Blockchain has potential to revolutionize how manufacturers design, engineer, make and scale their products. Blockchain is gradually proving to be an effective "middleware" solution for enabling seamless interoperability within complex supply chains. Due to its technological nature, blockchain enables secure, transparent and fast data exchanges as well as allowing for the creation of immutable records databases The main advantage of Blockchain in Manufacturing Industries is product traceability, supply chain transparency, compliance monitoring, and auditability. Moreover, leveraging blockchain technology into a manufacturing enterprise can enhance its security and reduce the rates of systematic failures. So, blockchain is now used in various sectors of the manufacturing industry, such as automotive, aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical, consumer electronics, textile, food and beverages, and more. Hence, Blockchain should be seen as an investment in future-readiness and customer-centricity, not as an experimental technology - because, the evidence is overwhelming. This book will explore the strengths of Blockchain adaptation in Manufacturing Industries and Logistics Management, cover different use cases of Blockchain Technology for Manufacturing Industries and Logistics Management, and will discuss the role, impact and challenges of adopting Blockchain in Manufacturing industries and Logistics Management. The chapters will also provide the current open issues and future research trends of Blockchain, especially for Manufacturing Industries and Logistics, and will encapsulate quantitative and qualitative research for a wide spectrum of readers of the book.

People venture into tourist activities to expand their worldviews and experiences, and as such, it is common for them to face realities totally different from those they are used to. Therefore, it is essential to discuss tourist experiences related to issues with discrimination and equality such as racism, inherent prejudice, gender equality, indigenous rights, and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community to ensure the tourism industry is inclusive and safe. Promoting Social and Cultural Equity in the Tourism Sector provides relevant theoretical frameworks and the latest findings from empirical research on diversity and equity applied to tourism activity. The book also contributes to the discussion about the nuances inherent to tourism activities and experiences at tourist destinations. Covering a wide range of topics such as gender bias, employability, and diversity education, this reference work is crucial for hotel managers, activists, travel agencies, tour organizations, industry professionals, government officials, policymakers, researchers, scholars, practitioners, academicians, instructors, and students.

Evidence-Based Validation of Herbal Medicines: Translational Research on Botanicals brings together current thinking and practice in the characterization and validation of natural products. The book describes different approaches and techniques for evaluating the quality, safety and efficacy of herbal medicine, particularly methods to assess their activity and understand compounds responsible and their probable underlying mechanisms of action. This book brings together the views, expertise and experiences of scientific experts in the field of medicinal plant research, hence it will be useful for researcher who want to know more about the natural lead with their validation and also useful to exploit traditional medicines.

Coronavirus Drug Discovery, Volume Three: Druggable Targets and In Silico Update presents comprehensive information on drug discovery against COVID-19. Chapters in Part One of this volume describe the various druggable targets and associated signaling pathways for effective targeting of SARS-CoV-2. In Part Two, chapters discuss the various computational approaches and in silico studies against SARS-CoV-2. Written by global team of experts, this book is an excellent resource that will be extremely useful to drug developers, medicinal chemists, pharmaceutical companies in R&D, research institutes in both academia and industry, and the National Library of Medicines and Health. In addition, agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, European Medicines Agency, the US Food and Drug Administration, and all others involved in drug discovery against COVID-19 will find this book useful.

Resonance Self-Shielding Calculation Methods in Nuclear Reactors presents the latest progress in resonance self-shielding methods for both deterministic and Mote Carlo methods, including key advances over the last decade such as high-fidelity resonance treatment, resonance interference effect and multi-group equivalence. As the demand for high-fidelity resonance self-shielding treatment is increasing due to the rapid development of advanced nuclear reactor concepts and progression in high performance computational technologies, this practical book guides students and professionals in nuclear engineering and technology through various methods with proven high precision and efficiency.

Agricultural workers have long been underrepresented in labour history. This volume aims to change this by bringing together a collection of studies on the largest group of the global work force. The contributions cover the period from the early modern to the present - a period when the emergence and consolidation of capitalism has transformed rural areas all over the globe. Three questions have guided the approach and the structure of this volume. First, how and why have peasant families managed to survive under conditions of advancing commercialisation and industrialisation? Second, why have coercive labour relations been so persistent in the agricultural sector and third, what was the role of states in the recruitment of agricultural workers? Contributors are: Elise van Nederveen Meerkerk, Josef Ehmer, Katherine Jellison, Juan Carmona, James Simpson, Sophie Elpers, Debojyoti Das, Lozaan Khumbah, Karl Heinz Arenz, Leida Fernandez-Prieto, Rachel Kurian, Rafael Marquese, Bruno Gabriel Witzel de Souza, Rogerio Naques Faleiros, Alessandro Stanziani, Alexander Keese, Dina Bolokan, and Janina Puder.

Bio-Based Flame Retardants for Polymeric Materials provides a comprehensive overview of flame retardants derived directly and indirectly from plant sources, drawing on cutting-edge research and covering preparation methods, testing and evaluation techniques, enhanced properties, and end applications. Chapters introduce bio-based materials in the context of additives for flame retardancy, explaining fundamentals and testing methods and analyzing synthetic approaches and the potential advantages of pursuing a bio-based approach. This is followed by detailed coverage of bio-based retardants, with each chapter covering a specific source and guiding the reader systematically through preparation techniques, evaluation methods, properties and applications. Throughout the book, the latest progress in the field is critically reviewed, and there is a continual emphasis on novel approaches to achieve enhanced properties and performant materials. This is an essential guide for all those with an interest in innovative, sustainable flame retardant additives for polymeric materials, including researchers, scientists, advanced students, and more.

This incisive Handbook critically examines the role and place of media and communication in development and social change, reflecting a vision for change anchored in values of social justice. Expert contributors discuss and evaluate the roles and outcomes of media and communication for social mobilization, media mobilization, community mobilization, advocacy, participation, empowerment, capacity-building, resistance, networking, and action for progressive social change. Chapters explore communicative actions involved in social, economic, political, and cultural integration and the transformation of individuals, communities, places, and societies in the processes of development and social change. Outlining the genealogy and history of the field, the Handbook investigates the possible new directions and objectives in the area. Key conclusions include an enhanced role for development communication in participatory development, active agency of stakeholders of development programs, and the operationalization of social justice in development. Comprehensive yet accessible, this Handbook will be a key resource for students and scholars of media and communication, political science, development studies, social work, critical education, community organization, and anthropology. It will also be of value to professionals working in associations and organizations dealing with development and social change.

This timely Handbook examines performance management research specific to the public sector and its contexts, and provides suggestions for future developments in the field. It demonstrates the need for performance management to be reconceptualized as a core component of business both within and across organizations, and how it must be embedded in both strategic decision-making and as a day-to-day leadership and management practice in order to be effective. Addressing multiple levels of analysis, the Handbook shows how performance management can enable high performance if governance, systems, organization and individual components are aligned. Written by an international team of both academics and practitioners, chapters offer insights into why changes in practice need to occur, how to make such changes possible, and what these changes require from a practical standpoint. The Handbook also highlights current limitations in public sector performance management and suggests new initiatives for performance management frameworks. Scholars of public policy in human resources, administration and management looking for exemplary current research in these fields will find this Handbook invaluable. It will also be of interest to public administration and human resources practitioners looking to develop new practice and create new ways of thinking and behaving in the aftermath of global upheaval.

Fast Reactors: A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming presents the current status of fast-reactor nuclear generation technology, with a focus on ecology and sustainability benefits for the future. Author Joel Guidez analyzes past failures and limited deployment reasons to help drive this power generation method forward to a cleaner and more sustainable energy environment. The book covers safety aspects, short-life waste management, multirecycling, and biodiversity preservation to provide a well-rounded reference on the topic.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Offering a unique collection of established and emerging perspectives on event management, this Research Agenda investigates contemporary themes and innovative methodologies. 10 chapters cover core topics in the current academic debate, exploring the development of event management from a management-oriented field into a multidisciplinary research area. Organised into three parts, the Research Agenda contains international contributions from academics across tourism, geography, management, psychology and sociology fields. Initially tackling events in society, the book moves on to look specifically at the consumer, and finally examines the event organization. Chapters recommend the integration of events in geographical and political contexts, suggesting research agendas for the future that focus on the spectator, the participant and, ultimately, the consumer. Critical reading for management and tourism scholars, this book offers key insights to developing topics in the field. Event practitioners and policy makers will also greatly benefit from reading this.

'The notion of governance has gained significant currency and has become an inseparable part of sport organisations' strategies and practices. It is also a widely taught subject in academic institutions. This is an original and well-conceptualized book, which provides a comprehensive examination of governance at different levels of analysis. Written by established scholars, the text represents a great reference source and will complement nicely the library of academics and practitioners alike.' - Vassil Girginov, President, European Association for Sport Management (EASM) 'The timeliness of this Research Handbook is underscored by the fact that the topic of sport governance has become extremely relevant and important but also extremely complex in our time.' - Hallgeir Gammelsaeter, Molde Specialized University in Logistics, Norway Recent scandals across the word of sport can be directly related to poor governance. This Research Handbook gathers the state-of-the-art research on sport governance by leading international scholars on various issues across various sports, offering a vital reference point for advancing research. Illustrating different approaches and perspectives such as good governance principles, systemic governance, political governance and network governance, chapters suggest research-informed practical solutions to current problems within sport organisations. Covering sport event governance, business implications, corporate social responsibility for enhancing good governance and extended board management, specific directions for further research are provided for each topic under examination. This is the essential reference for all sport governance researchers. It will also be insightful for sport governing bodies and administrators looking for advice on improving good governance in sport institutions.

This timely book focuses on the upgrading of firms within the global garment industry, examining how garment manufacturers and retailers in different countries internationalize, develop their capabilities and enhance their sustainability. It highlights the important role the global garments industry plays in the socio-economic development and environmental outcomes of emerging economies. Drawing on firm-centric, multi-level analyses, the book addresses four key questions: how do apparel manufacturing companies in emerging economies internationalize? What factors promote or hinder internationalization? What influences the abilities of suppliers to develop different capabilities? How do firms achieve sustainability? Interdisciplinary contributions draw on a range of perspectives, including global value chains, international business, operations management, innovation, and sociology, to answer these questions. Providing novel insights to the topic, this book will help firms, researchers and national and multilateral organisations improve the competitiveness of suppliers, workers' well-being and environmental outcomes. It will be particularly useful to business economics and economic geography scholars.

This accessible and comprehensive textbook explores the role of advertising in the marketplace. It investigates how firms' advertising strategies are informative, persuasive or add value to the product advertised. The book explains in detail empirical methodologies used to identify the impact of advertising on consumer demand and on market structure, and reviews some recent empirical findings. It concludes with an in-depth exploration of digital advertising and auctions along with a framework for current antitrust investigations into two-sided platforms (Google, Facebook) that are funded by advertising revenues. How advertising works in the marketplace, and whether it works well, is a complex question to address because there are three sets of players involved-the firms that advertise their products, the potential consumers who view the ads and the platform or medium that intermediates between them. Understanding how these three sets of players interact is the key to understanding the role of advertising in a market economy. The book begins by looking at the rise of advertising in market economies, a phenomenon not accounted for in standard textbook microeconomic models and carefully explains why. This is followed by an examination, both theoretical and empirical, of how firms strategically use advertising to reach consumers and expand the demand for their products. There are also chapters focused on the challenges of deceptive advertising and regulation. The final chapters investigate how two-sided platforms, such as Google and Facebook, are sustained by advertising revenues, and include a review of auction theory and the structure of advertising auction exchanges. These chapters also provide a detailed analysis of public policy issues, including media bias and antitrust concerns. While designed for use by students in any course that covers the economics of advertising, this book is also an excellent resource for any reader interested in a deeper understanding of this important topic.

Agricultural Bioeconomy: Innovation and Foresight in the Post-COVID Era presents recent advancements in biotechnology, exploring the optimal utilization of technologies to provide rapid and impactful economic recovery and sustainable resources in a future that will bear the mark of COVID-19. Understanding that there is a necessary balance between risk and reward, this book provides a foundational hypothesis as well as operational direction for addressing the commercialization and regulatory issues in a bio-based economy where agricultural output is at the core. By presenting adaptable practices to successfully establish and progress agri-based global bioeconomies, the book features a new paradigm focused on technological foresight and response to future risks and disasters. Key considerations include assessing and managing the urban bioeconomy, climate change mitigation, biofuels and bioenergy, GMOs, and employment generation. This book provides the solid next step toward future-proofing global economies using a combination of agricultural technologies and economic goals. Professionals and advanced students focused on the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into value-added products including food, feed, bio-based products, and bioenergy will find this book useful.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Offering an extensive and coherent presentation of theory on the experience economy, this stimulating Advanced Introduction discusses what experiencing is and why people are seeking experiences. Jon Sundbo defines the experience concept in contrast to similar concepts such as culture and creative economies, and presents measurements of the value of the experience economy. Key features include: Analysis of how experiences are replacing services and knowledge as a key driver for the economy Discussion of the future of the experience economy and the impacts Covid-19 may have on this Different perspectives on the experience economy including ones from: evolutionary economics, micro-economics, psychology, marketing, innovation and production, sociology and digitalization. Concise and invigorating, this Advanced Introduction will be a helpful read for marketing, economics, tourism, culture studies and management scholars looking for a stronger theoretical understanding of the experience economy. It will also be interesting to data science scholars, including those focusing on web and social media construction.

Heat Exposure and Human Health in the Context of Climate Change introduces the effects of heat on human health, especially in the context of climate change. The book utilizes case studies in addition to foundational knowledge and theory to demonstrate the epidemiological impact of heat, also presenting solutions for addressing this important public health issue. It is clearly organized to aid in understanding key questions such as why and how heat exposure impacts health, who are most vulnerable to heat exposure, and how to reduce the impacts of heat exposure. Providing guidance on public policy development as well as individual protection, this book is an interdisciplinary resource for researchers and policymakers in both public health and environmental science fields.

Practical Petroleum Geochemistry for Exploration and Production, Second Edition provides readers with a single reference that addresses the principle concepts and applications of petroleum geochemistry used in finding, evaluating, and producing petroleum deposits. The revised volume includes a new chapter on environmental forensic applications of petroleum geochemistry. With the current emphasis on environmental issues (pollution, climate changes, and corporate responsibility), information about how petroleum geochemistry can be used to recognize these problems, determine their source, help identify who is responsible, and how these problems may be mitigated are vital to efficient and economical operation of a project from exploration to production to abandonment. Practical Petroleum Geochemistry for Exploration and Production, Second Edition will continue to serve as a foundational reference to understanding the underpinning of the science, as well as a source of references that the reader can use to find detailed descriptions of methods and protocols.

Citrus Fruit: Biology, Technology and Evaluation, Second Edition presents a comprehensive view of these globally important crops, from cultivars to consumer acceptability. Now fully revised and updated to address the latest technologies and advancements, along with an exploration of highly current topics, including the impacts of climate and COVID-19, the book presents fresh fruit scenarios from around the globe. Sections explore the challenge of losses, background on fresh citrus cultivars production, factors that impact fruit quality, morphology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of fruit, fruit maturity, grades, and physico-chemical characteristics before moving into aspects of post-harvest technology. From irradiation and quality control to the nutritive, medicinal and safety aspects, the book presents the wide range of factors that can impact successful citrus crop production, delivery and consumption. Intended as a resource for researchers and scientists dealing with the growth, development and distribution of citrus fruit, the book provides up-to-date coverage on global citrus fruit production and practices.

Petroleum engineers search through endless sources to understand oil and gas chemicals, identify root cause of the problems, and discover solutions while operations are becoming more unconventional and driving toward more sustainable practice. Oil and Gas Chemistry Management Series brings an all-inclusive suite of tools to cover all the sectors of oil and gas chemistry-related issues and chemical solutions from drilling and completion, to production, surface processing, and storage. The fourth reference in the series, Surface Process, Transportation, and Storage delivers the critical basics while also covering latest research developments and practical solutions. Organized by the type of challenges, this volume facilitates engineers to fully understand underlying theories, practical solutions, and keys for successful applications. Basics include produced fluids treating, foam control, pipeline drag reduction, and crude oil and natural gas storage, while more advanced topics cover CO2 recovery, shipment, storage, and utilization. Supported by a list of contributing experts from both academia and industry, this volume brings a necessary reference to bridge petroleum chemistry operations from theory into more cost-effective and sustainable practical applications.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Tourism is integral to local, regional and national development policies; as a major global economic sector, it has the potential to underpin economic growth and wider development. Yet, transformations in both the nature of tourism and the dynamic environment within which it occurs give rise to new questions with regards to its developmental role. This Research Agenda offers a state-of-the-art review of the research into the tourism-development nexus. Bringing together contributors from across the globe, this Research Agenda answers the key questions including: Are growth-focused tourism policies becoming increasingly detrimental to destination development? Can mass forms of tourism in fact generate more benefits than alternative forms of tourism? Does the role of the state in supporting tourism-induced development require reconsideration? How effective is tourism-related philanthropy in contributing to development? Is community-based tourism a realistic development policy? To what extent can tourism contribute to what is still the most pressing development challenge, namely poverty reduction? A Research Agenda for Tourism and Development offers valuable insights for students and researchers of development studies and tourism, as well as for policymakers and practitioners in tourism industries.