There have been new developments in experimental techniques for preparing and characterizing materials and for measuring their properties. These techniques are not being taught to students at the master's or even doctoral levels because there is no single book which deals with all these techniques at a basic level. The present book is an attempt to overcome this problem.The book is divided into five sections: (1) Techniques for preparing materials in the bulk, nanoscale and thin film forms; (2) Techniques for characterizing materials like X ray and neutron powder diffraction, ESCA, Ellipsometry for thin films, Ultrasonic techniques, Electron microscopy, Surface probe techniques and Positron annihilation for defect studies; (3) Techniques for measurements, at research level, of the elastic, thermal, electrical, dielectric and magnetic properties; (4) Spectroscopic techniques such as NMR-EPR spectroscopy, IR, Visible-UV spectroscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy and (5) Phase transitions. In each of the above topics the basic principles are clearly laid out, the experimental set-ups are described, and typical examples are cited to illustrate the physics revealed by these techniques.The book can be used for a two-semester course on experimental techniques in physics and materials science at the master's and pre-doctoral degree levels for students.

This book investigates how strategic marketing is influencing organizations' innovation performance. It presents a structured study conducted on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to identify the correlation between innovation and strategic marketing in both Indian manufacturing and service organizations. Strategic marketing, which achieves excellence in organizations, is at the heart of improving productivity, profitability and market sustainability, while also supplying organizations a much sought-after competitive advantage. It has been observed that strategic marketing can significantly help any manufacturing firm to attain the required level of growth, and can specifically be used by Indian firms as a means of deriving differential advantages. Indian organizations that pursue more traditional approaches to strategy are now feeling the intense market pressure to modify their policy with respect to quality. The result has been a shift to 'Strategy with Innovation'. As market competition has again increased, providing quality products and services alone is no longer sufficient; companies are additionally expected to provide products with a touch of innovation to attract customers. This calls for innovation in terms of products, processes, technologies, systems and practically every other area of an organization, which can only be achieved by combining strategies and innovation. This book identifies the variables of strategic marketing that can help companies significantly boost their innovation performance, making it a valuable resource for students, researchers, professionals and policymakers alike.

The papers in this collection cover a diverse range of topics on the topic of fatigue of materials. The editors have grouped the papers into five sections. Sections 1 and 2 contain papers that (i) review the current state of knowledge both related and relevant to the subject of fatigue behavior of materials, and (ii) present new, innovative, and emerging techniques for experimental evaluation of the fatigue behavior. Sections 3 and 4 focus on advanced materials that are used in performance-critical applications in the aerospace and automotive industries, such as the alloys of titanium, nickel, aluminum, and magnesium. Section 5 presents papers relating to other materials of engineering interest, such as iron and steel, polymer, rubber, and composites.

This book takes a practice approach to studying platform business models. Drawing from the growing academic literature as well as the practice world, this book intends to provide a framework for analysing platform business firms. Leveraging on the early literature on network economics (that was largely analytical) and the popular writing about new organizations, this book takes a strategic perspective. It answers the five big strategy questions about platform business firms: a. What are platform business models, and how are they different from others; b. How do platform business firms operate, and what value do they create? To whom and how; c. What are those resources that platforms possess and leverage to create and sustain their competitive advantage over others; d. Why and how are they successful? Why do they perform differently from others? What metrics of performance should we use to study and analyse their performance; e. Is this business model sustainable? What determines the longevity of such firms? What are the regulatory and social challenges that these platform business firms face? How do regulators and the larger society manage the disproportionate power distribution among such firms?The book is strategic in nature and highlights the resources defining the strategies of successful platform business firms. In doing so, it provides a field guide for entrepreneurs and managers embarking on building a platform, by providing a portfolio of decisions to make. Though the frameworks could be generalized, the book focuses on platform businesses, rather than societal platforms. With a few extensions, it is possible that these frameworks could be easily applied to non-profit and or social enterprises as well.

This handbook presents an authoritative overview of South Asia through the lens of geopolitics, political dynamics, economics, human security, and sustainable development. It brings together key insights from various disciplines to provide an in-depth understanding of the genesis, course, and future potential of South Asia as a region. The handbook: · Explores the postcolonial political landscape of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, and analyses the challenges to political stability and governance in South Asia. · Studies the opportunities and challenges produced by globalization and recommends solutions towards greater connectivity and trade in South Asia. · Delves into the issues of climate change, water and land resource dependency, and energy security and singles out policy challenges as well as positive actions to promote sustainable development and implement blue economy. · Discusses the political dynamics of regional cooperation between countries and the role of China in South Asian regional affairs. An invaluable addition to the study of South Asia, this volume will be an indispensable resource for scholars, teachers, and researchers of political science, international relations, South Asia studies, South Asian politics, history, defence and strategic studies, political economy, developmental studies, public policy, and sustainability studies.

This book introduces platform firms as unique business models. Leveraging on the early literature on network economics and strategy frameworks, this book explores how platform business firms evolve in the modern business world. Taking a strategic perspective, this book engages the reader with core concepts, case studies, and frameworks for analyzing platform business firms. This book differentiates platform business firms from traditional pipeline firms; explores engagement with different actors, value creation, and operations of platforms; elucidates resources and capabilities of platform firms that provide them sustained competitive advantage; analyzes performance levers in operating platform business models, including complementarities with other business models; and discusses the sustainability of platform business models, in the face of regulatory and societal challenges, among others. The book is designed as a primer for entrepreneurs setting up and operating platform business firms, senior managers in large corporations repurposing their resources to initiate network dynamics in their businesses, early career managers, and professionals engaging with myriad platform firms for their professional and personal needs. This book intends to provide a decision-maker with a portfolio of decisions to make to create, operate, sustain, and generate value out of a platform business firm. It is also useful for policy professionals to appreciate the economics and policy implications of regulating and governing platforms in a post-digital world.

This book presents the essential concepts of operations research and engineering management in a structured manner. Starting with the basic functions of management - planning, organizing, leading and controlling - it introduces the reader to the process of strategic decision-making, covering the essentials of technological invention management, innovation and entrepreneurship, with ample examples of decision-making under certainty, uncertainty and risk conditions. It also exposes the reader to the fundamentals of managing projects and professional communication. In order to reinforce the theory used, practical case studies taken from relevant disciplines are introduced. For instance, case studies from the retail sector have been appended to the assignment problem and cases related to traffic have been introduced for queuing formulation. The concept of game theory is discussed in greater detail with an introduction to topics such as incentive compatibility, Bayesian representations for different games, budget balance, auctions and a broad coverage of mechanism design. While a few of these problems have been solved in the book, a few others have been left un-solved to promote readers' understanding. The mix of theoretical and practical examples reveals to the reader the underlying complexities and highlights the challenges entailed by field implementation.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on mite pests in agriculture. The first chapter offers a holistic approach to integrated mite management by reviewing the basics of mite taxonomy and morphology. It studies the key plant mite families, focussing on major plant feeding mites (Tetranychidae, Tarsonemidae, Eriophyoidea), as well as the natural predators that regulate these mite populations. The second chapter explores the cultural, biological and chemical control tactics available for controlling major plant feeding mites. These tactics include: choosing tolerant varieties and weed management. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the debate surrounding the best form of control for mite pests in agriculture. The third chapter highlights the importance of understanding the bio-ecology of Tetranychidae species affecting tomato crops, including the two-spotted spider mite, carmine spider mite and red spider mite. The chapter considers the effects of each pest on tomato plants, as well as how best to control them. The final chapter details the ecology of mite pests affecting wheat that belong to the Eriophyoidea family, such as gall mites and wheat curl mites. The chapter discusses the various forms of control for managing Eriophyid mites, as well as the development of new resistant varieties of wheat.

Exponential growth of the worldwide population requires increasing amounts of water, food, and energy. However, as the quantity of available fresh water and energy sources directly affecting cost of food production and transportation diminishes, technological solutions are necessary to secure sustainable supplies. In direct response to this reality, this book focuses on the water-energy-food nexus and describes in depth the challenges and processes involved in efficient water and energy production and management, wastewater treatment, and impact upon food and essential commodities. The book is organized into 4 sections on water, food, energy, and the future of sustainability, highlighting the interplay among these topics. The first section emphasizes water desalination, water management, and wastewater treatment. The second section discusses cereal processing, sustainable food security, bioenergy in food production, water and energy consumption in food processing, and mathematical modeling for food undergoing phase changes. The third section discusses fossil fuels, biofuels, synthetic fuels, renewable energy, and carbon capture. Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of the future of sustainability, including coverage of the role of molecular thermodynamics in developing processes and products, green engineering in process systems, petrochemical water splitting, petrochemical approaches to solar hydrogen generation, design and operation strategy of energy-efficient processes, and the sustainability of process, supply chain, and enterprise.

In the wake of Edward Snowden's revelations, and concern that the internet has heightened rather than combatted various forms of political and social inequality, it is time we ask: What comes after a broken internet? Ramesh Srinivasan and Adam Fish reimagine the internet from the perspective of grassroots activists and citizens on the margins of political and economic power. They explore how the fragments of the existing internet are being utilised alongside a range of peoples, places, and laws to make change possible. From indigenous and non-western communities and activists in Tahrir Square, to imprisoned hackers and whistleblowers, this book illustrates how post-digital cultures are changing the internet as we know it - from a system which is increasingly centralized, commodified, and "personalized", into something more in line with its original spirit: autonomous, creative, subversive. Written by two highly respected scholars in the field, this compelling book is essential reading for anyone concerned with the quality and future of the internet.

This book investigates how strategic marketing is influencing organizations' innovation performance. It presents a structured study conducted on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to identify the correlation between innovation and strategic marketing in both Indian manufacturing and service organizations. Strategic marketing, which achieves excellence in organizations, is at the heart of improving productivity, profitability and market sustainability, while also supplying organizations a much sought-after competitive advantage. It has been observed that strategic marketing can significantly help any manufacturing firm to attain the required level of growth, and can specifically be used by Indian firms as a means of deriving differential advantages. Indian organizations that pursue more traditional approaches to strategy are now feeling the intense market pressure to modify their policy with respect to quality. The result has been a shift to 'Strategy with Innovation'. As market competition has again increased, providing quality products and services alone is no longer sufficient; companies are additionally expected to provide products with a touch of innovation to attract customers. This calls for innovation in terms of products, processes, technologies, systems and practically every other area of an organization, which can only be achieved by combining strategies and innovation. This book identifies the variables of strategic marketing that can help companies significantly boost their innovation performance, making it a valuable resource for students, researchers, professionals and policymakers alike.

This book presents the essential concepts of operations research and engineering management in a structured manner. Starting with the basic functions of management - planning, organizing, leading and controlling - it introduces the reader to the process of strategic decision-making, covering the essentials of technological invention management, innovation and entrepreneurship, with ample examples of decision-making under certainty, uncertainty and risk conditions. It also exposes the reader to the fundamentals of managing projects and professional communication. In order to reinforce the theory used, practical case studies taken from relevant disciplines are introduced. For instance, case studies from the retail sector have been appended to the assignment problem and cases related to traffic have been introduced for queuing formulation. The concept of game theory is discussed in greater detail with an introduction to topics such as incentive compatibility, Bayesian representations for different games, budget balance, auctions and a broad coverage of mechanism design. While a few of these problems have been solved in the book, a few others have been left un-solved to promote readers' understanding. The mix of theoretical and practical examples reveals to the reader the underlying complexities and highlights the challenges entailed by field implementation.

In the wake of Edward Snowden's revelations, and concern that the internet has heightened rather than combatted various forms of political and social inequality, it is time we ask: What comes after a broken internet? Ramesh Srinivasan and Adam Fish reimagine the internet from the perspective of grassroots activists and citizens on the margins of political and economic power. They explore how the fragments of the existing internet are being utilised alongside a range of peoples, places, and laws to make change possible. From indigenous and non-western communities and activists in Tahrir Square, to imprisoned hackers and whistleblowers, this book illustrates how post-digital cultures are changing the internet as we know it - from a system which is increasingly centralized, commodified, and "personalized", into something more in line with its original spirit: autonomous, creative, subversive. Written by two highly respected scholars in the field, this compelling book is essential reading for anyone concerned with the quality and future of the internet.

This innovative introduction to business policy and strategic management, covering both the illustrative cases and conceptual foundation, offers authoritative approaches to strategic leadership in emerging markets. Among its many unique features, this comprehensively updated and revised second edition is structured to help students think strategically.The major organizational issues in strategy development are covered through an analytical study of: nine different perspectives on organization to capture the rich history of the discipline and enlighten the nature of strategy; the concept of strategic intent to guide action; 9-M model to analyze strategies in functional areas of manpower, materials, methods, money, manufacturing, machine, marketing, motivating, and manipulating; competitive gaming model to strategize different types of market structures; internetworking model to develop high-performance Internet ventures; strategic business model to unfold hidden value into new directions.It also covers: value model to explain strategic elements of innovation and technology management; ethical and international issues in the context of corporate governance; strategic leadership model relevant to the emerging market ground realities; and, strategic control model (both balanced and extended scorecard) to explore the influence of environmental and cultural contexts on effective performance. The text is well supported by more than one thousand sources of international research, India-focused case studies and experiential assignments. This comprehensive text on theory and practice of strategic management is a must read for management students as well as business practitioners and consultants.

These cases highlight the business environment of different companies with specific focus on competitiveness, product development, market strategies and international business.

The revised and updated Sixth Edition gives an in-depth and incisive analysis of the basic principles of strategic management. The exposition of these principles is reinforced by seven case studies that encompass the broad spectrum of Indian companies. These case studies are culled mainly from manufacturing and information technology, and include both private and public sector units. The case studies will be of immense help to the budding managers as well as provide them with the requisite practical orientation for understanding the strategic management issues. The inclusion of the concepts, theory and case studies in a single, compact volume is the main feature of the book, which makes the subject easier to understand and learn. Primarily intended as a textbook for postgraduate students of management and commerce, this book is of immense help to all those attending management development and executive development programmes.

Additional Authors Include K. Vedam, S. Ramaseshan, V. Sivaramakrishnan And Others.

Retaining all the strengths of the previous editions, the new edition includes two new chapters on International Business Risks and International Marketing Strategies to meet the curriculum requirements. Besides, all the case studies have been updated to reflect the changing scenario of international marketing. Primarily intended for postgraduate students of management, the book would also greatly benefit managers attending various management programmes.

What makes the new edition appealing to the readers is the addition of new as well as reorganized chapters. Furthermore, new cases have been added and the existing cases have been updated to make the text up-to-date. The cases, set within the Indian context, lend a practical dimension to the subject, familiarizing the student with the developments in the Services Marketing area in India today.

Exponential growth of the worldwide population requires increasing amounts of water, food, and energy. However, as the quantity of available fresh water and energy sources directly affecting cost of food production and transportation diminishes, technological solutions are necessary to secure sustainable supplies. In direct response to this reality, this book focuses on the water-energy-food nexus and describes in depth the challenges and processes involved in efficient water and energy production and management, wastewater treatment, and impact upon food and essential commodities. The book is organized into 4 sections on water, food, energy, and the future of sustainability, highlighting the interplay among these topics. The first section emphasizes water desalination, water management, and wastewater treatment. The second section discusses cereal processing, sustainable food security, bioenergy in food production, water and energy consumption in food processing, and mathematical modeling for food undergoing phase changes. The third section discusses fossil fuels, biofuels, synthetic fuels, renewable energy, and carbon capture. Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of the future of sustainability, including coverage of the role of molecular thermodynamics in developing processes and products, green engineering in process systems, petrochemical water splitting, petrochemical approaches to solar hydrogen generation, design and operation strategy of energy-efficient processes, and the sustainability of process, supply chain, and enterprise.