics available, leading to limited resources. Consequently, the combinations of synbiotics obtained are restricted, and probiotics and prebiotics are only relatively suitable. Therefore, in this study, a novel synbiotic screening strategy with prebiotics as the core was developed. The synbiotic combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus S_82 and xylo-oligosaccharides was screened from the intestinal tract of young people through five generations of xylo-oligosaccharides. Subsequently, the cholesterol-lowering ability of the medium was simulated, and the two carbon sources of glucose and xylo-oligosaccharides were screened out. The results showed that synbiotics may participate in cholesterol-lowering regulation by down-regulating the expression of NPC1L1 gene, down-regulating ACAT2 and increasing the expression of ABCG8 gene in vitro through cell adsorption and cell absorption in vitro, and regulating the intestinal microbiota. Synbiotics hold promise as potential candidates for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia in humans and animals, and this study providing a theoretical foundation for the development of new synbiotic products.

Optimizing gelation properties of mixed meat myofibrillar proteins: investigating the effects of different proportions of beef, pork and chicken on physicochemical, structural and gelation properties.

The gelation properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) directly affect the texture, taste and water-holding capacity (WHC) of meat products. To enhance the gelation properties of single-species meat MP, the present study investigated the influence of different proportions of beef, pork and chicken MP on the physicochemical properties, structure and gelation properties of the MP. The results revealed that, when the proportion reached 5:2:3, the particle size decreases, leading to the maximum decomposition and unfolding of MPs, which exposes a greater number of hydrophobic amino acid residues. These changes promote interactions between protein molecules, especially the unfolding of α-helices and the formation of β-sheets during the heating process, which provides favorable conditions for the formation of protein gels and improves the gel strength and WHC of MP gels. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that the mixed MP gels are more compact and have more uniform gel networks and pores compared to single-species MP gels. Based on these results, the synergistic effect is induced by the interactions between proteins from different. This research provides a method for the subsequent development of new meat products and improvement of meat product quality, and also lays a theoretical foundation for composite research of proteins from different sources. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Factors affecting financial engineering and product development in Islamic Financial Institutions

Purpose This study aims to analyze Islamic financial institutions’ (IFIs) current financial engineering and product development procedures. Design/methodology/approach The paper is quantitative in nature and the survey questionnaire were collected from managers and IF experts working for Islamic Banks, Takaful and other IFIs in Turkey, Malaysia and UAE. Two-stage structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis. Findings The findings highlighted that the Shari’ah Supervisory Board, Strategy and Planning of IFIs, Legal and Regulatory framework, pricing of a new product and financial performance positively impact the new product development (NPD) process. At the same time, Islamic values have no significant positive impact. Research limitations/implications When generalizing the research results, data collection from the right departments was the main limitation of the current study. Future research may opt to collect data only from Product Development Departments. Practical implications The findings of this study will allow IFIs to reflect on their present methods, procedures and Shari’ah compliance framework for the NPD process. Originality/value Factors affecting the product development and financial engineering process are discussed in the literature. The findings of this study can be regarded as building blocks for future academic research on product development and financial engineering in Islamic finance.

Discriminative analysis of aroma profiles in diverse cigar products varieties through integrated sensory evaluation, GC-IMS and E-nose

Cigars, treasured for their rich aromatic profiles, occupy a notable segment in the global consumer market. The objective of this study was to characterize the volatile aroma compounds that shape the flavor profiles of six distinct varieties of Great Wall cigars, contributing to the understanding of cigar aroma analysis. Utilizing HS-GC-IMS and sensory evaluation, the study discerned the aroma profiles of GJ No. 6 (GJ), Animal from the Chinese zodiac (SX), Range Rover No. 3 Classic (JD), Miracle 132 (QJ), Sheng Shi No. 5 (SS), and Red 132 (HS) cigars. The analysis uncovered a spectrum of characteristic aromas, including tobacco, creaminess, cocoa, leather, baking, herbaceous, leathery, woodsy, and fruity notes. A total of 88 compounds were identified, categorized into 11 chemical classes, with their quantities varying among the cigars in a descending order of QJ, JD, GJ, SS, HS, and SX. 24 compounds, such as 2-heptanone, n-butanol, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine and 2-furfuryl methyl sulfide were considered as key differential components. The volatile components were effectively differentiated using principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and cluster analysis, revealing correlations between sensory attributes, key components, and electronic nose (E-nose). This research introduces a novel method for analyzing volatile aroma components in cigars, offering insights to enhance cigar quality and to foster the development of new products with unique aroma profiles.

Cross-functional integration and new product development performance: Assessing mediating role of customer-supplier involvement and moderating role of structural empowerment

Under the open innovation paradigm, few empirical studies have addressed the value co-creation of the cross-functional and external integration, particularly the adverse effects of integration-induced structural empowerment on new product development (NPD). This study constructs a moderated mediation model grounded in value co-creation theory to investigate the interplay among cross-functional integration, customer-supplier involvement, structural empowerment, and NPD performance. Data from a survey of 294 high-performance manufacturing firms (machinery, electronics, and automobiles) worldwide, conducted during the fourth round of the High-Performance Manufacturing project, were analyzed. The empirical results indicate that cross-functional integration indirectly affects NPD performance through the mediating role of customer-supplier involvement. Moreover, the positive association between customer involvement and NPD performance is markedly diminished under conditions of high as opposed to low structural empowerment. However, structural empowerment does not significantly moderate the positive relationship between supplier involvement and NPD performance. This study contributes to the understanding of the value co-creation mechanisms associated with different integration strategies in NPD performance and reveals the potential drawbacks of excessive structural empowerment. Consequently, this study offers actionable insights for firms implementing integration strategies and structural empowerment.