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Open Innovation (OI) literature related to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has often been fragmented, hindering the effective generalisation of findings. We conducted a systematic multidisciplinary literature review to explore OI in the context of SMEs across various regions. OI research in SMEs was most common in Europe, followed by China, Korea, South East Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. Surprisingly, very little research has been done in the USA, Canada, and the Indian subcontinent. We aimed to identify the commonalities and regional specifics in the antecedents and processes leading to OI. The review included one hundred research articles from the Web of Science database. Our findings revealed four common antecedents of OI across the firms: Human Factors, Technology, Policy, and Heterogeneity.Additionally, we identified three standard processes that lead to the OI phenomenon: firm-level partnerships, collaboration with academia, and intermediation. Though the antecedents and processes hold across firms of different sizes, human factors, policy and heterogeneity among the antecedents and intermediation as the process holds more significance to the SMEs as a sector. This research has important implications for academia and the industry. Firstly, we have responded to the research gap by increasing the generalisation of results across the regions. Secondly, different stakeholders may look for literature that is directly relevant to them. Thirdly, SME managers need to know the specific attitudes to facilitate OI effectively. Fourthly, the importance of intermediation has been identified as an effective process leading to OI. Finally, we have categorised future research directions under different clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase change memory (PCM) technology is a strong contender for the next‐generation memory in today's data‐centric era. In3SbTe2 (IST) phase change material is recently explored due to its good thermal stability, rapid electrical switching, and significant resistance contrast for multibit storage. However, the main concern in PCM devices is the high‐energy usage during the phase switching process. Herein, a thin oxide (HfO2) layer is inserted between the IST active layer and bottom electrode in PCM device. Such a device exhibits amorphous‐to‐crystalline phase switching (crystallization or SET operation) at a lower voltage of (2.1 ± 0.1) V and 66% reduction in energy consumption compared to the device using only IST active layer. Higher temperature of 688 K is acquired in the device with the oxide layer demonstrating that the Joule heat is effectively confined by the oxide layer assisting the crystallization process in the active layer at a less voltage. Such a device also exhibits a significant resistance contrast of ≈2 orders magnitude, allowing for stable data storage. These results reveal that the switching performance of PCM device using IST phase change material is improved by the oxide layer, which is beneficial for energy‐efficient, nonvolatile data storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique property of fast and reversible switching between SET (crystalline, highly conductive) and RESET (amorphous, highly resistive) phases of phase change materials has led to its usage in non-volatile memory applications. The quest for new phase change materials with enhanced properties is of utmost importance for developing memory devices that meet the current demand for high speed, better data retention, and multi-bit storage capabilities. We report the systematic changes occurring in the optical bandgap (E g) and structural disorder (B 1 2 ) in In3SbTe2 (IST) phase change material during the transition from amorphous to crystalline phases employing UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy. E g in IST ranges from 0.998 (amorphous) to 0.449 eV (crystalline), revealing higher bandgap values compared to widely used Ge2Sb2Te5. An increment of 22.7% in the Tauc parameter (B 1 2 ) slope, which governs the structural disorder, is also observed during the cubic transition in IST, revealing a more ordered nature of IST in the crystalline phase. Moreover, a rise in Urbach energy (E U) from 33.4 (amorphous) to 150.2 meV (crystalline) exhibits an increase in disorder at elevated temperatures owing to film defects. These findings are supported by the change in the atomic bonding upon crystallization, which is studied using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Our XPS findings demonstrate that the amorphous phase of IST is composed of In2Te3, InSb, and InTe species with a peak area of ∼52.97%, ∼51.26%, and ∼39.83%, respectively. XPS spectra of annealed samples reveal the phases separation of IST alloy into crystalline InSb (∼60.89%) and InTe (∼64.69%) around 300 °C and then the formation of stable cubic In3SbTe2 (∼47.54%) at 400 °C. These experimental findings of the optical properties with structural changes would help distinguish the IST from the conventional phase change materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital transformation fostered by the increasing leverage of artificial intelligence (AI) has been a critical influencing factor unleashing the next wave of enterprise business disruption. Marketing is one of the business streams witnessing this transformation on a very intense scale. Contemporary marketing has begun to experiment with modern, cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, deploying them in mainstream operations to ensure accelerated success. This article explores the use of AI in marketing as an emergent stream of research. Based on inferences from earlier studies, the study categorizes marketing into five distinct functional themes—integrated digital marketing, content marketing, experiential marketing, marketing operations, and market research—and 19 sub-functional themes (activity levers). Across the chosen themes and sub-themes, the study further dovetails into and identifies 170 featured use cases of the extant literature, where AI is leveraged by marketing in delivering superior quality outcomes and experiences. By way of a systematic literature review (SLR), the article evaluates 57 qualifying publications in the context of AI-powered marketing and qualitatively and quantitatively ranks them based on their coverage, impact, relevance, and contributed guidance, and elucidates the findings across various sectors, research contexts, and scenarios. The study discusses the practitioner and academic research implications and proposes a future research agenda to study the continuous transformation fostered by accelerated adoption of AI across the marketing landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is fuel for the sustainability and competitive advantage of an organization. Practitioners have proposed several tools to promote innovation in an organization. The design thinking framework is one approach for problem-solving that can lead to innovations. Some industries have already matured in practicing the design thinking approach, while others are in the nascent stage and still exploring the benefits of creating more innovations. This article puts forwards a systematic literature review followed by a bibliometric analysis on adoption of a design thinking approach for fueling innovation and solving complex problems in different domains. The present study also gives an overview of the penetration of the design thinking approach in various industries and domains. The literature review reveals that design thinking is practiced in almost all industry segments, with more evidence in education and healthcare and an upward trend in user-centered design and complex problem-solving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuit of a more effective electro‐sensor for environmentally hazardous nitro phenols detection at the trace level, we have developed two novel complexes [Ag(μ‐S‐thzt)(Hthzt)(PPh3)]2·2CH3CH2OH (1) and [Hg (thzt)2(o‐phen)](2) based on 2‐thiazoline‐2‐thiol (Hthzt). In complexes 1 and 2, triphenylphosphine and o‐phen were used as co‐ligands, respectively. Both the synthesizedcomplexes have been characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction data,UV–vis., infrared, and NMR spectrometry. Geometry around both the metal ion complexes is distorted tetrahedral. Noticeably, in complex 1, the Hthzt acts as a bridging as well as terminal ligand. The intermolecular interaction found in complexes 1 and 2 have been further investigated through Hirshfeld surface analysis. On comparing fluorescence intensities of Hthzt, complex 1, and complex 2, the order of fluorescence behavior was found to be Hthzt > complex 1 > complex 2. The electrochemical performance of both complexes 1 and 2 and their ability to sense 4‐nitrophenol (NP) have been evaluated through modified glassy carbon electrodes and were detected by the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) methods. Based on electrochemical responses, complex 1 shows more effective performance as anelectro‐sensor than complex 2. With a relatively low detection limit of 0.19 μM, great selectivity, and acceptable sensitivity, the complex 1/GCE sensor demonstrated an exceptional linear plot between the oxidation peak current and NP concentration in the ranges of 0.5–500 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three novel Cd(II) metal complexes 1–3 have been synthesized with different derivatives of thiazoline, hydrazide and carbodithioate. These metal complexes are abbreviated as [Cd (tht)2]n, [Cd (Hpph)2]n and [Cd (mpps)2]n along with their respective ligands Htht, H2pph and mpps. The developed metal complexes are characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data and other spectroscopic techniques (Infrared [IR], nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR], ultraviolet–visible [UV–vis] and fluorescence). The polymeric nature of these cadmium complexes have been ascertained by single XRD data. Several significant interactions were also revealed, which aid in the stabilization of these complexes' supramolecular architecture. Comparing complex 2 with complexes 1 and 3, the absorption spectra of complex 2 exhibits a greater λmax. On comparing the fluorescence study of these complexes, complex 2 has a higher fluorescence than complexes 1 and 3. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) approach was employed to detect the electrochemical behaviour of these complexes, as well as the sensing of uric acid (UA) by these complexes via modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs). According to the conclusions received by CV study, the modified electrode containing complex 3 has admirable UA electro catalytic activity. This UA electrochemical sensing device offers a low detection limit (0.3 μM), fine linear ranges (30–1500 μM), reasonable sensitivity, and a fast reaction time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public confidence in Police produces valuable outcomes for society. The present paper explores the drivers of public confidence in Police in Kashmir, India. The data were collected from 277 citizens and 318 police personnel in Kashmir. The study examined the role of the image of Police, media, the neutrality of Police, and community policing in influencing public confidence in the Police. Results indicated that police personnel considered the neutrality of Police and the role of media as the most crucial determinants of public confidence. However, citizens' expectations were different. Citizens believed that community policing and the image of the Police were essential to elicit their confidence in the Police. The study is a novel attempt to empirically examine the gap between citizens' expectations and the Police's perception of those expectations in a conflict zone. The findings of this study would enable policymakers to design suitable interventions to secure public confidence in Police in a conflict zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a comprehensive investigation into the optical, local chemical state, and electrical properties of the less explored magnesium oxide (MgO) are presented for resistive switching data storage applications in reference to the well‐documented hafnium oxide (HfO2). The observed local chemical state from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis yields a nonlattice oxygen peak in O 1s spectra, indicating the resistive switching potential of polycrystalline MgO analogous to the amorphous HfO2 as‐deposited thin films. The optical investigation through UV–visible spectroscopic and photoluminescence examination reveals the high transmissivity of HfO2 (84–98%) and MgO (86–88%) thin films in visible and near‐infrared domains, with a high bandgap of 5.6 and 4.2 eV, respectively, implying the possibility of two distinct stable states essential for resistive switching phenomena. Additionally, the electrical characterization manifests bipolar switching phenomena in HfO2 and MgO metal–oxide–metal stacks with SET transitions at 0.6 and 0.5 V, followed by RESET transitions at −0.6 and −0.5 V, respectively. Both oxides in respective stacks exhibit dominant Ohmic conduction in high‐resistive and low‐resistive regions during positive and negative bias. These observations propose MgO as a preferable resistive switching material for nonvolatile data storage applications, showing similar properties of widely studied HfO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a potent metallodrug to prevent the progression of cancer is needed urgently. Here, three new complexes [Mn(pfth)2(o-phen)] (1), [Co(pfth)2(en)] (2) and [Ni(pfth)2(en)] (3) based on a 4-phenyl-(2-furoyl)-thiosemicarbazide (Hpfth) ligand containing 1,10 phenanthroline (o-phen)/ethylenediamine (en) as secondary ligands have been synthesized. The synthesized complexes have been characterized by various analytical, spectroscopic (IR, UV-vis., NMR), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The results obtained by quantum chemical calculations (DFT and TD-DFT) agree with the experimentally observed values. The tumoricidal potential of Mn, Co, and Ni salts, ligand Hpfth, and their coordinate complexes was evaluated against K562, MCF-7, and DL cancer cell lines. Both short-term (XTT and MTT assays) and long-term (clonogenic assay) treatment of the tumor cells studied through colorimetric, clonogenic, and fluorescence-based assays by the complexes demonstrated true anti-tumor effects against these cancer cells. The results suggest the significant antitumor potential of the metal–ligand complexes against the tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner with higher growth inhibition, apoptosis, and inhibition in colony formation in comparison to either metal salts or free ligands. Complexes 1 and 3 induce more growth inhibition as compared to complex 2 against all cancer cell lines. Complex 3 demonstrated impressive tumoricidal properties in a clonogenic assay in comparison to complexes 1 and 2. These studies establish the role of metal centers in antiproliferative activities and reveal that Ni(II) exhibits more potent anti-tumoricidal activity. Molecular docking studies of Hpfth and complexes 1–3 were also performed against three target proteins 6NE5: Myeloid Cell Leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), 6E91: Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), and 6H0W: Lysine Demethylase 4D and the results displayed favorable binding interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic water oxidation by transition metal complexes is an emerging area of research. Here, two cobalt(III) complexes [Co(ftsm)NH3(o‐phen)]·H2O (1) {ftsm = bis(5‐furan‐1,2,4‐triazole)‐3‐sulfinamide} and [Co(ptsm)NH3(o‐phen)]·CH3OH (2) {ptsm = bis(5‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole)‐3‐sulfinamide} were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic and X‐ray crystallography techniques. Complexes 1 and 2 were found to have admirable electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The Tafel slope values for GC/Nf‐Complex‐2 and GC/RuO2 were 53 and 60 mV/dec, respectively. Consequently, complex 2 possesses a better water oxidation response than standard material RuO2. The ligands Haftt, Haptt, o‐phen, and complexes 1 and 2 were also tested for their cytotoxicity against Dalton's lymphoma (DL) cells employing MTT assay and found to have significant cytotoxicity. The IC50 values of Haftt, Haptt, mixed ligands Haftt + o‐phen and Haptt + o‐phen, and complexes 1 and 2 against DL cells were found to be 150, 400, 200, 450, 80, and 5 μM, respectively. The complexes were found to have minimal effect on normal cells. The remarkable IC50 value for complex 2 shows that it can be utilized as a potential anticancer agent against DL cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical water splitting by transition metal complexes is emerging very rapidly. The nickel complexes also play a very vital role in various biological activities. Here, three new ligands {H2mbhce = N′-(4-methyl-benzoyl), H2pchce = N′-(pyridine-carbonyl) and H2hbhce = N′-(2-hydroxy-benzoyl) hydrazine carbodithioic acid ethyl ester} and their corresponding Ni(II) complexes [Ni(Hmbhce)2(py)2] (1), [Ni(pchce)(o-phen)2]·CH3OH·H2O (2) and [Ni(hbhce)(o-phen)2]·1.75CHCl3·H2O (3) have been synthesized and fully characterized by various physicochemical and X-ray crystallography techniques. The photoluminescence study and thermal degradations were also examined. The treatment of K562 cells with the increasing concentrations of the nickel salts, ligands, and complexes 1, 2, and 3 showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic activity of ligands reveals that ligand H2mbhce is more potent in inhibiting the growth of tumor cells in comparison to other ligands H2pbhce and H2hbhce. Cytotoxicity assay results indicate that all complexes have remarkable cytotoxic potential in comparison to either nickel salts or the free ligands. Among these complexes, complex 1 has significantly better anti-tumor activity as compared to complexes 2 and 3. The electrochemical study of complexes 1, 2, and 3 for water oxidation reveals that all the complexes possess admirable electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and have lower overpotential (328, 338, and 370 mV, respectively) than many previously reported complexes and RuO2 (390 mV). Among complexes 1, 2, and 3, complex-2 shows a better water oxidation response. Consequently, these complexes have great potential to be utilized in fuel cells. The more reliable electrochemical parameter TOF is also calculated for all three complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation and disruption of conducting filament (CF) are responsible for the SET/RESET switching of resistive random access memory (ReRAM). The ReRAM enters into a low resistive state soon after the complete formation of CF and the process is followed by the radial growth of CF during the ON-state. The present investigation aims to develop a numerical and analytical model to realize the effect of CF radius on local temperature rise and activation power, combining the thermal reaction model (TRM) and power signature model. The numerical investigation is carried out using finite element method to obtain the local temperature rise and temperature distribution across the device. The numerical results show a similar increment pattern of local temperature as of analytical TRM i.e. the local temperature increases linearly with a rapid growth rate of ∼63% in initial CF radii and then gradually attains a steady-state temperature with ∼10% increment in higher CF radii. The relationship between resistance and compliance current is calculated which obeys the same reported trend in other switching oxides like TiOX, CuO, NiO. Additionally, the activation power is determined where the resistance decreases (101.87–0.25 KΩ) due to the CF radial growth, which results in four orders of exponential increment in activation power from ∼0.04 µW to 500 ± 100 µW. The power signature of numerical TRM is validated with that analytical TRM where the device attends a steady-state temperature after a certain CF radius (>25 nm) along with the activation power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to compare and contrast the organic food choice-making process among high and low-income customers based on food quality, service quality and price fairness. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate apparent differences in decision-making strategies of high and low-income customers. Price fairness played an essential role in reducing risk and enhancing trust among low-income customers. Therefore, perceived risk reduction strategies are more suited for low-income consumers. For high-income consumers, trust was crucial. Also, product and service quality was equally vital for both segments. Managers selling organic food to high-income customers should focus on the retailing mix elements to build trust in the retailer. However, for low-income customers, managers should justify the price premium as fair. Also, managers may try to reduce financial risk by mechanisms such as money-back guarantees or liberal return policies for low-income customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefixing a weak electric field (incubation) might enhance the crystallization speed via pre-structural ordering and thereby achieving faster programming of phase change memory (PCM) devices. We employed a weak electric field, equivalent to a constant small voltage (that is incubation voltage, Vi of 0.3 V) to the applied voltage pulse, VA (main pulse) for a systematic understanding of voltage-dependent rapid threshold switching characteristics and crystallization (set) process of In3SbTe2 (IST) PCM devices. Our experimental results on incubation-assisted switching elucidate strikingly one order faster threshold switching, with an extremely small delay time, td of 300 ps, as compared with no incubation voltage (Vi = 0 V) for the same Vi. Also, the voltage dependent characteristics of incubation-assisted switching dynamics confirm that the initiation of threshold switching occurs at a lower voltage of 0.82 times of VA. Furthermore, we demonstrate an incubation assisted ultrafast set process of IST device for a low VA of 1.7 V (~18 % lesser compared to without incubation) within a short pulse-width of 1.5 ns (full width half maximum, FWHM). These findings of ultrafast switching, yet low power set process would immensely be helpful towards designing high speed PCM devices with low power operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase-change materials (PCM) show remarkable property-contrast from amorphous to crystalline phase that forms the basis for high-speed non-volatile memory device applications. Despite understanding the local structure and physical properties of these phases, a systematic study on the phase-change behavior is essential. Here, we used in situ UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopic measurements to study a systematic evolution of optical band gap ( Eg) and the local disorder described by Tauc parameter ( B), for the temperatures from 90 to 480 K on amorphous and cubic phases of Ge1Sb4Te7 thin films. It has been found that the Eg of amorphous phase decreases with increasing temperature from 90 to 400 K, while the disorder as exemplified by B, increases owing to thermal vibrations. At 420 K, a rapid decrease in the Eg from 0.47 to 0.33 eV and also a sharp reduction of ∼13% in the value of B1/2 is observed evidencing the signature of amorphous-to-cubic phase transition. Furthermore, the hexagonal phase is more disordered compared to cubic phase. The Raman results are consistent with optical measurements, which indicate that the degree of disorder reduces from amorphous to cubic phase, while hexagonal phase with an increased disorder is attributed to elongated bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of antecedents like environmental consciousness and cosmopolitanism (COS) on organic food purchase intention (OFPI) with the possible mediation of opinion seeking (OS) and opinion leadership (OL). Design/methodology/approach – A model drawn largely from environmental value–attitude–system model (Dembkowski and Hanmer-Lloyd, 1994) has been proposed and tested. Primary data from four cities across India were collected using a survey. Findings – COS was the primary factor determining purchase intention. A full mediation of OS behaviour was observed between environmental consciousness and OFPI. No effect of OL on OFPI could be established. Research limitations/implications – Because COS is positively affecting the organic food patronage and cosmopolitans are more likely to be socially responsible consumers, the organic food (OF) manufacturers should target brick and mortar stores in more cosmopolitan cities like Bangalore, Delhi, etc. The mediating role of OS has wider implications for marketers and advertisers both. In line with both theoretical underpinning (theory of planned behaviour), empirical studies (Chakrabarti and Baisya, 2009) and ours, it seems that the customer seeks credible information before purchasing organic food. The word-of-mouth and social media are recommended channels for similar reasons. The websites are a must for OF manufacturers because retailers may not provide adequate promotion/information of the products to the consumers. Practical implications – This study enables marketers in the field of OF domain to target the customers better. It also guides them to have a good integrated marketing communication to cater to the opinion-seeking phenomenon of consumers. Originality/value – The paper investigates the OFPI model better suited to urban cities in India. COS construct usage is a novelty of the paper as well as the mediation of opinion-seeking behaviour. Findings have value both for researchers and practitioners in the OF domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The van der Pauw (VDP) method is widely used to identify the resistance of planar homogeneous samples with four contacts placed on its periphery. We have developed a fully automated thin film resistance measurement setup using the VDP method with the capability of precisely measuring a wide range of thin film resistances from few mΩ up to 10 GΩ under controlled temperatures from room-temperature up to 600 °C. The setup utilizes a robust, custom-designed switching network board (SNB) for measuring current-voltage characteristics automatically at four different source-measure configurations based on the VDP method. Moreover, SNB is connected with low noise shielded coaxial cables that reduce the effect of leakage current as well as the capacitance in the circuit thereby enhancing the accuracy of measurement. In order to enable precise and accurate resistance measurement of the sample, wide range of sourcing currents/voltages are pre-determined with the capability of auto-tuning for ∼12 orders of variation in the resistances. Furthermore, the setup has been calibrated with standard samples and also employed to investigate temperature dependent resistance (few Ω–10 GΩ) measurements for various chalcogenide based phase change thin films (Ge2Sb2Te5, Ag5In5Sb60Te30, and In3SbTe2). This setup would be highly helpful for measurement of temperature-dependent resistance of wide range of materials, i.e., metals, semiconductors, and insulators illuminating information about structural change upon temperature as reflected by change in resistances, which are useful for numerous applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extant research has widely investigated the various institutional antecedents of corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, the role of peer groups on the firm's CSR has received relatively less attention. To this end, the present study examines the CSR of the firms due to the mimetic isomorphism mechanism arising among 'industry peers' (i.e., peer firms which operate in the same industry) and 'community peers' (i.e., peer firms with their headquarters located in the same geographical area). The study examines CSR along two dimensions: CSR engagement level and CSR spending. The study examines the fixed effects regression on a balanced panel data, collected from the annual reports and CMIE Prowess database of 321 listed firms from 2015 to 2018 in India. The results indicate that both the industry and the community peers positively influence the CSR engagement level and CSR spending of the firms. However, community peers' effect is stronger than the industry peers' on both dimensions. The divergence from peer groups' mean CSR spending negatively moderates the peer group and CSR relationships. The results further indicate that institutional investors reduce the mimetic isomorphic (shouldn't it be isomorphic mimetic) pressure on the firm. The study contributes by proposing a measurement index of CSR engagement level. Managers can develop appropriate business policies for a firm's CSR activities based on 'industry' and 'community' peer firms. • A firm's CSR engagement level and CSR spending are positively affected by 'industry peers' and 'community peers'.. • The effect of community peers on CSR is stronger than industry peers. • The divergence from the mean CSR spending of the peer groups negatively moderates the influence of peers on CSR. • The institutional investors reduce the mimetic pressure on a firm's CSR. • A measurement index for the CSR engagement level is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]