Professionalizing a Religio-centric Firm through Workplace Learning

On a Monday morning, after a three-week holiday in Brazil, Rakesh Patel, Chairman of Steel Tubes and Pipes Ltd (STPL), was consolidating his thoughts on the tasks ahead. He was back to work after his first family holiday in many years. Experiencing lovely beaches, football fever, and a leisurely cruise in the Amazon basin had rejuvenated the family. He too was recharged, and ready to take his medium-sized company into, as they say, the next orbit.

USING OF TUBULAR HEAT EXCHANGE SURFACE WITH DIMPLES IN THE GAS TURBINE REGENERATORS

Comparison of heat transfer and hydraulic resistance of bundles of smooth tubes and pipes with the surface formed by dimples. Calculations performed for the gas turbine capacity of 16 MW allows minimizing the mass of the regenerator.

The Paradox of Training Metrics

The case discusses issues in the process of professionalising a family-owned manufacturing firm in the steel tubes and pipes industry. Set during 2008-2012, the case highlights the increased competition and the consequent growth in the sector that drives the need for professionalisation. In order to remain competitively relevant, the owners, who were followers of Jainism, had realised that in their business, all other things being equal, a company with trained and engaged manpower had an advantage in the market and over competition. With this thought, the firm initiated a blended training program. While mapping the activities related to employee training with outcomes at different levels, it found that though the reported Return on Training Investment (ROTI) was good, the company was losing out on intangible factors such as employee engagement and the belief system that had traditionally held employees together. Current practices had to change, thereby leading existing members to lose the belief they held in the company. The turn of events put both the owners and the HR department in a dilemma over the entire transformation initiative.

Steering of the hydraulic axial pressure feeding mechanisms in the drilling rigs with a hybrid connection pattern of the combined regulating equipment

The results of the research on the functioning of the hydraulic systems of the hydraulic drilling rigs are analyzed. A focal point of the paper is a research of the functioning of the linear hydraulic throttles under the various connection schemes. The advantages of the hybrid scheme of an axial pressure feeding mechanism are assessed. Recommendations for the usage of the synthetic oils, for the reduction of the tubes and pipes resistances and for the designing of the drilling rig hydraulic supply lines are given.