The export of national varieties of capitalism: the cases of Wal-Mart and Ikea

Using the cases of Wal-Mart and IKEA, this paper takes a productive systems approach to examine ‘varieties of capitalism’ from the perspective of the ways by which production and market relations are structured and prioritised. It considers the nature of these relations and their interaction within the domestic economy and the ways that firms and national systems interact with each other in the global economy. It examines the processes by which trading standards are transported via supply chain relationships, which ultimately become embedded in products and recognized by consumers at various stages. In this analysis, the cases of Wal-Mart and IKEA provide insight into the ways by which national systems extend themselves globally, their contrasting effects on the business environments in host localities, and the impact of the resulting supply chain relations on organizational performance

Stress intensity factor for the interaction between a straight crack and a curved crack in plane elasticity

Formulation in terms of hypersingular integral equations for the interaction between straight and curved cracks in plane elasticity is obtained using the complex variable functions method. The curved length coordinate method and a suitable numerical scheme are used to solve such integrals numerically for the unknown function, which are later used to find the stress intensity factor, SIF

Interaction between inclined and curved cracks problem in plane elasticity

Interaction between inclined and curved cracks are studied and the hypersingular integral equations for the problem in plane elasticity are obtained using the complex variable functions method. The curved length coordinate technique and a suitable quadrature rule are used to solve the algebraic equations numerically for the unknown function, which are later used to find the stress intensity factor (SIF)

Formulation for multiple curved and kinked cracks problems in antiplane elasticity

Formulation in term of hypersingular integral equation for multiple curved and kinked cracks in antiplane elasticity are obtained using the complex variable function. The curved length coordinate technique and a suitable numerical scheme for such an integral are developed to solve numerically for the unknown function, which are later used to find the stress intensity factor, SIF

Mechanical and morphological properties of injection-molded rice husk polypropylene composites

In this work, the investigation of the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of the rice husk flour/polypropylene composites was performed utilizing various filler loadings and coupling agent. Five levels of filler loading (35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 wt%) were designed. In addition, to help the interaction between fiber and polypropylene matrix, struktol coupling agent was added to the composites. All of tensile strength, Young's modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and impact strength properties of the composites were carried out. Moreover, the 50 wt% filler-loaded composites had optimum tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus, whereas the 35 wt% of filler loading case was the best regarding Young's modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and impact strength. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscope results demonstrate that as filler loading increases, more voids and fiber pullout occur

A review of rice husk bio-based composites

Development of new bio- based composites from renewable resources is getting wide attention from researchers due to environmental issue caused by traditional composites. Rice husk is a new potential renewable source of fillers for bio-composites to produce green products. Rice husk is the outer sheath surrounding rice grains during their growth. The aim of this work is to systematically review the parameters that affect the rice husk -polymeric composites in order to enhance their usage in various sustainable designs and applications. It is dedicated that rice husk composites are not used effectively due to the lack of understanding over its potential for such green composites. Moreover, systematic review of the published works demonstrated that the lack of awareness to environmental problems and technology as well as socio-economy problems prevent proper utilization of rice in bio-composites for sustainable products. Moreover, systematic discussions of the parameters that affect the performance of rice husk - composites are illustrated in this work to enhance its implementations for future sustainable products

Finding a Legal Balance between the Right to Strike and Right to Education in Kenya

The teachers’ right to strike and the children’s right to education are both essential rights recognised by national and international laws in Kenya. Despite this fact, there are instances where conflicts arise between these two rights. The courts have a mandate to balance competing human rights in instances of conflict. However, whenever there has been a conflict between the two rights, Kenyan courts have issued injunctions that require public-school teachers to suspend their strike. By doing so, the courts are leaving the teachers with no effective alternative mechanism to address their pertinent needs. The question of how a balance between the teachers’ right to strike and the children’s right to education in Kenya can be attained is thus an essential concern that is at the focal point of this paper. In a bid to address this question, Kenya’s Constitution, Children’s Act, Labour Relations Act, and case law from the Court of Appeal; namely, TSC v KNUT & 3 others, are analysed to reveal Kenya’s position on the two rights and the various balancing approaches available