This new volume familiarizes readers with the very relevant concepts of human resources and finance in Industry 4.0. The book looks at the adoption of current fast-moving computers and automation in the workplace and its impact on the financial aspects of human resources and how HR can be enhanced with smart and autonomous systems fueled by data and machine learning. The chapters offer case studies that provide firsthand knowledge of real-life problems, solutions, and situations faced by the industry. The volume highlights the thought process in resolution of the complex problems. Topics include HR management approaches, global HR challenges, behavioral finance for financial acumen, corporate social responsibility, women empowerment in the HR industry, emotional intelligence in the era of Industry 4.0, and more.

Global Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives, Challenges, and New Opportunities throws light on the lacunas faced by the higher education industry during the disruption of the pandemic and offers solutions with roadmaps for the future of higher education in coming years. This book by distinguished writers is a good blend of understanding how the pandemic struck the education structure around the world and how education is evolving and imbibing new pedagogy and policies to rebuild the lost confidence of young minds with positive healing inroads to rebuild their professional dreams. In an in-depth manner, this edited book examines the impact of COVID-19 on higher education around the world. The challenges faced today by COVID-19 in our education system are determined and examined, and worldwide education opportunities post-COVID-19 are examined as well. The chapters use various methodological approaches that look at how the pandemic fostered the rise of e-learning, blended and virtual learning, and teachers’ changing roles. The book examines the role of teaching-learning practices in the era of COVID-19, the impact of digital learning on students in developing countries, and more. Also addressed is the psychological and emotional impact on students from digital learning and blended learning during the pandemic. The deep insights on the pandemic’s impact on higher education will help educators to navigate and adapt to the new normal with grace and maturity. The book also supports higher education to collaborate with a new outlook amalgamating diverse arenas of new age education, systems opportunities and challenges with right ideation and innovative pedagogies for sailing through COVID-19 pandemic. This book gives students, teachers, scholars of all domains and practitioners an opportunity to take into account and appreciate the work of comparative and international education.

The international business sector has been completely revolutionized due to shifts in global economy, digitization, and the Internet. Integrating New Technologies in International Business: Opportunities and Challenges explores the rapid changes in technology that have affected businesses and social environments that are offering new challenges and opportunities for small to mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups. It highlights how businesses in emerging economies are implementing the new technological innovations to compete in the global market. The chapters in the volume provide valuable insight on many cutting-edge topics on new technology in the business environment and the new digital world, or Industry 4.0, including: Internet of Things (IoT) and customer relationship management Cross-cultural management Artificial intelligence Social media advertising Multichannel banking Digital payment technology Blockchain technology Augmented reality Eye-tracking analysis This book will be a valuable resource for business leaders and managers, industry professionals, business scholars, regulatory stakeholders, policymakers, faculty and students, and those who are interested in the current trends in the state of global digitization in industrial markets. The information provided here will help readers find the most appropriate approaches for taking advantage of these new technologies.

This book examines the state of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL)-based secondary education in India. ODL-based education has been a key resource for children in India who can neither cope with nor avail of regular schooling opportunities due to economic, health and disability, or other constraints. The volume uses large-scale empirical data collected from various Indian states and a sensitive theoretical framework to study the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the State Open School (SOS). Highlighting the roadblocks and barriers in terms of its reach, inclusion, and delivery, particularly to the marginalised, this book explores whether ODL has a potential of being a sustainable and effective option at the secondary and senior secondary level in India. Thus, it seeks to generate policy discourse around delivery mechanisms and effectiveness of ODL in developing countries. First of its kind, this comprehensive volume will be useful for scholars and researchers of education, education policy, public policy, and political studies.

This book examines the state of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL)-based secondary education in India. ODL-based education has been a key resource for children in India who can neither cope with nor avail of regular schooling opportunities due to economic, health and disability, or other constraints. The volume uses large-scale empirical data collected from various Indian states and a sensitive theoretical framework to study the equity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the State Open School (SOS). Highlighting the roadblocks and barriers in terms of its reach, inclusion, and delivery, particularly to the marginalised, this book explores whether ODL has a potential of being a sustainable and effective option at the secondary and senior secondary level in India. Thus, it seeks to generate policy discourse around delivery mechanisms and effectiveness of ODL in developing countries. First of its kind, this comprehensive volume will be useful for scholars and researchers of education, education policy, public policy, and political studies.

The volume contains latest research on software reliability assessment, testing, quality management, inventory management, mathematical modeling, analysis using soft computing techniques and management analytics. It links researcher and practitioner perspectives from different branches of engineering and management, and from around the world for a bird's eye view on the topics. The interdisciplinarity of engineering and management research is widely recognized and considered to be the most appropriate and significant in the fast changing dynamics of today's times. With insights from the volume, companies looking to drive decision making are provided actionable insight on each level and for every role using key indicators, to generate mobile-enabled scorecards, time-series based analysis using charts, and dashboards. At the same time, the book provides scholars with a platform to derive maximum utility in the area by subscribing to the idea of managing business through performance and business analytics.

This book describes a participatory case study of a small family farm in Maharashtra, India. It is a dialectical study of cultivating cultivation: how paddy cultivation is learnt and taught, and why it is the way it is. The paddy cultivation that the family is doing at first appears to be 'traditional'. But by observation and working along with the family, the authors have found that they are engaging in a dynamic process in which they are questioning, investigating, and learning by doing. The authors compare this to the process of doing science, and to the sort of learning that occurs in formal education. The book presents evidence that paddy cultivation has always been varying and evolving through chance and necessity, experimentation, and economic contingencies. Through the example of one farm, the book provides a critique of current attempts to sustain agriculture, and an understanding of the ongoing agricultural crisis.

This new volume familiarizes readers with the very relevant concepts of human resources and finance in Industry 4.0. The book looks at the adoption of current fast-moving computers and automation in the workplace and its impact on the financial aspects of human resources and how HR can be enhanced with smart and autonomous systems fueled by data and machine learning. The chapters offer case studies that provide firsthand knowledge of real-life problems, solutions, and situations faced by the industry. The volume highlights the thought process in resolution of the complex problems. Topics include HR management approaches, global HR challenges, behavioral finance for financial acumen, corporate social responsibility, women empowerment in the HR industry, emotional intelligence in the era of Industry 4.0, and more.

The volume contains latest research on software reliability assessment, testing, quality management, inventory management, mathematical modeling, analysis using soft computing techniques and management analytics. It links researcher and practitioner perspectives from different branches of engineering and management, and from around the world for a bird's eye view on the topics. The interdisciplinarity of engineering and management research is widely recognized and considered to be the most appropriate and significant in the fast changing dynamics of today's times. With insights from the volume, companies looking to drive decision making are provided actionable insight on each level and for every role using key indicators, to generate mobile-enabled scorecards, time-series based analysis using charts, and dashboards. At the same time, the book provides scholars with a platform to derive maximum utility in the area by subscribing to the idea of managing business through performance and business analytics.

This book describes a participatory case study of a small family farm in Maharashtra, India. It is a dialectical study of cultivating cultivation: how paddy cultivation is learnt and taught, and why it is the way it is. The paddy cultivation that the family is doing at first appears to be 'traditional'. But by observation and working along with the family, the authors have found that they are engaging in a dynamic process in which they are questioning, investigating, and learning by doing. The authors compare this to the process of doing science, and to the sort of learning that occurs in formal education. The book presents evidence that paddy cultivation has always been varying and evolving through chance and necessity, experimentation, and economic contingencies. Through the example of one farm, the book provides a critique of current attempts to sustain agriculture, and an understanding of the ongoing agricultural crisis.

New technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), etc. are redefining business processes around the world at a rapid rate and resulting in both great opportunities and challenges for businesses. Though these technologies are extensively being used in developed countries, emerging economies are also not far behind. Disruptive Technologies in International Business advances the understanding of technological applications in business within an international paradigm. With its in-depth discussions of diverse topics such as the global value chain (GVC), environmental risk management, IoT, Surface Mobility, and anime, the book argues that technologies offer many advantages but there are accompanying risks, challenges, and disadvantages as well. The need of the hour is to address the impact of these technologies on the environment, society, and economy of the world. This book offers a collage of insights on how these technologies can potentially change the playing field in businesses and countries and contribute to the betterment of society. This book will provide business practitioners, international organizations, government officials, and policy makers with inspiration and new leads toward more efficient systems, policies, and operational frameworks in our increasingly technology-driven society.

This book comprises the proceedings of International Conference on Research and Innovations in Mechanical Engineering (ICRIME 2013) organized by Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana with support from AICTE, TEQIP, DST and PTU, Jalandhar. This international conference served as a premier forum for communication of new advances and research results in the fields of mechanical engineering. The proceedings reflect the conference’s emphasis on strong methodological approaches and focus on applications within the domain of mechanical engineering. The contents of this volume aim to highlight new theoretical and experimental findings in the fields of mechanical engineering and closely related fields, including interdisciplinary fields such as robotics and mechatronics.

This book comprises the proceedings of International Conference on Research and Innovations in Mechanical Engineering (ICRIME 2013) organized by Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana with support from AICTE, TEQIP, DST and PTU, Jalandhar. This international conference served as a premier forum for communication of new advances and research results in the fields of mechanical engineering. The proceedings reflect the conference's emphasis on strong methodological approaches and focus on applications within the domain of mechanical engineering. The contents of this volume aim to highlight new theoretical and experimental findings in the fields of mechanical engineering and closely related fields, including interdisciplinary fields such as robotics and mechatronics.

The book throws light on the ongoing trends in international business, integration of information technology with global businesses, its role in value co-creation, resource integration, and service for service exchange. While discussing the issues of these areas, chapters of this book also delve into prevalent problematic areas which are closely related like employment, ethical aspects, power creation, and so on. Recognizing the role digitization and new technologies play in enabling global managers to communicate with outside world directly via digital channels irrespective of their location (which is especially true in time of COVID-19), the book takes an emerging economy perspective and throws light on new theories, perceptions, employment opportunities, and innovative ideas through its content. The book not only discusses effects of information technology but also the latest emerging technology in global business like use of artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, big data, and their integration with the global business 4.0. Since emergence of these new technologies requires proper infrastructural development, the book also throws light on government initiatives and CSR in this respect. It contains takeaways for both undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and academicians, industry watchers, practitioners, start-ups, and entrepreneurs

This book presents a range of qualitative and quantitative analyses in areas such as cybersecurity, sustainability, multivariate analysis, customer satisfaction, parametric programming, software reliability growth modeling, and blockchain technology, to name but a few. It also highlights integrated methods and practices in the areas of machine learning and genetic algorithms. After discussing applications in supply chains and logistics, cloud computing, six sigma, production management, big data analysis, satellite imaging, game theory, biometric systems, quality, and system performance, the book examines the latest developments and breakthroughs in the field of science and technology, and provides novel problem-solving methods. The themes discussed in the book link contributions by researchers and practitioners from different branches of engineering and management, and hailing from around the globe. These contributions provide scholars with a platform to derive maximum utility in the area of analytics by subscribing to the idea of managing business through system sciences, operations, and management. Managers and decision-makers can learn a great deal from the respective chapters, which will help them devise their own business strategies and find real-world solutions to complex industrial problems.

This book presents a range of qualitative and quantitative analyses in areas such as cybersecurity, sustainability, multivariate analysis, customer satisfaction, parametric programming, software reliability growth modeling, and blockchain technology, to name but a few. It also highlights integrated methods and practices in the areas of machine learning and genetic algorithms. After discussing applications in supply chains and logistics, cloud computing, six sigma, production management, big data analysis, satellite imaging, game theory, biometric systems, quality, and system performance, the book examines the latest developments and breakthroughs in the field of science and technology, and provides novel problem-solving methods. The themes discussed in the book link contributions by researchers and practitioners from different branches of engineering and management, and hailing from around the globe. These contributions provide scholars with a platform to derive maximum utility in the area of analytics by subscribing to the idea of managing business through system sciences, operations, and management. Managers and decision-makers can learn a great deal from the respective chapters, which will help them devise their own business strategies and find real-world solutions to complex industrial problems.

The internet of things (IoT) has already proven its worth in fields such as health, education, and urban transportation. Given the rapid advancement of IoT along with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in recent years, it is believed that new age technology will dramatically alter the way we live and work. One of the areas where this paradigm may stand out in the future is the domain of corporate diversity and inclusion. By modelling intelligent behavior, IoT may detect possible bias and prejudice in decision making, possibly eliminating patterns and biases that hamper company capacity to recruit diversely and inclusively. Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity Through Internet of Things in Organizational Settings provides relevant theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical research findings in the area. It examines the empirical evidence on corporations and how IoT is being used to create inclusiveness and diversity through electronic means. Covering topics on occupational stress, digital transformation, and digital diversification, this premier reference source is an essential resource for business executives and leaders, human resource managers, IT managers, social workers, sociologists, researchers, and academicians.

In the past decade, rapid digitalization has changed many elements of society, and education is no exception. The tradition of teacher-centered education has been long-held in education and is still extremely well established. Due to the access of technology for knowledge and education, however, the teacher's function in many classrooms has been to advise and guide as students take greater responsibility for their own learning using technology to collect information. Schools and universities across the world are beginning to redesign their learning spaces to enable this new model of education, foster more interaction and small group work, and use technology as an enabler of knowledge. Technology Training for Educators From Past to Present addresses the issues facing our education systems today and the role of technology and innovation in the global transformation of education. This book focuses on the fundamental need for educators at all levels to become knowledgeable with the technological teaching and learning tools at their disposal in order to best support student learning. Covering topics such as inclusion promotion in education, technology professional development, and online learning environments, this premier reference source is a valuable resource for educational administration and faculty, educators of K-12 and higher education, educational software developers, IT consultants, pre-service teachers, libraries, teaching colleges, researchers, and academicians.

This volume explores the earliest available version of the Sikh canon. The book contains the first critical description and partial edition of the Goindval Pothis, a set of proto-scriptural manuscripts prepared in the 1570s. The manuscripts also contain a number of hymns by non-Sikh saints, some of them not found elsewhere.

Through a meticulous analysis of the contents of these rare manuscripts, G. M. Singh establishes their place and importance in the history of Sikh canon formation.

The book will be of great interest to scholars of comparative canon studies and of medieval Indian literature.

One of the most widely used permanent joining processes is welding. Welding results in a very complex thermal cycle which results in irreversible elastic-plastic deformation and residual stresses in and around fusion zone and heat affected zone (HAZ). Residual stresses may be an advantage or disadvantage in structural components depending on their nature and magnitude. Due to these residual stresses produced in and around the weld zone the strength and life of the component is reduced. In present study a commercially available finite element code was used to model and analyze a three dimensional model of the butt welded joint of two AISI 304 stainless steel plate used for manufacturing sugar hoppers. Butt welding simulations were performed by four different welding techniques - submerged arc welding (SAW), manual metal arc welding (MMAW), gas metal arc welding (MIG) and gas tungsten arc welding (TIG). Analysis of butt welded joint showed that butt welds produced by MIG resulted in lowest value of residual stress in plates. Critical analysis of butt welded joint by MIG and TIG showed that by increasing plate thickness, the residual stresses also increases.