National Institute of Technology Rourkela

Over the past few decades, thermoset-based fibrous composites have proven to be a superior alternative to metals in structural applications. Thermosets, especially epoxy-based FRP composites, have widespread acceptance due to their ease in fabrication along with excellent strength-to-weight ratio, chemical resistance, and minimal environmental impact. However, in the era of sustainability, extensive application of thermoset-based FRP composites is limited due to their poor recyclability, which poses an environmental threat. To address this issue, thermoplastic matrix-based composites present a promising alternative. Typically, thermoplastic matrices are available in pellet or sheet form, requiring high temperature processing which complicates the fabrication process. To overcome these challenges, a new liquid, Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)-based Liquid Thermoplastic Resin (LTR), has recently been developed. This study systematically evaluates LTR based glass fibre composite (GF/LTR) in various mechanical properties, including flexural strength, interlaminar fracture toughness, and interlaminar shear strength at different temperatures, and compares it with conventional epoxy based glass fibre composite (GF/Epoxy). The VARTM process was used to fabricate both the composites. In every assessment, GF/LTR outperformed GF/Epoxy composites, such as in flexural test at 30℃ GF/LTR composite exhibited 18% higher performance compared to the GF/Epoxy composites. Also, the fracture toughness of GF/LTR shows an improvement of approximately 27.5% at 30℃ and 36.5% at 50 °C, over GF/Epoxy, highlighting the superior fibre-matrix interaction and cohesive integrity in composite LTR. Additionally, fractographic analysis was conducted to gain insights into the failure modes of GF/LTR composites.

Purpose While the field of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) is well-established, its specific impact on manufacturing-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India remains poorly understood. Moreover, there is scant research investigating the mediating role of organizational agility (OA) in the relationship between EM and performance in such enterprises. Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory, this study aims to examine the interrelationships among EM, OA and manufacturing-based SME performance. It also explores the moderating role of business ties (BT) in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 624 owners and managers of manufacturing-based SME in India. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results indicate that EM has a positive influence on both OA and manufacturing-based SME performance. In addition, OA partially mediates the relationship between EM and the performance of manufacturing-based SMEs. Interestingly, BT was found to negatively moderate both the direct and indirect effects of EM on the performance of manufacturing-based SMEs. Practical implications Manufacturing SMEs in developing economies should recognize the strategic value of EM and OA for navigating turbulent environments. However, managers must be prudent in managing BT, as excessive reliance on them can diminish the effectiveness of EM and OA strategies. Originality/value This study contributes to EM literature by focusing on the under-researched context of manufacturing-based SMEs in India. It extends prior work by demonstrating the mediating role of OA and the conditional effects of BT. The findings challenge the assumption that all external ties are beneficial, emphasizing the importance of agility and strategic marketing alignment.