In the last few decades, man has become more innovative in discovering new materials to make his life more sustainable. Copper metal matrix composite is the most promising material for many engineering applications where the higher temperature resistance and good microstructural stability is required. The sustainable development of copper metal matrix composite is based on the use of ceramics as reinforcements. The choice of reinforcement material is highly influenced by their mechanical properties such as hardness, wear resistance, cost advantage, availability in market and refractory nature. In the current scenario, copper and its alloy are gaining popularity due to their high sustainability, high conductivity and good corrosion resistance. However, the relatively low wear resistance and high temperature strength restrict the use of copper in many applications. Recent developments in metal matrix composites have provided new means to produce high sustainable copper metal matrix composite materials with high wear resistance and high strength materials. It has been found that the wear resistance and strength of materials can be improved by adding hard ceramic particles such as Al₂O₃, SiC, TiC and ZrO₂ into the metal matrix. The aim of the present study is to summarise the research work carried out in the field of sustainable copper metal matrix composites. It also reports the various manufacturing routes along with the structural, mechanical, electrical and corrosion properties. It is found that copper metal matrix composites are preferred over the conventional composites. Sustainability issues around the globe has forced the industries to adopt the eco-friendly materials with their fabrication and machining routes, which results in less carbon emission and also has less affect to the environment. Fabrication of eco-friendly composites is an emerging research area, which has made several research scopes in production of sustainable composites. It is expected that this study can be beneficial for the researcher to decide their research direction in the field of sustainable material production.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of SiC-graphite reinforcement on the properties of pure copper. Copper matrix composites with SiC-graphite reinforcement (0, 2.5,5, 7.5 and 10 wt.%) were prepared by stir casting process. Microstructure, phase, density, hardness and wear rate of prepared samples have been investigated. X-ray diffraction revealed that there is no intermediate phase formation between the reinforcement and matrix as a result of interfacial bonding between them. Microstructure study shows the uniform distribution of SiC-graphite particles in the Cu-matrix. Mechanical and corrosion properties of these Cu matrix MMCs were found to be dependent on the reinforcement content. Hardness was found to decrease with the addition of graphite due to its soft nature. Composite containing 5 wt.% reinforcement has shown minimum wear rate and maximum corrosion resistance. It is expected that the present composite will be useful for thermal management applications especially in heat exchangers.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the causal linkages among supply chain practices, effectiveness of supply chain performance (SCP) and organizational performance (OP) in Indian healthcare industries.Design/methodology/approach: This paper is helpful in developing a framework for linking a healthcare supply chain practice to its OP, and thus identifies how such a linkage can be connected to the effectiveness of SCP. Such effort also enables the authors to derive a set of recommended supply chain practices for SC performance.Findings: From the literature review, this paper finds that, in the context of Indian healthcare industries, efficient SC performance may play a critical role for overall OP improvement, as there is a close interrelationship between supply chain management (SCM) practices and SCP that may have a more significant effect on OP improvement.Research limitations/implications: The principle limitation of the paper is that it is performed only in a particular industry and with a questionnaire survey which could be extended in future for other industries also. Another limitation of the paper is that it is focused only on the SCP of medical device and equipment supply chain which is a small portion of the whole healthcare supply chain, and therefore requires further research covering various other domains of healthcare supply chain. Another limitation of the study is that the sample survey has been taken from only one respondent per company at one point of time which may create biasness in the results. Thus, future research should collect data through multiple members from the organization.Practical implications: This study contributes to know the effect of SCM practices on healthcare SCP and provides a practical and useful tool to evaluate the extent of effectiveness of SCP and finally their impact on the healthcare OP. Finally, this study provides conceptual and descriptive literature regarding SCM practices that leads to improvement in healthcare performance.Social implications: This study adds to the knowledge on healthcare SCM performance by exploring the relationship between supply chain practices, healthcare SCP and healthcare OP and by developing and testing a research framework thus help in improving patient satisfaction.Originality/value: This study attempts to show how the potential benefits of supply chain practices can no longer be ignored in healthcare supply chain.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and worldwide influence on healthcare delivery, and it has significantly increased the pace at which digital technology is being used. Blockchain, one of these developing digital technologies, is distinguished by a number of properties. This study focuses on a blockchain-enabled healthcare supply chain. The purpose of this work is to investigate how blockchain technology (BCT) benefits the performance of healthcare supply chain management (HSCM).Design/methodology/approach: The present study is based on the empirical research. Blockchain Technology (BCT), Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain Practices (HSSCP), Healthcare Supply Chain Performance (HSCP) and Stakeholders’ Involvement (SI) practices are identified from the literature review and hypotheses are framed to check their interrelationship. For testing of hypothesis, a questionnaire was developed. Data collection was done by healthcare professionals via Google docs. The IBM SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze the data and IBM SPSS AMOS 22.0 software was used for the development of structural modal. The data was collected through the Google form from the stakeholders of healthcare sector and analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling.Findings: This research is focused on adoption of BCT enabled Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain to improve HSCP. From the result, it had been found that BCT is positively effecting the stakeholder's involvement (SI) and HSSCP practices. Cumulatively, they positively impact the performance of HSCP. From this study, it is found that adoption of BCT enabled Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain succours to combat COVID-19 situation.Originality/value: This study attempts to show the potential benefits of the adoption of BCT enabled HSSCP to improve HSCP.

Purpose: In the current global manufacturing scenario, all most all major players are now in a position to commit themselves to sustainability in all their operational initiatives and each of them follow their own methodology to attain their goal of sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to assess the sustainable manufacturing practice (SMP) in Indian manufacturing sector. This paper is also focused on the how lean practice leads to the sustainable manufacturing (SM). Design/methodology/approach: A survey methodology is used for this research. The SMPs are identified for the literature review and survey questionnaire was framed. In all, 345 usable responses from four sectors namely automobile, electrical and electronics, machinery and process were collected through Google survey. Findings: This research is focused on the SMPs. From this research it is found that sustainable product and process design (SPPD), lean practices (LP), agile practice and customization, sustainable supply operation and distribution and product recovery and return practices lead to the SM. Research limitations/implications: This study has some limitations, which future researchers could consider. The large industries of Indian manufacturing across four sectors have been considered, the study can be further taken up to the micro, small and medium enterprises of the Indian manufacturing scenario. The questionnaire can be further developed as that it can be used for a global survey across various sectors and then comparison can be made between the Indian companies and their global counterpart. In future longitudinal studies can be conducted by considering the other SMPs like mass customization, smart manufacturing practices, etc. Practical implications: The present research helps the stakeholders to develop strong regulatory norms/policies to promote the SMPs in Indian manufacturing industries. This research may help production/manufacturing managers/practitioners to understand various issues related to SM and how they can be used gainfully to improve their practices and performances towards sustainable development. Social implications: This study enriches the corporate social responsibility in the organization. Corporate social responsibilities activities to be undertaken by the company shall include poverty and malnutrition, promoting health care including preventive health care and sanitation including contribution to the Swachh Bharat Kosh set-up by the Government of India for the promotion of sanitation and making available safe drinking water. This reinforces the company broader aim through its business activities to contribute to the wellbeing and sustainable development. Originality/value: This study offers evidence of the implementation of SMPs namely SPPD, LP, agile practices and customization, sustainable supply operation and distribution and product recovery and return practices in Indian manufacturing organization. The authors propose a conceptual framework for SMPs and empirically tested.

Purpose: The aim of this research is to assess the key enablers of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in the context of the Indian automobile industry. It is done to apprehend their comparative effect on executing I4.0 concepts and technology in manufacturing industries, in a developing country context. The progression to I4.0 grants the opportunity for manufacturers to harness the benefits of this industry generation.Design/methodology/approach: The literature related to I4.0 has been reviewed for the identification of key enablers of I4.0. The enablers were further verified by academic professionals. Additionally, key executive insights had been revealed by using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) model for the vital enablers unique to the Indian scenario. The authors have also applied MICMAC analysis to group the enablers of I4.0.Findings: The analysis of this study’s data from respondents using ISM provided us with seven levels of enabler framework. This study adds to the existing literature on I4.0 enablers and findings highlight the specificities of the territories in India context. The results show that top management is the major enabler to I4.0 implementation. Infact, it occupies the 7th layer of the ISM framework. Subsequently, government policies enable substantial support to develop smart factories in India.Practical implications: The findings of this work provide implementers of I4.0 in the automobile industry in the form of a robust framework. This framework can be followed by the automobile sector in enhancing their competency in the competitive market and ultimately provide a positive outcome for the Indian economic development led by these businesses. Furthermore, this work will guide decision-makers in enabling strategic integration of I4.0, opening doors for the development of new business opportunities as well.Originality/value: The study proposes a framework for Indian automobile industries. The automobile sector was chosen for this study as it covers a large percentage of the market share of the manufacturing industry in India. The existing literature does not address the broader picture of I4.0 and most papers do not provide validation of the data collected. This study thus addresses this research gap.